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United States Agricultural Cotton and Tobacco Programs Department of Marketing 3275 Appling Rd Agriculture Service Memphis, TN 38133

August 14, 2020

USDA, AMS, Cotton Program requests bids for the four weighing setups and installation of all components as described in this document for the Abilene Cotton classification office located at 24 Windmill Circle, Abilene, TX. Quotes submitted must be in accordance with this announcement, federal, state, and local regulations.

For specification information contact the following people:

Steve Grantham (Memphis, TN): Phone: 901-384-3041 Fax: 901-384-3032

Roger Alldredge (Visalia, CA): Phone: 559-651-3015 Fax: 559-651-0752

The selection of source for this work shall be based upon the best value to the government.

Process and general description of work required

The USDA, Cotton program will be making modifications to four load areas on an existing automated conveyor system. Each of the four loading areas must have two weighing setups to measure cotton “subsamples” that are taken off of a primary cotton sample by a “loader” (person pulling the subsamples). The subsamples are used later in the grading process. It is very important that they be within the correct weight range.

Refer to attached drawing for the locations of the four loading areas. The weighing setups will need to be mounted over the existing conveyors as shown but not attached to them.

SPECIFICATIONS:

1. There shall be two weighing setups at each of the four loading areas or a total of eight weighing setups. See drawing and pictures.

2. Each setup shall utilize an electronic scale (Metler or equivalent), mounting hardware, light, and programming logic.

3. Hardware shall be provided for the mounting of the two weighing setups used to weigh the two cotton sub-samples. Both of the setups shall be equipped with an electronic scale/transducer that is capable of measuring within 0 to 20 grams with resolution to within one-tenth of a gram. It shall be capable of communicating with a PLC device.

4. PLC programming of the controller shall be as follows.

The loader places cotton onto each of the two weighing setups. A scale/transducer is utilized to measure the weight of cotton in each setup. Each of the scales/transducers will act independently in the following manner. If the scale contains a weight less than the adjustable lower gram parameter setting, usually 8-9 grams, a yellow light is illuminated to indicate low weight. If the scale contains a weight higher than the adjustable upper gram parameter

United States Agricultural Cotton and Tobacco Programs Department of Marketing 3275 Appling Rd Agriculture Service Memphis, TN 38133

August 14, 2020 setting, usually 14-15 grams, a red light is illuminated to indicate a high weight. If both scales contain a weight between adjustable low/upper parameter settings, a green light is illuminated for each loading area.

Scales shall have automatic taring after every sample There shall be a single HMI and single PLC to make changes to the upper and lower limits for each scale/transducer along with real time scale weights on screen for each of the scales/transducers.

Due to the sensitive nature of the scale/transducer, there must be a safety device to prevent a weight of 100 grams or more from damaging the components.

The scale must have a stable reading within 2 to 3 seconds.

No mounting to the existing conveyors is allowed and no legs where the “PA” is standing.

The scale pan must be a minimum of 6 inch diameter with 3 inch sides around the sides and back. It must be fabricated from stainless steel and have rounded corners and smooth edges.

Bottom of pan shall be adjustable from 40 inches to 45 inches from the floor and oriented as shown in the drawing.

This project shall be turnkey- parts, labor, installation and training. Installation will be coordinated with personnel as to not interfere with the office’s workload. This will most likely require a night or weekend installation.

SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS (Quotes ARE DUE BY September 8, 2020) at 11:00 am eastern time.

Submit required information for the following items:

1. Total turnkey project cost. Show breakdown of materials and labor.

Taxes are not applicable, government is tax exempt.

2. PLC and scale/transducer specifications. (include technical literature for scale, etc.)

3. Drawing and specifications to be provided for evaluation.

4. Warranty information. Note: A minimum warranty of 12 months is required.

5. Three references for similar work including Email, POC, telephone number and description of work

6. Offerors must be registered and active in SAM (www.sam.gov). SAM is free.