B3 12639524R0001.pdf

SEE ADDENDUMIS CHECKED

CODE 18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

CODE

FACILITYCODE

17b. CHECK IF REMITTANCE IS DIFFERENT AND PUT SUCH ADDRESS IN OFFER

OFFEROR

APHIS-MN-126395

MINNEAPOLIS MN 55401

SUITE410

250 MARQUETTE AVE

USDA APHIS

AMS-CN-GB-47AS CODE 16. ADMINISTERED BYCODE

X

X

X

334516

SIZE STANDARD:

100.00 % FOR:SET ASIDE:UNRESTRICTED ORAPHIS-MN-126395

REQUEST FOR

PROPOSAL

(RFP)

INVITATION

FOR BID (IFB)

10. THIS ACQUISITION ISCODE

REQUEST FOR

QUOTE (RFQ)

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

13b. RATING

NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRY

CLASSIFICATION STANDARD

(NAICS):

SMALL BUSINESS

02/16/2024 1700 ET

01/17/2024

612-336-3204JEREMY POULIOT

(No collect calls)

INFORMATION CALL:

FOR SOLICITATION 8. OFFER DUE DATE/LOCAL TIMEb. TELEPHONE NUMBER a. NAME

4. ORDER NUMBER3. AWARD/ 6. SOLICITATION

12639524R0001

5. SOLICITATION NUMBER

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS 1. REQUISITION NUMBER PAGE OF

1 73 1108762OFFEROR TO COMPLETE BLOCKS 12, 17, 23, 24, & 30

TELEPHONE NO.

17a. CONTRACTOR/

MEMPHIS TN 38133-2701

3275 APPLING ROAD, ROOM 1

GRADING BRANCH

15. DELIVER TO

MINNEAPOLIS MN 55401

SUITE410

250 MARQUETTE AVE

9. ISSUED BY

7.

2. CONTRACT NO.

EFFECTIVE DATE

1,000

18b. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN BLOCK 18a UNLESS BLOCK BELOW

ISSUE DATE

DELIVERY FOR FREE ON BOARD

(FOB) DESTINATION UNLESS

BLOCK IS MARKED

11.

SEE SCHEDULEX

12. DISCOUNT TERMS THIS CONTRACT IS A RATED

ORDER UNDER THE DEFENSE

PRIORITIES AND ALLOCATIONS

SYSTEM - DPAS (15 CFR 700)

13a.

SERVICE-DISABLED

VETERAN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS

(SDVOSB)

HUBZONE SMALL

BUSINESS

8(A)

USDA APHIS

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL

BUSINESS (WOSB)

ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL

BUSINESS (EDWOSB)

24.

AMOUNT

23.

UNIT PRICE

22.

UNIT

21.

QUANTITY

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

19.

ITEM NO.

DUNS Number: Not Available Period of Performance: 03/01/2024 to 02/28/2034

0001 USDA anticipates ordering between 10-15 machines 15 EA in 2024.

Fill in Section B1 below to submit your offer.

(Use Reverse and/or Attach Additional Sheets as Necessary)

HEREIN, IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

X

XX

DATED

NATHAN D. JOHNSON

. YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION (BLOCK 5),

INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONS OR CHANGES WHICH ARE SET FORTH

COPIES TO ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND DELIVER

ARE

ARE

31c. DATE SIGNED

27b. CONTRACT/PURCHASE ORDER INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-5 IS ATTACHED. ADDENDA

31a. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (SIGNATURE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER)

30c. DATE SIGNED 31b. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

ALL ITEMS SET FORTH OR OTHERWISE IDENTIFIED ABOVE AND ON ANY ADDITIONAL

SHEETS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED.

27a. SOLICITATION INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE (FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION) FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-3

AND 52.212-5 ARE ATTACHED. ADDENDA

26. TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT (For Government Use Only)

OFFER

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 11/2021)

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

ARE NOT ATTACHED.

ARE NOT ATTACHED.

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE

30b. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

30a. SIGNATURE OF OFFEROR/CONTRACTOR

28. CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT AND RETURN

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

29. AWARD OF CONTRACT: REFERENCE

32e. MAILING ADDRESS OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

32c. DATE 32b. SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

ACCEPTED, AND CONFORMS TO THE CONTRACT, EXCEPT AS NOTED:

32a. QUANTITY IN COLUMN 21 HAS BEEN

RECEIVED INSPECTED

40. PAID BY39. S/R VOUCHER NUMBER38. S/R ACCOUNT NUMBER

37. CHECK NUMBER

FINALPARTIAL

36. PAYMENT

FINALPARTIAL

35. AMOUNT VERIFIED

CORRECT FOR

34. VOUCHER NUMBER33. SHIP NUMBER

COMPLETE

32g. E-MAIL OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

42d. TOTAL CONTAINERS42c. DATE REC'D (YY/MM/DD)

42b. RECEIVED AT (Location)

42a. RECEIVED BY (Print)

41c. DATE41b. SIGNATURE AND TITLE OF CERTIFYING OFFICER

41a. I CERTIFY THIS ACCOUNT IS CORRECT AND PROPER FOR PAYMENT

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 11/2021) BACK

24.

AMOUNT

23.

UNIT PRICE

22.

UNIT

21.

QUANTITY

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

19.

ITEM NO.

32f. TELEPHONE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

32d. PRINTED NAME AND TITLE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

73 2 of

Notes to Offerers

1. This solicitation is being issued in accordance with FAR Part 15 and is a Request for Proposal.

This solicitation is for ten (10) year firm fixed price (FFP) Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts. Offeror’s price (B.1 Pricing Schedule) must include all costs necessary to produce and deliver the supplies FOB destination to any USDA Classifying Office.

