09-R-0043 updated SOW 10-1-09.doc

STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW)

STANDARD PASSIVE RFID LABELS AND MEDIA

1. BACKGROUND:

Under guidance from senior Department of Defense (DOD) and Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) staff, and after significant research, the Defense Distribution Center (DDC) is pursuing a full deployment for internal and external use of Passive Radio Frequency Identification (pRFID) to functionality track material at all DDC depots. To gain maximum return on investment (ROI), through the use of pRFID, the DDC is proposing passive Radio Frequency Identification (pRFID) labels be procured and phased in to replace the internal tracking and identification labels now critical for the DLA standard highly automated warehouse management system (WMS), Defense Standard System (DSS). It is expected that the pRFID labels will significantly improve accuracy and speed of processing through the depots’ automated WMS. These internal tracking labels, now to be use with pRFID technology and automated query facilities, can be later used in tracking material further down stream in the supply chain. To achieve this, the labels are required to have significant durability and legibility.

2. PURPOSE

The Defense Distribution Center, a subordinate command of the Defense Logistics Agency requires a steady and increasing dedicated supply of labels with passive (unpowered) RFID tags. This contract will be awarded as a Requirements contract using Lowest Price Technically Acceptable evaluation procedures.

3. SCOPE

The DDC requires a contract to supply a significant quantity of adhesive thermal transfer tags in sizes 4” x 6” inch and 4” x 2” inch with embedded passive RFID (pRFID) antenna and chip (also known as a passive Inlay) to meet EPC Global Class1, Generation II standards, ISO 18000-6C. The tags (labels and Inlay) shall have the specific salient standards and characteristics as defined in the Requirements and in the Salient Characteristics, Attachment #3. Also conforming ribbons for the following printers, Printronix SL4M and Zebra 110Xi, will also be required as part of this action. The labels and ribbons are to be designed to be interchangeable in the 2 different printer types. Powered or active tags in total or partial in any configuration are not considered as part of this procurement action and will not be evaluated.

4. DEFINITIONS

a. First Article Test Inspection (FATI). This is a detailed inspection of a detailed amount of product to be inspected and/or tested at a DDC facility to assure it meets the published salient characteristics. The FATI test standards are detailed in Attachment #4.

b. Label. A label is defined as the printed face of paper, plastic or mixed construction that is commonly printed with and barcode or human readable characters and backed with adhesive. When referring to the label we are not considering the electronics of the antenna, the chip or the leads. The electronic are referred to as the Inlay, defined below. The combination of the label and Inlay is defined as the tag.

c. Material Substrate. This refers to the backing or control material that the label and Inlay is attached to before it is removed for application.

d. Shipping Media. This refers to mostly corrugated cardboard and shrink wrap (separate boxes inside shrink wrapping) although other materials (metal and plastic) occasionally may be used.

e. Tag, Passive Tag and RFTAG. These items refer to the antenna(s), attached electronic chip assemblies and leads that are to be embedded in or behind the label for application on shipping media. For the purposes of this action, the tag is considered the label and the inlay combined.

f. Inlay. This refers to the combination of EPC GLOBAL GEN II electronic chip, antenna assembly, antenna leads and surrounding support and containment structure that is attached or placed between a paper or plastic label and the substrate. The inlay often contains the same adhesive as label itself and so when removed from the material substrate adheres to the shipping media as if part of the label.

5. REQUIREMENTS:

a. The contractor shall provide two different sized tags inclusive of label and an unpowered pRFID Inlay in each. These pRFID tags shall meet the requirements of EPC Global Class 1 Generation II (GEN II) for the two tags. The tag sizes are 4 inch wide (as defined as perpendicular to the axis of print) or the printer throat by 6 inches long (as defined as parallel to the axis of print); and 4 inches wide (as defined as perpendicular to the axis of print) or the printer throat by 2 inches long (as defined as parallel to the axis of print). The tags shall adhere to a variety of materials. The material that the tag will be adhered to mostly is corrugated cardboard and plastic shrink wrap. Tags may also have to occasionally adhere to other shipping materials such as metal, wood & plastic packaging materials and shipping containers. Labels shall meet or exceed the salient characteristics listed in Attachment #3.

b. The label face shall be paper with a laminate covering (polyester, plastic or similar materials), or polyester/plastic or combination. The label shall be constructed for durability, abrasion resistance in less than optimum and possibly austere environments and shall resist fading. The label may be exposed to intermittent moisture, ranges in humidity from (0% to 100%) and temperature extremes of (-10 degrees F to +110 degrees F). The label may be exposed to direct sunlight for considerable lengths of time (minimum of 6 months). In any case the label and ribbon are to be sold to be compatible and guaranteed to operate in combination on both target printers.

