U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service 

Commodity Procurement Program

International Commodity Procurement Division

P.O. 419205, Mailstop 8738 

Kansas City, MO. 64141-6205

(CSBP4) 

USDA COMMODITY REQUIREMENTS 

CORN SOY BLEND PLUS

FOR USE IN

INTERNATIONAL FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

Effective Date: November 1, 2019

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
CSBP4 Page 1 of 32

(CSBP4) 

CORN SOY BLEND PLUS

Table of Contents

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ............................................................. 2

CONTACT INFORMATION ............................................................................................ 3

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION............................................................................................. 4

PART 1 COMMODITY SPECIFICATIONS ..................................................................... 4

1.1 SPECIFICATIONS ............................................................................................. 4

1.2 FORMULATION................................................................................................. 4

1.3 FINISHED PRODUCT REQUIREMENTS........................................................... 8

1.4 QUALITY ASSURANCE................................................................................... .. 9

PART 2 CONTAINER AND PACKAGING REQUIREMENTS....................................... 10

2.1 GENERAL........................................................................................................ 10

2.2 CONTAINERS AND MATERIALS .................................................................... 10

2.3 PACKAGING – 25-KILOGRAM HIGH PERFORMANCE PACKAGING ............11

2.4 PERFORMANCE TEST PROCEDURES......................................................... 12

PART 3 MARKING REQUIREMENTS .......................................................................... 13

3.1 MARKINGS...................................................................................................... 13

3.2 MARKING DESCRIPTIONS.............................................................................. 15

3.3 EMPTY BAG DIMENSIONS..............................................................................17 .

3.4 CONTAINERS WITH INCORRECT MARKINGS .............................................. 17

3.5 MARKING EXHIBITS........................................................................................ 18
CSBP4 Page 2 of 32

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS

Below is an Abbreviations Key to the numerous specialized acronyms and 

abbreviations used in this reference material.

ASTM American Society for Testing and Materials

Cfu Colony-forming unit

COA Certificate of Analysis

CONEG Coalition of Northeast Governors

CRD Commodity Requirements Document

FAS Foreign Agricultural Service

FDA Food and Drug Administration

FGIS Federal Grain Inspection Service

G Gram

GMP Good Manufacturing Practices

HACCP Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point

ISO International Organization for Standardization

IU International Units

LMR Language Marking Requirement

Mcg Microgram

MG Milligram

p.p.b. Parts Per Billion

SMR Standard Marking Requirement

TAPPI Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry

USAID United States Agency for International Development

USDA United States Department of Agriculture

WBSCM Web Based Supply Chain Management System
CSBP4 Page 3 of 32

CONTACT INFORMATION

Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Commodity Procurement Program (CPP)

International Commodity Procurement Division (ICPD)

Phone: 816-926-6707 (During Normal Business Hours)

Mailing Address:

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Attention: Agricultural Marketing Service 

International Commodity Procurement Division

MAILSTOP 8738

P.O. Box 419205

Kansas City, MO 64141-6205

Express Delivery:

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Attention: Agricultural Marketing Service 

International Commodity Procurement Division 

MAILSTOP 8738

2312 East Bannister Road 

Kansas City, MO 64131-3011

Web-Based Supply Chain Management (WBSCM)

WBSCM Helpdesk Level 1-Technical Issues

Phone: 877-WBSCM-4U or 877-927-2648 (During Normal Business Hours)

Email: WBSCM.servicedesk@caci.com

FSA Level 2 Help Desk – Functional Issues

(i.e., New Vendor, Bid, Invoice Issues...)

Phone: 816-823-4249 or Email: FSAWBSCMServiceRequest@kcc.usda.gov

Normal hours of operation are 7:00 am to 4:30 pm Central Time

USDA Website:

http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome

First time, Registered Users Only: 

Service Desk email address is WBSCM.servicedesk@caci.com.

On the Log-in prompt enter your email address for both the User ID and Password (all lower

case for password) fields, and then change your password when prompted.