2. You may email your offer directly to Jeremy Pouliot before the time specified on the solicitation announcement. Send your offer to Jeremy.pouliot@usda.gov. It is the contractor’s responsibility to ensure offers are received on time. Please note that file size limitations, formatting, or other problems may hamper receipt so please verify that the contract specialist has received your offer.

a. The following items must be submitted with a valid offer

i. Company UEI number and confirmation of current SAM registration

ii. Completed Price Schedule (section B.1)

1. Provide your proposed pricing for each CLIN you will be able to supply at the pricing you can lock in

2. Note a company may submit a pricing schedule that does not include pricing for all of the CLINS and still be acceptable.

3. If the contractor wishes to propose a FFP with Economic Price

Adjustment (EPA), the contractor must propose the established market price for the component or raw material which the adjustment would be based on in subsequent years and the Market index which may go up or down directly effecting price of the HVI. (see Contract Clause 52.216- 2 in the addendum below)

iii. Written Certification that the CTI/HVI options being offered are currently manufactured and meets the standards and specifications listed below.

1. Please indicate country of manufacturing and assembly on the certification, if multiple countries, please break it down by country.

2. USDA reserves the right to verify that HVI’s being offered meet all specifications by sending technical personnel to contractor’s location for test run of CTI/HVI. Offeror must have a complete working instrument either on site (at Offeror’s US based location) or at another US location for testing and verification purposes.

iv. Completed fill-in sections of all applicable Provisions under section: E Contract Provisions. Many of the provisions have sections to be completed if applicable and checkboxes that require a selection of one or another checkbox. Please ensure to read all provisions carefully and fill in all applicable sections. Many Provisions could be completed in the offeror’s SAM registration. If the offeror elects not to fill in the provision below, the offeror must have an updated SAM with provisions updated prior to award.

3. Award will be made to the Offeror with the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable proposal.

4. Any questions pertaining to this Request for Proposal (RFP) must be directed to Jeremy Pouliot, by email to Jeremy.pouliot@usda.gov no later than five (5) business days before offers are due.

5. Contractors must be registered in SAM prior to submitting an offer. Please ensure that your registration is current.

mailto:Jeremy.pouliot@usda.gov mailto:Jeremy.pouliot@usda.gov

6. USDA is an Agency of the Federal Government, Tax-Exempt Federal Tax ID No 41-0696271.

7. This solicitation is being issued as a small business set aside under NAICS 334516, with a small business size standard of 1,000 employees.

B.1 PRICING SCHEDULE

CLIN Description Unit Price CLIN001 Ordering Period 1 Option 1 (Complete Instrument) – 3/1/2024-02/28/2025 $ CLIN002 Ordering Period 1 Option 2 (Length/Strength Cabinet) – 3/1/2024-02/28/2025 $ CLIN003 Ordering Period 1 Option 3 (Color/Trash Cabinet) – 3/1/2024-02/28/2025 $ CLIN004 Ordering Period 1 Option 4 (Automated C/T Cabinet) – 3/1/2024-02/28/2025 $ CLIN005 Ordering Period 2 Option 1 (Complete Instrument) – 3/1/2025-02/28/2026 $ CLIN006 Ordering Period 2 Option 2 (Length/Strength Cabinet) – 3/1/2025-02/28/2026 $ CLIN007 Ordering Period 2 Option 3 (Color/Trash Cabinet) – 3/1/2025-02/28/2026 $ CLIN008 Ordering Period 2 Option 4 (Automated C/T Cabinet) – 3/1/2025-02/28/2026 $ CLIN009 Ordering Period 3 Option 1 (Complete Instrument) – 3/1/2026-02/28/2027 $ CLIN010 Ordering Period 3 Option 2 (Length/Strength Cabinet) – 3/1/2026-02/28/2027 $ CLIN011 Ordering Period 3 Option 3 (Color/Trash Cabinet) – 3/1/2026-02/28/2027 $ CLIN012 Ordering Period 3 Option 4 (Automated C/T Cabinet) – 3/1/2026-02/28/2027 $ CLIN013 Ordering Period 4 Option 1 (Complete Instrument) – 3/1/2027-02/28/2028 $ CLIN014 Ordering Period 4 Option 2 (Length/Strength Cabinet) – 3/1/2027-02/28/2028 $ CLIN015 Ordering Period 4 Option 3 (Color/Trash Cabinet) – 3/1/2027-02/28/2028 $ CLIN016 Ordering Period 4 Option 4 (Automated C/T Cabinet) – 3/1/2027-02/28/2028 $ CLIN017 Ordering Period 5 Option 1 (Complete Instrument) – 3/1/2028-02/28/2029 $ CLIN018 Ordering Period 5 Option 2 (Length/Strength Cabinet) – 3/1/2028-02/28/2029 $ CLIN019 Ordering Period 5 Option 3 (Color/Trash Cabinet) – 3/1/2028-02/28/2029 $ CLIN020 Ordering Period 5 Option 4 (Automated C/T Cabinet) – 3/1/2028-02/28/2029 $ CLIN021 Ordering Period 6 Option 1 (Complete Instrument) – 3/1/2029-02/28/2030 $ CLIN022 Ordering Period 6 Option 2 (Length/Strength Cabinet) – 3/1/2029-02/28/2030 $ CLIN023 Ordering Period 6 Option 3 (Color/Trash Cabinet) – 3/1/2029-02/28/2030 $ CLIN024 Ordering Period 6 Option 4 (Automated C/T Cabinet) – 3/1/2029-02/28/2030 $ CLIN025 Ordering Period 7 Option 1 (Complete Instrument) – 3/1/2030-02/28/2031 $ CLIN026 Ordering Period 7 Option 2 (Length/Strength Cabinet) – 3/1/2030-02/28/2031 $ CLIN027 Ordering Period 7 Option 3 (Color/Trash Cabinet) – 3/1/2030-02/28/2031 $ CLIN028 Ordering Period 7 Option 4 (Automated C/T Cabinet) – 3/1/2030-02/28/2031 $ CLIN029 Ordering Period 8 Option 1 (Complete Instrument) – 3/1/2031-02/28/2032 $ CLIN030 Ordering Period 8 Option 2 (Length/Strength Cabinet) – 3/1/2031-02/28/2032 $ CLIN031 Ordering Period 8 Option 3 (Color/Trash Cabinet) – 3/1/2031-02/28/2032 $ CLIN032 Ordering Period 8 Option 4 (Automated C/T Cabinet) – 3/1/2031-02/28/2032 $ CLIN033 Ordering Period 9 Option 1 (Complete Instrument) – 3/1/2032-02/28/2033 $ CLIN034 Ordering Period 9 Option 2 (Length/Strength Cabinet) – 3/1/2032-02/28/2033 $ CLIN035 Ordering Period 9 Option 3 (Color/Trash Cabinet) – 3/1/2032-02/28/2033 $ CLIN036 Ordering Period 9 Option 4 (Automated C/T Cabinet) – 3/1/2032-02/28/2033 $ CLIN037 Ordering Period 10 Option 1 (Complete Instrument) – 3/1/2033-02/28/2034 $ CLIN038 Ordering Period 10 Option 2 (Length/Strength Cabinet) – 3/1/2033-02/28/2034 $ CLIN039 Ordering Period 10 Option 3 (Color/Trash Cabinet) – 3/1/2033-02/28/2034 $

