USDA COMMODITY REQUIREMENTS 

SFCM3 

SOY FORTIFIED CORNMEAL 

FOR USE IN EXPORT PROGRAMS 

Effective Date: 07/15/08
USDA COMMODITIY REQUIREMENTS 

SFCM3 

SOY FORTIFIED CORNMEAL 

FOR USE IN EXPORT PROGRAMS 

Table of Contents

Part 1 COMMODITY SPECIFICATIONS ________________________________________ 1

Section 1.1 COMMODITIES ______________________________________________________ 1

Section 1.2 QUALITY ASSURANCE _______________________________________________ 4

Section 1.3 QUALITY DISCOUNTS ________________________________________________ 5

Part 2 CONTAINER AND PACKAGING REQUIREMENTS_________________________ 5

Section 2.1 GENERAL ___________________________________________________________ 5

Section 2.2 CONTAINERS AND MATERIALS_______________________________________ 6

Section 2.3 25-KILOGRAM MULTIWALL PAPER BAGS_____________________________ 6

Section 2.4 25-KILOGRAM HIGH PERFORMANCE PACKAGING CONSTRUCTIONS __ 7

Section 2.5 OUTER CLOSURE AND SEALS ________________________________________ 8

Section 2.6 PERFORMANCE TEST PROCEDURES__________________________________ 8

Section 2.7 SEAL PEEL TEST_____________________________________________________ 9

PART 3 MARKING REQUIREMENTS_________________________________________ 10

Section 3.1 MARKINGS _________________________________________________________ 10

Section 3.2 MARKING DESCRIPTIONS___________________________________________ 11

Section 3.3 EMPTY BAG DIMENSIONS ___________________________________________ 13

Section 3.4 CONTAINERS WITH INCORRECT MARKINGS ________________________ 13

Marking Exhibits __________________________________________________________________ 15
Part 1 COMMODITY SPECIFICATIONS

Section 1.1 COMMODITIES 

A. Quality of Soy Fortified Cornmeal 

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

approved by Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS). If the aflatoxin 

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

of the quantitative test exceeds 20 p.p.b., the corn shall not be used in 

the production of the commodity. 

(2) The soy fortified cornmeal will be a product of small particle size that 

is usable as a dietary supplement or as an extender to other foods, and it 

shall conform to the following chemical and physical requirements in 

the table below: 

SOY FORTIFIED CORNMEAL

Requirements 1

ITEM 

Min. Max.

Moisture --- 13.0%

Protein (Nx6.25) 1 13.0% ---

Fat 1 --- 1.5%

Crude Fiber 1 --- 2.0%

Material Through a U.S. Standard No. 20 WovenWire-Cloth Sieve 99.0% ---

Material Through a U.S. Standard No. 25 WovenWire-Cloth Sieve 91.0% ---

Material Through a U.S. Standard No. 45 WovenWire-Cloth Sieve 40.0% ---

Material Through a U.S. Standard No. 80 WovenWire-Cloth Sieve --- 32.0% 

Maximum Ash Allowable Without Discount 

at Specified Calcium Levels 2

Calcium 

Mg/lb. 

Maximum 

Ash Percent 

Calcium 

Mg/lb. 

Maximum 

Ash Percent 

Calcium 

Mg/lb. 

Maximum 

Ash Percent 

340-358 1.78 649-666 1.95 957-974 2.12

359-376 1.79 667-684 1.96 975-993 2.13

377-394 1.80 685-702 1.97 994-1011 2.14

395-412 1.81 703-720 1.98 1012-1029 2.15

413-430 1.82 721-739 1.99 1030-1047 2.16

431-448 1.83 740-757 2.00 1048-1065 2.17

449-466 1.84 758-775 2.01 1066-1083 2.18

467-485 1.85 776-793 2.02 1084-1101 2.19

486-503 1.86 794-811 2.03 1102-1120 2.20

504-521 1.87 812-829 2.04 1121-1138 2.21

 

1

 Moisture-free basis. 

2

 Soy fortified cornmeal prior to calcium enrichment shall not have an ash content exceeding 1.60% on a moisturefree basis. 

