U.S. Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency, Acquisition Management Branch, STOP 0567, 1400 & INDEPENDENCE AVENUE, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-0567

H -- PACKAGING & LOGISTICS-RELATED TECHNICAL & ADVISORY ASSISTANCE FOR FOOD COMMODITIES SOL FSA-R-0016-00DC POC Nancy Dorman/202/720-9464/Contracting Officer Verle Malik/202/720-7335 E-MAIL: Contracting Officer Verle Malik 202/720-7335, ndorman@wdc.fsa.usda.gov. The USDA, Farm Services Agency, is seeking services of small business sources to provide packaging and logistics-related technical and advisory assistance for food commodities purchased under domestic and foreign food assistance programs and the Dairy Price Support Program. The following is a summary of the Statement of Work. Domestic programs include: the National School Lunch Program, Commodity Supplemental Food Program, Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, The Emergency Food Assistance Program, Soup Kitchens/Food Banks, and the Nutrition Program for the Elderly. Domestic programs are administered by the Food and Nutrition Service and the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). Foreign programs include: P.L. 480, Titles I, II, and III, Food for Progress Program, and Section 416b. Foreign programs are administered by the Agency for International Development and CCC. The total value of food commodities utilized under these programs exceeds $2 billion. Under domestic programs, one out of seven Americans receive food and export programs currently provide food to over 130 million people in over 80 countries. The performance of the packaging utilized for these commodities is critical to the success of these programs. Packaging- related technical and advisory assistance has been provided to FSA for over 20 years and FSA continues to require this service. The packaged commodities utilized under these programs include: rice, wheat, flour, corn, bulgur, sorghum, pulses, vegetable oil, shortening, corn-soy blend, cornmeal, wheat-soy blend, soy-fortified sorghum grits, corn-soy masa flour, rolled oats, peanut butter, fortified cereal, crackers, pasta and egg noodles, rice cereal, and various dairy products (dry milk, cheese, and butter). Other speciality commodities are developed and purchased based on program needs. The purpose of this work is to improve the performance of packaging systems utilized under food assistance and price support programs while reducing costs. The performance improvements may include reducing damage and loss of commodity throughout storage, distribution, increasing the shelf-life of commodities, improving storage and handling efficiencies, and improving end recipient satisfaction. Cost reductions may be accomplished through material cost savings, improved filling/closing line efficiencies, reduced handling expenses, improved cubic displacement utilization, and improved distribution efficiencies. The following is an overview of the services requested for commodities utilized under domestic and foreign food assistance and support programs: Packaging and commodity related laboratory testing and evaluation under controlled environmental conditions in accordance with ASTM, TAPPI, other industry testing standards, and standards developed by USDA Packaging related research and development Maintain written records and databases Advisory assistance The expected outcomes include written and verbal evaluation and test reports, recommendations, and research studies. The contractor must bring extensive experience in the areas of food packaging, storage, and distribution of food products both in the U.S. and overseas. The contractor shall provide guidance in these areas to the USDA Packaging Specialist located in Washington, D.C. The USDA is responsible for the implementation of all packaging systems utilized under these programs. The contractor may be required to periodically travel to locations throughout the U.S. and overseas. Contractors must have testing instruments/equipment as specified in Appendix A or equivalent capable of performing the same test/function. These required testing instruments/equipment will be used to work on specific requirements as outlined in this Statement of Work as well as under special requirements as assigned and directed. The initial six requirements are described as follows: Requirement 1-Quality Assurance Testing and Evaluation of Packaging Systems Currently Specified and Utilized: The contractor will test and evaluate filled and empty packaging systems as they areprovided to the contractor. The contractor will utilize the equipment and the applicable test methods as shown in Attachment A. These tests will include but are not limited to: a. Ultraviolet degradation testing of woven polypropylene fabric b. Coefficient of friction testing of woven polypropylene fabric c. Load compression testing of 4-liter capacity steel cans d. DOT testing of plastic vegetable oil bottles e. Material evaluations and testing of multiwall paper bags, textile bags, and steel cans f. Oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water vapor permeability testing of packaging materials and systems g. The contractor will be required to store samples for up to 5 years Requirement 2-Testing and Evaluation of New and/or Proposed Alternative Packaging Systems: All tests performed