CLIN040 Ordering Period 10 Option 4 (Automated C/T Cabinet) – 3/1/2033-02/28/2034 $

CLIN041 Government Requested Modifications after acceptance (to be quoted at time of request)

C.1 SPECIFICATIONS

C.1.1. The USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Cotton and Tobacco Program (C&T) requires a contract for the acquisition of Cotton Testing Instruments (CTI) over this 10-year IDIQ contract. CTI is interchangeable with High Volume Instrument (HVI). The contract must include a full commercial warranty and provide for all service maintenance through June 30th of the following year after acceptance. Offerors must quote prices for 4 different CTI configurations. Each of the options below must qualify as a CTI under this contract and count toward the maximum ceiling of $50mil set for this IDIQ contract.

Option 1: Complete Instrument – Length, Strength, Uniformity and Micronaire (LS) cabinet with Color/Trash (CT) cabinet in both coupled and decoupled capable modes. All paragraphs in section “C” of this SOW pertain to this option. CTIs are to be designed with two independent cabinets. One independent cabinet for Length/Strength/Uniformity and Micronaire and another independent cabinet for color/trash imaging.

Option 2: Length/Strength cabinet. This cabinet is identical to the LS cabinet from Option 1.

This option is the LS cabinet only. All paragraphs relating to the specifications, testing, measurements, and methodology of Strength, Length, Uniformity, and Micronaire are used in this option. This cabinet must be able to connect to CT cabinets purchased by USDA in 2020 and later including CT cabinets purchase under this IDIQ, allowing the LS and CT to function as a coupled CTI.

Option 3: Color/Trash cabinet. This cabinet is identical to the CT cabinet in Option 1. All paragraphs pertaining to the Color and Trash specifications, testing, measurements, and methodology are used in this option. This cabinet must be able to connect to LS cabinet purchased by USDA in 2020 and later, including LS cabinets purchased under this IDIQ, allowing the CT and LS to function as a coupled CTI.

Option 4: Automated Color/Trash cabinet. Please refer to Section C.2.50 for specifications of this option. The difference between Option 3 & 4 pertains to the integration with C&Ts automated conveyance systems.

USDA must have the right to order the options above in different quantities each year.

C.1.2. Acceptance

The acceptance date must be the date on which all CTIs delivered under this solicitation successfully complete all performance requirements as stated in Section E.1 (d). However, in the event one or more CTIs cannot be qualified, the CTIs passing qualification will be paid for in the terms of the contract and once the affected CTIs have been repaired and qualified, they can be billed and paid for in a separate invoice.

C.1.3. The Contractor must furnish, as required, the equipment, software, full service commercial warranty, and other services required for the installation and support of all items supplied under this contract. Such equipment, software, maintenance, and other Contractor support services must conform to the terms and conditions of this contract. The Contractor must propose only new equipment. New equipment is defined as equipment of recent manufacture not previously delivered to any user.

C.1.4. The Contractor must provide C&T with an inventory of all CTI components, CAD drawing, or other breakdown list of components, along with all accessory equipment, including manuals, at the time CTIs are delivered. The list/CAD/breakdown of components will be used by USDA for ordering replacement parts in the event a worn out or malfunctioning part needs to be replaced through the life of the unit. C&T must verify and acknowledge receipt of all equipment and manuals delivered. The packing list from the shipping company is not acceptable.

C1.5. Each CTI will have a module testing mode, diagnostics mode, and calibration mode.

C.2 MANDATORY TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

C.2.1. Overall size of a CTI must not exceed a width of 4 feet, a tabletop height of 4 feet, and a length of 10 feet in a straight-line configuration. The CTIs must be configured for operation other than in a straight line. C&T must approve such configuration prior to delivery. C&T may operate the CTIs in the configuration it deems to its advantage. The configuration of the overall CTIs must, in the judgment of C&T, lend itself to ease and practicality of operation in a high-volume production environment. The CTIs must be mounted on lockable casters that must provide a minimum of 3 inches of clearance from the floor to the lowest point of the instrument. This must not interfere with the current instrumentation height as related to the tabletop, conveyance system and the sample eject. CTIs must be designed to facilitate disposal of waste sample portions and micronaire plugs. CTIs must contain a lid latch for each hinged lid that protects the operator from dangerous machine components. The lid latch must latch upon lid closure and will require some type of vendor supplied universal tool for opening the lid latch. Each hinged lid must be supported by a lift assisted device that ensures level opening and closing operation. The device must include a mechanical lock to prevent accidental closure due to cylinder failure. A viewing window of the primary sample preparation and testing area must be designed into any cabinet cover/hood. All requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) must be rigidly complied with by the CTIs provided under this contract.

