Peanut butter; change in procurement process,

[Federal Register: October 29, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 209)]

[Notices]

[Page 58005]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr29oc98-32]

Notices Federal Register

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[[Page 58005]]

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Commodity Credit Corporation

Change in Procurement Process for Peanut Butter

AGENCY: Commodity Credit Corporation, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) intends to purchase commercial quality peanut butter for use in its domestic feeding programs. Beginning November 16, 1998, CCC will no longer purchase peanut butter using USDA specifications. CCC will develop a qualified products list using samples received from contractors. Bids will only be accepted from contractors listed on the qualified products list.

EFFECTIVE DATE: November 16, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Timothy Reaman, Chief, Miscellaneous Product Branch, Kansas City Commodity Office, 9200 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, Missouri, 64114, telephone (816) 823-2832, fax (816) 823-4195; or Dean Jensen, Chief, Contract Management Branch, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, STOP 0551, Washington, DC 20250, telephone (202) 720-2115, fax (202) 690-1809.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On November 16, 1998, CCC will begin purchasing standard retail commercial quality peanut butter with a history of consumer acceptance. Labels may be commercial brand name or generic labels; however, labels must comply with the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act requirements. Under this process, contractors will submit a representative sample of their product, in original packaging, to an independent third party laboratory for sensory and quality analysis. Peanut butter which is determined to be equivalent to or exceeds the quality which would be acceptable in the trade for a generic retail store brand, will be placed on an qualified products list. Bids will only be accepted from this list. Any style of container may be used provided the seller complies with best commercial practices for handling, shipping, and storage of the containers. Contractors must submit a Certificate of Compliance (COC) as described in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 48 CFR part 46.315, and FAR clause 52.246- 15, for each lot of product produced under contract. Commercial laboratories may be used for all analysis provided they are capable of performing all required tests, and use methods approved by the Association of Analytical Chemists (AOAC), and the American Oil Chemist Society (AOCS).

Suppliers will be audited under the guidelines of the Total Quality Systems Audit Program (TQSA). TQSA will serve as a method of verification that a supplier has met and continues to meet contract requirements and to verify accuracy of the contractor's COC. TQSA will include a review of documentation and records, onsite quality system audits, and product reviews both at the point of production and at destination.

Failure of suppliers to deliver a product of an equivalent quality from that which was evaluated by the sensory panel may constitute a cause for termination for default or provide cause for suspension or debarment from participation in Government procurement and other programs.

Signed at Washington, DC, on October 20, 1998. Keith Kelly, Executive Vice President, Commodity Credit Corporation.

[FR Doc. 98-28996Filed10-28-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-05-P