12474022R0012.pdf

SEE ADDENDUMIS CHECKED

CODE 18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

CODE

FACILITYCODE

17b. CHECK IF REMITTANCE IS DIFFERENT AND PUT SUCH ADDRESS IN OFFER

OFFEROR

AMS-CN-ADA-47DE

MEMPHIS TN 38133-2701

3275 APPLING ROAD, ROOM 1

ASSOCIATE DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR

CODE 16. ADMINISTERED BYCODE

X

X

X

333922

SIZE STANDARD:

% FOR:SET ASIDE:UNRESTRICTED ORAMS-CN-ADMN-4740

RFPIFB

10. THIS ACQUISITION ISCODE

RFQ

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

13b. RATING

NAICS:

SMALL BUSINESS

01/14/2022 1000 CT

12/22/2021

540-361-1126BEVERLY BROWN

(No collect calls)

INFORMATION CALL:

FOR SOLICITATION 8. OFFER DUE DATE/LOCAL TIMEb. TELEPHONE NUMBERa. NAME

4. ORDER NUMBER3. AWARD/ 6. SOLICITATION

12474022R0012

5. SOLICITATION NUMBER

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS 1. REQUISITION NUMBER PAGE OF

1 119 OFFEROR TO COMPLETE BLOCKS 12, 17, 23, 24, & 30

TELEPHONE NO.

17a. CONTRACTOR/

15. DELIVER TO

MEMPHIS TN 38133-2701

3275 APPLING ROAD, ROOM 2

9. ISSUED BY

7.

2. CONTRACT NO.

EFFECTIVE DATE

18b. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN BLOCK 18a UNLESS BLOCK BELOW

ISSUE DATE

DELIVERY FOR FOB DESTINA-

TION UNLESS BLOCK IS

MARKED

11.

SEE SCHEDULEX

12. DISCOUNT TERMS

THIS CONTRACT IS A

RATED ORDER UNDER

DPAS (15 CFR 700)

13a.

SERVICE-DISABLED

VETERAN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS

HUBZONE SMALL

BUSINESS

8(A)

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS

(WOSB) ELIGIBLE UNDER THE WOMEN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM

EDWOSB

24.

AMOUNT

23.

UNIT PRICE

22.

UNIT

21.

QUANTITY

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

19.

ITEM NO.

Tax ID Number: Not Available DUNS Number: Not Available Conveyor System Period of Performance: 01/24/2022 to 01/23/2027

0001 Conveyance System 1 EA Product/Service Code: 3910 Product/Service Description: CONVEYORS

Continued ...

(Use Reverse and/or Attach Additional Sheets as Necessary)

HEREIN, IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

XX

DATED

BEVERLY S. BROWN

. YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION (BLOCK 5),

INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONS OR CHANGES WHICH ARE SET FORTH

COPIES TO ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND DELIVER

ARE

ARE

31c. DATE SIGNED

27b. CONTRACT/PURCHASE ORDER INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-5 IS ATTACHED. ADDENDA

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30c. DATE SIGNED 31b. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

ALL ITEMS SET FORTH OR OTHERWISE IDENTIFIED ABOVE AND ON ANY ADDITIONAL

SHEETS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED.

27a. SOLICITATION INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-3 AND 52.212-5 ARE ATTACHED. ADDENDA

26. TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT (For Govt. Use Only)

OFFER

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 2/2012)

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

ARE NOT ATTACHED.

ARE NOT ATTACHED.

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE

30b. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

30a. SIGNATURE OF OFFEROR/CONTRACTOR

28. CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT AND RETURN

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

29. AWARD OF CONTRACT:

REF.

32e. MAILING ADDRESS OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

32c. DATE 32b. SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

ACCEPTED, AND CONFORMS TO THE CONTRACT, EXCEPT AS NOTED:

32a. QUANTITY IN COLUMN 21 HAS BEEN

RECEIVED INSPECTED

40. PAID BY39. S/R VOUCHER NUMBER38. S/R ACCOUNT NUMBER

37. CHECK NUMBER

FINALPARTIAL

36. PAYMENT

FINALPARTIAL

35. AMOUNT VERIFIED

CORRECT FOR

34. VOUCHER NUMBER33. SHIP NUMBER

COMPLETE

32g. E-MAIL OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

42d. TOTAL CONTAINERS42c. DATE REC'D (YY/MM/DD)

42b. RECEIVED AT (Location)

42a. RECEIVED BY (Print)

41c. DATE41b. SIGNATURE AND TITLE OF CERTIFYING OFFICER

41a. I CERTIFY THIS ACCOUNT IS CORRECT AND PROPER FOR PAYMENT

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 2/2012) BACK

24.

AMOUNT

23.

UNIT PRICE

22.

UNIT

21.

QUANTITY

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

19.

ITEM NO.

0002 Optional 2nd Conveyor System 1 EA

Product/Service Code: 3910

Product/Service Description: CONVEYORS

0003 Installation

Product/Service Code: 3910

Product/Service Description: CONVEYORS

0004 Optional Installation of 2nd Conveyor System

Product/Service Code: 3910

Product/Service Description: CONVEYORS

0005 Training

Product/Service Code: 3910

Product/Service Description: CONVEYORS

0006 Base Year: (To be completed at time of award) 2 EA

Bi-Annual Maintenance

Product/Service Code: 3910

Product/Service Description: CONVEYORS

0007 Option Year I: (To be completed at time of award) 2 EA

Bi-Annual Maintenance

Product/Service Code: 3910

Continued ...