C.2.2. The CTIs must provide measurements of fiber length, fiber mean length, fiber length uniformity index, short fiber index, 1/8-inch gage fiber strength, micronaire reading, fiber color Rd, fiber color +b, trashmeter percent area, trashmeter particle count of trash, leaf grade and moisture. The CTI may have the ability to measure extraneous matter for testing and research purposes only and will not be evaluated under this solicitation. The moisture content measurement must be a single measurement made at the comb and not require additional operator intervention. The length and length uniformity measures must be made by scanning a suitably prepared tapered beard and measuring, by the fibrogram method, the length equivalent to the USDA evaluation cotton to the nearest one-hundredth of an inch, the mean length to the nearest one-hundredth of an inch, and the fiber length uniformity index equivalent to the ratio of the mean length to upper half mean length expressed as a percentage and reported to the nearest one-tenth unit. The CTIs in maintenance mode must output the fibrogram used to calculate the upper half mean length, mean length, and fiber length uniformity index and this fibrogram must be available for USDA to acquire and download from the CTI screen display in a specified mode and be capable of printing on a C&T supplied printer, connected directly to the CTI. The fiber strength measurement must be made on the same tapered beards used for the length measurement, with the jaws of the clamps spaced one-eighth inch apart. The CTIs must output results in grams per tex to the nearest one-tenth unit.

C.2.3. CTIs in maintenance mode must output force-extension (stress-strain) data. These data will be printed on a C&T supplied printer connected directly to the CTIs and/or displayed on the CTI’s screen display.

C.2.4. The brushing pressure must be adjustable. The brusher assembly must have parameter(s) which provides an indication of % of change in brushing pressure which will alert the operator of an “out of tolerance” change in the established brushing pressure.

C.2.5. The CTI must require no human input or interaction to obtain the micronaire measurement. The CTI must utilize one of the length/strength samples to obtain the micronaire measurement. The automatic micronaire system must accept a mass range from 8 grams to 15 grams. The micronaire chamber size must be controlled by servomotors. The use of pneumatic cylinders is unacceptable. Samples presented to the sampler drum, regardless of the method of collection, that are within the prescribed mass range must be transported and loaded into the automatic micronaire cylinder without impeding normal system testing operation.

C.2.5.1. The micronaire must be measured by passing a stream of air through a specimen of cotton fibers which have a mass range of a minimum of 8 grams to a maximum of 15 grams in a fixed chamber. The results must be reported in standard micronaire units to the nearest one-hundredth unit.

C.2.6. Color must be measured by illuminating a sample of cotton and measuring the percent reflectance and yellowness of a 9-square-inch area of the sample within +/- 0.1 square inches.

The length of the area measured must not exceed 3.75 inches and the width of the area measured must not be less than 2.75 inches. Results will be reported in Rd and +b to the nearest one-tenth unit. CTIs must also output the color code for the Upland or American Pima grade and, for Upland grades, the quadrant of the color code. The color code reported by the CTIs must conform to the C&T’s instrument Color Grade Lookup Chart, which is based on the Rd and +b readings. CTIs must allow color and trash calibration checks while in production mode without changing menu screens. Xenon or LED must be used as the source of illumination for color and trash measurements. CTIs must be designed to provide minimal shock to color heads when color measurements are made. The colorheads must be dust proof.

Colorhead hand pressure must have its own independently adjustable air pressure regulator with a direct reading gauge near the point of adjustment. The upper colorhead must be designed with a floating head to accommodate varying thickness of the cotton sample. A device to measure colorhead pressure when the upper head is in the down position will be permanently installed on the instrument. Output of the device will be displayed in sample testing and diagnostic menus. The installation and operation of the device must not impede throughput.

C.2.7. The LS CTI in automatic mode will be started by an external sample delivery system with an electronic start signal. Upon completion of testing the LS CTI will transmit the test data for the bale to the host computer. Additionally, the LS CTI will send a “completed” signal to an external conveyance/control system and return to a ready state to receive the arrival of the next sample. A “Ready” signal must be sent to an external conveyance control system when the instrument is ready to receive another sample.

C.2.8. The CTI in manual mode will be operated by a human operator. The LS and CT cabinets must be capable of both coupled and decoupled operation. The start control of each cabinet (LS and CT) will be initiated by the operator. The data will be transmitted to the host computer upon completion of testing. The operator will use a barcoded bale identification tag to input the bale identification information in the instrument. The CTIs must have the necessary covers, locks, etc. to provide protection from moving parts while interacting with the CTI.

C.2.9. The CTI software must provide the necessary “user responses” required for human operation (manual configuration). The software must be written so that both the LS and the CT cabinets may be turned off from configuration menu. The CTIs must be capable of sending a complete record with bale identification to a host computer server independent of the other unit.

C.2.10. When the LS cabinet is turned off the system will transmit “dummy” LS data to the host computer server. The actual Color/Trash data as measured by the CT cabinet will be transmitted to the host computer along with the “dummy” LS data. The actual data string will be provided upon contract award.

C.2.11. When the CT cabinet is turned off the system will transmit “dummy” CT data to the host computer. The actual LS data as measured by the LS cabinet will be transmitted to the host computer along with the “dummy” CT data. The actual data string will be provided upon contract award.

