Agricultural Marketing Service

Supports American agriculture by facilitating domestic food purchasing through approved vendors.

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Streamlines procurement processes and improves access to USDA food programs.

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Ensure consistent quality with reliable auditing and accreditation services.

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Ensures quality and compliance of agricultural products through detailed grading and inspection services.

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Enables informed dietary decisions through comprehensive pesticide residue data.

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CIDs streamline U.S. Government procurement through standardized item descriptions.

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Ensure market credibility with certified meat and poultry carcasses meeting rigorous standards.

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Empowers regional food businesses with technical assistance and market opportunities.

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Engage in lucrative USDA procurement opportunities and grow your vendor status.

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Processes and platforms for federal food procurement, vendor enrollment, solicitations, awards, and order management for government nutrition programs.

Products: Commodity Procurement Program, Web-Based Supply Chain Management (WBSCM), Becoming a USDA Foods Vendor, Commercial Item Descriptions

Services that grade, inspect, and certify commodity quality and carcass characteristics to enable market claims and consistent product quality.

Products: Grading & Inspections, Certified Meat and Poultry Programs

HACCP task management, allergen and recipe compliance, and end-to-end ingredient traceability to support regulatory reporting and food safety programs.

Products: Auditing & Accreditation

National monitoring of pesticide residues and associated data services that support regulatory agencies, risk assessment, and food safety oversight.

Products: Pesticide Data Program

Technical assistance, capacity-building awards, and market opportunity support to strengthen regional food economies and increase small business participation.

Products: Regional Food Business Centers

Commodity Procurement Program

AMS purchases a variety of domestically produced and processed commodity food products through a competitive process among approved vendors. The Commodity Procurement Program (CPP) supports American agriculture by encouraging domestic foods, with annual purchases of about $2-5 billion, using the Web-Based Supply Chain Management (WBSCM) system for ordering and procurement.

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• Ensures Fair And Open Bidding
  This process guarantees that procurement is conducted in a fair manner, allowing a level playing field for all vendors, thus promoting transparency and competition.
• Supports Significant Market Activity
  The substantial purchase volume plays a crucial role in supporting agricultural markets and encouraging the growth of domestic agriculture.
• Streamlines Order Management
  Utilizes a web-based system for managing federal food orders and procurement processes efficiently, ensuring transparency and ease of access for all stakeholders.
• Streamlines Procurement Processes
  Using the WBSCM ensures efficiency in the procurement processes, allowing for a more organized and quick ordering and delivery system for food products.
• Improves Food Security
  This feature enables the effective distribution of nutritious food options to underserved populations, enhancing overall food security across various communities.
• Opens Opportunities For Vendors
  Provides a structured avenue for various vendors to engage in the procurement process, enhancing access to governmental food supply chains.
• Promotes Small Business Involvement
  Facilitates inclusivity and provides guidance for small-scale vendors, ensuring they can navigate the procurement process effectively.
• Informs Vendor Offerings
  Helps vendors align their product offerings with USDA procurement needs, enhancing their chances of successful bids.

Web-Based Supply Chain Management (WBSCM)

WBSCM is the fully integrated, web-based ordering and procurement system used by AMS programs, including the Commodity Procurement Program. It centralizes all federal food and commodity orders, solicitations, offers, awards, deliveries, invoices, and payments.

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• Enables Seamless Program Access
  Directly integrates with the Commodity Procurement Program, allowing for efficient resource management and coordination.
• Facilitates All Procurement Activities
  Manages all aspects of the procurement lifecycle, from ordering to payment, enhancing efficiency and transparency.
• Ensures Consistent Procedures
  Creates uniformity across procurement processes, enhancing collaboration and compliance among all stakeholders.
• Streamlines Order Submission
  Easily submit offers and track procurement status through a centralized portal for better visibility.
• Offers Comprehensive Training
  Provides resources and support for users to maximize their understanding and use of the WBSCM platform.

Auditing & Accreditation

Auditing & Accreditation provides audit and accreditation programs based on international standards to help producers and suppliers demonstrate their ability to provide consistent quality products or services.

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• Certify Competence Against Standards
  These programs assure clients that accredited entities meet rigorous quality standards, enhancing trust in their products and services.
• Assess Quality Systems
  These programs provide producers and suppliers with an objective evaluation of their quality management systems to identify areas for improvement.
• Verify Compliance And Practices
  The use of independent auditors ensures unbiased verification, increasing credibility and reliability of audits for producers and suppliers.
• Ensure ISO Compliance
  By adhering to ISO guidelines, the programs ensure high-quality standards are met and maintained.
• Implement HACCP Principles
  This feature helps businesses establish critical control measures for food safety, ensuring product integrity from production to consumption.