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Maximum Ash Allowable Without Discount 

at Specified Calcium Levels 2

522-539 1.88 830-847 2.05 1139-1156 2.22

540-557 1.89 848-866 2.06 1157-1174 2.23

558-575 1.90 867-884 2.07 1175-1192 2.24

576-593 1.91 885-902 2.08 1193-1210 2.25

594-612 1.92 903-920 2.09 1211-1228 2.26

613-630 1.93 921-938 2.10 1229-1247 2.27

631-648 1.94 939-956 2.11

B. Product Enrichment Requirements 

The product shall be blended thoroughly and homogeneously mixed with the 

listed enrichment ingredients in the following proportions: 

Ingredient Minimum Maximum 

Thiamine 2.0 mg/lb 3.0 mg/lb 

Riboflavin 1.2 mg/lb 1.8 mg/lb 

Niacin or niacinamide 16.0 mg/lb 24.0 mg/lb 

Iron 13.0 mg/lb 26.0 mg/lb 

Calcium (in harmless and assimilable 

form) 500 mg/lb 750 mg/lb 

Vitamin A Palmitate 3 10,000 IU/lb --- 

For reduced iron, 325 mesh is to be used as the iron source. Ferrous sulfate is not to 

be used as the iron source in any processed cereal products purchased for export 

assistance programs. 

(1) When used for fortifying soy fortified cornmeal at the level of 10,000 or 

more, the Vitamin A Palmitate preparation shall not contribute any offflavor or odor to the dry mix, or to the cooked products prepared from the 

fortified meal. 

(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 

14.0 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-20066A (August 14, 2002) at 

http://www.ams.usda.gov/fqa/aa20066A.htm for Type III, Class B, 

Granulation c. The cornmeal shall be enriched to contain the following: 

Ingredient Minimum Maximum 

 

3

 Vitamin A Palmitate (stabilized) shall be added in encapsulated form containing 250,000 IU Vitamin A 

Palmitate/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 ant at least 45 percent through a U.S. 

Standard No. 100 sieve. The product shall be not 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 level of 8,800 IU/lb in 

cornmeal or wheat flour having a moisture content in the range of 13.5 to 14.5 percent. 

SFCM3 Page 2 
Thiamine 2.0 mg/lb 3.0 mg/lb 

Riboflavin 1.2 mg/lb 1.8 mg/lb 

Niacin or niacinamide 16.0 mg/lb 24.0 mg/lb 

Iron 13.0 mg/lb 26.0 mg/lb 

Calcium (in harmless and 

assimilable form) 500 mg/lb 750 mg/lb 

(4) 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 the following: 

Ingredient Minimum Maximum 

Thiamine 2.0 mg/lb 2.5 mg/lb 

Riboflavin 1.2 mg/lb 1.5 mg/lb 

Niacin 16.0 mg/lb 20.0 mg/lb 

Iron 13.0 mg/lb 16.5 mg/lb 

(5) The cornmeal or wheat flour shall be fortified with the Vitamin A 

Palmitate preparation to be tested to the level of 10,000 or more, first 

preparing a premix with the cornmeal or flour to contain about 500,000 

IU/lb, blending this thoroughly, then mixing into the balance of the 

cornmeal or flour and blending thoroughly. The fortified cornmeal or 

wheat flour will be stored in an 8 ounce, round glass bottles approximately 

2 1⁄4 x 5 inches tall provided with plastic screw caps having polyvinyl 

liners with pulp packing. Between 110 and 120 grams of fortified 

cornmeal or wheat flour are placed in each bottle, leaving about one inch 

head space, the lids are tightened, and the upper portion of the bottle and 

the complete lid are coated with paraffin by inverting and dipping in a 

bath of melted wax to prevent moisture loss. 

(6) Bottles are stored at 45 ̊ C for 21 days, and assayed for Vitamin A, using 

minimum sample size of 25 grams for each determination. Loss is 

determined by assaying in duplicate three bottles of cornmeal or wheat 

flour before and after storage. 

(7) Analysis of concentrates and of original and stored blends shall be carried 

out by the following method: Carr-Price blue color method, “Methods of 

Vitamin Assay, Association of Vitamin Chemists, Inc.,” Interscience 

Publishers, Inc., New York, (1951). 

(8) A given lot of Vitamin A does not require retesting unless its potency as 

determined by the USP XVII analytical procedure has fallen below the 

manufacturer’s label claim for the product. 

