Attachment_I-_Background_and_Specifications.pdf

12805B19Q0013 Attachment I

Background and Specifications for Potato Grading Line

Background: The USDA-ARS in Fargo, ND is looking to purchase a potato grading system which will be located at the USDA-ARS Potato Research Worksite, 311 5th Ave, NE, East Grand Forks, MN. The grading equipment will be used to record individual tuber weights, dimensions, and both internal, external defects from research trials involving three potato market classes (frozen-par-fry russet, chip, and fresh).

The purchase will replace an existing wash plant, grading line at the facility. The existing grading line is past its life expectancy (30yr+) and is obsolete as load cells and software upgrades are no longer available; preventing successful calibrations and compromising research.

The new grading equipment will allow for singulation of tubers from research plots ranging from 50lb samples to 2-ton totes. The ability to measure tuber length x width x depth and individual tuber weights is required. The grading conveyor will include technology that will permit detection of both internal and external potato defects. The system will determine the presence of internal defects such as, but not limited to: hollow heart, rot, insect damage. Measurement of external defects may include: color (i.e., pink, red, dark red, greening, skinning) and misshapen tubers (i.e., knobs, growth cracks, jelly ends, bottle necks). Detection of internal and external defects is achieved with x-ray, RGB and/or other appropriate camera technologies. After passing through a camera conveyor (x-ray, optical), contractor supplied software will allow researcher to sort potatoes into four - six product discharge conveyors, or pails ‘drops’. For successful evaluation of external defects, the system will possess a wash plant/scrubber capable of gently removing soil from tuber surfaces. The provided software will allow researchers to define drop parameters for each market class such as but not limited to: fresh market (-4 sizes- creamer, A, B, and chef size), chip market and russet the ability to separate US 1 and #2 or similar.

For russet potatoes, the ability to calculate length:width ratios, among weight classes is desired (<4oz, 6- 10oz, >10oz). The ability to easily transfer large data sets of individual raw tuber data for post-sorting analysis such as excel compatible spreadsheets is desired.

Potato Grading Line Specifications

• The grader system will allow for singulation of tubers from research plots ranging from 50lb samples to 2-ton totes. Product evaluation will not exceed 6 ton/hour.

• The ability to measure tuber length x width x depth and individual tuber weights is required.

The ability to grade potatoes from separate trials including the three market types (fresh, chip processing, frozen processing ‘russet’) is also a requirement.

• The grading system will include optical sorting capabilities that will allow for routine detection/sorting of external potato defects including: color (i.e., pink, red, dark red, greening, skinning) and misshapen tubers (i.e., knobs, growth cracks, jelly ends, bottle necks

• The grading system will possess x-ray imaging or similar technology to aid in determining the presence of internal defects such as, but not limited to: hollow heart, rot, insect damage.

• System will have 6 ‘drops’ discharge conveyors, or similar capable of separating potatoes based on user-defined specification (i.e., weight, shape, color, internal/external defect class). A minimum of 4 drops is required, and six is preferred.

• Grading software supplied by the company will permit the transfer of raw tuber data to individual researchers for additional post grading analysis in Excel accessible formats

• Contractor will fabricate or supply a feed conveyor, wash plant (wet/dry brushes), and presorting conveyor table. The contractor will provide similar replacement to existing feed conveyor / wash plant, where existing dimensions are: belted feed conveyor (10’L x 18’’W);

wet brushes (6 linear feet or 8 brushes 6’’D x 24’’L); dry brushes (6 linear feet with 8 brushes

12805B19Q0013 Attachment I

6’’D x 24’’L); presorting picking table conveyor (6’L x 24’’W). Components will be made from food grade belting and/or stainless steel. Contractor will also provide appropriate raised decking with safety handrail for wash plant and presorting table, with construction/finish suitable for use in food/agriculture processing environment.

• The foot print of the new grading system including the contractor supplied feed conveyor, washing station, singulation conveyors, image capturing conveyor, and post image sorting will not exceed a footprint 15’ x 85’

• USDA-ARS will prepare site by complete removal of existing wash plant and weight sorter.

• City utilities (water, compressed air, 3 phase power) are available on site.

• Contractor is responsible for using food grade compatible approved materials in the fabrication of grading/conveyor components.

• Contractor is responsible for shipment, equipment installation, and training of staff on grader usage, calibration, and maintenance.