USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Farm Service Agency

Kansas City Commodity Office

P.O. Box 419205, MS 8698

Kansas City, MO 64141-6205

USDA COMMODITY REQUIREMENTS

BWSF15

BULGUR / SOY FORTIFIED BULGUR

FOR USE IN

INTERNATIONAL FOOD AID PROGRAMS

Effective Date: August 6, 2015
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

USDA COMMODITY REQUIREMENTS

BWSF15

BULGUR / SOY FORTIFIED BULGUR

FOR USE IN 

INTERNATIONAL FOOD AID PROGRAMS

Table of Contents

Part 1 COMMODITY SPECIFICATIONS _______________________________________1

Section 1.1 BULGUR REQUIREMENTS__________________________________________ 1

Section 1.2 SOY-FORTIFIED BULGUR REQUIREMENTS _________________________ 3

Section 1.3 SOY-FORTIFIED BULGUR, CRACKED REQUIREMENTS ______________ 5

Section 1.4 SOY GRITS, DEFATTED (TOASTED) OR EXPELLER __________________ 6

Section 1.5 QUALITY ASSURANCE _____________________________________________ 7

Section 1.6 QUALITY DISCOUNTS______________________________________________ 8

Part 2 CONTAINER AND PACKAGING REQUIREMENTS________________________9

Section 2.1 CONTAINERS AND MATERIALS ____________________________________ 9

Section 2.2 50-KILOGRAM BAGS ______________________________________________ 10

Section 2.3 PERFORMANCE TEST PROCEDURES ______________________________ 11

Section 2.4 TEST FREQUENCY________________________________________________ 12

Part 3 MARKING REQUIREMENTS__________________________________________13

Section 3.1 MARKINGS_______________________________________________________ 13

Section 3.2 MARKING DESCRIPTIONS ________________________________________ 14

Section 3.3 EMPTY BAG DIMENSIONS_________________________________________ 16

Section 3.4 CONTAINERS WITH INCORRECT MARKINGS ______________________ 17

Exhibit A __________________________________________________________________ 18

Exhibit B SMR-1 through SMR4 and LMR1 through LMR8 _______________________ 19

LMR-1 through LMR8 ______________________________________________ 23
BWSF15 Page 1 of 30

Part 1 COMMODITY SPECIFICATIONS

Section 1.1 BULGUR REQUIREMENTS

A. The bulgur will be milled from wheat of any of the classes defined in the “Official 

United States Standards for Grain” except mixtures of wheat of contrasting 

classes. The wheat shall not contain more than 4.0 percent of damaged kernels. 

The grain standards are available at: 

http://www.gipsa.usda.gov/fgis/standards/810wheat.pdf

B. Wheat shall be tested for vomitoxin in accordance with procedures approved by 

Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) and any wheat testing higher than 2 

p.p.m. shall not be used in production of the commodity. The final product shall 

not contain more than 1 p.p.m. of vomitoxin.

C. The product shall conform to the requirements in the table below.

Chemical and Physical Requirements1 Bulgur

Item Requirements

Minimum Maximum

Moisture --- 11.5%

Protein (Nx5.7) 29.3% ---

Ash Content 1.8%

Crude Fiber 2--- 2.3%

Foreign Material: Other grains except wheat --- 0.10%

Material except other grains 3--- 0.10%

Scorched particles (whole or pieces of kernels) --- 0.20%

Ungelantized particles (whole or pieces of kernels) --- 1.0%

Whole processed kernels remaining on No. 8 

woven-wire-cloth sieve

--- 4.0%

Material that will pass through a U.S. Standard No. 

8 woven-wire-cloth sieve

80.0% ---

Material that will pass through a U.S. Standard No. 

14 woven-wire-cloth sieve

--- 18.0%

Material that will pass through a U.S. Standard No. 