C. Proportions 

The ingredients of the product shall be in the following proportions: 

Ingredients Pounds per 2,000 lb. Batch 

Cornmeal, Degermed 1,700

Soy flour, Defatted (toasted) 300

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D. Ingredient Specifications 

(1) The cornmeal delivered shall be degermed and meet the requirements of 

the latest revisions and amendments for Commercial Item Description AA-20066A (August 14, 2002) at 

http://www.ams.usda.gov/fqa/aa20066A.htm, except chemical and 

physical requirements listed in the previous table, which shall take 

precedence where they are different from those contained in the 

Commercial Item Description. 

(2) The degermed cornmeal shall be Type III, Class B, Granulation c, Color 2. 

In addition to the enrichment ingredients contained in the Commercial 

Item Description, calcium and Vitamin A Palmitate shall be added as 

shown in the previous table. 

(3) The soy four, defatted (toasted) shall be the screened, finely 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. 

SOY FLOUR 

Requirements4

ITEM Min. Max.

Moisture ---- 10.0%

Protein (Nx6.25) 4 50.0% ----

Fat 4 0.6% ----

Fiber 4 ---- 3.5%

Ash 4 ---- 6.5%

Material Through a U.S. Standard 100 

Woven-Wire-Cloth Sieve 

95.0% ----

Nitrogen Solubility, increase in pH 10.0 30.0

Urease activity, increase in pH 0.05 0.15 

Total bacteria count, per gram ---- 50,000

Color Light yellow to golden buff 

Odor Neutral to nutty

Taste Pleasant, neutral to slightly nutty 

Texture A homogeneous flour

Section 1.2 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 

 

4

.Moisture-free basis 

SFCM3 Page 4 
the COA. 

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

contract requirements. 

C. 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. 

Section 1.3 QUALITY DISCOUNTS 

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

but falls within the discounts listed, the product may be delivered to the Government, but 

the purchase price shall be reduced in accordance with the following schedule of 

discounts for each 100 pounds of commodity delivered: 

Soy Fortified Cornmeal Discounts

Excess Moisture Excess Fat

13.1% or 13.2% $0.10 1.6% or 1.7% $0.10 

13.3% or 13.4% $0.20 1.8% or 1.9% $0.20 

13.5% $0.35 2.0% $0.35

Excess Crude Fiber Deficient Protein Percent 

2.1% or 2.2% $0.10 12.9% or 12.8% $0.10 

2.3% or 2.4% $0.20 12.7% or 12.6% $0.20 

2.5% $0.35 12.5% $0.35

Deficient Granulation Through No. 20 Sieve Deficient Granulation Through No. 25 Sieve

98.0% or 97.0% $0.10 90.0% or 89.0% $0.10 

96.0% or 95.0% $0.20 88.0% or 87.0% $0.20 

94.0% or 93.0% $0.35 86.0% or 85.0% $0.35 

Excess Granulation Through No. 80 Sieve Excess Granulation Through No. 45 Sieve

33.0% or 34.0% $0.10 39.0% or 38.0% $0.10 

35.0% or 36.0% $0.20 37.0% or 36.0% $0.20 

37.0% or 38.0% $0.35 35.0% or 34.0% $0.35 

Soy Fortified Cornmeal 

Discounts for Excess Ash, Deficient and Excess Calcium

Excess Ash Percentage

Points Above Max. Deficient Calcium Excess Calcium 

.01 or .02 $0.10 499-440 mg/lb. $0.05 750-1247 mg/lb. $0.0 

.03 or .04 $0.20 439-400 mg/lb. $0.10 

.05 $0.35 399-340 mg/lb. $0.20

Part 2 CONTAINER AND PACKAGING REQUIREMENTS 

Section 2.1 GENERAL

This part provides the container specifications and packaging materials 

requirements used under this contract. 

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Section 2.2 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. 

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. 

Section 2.3 25-KILOGRAM MULTIWALL PAPER BAGS 

A. Twenty-five kilograms of product shall be packed in Pinch Bottom Open 

Mouth (PBOM) style multiwall paper bags. The use of recycled materials is 

not required if performance or food safety is jeopardized. 

B. The bag shall have two inner walls of 50-pound nominal basis weight natural 

kraft paper and an outer third wall of 60-pound nominal basis weight wet 

strength paper in accordance with Uniform Freight Classification, Rule 40, 

Section 10, Tables A and B, as amended. 