If you have any questions, please contact the WBSCM Service Desk at:

Phone: 877-WBSCM-4U or 877-927-2648

Email: WBSCM.servicedesk@caci.com
CSBP4 Page 4 of 32

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Corn Soy Blend Plus (CSB+) is a blended specialized food product suitable for 

emergency and development food assistance programs. Various formulations of corn 

soy-based and wheat soy- based FBFs have been used in food aid for almost 50 years, 

evolving with the advances in scientific evidence of their nutritional value and impact.

CSB Plus is also provided as a fortified supplement to traditional complementary foods 

for children 6-24 months and to pregnant and lactating women (PLW) in Maternal and 

Child Health Programs to prevent nutritional deficiencies, address wasting, and promote 

child growth (prevent stunting) during the first 1,000 days and for treatment of children

6-59 months who are moderately malnourished. CSB+ is usually included with a grain, a

pulse, and Fortified Vegetable Oil to increase nutrient values and caloric density of the

ration and to supplement the local diet. Corn Soy Blend Plus is NOT a breast milk

substitute.

CSB+ is prepared from heat-treated corn and soybeans, vitamins, and minerals. If 

CSB+ is consumed as a porridge or gruel, it should be prepared by mixing an 

appropriate proportion of flour and clean water (i.e., 40g of CSB+ with 250 g of water) 

followed by a boiling time at simmering point from five to ten minutes.

PART 1 COMMODITY SPECIFICATIONS

1.1 SPECIFICATIONS

A. CSB+ shall be processed as a partially pre-cooked food under conditions which

permit improvements in the digestibility of starches and proteins, specifically, the

de-activation of trypsin inhibitors in soy, as indicated by the urease test.

Preferred heat treatments include wet extrusion, dry extrusion or roasting.

1.2 FORMULATION

A. CSB+ shall be manufactured according to the following formulation:

Table 1: CSB+ Formulation

No Ingredients Percentage (by Weight)

1 Corn (white or yellow) 78.47

2 Whole Soybeans1 20

3 Micronutrient Premix (see Table 2) 0.20

4 Tri-Calcium Phosphate2 1.16

5 Potassium Chloride2 0.17

1 Corn and Soybeans have varying levels of protein and fat depending on origin. To ensure that the 

nutritional targets for protein and fat are met, the processor should check the fat and protein content of 

soy and if necessary make adjustments to the ratio of corn to soy in the formulation.

2 Requirements of Potassium Chloride and Tri-Calcium Phosphate are: 

Particle size for Potassium chloride min 60% < 250 μm (microns). 

Particle size for Tri-Calcium Phosphate min 95% <250 μm (microns).
CSBP4 Page 5 of 32

B. CSB+ shall be manufactured from fresh corn and soybeans of good quality, free

from foreign materials, substances hazardous to health, excessive moisture,

insect damage and fungal contamination. Requirements for the raw materials

are:

(1) Corn shall be tested for aflatoxin in accordance with proceduresapproved

by the appropriate United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural

Marketing Service (USDA/AMS) standard. If the aflatoxin test proves

positive, a quantitative test shall be performed. If the result of the

quantitative test exceeds 20 ppb, the corn shall not be used in the

production of the commodity.

(2) Corn and Soybeans shall be stored under dry, ventilated and hygienic

conditions. Only Government (Federal, State and/or local)-approved

fumigants may be used when fumigation is necessary. Fumigation must

be performed in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.

(3) CSB+ shall be fortified with a micronutrient premix containing thefollowing

micronutrient levels per 100 grams of micronutrient premix listed in Table

2.

(a) Micronutrient premixes shall be delivered to the processor of CSB+

with a complete Certificate of Analysis (COA) as well as a Proof of

Purchase of premixes.

(b) Micronutrient premixes shall be stored in a dry, cool and clean place

where the temperature is a maximum of 25oC.

(c) Alternative chemical forms will be considered but shall be approved

by the contracting officer. Variable levels of micronutrients (i.e., iron,

zinc, etc.) naturally present in corn and soy may lead to variable

amounts of micronutrients in finished product.
CSBP4 Page 6 of 32

Table 2: Micronutrient Premix Rate and Chemical Form

Vitamin/Mineral Required Level3 Chemical Form

Vitamin A RE (Retinol

Equivalents)4

3460 IU Dry Vitamin A Palmitate 250 Cold 

Water Dispersible Stabilized

Vitamin D3 441.6IU Dry Vitamin D3 100 Water 

Dispersible Stabilized

Vitamin E TE (Tocopherol

Equivalents)

8.3 mg Dry Vitamin E Acetate 50% Water

Dispersible

Vitamin K1 30 μg Dry Vitamin K1 5% Water 

Dispersible

Vitamin B1 0.2 mg Thiamine mononitrate

Vitamin B2 1.4 mg Vitamin B2 fine powder

Vitamin B6 1 mg Pyridoxine Hydrochloride

Vitamin C 90 mg Ascorbic Acid

Pantothenic Acid 1.6 mg Calcium D-Pantothenate

Folic acid (as Dietary 

Folate Requirements)

110 μg Folic Acid5

Niacin 8 mg Niacinamide

Vitamin B12 2 μg Vitamin B12 0.1 % or 1% Spray 

Dried

Biotin 8.2 μg Biotin 1%

Iodine 40 μg Potassium Iodide5

Iron (total)4 6.5 mg

Iron (a) 4 mg Ferrous Fumarate fine powder

Iron (b) 2.5 mg Iron-Sodium EDTA

Zinc 5 mg Zinc Sulphate Monohydrate

Carrier Corn Maltodextrin

Other Minerals

Potassium 140 mg Potassium Chloride with 0.5% 

Silicon Dioxide as anticaking agent, 

compliant with food chemical 

codex, min 90%<425 micron and 

min 60%<250 micron

Calcium 452 mg Tri-Calcium Phosphate

Phosphorous 290 mg

3 Premix variation (except for vitamin A and Iron): The permitted variation in premix content is -10 to +15% for 

other added vitamins and minerals for acceptance.

4 See Table 3 Vitamin A and Iron Ranges.

5 Adequate dilution must be used in order to guarantee premix homogeneity

Note: Alternative chemical forms will be considered but must be approved by the contracting officer. Variable 

levels of micronutrients (i.e iron, zinc, etc.) naturally present in corn and soy may lead to variable amounts of 

micronutrients in finished product.
CSBP4 Page 7 of 32

Table 3: Vitamin A and Iron ranges:

Item Minimum Maximum

Vitamin A (including intrinsic and 

premix contributions)

2930 IU 4329 IU

Iron (including intrinsic iron) 9.0 mg/100g 21.0 mg/100g

C. Finished Product Characteristics

(1) Particle size shall have a uniform fine texture with the following particle

distribution:

(a) 95% must pass through a 600 micrometer sieve

(b) 100% must pass through a 1,000 micrometer sieve.

(2) Organoleptic: it shall have a pleasant smell and palatable taste.

D. Microbiological Release Criteria, Contaminants and Reference Methods in the

Finished Product

Table 4: Limit of Microorganisms in CSB Plus

Analyses/Tests Required level Reference Methods6

Mycotoxins

Aflatoxin (total) 10 ppb (total of B1, B2, 

G1, G2), (maximum)

AACC 45-16

Deoxynivalenol 

(DON)

0.2 ppm (maximum) 7 AOAC 986.17 and AOAC 

986.18

Microorganisms

Yeasts and molds 1,000 cfu per g 

(maximum)

ICC No 146

AACC 42-50

6 Or equivalent.

7 The 0.2 ppm level requirement for DON is based on Codex recommendations on food for all cerealbased formulations intended for infants (up to 12 months) and young children (12 to 36 months). 

www.fao.org/input/download/standards/17/CXS_193e_2015.pdf

E. Additional Requirements

(1) Shelf life: The product shall have a shelf life of 18 months at 80 degrees

Fahrenheit, and it shall retain all commodity specification qualities

included in this requirements document for at least 12 months from date of

manufacture when stored dry at ambient temperatures prevalent in the

country of destination.

(2) Dispersiveness: It shall be free from lumping or balling when mixedwith

water of ambient temperature.
CSBP4 Page 8 of 32

(3) Additional safety parameters: CSB Plus shall be free from objectionable

matter, not contain any substances originating from micro-organisms or

any other poisonous or deleterious substances such as antinutritional

factors, heavy metals or pesticide residues, in amounts which may

represent a hazard to health.

F. Storing

CSB Plus must be stored under dry, ventilated and hygienic conditions.