C.2.12. When in automatic configuration, the CTI must have an option to not require any human response to error messages. Both units will operate continuously without stopping to acknowledge routine (e.g., non-fatal/non-catastrophic) error messages. Only catastrophic errors must halt either CTI’s operation while in an automatic configuration.

C.2.13. All system errors/messages will be logged to an error log file (*.txt format) and be displayed on the CTI’s monitor at the press of a function key. The screen log will display the count of each occurrence. Errors listed will include both Windows errors and CTI software application errors. Specific log entries will be identified upon contract award.

C.2.14. Percent area of trash must be measured on a 9-square-inch area of the sample, within +/- 0.1 square inches. The length of the area measured must not exceed 3.75 inches and the width of the area measured must not be less than 2.4 inches. To eliminate fogging of the trashmeter lens, trash measurements must be made by a filterless Digital camera/trashmeter.

The measurement results will be reported as a percentage to the nearest one-tenth, except values greater than 5.0 will be reported as 5.0. CTIs in maintenance mode must display and/or output the percent area of trash measurement to the nearest one-hundredth of a percent.

C.2.15. The trash particle count will be measured by the “cluster” method and reported to the nearest whole number. A cluster is defined as a group of trash pixels connected on the same or adjacent scan lines. A single piece of trash, regardless of its size, will have a cluster count of one. CTIs must provide the option of either displaying or outputting this measurement, or both. The trashmeter must have the ability within the software to detect incomplete window coverage. The detection parameters must be adjustable.

C.2.16. The CT cabinet must be designed in such a way that the sample presentation is conducive to both manual and automated sample delivery to the CT cabinet. The minimum vertical clearance space between digital imaging heads must be 8 inches in height. The minimum horizontal clearance must be 18 inches. This clearance will allow for presentation of samples to the imaging area without effecting the positioning/location of any sample in the process.

C.2.17. Each cabinet of the CTI must be under control of its own computer system and be capable of independent operation and communication with the connected host computer.

C.2.18. The minimum CTI computer Standards f are listed below:

Processor: Intel i5-7500T, 2.7 GHz or faster

Memory: 8 GB DRAM or more

Storage: 256 GB or larger SSD, any compatible format

I/O Ports: 1 x VGA, 1 x HDMI, 6 x RS-232, 6 x USB, 2 x 100/1000 Ethernet port

Monitor:

21.5'' diagonal, Active matrix TFT LCD (LED)

Aspect Ratio 16:9

Resolution 1920 x 1080 @ 50, 60Hz

Brightness (typical) LCD Panel: 250 nits, TouchPro PCAP: 225 nits

Contrast Ratio 1000:1

Touch Technology & Capacity PCAP (TouchPro® Projected Capacitive) - 10 Touch

If you feel you have an appropriate justification to not meet these standards, a waiver request must be submitted and approved by the C&T. C&T reserves the right to review and modify these standards during the length of this contract to keep up with current industry advancements. These changes may result in price adjustments that must be evaluated before changes can be made. Updates in commercial computer standards are considered in scope of this contract.

C.2.18.1. CTI’s procured by USDA must not require an activation code or any other device that would prohibit the operation of the CTI.

C.2.19. A Personal Computer, touchscreen monitor, keyboard, swing arm, and barcode scanner must be provided on each cabinet.

C.2.19.1. A “waterless type”, dust and moisture proof keyboard must be provided on each instrument/unit. Each key of the keyboard must be the size of a standard typewriter key.

C.2.20. Vendor supplied application software must not interfere with the Windows Operating System’s ability to perform normal windows operating functions/utility operations or impede operations of other windows applications that may be loaded or currently in use.

C.2.21. Upon delivery of the first CTI, the vendor must provide the source code for all CTI computer programs digitally. USDA will handle all source code as confidential and proprietary property of supplier.

C.2.22. The vendor must create various levels of user access to the CTI software variables and settings whose levels must be defined as Operator, Line Supervisor, Technician, and Shift Supervisor.

C.2.23. The vendor supplied application software must transmit a status file that must adhere to a format distributed by the C&T. This format will be provided within 10 days of the contract award date. The CTI must have the capability of printing the status file directly from the system computer into a user-friendly report.

C.2.24. The vendor software must implement multiple levels in the utilization of initialization (ini) files. The hard coded CTI and motor constants (motor travel, motor delay times, motor speeds, etc.) must be available only at the administrative level. The CTI dependent constants (trash setup constants, motor positions, calibration constants, etc.) must be available at the technician and shift supervisor levels. Lot Limits, Offsets, Retest Bale ID Removal capability, Calibration Standard values must be available at the line supervisor level.

C.2.25. The CTIs disk drives, USB Ports, CD-ROM drives must be lockable to prevent unauthorized access. The operating software supplied by the Contractor at the time of delivery must not exceed 50 percent of the computer’s processing and storage capability. Computer mountings must be designed to facilitate ease of replacement of the CTI’s computer and other components. The computer’s case must be designed to facilitate easy removal and replacement of internal component parts. Each cabinet must contain surge protection only, (not UPS protection) to the CTI’s computer and monitor to protect the CTI from power fluctuations.

C.2.26. The CTIs must be capable of calibration to the Universal Instruments Calibration Cottons for length, length uniformity, strength, USDA micronaire calibration orifices and chamber cotton, five (5) USDA calibration tiles for color (white, yellow, gray, brown and central), and the USDA trash calibration materials (920 tile, blank tile, threshold calibration tile).

C.2.27. The CTIs must have demonstrated capability of testing a minimum of 825 classer samples per work shift, based on 7 hours and 20 minutes of actual operation. Cycle time for the LS cabinet must not exceed 24 seconds for Upland cotton. Cycle time for the CT cabinet must not exceed 12 seconds. Overall cycle time of the coupled CTI must not exceed 24 seconds for Upland cotton. The CTIs must be evaluated for production while interfaced to a NonStop server owned by C&T, with the number of complete records accepted by the server being the official record of each day’s production. Re-tested samples and/or other incomplete records will not be counted in determining the total daily production. Samples used for volume testing will be representative of the normal U.S. crop’s quality distribution. Each coupled CTI must require not more than one operator.

