Dried Fruit Products

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial dried fruit products, solicitation number 2000011304. The acquisition is set aside for small business concerns. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers an Ombudsman Program for Agency Protests (OPAP) to address protest issues within the agency, providing an alternative to litigation. Interested parties are encouraged to resolve concerns through USDA's internal Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process before pursuing external forums such as the GAO. Concerns may be addressed informally or through a formal agency protest filed with either the Contracting Officer or the Ombudsman. Formal protests under the OPAP program should be submitted electronically to SPE.inquiry@usda.gov and the Contracting Officer.