1.3 FINISHED PRODUCT REQUIREMENTS

A. The final product shall have an energy content of 380kcal minimum per 100g

dry matter.

B. The final product shall meet the analyticalrequirements contained in Table 5

below:

Table 5: List of Analytical Requirements

No. Analyses/Tests Required level Reference Methods8

Main composition

1 Moisture 10% (maximum) ISO 712: 2009

2 Protein 14% (N x 6.25 (minimum) AOAC 981.10

ISO 20483:2006

3 Fat 6% (minimum) AOAC 954.02

ISO 11085:2008

4 Crude Fiber 5% (maximum) AOAC 992.16

AOAC 985.29

AOAC 962.09

Chemical and physical characteristics of Finished Product

5 Peroxide value 10 meq/kg fat, (maximum) AOAC 965.33

6 Urease index 0.20 pH units (maximum) AOCS Ba 9-58 (1997)

7 Particle size - 95% must pass through a

600 microns sieve.

- 100% must pass

through a 1,000 microns

sieve

8 Organoleptic (smell,

taste, color)

Pleasant smell and palatable

taste, typical color.

9 Viscosity (Bostwick

flow rate)

Min 55mm /30s (15% dry

matter porridge) at 45oC 

and at the proposed 

preparation dosage (i.e.

40g of product plus 250g 

water after boiling at 

simmering point for five 

minutes).

Mouquet & Treche, 

2006
CSBP4 Page 9 of 32

Table 5: List of Analytical Requirements (Continued)

No. Analyses/Tests Required level Reference Methods8

Vitamins9

10 Vitamin A 2930 - 4329IU/100 grams AOAC 992.04

AACC 86-03

Minerals9

11 Iron 9.0 -21.0mg/100grams AOAC 944.02

AACC 40-41B

8 Or equivalent

9 See acceptable ranges in Section B, Table 2 above.

C. Products exceeding the following variations will be rejected:

(1) Protein and fat shall not exceed minus five percent of the specified value

using standard analytical techniques

(2) Moisture and crude fiber shall not exceed five percent of the specified

values

D. Organoleptic properties: CSB+ shall have a pleasant smell and palatabletaste

E. Dispersiveness: CSB+ shall be free from lumping or balling when mixed with

water of ambient temperature.

F. Storage: CSB+ must be stored under dry, ventilated and hygienic conditions.

1.4 QUALITY ASSURANCE

A. Contractors shall notify the Government immediately of lots that fail to

meet contract requirements.

B. Unless otherwise specified, test methods for the finished product, andany

ingredients therein, shall be those of the AOAC INTERNATIONAL, the

American Association of Cereal Chemists (AACC), or the American Oil

Chemists’ Society (AOCS), as applicable and in effect on the date of

issuance of the solicitation, or in accordance with methods that give

equivalent results.

C. General Safety Parameters: CSB+ shall be free from objectionable

matter, not contain any substances originating from micro-organisms or

any other poisonous or deleterious substances such as antinutritional

factors, heavy metals or pesticide residues, in amounts which may

represent a hazard to health. Applicable food safety and quality standards

include, but are not limited to:
CSBP4 Page 10 of 32

(1) Compliance with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Regulations and the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)

(2) Compliance with FSSC 22000 a recognized Global Food Safety Initiative

(GFSI) Auditing Standard

(3) Guidelines on Formulated Supplementary Foods for Older Infants and

Young Children, CAC/GL 08-1991 of the Codex Alimentarius (Except

nutrients requirements in the annex of the guidelines)

(4) General principles for addition of essential nutrients to foods: CAC/GL 09-

1987 (amended 1991), of the Codex Alimentarius

(5) Recommended International Code of Practice. General Principles of Food

Hygiene CAC/RCP 1-1969, Rev. 4-2003

(6) Code of Hygienic Practices for low-moisture Foods. CAC/RCP 75-2015.

Adopted in 2015.

D. Compliance and Auditing

The Contractor shall be responsible to implement preventive food safety and

quality assurance, in compliance with both FDA Food Safety Modernization Act

(FSMA) for processed foods and FSSC 2200, using a HACCP-based approach.