30 woven-wire-cloth sieve

--- 0.9%

 

1 All percentages are on the basis of weight. 

2 These limiting values are on a moisture-free basis.

3

Including grain hulls either attached or detached. However, any hulls attached to product should be detached 

before inclusion in the hull fraction.
BWSF15 Page 2 of 30

D. Product Fortification Requirements

The product must be blended thoroughly and homogeneously mixed with the 

following nutrients. The finished product should meet specifications listed in the 

table below: 

Nutrient Required

mg/100g 

Level*

Required

mg/lb Level*

Fortificant Form

Vitamin A** 0.11 (366 IU) 0.50 (1662 IU) Vitamin A Palmitate 

250 (spray dried)4

Vitamin B1 

(thiamin)

0.4 1.82 Thiamin Mononitrate

Vitamin B2 

(riboflavin)

0.4 1.82 Riboflavin

Vitamin B3 

(niacin)

4 18.16 Niacinamide

Vitamin B6 0.4 1.82 Pyridoxine 

hydrochloride

Vitamin B9 

(folic acid)

0.154 0.70 Folic Acid

Vitamin B12 0.011 0.05 Vitamin B12 0.1% 

(water soluble)

Vitamin D3 0.002 0.009 Vitamin D3 100,000 

IU/g

Iron (EDTA)** 4 18.2 NaFeEDTA

Zinc 2.4 10.9 Zinc Oxide

*COA for premix should state expected amounts. The permitted variation 

in premix content is -10 to +15% for added vitamins and +/- 10% for 

added minerals for acceptance. 

**Vitamin A and iron permitted variations in the finished product (i.e., 

including intrinsic and premix contributions) are: 

Finished Product Vitamin A and Iron Ranges

Minimum Maximum

Vitamin A 1662 IU/lb ----------

Iron 20 mg/lb 30 mg/lb

 

4 Vitamin A-Palmitate (stabilized) shall be added in encapsulated form containing 250,000 IU Vitamin APalmitate/g. Particle size shall comply with the requirement that at least 98 percent will pass through a U.S. 

Standard No. 50 sieve, at least 90 percent through a U.S. Standard No. 60 sieve, and at least 45 percent through 

a U.S. Standard No. 100 sieve. The product shall not be less than 95 percent of the all-trans isomer as 

determined by the USP assay procedure. The Vitamin A-Palmitate shall have storage stability such that not 

more than 20 percent of its original activity will be lost when stored for 21 days at 45° C in a sealed container at 

a target level of 11,000 IU per pound in cornmeal or wheat flour having moisture content in the range of 13.5 to 

14.5 percent. 
BWSF15 Page 3 of 30

E. Flavor Stability

(1) When used for fortifying bulgur at the level of 1662 IU/lb, the premix 

containing Vitamin A Palmitate and 18.2 mg/lb of Iron shall not 

contribute any off-flavor or odor to the dry mix, or to the prepared 

cooked products. 

(2) The Vitamin A shall have been tested by the vitamin manufacturers in 

cornmeal or wheat flour having moisture content in the range of 13.5 

to 14.5 percent to assure stability of the vitamin.

(3) If cornmeal is used for the stability test, the cornmeal used shall be 

enriched degermed yellow cornmeal, fine granulation, conforming to 

requirements of the latest revisions and amendments for Commercial 

Item Description A-A-20066B (June 13, 2008) at 

http://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/CID%20Cornmeal

%20%28Yellow%20or%20White%29.pdf

(4) The cornmeal will be Type III, Class B, Granulation c, Color 2. The 

cornmeal shall be enriched to contain: 2.0 to 3.0 mg thiamine per 

pound; 1.2 to 1.8 mg riboflavin per pound; 16.0 to 24.0 mg niacin or

niacinamide per pound; 13.0 to 26 mg iron per pound; and 500 to 750 

mg calcium per pound.

(5) If wheat flour is used for the stability test, the flour shall be of 65 to 75 

percent extraction and shall be enriched to contain 2.0 to 2.5 mg 

thiamine per pound; 1.2 to 1.5 mg riboflavin per pound; 16.0 to 20.0 

mg niacin per pound; and 13.0 to 16.5 mg iron per pound. 

Section 1.2 SOY-FORTIFIED BULGUR REQUIREMENTS

A. The bulgur will be milled from wheat of any of the classes defined in the “Official 

United States Standards for Grain” except mixtures of wheat of contrasting 

classes. The wheat shall not contain more than 4.0 percent of damaged kernels. 

The grain standards are available at: 

http://www.gipsa.usda.gov/fgis/standards/810wheat.pdf. 

B. Wheat shall be tested for vomitoxin in accordance with procedures approved by 

Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) and any wheat testing higher than 2 

p.p.m. shall not be used in production of the commodity. The final product shall 

not contain more than 1 p.p.m. of vomitoxin.

C. The ingredients contained in the blended product must be in the following 

proportions.

