Questions_and_Answers_for_Plastic_Ear_Tags_Solicitation_AG-6395-S-14-0048.docx

Questions and Answers for Scrapie Goat & Sheep Plastic Ear Tags Solicitation AG-6395-S-14-0048

Question 1:

Please can you let me know how many digits you would like printed on the serial tags after the XXA12345 – would you like a further 7 digits to make the maximum of 15?

Answer:

No. The serial tag samples should be imprinted with the following numbers XXA12345, XXA12346, XXA12347, XXA12348, XXA12349.

Question 2:

The blue tags have ‘Slaughter only’ or ‘MEAT’ and the white SFCP tags have ‘SFCP’ printed on them. Is there anything that needs to be printed on the white Flock ID tags and the white Serial tags? I can find no reference to these tags in the solicitation other than in the samples required section.

Answer:

All tags must have the letters U.S. enclosed in the Government shield, the manufacturer’s unique copyrighted logo or trademark to identify the supplier (imprinted or molded in the plastic) and the 2D Data Matrix. Any tag that is large enough to allow it should have the words “UNLAWFUL TO REMOVE” printed on them which is possible on most plastic tags. Note: this printing may be significantly smaller than other printing on the tag as long as it can be read from a distance of 30 inches. Please reference solicitation amendment 001 for the change in the printing specification.

Question 3:

In the Printing Specification the tag must be printed with the 2D Data Matrix on the tag. Can you please clarify that the 2D Data Matrix on the tag Official Identification number on a premise tag would be the 9 character alphanumeric premise number and the animal identification number (Total of 15 Digits).

Yes, the complete number including both the premises/flock ID number and the production number must be represented in the 2D Data Matrix.

Question 4:

On a serial tag the serial tag the 2D Data Matrix would be the XXA12345 (8 digits) as instructed in the Plastic Tag samples section on page 22. This could also be a 15 digit number as stated in the Serial tag section on page 9. The samples required for the RFP would only have a 8 Digit number?

Yes, the number to be printed on the tag and represented in the 2D data matrix is the 8 digit number (the up to 15 digits listed in the RFP allows APHIS the flexibility to change the length of the number during the term of the contract if needed).

Question 5:

If we currently have an approved tag for the Scrapie program we can resize the elements such as the US shield to be able to incorporate the 2D Data Matrix.

Yes, but only to the degree needed to include the 2D data matrix

Question 6:

Please confirm that the sample tags 5 of each of the 5 tags listed must be sent to Diane Sutton along with a Tag Applicator?

Answer:

Yes, Tag and applicator samples shall be sent to the following by the closing date of the solicitation as listed on the 1449. Submit the following samples for evaluation:

Diane Sutton

USDA, APHIS, VS, SPRS

4700 River Rd., Unit 43 Riverdale, MD 20737

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