C.2.28. CTIs MUST NOT require more than one (1) operator and MUST NOT have production rates of less than 825 classer samples per work shift or a coupled CTI cycle time of more than 24 seconds for Upland.

C.2.29. Motor Constants such as motor speed and motor acceleration must be adjustable.

C.2.30. CTIs must include a bar code reader at the sample identification entry station to determine bale identification. The bar code tag may require orientation for reading. The scanner must read Code-A-Bar, Code 39, or Code 128, subset B and subset C type bar codes based upon industry standard. Bar code type discrimination must be done automatically and immediately by the scanner. The scanner must recognize and read bar codes printed on different color paper, or plastic-coated cardstock, without any other actuation needed. The reader must accurately accomplish its task in one pass of the card across the scanner, 99% of the time for properly printed and non-damaged cards. Neither pencil-type wand scanners nor slot-type bar code readers are acceptable.

C.2.30.1. Each cabinet (e.g., LS and CT) must have capability for the integration of RFID equipment for use in providing bale identification information in addition to data from scanners discussed in C.2.30 above.

C.2.31. The CTIs must allow for keyboard entry of bale identification data. If keyboard entry is necessary, two separate keyboard entries will be required for each sample, with the two keyboard entries compared by the CTI’s computer to ensure that they are identical. The first keyboard entry will not be displayed on the CTI’s screen display while the second keyboard entry is being made.

C.2.32. The CTIs operation main screen, (e.g., System Testing), must display the mode (e.g., Form 1, futures, etc.), instrument number, Supervisor Number, Cotton Type and Operator number on the screen display at all times.

C.2.33. The CTIs must interface with USDA’s server using RS-232 (DB9 pin female) and must have capability for implementation of TCP/IP communication. CTIs must allow the display of messages from the host computer on each CTI’s screen display. An output record must be produced for each sample classed. All output records must be in the formats specified by the government 60 days prior to the time of delivery.

C.2.34. CTIs must be equipped with the necessary software to provide the capability to use external offset adjustments for each CTI’s measurement, except trash, so that all CTIs can be adjusted to the same test level. The software must also have the capability to use external slope adjustments for trash, so that all CTIs can be adjusted to the same test level. Offset and slope adjustments will be configured in such a way that they will not apply to the calibration mode of the CTIs. The instrument must be capable of maintaining different offsets for each operating mode (e.g., Form 1, 8x8, QA, etc.) and each type of cotton (Upland, Pima). The CTIs must be equipped with the necessary software to provide the capability to calculate and apply automatic offset adjustments for micronaire, length, uniformity, strength Rd, and +b measurements based on the difference from a standard known value bale (e.g., In-house cotton). This is in addition to the manual external offset described above. The Auto-Offset must have a “Zero Offset” Button to enable quick removal of all calculated offset data or individually selected quality factors. The Auto-Offset must be selectable from the Configuration Menu and must calculate and display the Auto-Offsets when a Function key is pressed. The actual Auto-Offset will always be calculated, but only be applied when the Configuration Automatic Offset Check Box is checked.

Measurement Maximum Offset Limit

Micronaire +/- 0.1 units

Length +/- 0.018 inches

Strength +/- 1.20 gtx

Uniformity +/- 1.0 percent

Color Rd +/- 1.0 unit

Color +b +/- 0.8 units

Trash % Area +/- 0.1 percent (as a multiplier - .90 - 1.10 of the measurement)

Particle Count +/- 0.1 percent (as a multiplier - .90 - 1.10 of the measurement)

C.2.35. Software must be provided with each instrument that allows C&T to set parameter limits (e.g., Lot Limits and Side Limits) for instrument measurements and allows re-testing of samples having readings outside set ranges.

C.2.36. A complete set of all accessory equipment must be supplied for every five CTIs delivered. Accessories include any device, orifice, jig, special tool, etc. that is necessary to facilitate the proper setup, calibration, and adjustment of the CTIs for optimum performance. A minimum 32 Gb USB 3.0 /USB micro b with option USB C connector flash drive must be provided for each set of five CTI’s. Colorimeter and trash tiles are excluded although color tile and trash tile holders are required for every instrument.

C.2.37. The device used to prepare specimens for length, strength and uniformity measurement must be automated to the extent that fibers are locked in combs without operator intervention, other than the activation of a triggering device. Acceptable combs are those designs similar to the HVI1000 (2013 model) currently in use by USDA. Any other design must be submitted to USDA for approval.

C.2.38. Each module of the instrument must have an independent power switch. All electrical power components, power strips, power supplies, etc., must be designed and mounted to prevent disconnection under normal operating conditions. The use of tape, wire cable ties, or other temporary solutions, to secure connections is not acceptable. No interconnecting connections between or within cabinets will be routed on the floor. An external cabinet patch panel must be used to connect all power, electrical, signal, communication, and pneumatic connections between the two cabinets. The connection panel will be mounted in such a way that no cable or lines between the two cabinets will touch the floor, but enough length of these cables and lines to allow the two cabinets to be moved a minimum of three feet without disconnecting anything. The only external connections (e.g., electrical, control, or air) to the instrument must be those from the ground floor utility box directly to the cabinet. These facilities supplied connections to the cabinets(s) must be connected to the same patch panel.

C.2.39. All components of the instrument must be designed to reduce buildup of lint inside the instrument. The components must be designed to provide easy access for lint removal by operators. The card cloth cleaning must utilize a combination of compressed air, suction and/or mechanical (brushing) to minimize the need for manual cleaning.

