Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

Vendor Information

Information regarding vendor participation for the Pilot Project for the Procurement of Unprocessed Fruits and Vegetables.

The U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS) is responsible for the maintenance of vendor participation in the pilot, including the approval process and conducting vendor audits. The AMS suggests that vendors who are interested in applying for approval review the Vendor Eligibility Requirements documents that are linked below, prior to contacting AMS commodity procurement staff. The following information can also be found on the USDA AMS Pilot web page External link opens in new window or tab..

Eligibility Information and Application Forms

All application forms and supporting documentation listed in the Vendor Eligibility Requirements document must be submitted to the USDA by email at scpilotproject@usda.gov.

All eligible vendors shall also be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) External link opens in new window or tab., which requires a data universal numbering system (DUNS) number. You can reach the SAM Help Desk at 1-866-606-8220.

Please fill out the Web-based Supply Chain Management (WBSCM) New User Registration Form External link opens in new window or tab. (XLS) and submit to wbscmamshelpdesk@usda.gov for access to the invoicing process.

For legal assistance, visit the Office of General Counsel's Procurement Technical Assistance Center External link opens in new window or tab..

Vendor Payment

After the delivery of produce, the vendor is responsible for completing and confirming the vendor reporting spreadsheet, which includes case count information, with the recipient agency (RA). After RA approval, the vendor must log into the USDA Web-based Supply Chain Management (WBSCM) system and submit the spreadsheet along with all pertinent supporting documentation. Once submitted, the USDA AMS will pay the vendor within 10 business days and notify the vendor, RA, and state by e-mail.

Vendor Audits

Approved vendors are subject to an audit by the USDA AMS to confirm all requirements to participate as a pilot vendor are in place. For a list of requirements, please view the Vendor Eligibility Requirements document listed above.

USDA Contacts

For Pilot questions, please contact

Kerry Dodd or Nicole Schellhorn

Email: SM.FN.UnprocessedFVPilot@usda.gov

For additional information, such as eligibility flyers, GroupGap Food Safety program options, USDA Pilot Webinars, and other resources, please visit the USDA AMS Pilot Project web page External link opens in new window or tab..

Questions:   Food Distribution Program | 916-323-0865
Last Reviewed: Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Related Content
Recently Posted in Nutrition
  • CNAC Minutes for the November 2, 2023 Meeting (added 31-Jul-2025)
    Meeting minutes for the State Superintendent of Public Instruction Child Nutrition Advisory Council (CNAC) on November 2, 2023.
  • Next Steps: 2025–26 FFVP Grant Recipients (added 30-Jul-2025)
    On July 28, 2025, the CDE NSD awarded and posted the FFVP first allocation grant recipients and funding allocations for School Year 2025–26 on the CDE FFVP Funding Results web page. The FFVP first allocation is July 1, 2025–September 30, 2025.
  • Ada Valley Meat Company Recalls Ground Beef (added 30-Jul-2025)
    Ada Valley Meat Company Recalls Ready-To-Eat Ground Beef Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
  • 2025–26 FFVP Grant Recipient Announcement (added 29-Jul-2025)
    On July 28, 2025, the CDE NSD awarded and posted the FFVP first allocation grant recipients and funding allocations for School Year 2025–26 on the CDE FFVP Funding Results web page. The FFVP first allocation is July 1, 2025–September 30, 2025.
  • CEP Application and Mandatory P2 Base Year Review (added 28-Jul-2025)
    Provides guidance to school food authorities on how to apply for the Community Eligibility Provision and on the mandatory review of the Provision 2 base year.

  • Appeal Process for Grants (added 24-Jul-2025)
    This web page provides and overview and timeline for the appeal process for grants in California associated with the Child Nutrition Programs administered by the California Department of Education Nutrition Services Division.
  • Mandatory Review of Provision 2 Base Year (added 23-Jul-2025)
    This management bulletin provides guidance regarding the mandated review of school food authorities participating in Provision 2.
  • Noncongregate Waivers for Unanticipated Closures (added 23-Jul-2025)
    Noncongregate Waivers for Unanticipated School Closures SY 2025-26
  • California Agriculture in the Classroom Conference (added 21-Jul-2025)
    Join California Agriculture in the Classroom at the 38th Annual Agriculture in the Classroom Conference to gain hands-on tools, resources, and inspiration to integrate agriculture into every subject.
  • Food Safety Inspection for School Year 2024–25 (added 15-Jul-2025)
    LEAs participating in the School Breakfast Program (SBP) and/or National School Lunch Program (NSLP) must complete the SY 2024-25 Food Safety Inspection Survey.