How to bid on Ham & Pork products for Domestic Food Assistance Programs (USDA)

What the agency is buying

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking bids for ham and pork products. These products are intended for use in domestic food assistance programs. This is an opportunity for businesses that supply ham and pork to work with a federal agency.

This is an unrestricted invitation for bid (IFB), meaning it is open to all businesses and is not set aside for small businesses.

Key dates and deadlines

The solicitation was published on August 07, 2026. All bids must be submitted by August 20, 2026, at 3:00 PM ET. It is important to submit your bid on time, as late submissions are generally not accepted.

This announcement is the only solicitation. No separate written solicitation will be issued.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is suitable for food suppliers and distributors specializing in ham and pork products. Given it is an unrestricted invitation for bid, both large and small businesses in the food and agriculture sector are encouraged to consider bidding.

Firms with experience in supplying food products to government or large-scale programs may find this particularly relevant.

How to respond

To access the solicitation, you will need to click the “View original source” link. If the first click takes you to the portal’s homepage, click it again to go directly to the bid.

You may need to create a free account on the portal to view all documents, though this is not always required for every bid. The solicitation number for this opportunity is 12-3J14-26-B-0382.

Tips for preparing a competitive response

Carefully review all provisions and clauses incorporated by reference in the solicitation. These can be accessed electronically at www.acquisition.gov. Understanding these terms is crucial for a compliant bid.

Ensure your pricing is competitive and reflects current market conditions for ham and pork products. Double-check all quantities and specifications requested to avoid errors in your submission.

If you have any concerns about the solicitation, the USDA encourages you to first contact the Contracting Officer for resolution. This Tier 1 process does not pause solicitation deadlines, so address any issues promptly.