Attachment 1 - Technical Requirements.pdf

Technical Requirements

General Information:

Background and Purpose: The USDA, Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) requires the basic need for supply purchase of a Calan Feeder Gates (CFG) Upgrades. The Livestock Nutrient Management Research Unit (LNMRU) at Bushland Texas conducts feeding trials with growing cattle to determine feed ingredients that are most efficient for producing beef and decreasing greenhouse gas emission. For such studies, measurements of the daily feed intake by individual cattle are required. Currently LNMRU is using 54 CGF units for this purpose. Each steer is trained to eat from one specific feeder. The steer and CGF are matched through a key worn around the neck of the animal and a sensor in the CGF. When the correct animal is in close proximity to its feeder, the gate opens. The LNMRU heavily invested years ago in the purchase and upkeep of its 54 CGF units. A replacement with an alternative product would be expensive. In addition, maintenance of the current CGF would help ensure that data collected in future studies would be comparable to those collected in the past. The purpose of this procurement action is to acquire the update in hardware and operating system. The chief benefits of the upgrade are: 1) the proximity between the key and the gate for the gate to open is greatly reduced, thus reducing the chances of stealing; 2) each gate can be more easily programmed to a key which makes it easier to manage steers and gates when keys or gates malfunction. This upgrade to the CFG is a necessity to conduct required research studies located at the Conservation and Production Research Laboratory (CPRL), 2300 Experiment Station Road, Bushland, Texas 79012.

1. Definitions:

1. USDA: Unites States Department of Agriculture

2. ARS: Agricultural Research Service

3. CPRL: Conservation and Production Research Laboratory

4. SOW: Statement of Work

5. LNMRU: Livestock Nutrient Management Research Unit

6. CGF: Calan Gate Feeder

CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS:

2. Technical Requirements/Tasks:

This action is to purchase 54 System C circuit boards, 54 animal keys and the UNIKEY device for programming and re-programing keys to match specific circuit boards.

Specification/Improvement of System C circuit boards:

1. The System C circuit board that detects the animal key and opens the door of CFG utilizes the same set of spacers for mounting the current circuit board (System A in Bushland’s case) so that mounting is not difficult.

2. Upgrade to System C allows for an infinite number of animals and CGF in one pen, where the current System a is limited to 12 animals per pen.

3. The System “C” has extended range and pattern that is emitted from the surface of the Calan Door in the direction of the animal key. This feature makes it easier to train animals to their CFG. The animal no longer has to have its key in a specific point or orientation relative to the CGF’s circuit board.

4. System “C” circuit boards are field programmable. This means that a customer can purchase blank circuit boards from American Calan and assign the specific channel identification to the blank board in a very simple manner.

5 . Each “C” circuit board is equipped with two LED lights a red and a green. The “C” system cover plates have a rectangular slot that allows the red and green light to be seen through the cover plate by the operator. When a Calan circuit board is receiving electricity the red LED light flashes on a continuous basis. The green light will be illuminated only when an animal key is brought within the sensitive sphere of the electrical signal output of the circuit board.

Specification/Improvements of the Key and its Insert

1. Inserts are the active devise that is housed in the center of the animal key. “C” inserts are based on digital technology commonly referred to RFID which stands for Radio Frequency Identification. The insert is partnered with the circuit board which represents the latest in identification technology. The inserts can be replaced within a key simply by removing the 2 stainless steel bolts that are used in attaching the two key shells halves together.

2. The key Insert of System “C” fits into the cavity of our standard key shells. The system

“C” shells are orange, not yellow, so that the new keys are easily distinguishable.

Specification / Description of the UNIKEY

The battery powered unit can identify the channel number of any key insert. The Unikey can also program a blank insert with a specific animal identity. In addition, the Unikey can change the existing channel number of an insert to a different channel number. The significance of this devise is that the user of the CGF is now able to program or reprogram the identity of its’ entire inventory of inserts.

3. Deliverable / Schedule:

Key Deliverables

Item No. Deliverable Objective Due

1 System C circuit boards, keys and

UNIKEY

Per Above Technical Requirements / Task

1 August 2022