The U.S. Government will perform audits to processing facilities to verify

compliance with the above systems. The contractor shall perform continuous

product monitoring, testing, food safety and quality analysis to ensure that the

product meets the commodity specifications. The results shall be evidenced by a

COA issued from the supplier and/or U.S. Government Agency. A copy of the

original COA shall be submitted as part of the invoice package. The COA shall

provide the results of all tests specified. Any factor that falls outside of the

specified range shall be identified by an asterisk on the copies of the COA.

PART 2 CONTAINER AND PACKAGING REQUIREMENTS

2.1 GENERAL

This part provides the container specifications and packaging materials requirements 

used under this contract.

2.2 CONTAINERS AND MATERIALS

A. All containers and packaging materials shall be constructed to meet the

requirements of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for safe contact with the

packaged product (21 C.F.R 177.1520, as amended). The contractor shall obtain

and maintain documentation from the container or packaging material

manufacturer to verify that the containers and packaging materials used in this

contract were in compliance with the Government’s regulatory requirements for

safe contact with food products as required in the Master Solicitation, Part 3,
CSBP4 Page 11 of 32

Section A, Number 3.

Questions concerning the containers and materials should be directed to:

USAID/FFP 

555 12th St NW 

Washington, DC 20004 

ATTN: Food Technology Section 

USDA/AMS

Room 5755 – South Building, Stop 0551 

1400 Independence Avenue SW 

Washington, DC 20250-0551

B. If the contractor purchases packaging and container ingredients from a foreign

country and/or the package and container is manufactured in a foreigncountry,

the package and container SHALL NOT display country of origin labeling.

Phrases similar, but not limited to “Made in [Name of Foreign Country.]” or

“Product of [Name of Foreign Country.]” are strictly prohibited.

2.3 PACKAGING – 25-KILOGRAM HIGH PERFORMANCE PACKAGING

A. Bags shall contain 25 kg or 12.5 kg net weight of product per bag as specified by

the contract. The use of recycled materials is not required if performance or food

safety is jeopardized.

B. Per lot, the product shall not, on average, weigh less than the weight declaredon

the package.

C. A deviation of not more than + or – 2% of the net weight shall be allowed per

individual bag.

D. Multiwall paper bag construction: inner layer consisting of a high-strength,

sealable HDPE / LDPE COEX, two (2) plies of 50-pound NMK paper, and one (1)

outer ply of 41# coated white craft paper with a backside lamination of 100 GA

BON.

E. Bags must be micro-perforated in such a manner as to allow air evacuation while

preventing pest infestation.

F. Bags may be gusseted and have the following approximate dimensions:

(1) Gusseted bags:

i. For 25 kg bags: 16 X 4 X 34 inches (Face width x Gusseted width

x Finished length);

ii. For 12.5 kg bags: 13 X 4 X 26 inches (Face width x Gusseted

width x Finished length).

G. The bottom and top of the bag shall be closed to provide a tight seal which

prevents leaking through the seams during handling, storage, anddistribution.
CSBP4 Page 12 of 32

2.4 PERFORMANCE TEST PROCEDURES

A. All bags shall be capable of withstanding the following performance test for

impact resistance. Testing shall be conducted at 104 degrees Fahrenheit (plus or

minus 1.8 degrees) and 75 percent relative humidity.

(1) Ten filled and sealed bags shall each survive a single drop test on the butt

and side on a shock machine that produces for each test a velocity

change of 195 inches per second using a shock duration of .002 seconds

without loss of product.

(2) The material should be breakage resistant and have puncture resistance

of at least 600 grams from the outside when tested in accordance with

Test method ASTM D1709 (Dart Drop Test, Test Method B).

(3) Filled bags shall be placed in the conditioned atmosphere for sufficient

time before the tests are conducted for the bag materials to reach

equilibrium.

(4) Bags submitted under this performance specification shall conform to all

other applicable material, construction, and performance specifications.

B. The material used should have a maximum oxygen transmission rate of 140

milliliters per one hundred square inches per day and a maximum water vapor

transmission rate of 0.25 grams per one hundred square inches in twenty-four

hours at ninety percent relative humidity and a temperature of one hundred

degrees Fahrenheit plus or minus five degrees in order to preserve the nutrient

content and prevent lipid oxidation.

