Attachment 0001 NCTR Specification Req 1111004.pdf

Attachment 0001

NCTR Specifications for Irradiated, Heat-Treated Hardwood Chip

Laboratory Animal Bedding

Item: Hardwood Chip Laboratory Animal Bedding

1. Scope -- This specification covers commercially available laboratory animal bedding composed of irraditated, heat treated hardwood chips to be used as contact bedding for laboratory animals.

2. Application -- This specification is applicable to all laboratory animal bedding purchased for use at the National Center for Toxicological Research, unless otherwise specified.

3. Requirements – Unless otherwise specified in this document, the awardee shall comply with all requirements for laboratory animal bedding processing, packaging, transportation, pest management, equipment and facility structure, maintenance and sanitation as set forth in NIH Standard No. 4, latest issue in effect (latest issue is attached – NIH-STD No. 4G)

3.1 Material – The raw material processed for the product covered by this specification shall be from beech, birch, or maple or any mixture thereof and be free of bark, dirt, trash, metal, stones or other foreign materials. No other species of wood will be acceptable nor will the presence of other species be permitted with any single species or mixture of the acceptable species. Respondents shall state in their bid the species or combination of species to be furnished. Decayed raw materials or raw materials that have been used for other purposes (i.e., used lumber) shall not be used in products covered by this specification.

3.2 Processing – The processing of the raw material used in this product shall be in strict accordance with NIH Standard No. 4, latest issue in effect (latest issue is attached – NIH-STD No. 4G).

3.3 Form – The finished product shall be a cube cut type and shall be free of shavings and slivers with a minimum amount of splinters. After a 100 g sample is shaken in a Ro-Tap machine for three minutes, not more than 10± 1% (by weight) shall be retained on a #8 U.S. Standard Sieve (ASTM specifications), nor will more than 0.2± 0.5% dust pass through a #50 sieve (ASTM specifications).

3.4 Irradiation – Bedding shall receive a minimum dose of 15 kGy irradiation.

Each bag shall be marked with an indicator proving that irradiation complying with this specification has been effected.

3.5 Chemical Contaminant Restrictions – The finished product shall contain no harmful resins or volatile oils which may stain animal fur or otherwise cause irritation to the animal. If at any time a shipment of bedding contains any of the contaminants listed below in excess of the concentration designated, that shipment shall be replaced by the contractor at no expense to the Government.

Listed below is a chart that includes pertinent information regarding the Pesticide Residues and the Maximum ppm levels.

Pesticide Residues Maximum Levels (ppm) Alpha BHC < 0.02 Beta BHC < 0.02 Lindane < 0.02 Aldrin < 0.02 Hepatachlor Epoxide < 0.02 Dieldrin < 0.02 Endrin < 0.02

DDT < 0.03

DDD < 0.02

DDE < 0.02

Diazinon < 0.10 Ethyl Parathion < 0.03 Methyl Parathion < 0.03 Malathion < 0.05 Ethion < 0.02 Ronnel < 0.03 Triothion < 0.03 Polychlorinated Biphenyls < 0.20 Pentachlorophenol < 0.10

Heavy Metals Maximum Levels - ppm Lead < 0.5 Mercury < 0.1 Cadmium < 0.1 Arsenic < 0.2

Aflatoxins Maximum Level = < 10 ppb

3.6 Packaging – Bags and materials used in packaging the bedding shall comply with the requirements in NIH Standard No. 4, latest issue in effect (latest issue is attached – NIH-STD No. 4G) unless otherwise stated in this document. Bedding will be packaged in 2.2 cu. ft. bags measuring approximately 8”X16”X24”. The weight of each bag is approximately 27lbs.

Each bag shall be marked (either on the bag or via tag) with the lot number and the date of manufacture. Other markings are restricted to the trade name of the product, the name and address of the manufacturer, the net weight, the bag manufacturer’s trademark or identification, and the irradiation markings set forth in section 3.4. The finished product shall be palletized and stretch wrapped (a minimum of 2 times) using a 4-way entry pallet made of hardwood or plastic and to industry standard of 40” x 48”. A standard pallet will be packed with 45 bags per pallet, stacked 5 bags/layer and 9 layers high.

3.7 Shipping – The frequency of shipments is anticipated to be quarterly;

however, more frequent shipments may occasionally be necessary to meet the needs of NCTR’s research program. NCTR will notify the vendor each time a shipment is needed. The number of bags needed for each shipment may vary and will be specified at the time of the order. All bags to be shipped in the first half of each year of the contract shall be from the same lot; likewise all bags shipped in the second half of each year of the contract shall be from the same lot.

4.0 Bedding Analysis – Each shipment of bedding is subject to analysis by NCTR or other testing facilities for particle size, moisture content, and chemical contaminants as specified in sections 3.2, 3.3, and 3.5 of this document. Testing results found to be noncompliant with these specifications will be rejected and subject to the stipulations set forth in Section 6.0.

5.0 Facility Inspection – Prior to award of the contract, or at any time during the effective period of the resulting contract, the contractor’s plant, plant facilities, and milling operations will be subject to inspection by authorized personnel of the National Center for Toxicological Research. Failure to comply with the requirements of these specifications shall constitute sufficient grounds for withholding contract award or for termination of existing contract(s).

6.0 Approval, Recall and Replacement – a shipment of bedding will be rejected or accepted by the Government within sixty (60) calendar days after receipt.

The contractor shall remove a shipment of bedding from the NCTR premises within thirty (30) calendar days of receipt of notification of the rejection by the Government. Replacement shipment shall be delivered within ten (10) calendar days of the Government request.