C.2.40. Micronaire scales must be designed to minimize fluctuations in specimen mass measurements caused by air turbulence to the maximum extent possible. The scale must have a Tare warning message informing the operator to Tare (or zero) the scale as necessary.

C.2.41. Each instrument must have a warning device to indicate reduced vacuum pressure because of clogged manifolds, open lint chamber doors, or any vacuum related reasons. Each instrument must provide a measurement of the static pressure in the length/strength module that must be displayed in the system testing mode. The vacuum motor must be assembled in a modular configuration that must provide a quick connect and disconnect assembly that must be approved by C&T.

C.2.42. Each CTI’s heat output must not exceed 4000 BTU per hour and each CTI’s compressed air requirement must not exceed 5.0 CFM at a pressure not to exceed 100 pounds per square inch.

C.2.43. CTIs must be designed so that all doors, lids, access panels, etc., which access dangerous moving machine parts must remain closed while the CTIs are in an operations mode.

Cabinet lids must contain a lid latch that latches when the door is closed and requires a universal type tool (ex. Allen wrench, screwdriver, etc.) for releasing the lid for opening. Heavy lids or panels must have a hood prop rod or similar locking type device to prevent accidental closure. Each vendor must use one universal tool on all their equipment. Lids over the sampling and measurement areas must have a viewing window to observe operation. All cabinet doors should use a magnetic type latch when appropriate.

C.2.44. The instrument must not exceed a noise level of 75 decibels that will be measured by the USDA at the operator position at a height not to exceed 5 feet from the floor and a 1-foot radius while standing at the operator position. It will also be measured at the adjacent operator workstations.

C.2.45. When a tile holder is inserted into the color/trash unit, the gap between the holder and the tray must not exceed 1/16". The tile holding devises, when positioned at the measurement windows, must not be off-center by more than 1/16th.

C.2.46. The instrument operational software must be equipped with password protection for entrance to screens involving calibration values, operating limits, offsets, or procedural parameters. This password protection will allow only authorized personnel to enter these menus. Password protection is in addition to the operator and supervisor numbers/passwords mentioned in paragraph C.2.47 below.

C.2.47. Operator and supervisor numbers are required before entry is granted into System Testing mode. The operator number, supervisor number and instrument number must be always displayed on the system testing screen. The CTIs must have the option of entering either numbers or passwords for the entry of the operator and supervisor number. If passwords are used, each password will be linked to a number supplied by USDA. The password file must be a separate file which contains only operator, supervisor, and technician numbers and passwords.

C.2.48. The blower/vacuum motor must be a single unit that must have the necessary specifications to meet or exceed the requirement of the L/S unit. This motor and all associated equipment (e.g., hose, cords) must be housed within the confines of the L/S cabinet. Minimum specifications for the blower/motor for the transfer of cotton to the automic chamber must be a minimum of 100 inches of water and 60 CFM.

C.2.49. The transportation of cotton from the sampler to the automic chamber must be engineered (sealed) in such a way that all the cotton placed in the drum assembly makes it way to the chamber.

C.2.50 Automated Color/Trash cabinet

C.2.50.1 All paragraphs pertaining to the Color and Trash testing, measurements, and methodology as described in this SOW for the color/trash specifications must be adhered to with the following additional requirements.

C.2.50.2 The sample must be delivered to the Automated CT cabinet by a cotton automated conveyance system. An operator will remove the two halves of the sample from a container, place the two halves in their proper CT trays, and activate by pressing a button (The button will not activate until the PBI tag has been entered via the automation conveyor RFID or a manual scan) to start the imaging part of the cotton sample. The Automated CT cabinet must transport the sample back into the indexed container (the same container from which the operator removed the sample) without the aid of a human. The Automated CT must be in communication with the automation system ensuring the RFID of the container ready for the sample matches exactly with the PBI tag.

C.2.50.3 The Automated C/T Module must be a closed cabinet construction with the overall physical dimensions of the frame must not exceed 42” in width, 42” in depth, and tabletop height adjustable from 36” to 42”. The tray top height must be 41”. These specifications will be verified by the vendor to ensure compatibility with the C&T’s automation conveyance system.

C.2.50.4 Automated C/T modules must operate at a cycle time equal to or less than 12 seconds. One cycle equals acquisition of four (4) images (two per each half of the sample) of either the standard 9 square inch or the LAT image. The cycle time is measured from the start button to the ready signal. The cycle time must be the completion of all processes.

C.2.50.5 This cabinet will be used in the decoupled mode only and will not have to interface with a Length/Strength cabinet.

C.3 ANTIVIRUS PROTECTION

C.3.1. The vendor must supply, install, and update virus protection software for all module computers in this solicitation. Any periodic updates will be distributed by the vendor to all offices that operate these HVI’s. CTI's are not connect to the internet, so update/patches need to be sent to the C&T office where it can be downloaded to a storage device and plugged into each machine.

C.4 INSTRUMENT CALIBRATION

C.4.1. The CTIs must be capable of being calibrated to the units shown below:

Fiber Length: In inches to three decimal places.

Length Uniformity: In percent to one decimal place.

Fiber Strength: In grams per tex to one decimal place.

Micronaire: In micronaire units to two decimal places.

Color Reflectance: In percent to one decimal place.

Color Yellowness: In +b units to one decimal place.

Trash Area: In percent area to two decimal places.

Particle Count: In number of particles to the nearest whole number.

C.4.2. The CTIs must be calibrated to Universal instruments calibration cottons, USDA micronaire calibration orifices, and USDA color and trash tiles within the tolerances listed below for the corresponding quality factor:

C.4.3. Fiber length: +/- 0.012 inch of the established value for the short and long calibration cotton (LengthTolerance), and +/- 0.0225 inch of the difference between the standard values for the short and long calibration cottons (LengthRangeTolerance). The following additional QMP calibration constants must also be meet: CombToleranceLength +/-.035;

HistoryToleranceLength +/-0.015.