Grading & Inspections

Grading & Inspections provides quality grading and inspection services for a range of commodities; AMS currently grades beef, dairy products, eggs, fruits, vegetables, poultry, tobacco, and other products.

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• Covers Multiple Commodities
  The grading service encompasses a wide array of agricultural products, ensuring comprehensive quality assurance.
• Ensures Quality Standards
  The service guarantees that agricultural products meet established quality standards, enhancing consumer confidence.
• Reduces Costs
  The Remote Grading Program allows efficient grading while minimizing costs for independent beef packers, using imaging technology to assess quality.
• Facilitates Custom Requests
  Users have the ability to request personalized grading services tailored to specific needs, enhancing customer satisfaction.

Pesticide Data Program

The Pesticide Data Program (PDP) is a national pesticide residue monitoring program that produces the most comprehensive database on pesticide residues in the U.S. food supply. It emphasizes commodities highly consumed by infants and children and operates in collaboration with State agriculture departments and other Federal agencies.

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• Monitors Pesticide Residues
  This feature focuses on monitoring pesticide residues on food commodities to ensure public safety and facilitate informed food choices.
• Access Comprehensive Database
  The database provides users with an extensive range of pesticide residue data essential for research, regulatory compliance, and public awareness.
• Supports Regulatory Assessment
  Facilitates assessment of dietary exposure and aids regulatory bodies in making informed decisions about food safety.

Commercial Item Descriptions

Commercial Item Descriptions (CIDs) are official U.S. Government procurement documents that are uniquely numbered in a Federal series, prominently dated for easy reference, and appropriately titled according to current labeling policies.

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• Ensures Clarity And Compliance
  This feature guarantees that each CID is up-to-date and complies with federal labeling regulations, facilitating accurate identification.
• Facilitates Easy Reference
  Each CID's unique number provides a reference point, making retrieval and verification by procurement officials straightforward.
• Supports Federal Procurement Procedures
  This ensures that items conform to federal standards, facilitating smoother procurement operations.
• Offers Guidance
  The fact sheet serves as a user-friendly resource for understanding the implementation and benefits of CIDs.

Certified Meat and Poultry Programs

Certified Meat and Poultry Programs certify meat and poultry carcasses for various marketing programs that make claims concerning breed and carcass characteristics, going beyond the standard USDA grades.

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• Certifies Unique Marketing Claims
  The program validates claims about specific characteristics, enhancing the marketability of the product.
• Guarantees Certification For Carcasses
  This certification ensures that the meat meets rigorous standards, increasing consumer trust and marketability.
• Expedites Label Approvals
  This feature simplifies the labeling process for meat and poultry products, allowing quicker time to market.
• Enables Diverse Market Strategies
  By supporting a variety of marketing initiatives, the program helps businesses diversify their offerings.

Regional Food Business Centers

Regional Food Business Centers support farms and food businesses to create new market opportunities, enhance competitiveness, and strengthen their regional supply chains. They provide technical assistance, capacity building awards, and coordinate services to promote the growth of regional food economies.

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• Identifies New Markets
  Utilizes regional insights to help businesses explore and tap into new markets effectively.
• Offers Expert Guidance
  Advises on best practices in food production, distribution, and marketing to enhance efficiency.
• Administers Subawards
  Offers grants to help businesses specifically for growth and development in the regional food market.
• Provides Financial Assistance
  Supports business growth by offering grants aimed at enhancing operational capacity and market reach.
• Builds Local Networks
  Creates synergies between growers, distributors, and consumers to promote regional food systems.

Becoming a USDA Foods Vendor

Becoming a USDA Foods Vendor describes the process for vendors to become approved USDA vendors and participate in procurement opportunities. Each year, USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Commodity Procurement Program (CPP) purchases approximately $2-5 billion in processed, chilled, frozen, and fresh products, supporting both domestic and international distribution.

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• Streamlined Approval
  Learn how to navigate the vendor approval process efficiently, increasing your chances of becoming an approved supplier for USDA food programs.
• Access Competitive Bidding
  Qualify for extensive procurement opportunities, allowing vendors to bid for contracts with the USDA, enhancing business revenue.
• Utilize Advanced Technology
  Leverage the WBSCM system for all procurement processes, ensuring smooth operations from bidding to payment.
• Promote Small Business Growth
  Engage in programs designed specifically for small businesses, allowing them to compete fairly within USDA procurement.