20250211_Large_Sandbag_Sources_Sought.docx

SOURCES SOUGHT - NFFMC

LARGE UTILITY SANDBAGS & SHIPPING

This is a SOURCES SOUGHT and is for informational/market research purposes only.

THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL, QUOTATION OR BID, NOR A SYNOPSIS OF A PROPOSED CONTRACT ACTION UNDER FAR SUBPART 5.2.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, National Flood Fight Material Center (NFFMC), Rock Island District, is seeking businesses that are capable of providing the following requirement for Large Sandbags and Shipping.

Please read the full document, description and scope of work in its entirety:

NAICS CODE: 314910 (Textile Bag and Canvas Mills) SIZE STANDARD: 500 Employees

This announcement is for information and planning purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government, implied or otherwise, to issue a solicitation or make a contract award. NO AWARD will be made from this Sources Sought Notice. This is NOT a request for proposal, quote or invitation for bid. The sole purpose of this notice is to identify potential System for Award Management (SAM) Database registered businesses that are interested and capable of performing this work.

SPECIFICATION

LARGE SANDBAGS AND SHIPPING CONTAINERS

PART 1 GENERAL

Preferred shipping method is by a flatbed trailer, with bundled large sandbags packed in a wooden container, and a 45-day delivery. For quicker (urgent or emergency) delivery options, a triple wrapped industry standard pallet with may be acceptable. The shipping container is a six-sided, wooden box, built to industry standards, that is used for the storage and transportation of materiel, can be stacked up to 3 high, and be accessible by all sides by a forklift. Shipping containers have the nominal dimensions of 4 ft. in length, 4 ft. in width, and 4 ft. in height and contains four (4) – twenty-five (25) count bundled per 4 ft. long, 4 ft. wide, and 4 ft. high container. Typical deliveries will be to destinations in the continental United States with lower probabilities of deliveries to Alaska, Hawaii, and other US Territories. More details on the requirements including shipping follows.

The sandbags shall be constructed with the nominal dimension of 36 (±3”) inches wide, by 36 (±3”) inches deep, by 48 (±3”) tall.

0. SCOPE

This specification covers large utility sandbags that can be single point lifted and shipping containers.

0. Classification Sandbags covered by this specification shall be of the woven bag type.

0. REFERENCES

None.

0. CERTIFICATES

SANDBAGS

Upon delivery, provide a certificate to the Contracting Officer Representative that the products delivered under the resulting contract/delivery orders conform to the specifications listed herein.

SHIPPING CONTAINERS FOR SHIPMENT OF SANDBAGS

Upon delivery, provide a certificate to the Contracting Officer Representative that the products delivered under the resulting contract/delivery orders conform to the specifications listed herein.

0. DEFINITIONS.

1.4.1 Shipping Container.

A shipping container is a six sided, wooden box, built to industry standards, that is used for the storage and transportation of materiel. Shipping containers have the nominal dimensions of 4 ft. in length, 4 ft. in width, and 4 ft. in height.

1.4.2 Denier.

Denier is a unit of measure for the linear mass density of fibers; typically defined as the mass in grams per 9,000 meters.

1.4.3 Safety Factor

The Safety Factor, depending on the ratio, in this case 5:1, means that the large sandbag is specified to hold 5 times the amount of the bags safe working load.

PART 2 PRODUCTS

2.1 LARGE SANDBAGS

Sandbags shall be constructed in accordance with the following specifications.

2.1.1 Sandbag Dimensions

The sandbags shall be constructed with the nominal dimension of 36 (±3”) inches wide, by 36 (±3”) inches deep, by 48 (±3”) tall.

2.1.2 Sandbag Material.

The sandbags shall be constructed from coated polypropylene fabric. The sandbags shall be constructed with a minimum denier of 1,600, be a minimum of 11x11 woven pattern, and have a safety factor of 5:1. Sandbags must be suitable for the containment of sand or similar material.

2.1.4 Sandbag Lifting Straps.

The sandbags harness system shall run along the entire perimeter of the sandbag and end in four lifting loops on each top corner of the bag. Lifting straps shall run vertically along the four corners of the bag and crisscross on the bottom of the bag. The loops must be of sufficient length to ensure that they can be joined together and lifted from a center point. Straps allow a lift that connects to a lifting device using a single lifting point/hook.

