{"id":1733,"date":"2019-02-14T23:14:01","date_gmt":"2019-02-14T23:14:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bidlink.net\/news\/?p=1733"},"modified":"2019-02-15T03:34:56","modified_gmt":"2019-02-15T03:34:56","slug":"valentines-day-dod-and-chocolate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bidlink.net\/news\/2019\/02\/valentines-day-dod-and-chocolate\/","title":{"rendered":"Valentine\u2019s Day, DOD and Chocolate"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Department of Defense buys chocolate<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How much chocolate does the Department of Defense (DOD)\nbuy, one of our staff said on Valentine\u2019s Day.  The Defense Department buys chocolate you say?\n Yes DOD buys everything from weapon systems\nto food and candy, you just need to know where and how to look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are looking to sell to DOD or wondering how, your answers\nexist in the data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reviewing past contract awards and solicitations tell you\ndetails of the purchase.  The answers you\u2019ll\nfind through this type of review will help guide you on how to sell your products.  Finding answers such as who\u2019s buying that\ntype of item, how they are buying it, what kind of contract(s) are used how many\nare purchased and what price they are paying. \nThese answers will guide you on the best way to sell.  If you are simply just searching for open solicitations,\nyou could be missing out on other business opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DOD buys all kinds of food including fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy, bakery products and candy including chocolate.  Various types of contracts are used; both large and small companies sell food to DOD.  Contracts for food are awarded to local vendors as well as large prime vendors.
Contracts can be long term or one time buys.  The successful government contractor uses all these methods.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first part of my market research<\/a> was to determine the code(s) relating to chocolate products.  There isn\u2019t one but there is class of items under FSC 8925 which is titled \u201cSugar, Confectionery, and Nuts\u201d – candy, chewing gum, honey and maple syrup all fall under that category.  Since chocolate is a candy now I know to search using FSC 8925 to find contracts and solicitations that might contain chocolate.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then I looked for contracts, companies selling products\nunder FSC 8925, bounced around in BidLink looking up contracts, companies, NSNs\u2019\nCage Codes finding some very specific results of companies selling chocolate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

My goal for this study to just get an idea of what kind\nof chocolate was sold and who sold it in past 45 days starting January 1st<\/sup>\n2019 till today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A few data points I found relating to Chocolate the\nDefense Logistic Agency (DLA) is buying:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both Sweet and Semisweet chocolate baking chips, various types<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chocolate covered peanuts, assorted colors \u2013 Any guesses on the manufacturer?<\/p>\n\n\n\n