Vessel Loading and Unloading Observation (VLUO) Services

Amendment A01 Posted 9/5/2025. The purpose of this amendment is to answer questions received in response to the solicitation identified in Block 9A and to make changes to the SF-1449/solicitation/performance work statement and other attachments. The solicitation due date has been extended to September 15, 2023, at 4:30 p.m CST. Offerors must acknowledge this amendment and any other amendment when submitting their proposal and SF-1449. The solicitation and performance work statement has been updated in multiple sections, please make sure to read them in their entirety. Please see the questions and answers document that has been added to the attachment section..

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Services (AMS) requests quotations from responsible sources to conduct third-party observation for CONUS of all cargo being loaded onto ocean vessels to reduce or eliminate the risk that anything other than clean, wholesome products, free from insect or rodent infestation or contamination, packaged in sound clean containers, are loaded for delivery to food aid programs and perform as needed for OCONUS discharge surveys, draft surveys, through bill of lading (TBL) surveys, and discharge and delivery surveys of containerized, bulk, and breakbulk commodities for food assistance programs. It is the intention of the Government to award a firm-fixed price contract to one firm for this requirement.

Offerors are required to propose services for the CONUS locations which are listed on the KC-362 form located at https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/KC0362.pdf; and for the OCONUS locations which include, but are not limited to Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Burundi, C. African Rep., Cameroon, Chad, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic. of Congo, Djibouti, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malawi, Mauritania, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Uganda, West Bank Gaza, Yemen, Zimbabwe, Foreign-Prep, and Republic of South Africa.

Please also note the following:

• Please ensure that you read the RFP solicitation in its entirety. Failure to provide all required elements as indicated in the solicitation will result in the quote being excluded from consideration for award.

• Past performance ratings should be submitted directly to the Contract Officer from a third party.

• A signed SF1449 must be submitted with your proposal.

• Questions regarding this RFP shall be submitted to Travis Cathey (travis.cathey@usda.gov) by Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at 4:30pm CST. Questions will be answered and posted by Friday, September 5, 2025, at 4:30pm CST