32f. TELEPHONE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

32d. PRINTED NAME AND TITLE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

119 2 of

ITEM NO. SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

NAME OF OFFEROR OR CONTRACTOR

3 119

CONTINUATION SHEET

REFERENCE NO. OF DOCUMENT BEING CONTINUED PAGE OF

(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)

12474022R0012

Product/Service Description: CONVEYORS

0008 Option Year II: (To be completed at time of 2 EA award)

Bi-Annual Maintenance

Product/Service Code: 3910

Product/Service Description: CONVEYORS

0009 Option Year III: (To be completed at time of 2 EA award)

Bi-Annual Maintenance

Product/Service Code: 3910

Product/Service Description: CONVEYORS

0010 Option Year IV: (To be completed at time of 2 EA award)

Bi-Annual Maintenance

Product/Service Code: 3910

Product/Service Description: CONVEYORS

NSN 7540-01-152-8067 OPTIONAL FORM 336 (4-86)

Sponsored by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.110

This is a Request for Proposal (RFP) for an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Contract to provide conveyor systems, conveyor modifications, installation services, training, maintenance, etc. The Contractor’s performance and responsibility shall include all conveyor parts/equipment and to assure that all services are conducted in accordance with the contract requirements and all applicable Federal, State and local laws and regulations.

One firm fixed price contract award will be made from this solicitation. An IDIQ contract provides for an indefinite quantity, within stated limits, of supplies or services during a fixed period. The Government places orders for individual requirements. Each individual requirement will have its own statement of work.

The Base Year period of performance will be January 24, 2022 through January 23, 2023.

The solicitation includes four (4) one-year option years to extend conveyor equipment and services, the additional one-year Periods of Performance are as follows:

Option Year One: January 24, 2023 – January 23, 2024 Option Year Two: January 24, 2024 – January 23, 2025 Option Year Three: January 24, 2023 – January 23, 2026 Option Year Four: January 24, 2024 – January 23, 2027

The Contractor must be registered and active in the System for Award Management (www.SAM.gov). Registration in SAM is free. All proposed contractors are highly encouraged to review FAR Clause 52.232-33 Payments by Electronic Funds Transfer – System for Award Management, which indicates “All payments by the Government under this contract shall be made by electronic funds transfer (EFT).”

The IDIQ contract will be awarded based on best value. The offeror shall complete all the information requested in Section E of the RFP. Failure to submit all items listed will be considered as a material deviation from the requirements and the proposal will be rejected.

The solicitation will be available on the web only. Faxed, telephoned, or mailed requests for this solicitation will not be honored. To download the solicitation for this project, contractors are required to register at the Federal Contract Opportunities website at beta.SAM.gov. For help with SAM, use the following link:

https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp?id=gsa_kb_view2&kb_id=f66d8e6cdb76d4100d73f81d0f9619c6

Quotes are due by the time and date as specified in Block 8 on the SF1449. Fax submittals will not be accepted. Electronic submittals will be accepted and may be emailed to Beverly Brown at BeverlyS.Brown@usda.gov.

http://www.sam.gov/ https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp?id=gsa_kb_view2&kb_id=f66d8e6cdb76d4100d73f81d0f9619c6

STATEMENT OF WORK

USDA, AMS, Cotton and Tobacco Program

Conveyor System

C.1 GENERAL:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Cotton and Tobacco Program (CT) requires a contractor to provide conveyor systems, conveyor modifications, installation services, training, maintenance, etc.

Locations may include but are not limited to Memphis, Tennessee; Rayville, Louisiana; Macon, Georgia; Florence, South Carolina; Dumas, Arkansas; Visalia, California; Abilene, Texas;

Corpus Christi, Texas; Lubbock, Texas; and Lamesa, Texas.

C.2 BACKGROUND:

The USDA, AMS, Cotton and Tobacco Program (CT) operates High Volume Instruments (HVI) to electronically classify cotton samples (each approximately 8 ounces) that are taken from full bales (500 pounds) at gin locations and transported to designated testing laboratories operated by the CT.

Currently an employee places samples in designated locations on the HVI to test fiber length, strength, uniformity, micronaire, color and trash content. These instruments are solely relied upon by USDA and the domestic and international cotton industries to provide accurate and timely classification data for the marketing stream. The data is transmitted in real time, as samples are tested, to mainframe computers and made available to owners or agents of the cotton all over the world. CT is considered the world’s leader in HVI testing and tests virtually every bale of cotton grown in the U.S. each year (approximately 15-18 million samples on average in a typical year) so speed, accuracy and efficiency are key components of the CT operation in each of its ten testing locations across the Cotton Belt (cotton producing states across the United States).

C.3 SCOPE:

USDA, AMS, CT requests proposals for conveyance equipment, components, and peripheral devices as described in this document for the Memphis Cotton Classification Office located at 3275 Appling Road in Memphis, TN 38133. This project includes the installation of one new conveyor system, classing tables and peripheral mounts for monitors and keyboards with the option to purchase a second system.

C.4 OVERALL PROPOSSED PROCESS DESCRIBED:

• Sacks filled with approximately forty (40) cotton samples (each sample weighing one-half pound) will be received in the Lubbock receiving room via a USDA-contracted hauler.

• Cotton sacks are delivered into the receiving room via mobilized flexible conveyors or carts.

• A person will empty each cotton sack onto one of four (2) incline belt conveyors that shall transport the loose cotton samples to two fill workstations on each conveyance system.