Ingredients Pounds per 2,000 lb Batch

Bulgur, cracked, fortified 1,700

Soy grits, defatted (toasted) or expeller 300

Total 2,000

(1) The soy-fortified bulgur when cooked by mixing one part by volume 
BWSF15 Page 4 of 30

of the product with two parts by volume water, bringing the mixture to 

a boil, and boiling gently for 15 minutes, shall be distinctly particulate 

(individual particles which adhere together to some extent after 

cooking but will not disintegrate or otherwise lose their identity) but 

tender and palatable. It must not be ropy or gluey. 

(2) The product shall have a good characteristic taste and odor free from 

rancid, bitter, musty, sour, and other undesirable or foreign tastes and 

odors. 

D. The product shall conform to the requirements in the table below. 

Chemical And Physical Requirements5 Soy-Fortified Bulgur

Item

Requirements

Minimum Maximum

Moisture --- 11.5%

Protein (Nx5.7) 617.3% ---

Ash Content72.8%

Crude Fat 6--- 2.6%

Crude Fiber 6--- 2.6%

Total Bacteria Count --- 50,000gm

Foreign Material: Other grains except soy grits --- 0.10%

Materials other than cereal grains or soy grits 8--- 0.10%

Scorched particles (whole or pieces of kernels) --- 0.20%

Ungelantized particles (whole or pieces of kernels) --- 0.90%

Whole processed kernels remaining on No. 8 wovenwire-cloth sieve--- 3.5%

Material that will pass through a U.S. Standard No. 8 

woven-wire-cloth sieve

81.0% ---

Material that will pass through a U.S. Standard No. 

14 woven-wire-cloth sieve

--- 23.0%

Material that will pass through a U.S. Standard No. 

30 woven-wire-cloth sieve

--- 1.2%

 

5 All percentages are on the basis of weight. 

6 These limiting values are on a moisture-free basis.

7 On a dry solids basis.

8

Including grain hulls either attached or detached. However, any hulls attached to product should be detached 

before inclusion in the hull fraction.
BWSF15 Page 5 of 30

Micronutrient Specifications in Finished Product

Item

Requirements

Minimum Maximum

Vitamin A 1662 IU/lb -----

Iron 27 mg/lb 41 mg/lb

Note: The minimum and maximum levels take into account the added iron 

and the intrinsic levels of cereals.

E. Soy-fortified bulgur will be fortified in accordance with the requirements 

defined in Section 1.1.D. (same as regular bulgur)

Section 1.3 SOY-FORTIFIED BULGUR, CRACKED REQUIREMENTS

A. The bulgur will be milled from wheat of any of the classes defined in the 

“Official United States Standards for Grain” except mixtures of wheat of 

contrasting classes. The grain standards are available at:

http://www.gipsa.usda.gov/fgis/standards/810wheat.pdf. 

B. Wheat shall be tested for vomitoxin in accordance with procedures 

approved by Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) and any wheat 

testing higher than 2 p.p.m. shall not be used in production of the 

commodity. The final product shall not contain more than 1 p.p.m. of 

vomitoxin.

C. The wheat must not contain more than 4.0 percent damaged kernels.

D. The product shall conform to the requirements in the table below.

Chemical And Physical Requirements9 Soy-Fortified Bulgur, Cracked

Item

Requirements

Minimum Maximum

Moisture --- 11.5%

Protein (Nx5.7) 10 10.5% ---

Crude Fiber --- 2.0%

Ash --- 1.8%

Foreign Material: Total --- 0.20%

Material: Other than Cereal Grains --- 0.05%

 

9 All percentages are on the basis of weight. All analyses except moisture are expressed on a moisture-free basis.

10 These limiting values are on a moisture-free basis.
BWSF15 Page 6 of 30

Chemical And Physical Requirements9 Soy-Fortified Bulgur, Cracked

Item

Requirements

Minimum Maximum

Material except other grains 11--- 0.10%

Scorched particles (whole and/or pieces of kernels) --- 0.20%

Ungelantized particles (whole and/or pieces of 

kernels)

--- 1.0%

Whole processed kernels remaining on No. 8 

woven-wire-cloth sieve

--- 4.0%

Material that will pass through a U.S. Standard No. 

8 woven-wire-cloth sieve

80.0% ---

Material that will pass through a U.S. Standard No. 

14 woven-wire-cloth sieve

--- 23.0%

Material that will pass through a U.S. Standard No. 