C. Bags must be made of flexible packaging that allows heat sealing pressure of 40

PSI/1.0 second at an initiation temperature of 230 degrees Fahrenheit and

achieving fusion at 260 degrees Fahrenheit.

D. All bags shall have a sufficient amount of anti-block. It shall be free from any

blocking at 50 degrees Celsius and not subject to re-block at 70 degreesCelsius.

E. The outer ply shall be finished by coating or other suitable method to prevent

slippage. Individual test results shall be 28 degrees or greater, when tested in

accordance with the TAPPIU Test Method Y-503-OM-84.

F. All packaging shall accept and retain printing ink, including but not limited to: bar

or QR code, lot code, and best used by dates. These items need to be of

sufficient durability as to not flake or rub off to a degree that legibility is impaired.
CSBP4 Page 13 of 32

G. The outer ply shall be capable of resisting ultraviolet deterioration for a minimum

of 200 hours of exposure in a weather meter, when tested in accordance with

Test Method 5804-Federal Standard 191, as amended. The fabric shall retain 70

percent of its original minimum tensile strength in each direction after 200 hours

exposure, when tested in accordance with Test Method ASTM D 5034 (Grab

Test) as amended.

H. Test Laboratories

Contractors may use any independent or private laboratory that is

capable of conducting the performance test for impact resistance

described in Section 2.4. However, the Government is aware of the

following domestically located independent or private laboratories that

have such capability:

Michigan State University 

School of Packaging

East Lansing, MI 48824-1223 

(517) 355-9580

http://packaging.msu.edu/

Lansmont 

Corporation 1287 

Reamwood

Sunnyvale, CA 94089

(408) 734-9724

Lansmont Corporation

6539 Westland Way, Suite 24

Lansing, MI 48917

(888) 526-7666

www.lansmont.com

Rutgers University 

Packaging Science and 

Engineering Dept.

P.O. Box 909 

Piscataway, NJ 08854

(201) 932-3679

Ten-E Packaging Services, Inc. 

1666 County Road 74

Newport, MN 55055

(651) 459-0671

www.ten-e.com

PART 3 MARKING REQUIREMENTS

25 kg bags shall be uniquely marked with a one (1) inch blue stripe located 

approximately three (3) inches above the letters ‘USA” and extending around the width 

of each bag marked.

3.1 MARKINGS

A. The bags shall be marked in the color specified in the markings exhibits. Any markings

not shown on the exhibits shall be printed in blue. When printed on the bag, the colors

blue and red shall match the Pantone Matching System (PMS) chart numbers 294 and
CSBP4 Page 14 of 32

200, respectively, to the extent practicable.

B. All dimensions are approximate. Unless otherwise specified, all characters shall be in

normal block print.

C. The US Flag shall be 5 inches high and 9 inches in total width on the front and backof

the applicable bag, see exhibits.

D. The letters USA shall be Univers black (75) oblique, or Helvetica extra bold with 70%

scaling and -70 tracking or equivalent to match the style as shown in the exhibits. The

letters USA shall be 4 3/4 inches high and 9 3/4 inches in total width. The three stripes

adjacent USA shall be 1 inch high and must extend to the edge of the panel.

E. The USAID vertical identity, including the logo, brand name, and tagline, shall be printed

in the same style as shown in the marking exhibits, sized approximately 7 1/2 inches

high and 9 3/8 inches in total width. The USAID logo shall be 4 1/4 inches indiameter.

F. The USAID brand name shall be 2 inches in height. The tagline “FROM THE

AMERICAN PEOPLE” shall be 1/2 inch in height. The USAID vertical identity isavailable

to download https://www.usaid.gov/branding/resources#downloads

G. The USDA logo shall be 4 1/2 inches high and 6 1/2 inches in total width. See exhibits.

H. The commodity name shall be 1 1/4 inch print. Immediately below the commodity name

on the front and back panels, insert additional commodity description in 5/8 inch print, if

applicable.

I. The contract number and the statement "NOT TO BE SOLD OR EXCHANGED" shall be

3/4 inch print. The net weight, bag dimensions, and the Standard Marking Requirements

(SMR) or Language Marking Requirements (LMR) number shall be centered at the

bottom of the bag in 1/2 inch print. See exhibits. The contractor shall obtain a waiver, in

writing, from the Government to print the contract number using on-line printing on filled

bags.

