Mozzarella String Cheese and Kosher Process Cheese

NOTICE FOR FILING AGENCY PROTESTS

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Ombudsman Program The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is committed to fair, transparent, and efficient acquisitions. Interested parties with concerns about this solicitation are encouraged to seek resolution through the following USDA procedures.

Tier 1: Contracting Officer Concern Resolution

Submission: Interested parties with concerns about either the solicitation or subsequent award should first submit their concern directly to the Contracting Officer, providing sufficient detail to allow the Contracting Officer to understand and assess the issue.

Process: The Contracting Officer will review the concern, seek clarification as needed, and engage with the interested party to attempt prompt resolution.

Review Timeline: The Contracting Officer will make every effort to provide a response or resolution

within 10 business days of receiving the concern.

Effect on Award or Performance: Tier 1 engagement is not considered an official notification of

filing an agency protest and does not pause solicitation deadlines, delay award decisions, or

suspend contract performance.

Next Steps: If the matter cannot be resolved at Tier 1, the interested party may file a written agency

protest under Tier 2.

USDA encourages all parties to seek resolution with the Contracting Officer before filing an agency protest.

Tier 2: Agency Protest

If concerns cannot be resolved at Tier 1, an interested party may file a written agency protest with

either the Contracting Officer or the USDA Independent Review Authority. The decision by the

USDA Independent Review Authority is an alternative to a decision by the Contracting Officer. The

USDA Independent Review Authority will not consider an appeal of the Contracting Officer’s

decision on an agency protest.

The protest must state whether the protester elects review by the Contracting Officer, by the UDSA

Independent Review Authority. If no election is stated, the Contracting Officer will decide the

protest.

Required Information: Protests shall include the information set forth in FAR 33.104-4

(a)(3). Failure to submit the required information may result in a delay or dismissal of the protest.

Submission: Agency protests should be submitted electronically to SPE.inquiry@usda.gov and the

Contracting Officer.

Timeliness: Protests must be filed within the timeframes specified in FAR 33.104.

Effect on Award or Performance: Contract awards or performance will be suspended during the

protest period unless justified in writing for urgent and compelling reasons or determined to be in

the best interest of the Government.

Review Timeline: USDA strives to resolve agency-level protests within 35 business days of receipt.

Election of Forum: By filing a protest with USDA, the protesters agree not to file a protest on the

same matter with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) or any other external forum while

the agency protest is pending. If such a protest is filed externally, the USDA agency protest will be

dismissed.

Questions: Questions regarding this notice or protest procedures should be directed to the

Contracting Officer identified in this solicitation.