• A person will fill containers with loose cotton samples, then scan the sample ID with a Radio frequency Identification Reader (RFID) which will write that information to a chip that is on the container. The sample will then be transferred to the load workstations.

• A person will prepare two variable weight, usually 8-15 gram, sub-samples from the primary cotton sample. Each sub-sample will be placed on a scale for mass determination prior to its delivery into a plastic container.

• The container is then transferred to the supply conveyor that delivers the containers filled with cotton to one of six HVI length/strength workstations for further testing.

• The return conveyor shall transport the containers from one of the six HVI length/strength workstations to one of the three Classer workstations.

• The Classer workstations contain conveyors that can accumulate containers up to the containers in process.

• Once the cotton in the container at the classer workstation is processed and the cotton has been removed by the classer, the container returns to the empty return conveyor. The empty container is transported back to the fill workstations where the process resumes.

C.5 SPECIFICATIONS / REQUIREMENTS:

C.5.1 CONTAINERS:

1. The containers will be supplied by the USDA, AMS, Cotton and Tobacco Program.

2. The container direction shown in each of the drawings shall be strictly adhered to for proper container location at the individual workstations. The container positions regarding heights and angles where specified shall be strictly adhered to in the design and installation of the system.

C.5.2 INCLINE CONVEYOR (1 ONLY for both conveyor systems)

1. An incline conveyor shall be installed to provide cotton samples from a sack into the loading area.

2. It shall be approximately 144 inches in total length, 36 inches in width and shall be installed to elevate from 12 inches at the floor top of conveyor to approximately 42 inches from the floor to bottom of conveyor. The angle should be no greater than 30 degrees.

3. There shall be a short horizontal section at the bottom for dumping and a short section at the top where PAs will be removing samples.

4. It shall contain 12 inch side rails around the entire perimeter with the exception of where samples are being removed on each side at the top.

5. It shall be a low profile conveyor with sensors to stop it when samples reach the end of the conveyor at the top.

C.6 FILL WORKSTATION CONVEYORS (1 PER CONVEYOR SYSTEM):

1. The empty containers shall be distributed from the main return conveyor that originates at the three classer workstations and end up at only one sample load workstation.

2. The conveyor shall be a zone accumulation conveyor. The conveyor shall be capable of stopping the containers within each zone with zero points of contact with an adjacent container.

3. There shall be a 1 fill zone and 1 scan zone. The fill zone shall be able to be controlled using a timer which can be adjustable through the HMI interface or can be controlled by photoeyes where a PA has to physically push the container approximately two (2) inches to move to the next zone.

4. The scan zone in the fill station shall contain an RFID read/write head for scanning the bale barcode. The PLC programming shall operate this area as follows:

The container is detected in the SCAN position.

The RFID is erased. The current barcode identification number is written to the container in the SCAN position.

5. The conveyor system shall be capable of distributing containers at a rate of twenty

(20) per minute to the supply trunk that is transporting filled containers to the four load workstations.

6. The end transfers next to the sample fill zones, must be covered so cotton won’t drop into the transfers.

7. Prior to the first loader workstation, the trunk conveyor shall be equipped with a mechanism to transfer the containers from either conveyor to any load workstation conveyor.

8. This part of the trunk conveyor shall be capable of transferring containers from one conveyor system to the other to maintain a balance of containers referring to item #7 of “Fill workstation conveyors”.

9. Dust control mount shall be added in close proximity to “fill” zone.

C.7 LOAD WORKSTATION CONVEYORS (4 PER CONVEYOR SYSTEM):

1. Hardware shall be provided for the mounting of two loading areas for the two cotton sub-samples. Both of the loading areas shall be equipped with an electronic scale/transducer that is capable of measuring within 0 to 20 grams with resolution to within one-tenth of a gram. It shall be capable of communicating with a PLC device.

o A tamping device shall be located at the second zone before the main trunk line.

This device shall maintain a clearance of 2 inches above the container while in the up position and push cotton down into the cup a distance of 3 inches while in the down position. The actually tamper piece must be approximately 3 inches in diameter, 4 inches tall and smooth on all surfaces with no sharp edges. NOTE:

The vertical up and down distances are estimates and shall be adjustable plus or minus one inch.

2. PLC programming of the controller shall be as follows.

The container is detected in the LOAD position.

The current barcode identification number is read from the container in the

LOAD position and the identification number is provided to the HVI color/trash station for sample identification prior to testing.

The loader places cotton into the two loading areas. A scale/transducer is utilized to measure the amount of cotton in each loading area. Each of the two loading areas will act independently in the following manner. If the scale contains a weight less than the adjustable lower gram parameter setting, usually 8-9 grams, a yellow light is illuminated to indicate low weight. If the scale contains a weight higher than the adjustable upper gram parameter setting, usually 14-15 grams, a red light is illuminated to indicate a high weight. If both scales contain a weight between adjustable low/upper parameter settings, a green light is illuminated for each loading area and a push button start switch is then active and illuminated.

The loader places the primary sample back in the container after color and trash testing.

The button is then pushed by an operator and the container leaves the LOAD position.

The next container enters the LOAD position and the process repeats.

Scales shall have automatic taring after every sample

3. Dust control mount shall be added in close proximity to “load” zone.

C.8 SUPPLY CONVEYORS:

(Horizontal and incline in drawing)

1. The supply conveyors shall consist of a combination two horizontal and one incline conveyor. As containers meet the incline, there must be a smooth transition ensuring no hang up of containers. The inline conveyor must have less than a twenty-five (25) degree angle and be capable of transporting the containers with no slipping.