J. The letters or symbols used in the language markings for LMR-1, LMR-3 and LMR-4,

LMR-5, LMR-7, and LMR-8 should be sized approximately 1 5/8 inches. The language

markings for LMR-2 and LMR-6 should be sized to fit as shown in the exhibits.

K. Lot numbers, production codes or any other means of identification required to meet the

traceability requirement shall be printed as small as possible, yet legible.

L. Gussets. The geometric symbols shall appear in both gussets, adjacent to USAID, as

shown in the applicable exhibits. The USAID identity shall be a total of 2 3/4 inches in

height and 8 1/2 inches in total width and printed in both gussets. The letters “USAID”

shall be 1 3/4 inches high and the tagline “FROM THE AMERICAN PEOPLE” shall be

3/8 inch high.

M. Gussets. The geometric symbols shall appear in both gussets, adjacent to USA, as

shown in the applicable exhibits. The letters USA shall be 3 inches high and printed in

both gussets.
CSBP4 Page 15 of 32

N. Bag Closure Guide Location Bars (BCGL) shall be printed on the front panel

of all multi-wall paper bags, as shown in the exhibits. The BCGL bars shall be

plainly visible, approximately one inch in length, printed in blue in two parallel

rows evenly spaced over the entire width of the bag. The BCGL bars are to

be used as visual quality control verification. Visually identifying two bars or

no bars on the bag would indicate a bag closure failure. Visually identifying

one bar would indicate a proper bag closure. (Exhibits A & B)

3.2 MARKING DESCRIPTIONS

A. The Government shall furnish required markings within two business days after the date

of the contract. The procurement of containers should be deferred for at least two

business days after the date of the contract.

B. The following standard marking requirements may be requested under the contract:

Standard Marking Requirement #1 (SMR-1)

USAID – Distribution

Front: US Flag, the commodity name, the words "NOT TO BE SOLD OR

EXCHANGED,” USAID logo, contract number, net weight, dimensions, “SMR- 1”.

See exhibit SMR-1, front.

Back: Identical to front. See exhibit SMR-1, back.

Standard Marking Requirement #2 (SMR-2)

FAS - Distribution

Front: USA with stripes, the commodity name, the words "NOT TO BE SOLD OR

EXCHANGED," USDA logo, contract number, net weight, dimensions, “SMR-2”.

See exhibit SMR-2, front.

Back: Identical. See exhibit SMR-2, back.

Standard Marking Requirement #3 (SMR-3)

USAID – Monetization

Front: US Flag, the commodity name, USAID logo, contract number, net weight, 

dimensions, “SMR-3”. See exhibit SMR-3, front.

Back: Identical to front. See exhibit SMR-3, back.

Standard Marking Requirement #4 (SMR-4)

FAS or USAID - Monetization

Front: USA with stripes, the commodity name, contract number, net weight, 

dimensions, “SMR-4”. See exhibit SMR-4, front.

Back: Identical. See exhibit SMR-4, back.
CSBP4 Page 16 of 32

Language Marking Requirement #1 (LMR-1)

USAID – Distribution for North Korea

Front: US Flag, the commodity name, the words "NOT TO BE SOLD OR 

EXCHANGED,” USAID logo, contract number, net weight, dimensions, and 

“LMR-1.”. See exhibit LMR-1, front.

Back: US Flag, the commodity name, USAID logo with translated tagline, and 

“LMR- 1” only. See exhibit LMR-1, back.

Language Marking Requirement #2 (LMR-2)

USAID – Distribution for Afghanistan, with Pashtu and Dari

Front: US Flag, the commodity name, the words "NOT TO BE SOLD OR 

EXCHANGED,” USAID logo, contract number, net weight, dimensions, and 

“LMR-2.” See exhibit LMR-2, front.

Back: US Flag, the commodity name, USAID logo with translated tagline, and 

“LMR-2” only. See exhibit LMR-2, back.

