U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

FFAS-FSA-DACO-KCCO

USDA COMMODITY REQUIREMENTS DOCUMENT (CRD)

BAGS (BAGS 01) 

FOR USE IN

INTERNATIONAL FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS 

Effective Date: June 26, 2017

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
BAGS 01 Page 2 of 26

BAGS (BAGS 01) 

Table of Contents

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS.......................................................................... 3

CONTACT INFORMATION ........................................................................................................ 4

CONTAINER AND PACKAGING REQUIREMENTS ................................................................. 5

1.1 GENERAL ........................................................................................................................ 5

1.2 CONTAINERS AND MATERIALS.................................................................................... 5

1.3 50-KILOGRAM WOVEN POLYPROPYLENE BAGS ....................................................... 5

1.4 SEWING OF BAG SEAMS .............................................................................................. 6

1.5 BAG SIZE REQUIREMENTS........................................................................................... 6

1.6 BALING REQUIREMENTS .............................................................................................. 6

1.7 PERFORMANCE TEST PROCEDURES......................................................................... 7

1.8 TEST FREQUENCY......................................................................................................... 7

 MARKING REQUIREMENTS ..................................................................................................... 8

2.1 MARKINGS ...................................................................................................................... 8

2.2 MARKING DESCRIPTIONS ............................................................................................. 9

2.3 EMPTY BAG DIMENSIONS...........................................................................................11

2.4 BAG MANUFACTURER’S IDENTIFICATION................................................................11

2.5 VERIFICATION OF MARKINGS....................................................................................11

2.6 CONTAINERS WITH INCORRECT MARKINGS ........................................................... 11

Exhibit A: List of Commodity Names Printed on 50 KG Woven Polypropylene Bags...............13
BAGS 01 Page 3 of 26

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

BAGS01 50 KG Polypropylene Bags

BG Bagged Grain

BWP Buckwheat

BWSF Bulgur/Soy-Fortified Bulgur

CONEG Coalition of Northeast Governors

CRD Commodity Requirements Document

DACO Deputy Administrator for Commodity Operations

DEB Dry Edible Beans

FAS Foreign Agricultural Service

FDA Food and Drug Administration

FFAS Farm and Foreign Agricultural Service

FSA Farm Service Agency

IPD International Procurement Division

KCCO Kansas City Commodity Office

KG Kilogram

LMR Language Marking Requirement

MR Milled Rice

PL Pea and Lentils

PMS Pantone Matching System

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 

WFBF Wheat Flour/Bread Flour 
BAGS 01 Page 4 of 26

CONTACT INFORMATION

Kansas City Commodity Office (KCCO), International Procurement Division (IPD)

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

Mailing Address:

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Attention: KCCO/IPD 

MAILSTOP 8738

P.O. Box 419205

Kansas City, MO 64141-3011

Express Delivery:

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Attention: KCCO/IPD 

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) 

Or 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 or Email: WBSCM.servicedesk@caci.com
BAGS 01 Page 5 of 26

CONTAINER AND PACKAGING REQUIREMENTS

1.1 GENERAL

This part provides the packaging and container requirements, and marking 

specifications for containers and packaging materials acquired under this contract.

1.2 CONTAINERS AND MATERIALS

A. All containers and packaging materials shall be manufactured and assembled the

United States. The components that make up the fabricating materials of the

containers and packaging materials shall be of U.S. origin to the extent that they are

commercially available. Questions concerning the suitability of a material should be

directed to:

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

 Kansas City Commodity Office (KCCO), International Procurement Division (IPD) 

Contact Information See Page 4

B. (1) All containers and packaging materials shall be constructed to meet the

 requirements of the FDA for safe contact with the packaged product.

(2) 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.

C. 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

requirements.

1.3 50-KILOGRAM WOVEN POLYPROPYLENE BAGS

Woven polypropylene fabric and circular-woven style bags.

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 shall be in

place for review by the Government’s audit personnel. 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.
BAGS 01 Page 6 of 26

C. 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.

D. 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.

E. Bags may be flat tube or gusseted.

1.4 SEWING OF BAG SEAMS

A. All bag seams shall be sewn in a manner which prevents the product from leaking

through the seams during handling, storage, and distribution.

B. 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.

C. 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.

1.5 BAG SIZE REQUIREMENTS

Circular woven polypropylene bags shall have the finished bag size of 23 inches by 39 

inches, unless otherwise specified by the contracting officer.

