Companies have until Sept. 10 to bid on delivery of lamb for the $10 million lamb purchase announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) in early August. USDA distributed the bid sheet showing delivery to multiple cities across the nation.
The American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) secured the additional $10 million from USDA livestock drought assistance, the largest bid the industry has ever had in one marketing period.
"I repeat my opinion that USDA is making every effort to make this $10 million in buys work for the industry," said Peter Orwick, ASI executive director. "The additional bid opportunity and the option to use cooler inventory as well as fresh, processed lamb are both new for the section 32 bid process."
According to AMS, there will be two bid processes. The first will be an Invitation for Bid for the three pre-approved cuts of lamb - bone-in and boneless legs and shoulder chops. This bid period will be announced and completed in September.
A second bid opportunity is currently open for commercial lamb products that companies can describe and bid beyond the three specific cuts. Companies that have a surplus supply of different cuts or configurations, for example, can submit bids to the department to review for interest and appropriateness in the food programs.
Acceptances will be announced by midnight, Sept. 18. Deliveries will be made between Nov. 1, 2012, and June 30, 2013.
Additional program information can be accessed at www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/ams.fetchTemplateData.do?template=TemplateJ&page=CPDCommodityPurchaseMeatFish.