USDA Food Donations: $4.69M for Frozen Fruit & Berries, Awarded to Tabatchnick Fine Foods

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,688,209 ($4.7M)

Contractor: Tabatchnick Fine Foods Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2025-11-13

End Date: 2026-02-06

Contract Duration: 85 days

Daily Burn Rate: $55.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 11

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: COMMODITIES FOR USG FOOD DONATIONS: 2000011028/4400002429/4100033140/PEACH FREESTONE DICED FRZ CUP-96/4.4 OZ,MIXED BERRY FRZ CUP-96/4.OZ

Place of Performance

Location: SOMERSET, SOMERSET County, NEW JERSEY, 08873

State: New Jersey Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $4.7 million to TABATCHNICK FINE FOODS INC for work described as: COMMODITIES FOR USG FOOD DONATIONS: 2000011028/4400002429/4100033140/PEACH FREESTONE DICED FRZ CUP-96/4.4 OZ,MIXED BERRY FRZ CUP-96/4.OZ Key points: 1. Spending focuses on frozen fruit and berry commodities for food donations. 2. Tabatchnick Fine Foods Inc. secured the contract. 3. Competition was full and open after initial source exclusion. 4. The sector is Frozen Fruit, Juice, and Vegetable Manufacturing.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $4.69M appears reasonable for the specified quantities of frozen fruit and berries. Benchmarking against similar USDA food donation contracts would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition after an initial exclusion of sources, suggesting a robust price discovery process. This method aims to ensure the government receives the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are used to procure essential food commodities for donation programs, supporting food security initiatives.

Public Impact

Ensures availability of nutritious frozen fruits and berries for federal food donation programs. Supports agricultural producers by purchasing processed food products. Contributes to food assistance efforts nationwide. Provides a consistent supply of specific frozen items for distribution.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 55 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price fluctuations in commodity markets.
Dependence on a single awardee for this specific order.

Positive Signals

Supports federal food donation mission.
Utilizes competitive procurement processes.
Clear delivery timeline established.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Frozen Fruit, Juice, and Vegetable Manufacturing sector, supporting the USDA's mission to procure food for domestic distribution. Spending benchmarks for similar commodity procurements would offer further context.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses participated in the competition or if subcontracting opportunities exist.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded by the Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service. Oversight would involve monitoring delivery schedules, product quality, and adherence to contract terms.

Related Government Programs

Frozen Fruit, Juice, and Vegetable Manufacturing
Department of Agriculture Contracting
Agricultural Marketing Service Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for commodity price volatility.
Limited visibility into specific quality control measures for donated food.
Reliance on a single vendor for this order.
Lack of small business participation noted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $4.7 million to TABATCHNICK FINE FOODS INC. COMMODITIES FOR USG FOOD DONATIONS: 2000011028/4400002429/4100033140/PEACH FREESTONE DICED FRZ CUP-96/4.4 OZ,MIXED BERRY FRZ CUP-96/4.OZ

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TABATCHNICK FINE FOODS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Agricultural Marketing Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-11-13. End: 2026-02-06.

What is the historical pricing trend for these specific frozen commodities purchased by the USDA?

Analyzing historical pricing data for frozen diced peaches and mixed berries procured by the USDA would reveal if the current $4.69M award reflects favorable market conditions or potential price increases. This historical context is crucial for assessing long-term value and identifying any significant deviations from past spending patterns.

What were the reasons for the initial exclusion of sources before the full and open competition?

Understanding the reasons behind the initial exclusion of sources is important for evaluating the integrity of the procurement process. If the exclusion was due to specific technical requirements or past performance issues, it could indicate a targeted approach. If it was an administrative error, it might suggest potential weaknesses in the initial stages of solicitation.

How does the unit cost compare to commercially available frozen fruits and berries of similar quality?

Comparing the per-unit cost of these frozen commodities to similar products available commercially is essential for determining value for taxpayer money. While government contracts may have different specifications, a significant deviation could signal either an exceptional deal or an overpayment, impacting the overall effectiveness of the procurement.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Fruit and Vegetable Preserving and Specialty Food Manufacturing › Frozen Fruit, Juice, and Vegetable Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: SUBSISTENCE

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 123J1425B0360

Offers Received: 11

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1230 HAMILTON ST, SOMERSET, NJ, 08873

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Minority Owned Business, Other Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,688,209

Exercised Options: $4,688,209

Current Obligation: $4,688,209

Actual Outlays: $3,847,911

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 123J1425D0045

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline