USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service awards $16.5M for frozen fish fillets to Blue Harvest Foods LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $16,480,997 ($16.5M)
Contractor: Blue Harvest Foods LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture
Start Date: 2022-02-25
End Date: 2022-12-15
Contract Duration: 293 days
Daily Burn Rate: $56.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: COMMODITIES FOR USG FOOD DONATIONS: 2000008363/4100025169/HADDOCK FILLET FRZ PKG-20/2 LB,OCEAN PERCH FILLET FRZ PKG-20/2 LB,ATLANTIC POLLOCK FILLET FRZ PKG-20/2 LB
Place of Performance
Location: NEW BEDFORD, BRISTOL County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02740
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Agriculture obligated $16.5 million to BLUE HARVEST FOODS LLC for work described as: COMMODITIES FOR USG FOOD DONATIONS: 2000008363/4100025169/HADDOCK FILLET FRZ PKG-20/2 LB,OCEAN PERCH FILLET FRZ PKG-20/2 LB,ATLANTIC POLLOCK FILLET FRZ PKG-20/2 LB Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single vendor, Blue Harvest Foods LLC, for frozen fish fillets. 2. The contract utilizes a firm fixed price structure, providing cost certainty. 3. Competition was full and open, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. The contract duration is 293 days, ending in December 2022.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $16.5M for frozen fish fillets appears reasonable given the quantity and type of goods. Benchmarking against similar large-scale commodity procurements would provide further validation.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating multiple bidders likely participated. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives fair market value.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is positive for taxpayers, as it aims to secure the best possible prices for the food commodities.
Public Impact
Ensures availability of essential food commodities for USG food donation programs. Supports the seafood industry by providing a large contract for processed fish products. Contributes to food security initiatives through the distribution of donated food.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 56 / 10
Warning Flags
- Contract duration is relatively short (293 days).
- No specific mention of sustainability or sourcing practices.
- Small business participation not explicitly detailed.
Positive Signals
- Firm fixed price contract provides budget predictability.
- Full and open competition suggests a competitive award.
- Procurement supports important food donation programs.
Sector Analysis
This procurement falls within the broader food and agriculture sector, specifically focusing on seafood processing and distribution. Spending benchmarks for similar commodity contracts would be useful for comparison.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that the awardee, Blue Harvest Foods LLC, is not a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business subcontracting opportunities were pursued or mandated.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service, which has established procurement processes. Oversight would involve monitoring contract performance and adherence to terms.
Related Government Programs
- Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging
- Department of Agriculture Contracting
- Agricultural Marketing Service Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for price fluctuations if market prices change significantly.
- Dependence on a single vendor for a large quantity of goods.
- Limited information on specific quality control measures.
- Lack of explicit small business participation details.
Tags
seafood-product-preparation-and-packagin, department-of-agriculture, ma, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Agriculture awarded $16.5 million to BLUE HARVEST FOODS LLC. COMMODITIES FOR USG FOOD DONATIONS: 2000008363/4100025169/HADDOCK FILLET FRZ PKG-20/2 LB,OCEAN PERCH FILLET FRZ PKG-20/2 LB,ATLANTIC POLLOCK FILLET FRZ PKG-20/2 LB
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BLUE HARVEST FOODS LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Agricultural Marketing Service).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $16.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-02-25. End: 2022-12-15.
What is the estimated per-pound cost of the fish fillets, and how does it compare to market rates for similar products?
The total contract value is $16,500,000 for approximately 400,000 lbs of fish (20,000 packages * 20 lbs/package). This yields an estimated cost of $41.25 per pound. This price needs to be benchmarked against current market prices for frozen haddock, ocean perch, and Atlantic pollock fillets to assess value for money.
Were there any specific quality or sourcing requirements stipulated in the contract, and how were they verified?
The contract specifies frozen fillets of haddock, ocean perch, and Atlantic pollock, but detailed quality standards or specific sourcing requirements (e.g., sustainability certifications) are not provided in this summary. Verification of quality would typically occur through inspection upon delivery, but the specifics of this process are not detailed here.
How does this contract contribute to the overall goals of the USG food donation programs, and what is the expected impact on recipients?
This contract directly supports the USG food donation programs by procuring essential protein sources. The frozen fillets are intended for distribution to individuals and families in need, contributing to food security and improved nutrition. The scale of the procurement suggests a significant impact on program beneficiaries.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging › Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging
Product/Service Code: SUBSISTENCE
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SEALED BID
Solicitation ID: 123J1422B0208
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Blue Harvest Fisheries LLC
Address: 40 HERMAN MELVILLE BLVD, NEW BEDFORD, MA, 02742
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $16,480,997
Exercised Options: $16,480,997
Current Obligation: $16,480,997
Actual Outlays: $16,480,997
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-02-25
Current End Date: 2022-12-15
Potential End Date: 2022-12-15 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-09-17
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