Attachment E-Shipping Containers.docx

Attachment E

SHIPPING CONTAINER

CONTAINER SELECTION:

Only dry standard shipping containers of steel corrugated fabrication will be used for the shipment of material. Prior to use, the contract shall inspect the container to determine the physical condition. This inspection includes but is not limited to floors, walls and roof. Containers with holes, excessive patches, excessive rust and/or doors that cannot be locked are deemed unacceptable. Any such containers must be rejected and not used for packing materials destined for US Missions abroad. When requested, the contractor shall allow US Government representatives(s) access to the Contractor’s Central Receiving/Consolidation point for visual container inspection after preparation but prior to loading.

CONTAINER SELECTION:

The ideal container would be in near new condition (Food Grade). Since this is not always possible, some wear and tear on the container is acceptable, as indicated below. The objective in the selection and acceptance of a container for use is to ensure that after the container has been prepared, any penetration or possible situation and type condition of a container cannot be expressed in this document. In those cases, of doubt as to ultimate acceptability of the container, the US Government representative(s) will decide.

The following guidelines generally apply:

1. Only corrugated steel containers are acceptable.

2. No holes are permitted.

3. Containers may have up to four patches. No patch can exceed the size of 15 square inches which is 3” x 5”.

4. Dents may not exceed one inch in depth.

5. All bars, doors and locking mechanisms must be fully operable. Locking mechanisms must have holes that align properly to accept bolts and seals.

6. All containers will be watertight. This is normally guaranteed by the shipping firm supplying the container. A simple method of checking is to go into the container, have the doors closed, and check for light.

7. Container floors must be solid, exhibiting no weak spots. Splintering cannot exceed six inches in length at any one place, and no more than 1/8 inch in depth.

8. There can be no loose floorboards. The contractor may elect to securely fasten any loose floorboards as opposed to rejecting a container. ¾ inch marine plywood panels may also be used for continuous floor coverage if all else is acceptable.

9. When a container floor exhibits evidences of having been repaired, the underside of the flooring must appear to be the same as the original of existing flooring.

10. Each container floor should be swept clean prior to inspection for initial acceptance by the contractor to ensure that all floorboards have all screws intact, that the floor contains no holes, that no lifted floorboards exist nor is there any splintering beyond that described in paragraph g above.

11. No rewelds or patches are permitted on door hardware.

12. A maximum of only six (6) “after factory” welds are permitted.

13. The containers will be rejected if all door hinges have been repaired or appear to have been repaired.