2.1.5 Sandbag Duffel Tops

The sandbags shall contain duffle tops, or the equivalent, to ensure that the entire bag is completely enclosed.

2.1.6 Sandbag Color

The sandbags shall be white in color.

2.1.7 Sandbag Strength.

The sandbags shall be constructed with the strength to be able to support a minimum load of 2,500 lbs. All straps, loops, and the bag, itself, shall be constructed of sufficient strength and durability to allow for helicopter airlift and drop operations. Each sandbag shall be labeled with load capacity, safety factory, and capable for airlift.

2.1.8 Sandbag UV Resistance Coating

The sandbags shall contain ultraviolet resistance to retain 70% strength after 200 hours of exposure to accelerated weathering testing.

2.2 SHIPPING CONTAINERS. Lumber components shall be the industries’ commonly accepted practice for nominal dimensions and wood type and shall conform to commercial practice standards. Plywood shall be performance-rated paneling and all panels shall be bonded with moisture resistant adhesive. Plywood shall have no defects (knot holes, worm holes, etc.) extending through the panel. Water repellant wood preservatives conforming to commercial standards shall be used on all wood materials. All plywood used shall be oriented so that the grain direction of face plies are perpendicular to the box length, ends shall be oriented the same as all other sides.

All 1×4 joists shall be fastened to the side, top, and end panels weather resistant screws or ring nails spaced not more than 3 inches apart in a staggered fashion. All joists shall be bonded with moisture resistant adhesive, as well as with weather resistant screws or ring nails. The skidded load bearing base shall be screwed or ring nailed together, through the plywood from the inside into the cleats, with a minimum of 80% depth penetration, with no through penetration. All skidded load bearing bases shall be bonded with moisture resistant adhesive, as well as using weather resistant screw or ring nails. The sides, ends, and bottom panels shall be bonded with moisture resistant adhesive and nailed together with 2½” nails, with no through penetration. The top (lid) shall be screwed on with 2½” wood screws, with no through penetration. All shipping containers shall be built to the specification provided in the attached Shipping Container Shop Drawing (attachment 4.2).

PART 3 EXECUTION

3.1 QUALITY ASSURANCE PROVISIONS

3.1.1 Workmanship

The sandbags shall be uniform in size and color, clean, unstained, and free of any extraneous material. Workmanship shall insure serviceability of the sandbags.

Upon delivery, the Contractor shall submit certification that the sandbags meet the above requirements to the Contracting Officer.

3.2 PREPARATION FOR DELIVERY AND DELIVERY METHODS

a. Large Sandbags shall be packed 25 per bundle, 4 bundles per container or 100 bags per container. Each bundle shall be the nominal dimensions of 20” wide, 20” high and 40” long for large sandbags in shipping containers. For pallets, large sandbags shall be bundled flat wise in a 100 count bundle and secured to a pallet.

b. Emergency Conditions. Items shipped on pallets can be ordered to be delivered anywhere in CONUS within 48 hours. The Contracting Officer may issue a series of orders at any time up to the maximum order limit for items shipped on pallets. This process can be repeated every 48 hours from issuance of the (maximum order) delivery order.

c. Urgent Conditions. Items shipped on pallets can be ordered to be delivered anywhere in CONUS within 5 business days. Business days excludes weekends and federal holidays. The Contracting Officer may issue a series of orders at any time up to the maximum order limit for items shipped on pallets. This process can be repeated every 48 hours from issuance of the (maximum order) delivery order.

d. Non-emergency (Normal) Conditions. Items shipped in containers can be ordered to be delivered anywhere in CONUS within 45 days. The Contracting Officer may issue a series of orders at any time up to the maximum order limit for items shipped in containers. This process can be repeated every seven days from issuance of the (maximum order) delivery order.

e. Non-Emergency (Normal) Conditions. Orders shall be delivered anywhere outside the CONUS within 90 days of receipt of delivery order. Outside CONUS is defined as the US States of Alaska and Hawaii, and US territories such as Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Island, or Guam. The Contracting Officer may issue a series of orders at any time up to the maximum order limit. This process can be repeated every ten days from issuance of the (maximum order) delivery ordered. Deliveries during Normal Conditions shall be Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm, except for Federal Holidays.