c. The tags will be utilized on the two different target printers interchangeably. Offers should note that 90% of the labels utilized will be for the Printronix printer and the other 10% will be for the Zebra printer. The labels shall be operable, interchangeable and be successfully printed (create/burn the pRFID tag and print the label) on two distinct printers; (The most likely print platform by volume): 1) Manufacturer: Printronix, Model SL4M Passive pRFID label printer). 2) Manufacturer: Zebra, Model 110Xi pRFID label printer.

d. The labels shall meet the quality assurance requirements as to adhesive and application for label stock used in the DDC label printers. The labels shall successfully adhere to mostly dedicated shipping cardboard and shrink wrap. Labels may also have to adhere to other shipping materials such as metal, wood & plastic materials. The specific requirements for adhesion, durability and applicability are defined in the salient characteristics, Attachment #3.

e. The Inlay (passive RFID chip and antenna) shall meet the standards defined in ISO/IEC 18000-6C, EPC Class 1 Generation II. Tags/Inlay shall be optimized to inside the frequency range of 860-960 MHz. Tags shall meet the quality assurance requirements for creation, for pRFID tag read distance and operational tag life and operation in the proper RF spectrum.

f. The tags (labels and inlay) shall be assembled in rolls of not more then 1000 each roll for the 4X2 stock and 500 each for the 4X6 stock. Each roll of label stocks must have a marking or sticker INSIDE the cardboard core defining vendor, manufacturer and lot number.

g. The tag shall successfully and legally operate in the United States. The tag shall also operate in other countries that have signors of the EPC Global agreement as it applies to Class 1 Generation II passive RFTAG. The frequency capability of the tags shall be legally operable in that specific country.

h. Salient characteristics shall apply to both 4” x 6” inch and 4” x 2” inch labels and are listed in Attachment #3.

i. The contractor shall supply ribbons for the indicated label printers. Market research has determined that one ribbon is fully capable of being operable in both. The ribbons shall be capable of printing the required information on the label without damaging the label or the pRFID tag. Ribbons shall meet or exceed the salient characteristics listed in Attachment #3.

j. The awardee shall provide sufficient labels and ribbons proposed for a First Article Test Inspection (FATI). The pending award shall be subject to a FATI. The successful contractor shall pass a FATI to assure the labels shall comply with this SOW. Details defining the methodology and mechanisms of the FATI tests are defined in Attachment #4.

k. The successful vendor must mark the exterior of the static bag and the interior of the roll core of the labels with the following:

Vendor Name:

Contract/Delivery Order Number:

Label Size:

Label Quantity:

Date:

Lot Number:

l. The successful vendor must mark the exterior of the ribbon with the following:

Vendor Name:

Contract/Delivery Order Number:

Brand Name:

Part Number:

Ribbon Dimensions:

m. To ensure the quality assurance of the labels, during this contract; a surveillance process will be developed. As part of this process, the Government may take random sample rolls of labels and ribbons delivered to any DLA/DDC depot and mount them in test printers. The rolls will be tested using the same criteria as performed in the FATI test.

n. The vendor shall submit as part of the process an independent laboratory test from a laboratory not affiliated with the vendor or manufacturer or parts thereof. The laboratory shall provide documentation defining the inlay (chip and antenna combination) to include frequency and readability ranges and aspects. The purpose is to assure the inlay assembly meets the requirements of IPC GLOBAL for Class 1 GEN II.

o. The vendor shall provide quality assurance standards and inspection processes documentation to confirm the labels with tags have been pre-tested at manufacture so that 100% of the labels that are not marked as inoperable and are ready to write. Labels on a roll that are marked as inoperable, bad, damaged or ineffective during the manufacture or preparation process shall not be added to the sum total of the roll that is considered ~100% functional and additional labels added to the roll to accommodate. One hundred percent of the roll defined as working and operable by the vendor should be working and operable.

DELIVERY SCHEDULE

The Contractor shall deliver labels and ribbons to designated delivery locations IAW the Government’s required delivery dates. The preferred delivery time is 14 days after the receipt of order. The required delivery time is 21 days after the receipt of the order.

QUALITY ASSURANCE AND ACCEPTANCE OF LABELS AND RIBBONS

The Contractor shall tender for acceptance only those items that conform to the requirements of this contract. The Government reserves the right to inspect or further test any labels and ribbons that have been tendered for acceptance. See Item 5.l above.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

Contract performance period will be for one year with two (2) one (1) year options.

INVOICING

The Contractor shall submit an itemized invoice. The invoice shall contain the following minimum information:

a. Name of Contractor

b. Contract number

c. Description of Labels shipped

d. Date of shipment

e. Destination of each shipment

f. Quantity, Unit Price, and Extension of each line item