2. The containers shall be distributed from the main supply conveyor that originates at the Load workstations to one of the six HVI workstations.

3. The conveyor shall be a zone accumulation conveyor with zones to allow for container separation along the length of the conveyor. The conveyor shall be capable of stopping the containers within each zone with zero points of contact with an adjacent container.

4. The conveyor system shall be capable of distributing three (3) containers per minute to each HVI workstation and a total of twenty (30) containers per minute for the system.

Software programming shall be such that no HVI machine is starved of cotton when containers are leaving the loader workstations at the rate of 30 containers per minute and each HVI workstation is taking containers at a rate of 3 containers per minute.

5. An RFID read/write head shall be located at each “LOAD” and “HVI” workstation transfer or just prior. Programming shall be such that containers may be directed to those workstations based on information coming back from the USDA HP non-stop computer

6. The supply conveyor shall be equipped with a mechanism to transfer the containers from the supply conveyor to the HVI workstation conveyors with no hanging up of containers.

7. The supply conveyor shall be equipped with a mechanism to transfer the containers from either conveyor to any HVI workstation conveyor.

8. The supply conveyor shall be capable of transferring containers from one conveyor system to the other to maintain a balance of containers referring to item #7 of “Supply conveyors”.

C.9 RCU CONVEYORS (INCORPORATED IN THE HVI WORKSTATION

CONVEYORS:

1. The HVI workstation conveyor shall incorporate an area for the conditioning of cotton known as the RCU. This 55” long area by width of conveyor shall enclose this section of conveyor on the ends and bottom allowing minimal air loss. Five containers must butt up against each other in this area and be sealed along the guard rails with some type of durable seal. This RCU must be constructed of 18 gauge steel minimum and match the color of the conveyor. There must be three intakes located on the bottom spaced equally from each other or approximately 18 inches from each other with two centered under the cups of the container and the other two spaced 18 inches on each side of the RCU. One cap must also be included as only two of the intakes will be used.

a. The rapid conditioning units shall have end seals containing 1/16 inch neoprene rubber.

b. The units shall also be modified with side seals of 1/16 inch neoprene rubber.

c. The railing shall be approximately 2 inches tall and the void area between the rail and the conveyor frame shall be filled with rubber seal material that is attached to the conveyor frame.

d. Connect two intakes with five (5) inch diameter hose to USDA piping. Each intake must have at least a 2 inch lip for hose attachment.

e. The plenum shall begin at the start of the second zone from the trunk.

2. The samples will be conditioned for a minimum of two (2) minutes as they travel across the Rapid Conditioning Unit.

C.10 HVI WORKSTATION CONVEYORS (6 WORKSTATIONS PER CONVEYOR

SYSTEM):

1. The conveyor system shall be capable of receiving an electronic ready signal from the HVI.

2. The conveyor shall position the container in process (denoted by “HVI” in the container in drawing) to within a ½ inch tolerance. This tolerance is necessary for the automatic delivery of the cotton subsamples contained in the two (2) small compartments of the container. The container shall be held in position for processing until the delivery of the subsamples to the HVI.

3. There shall be two (2) four (4) inch EXAIR Line Vacs, or equivalent, venturi devices connected with 3/8 inch air tubing with a minimum rating of 200 psi at each HVI workstation. The venturi devices shall be connected to two (2) four (4) inch round tubes positioned directly over the subsample portion of the container with a clearance of not to exceed 1/8 inch to ensure a good vacuum for cotton transport. All ducting and tubes for the transport of the cotton samples shall be smooth inside and outside to resist cotton lint tagging.

4. There shall be flow control valves for each venturi.

5. When the conveyor system has received the ready signal from the HVI and the container is in the processing position (denoted by “HVI” in the container in drawing), the conveyor system shall activate two venture devices for one second, then immediately send a start signal to the HVI. The container will be held in the load position 10 seconds and then move the processed container to the next zone.

6. The processed container shall be merged onto the return conveyor from the HVI conveyor without collisions

7. The HVI workstation shall have the ability to ensure the conditioning time of 120 seconds for each container utilizing something like the following:

• A sensor at position 5 of the RCU to ensure full coverage of the RCU portion of the conveyor.

• Samples shall not transfer to the venturi position until all RCU positions are occupied and 120 seconds have expired.

• This logic shall only occur when less than 5 samples are on the HVI workstation feed conveyor.

• The system shall allow a 20 second timeframe during which position 5 can be uncovered before the logic re-engages.

8. The workstations shall also contain a switch for activation. This shall allow USDA personnel to enable or disable each workstation, at their discretion, without interrupting the conveyance system.

C.11 RETURN CONVEYORS:

(Horizontal and decline in drawing)

1. The return conveyors shall consist of a combination two horizontal and one decline conveyor. As containers meet the horizontal conveyor from the decline, there must be a smooth transition ensuring no hang up of containers. The decline conveyor must have less than a twenty-five (25) degree angle and be capable of transporting the container with no slipping.

2. The containers shall deliver the HVI-processed containers to one (1) of three (3) classer workstations.

3. The horizontal conveyors shall be a zone accumulation conveyor with zones to allow for container separation along the length of the conveyor. The conveyor shall be capable of stopping the containers within each zone with zero points of contact with an adjacent container.

