C04a_Statement of Work_1232SA26Q1337.pdf
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- Attached to
- Chemical Analysis Federal contract opportunity
- Solicitation number
- 1232SA26Q1337
About this file
This is a Statement of Work for the National Cotton Variety Test (NCVT) program, which organizes annual testing of cotton varieties across the U.S. Cotton Belt. Eurofins Food Chemistry Testing Des Moines, Inc. is designated as the sole-source contractor to perform chemical measurements on cotton seed quality traits. The contractor must analyze 300 to 1,000 seed samples annually to evaluate oil content, protein content (measured through nitrogen), and gossypol content. Results are published online to support cotton breeders in the U.S. and inform genetic improvement efforts.
The contractor must perform work at Hahn Laboratory in Columbia, South Carolina and adhere to specific technical protocols for each measurement type. Oil measurement requires prompt execution with minimal oxidation exposure and samples dried to 3% moisture before extraction, with moisture data reported alongside results. Nitrogen measurement systems must accurately measure seeds containing 0.2-20% nitrogen with determinations within ±0.025 of theoretical values and particle fineness less than 0.5mm. Gossypol measurement requires hull-free kernels to be dried in a forced-draft oven at 180°F for four hours, then placed in moisture-proof containers to prevent moisture reabsorption. A minimum of 50 grams of cotton seed per sample must be shipped to the contractor. Measurement results not meeting technical specifications will be returned. The government furnishes seed samples (300-1,000 annually) collected from cotton breeders, with submission occurring October through November at a shipping dock open Monday-Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm. Deliverables include excel-formatted reports submitted to the Crop Genetics Research Unit via email by February 5, with final corrected results due February 15. The entire measurement and reporting cycle must be completed no later than three months after contract award.
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| C04c_JA_1232SA26Q1337_Redacted.pdf |
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Statement of Work (SOW)
Project: National Cotton Variety Test (NCVT)
GENERAL INFORMATION
1.0 Scope of Work:
The National Cotton Variety Test (NCVT) program organizes annual tests of cotton varieties across U.S. Cotton Belt. The NCVT tests evaluate cotton yield, fiber quality, and seed quality traits and publishes results in web to share for cotton breeders in U.S. The cotton seed quality traits include oil content, protein content, and gossypol content. A range of 300 to 1000 seed samples needs to be analyzed annually. The goal of this project is to improve cotton seed quality and promote profits of cotton producers.
2.0 Background:
The seed quality traits are used by cotton industry and breeders to analyze historical trends in cotton production and environmental impacts on seed quality. These data from the program are used to compare with the regional cultivars for genetic improvement of cotton seed quality. It is required that appropriate methodologies are applied to generate accurate and reliable chemical measurements on the cotton seed quality traits. Continuity in protocols from one year to the next is required.
This vendor, Eurofins Food Chemistry Testing Des Moines, Inc., has been the source to provide service for measurements of cotton seed quality traits since 1980s.
It remains as a sole source to provide the specific service.
CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS
3.0 Technical Requirements/Tasks:
Oil measurement: Cotton seed musted be executed promptly with a minimum exposure to oxidation and once started, it must be operated without interruption or delay; the seed samples must be dried as the protocols specified to 3% moisture for the ground moisture determination before oil extraction. It is required that the moisture data must be reported with oil content.
Nitrogen measurement: The system equipped in apparatus must be capable of measuring nitrogen in seeds containing 0.2-20% nitrogen; accuracy of the system must be demonstrated by making multiple determinations of nitrogen in two or more types of reference standards; means of determinations must be within +
0.025 of the respective theoretical values; suitable fineness of grind should be < 0.5mm.
Gossypol measurement: Immediately after obtaining the hull-free kernels, they must ne dried in a forced-draft oven at 180 F for 4 hours. At the end of 4 hours drying, the kernels are immediately placed in moisture-proof containers and cooled. In proceeding with the HPLC Method every effort was made to prevent the kernels from regaining moisture. This modification reduces free moisture on the kernels with which the gossypol could interact and become bound to the protein thus reducing the free gossypol content.
A minimum of 50 g cotton seed of each cotton sample will be shipped to Eurofins. Results of seed trait measurements can be reported in excel files in a clear format to the Crop Genetics Research Unit through email. The measurements not meeting these technical specifications will be returned.
4.0 Place of performance:
Hahn Laboratory 1111 Flora St Columbia, SC 29201
5.0 Government Furnished:
The government agency receives cotton seed samples from cotton breeders. The agency checks samples for number count and packing and submit the exact number of seed samples to Eurofins.
The shipping dock is open Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm
6.0 Deliverables / Schedule:
Milestone Deliverable
Milestone Date Delieverable Government submits seed samples to Eurofins
Oct - Nov
Eurofins performs seed measurements
Nov – Jan 30
Eurofins reports results Feb 5 Deliver products of service Government reviews report and comments
Feb 10
Eurofins responds to government comments
Feb 15 Respond and possible corrections to perform
Reporting requirement:
Key Deliverables Item No.
Deliverable
Objective
Due
1 National Cotton Variety Test
Eurofins Food Chemistry Testing Des Moines, Inc. is responsible to make measurements of oil, nitrogen, and gossypol content of cotton seeds;
Timeline and milestone were defined as above
No later than three months after contract award
| CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS |
| 3.0 Technical Requirements/Tasks: |
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .