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Biobased Products Acquisition Procedures Changed

USDA is updating the federal procurement of biobased products under the BioPreferred Program. The update will clarify the preference process in the Federal Acquisition Regulations, which will in turn make it easier for procurement officials and manufacturers to participate in the program. The BioPreferred program, enacted as part of the 2002 Farm Bill and managed by USDA, requires federal buyers and their contractors to give preference to qualified biobased products.

"The new BioPreferred program will help increase the demand for biobased products, help reduce our dependence on petroleum, and help create value-added jobs in rural communities," acting Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner says. "This is part of the federal government's focus on using renewable, sustainable resources."

With the update to the FAR, agencies across the federal government and their contractors will be required to give procurement preference to biobased products that meet qualifications for preferred procurement. According to USDA research, more than 10,000 biobased products are commercially available for purchase. USDA rulemaking will seek to speed the qualification of as many of these products as possible for federal procurement preference. To review the new BioPreferred program or for more information visit: www.biopreferred.gov.

Source:Feedstuffs