4. The return conveyor shall be located directly over the supply conveyor providing a minimum container clearance of six (6) inches from the top of the container to the bottom of the conveyor.

5. The conveyor shall span the necessary distance to provide delivery from all HVI workstations to all classer workstations.

6. The return conveyor shall be equipped with one (1) inch rails except in areas where the transport mechanisms are located at the HVI workstations.

7. The conveyor system shall be capable of distributing ten (10) containers per minute to each classer workstation and a total of twenty (30) containers per minute for the system.

8. An RFID read/write head shall be located at each classer workstation transfer or just prior. Programming shall be such that containers may be directed to those workstations based on information coming back from the USDA HP non-stop computer system.

9. The return conveyor shall be equipped with a mechanism to transfer the containers from either conveyor to any classer workstation conveyor.

10. The return conveyor shall be capable of transferring containers from one conveyor system to the other to maintain a balance of containers referring to item #9 of “Return conveyors”.

C.12 CLASSER WORKSTATION CONVEYORS (3 WORKSTATIONS PER

CONVEYOR SYSTEM):

1. The Classer workstation shall be capable accumulating containers including the container in process at the classer area.

2. The conveyor shall position the container in process to within a one (1) inch tolerance.

The conveyance in the area denoted by “class” next to the container shall be such that a switch can be set to automatic allowing containers to flow through that area if desired.

3. An RFID reader shall be located at the top of each decline conveyor supplying processed HVI containers. The RFID reader shall communicate with our HP Non-Stop computer o If the RFID reader gets a certain message of HVI’d not classed then the container will be continue on the return conveyor and onto the retest conveyor o If the RFID reader gets a green light, the container moves down the conveyor to the “class” zone on the drawing.

o There will be another RFID reader communicating with our HP Non-Stop computer at the “class” zone which will read the RFID chip and display that information on the classer’s monitor.

4. After the cotton in the container located in the “class” zone has been taken out of the container, the empty container is automatically transported to the empty container conveyor and back to the “fill” workstation.

5. The container in the “class” position shall have a top of conveyor height of thirty four

(34) inches from the floor.

6. Hardware mounts for USDA classing devices (monitor, keyboard, scanner, cotton disposal and card disposal) shall be responsibility of the contractor but with USDA guidance for design.

7. A table shall be manufactured that is 6 feet long by 18 inches wide. It shall be attached to the existing conveyor frame. The table shall have side rails that are 6 inches tall to prevent cotton from sliding off of the table. An opening in the center of the table with a chute to deposit samples onto the existing loose sample conveyor that transfers cotton into the trench. It shall have a black formica top or comparable.

8. Dust control mount shall be added in close proximity to “classer” zone.

C.13 EMPTY CONTAINER CONVEYOR:

1. The empty container conveyor shall deliver the empty containers to the fill workstation at rate of thirty (30) containers per minute.

2. The empty container conveyor shall be located directly under the supply conveyor providing a minimum container clearance of five (5) inches from the top of the container to the bottom of the conveyor.

3. The conveyor shall span the necessary distance to provide delivery from all classer workstations to the fill workstation.

4. The conveyor shall be a zone accumulation conveyor with zones to allow for container separation along the length of the conveyor. The conveyor shall be capable of stopping the containers within each zone with zero points of contact with an adjacent container.

5. The empty container conveyor shall be equipped with a mechanism to transfer the containers from the conveyor to any fill workstation conveyor.

6. The empty container conveyor shall be capable of transferring containers from one conveyor system to the other to maintain a balance of containers referring to item #5 of “Empty container conveyors”.

C.14 RETEST RETURN CONVEYOR:

1. The retest return conveyor shall be a return conveyor between the last classer workstation and the first loader workstation as shown in drawing.

2. This conveyor will delivery any USDA samples that are “retests” back to the first loader workstation based on RFID information coming from the RFID reader located at each return conveyor classer transfer.

C.15 LOOSE CONVEYOR FOR CLASSER WORKSTATIONS (3 PER CONVEYOR

SYSTEM):

1. The cotton sample loose conveyors shall consist of smooth horizontal belt conveyor. The belting material selected is important since it must be resistant to the tagging of cotton.

All belting material shall be submitted with samples for approval by USDA.

2. The cotton will be loaded on the conveyor by a classer adjacent to it

3. The cotton loose conveyors, shall be eight (8?) feet in length and eighteen(18) inches in overall width (Refer to drawing).

4. The top of conveyors shall be installed anywhere from 6 to 8 inches above the floor.

5. Each conveyor shall be enclosed on the feed end and have (8) inch sides to keep cotton contained on the conveyor.

6. The conveyor shall be moveable on casters.

7. All side rails must be a minimum twelve (12) gauge with powder coat hybrid epoxy or baked enamel paint.

a. Edges must be smooth and covered with some type of smooth hard rubber molding.

b. All corners must be rounded to a minimum two (2) inch radius.

8. The cotton sample feed conveyor speed shall be 60 feet per minute.

C.16 CONVEYOR SYSTEM DESIGN REQUIREMENTS/CONSTRAINTS:

1. There is currently 110/230/460V power available in the Memphis Classing Office for this project. There is also an existing electrical panel currently being used for a zero-pressure conveyance system. The panel is located on the wall separating the two rooms shown in the drawings (Classing Lab and Receiving Room).

2. The Memphis office also has available compressed air at 100 PSI. This compressed air source has limited capacity and therefore the contractor must attain USDA approval of any designed components using compressed air prior to acquisition of equipment or installation.

