Transporter rejects the IPA

I already:

created the App Store Connect app
created the Apple Distribution certificate
created the App Store provisioning profile
successfully generated the IPA

However, Transporter rejects the IPA with:

“Invalid Provisioning Profile. Missing code-signing certificate. A distribution provisioning profile should be used when uploading apps to App Store Connect.”

I do NOT need the $700 App Store Publishing Service.

I only need access to self-service iOS signing configuration OR for you to rebuild the IPA using:

Apple Distribution signing
App Store / TestFlight provisioning profile

Please advise how to configure signing for App Store Connect uploads on my current plan.