Language Marking Requirement #3 (LMR-3)

USAID – Distribution for South Africa Region

Front: US Flag, the commodity name, the words "NOT TO BE SOLD OR 

EXCHANGED,” USAID logo, contract number, net weight, dimensions, and 

“LMR-3.” See exhibit LMR-3, front.

Back: US Flag, the commodity name, USAID logo with translated tagline, and 

“LMR-3” only. See exhibit LMR-3, back.

Language Marking Requirement #4 (LMR-4)

USAID – Distribution for Iraq with Arabic

Front: US Flag, the commodity name, the words "NOT TO BE SOLD OR 

EXCHANGED,” USAID logo, contract number, net weight, dimensions, and 

“LMR-4.” See exhibit LMR-4, front.

Back: US Flag, the commodity name, USAID logo with translated tagline, and 

“LMR-4” only. See exhibit LMR-4, back.

Language Marking Requirement #5 (LMR-5)

FAS – Distribution for North Korea

Front: USA with stripes, the commodity name, the words "NOT TO BE SOLD OR 

EXCHANGED,” USDA logo, contract number, net weight, dimensions, and “LMR5.” See exhibit LMR-5, front.

Back: USA with stripes, the commodity name, North Korean language panel, and 

“LMR-5” only. See exhibit LMR-5, back.

Language Marking Requirement #6 (LMR-6)

FAS – Distribution for Afghanistan, with Pashtu and Dari

Front: USA with stripes, the commodity name, the words "NOT TO BE SOLD OR 

EXCHANGED,” USDA logo, contract number, net weight, dimensions, and “LMR-6.” 

See exhibit LMR-6, front.

Back: USA with stripes, the commodity name, Pashtu and Dari language panel, and 

“LMR-6” only. See exhibit LMR-6, back.
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Language Marking Requirement #7 (LMR-7)

FAS – Distribution for South Africa Region

Front: USA with stripes, the commodity name, the words "NOT TO BE SOLD OR 

EXCHANGED,” USDA logo, contract number, net weight, dimensions, and “LMR7.” See exhibit LMR-7, front.

Back: USA with stripes, the commodity name, English language panel, and 

“LMR-7” only. See exhibit LMR-7, back.

Language Marking Requirement #8 (LMR-8)

FAS – Distribution for Iraq with Arabic

Front: USA with stripes, the commodity name, the words "NOT TO BE SOLD OR 

EXCHANGED,” USDA logo, contract number, net weight, dimensions, and “LMR8.” See exhibit LMR-8, front

Back: USA with stripes, the commodity name, Arabic language panel, and “LMR8” only. See exhibit LMR-8, back.

3.3 EMPTY BAG DIMENSIONS

A. All bags shall be marked with the empty dimensions as follows:

Gusseted Bags Face Width X Gusseted Width X Finished 

Length

Flat Tube Bags Face Width X Finished Length

B. The bag dimensions shall be centered at the bottom of the bag, as small as 

possible, yet legible.

3.4 CONTAINERS WITH INCORRECT MARKINGS

A. Any labels, bags, cans, can lids, cases, or any other type of packaging 

(hereinafter referred to as "containers") displaying incorrect markings may be 

used under a Government contract provided that the incorrect markings are 

obliterated, and correct markings are applied in a permanent manner with 

approval of the contracting officer.

B. The appearance of containers in commercial or other channels either filled or 

unfilled bearing markings identifying the containers as part of a Government 

contract may cause the Government expense in determining whether 

commodities have been diverted from authorized use and in answering inquiries. 

The contractor shall take all necessary action to prevent the appearance in 

commercial or other channels of containers and container materials bearing any 

markings required under a Government contract, including those held by the 

contractor or others; e.g., overruns, misprints, etc. The contractor shall ensure 

that any container from a Government contract that appears in commercial or 

other channels shall have all markings required under this contract permanently 

obliterated.
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3.5 MARKING EXHIBITS

Marking exhibits immediately follow on pages 19-32
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CORN SOY BLEND PLUS CORN CORN SOY BLEND PLUS SOY BLEND PLUS
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SMR 3 FRONT SMR 3 BACK
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CORNSOYSOYBLENDBLEN CORNSOYSOYBLENDBLEN
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LMR 3 Front LMR 3 Back
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CORN SOYBLEND
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Bag Closure Guide Location
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