3. All electric motors shall be rated and equipped for a high lint and dust environment and suitable for an area designated as potentially flammable.

4. All belt conveyors shall be comparable to a slick rubber finish that will be resistant to cotton tagging.

5. All roller conveyors shall be equipped with rollers that are sealed and contain pre-lubricated ball bearings and be covered with a urethane cover

6. Each HVI workstation will be a height of 78 inches.

7. The height of each classer station shall be 34 inches.

8. The height of each Load Workstation shall be 34 inches.

9. All conveyor shalls be equipped with a minimum of one (1) inch rails except in areas where the transport mechanisms are located. All rails in transition areas that change the direction of flow for the container shall incorporate arcs and not hard angles for guiding the container. This is to prevent the container from hanging up in areas of transitions.

Note: Guardrail height must be high enough from the top of the frame where rollers can be easily changed out.

a. UAll points of transition from the spine to the workstations shall use a flare configuration to allow for funneling of the container into the workstation area.

The flare shall be a minimum of two inches past the edge of conveyor frame to two inches past the opposite edge of conveyor frame for container entry into the workstation areas. This applies to all workstation entry points to minimize the hanging of container.

10. Conveyor frame and supports

• All conveyor supports shall span the main conveyor trench if there is one shown on the drawing and be constructed of 80/20 or equivalent structural hardware.

• All conveyor frames must be powder-coated black.

11. RFID

a. 27 RFID read/write total heads per conveyor system

i. Read/write head to be mounted at “fill” workstation will write PBI (permanent bale identification) to the RFID chip on the container.

ii. Read/write heads at each of the 4 loader workstation supply transfers shall communicate with the USDA non-stop for distribution of containers based on USDA HP non-stop computer information.

iii. Read/write heads at each of the 4 loader workstations at “LOADER” location shall transmit PBI from RFID chip to the C/T HVI machine.

iv. Read/write heads at each of the 6 HVI workstation supply transfers shall communicate with the USDA non-stop for distribution of containers based on USDA HP non-stop computer information.

v. Read/write heads at each of the 6 HVI workstations at “HVI” location shall transmit PBI from RFID chip to the HVI machine.

vi. Read/write heads at each of the 3 classer workstation return transfers shall communicate with the USDA non-stop for distribution of containers based on USDA HP non-stop computer information.

vii. Read/write heads at each of the 3 Classer workstations at “CLASSER” location shall transmit PBI from RFID chip to the classer HP non-stop thin-client.

• 350? RFID tags shall be purchased by contractor which are Turck comparable to the current RFID tags USDA has now and contractor is to mount at specified location on top of each container between the cups.

12. When cotton samples are to be finished out for the day, currently sample containers are removed before the fill workstation. Therefore, there needs to be a run mode that allows all cotton to be graded that is in the containers with out having to take off empty containers. This means that empty containers must be allowed to run through the fill workstation and other workstations.

13. There needs to be a mode for startup as well when the conveyor system is full of empty containers so that containers will move back to the fill workstation without any other personnel needed other than the person filling the containers. Once the full containers of cotton samples reach the loaders, those would stop there ready to be processed.

C.17 ELECTRICAL CONTROLS:

General Requirements for system:

1. There shall be a minimum of (1) Start/Stop Buttons for each of the two systems - Activation shall control all conveyors each conveyor system.

2. There shall be one (1) primary disconnect for the system to disable all conveyors

3. Each motor with power more than 110v shall have its own disconnect, located adjacent to the motor’s location and shall be equipped with phase protection.

4. The main control panel shall include a Start/Stop button.

5. Startup of conveyors shall be delayed 5 to 10 seconds and sound an alarm during the delay. Alarm intensity shall be at 100 decibels.

6. The location of the main control panel (HMI) shall be collabored with USDA. The contractor shall furnish a complete electrical schematic of the conveyor controls, switches, etc. as well as clearly labeling all breakers, controls, switches, etc. at their designated locations.

7. PLC Features

a. The system shall integrate a Allen Bradley Processor or equivalent, with the necessary Memory and Ethernet communications. The PLC documentation shall include the electronic ladder listing along with the annotations and cross-references. The PLC shall control all motor control equipment, sensors and field electrical devices. The PLC shall be linked via Ethernet to a system compatible with BACNET.

b. Only one PLC shall be utilized for each conveyor system.

8. Control Cabinets

c. NEMA12 rated control cabinet(s) each with a 460VAC, 3 Phase, 125 amp disconnect shall be furnished. The motor starters shall be IEC manufacture. Field wiring entering the control cabinet shall tie to a terminal strip. The control cabinet shall be UL listed.

C.18 MAIN COMPUTER SYSTEM:

1. A database program shall be installed for tracking purposes.

2. The database shall track the number of containers processed per workstation per unit of time.

a. Processed container must be tracked using a query of PA Id#, beginning and ending date, beginning and ending time.

b. A report can be generated with a columns for PA Id#, number of containers, and time based on the inputed time and a file generated for download.

3. The database shall track stalled containers and container transfer errors.

a. Errors will be designated with a numeric code for each section (e.g. loader =

100. Classer =200, HVI=300, trunk = 400.

4. The diagnostic program will have the ability in off-line mode (manual mode), of activiating all pneumatically driven devices, individually power rollers, and all sensors for troubleshooting purposes.