f. All deliveries shall be made on side access trailers capable of being unloaded with a forklift without access to a ramp or dock. Requests for closed bed trucks must be approved by the Contracting Officer or Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) before shipment.

g. The Contractor shall give 48 hour notice for urgent and non-emergency (normal) conditions and 24 hour notice for emergency conditions to the Contracting Officer’s Representative and the delivery point of contact (listed in the specific delivery order) before delivery. The contractor shall contact the delivery point of contact both at three hours and one hour prior to arrival.

h. Deliveries required within 45 days shall be Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm, except for Federal Holidays. Emergency deliveries (required within 48 hours) shall be anytime, 24 hours per day and 365 days per year including holidays.

i. If a significant delay occurs that will prohibit the delivery of the product by the due date, the contractor shall immediately report the delay by phone call and email to the Contracting Officer and Contracting Officer’s Representative. An equitable adjustment may be deducted from the contract price relative to the delay. In each case, the price deducted shall be dependent upon the reason for the delay. The delay report shall include current location, cause of delay and anticipated delivery time.

3.3 PACKAGING AND MARKING

Preservation, packaging, packing, unitization and marking furnished by the Contractor shall provide protection for a minimum of one year and meet or exceed the following requirements:

a. Preservation: Commercial

b. Level of Packing: Commercial

c. Quantity of Bundles per Shipping Container: four (4) – twenty five (25) count bundles, one-hundred 100 total, per 4 ft. long, 4 ft. wide, and 4 ft. high container.

d. Quantity of Bundles per Pallet: one (1) – one-hundred (100) count bundle per 4 ft. long, 4ft. wide pallet.

3.3.1 Packaging

a. Large Sandbags shall be packed in shipping containers or on pallets. Shipping containers and pallets shall comply with the regulations of the carrier used and shall provide safe delivery to the destination at the lowest tariff cost. Shipping Containers shall be capable of multiple handling and storage under favorable conditions (such as enclosed facilities) for a minimum of one year.

b. All shipping containers shall be the most cost effective and shall be of minimum cube to contain and protect the bags. Shipping containers shall be closed on all sides, ends, bottom and top. Tops shall be easily removable/replaceable. Rough, sharp or dangerous edges, corners or fasteners will not be permitted. Marking materials creating hazardous conditions shall not be used.

3.3.2 Unitization

a. Shipping Containers. The shipping containers shall be constructed with the nominal (no more than ±½”) outside dimensions of 4 feet in length, 4 feet in width, and 4 feet in height (measurements exclude the skid). The load shall be contained in a manner that will permit safe handling during shipment and storage.

a. Palletization. The bundles shall be tripled shrink-wrapped with transparent plastic film and secured to the pallet according to manufacturer recommended industry standards, allowing for safe transportation, including vertical stacking. Pallets shall be new construction, treated lumber or hardwood, capable of multiple handling.

3.3.3 Marking

The exterior of all shipping containers shall be marked with the container quantity (number of bags contained in the shipping container) and the words “Large Sandbags” on all four sides in four inch number/letters, the weight of the filled container, and the contractual delivery date in two inch numbers/letters. Letters shall be capitals without serifs and numerals shall be Arabic per industry specifications and standards. The top (lid) of all shipping containers shall be marked with a stenciled arrow indicating the location of the wood screws used to security the top (lid) to the container. The exterior of all shipping container shall also be marked, on all four sides, in the upper left-hand corner, with the full colored, 6×6 inch, Corps signature (logo and text), as indicated on the attached sheet.

3.3.4 Drawings of Shipping Containers

Shop drawings of the shipping containers, including a list of materials and material dimensions shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer Representative for acceptance within 10 calendar days of the contract award date.

3.4 PAYMENT AND INVOICING

Payment for supplies ordered under this contract will be made upon receipt of the invoice. Invoices shall be submitted within 14 days of services rendered. Invoices shall include contract number, delivery order number and Contract Line Item Number (CLIN) when multiple CLIN’s are issued on a contract. The invoices shall also include copies of the BOL (please see clause 52.212-4(g) for further information).

All invoices shall be submitted to the COR appointed on the delivery order.