30 woven-wire-cloth sieve

--- 0.9%

Section 1.4 SOY GRITS, DEFATTED (TOASTED) OR EXPELLER

A. Soy grits, defatted (toatsted) will be the screened, coarsely ground product 

obtained from selected soybeans by cleaning, cracking, dehulling, 

tempering, flaking, defatting with hexane, desolventizing, deodorizing, 

toasting (full cook with color change to light yellow or golden buff), and 

cooling. 

B. Soy grits, expeller will be the screened, coarsely, ground product obtained 

from selected soybeans by cleaning, cracking, dehulling, heating, and 

expeller change to golden buff or tan, and cooling. The product shall 

conform to the requirements in the table below.

Chemical and Physical Requirements12

Soy Grits, Defatted (Toasted) or Expeller

Item

Requirements

Minimum Maximum

Moisture --- 12.0%

Protein (Nx6.25) --- ---

Crude Fat, defatted, toasted grits --- 1.0%

Crude Fat, expeller grits 5.0% 6.5%

Ash --- 7.0%

Crude Fiber --- 3.5%

Material that will pass through a U.S. Standard No. 

8 woven-wire-cloth sieve

90.0% ---

Material that will pass through a U.S. Standard No. --- 75.0%

 

11 Including grain hulls and whole or pieces of kernels of grain with the hulls attached.

12 All percentages are on the basis of weight. All analyses except moisture are expressed on a moisture-free basis.
BWSF15 Page 7 of 30

Chemical and Physical Requirements12

Soy Grits, Defatted (Toasted) or Expeller

Item

Requirements

Minimum Maximum

14 woven-wire-cloth sieve

Material that will pass through a U.S. Standard No. 

30 woven-wire-cloth sieve

--- 5.0%

Nitrogen Solubility Index 10.0% 30.0%

Urease activity increase in pH 0.05% ---

Total bacteria count --- 50,000gm

Color, defatted, toasted grits Light yellow to golden

Color, expeller grits Golden to tan

Texture Reasonably uniform grit

Odor Neutral to nutty

Taste Pleasant, neutral to slightly nutty

Section 1.5 QUALITY ASSURANCE

A. The contractor shall perform the product testing and quality analysis to 

ensure that the product meets the commodity specifications. The 

results shall be evidenced by a Certificate of Analysis (COA). Copies 

of the original COA must be submitted as part of the invoice package. 

The COA shall provide the results of all tests specified. If quality 

discounts are provided in the contract, and the product to be delivered 

by the contractor falls within the quality discount table, those factors 

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

B. The contractor will obtain a certificate of analysis from their 

micronutrient supplier that indicates the level and chemical form for 

each micronutrient in the premix. That COA will be submitted as a part 

of the invoice package. 

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

meet contract requirements.

D. Unless otherwise specified, test methods for the finished product, and 

any 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. 
BWSF15 Page 8 of 30

Section 1.6 QUALITY DISCOUNTS

If the product to be delivered by the contractor does not meet the quality 

specifications required herein but falls within the discounts listed, the product 

may be delivered to the Government, but the purchase price will be reduced in 

accordance with the following schedule of discounts for each 100 pounds of 

commodity delivered. A commodity that deviates from the specifications will be 

rejected. 

Bulgur

Deficient Protein Excess Whole Kernels Remaining on a 

No. 8 Sieve

9.2% or 9.1% $0.10 4.1% thru 4.4% $0.10

9.0% or 8.9% $0.20 4.5% thru 4.8% $0.20

8.8% $0.35 4.9% or 5.0% $0.35

Excess Ungelantinized Particles Excess Material other than Cereal 

Grains

1.1% thru 1.4% $0.10 0.11% thru 0.20% $0.25

1.5% thru 1.8% $0.20

1.9% or 2.0% $0.35

Excess Ash Percentage Points above 

Maximum

Excess Other Grains Except Wheat

.01% or .02% $0.10 0.11% thru 0.20% $0.25

.03% or .04% $0.20

.05% $0.35

Excess Moisture Excess Crude Fiber

11.6% or 11.7% $0.10 2.4% or 2.5% $0.10

11.8% or 11.9% $0.20 2.6% thru 2.7% $0.20

12.0% $0.35 2.8% $0.35

Excess Granulation Through a No. 

14 Sieve

Excess Scorched Particles

19.0% thru 22.0% $0.10 0.21% thru 0.30% $0.25

23.0% thru 26.0% $0.20

27.0% or 28.0% $0.35

Deficient Granulation Through a No. 