5. The diagnostics shall have the capability in on-line mode to display the state of the pneumatic devices and sensors.

7. The diagnostic and database program shall run from the main control console, as well as , the supplied tablets for the system, with the possibliblity of running the programs from other handheld devices. Contractor shall supply 2 tablets for communication with the conveyor systems.

8. When cotton samples are to be finished out for the day, currently sample containers are removed before the fill workstation. Therefore, there needs to be a run mode that allows all cotton to be graded that is in the containers with out having to take off empty containers. This means that empty containers must be allowed to run through the fill workstation and other workstations.

9. There needs to be a mode for startup as well when the conveyor system is full of empty containers so that containers will move back to the fill workstation without any other personnel needed other than the person filling the containers. Once the full containers of cotton samples reach the loaders, those would stop there ready to be processed.

C.19 CLASSING TABLES & PERIPHERAL MOUNTS (3 tables and associated mounts per conveyor system):

1. Overall dimensions of 24 inches (D) x 30 inches (W) x 34 inches (H). Refer to drawing

2. The frame shall be constructed from 80/20 materials.

3. The top shall be of matte finish to reduce reflection.

4. There must be 6 inch sides as shown powdercoated 10 gauge steel.

5. Opening shall be in the back of the table. Collaborate with USDA on size.

6. Drop chute shall be included underneath sized the same as opening in the table top.

C.20 INSTALLATION / TESTING:

This project is to be "turnkey" from start to finish. All electrical and mechanical work including plumbing required to make the conveyor system fully operational will be the responsibility of the contractor. All required moving equipment, tools, etc. shall be furnished by the contractor. The contractor should be aware that the area of installation will contain several testing instruments, classing tables, and ductwork protruding from the floor which will require care during installation to prevent damage. Each conveyor location will be designated by USDA and must be approved by the USDA prior to installation. Test runs and adjustments to assure proper operation shall be performed by the contractor. All work must be of a standard that is considered satisfactory by USDA, AMS, Cotton and Tobacco Program.

• Each conveyor system must be evaluated such that no personnel are needed at any of the workstations with the exception of the fill workstation where cotton is placed in the containers and the barcodes are scanned. Discussion of how this would work would be collaborated with USDA prior to programming. The reading of RFID tags, container movement in and out of workstations, and subsample conveyance at the HVI workstation shall be simulated as though a person is there processing samples based on their maximum processing speeds.

C.21 DURABILITY:

These conveyors will transport large amounts of cotton, some of which will leave the containers in the form of lint and larger masses of cotton fiber and come in contact with the rollers and drive systems. All conveyor drives, rollers, and drive pressure systems must be able to withstand this environment without frequent maintenance to alleviate the difficulties that may arise due to the presence of cotton lint. Further, the conveyor must be able to endure a work schedule of 24 hours per day, seven days per week, year round.

C.22 REPAIR SERVICE:

The manufacturer or distributor of the conveyor systems must have the capability to provide repair service and spare parts to this facility within 24 hours of notification of malfunction.

C.23 INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL:

A visually and verbally explicit operators' manual shall be provided to the USDA, AMS, Cotton and Tobacco Program. This manual shall fully detail any instructions regarding the installation, operation, and maintenance of the conveyor system.

C.24 MAINTENANCE:

Maintenance is defined as the system is operational but is in need of cleaning. The conveyor equipment and components showing signs of wear that would require replacement in weeks or months. The contractor shall provide a minimum of 5 years maintenance of the system. The maintenance program shall provide an annual inspection and any equipment and component replacement showing signs of wear. An inventory of spare parts that is agreed upon by the contractor and USDA representative shall be maintained at the facility. The inventory shall be coordinated between the contractor and the USDA.

C.25 POINTS OF CONTACT:

Contracting Officer:

Beverly S. Brown USDA, AMS, Cotton and Tobacco Program 3275 Appling Road Memphis, TN 38133 Email: BeverlyS.Brown@usda.gov Phone: 540-361-1126

Contracting Officer’s Representative:

Steve Grantham USDA, AMS, Cotton and Tobacco Program 3275 Appling Road Memphis, TN 38133 Email: Steven.Grantham@usda.gov Phone: 901-384-3030

Area Director:

David Rowland USDA, AMS, Cotton and Tobacco Program 3275 Appling Rd, Room #6 Memphis, TN 38133 Email: David.Rowland@usda.gov Phone: 901-384-3025 mailto:BeverlyS.Brown@usda.gov mailto:Steven.Grantham@usda.gov mailto:David.Rowland@usda.gov

C.26 ACCEPTANCE:

The USDA personnel shall have 10 business days to operate and test the conveyor system performance prior to acceptance.

C.27 ENGINEERING CHANGES:

After contract award, the Government may solicit engineering changes to the equipment, software specifications, or other requirements of the contract. These changes may be proposed to save money, to improve performance, to save energy, or to satisfy increased processing requirements. If the proposed changes are acceptable to both parties, the Contractor shall submit a price change proposal to the Government for evaluation and consideration for a contract modification.

C.28 MAJOR FIELD MODIFICATIONS:

If the Government requests on-site field modification of equipment, the Contractor shall provide a proposal detailing time, materials and associated costs for the request(s).

C.29 ALTERATIONS AND ATTACHMENTS:

Government Alterations: Upon 30 day’s written notice the Government may make alterations or install attachments to the Contractor’s equipment provided that such action will not create a safety hazard. The Government shall assume full liability for any damages and/or degradation in equipment performance attributable directly to such alteration or attachment. In addition, the maintenance credit provisions set forth elsewhere in this contract shall not apply when equipment failure is caused by an alteration or attachment not supplied by the Contractor.