under this requirement must be approved by the USDA. USDA will determine whether the new and/or proposed alternative packaging system may result, if implemented, in some benefit to the programs. The contractor will assist USDA to oversee test shipments of alternative packages as applicable. The testing equipment/instrumentation listed in Attachment A may be utilized. The following types of tests may be utilized: Dynamic testing to predict performance Shock and vibration testing of products and packages Oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water vapor permeability testing of packaging materials and systems Package integrity testing Packaging material testing, evaluations, and research Packaging equipment evaluation (specifically filling/closing lines) Ultraviolet degradation of plastics testing (specifically woven polypropylene materials) Product shelf life evaluation Package and material storage evaluation under controlled temperature and humidity Closure testing Package burst testing Static and dynamic compression testing under high temperature and humidity conditions Requirement 3-Research and Development for Packaging Systems and Materials and Related Filling/Closing Equipment: The contractor will research and develop new packaging systems and materials and related filling/closing equipment as directed by the USDA Packaging Specialist. The USDA Packaging Specialist will determine the extent of the research. The contractor must establish points of contact with packaging trade groups, packaging technical associations, packaging equipment manufacturers, and packaging material suppliers. Research and development will be conducted in cooperation with private industry. The contractor must have internet access. Requirement 4-Development of Packaging-Related Testing Methods and Packaging Specifications: The contractor will review and make recommendations to the USDA packaging specifications used for the procurement of commodities. The contractor will develop and implement new test methods when necessary. Requirement 5-Advisory Assistance Relating to Packaging, Logistics, Handling, Food Safety and Quality, Storage, Distribution, and Disposal for Packaged Commodities: The contractor will provide advisory assistance relating to: packaging materials and systems domestic and international logistics handling of filled commodity packages food safety and quality storage and warehousing at locations within the U.S. and overseas distribution including truck, rail, air, and ocean vessel within the U.S. and overseas disposal for packaged commodities and other waste management issues marketing and consumer perceptions The contractor must be available Monday -- Friday, 7:30 AM -- 5:00 PM every week, except for Government holidays, to provide this assistance. Key Personnel: The contractor shall assign to this contract the following key personnel who shall, at a minimum, meet established requirements (resumes required for review/approval prior to actual assignment): (1) Project Manager; (2) Food Packaging Specialist; and (3) Packaging Equipment Specialist. Attachment A: Required Testing Instruments/Equipment Analytical: Perkin Elmer Lambda 3B UV-visible spectrophotometer Hunter color spectrometer Perkin Elmer Spectum 1000 FTIR Brinkman Karl Fischer Titrator Waters 150-C ALC/GPC Mass Transfer (Migration, Permeability, and Sorption): Dynatherm thermal stripper Dynatherm thermal desorber MAS 2000 organic vapor permeability system Permatran W 3/31 Aromatran IA organic vapor permeability system Oxtran 200 system Permatran C IV Illinois Instrument oxygen analyzer ALLtech gas chromatograph Distribution Test Instruments: Lansmont vibration system Test Partner data acquisition system Lansmont shock test system MTS shock test machine systems Shock and vibration data recorders T.M. Electronics BT-1000 P package burst tester GA CAT abrasion tester Lansmont drop test system Lansmont compression tester Lansmont heavy weight drop test system Climate Control Testing Equipment: Climate control chambers (both temperature and humidity controls) Q-UV accelerated weathering tester or atlas UV/condensation weathering device Miscellaneous Equipment: Magna Mike thickness instrument Dart drop apparatus Instron universal test system TMI crush tester Mullen burst testers Inclined plane friction tester TMI tear tester Porosity tester Fishbein bag sewing machine 25-kilogram capacity multiwall paper bag sealing system Inkjet printing system Heat and induction sealers The dollar estimate for this procurement is between $100,000 and $300,000 and will be for a base and four one year option periods. Small business sources interested in this procurement should mail capabilities statements, and any other information deemed relevant, to Nancy Dorman at the address referenced at number 7, or by hand delivery to USDA, FSA, 1280 Maryland Ave SW, Suite 1280, Wash., DC 20042. Information must be received no later than 3:00 pm Wash., DC time, April 19, 2000. Contractors shall identify whether their company is a small business by including a statement of their business size. The USDA/FSA is conducting this market survey for planning purposes to identify businesses that may have this capability. This is not a request for proposal!! Posted 04/12/00 (W-SN444251). (0103)

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