8 Sieve

Deficient Calcium

79.0% thru 70.0% $0.10 499 – 440 mg/lb $0.05

439 – 400 mg/lb $0.10

399 – 340 mg/lb $0.20

Deficient Granulation Through a No. 

30 Sieve

Excess Calcium

1.0% thru 1.5% $0.10 750 – 1247 mg/lb $0.0

1.6%thru 2.5% $0.20

2.6% thru 3.0% $0.35
BWSF15 Page 9 of 30

Soy-Fortified Bulgur

Deficient Protein Excess Whole Kernels Remaining on a 

No. 8 Sieve

17.2% thru 17.1% $0.10 3.51% thru 4.09% $0.10

17.0% thru 16.9% $0.20 4.10% thru 4.59% $0.20

16.8% $0.35 4.60% thru 5.00% $0.35

Excess Ungelantinized Particles Excess Material other than Cereal 

Grains and Soy Grits

.91% thru 1.19% $0.10 0.11% thru 0.20% $0.25

1.20% thru 1.39% $0.20

1.40% $0.35

Excess Ash Percentage Points above 

Maximum

Excess Other Grains Except Wheat and 

Soy Grits – Percent 

.01% thru .02% $0.10 0.11 thru 0.20 $0.25

.03% thru .04% $0.20

.05% $0.35

Excess Moisture Excess Crude Fiber

11.51% thru 11.79% $0.10 2.61% or 2.89% $0.10

11.80% thru 11.99% $0.20 2.90% thru 3.09% $0.20

12.00% $0.35 3.10% $0.35

Excess Granulation Through a No. 14 

Sieve

Excess Crude Fat

23.01% thru 26.99% $0.10 2.61% thru 2.89% $0.10

27.0% thru 29.99% $0.20 2.90% thru 3.09% $0.20

30.00% thru 32.00% $0.35 3.10% $0.35

Deficient Granulation Through a No. 8 

Sieve

Deficient Calcium

80.0% thru 79.0% $0.10 499 – 440 mg/lb $0.05

78.0% thru 77.0% $0.20 439 – 400 mg/lb $0.10

776.0% $0.35

Deficient Granulation Through a No. 

30 Sieve

Excess Calcium

1.21% thru 1.89% $0.10 750 – 1247 mg/lb $0.0

1.90% thru 2.50% $0.20 Excess Scorched Particles

0.21% thru 0.30% $0.25

Part 2 CONTAINER AND PACKAGING REQUIREMENTS

Section 2.1 CONTAINERS AND MATERIALS

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

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for safe contact with the packaged product. 

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, Section A, Number 3. 
BWSF15 Page 10 of 30

B. Questions concerning the containers and materials should be directed to:

USDA/FSA/DACO

Room 5755 – South Bldg, STOP 0551

1400 Independence Avenue SW

Washington, DC 20250-0551

ATTN: Packaging

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

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

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

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

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

D. In addition, all containers and packaging materials shall be constructed to comply 

with the sum concentration levels of lead, cadmium, mercury, and hexavalent 

chromium addressed by the Coalition of Northeast Governors (CONEG) model 

legislation. The sum of the concentration levels of lead, cadmium, mercury 

and/or hexavalent chromium present in any package or packaging component 

shall not exceed 100 parts per million. Concentration levels shall be determined 

using American Standard of Testing Materials test methods, as revised, or U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency test methods for evaluating solid waste, S-W 

846, as revised.

Section 2.2 50-KILOGRAM BAGS

Contractors may utilize woven polypropylene fabric and circular-woven style bags but 

are not limited to these constructions. If woven poly bags are used, the following is to 

apply:

A. The color of the fabric shall be white, unless otherwise specified. At the 

contractor's discretion, it may use fabric containing marker yarns as a means of 

identifying the manufacturer of the fabric.

B. The polymer in the fabric shall be 100 percent virgin polypropylene with no 

recycled material. Rework product will be limited to excess material produced 

during the initial extrusion process and will be limited to the amount produced 

during normal continuous operation. A system to identify and document this 

process must be in place for review by the Government's audit personnel.