C. The bag shall have a inner plastic liner constructed of linear low density 

polyethylene (LLDPE) film. The film liner shall: 

(1) Be a minimum thickness of 2.5 mil. with a density of 0.914 to 0.929 

g/cc and a minimum heat-seal coefficient of 0.60. The film shall have a 

minimum impact resistance of 265g when tested in accordance with 

ASTM D-1709 Method A, as amended, Falling Dart. 

(2) The film liner shall have 8 to 12 micro perforations in each gusset area 

to allow for the evacuation of air from the product after filling and 

sealing. 

(3) Have a sufficient amount of anti-block. It shall be free from any 

SFCM3 Page 6 
blocking at 50o

C and not subject to reblock at 70oC. 

(4) The film liner shall be loose for the full length of the bag except around 

the bottom and top closure areas. At the top and bottom closure areas, 

the liner shall adhere to the inner-most paper ply (time lamination). 

The laminating adhesive shall be machine direction applied in narrow 

strips no longer than 4 inches from each end. The use of gravure 

lamination to bond the liner to the inner-most paper ply for the entire 

length of the bag is prohibited. 

(5) Be adhered to prevent product from getting between the inner film and 

the next outer paper ply. 

(6) Not exceed a maximum average water vapor permeability of 0.65 

grams per 100 square inches in 24 hours at 90 percent relative humidity 

and a temperature of 100o

F plus or minus 5 degrees. 

(7) Be manufactured to meet Food and Drug Administration requirements 

for food products (21 CFR 177.1520, as amended). 

(8) Be heat-sealed at the bottom by the bag manufacturer. The top of the 

liner shall be heat-sealed by the packer once the bag has been filled 

with product. 

D. Longitudinal seams of the outer wall of the bag shall be glued so that there is 

no more than 3/16-inch of unglued edge on the outer surface of the bag. The 

adhesives used in the longitudinal seams and pasted end closures shall be water 

resistant. Water resistant adhesive of outer ply longitudinal seams or pasted 

end closures shall be tested for resistance to water in accordance with TAPPI 

T456 (Wet Tensile Test), except as follows: 

Cut test specimens 1-inch wide so that the longitudinal seam or pasted end 

closure runs perpendicular to and is centered relative to the long dimension of 

the specimen. The test specimen shall encompass all adhesive bonded areas 

included in fabricating the seam or end closure. In the case of multi-ply end 

closures, clamp all plies in the jaws of the tester. Immerse the specimens in not 

less than 1-inch of the distilled water for 24 hours. Run a wet tensile test. A 

test specimen fails the test if failure occurs with the separation of the seam or 

closure and less than 25% of the separated adhesive area shows fiber tear. 

Failure of more than 10% of the specimens shall be reported as failure of the 

adhesive. 

Section 2.4 25-KILOGRAM HIGH PERFORMANCE PACKAGING 

CONSTRUCTIONS 

A. Contractors shall utilize one of the following constructions when the 

solicitation requires the use of high performance packaging: 

(1) Multiwall paper bag constructed of: One (1) ply inner film liner 

guaranteed 2.5 mil. minimum thickness linear low density 

polyethylene, four (4) plies of 50-pound natural multiwall kraft (NMK) 

paper, and one (1) outer ply of 60-pound wet strength natural multiwall 

kraft (WSNMK) paper; or 

SFCM3 Page 7 
(2) Multiwall paper bag constructed of: 3.1 mil. (70 grams per square 

meter) film consisting of two or more layers of co-extruded polyolefin 

film with alternating angles of orientation, laminated together and 

biaxially oriented, two (2) plies of 50-pound NMK paper, and one (1) 

outer ply of 60-pound WSNMK paper. The bag shall be heat-sealed at 

the bottom, by the bag manufacturer. The top of the liner shall be heatsealed by the packer once the bag has been filled with products. 

(3) Both bag constructions shall: 

(a) 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; 

(b) meet the specifications and testing requirements outlined in 

these commodity requirements. 

Section 2.5 OUTER CLOSURE AND SEALS

A. The bottom and top of the 25-kilogram bag shall be closed to provide a tight 

seal using hot-melt or thermoplastic adhesive applied in a single band along the 

top edge of the long side of the bag and extending downward at least 3/4 

inches. The fold line on the manufacturer closure end shall be 1-3/4 inches 

plus or minus 1/4-inch. The fold line on the field closure end shall be 1-5/8 

inches plus or minus 1/4-inch. Refer to section 3.1.L. for bag closure guide 

location bars. 

