Procurement Home

USDA buys goods and services on a highly decentralized basis. Acquisition of goods and services needed to support USDA programs is accomplished through procurement offices managed by the various USDA agencies. Procurement of agricultural (food) commodities is a separate program and is accomplished by two (2) organizations - the Agricultural Marketing Service and the Kansas City Commodity Office of the Farm Service Agency.

Acquisition Workforce Mentoring Opportunities (pdf)

AGAR Advisory 85, Acquisition Workforce Training, Delegation, and Management System
The purpose of AGAR Advisory 85 is to establish procedures for the USDA Acquisition Workforce (AW) Career Management Program - Part 1 | Part 2

AGAR Advisory 84, USDA Federal Procurement Data Verification and Validation Plan Policy and Procedures
The purpose of AGAR Advisory 84 is to establish interim policy and procedures for the verification and validation of the Federal Procurement Data submitted to GSA to comply with the Office of Federal Procurement Policy’s (OFPP) directive that the Federal Agencies verify and validate the accuracy of the information entered into the Federal Procurement Data System-Next Generation (FPDS-NG).

AGAR Advisory 83, Acquisition Strategy Review and Approval Procedures, Released
The purpose of AGAR Advisory 83 is to establish interim policy and procedures for CAO review of acquisition activities and programs of USDA.

BioPreferred^SM & Biobased Products
BioPreferred^SM (formerly The Federal Biobased Products Preferred Procurement Program) is a preference program that serves to increase the procurement and use of biobased products by Federal agencies. A biobased product is a commercial or industrial product (other than food or feed) that is comprised in whole or in part of biological products, renewable agricultural materials or forestry materials.

Publication of Proposed Rule to incorporate BioPreferred^SM into the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR).

Privacy Act Letter for Head of Contracting Activities Procurement Council Members
The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration sent out a letter dated January 2, 2008 to all Head of Contracting Activities reminding them to ensure inclusion of FAR Clauses pertaining to the Privacy Act of 1974, in all Contracts.

New Green Purchasing Training for Purchase Card Holders from GSA SmartPay
GSA is offering new training that meets the Green Purchasing training requirement for purchase card holders. Section 10 of Part III of "GSA SmartPay Purchase Card - Your Blueprint for Success" discusses purchasing recycled content, biobased, energy efficient, environmentally preferable products, and non-ozone depleting substances, with links to the relevant program web sites.

USDA Green Purchasing Affirmative Procurement Program (GPAPP) updated April 18, 2008
The GPAPP establishes Department-wide guidance and implements guidelines for an effective green purchasing program.

Hurricane Contracting Information Center (HCIC)

The HCIC provides a central point of reference for businesses, especially Minority-owned businesses and Small- and Medium-sized enterprises, to register for and become aware of federal contracting opportunities in the Gulf Coast. HCIC does not award contracts. It was established to ensure that businesses understand the process and are aware when opportunities become available.

USDA Announces Initiative to Aid Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses