20250211_Sandbag_Sources_Sought.docx

SOURCES SOUGHT - NFFMC

TYPICAL 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 Typical 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

TYPICAL SANDBAGS AND SHIPPING CONTAINERS

PART 1 GENERAL

Preferred shipping method is by a flatbed trailer, with sandbags bundled and packed in a wooden container, , and a 45 day delivery. For quicker (urgent or emergency) delivery options, a triple wrapped industry standard pallet 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 25 bundles of 500 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.

1.1 SCOPE

This specification covers sandbags and shipping containers.

1.1.1 Classification

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

1.2 REFERENCES

None.

1.3 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.

1.4. DEFINITIONS

For the purpose of this specification, the following definitions apply.

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.

PART 2 PRODUCTS

2.1 SANDBAGS

Sandbags shall be constructed in accordance with the following specifications.

2.1.1 Sandbag Dimensions.

The sandbags shall be constructed with the nominal dimensions of 26 (± ½”) inches long by 14 (± ½”) inches wide.

2.1.2 Sandbag Material.

The sandbags shall be constructed from coated polypropylene fabric. The sandbags shall be constructed with a minimum denier of 700, and be a minimum of 10x10 woven pattern.

2.1.3 Sandbag Tie String.

The length of the tie string shall not be less than 24 inches. The ends of the tie string shall be heat-sealed or knotted to prevent unraveling. The tie string shall be located on one side of the bag (at seam or folded bag edge), not less than 4 inches nor more than 5 inches from the top edge of the bag. Tie strings shall be located on the outside of the bag.

2.1.4 Sandbag Color.

The sandbags shall be white in color.

2.1.5 Sandbags 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 that meets commercial standard. Plywood shall have no defects (knot holes, worm holes, etc.) extending through the panel. Water repellent wood sealant conforming to commercial standards shall be used on all wood material.

All 1×4 joists shall be fastened to the side, top, and end panels with 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 fastened with weather resistant screws or ring nails, 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) is screwed on with 2½” wood screws, with no through penetration. All shipping containers shall be built to the specifications 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.

The contractor shall submit five sandbag samples to the Contracting Officer within 48 hours after award.

Upon delivery, the Contractor shall submit certification that the sandbags meet all the specifications, including the drop test (below) to the Contracting Officer.

3.1.2 Drop Test

Sandbags must pass a drop test by filling the sandbag with 44 pounds (± ½lb) (approximately 760 cubic inches) of clean, dry sand and knot the tie string firmly about the choke. Adjust the contents of the bag to form a shape about 4 inches by 10 inches by 20 inches before each drop. Drop the bag (free fall) from a height of 48 inches on one face, on one side seam or the folded area where the seam would normally be located on a tubular bag, and on the butt onto a hard, unyielding surface such as stone or concrete of sufficient mass to absorb the shock without deflection. Every fourth sandbag tested shall be dropped (free fall) on the tied (choke) end in lieu of the butt drop. After each drop, the sandbag shall be examined for visible evidence of damage such as tears, punctures, broken yarns or thread, or exposure of the contents by any means other than sifting. Slight slippage or yawning in the seams shall not be considered damage. Visible evidence of damage shall constitute failure of this test. Tests will be performed by USACE on submitted samples and randomly for delivery orders.

3.2. PREPARATION FOR DELIVERY AND DELIVERY METHODS

a. Sandbags shall be packed 500 per bundle for those shipped in shipping containers totaling 12,500 and 1,000 per bundle for those shipped on pallets totaling 14,000.

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. Outside CONUS may be delivered in box truck or shipping containers. Requests for closed bed trucks must be approved by the Contracting Officer or Contracting Officer’s Representative before shipment.

g. Transportation costs will be a separate contract line item. Transportation costs will be reimbursed based on the actual cost of transportation. The Contractor shall provide documentation with their invoice.

h. 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.

i. Deliveries required within 5 days and 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.

j. 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.

d. Quantity of bundles per pallet: - 16 bundles per 4 ft. long, 4 ft. wide pallet

- 14,000 sandbags per pallet

3.3.1 Bundle

A bundle shall contain 500 sandbags per shipping container or 1,000 sandbags per pallet. Sandbags shall be stacked flat-wise, compressed and banded. A bundle shall be so constructed that it will allow subsequent handling.

3.3.2 Shipping Containers

A 4 ft. wide, 4 ft. long, and 4 ft. high shipping container shall contain 12,500 sandbags (or 25 bundles of 500 count sandbags, compressed and banded bundles).

3.3.3 Packaging.

a. Bundles 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, stacking 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.

3.3.4 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. The load shall be contained in a manner that will permit safe handling during shipment and storage.

b. Palletization. The pallets shall contain fourteen (14) bundles of one-thousand (1,000) count sandbags per bundle. The bundles shall be triple 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 handlings.

3.3.5 Marking

The exterior of all shipping containers shall be marked with the container quantity (number of bags contained in the shipping container) 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 secure the top (lid) to the container. The exterior of all shipping containers 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.

3.3.6 Drawings of Shipping Containers

Shop drawings of the shipping containers, including a list of materials and material dimensions shall be submitted for acceptance within (ten) 10 calendar days of the contract award date.

3.7 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.