C.30 COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS:

The Contractor shall comply with all applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and directives, and all provisions required for this Contract.

C.31 ATTACHMENTS (SEE SECTION G):

The Department of Labor prevailing wage rates for Memphis Classing Office Memphis, TN are attached and are hereby incorporated and made a part of this Request for Proposal.

C.32 DEFINITIONS:

HVI “High Volume Instrument” The individual instruments utilized for actual cotton testing located in the classification (classing) lab area. The automation systems shall be able to accommodate up to 5 HVI workstations in the lab.

PA “Production Assistant” which is a position title for the individual preparing the cotton samples for distribution to the multiple workstation locations in the classing lab.

Classer The position title for the individual manually grading the cotton samples.

Contractor The company awarded the contract for providing the services required by this specification.

Conveyor A single conveyor within a multi-tiered conveyor system.

Conveyor System or System

The multi-tiered conveyors for the purpose of product distribution connecting multiple workstations to a central supply and return conveyor. A single conveyor system consists of 1 fill workstation, 4 loader workstations, 6 HVI workstations and 3 classer workstations.

RCU “Rapid Conditioning Unit”

The conveyor with a section of air duct connected under the frame for the purpose of pulling conditioned air down through cotton samples in the cups of the containers being transported across the conveyor. It is crucial that this section of conveyor be sealed as well as possible to minimize air loss.

Section D - CLAUSES AND PROVISIONS:

D.1 FAR 52.212-4 -- Contract Terms and Conditions -- Commercial Items (Oct 2018)

(a) Inspection/Acceptance. The Contractor shall only tender for acceptance those items that conform to the requirements of this contract. The Government reserves the right to inspect or test any supplies or services that have been tendered for acceptance. The Government may require repair or replacement of nonconforming supplies or reperformance of nonconforming services at no increase in contract price. If repair/replacement or reperformance will not correct the defects or is not possible, the government may seek an equitable price reduction or adequate consideration for acceptance of nonconforming supplies or services. The Government must exercise its post-acceptance rights --

(1) Within a reasonable time after the defect was discovered or should have been discovered; and

(2) Before any substantial change occurs in the condition of the item, unless the change is due to the defect in the item.

(b) Assignment. The Contractor or its assignee may assign its rights to receive payment due as a result of performance of this contract to a bank, trust company, or other financing institution, including any Federal lending agency in accordance with the Assignment of Claims Act (31 U.S.C.3727). However, when a third party makes payment (e.g., use of the Governmentwide commercial purchase card), the Contractor may not assign its rights to receive payment under this contract.

(c) Changes. Changes in the terms and conditions of this contract may be made only by written agreement of the parties.

(d) Disputes. This contract is subject to 41 U.S.C. chapter 71,Contract Disputes. Failure of the parties to this contract to reach agreement on any request for equitable adjustment, claim, appeal or action arising under or relating to this contract shall be a dispute to be resolved in accordance with the clause at FAR 52.233-1, Disputes, which is incorporated herein by reference. The Contractor shall proceed diligently with performance of this contract, pending final resolution of any dispute arising under the contract.

(e) Definitions. The clause at FAR 52.202-1, Definitions, is incorporated herein by reference.

(f) Excusable delays. The Contractor shall be liable for default unless nonperformance is caused by an occurrence beyond the reasonable control of the Contractor and without its fault or negligence such as, acts of God or the public enemy, acts of the Government in either its sovereign or contractual capacity, fires, floods, epidemics, quarantine restrictions, strikes, unusually severe weather, and delays of common carriers. The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer in writing as soon as it is reasonably possible after the commencement of any excusable delay, setting forth the full particulars in connection therewith, shall remedy such occurrence with all reasonable dispatch, and shall promptly give written notice to the Contracting Officer of the cessation of such occurrence.

(g) Invoice.

(1) The Contractor shall submit an original invoice and three copies (or electronic invoice, if authorized) to the address designated in the contract to receive invoices.

An invoice must include --

(i) Name and address of the Contractor;

(ii) Invoice date and number;

(iii) Contract number, line item number and, if applicable, the order number;

(iv) Description, quantity, unit of measure, unit price and extended price of the items delivered;

(v) Shipping number and date of shipment, including the bill of lading number and weight of shipment if shipped on Government bill of lading;

(vi) Terms of any discount for prompt payment offered;

(vii) Name and address of official to whom payment is to be sent;

(viii) Name, title, and phone number of person to notify in event of defective invoice; and

(ix) Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). The Contractor shall include its TIN on the invoice only if required elsewhere in this contract.

(x) Electronic funds transfer (EFT) banking information.

(A) The Contractor shall include EFT banking information on the invoice only if required elsewhere in this contract.

(B) If EFT banking information is not required to be on the invoice, in order for the invoice to be a proper invoice, the Contractor shall have submitted correct EFT banking information in accordance with the applicable solicitation provision, contract clause (e.g., 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer— System for Award Management, or 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—Other Than System for Award Management), or applicable agency procedures.

(C) EFT banking information is not required if the Government waived the requirement to pay by EFT.

(2) Invoices will be handled in accordance with the Prompt Payment Act (31 U.S.C.

3903) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) prompt payment regulations at 5 CFR part 1315.

(h) Patent indemnity. The Contractor shall indemnify the Government and its officers, employees and agents against liability, including costs, for actual or alleged direct or contributory infringement of, or inducement to infringe, any…