C.4.4. Length uniformity: +/- 0.8 units of the established value for the short and long calibration cottons (UniformityTolerance) and +/- 1.5 units of the difference between the standard values for the short and long calibration cottons (UniformityRangeTolerance). The following additional QMP calibration constants must also be meet: CombToleranceUniformity +/-.2.2; HistoryToleranceUniformity +/-1.0.

C.4.5. Fiber strength: +/- 1.0 gram per Tex of the established value for the strong and weak calibration cottons (StrengthTolerance), and +/- 2.25 grams per Tex of the difference between the standard values for the strong and weak calibration cottons (StrengthRangeTolerance). The following additional QMP calibration constants must also be meet: CombToleranceStrength +/- 2.5; HistoryToleranceStrength +/-1.5.

C.4.6. Micronaire: CTIs must calibrate to within +/- 0.02 on both high and low USDA micronaire calibration orifices. After calibration, ten replications must be made on the USDA micronaire chamber size calibration cotton. The average must be within +/- 0.02 of the established value on the chamber cotton and the bias must be displayed on the monitor.

C.4.7. Color reflectance and color yellowness (Rd and +b): CTIs must calibrate to within +/-

0.4 for Rd and within +/- 0.4 for +b of the USDA values on all five of the USDA tiles. After calibration is complete, the central tile must read within +/- 0.4 for Rd and within +/- 0.4 for +b of the USDA values on this tile. CTIs must be able to calibrate the upper and lower color heads simultaneously reading both sides of one tile holder at the same time.

C.4.8. Trashmeter Setup (Calibration): The calibration process must automatically iterate until the threshold calibration tile is being measured within +/- 0.02 of the established area value.

C.4.9. Trashmeter Calibration Check: The CTIs must check calibration to within +/- 0.02 percent area and within +/- 1 particle count of the USDA values on the USDA calibration check tile. Check calibration results that are not within these tolerances will be highlighted on the calibration screen.

C.5 USDA PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATION AND METHODOLOGY FOR ACCEPTANCE TESTING

OF CTI’S

C.5.1. The methodology and performance specifications established by C&T for evaluating the CTI’s ability for measuring length, length uniformity, strength, micronaire reading, color and trash of cotton are outlined in the following paragraphs. The Cotton and Tobacco Program must perform the acceptance testing of individual CTIs. In the precision and accuracy evaluation, the number of tests made for each instrument measurement on each sample must not exceed the number of tests made in the CTI’s production mode.

C.5.2. The Contractor must deliver CTIs to not more than two Cotton and Tobacco Program offices for evaluation as agreed upon by the Cotton and Tobacco Program and the Contractor. Upon satisfactory completion of performance evaluation, the vendor must deliver accepted CTIs to locations specified by the USDA, set up and ready for use, at no additional cost to the government. However, the contractor is responsible for only one move from the office(s) that acceptance has been performed to no more than two locations in total.

C.5.3. The Contractor must have at least one customer engineer on site during the entire evaluation process.

C.6 METHODOLOGY

C.6.1. Each instrument to be evaluated will be operated in a production environment.

Universal and USDA Calibration Cotton Standards, colorimeter check sample boxes, cotton samples or photographic images mounted under 1/16-inch clear glass (Tempax), will be used.

The CTIs being evaluated must be calibrated to Universal instrument Calibration Cottons, USDA micronaire calibration orifices, USDA colorimeter tiles and checked to a USDA calibration check tile (trashmeter).

C.6.2. Samples will be conditioned for a minimum of 48 hours or will be subjected to rapid conditioning under the following conditions prior to testing:

C.6.3. A temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit +/- 1 degrees and 65 percent relative humidity +/- 2 percentage points. These conditions will be maintained during the testing process. All cottons tested must have moisture contents of not less than 7.00 percent and not more than 8.00 percent, as determined by the USDA.

C.6.4. USDA reserves the right to suspend further evaluation of any instrument that fails 4 times on any of the performance tests until the contractor submits documentation (Instrument Evaluation Log) of mechanical, software and/or procedural changes made to correct the problem. Each instrument must have an Instrument Evaluation Log provided by

USDA.

C.6.5. Once an instrument has passed any of the evaluation criteria, no parts must be removed from that instrument without USDA approval.

C.6.6. The 2x60 test must be passed before the 8x16 test can be run. Both the 2x60 and the 8x16 tests must be passed before volume testing can be started.

C.7 2X60 EVALUATION COTTONS (2X60 TEST)

C.7.1. Two (2) 2x60 evaluation cottons having established values and standard deviations will be used for the 2x60 test. Each of the two (2) cottons will be tested 60 times. Standard deviations must be calculated for each of the 60 tests for length, uniformity, strength, and micronaire.

C.8 INSTRUMENT EVALUATION COTTONS (8X16 TEST)

C.8.1. Eight (8) Instrument Evaluation Cottons having established values within the ranges listed below will be used:

Fiber Length - 0.85 to 1.30 inches

Length Uniformity - 77 to 85 percent

Fiber Strength - 20 to 34 grams per tex

Micronaire - 2.5 to 6.0 micronaire units

C.8.2. Each of the eight (8) cottons will be tested 16 times on two consecutive tests. The instrument must be calibrated before each test. Means and standard deviations will be calculated for each test. The Cotton and Tobacco Program must provide vendors with HVI Evaluation Cottons at least 90 days prior to the delivery date of the CTIs. In the event of disagreement on the value of evaluation cottons, the Cotton and Tobacco Program Quality Assurance Division must have final determination as to whether the established values are correct.

C.8.3. The Standard Values for each of the HVI Evaluation Cottons were established from…