What this opportunity is
The Department of Justice is seeking a total small business set-aside for Halal-certified meal trays, as outlined in NAICS 311999. The procurement includes specific requirements for the slaughtering process and ingredients to ensure compliance with Islamic dietary laws, including no cross-contact with haram items. This opportunity is suitable for small businesses with Halal certification capabilities and requires careful attention to the detailed specifications provided in the combined synopsis/solicitation notice, indicating that interested vendors should track the notice closely for submission requirements.
Analysis by Mindy, grounded in the SAM.gov notice.
Description
1) The tray for all meals will be:
• The slaughterer must recite Bismillah (In the Name of Allah) before the slaughter
of each animal, and in a manner prescribed by Islamic law.
Quoters will include a letter of certification from the religious certification agency dated no more than 11
months from the date of the quote provided.
General Meal Specifications - Items 65 through 72
The animal from which the meat comes:
o Quality assurance mechanisms to ensure no cross contact with haram food or ingredients.
• The slaughterer must believe in all the essential matters of the Islamic faith.
• The Halal slaughtered carcasses should be stamped and labeled as ‘Halal'.
• By hand with an extremely sharp knife so that the animal suffers minimally;
• Intentionally slaughtered by a horizontal cut at the throat of the animal (below is
laryngeal prominence), so that three of the four vessels are severed in one cut;
• By a practicing sane adult Muslim who is knowledgeable of the Islamic
slaughtering procedures.
o The live animal must be slaughtered:
o No forbidden enzymes derived from haram sources;
o No emulsifiers that are derived from haram sources;
o That has no exposure to haram foods or ingredients through cross contact.
HALAL RELIGIOUS DIET SPECIFICATION QUOTE SHEET
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
o With no pork or pork by-products;
o No traces of alcohol, or additives containing alcohol, including sugar alcohols;
Food must be certified halal:
Religious Certification Requirements for Meals
Items 65-72 offered on this bid must be certified Halal. Please read definitions below for requirement of
each certification.
Certified Halal items will be certified by a Halal Certification Agency, to meet the following requirements:
o No gelatin derived from haram sources;
o No animal shortening derived from haram sources;
o No other mind-altering substances derived from haram sources;
o Must be lawful to consume in Islamic Law.
o Cannot have died of cause other than proper slaughtering in accordance with Islam;
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a) Made with non-metallic packaging that allows microwave and conventional oven heating and
be heat sealed directly to the tray with clear plastic and wrapped with a separate sealed clear plastic
wrapper which encloses the entire tray.
b) A three compartment tray with a large compartment of 21 fluid ounces and two
compartments of 6 fluid ounces each.
2) All Meals will contain the food products per the individual product specification including the stated
volume and/or weight of item as listed.
3) No substitutions may be made to the meats, vegetables, starches, sauces or preparation methods.
4) Meals (items 65 through 72) may be quoted as frozen and/or shelf stable products. Pricing must be
identifiable as either frozen or shelf stable.
5) Each individual meal must be marked with the certification symbol from the religious certification
agency.
6) Heating directions must be provided for various wattage microwaves or oven heating including
recommended method.
7) Mixed Vegetables will contain carrots, corn, peas, green beans, and lima beans with:
a) Not more than 40 percent by weight carrots.
b) Not more than 40 percent by weight corn (sweet, golden or yellow, whole kernel com).
c) Not more than 40 percent by weight green peas.
8) Peas and Carrots will contain:
a) Not more than 40 percent by weight carrots.
b) Not more than 40 percent by weight green peas.
9) Mashed Potatoes will be made with commercially prepared potato flakes without peel, adding only
water according to the manufacturers’ preparation instructions; or fresh potatoes prepared using only
water and spices with only the amount of binder which will ensure the product does separate in
processing. No extenders of any type are allowed.
10) Tomato Sauce will be commercially prepared or crushed and/or pureed tomatoes, tomato paste
and spices using only the amount of binder required to ensure the product does not separate during
processing.
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Source: SAM.gov, as posted. Verify the current solicitation before responding.