C. The fabric in an unstressed state shall permit a minimum air flow of 3 cubic feet 

per minute per square foot and a maximum of 30 cubic feet per minute per square 

foot, when tested in accordance with ASTM Test Method D737, as amended.
BWSF15 Page 11 of 30

D. The fabric 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 TAPPI Test Method T-503-OM-84. The fabric shall accept and 

retain printing ink that will not rub or flake off to a degree where legibility is 

impaired.

E. The fabric shall be capable of resisting ultraviolet deterioration for a minimum of 

200 hours of exposure in a weatherometer, 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.

F. Bags may be flat tube or gusseted.

G. Bags may be extrusion coated. Extrusion coated bags shall have the proper 

number, size and location of micro perforations to achieve the air permeability 

rate required for product stability and fumigation, as well as filling efficiency.

H. Any bag seams shall be sewn in a manner which prevents the product from 

leaking through the seams during handling, storage, and distribution.

I. The color of the sewing thread shall be natural or white. The tensile strength of 

the sewn seams shall not be less than the tensile strength of the fabric in the body 

of the bag.

J. The top and bottom of the bag shall be heat cut or otherwise finished to prevent 

fraying or unraveling of the fabric during distribution. The bottom seam shall be 

constructed in accordance with Federal Standard 751a, SSn-1 Single Turnover, as 

amended. A minimum of 4 stitches per inch is required.

Section 2.3 PERFORMANCE TEST PROCEDURES

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

impact resistance.

(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) Testing shall be conducted under standard temperature (73.4 o F plus or 

minus 1.8 o F) and relative humidity (50% plus or minus 2%) conditions.

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

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

equilibrium.

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

other applicable material, construction, and performance specifications.
BWSF15 Page 12 of 30

B. Test Laboratories

The contractor 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 only the following domestically located 

independent or private laboratories that have such capability:

Michigan State University

School of Packaging

130 Packaging Building

East Lansing, MI 48824-1223

(517) 355-9580

http://www.packaging.msu.edu/

research/testing_services/

Lansmont Corporation

17 Mandeville Court

Monterey, CA 93940

(831) 655-6600

www.lansmont.com

Rutgers University

Center for Packaging Science 

and Engineering

Busch Campus

137 Winchester Road, 

Piscataway, NJ 08854-8029

(732) 445-3224

http://catalogs.rutgers.edu/gene

rated/nbgrad_0810/pg24361.html

Ten-E Packaging Services, Inc.

1666 County Road 74

Newport, MN 55055

(651) 459-0671

http://www.tene.com/index.php/package-testing/

Section 2.4 TEST FREQUENCY

A. All testing specified shall be performed and documented. 

B. For woven poly bags, the air permeability and ultraviolet resistance tests shall, as 

a minimum, be performed annually and when a change in the formulation/design 

of the fabric is being made.

C. The performance test for impact resistance shall be performed when a change in 

the formulation/design of the fabric is being made.
BWSF15 Page 13 of 30

D. For woven poly bags, the slide angle test shall, as a minimum, be performed inhouse for every 10,000 lineal meters of fabric production. Testing performed inhouse is not required to be performed under the specified temperature and 

humidity requirements. In addition, the slide angle test shall, as a minimum, be 

performed annually by an outside testing facility and when a change in the 

formulation/design of the fabric is being made. This testing shall be performed in 

accordance with all contract requirements, including the specified temperature 

and humidity.

E. All supporting test and quality control documentation shall be retained and made 

available for review by the Government for a minimum of three years after final 

payment under the contract.

Part 3 MARKING REQUIREMENTS

Section 3.1 MARKINGS

A. The bag 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 280 and 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 7 inches high and 12 3/4 inches in total width on the front 

and back of 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 6 1/2 inches high and 12 1/2 inches in total

width. The three stripes adjacent USA shall be 1 1/4 inches high and printed as 

close to the edges of the bag as possible, not to exceed 1 1/2 inches from any 

edge.

E. The USAID vertical identity, including the logo, brandname, and tagline, shall be 

printed in the same style as shown in the markings 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 in diameter. The USAID brandname shall be 2 inches in height. The 

tagline “FROM THE AMERICAN PEOPLE” shall be 1/2 inch in height. The 

USAID vertical identity is available to download at 

http://www.usaid.gov/branding.

F. The USDA logo shall be 5 1/2 inches high and 7 3/4 inches in total width, see 

exhibits.
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G. The commodity name shall be 1 1/2 inch print. Immediately below the 

commodity name on the front and back panels insert additional commodity 

description in 5/8 inch print, if applicable. See Exhibit A for appropriate 

commodity name/additional commodity description that shall be printed on each 

bag.

