Seneca Foods Corp awarded $242K for canned corn, with delivery orders extending through July 2026

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $242,078 ($242.1K)

Contractor: Seneca Foods Corp

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-04-02

End Date: 2026-07-15

Contract Duration: 104 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 13

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: COMMODITIES FOR USG FOOD DONATIONS: 2000011244/4400002469/4100033935/CORN WHOLE KERNEL CAN-24/300

Place of Performance

Location: OAKFIELD, FOND DU LAC County, WISCONSIN, 53065

State: Wisconsin Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $242,078.06 to SENECA FOODS CORP for work described as: COMMODITIES FOR USG FOOD DONATIONS: 2000011244/4400002469/4100033935/CORN WHOLE KERNEL CAN-24/300 Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the fixed-price nature and duration of the contract. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process was utilized. 3. The contract involves a single delivery order, indicating a specific need for canned corn. 4. Performance is contextually framed by the Agricultural Marketing Service's role in food programs. 5. This contract falls within the broader food processing and distribution sector. 6. The duration of the contract suggests a consistent supply requirement.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $242,078.06 for canned corn appears to be within a reasonable range for government food procurement. As a firm-fixed-price contract, the government has locked in the cost, mitigating risk of price escalation. Benchmarking against similar contracts for canned goods would provide a more precise value assessment, but the amount is not inherently excessive for the quantity and duration implied.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. With 13 bids received, the level of competition was robust. This suggests that the government likely received competitive pricing and a good selection of qualified offerors, leading to a favorable outcome for price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: A high level of competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down prices and ensuring the government obtains goods and services at the best possible value.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely recipients of U.S. government food donation programs, potentially including domestic food banks or international aid recipients. The service delivered is the provision of canned whole kernel corn, a staple food item. The geographic impact is centered in Wisconsin, where the contractor Seneca Foods Corp is located, and potentially extends to where the food donations are distributed. Workforce implications are primarily within Seneca Foods Corp's canning and distribution operations in Wisconsin.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for supply chain disruptions affecting delivery timelines.
Quality control issues could impact the usability of the donated food.
Dependence on a single contractor for a specific commodity.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract limits cost overruns for the government.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive market for this commodity.
Contract duration indicates a stable supply chain is anticipated.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader food manufacturing and processing sector, specifically the fruit and vegetable canning sub-sector. The market for canned goods is mature, with established players like Seneca Foods Corp. Government procurement of food commodities is a significant segment, often supporting domestic agriculture and food assistance programs. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other contracts for canned vegetables or staple food items procured by federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Seneca Foods Corp is a large corporation, so the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is minimal. However, the company itself may utilize small businesses as suppliers for raw materials or services.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) within the Department of Agriculture. Accountability measures are embedded in the contract terms, including delivery schedules and product specifications. Transparency is facilitated through public contract databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

USDA Food Donation Programs
Commodity Procurement Contracts
Federal Food Assistance Programs
Agricultural Marketing Service Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for supply chain delays
Quality assurance concerns
Dependence on specific commodity pricing

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $242,078.06 to SENECA FOODS CORP. COMMODITIES FOR USG FOOD DONATIONS: 2000011244/4400002469/4100033935/CORN WHOLE KERNEL CAN-24/300

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SENECA FOODS CORP.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $242,078.06.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-02. End: 2026-07-15.

What is Seneca Foods Corp's track record with federal food procurement contracts?

Seneca Foods Corp has a history of supplying canned goods and other food products to various government agencies, including the Department of Defense and the USDA. Their participation in federal food donation programs and school lunch programs is well-documented. Analyzing past performance data, such as on-time delivery rates and product quality compliance, would provide a clearer picture of their reliability. While specific details for this particular contract's history are not provided, their general engagement suggests familiarity with government procurement requirements and standards. Past contract awards and their values can indicate the scale and frequency of their involvement in federal supply chains.

How does the unit price of this canned corn compare to similar government contracts?

Without specific unit volume data for this $242,078.06 contract, a direct per-unit cost comparison is challenging. However, the contract is for 'CORN WHOLE KERNEL CAN-24/300', suggesting a standard packaging size. To benchmark effectively, one would need to compare the price per can or per pound against other USDA or DoD contracts for similar canned corn products awarded around the same period. Factors like origin of the corn, specific processing, and delivery location can influence price. The firm-fixed-price nature of this award implies the price was set before delivery, and the competitive bidding process suggests it should be market-aligned.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

Key risks include potential supply chain disruptions affecting timely delivery, quality control issues with the canned corn, and price volatility if the contract were not fixed-price. Mitigation strategies are inherent in the contract structure: the firm-fixed-price protects against cost increases for the government. The contract duration (104 days) and specified delivery dates (ending July 15, 2026) provide clear performance expectations. The Agricultural Marketing Service likely has quality assurance protocols in place. Furthermore, the full and open competition suggests a pool of qualified vendors, reducing reliance on a single source and allowing for potential re-competition if issues arise.

How effective is the Agricultural Marketing Service in managing commodity procurement contracts like this one?

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) plays a crucial role in procuring agricultural commodities for various federal programs, including food assistance and donations. Their effectiveness is generally measured by their ability to secure high-quality products at competitive prices while ensuring timely delivery to meet program needs. AMS utilizes established procurement processes, including competitive bidding, to achieve these goals. Their long-standing involvement in commodity procurement suggests a degree of expertise in managing contracts, understanding market dynamics, and overseeing vendor performance. Evaluating specific program outcomes and recipient satisfaction would offer a more granular assessment of their effectiveness.

What is the historical spending pattern for canned corn procurement by the USDA?

Historical spending patterns for canned corn by the USDA would reveal the volume and value of such procurements over time, influenced by factors like agricultural output, program needs, and budget allocations. The USDA procures commodities through various channels, including direct purchase contracts like this one and through programs that support farmers. Analyzing past USDA contracts for canned corn would show trends in pricing, the number of bidders, and the primary contractors. This data helps establish a baseline for current contract values and assess whether spending is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable, providing context for the $242,078.06 award.

What are the implications of this contract being a 'Delivery Order' under a larger contract vehicle?

The notation 'DELIVERY ORDER' suggests this is not a standalone contract but rather a specific order placed against a previously established contract or agreement, potentially a Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA) or a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. This implies that the terms, conditions, and pricing structure were likely negotiated and finalized when the parent contract was awarded. A delivery order allows the government to procure specific quantities of goods or services at defined times without needing to re-compete the entire requirement each time. This can streamline the procurement process and ensure availability of goods.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Fruit and Vegetable Preserving and Specialty Food Manufacturing › Fruit and Vegetable Canning

Product/Service Code: SUBSISTENCE

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 123J1425B0350

Offers Received: 13

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: W.A. Baxter & Sons (holdings) Limited

Address: 350 WILLOWBROOK OFFICE PARK, FAIRPORT, NY, 14450

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $242,078

Exercised Options: $242,078

Current Obligation: $242,078

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 123J1425D0070

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline