Final_Statement_of_Work_Moscow _ID.docx

Statement of Work To Assist the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, Federal Grain Inspection Service, Grand Forks Field Office, Moscow Sub-Office, Moscow, Idaho In Providing Pulse Sampling and Weighing Services

I. INTRODUCTION

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA), facilitates the marketing of U.S. grain and related agricultural products through the establishment of standards for quality assessments, and regulation of handling practices. GIPSA’s Federal Grain Inspection Services (FGIS) administers the official pulse, graded and non-graded non-processed commodity inspection and weighing program under the authority of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (AMA), as amended.

The AMA authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to contract with private firms, institutions, and individuals for the purpose of performing specified inspection services. FGIS will use this contracting authority to supplement its workforce by contracting with private firms, institutions, and individuals to sample or weigh bulk and bagged pulses or processed commodities when requested by FGIS to help respond to unpredictable workloads.

II. SCOPE OF WORK

When requested by FGIS, the contractor will provide Federal pulse or processed commodity sampling and weighing services, under the authority of the AMA, in the geographical area serviced by the FGIS Moscow, Idaho, Sub-Office (S/O). These areas may include pulse facilities in the following areas of Idaho:

· Magic Valley

· Treasure Valley

· Kendrick

· L-C Valley

· Evergreen

The overall objective of the contractor is to provide sampling, checkweighing, checkloading, sanitations, condition of container inspection, and acceptance services on dry beans, peas, and lentil, and miscellaneous AMA graded and non-graded non-processed commodities according to {1} all pertinent specifications, instructions, standards, directives, memorandums, etc., and {2} procedures stated in the Peas and Lentils Handbook; Bean Inspection Handbook; Sanitation Inspection Handbook for Rice, Beans, Peas, Lentils, and Processed Commodities; and the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMA) Handbook, Procedures for Inspection of the Condition of Food Containers; Mechanical Sampling Systems Handbook, and Weighing Handbook.

III. APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS

See the following web addresses:

www.gipsa.usda.gov Popular Topics, Laws and Regulations, Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (as amended), Part 868, Acts & Regulations, Directives, Handbooks, and Notices.

http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=home&subject=coop&topic=pas-ex-cr 7 CFR Agriculture - U.S. Standards for Condition of Food Containers http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2012-title7-vol3/pdf/CFR-2012-title7-vol3.pdf The pulse graded and non-graded non-processed commodity inspection services that the S/O assigns to the contractor may include but are not limited to, the following services (Reference § 868 of the regulations):

a. Plant Approval (Sanitation) Service.

Determining whether a plant/mill is processing and/or packaging commodities under sanitary conditions according to the Sanitation Inspection Handbook for Rice, Beans, Peas, Lentils, and Processed Commodities;

b. Sampling Service.

Drawing a sample from a pulse or processed commodity lot using FGIS-approved methods to obtain representative samples for analysis to determine quality based on grade, official factors, or official criteria or any combination of these according to the regulations, Official U.S. Standards, and instructions. Sampling will be in accordance with Chapter 2 of Pea and Lentil Handbook; Chapter 2 of the Bean Inspection Handbook.

c. Checkweighing.

Weighing a selected number of containers from a lot, for the determination of the estimated total gross, tare, and net weight, or the estimated average gross or net weight per filled container. Checkweighing will be performed in accordance with the Weighing Handbook, Chapter 4, and specific checkweighing procedures contained in the Federal and Military specifications and Farm Service Administration (FSA) announcements (i.e. shall not be less than 98% of the marked net weight).

d. Condition of Food Container Inspection.

Examining the containers for condition, construction, sealing, and markings will be in accordance with the Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS) Handbook, Procedures for Inspection of the Condition of Food Containers, and the United States Standards for Condition of Food Containers.

e. Carrier Stowage Examination Visually determine if a carrier or container is clean; dry; free of infestation, rodents, toxic substances, and foreign odor; and suitable to store or carry commodities. (Reference: Directive FGIS 9180.48).

f. Checkloading

Performing a stowage examination on a carrier, computing the number of filled containers loaded aboard the carrier, observing the condition of containers loaded aboard the carrier, and sealing the loaded carrier, if practicable. (Reference: Directive FGIS 9180.50)

g. Witness of Fumigation Verifying the application of a fumigant to a specified cargo.

IV. RESPONSIBILITIES

The Contractor is responsible for providing pulse sampling and related services to assist FGIS, when requested in accordance with the AMA, regulations, U.S. Standards for Beans, Peas, Lentils, instructions, and policies and procedures established under the authority of the AMA.

INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES

a) Comply with the applicable provision of sections II and III. (above)

b) Be licensed to perform assigned services during working hours.

c) Provide own transportation to and from service point.

d) Deliver or ship samples and other required document to designated location(s) in accordance with the timeframes specified in the work order (Application for Inspection and Weighing Service).

e) Complete and sign all required reports and inspection forms. Keep an accurate record of the time inspections begin and end.

f) Prepare and submit invoices to the Moscow sub-office and enter invoices in IPP.gov.

g) Report immediately any apparent violation of the AMA Part 868 regulations (Refer to www.gipsa.usda.gov; Browse by Subject; Laws and Regulations), and instructions to the field office in accordance with FGIS Directive 9070.6, Reporting Violations of the U.S. Grain Standards Act and the Agriculture Marketing Act {AMA} of 1946.

h) Possess no interest, financial or otherwise, direct or indirect, in merchandising, handling, storing, or processing commodities of the kind to be sampled or related products, as specified in 7 CFR 868.80. Must not have a conflict of interest.

i) Guarantee sample integrity.

j) Meet the physical condition requirements in the Sanitation Inspection Handbook for Rice, Beans, Peas, Lentils, and Processed Commodities.

k) Abide by the plant’s or mill’s safety and sanitation regulations.

FGIS Moscow Sub-Office GIPSA’s, FGIS, Field Management Division personnel are responsible for interpreting standards and specifications; determining appropriate inspection methods and techniques; and developing inspection guidelines, instructions, handbooks, and training aids.

FGIS will furnish each contractor with:

(a) An AMA contract sampler license will be issued to qualified samplers.

(b) Form FGIS-110, “Bribery Card.”

(c) The necessary equipment to perform inspection services.

(d) Instructions on invoicing for payment.

FGIS will make sure that contractors understand:

(a) Sampling methods and techniques.

(b) How to use all handbooks, instructions, sampling plans, forms, and any equipment involved in performing required services.

(c) The necessity and procedures for sample, equipment, and inspection data security.

(d) Samples must be shipped or hand delivered to the appropriate USDA GIPSA FGIS licensed laboratory in a timely manner.

(e) Contractors are not employees of the Federal Government and therefore, are not covered by such benefits as health, retirement, vacation, social security, unemployment compensations, and workman’s compensation, etc.

(f) Four major performance failures within a contract year will be considered a critical performance failure.

(g) The number of hours contractors will be requested to work is not guaranteed.

(h) Contractors are limited to six months of days in a contract/fiscal year.

(i) Contracts are limited to less than $25,000 and one year.

(j) Contractors must complete and send to the field office Form FGIS-992, Services Performed Report, each time they are called to a service location to perform a service. If, upon arrival, there is no work (including standby time), the service location callout and departure times and the phrase “Call Out” must be shown in the “Comments of Sampler” block. If there was less than 2 hours of work performed (including standby time), the service location departure time and the phrase “2-hour minimum” must be shown in the block.

FGIS will:

(a) Give contractors the location and time of service requests.

(b) Reimburse contractors according to the contract schedule.

(c) Spot check and monitor the contractor’s performance to ensure that it is according to contract specifications.

(d) Report to the Contracting Officer, if the Contractor is found to be in violation of the AMA and regulations. FGIS will suspend or revoke any license according to applicable regulations when it deems such action to be for the good of USDA/GIPSA.

(e) Ensure that the Contractor understands: inspection methods and techniques; how to use handbooks, instructions, sampling plans, forms, and any equipment involved in performing required services; the necessity and procedures for sample, equipment, and inspection data security; that samples must be delivered to the appropriate laboratory in a timely manner; and that they are not employees of the Federal Government and therefore, are not covered by such benefits as health, retirement, vacation, social security, unemployment compensation, workman’s compensation, etc.

V. CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS

The contractor personnel must have the following knowledge skills and abilities in order to perform services under this contract:

a. Must be able to obtain a license to perform sampling, weighing, checkloading and/or other services. Training and testing will be provided by FGIS if necessary.

b. Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs.

c. Must be able to fill out forms legibly and coherently.

d. Must be able to perform basic math skills (addition, subtraction, multiplication)

VI. POINTS OF CONTACT