H. The net weight, contract number and the statement “NOT TO BE SOLD OR 

EXCHANGED” shall be 3/4 inch print. The bag dimensions and Standard 

Marking Requirement (SMR) or Language Marking Requirement (LMR) number 

shall be 1/2 inch print. The contract number, net weight, and SMR and LMR 

number shall be at the bottom of the bag, centered. See exhibits.

I. The symbol indicating “USE NO HOOKS” shall be 2 3/4 inches in height. See 

exhibits.

J. The letters or symbols used in the language markings for LMR-1, LMR-3, LMR4, LMR-5, LMR-7, and LMR-8 should be sized approximately 1 5/8 inches, see 

exhibits. The language marking 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 traceability requirements shall be as small as possible, yet legible.

Section 3.2 MARKING DESCRIPTIONS

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.

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, “SMR1,” and use no hooks symbol. 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”, and use no hooks symbol. See exhibit SMR-2, front. 

Back: Identical. See exhibit SMR-2, back.
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Standard Marking Requirement #3 (SMR-3)

USAID – Monetization 

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

dimensions, “SMR-3,” and use no hooks symbol. 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,” and use no hooks symbol. See exhibit SMR-4, front. 

Back: Identical. See exhibit SMR-4, back.

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” and use no hooks symbol. See exhibit LMR-1, front.

Back: US Flag, the commodity name, North Korean language panel, and “LMR1” 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" and use no hooks symbol. See exhibit LMR-2, front.

Back: US Flag, the commodity name, Pashtu and Dari language panel, 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" and use no hooks symbol. See exhibit LMR-3, front. 

Back: US Flag, the commodity name, English language panel, 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" and use no hooks symbol. See exhibit LMR-4, front. 

Back: US Flag, the commodity name, Arabic language panel, and “LMR-4” only. 

See exhibit LMR-4, back.
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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 

“LMR-5" and use no hooks symbol. 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" and use no hooks symbol. 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.

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 

“LMR-7" and use no hooks symbol. 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 

“LMR-8" and use no hooks symbol. See exhibit LMR-8, front 

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

“LMR-8” only. See exhibit LMR-8, back.

Section 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 dimensions shall be printed at the bottom of the bag, centered, see exhibits.

C. The finished size of the circular woven polypropylene bags will be determined by 

the contractor, unless otherwise specified by the contracting officer.
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Section 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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Exhibit A 

List of Commodity Names Printed on 50 Kilogram Woven Polypropylene Bags

Commodity 

Requirements

Commodity Name Commodity 

Requirements

Commodity Name

Bulgur / SoyFortified Bulgur 

(BWSF)

BULGUR Dry Edible 

Beans (DEB)

BLACK BEANS

SOY-FORTIIFIED BULGUR BLACKEYE BEANS

Buckwheat (BWP) BUCKWHEAT GROATS DARK RED KIDNEY BEANS

BUCKWHEAT GRITS LIGHT RED KIDNEY BEANS

BUCKWHEAT FLOUR GARBANZO BEANS

Bagged Grain 

(KCBG)

WHEAT

HARD RED WINTER

GREAT NORTHERN BEANS

WHEAT

SOFT WHITE

PEA BEANS

WHEAT

HARD RED SPRING

PINK BEANS

WHEAT

NORTHERN SPRING

PINTO BEANS

SORGHUM SMALL RED BEANS

YELLOW CORN SMALL WHITE BEANS

YELLOW CORN

YELLOW SOYBEANS

Milled Rice (MR) MILLED RICE

LONG GRAIN

Peas and 

Lentils (PL)

LENTILS

MILLED RICE

MEDIUM GRAIN

SPLIT GREEN PEAS

MILLED RICE

SHORT GRAIN

SPLIT YELLOW PEAS

MILLED RICE

PARBOILED

SMOOTH GREEN DRY PEAS

Wheat Flour/ 

Bread Flour 

(WFBF)

FLOUR

ALL PURPOSE

SMOOTH YELLOW DRY PEAS

BREAD FLOUR

50 KG 

Polypropylene 

Bags (KCPBAGS)

WHEAT

CORN

SORGHUM

SOYBEANS

SOYBEAN MEAL
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Exhibit B SMR-1 through SMR4 and LMR1 through LMR8
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