1.6 BALING REQUIREMENTS

A. Bags shall be baled with 1,000 polypropylene bags to the base.

B. Bags designed to be top loaded with bulk grain shall be baled for export with a

minimum 14 gauge steel wire, or a minimum of 3/8 inch wide by 0.015 inch thick

steel strapping, or minimum 1/2 inch polypropylene strap of sufficient strength to

withstand export distribution. The wire or straps shall be positioned as follows:

Five (5) girth wires approximately equal distance apart. The bags shall be baled in a

manner that would protect the finished product during storage and shipment.

C. Required dimensions and counts shall be verified by in-plant quality control

processes.

1.7 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
BAGS 01 Page 7 of 26

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.

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 1.9.

However, the Government is aware of only the following domestically located

independent or private laboratories that have such capability:

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

Michigan State University

School of Packaging

East Lansing, MI 48824-1223

(517) 355-9580

http://packaging.msu.edu/

Ten-E Packaging Services, Inc.

1666 County Road 74

Newport, MN 55055

(651) 459-0671

www.ten-e.com

1.8 TEST FREQUENCY

A. All testing specified shall be performed and documented.

B. 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.

D. The slide angle test shall, as a minimum, be performed in-house for every 10,000

lineal meters of fabric production. Testing performed in-house 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.
BAGS 01 Page 8 of 26

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.

MARKING REQUIREMENTS

2.1 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 logo is available to download at

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

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

exhibits.

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 or 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.
BAGS 01 Page 9 of 26

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

traceability requirements shall be as small as possible, yet legible.

2.2 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, “SMR-1,” 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.

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 “LMR-1” only. 

See exhibit LMR-1, back.
BAGS 01 Page 10 of 26

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.

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 “LMR5” 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.
BAGS 01 Page 11 of 26

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.

Yemen Commercial Markings Requirement #9 (CMR-9)

USAID - Distribution for Yemen with Arabic

Front: Top of bag 50 Kg and commodity name in Arabic, Bottom of bag Purchase 

Order number and "NOT TO BE SOLD OR EXCHANGED,” in Arabic net weight, See 

exhibit CMR-9, front. 

Back: Same as front of bag See exhibit CMR - 9 back.

2.3 EMPTY BAG DIMENSIONS

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

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

2.4 BAG MANUFACTURERS’ IDENTIFICATION

Bag maker's name, identifying symbol, code or trade name may appear on each bag as 

small as possible, yet legible. If identifying symbols, code or trade names are used, they 

shall be placed on record with:

Textile Bag and Packaging Association 

P.O. Box 286

Harrison, OH 45030

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Attention: KCCO/IPD 

MAILSTOP 8738

P.O. Box 419205

Kansas City, MO 64141-3011

2.5 VERIFICATION OF MARKINGS

The contractor shall supply the Government with one sample bag from each contract 

purchased hereunder for bag marking specifications. Mail bag to:

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Attention: KCCO/IPD 

MAILSTOP 8738

P.O. Box 419205

Kansas City, MO 64141-3011

2.6 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
BAGS 01 Page 12 of 26

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.
BAGS 01 Page 13 of 26

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-FORTIFIED 

BULGUR

BLACKEYE BEANS

Buckwheat (BWP) BUCKWHEAT 

GROATS

DARK RED KIDNEY 

BEANS

BUCKWHEAT 

GRITS

LIGHT RED KIDNEY 

BEANS

BUCKWHEAT 

FLOUR

GARBANZO BEANS

Bagged Grain 

(BG)

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 

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 (BAGS)

WHEAT

CORN

SORGHUM

SOYBEANS

SOYBEAN MEAL
BAGS 01 Page 14 of 26

Exhibits SMR-1 through SMR4 and LMR1 through LMR8 
BAGS 01 Page 15 of 26
BAGS 01 Page 16 of 26
BAGS 01 Page 17 of 26
BAGS 01 Page 18 of 26
BAGS 01 Page 19 of 26
BAGS 01 Page 20 of 26
BAGS 01 Page 21 of 26
BAGS 01 Page 22 of 26
BAGS 01 Page 23 of 26
BAGS 01 Page 24 of 26
BAGS 01 Page 25 of 26
E 

E � 

402 cm 

ea 

.. 

0 e 

P.O. No.: 4500056750 

§ Not to be sold or exchanged

� Jt...L.;u '"�' �i ��JJ O "-�

21.1 cm 

50 

BAGS 01 Page 26 of 26
Page Intentionally Left Blank