Glossary

Responsible Bidder/Offeror	A responsible bidder or offeror is one who has adequate financial resources, or the ability to obtain such resources required during the performance of the contract, is able to comply with the required or proposed delivery or performance schedule, taking into consideration all existing business commitments--commercial as well as governmental, has satisfactory records of performance and a satisfactory record of integrity and business ethics, and is otherwise qualified and eligible to receive an award under applicable laws and regulation. In addition, where acquisitions involve production, maintenance, construction, or research and development, a prospective contractor must have the necessary production, construction, and technical equipment and facilities, or the ability to obtain them.
Responsive Bidder/Offeror	A responsive bid is one that complies in all material aspects of the IFB so that all bidders may stand on equal footing. It offers to provide goods, services, or construction efforts needed in accordance with specification and delivery schedules set forth in the IFB. It contains no restrictions or qualifications beyond those permitted in the solicitation document.
Advantageous to the Government	The bid found most advantageous in sealed bidding procurements is the one that complies in all respects with the IFB and has the lowest cost to the government--price and related factors considered.
Agency	The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) or Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), whichever is designated in the announcement as procuring the commodity or service.
AID	Agency for International Development, an agency within the Department of State which carries out U.S. programs of technical and economic assistance to less-developed countries. AID's programs place emphasis on agriculture, health, and education. AID denotes the Washington, DC, offices and USAID denotes the AID offices located in foreign countries. KCCO supplies most of the food-aid commodities utilized in programs under AID's jurisdiction.
Announcement	An instrument which states the terms and conditions for the procurement of the designated commodity or service.
Contracting Officer (CO)	An individual with authority to enter into, administer, and/or terminate contracts and make related determinations and findings on behalf of the Agency.
Contractor	A person, firm, corporation or other legal entity obligated under the contract with the Agency.
Delivery Orders (D/O's)	D/O's for Group A commodities are created, procured, and contracts awarded by the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). KCCO is responsible for contract administration which includes issuing the Notice to Deliver (N/D) and providing commodity transportation support. D/O's for Group B commodities are created by either the Food and Nutrition Service or KCCO to request the purchase and delivery of a particular commodity food item. The commodity requested must have an announcement issued for that specific commodity before the D/O can be processed.
f.a.s.	The point where the ocean carrier assumes custody and control of the product in a port area with all further charges for movement of the product being paid by the ocean carrier. A pricing term indicating that the quoted price includes the cost of delivering the goods alongside a designated vessel.
f.o.b.	A pricing term indicating that the quoted price includes the cost of loading the goods into a means to transport at the specified place. FOB terms establish the contractual arrangements in which the title is transferred between seller and buyer and the point where transportation responsibility is shifted from seller to buyer. For example, if terms are FOB origin, title of goods passes to the buyer at point where the shipment originates; if FOB destination, title of goods passes to the buyer at point where the shipment terminates and freight cost is paid to the destination by the seller.
Intermodal Bridgeport	Location(s) where steamship companies have established and published intermodal rates from one location to a U.S. port and the foreign destination.
Mid-Bridge	A point which defines the International Border between the U.S. and Mexico, normally the Rio Grande crossings, for the purpose of transferring liability and ownership of export shipments moving by rail.
Notice to Deliver (N/D)	Shipping instructions issued to contractors and warehousemen directing the delivery of a processed commodity.