B. The outer wall of the bag shall be stepped at the bottom and top fold over flap, 

beyond all inner walls, in order to provide a positive seal over the ends of the 

inner walls so that there is no more than 3/16 inches unbonded edge beyond the 

adhesive line. The inner polyethylene film may be heat-sealed. 

Section 2.6 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 (73.4o

F plus or 

minus 1.8o

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 reach 

equilibrium.

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

all other applicable material, construction, and performance 

specifications. 

B. Test Laboratories 

SFCM3 Page 8 
Independent or private laboratories known to be capable of conducting the 

shock machine test described above are as follows: 

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

Section 2.7 SEAL PEEL TEST 

A. The contractor shall perform periodic seal peel tests on the filling end of 

multiwall paper bags to determine whether the paper plies are adequately

adhered. The seal peel test shall be performed at every start up and a minimum 

of every hour during commodity packing operations. The seal peel test shall 

demonstrate tear of paper fiber (fiber tear) for all paper plies. The contractor 

shall maintain records of seal peel test results for review by the Government. 

B. The seal peel test shall be performed as follows: 

(1) Run an empty bag through the sealing unit. 

(2) Cut bag approximately 3 to 8 inches below the seal. 

(3) Cut both gussets along the center crease to the top of the bag end. 

(4) Spread bag to expose poly liner. 

(5) Check inside plastic liner along the closure and gussets to determine 

that the liner is heat-sealed. Pinholes, no larger than 1/8 inch in 

diameter, are allowable in the closure. 

(6) Grip inside fold at center of the bag end. 

(7) Pull apart sides of the bag end at the center, separating seals. (If the 

seal is good, fibers shall completely cover adhesive. If the seal is poor, 

glossy adhesive will show). 

C. The contractor's seal peel test records shall include the following information 

for each test: date, time, employee's name, product, contract number, railcar 

number, and result of the test. The result of the test shall be reported as either 

SFCM3 Page 9 
"good seal" or "poor seal”, “insufficient fiber tear”, as applicable. The 

contractor shall take corrective action if the seal peel test indicates a poor seal 

and shall retest until a good seal is achieved. 

PART 3 MARKING REQUIREMENTS 

Section 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 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 5 inches high and 9 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 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 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 brand name shall be 2 inches in height. The 

tagline “FROM THE AMERICAN PEOPLE” shall be 1⁄2 inch in height, see 

exhibits. The USAID vertical logo is available to download at 

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

F. The USDA logo shall be 4 1⁄2 inches high and 6 1⁄2 inches in total width, see 

exhibits. 

G. 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. 

H. 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. 

SFCM3 Page 10 
I. 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.

J. 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. 

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

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, as 

shown in the applicable exhibits. 

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

The letters USA shall be 3 inches high and printed in both gussets, as shown in 

the applicable exhibits 

M. 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 and B) 

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”. 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. 

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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”. 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. 

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, 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.” 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.” 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.” 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)

SFCM3 Page 12 
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.” 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. 

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

possible, yet legible. 

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 

SFCM3 Page 13 
SFCM3 Page 14 

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. 
SFCM2 

Marking Exhibits 

SOY FORTIFIED

CORNMEAL

SOY FORTIFIE

CORNMEAL
SFCM2 

SOY FORTIFIED

CORNMEAL

SOY FORTIFIE

CORNMEAL
SFCM2 

SOY FORTIFIED

CORNMEAL

SOY FORTIFIE

CORNMEAL
SFCM2 

SOY FORTIFIED

CORNMEAL

SOY FORTIFIE

CORNMEAL
SFCM2 

SOY FORTIFIED

CORNMEAL

SOY FORTIFIE

CORNMEAL
SFCM2 

SOY FORTIFIED

CORNMEAL

SOY FORTIFIE

CORNMEAL
SFCM2 

SOY FORTIFIED

CORNMEAL

SOY FORTIFIE

CORNMEAL
SFCM2 

SOY FORTIFIED

CORNMEAL

SOY FORTIFIE

CORNMEAL
SFCM2 

SOY FORTIFIED

CORNMEAL

SOY FORTIFIE

CORNMEAL
SFCM2 

SOY FORTIFIED

CORNMEAL

SOY FORTIFIE

CORNMEAL
SFCM2 

SOY FORTIFIED

CORNMEAL

SOY FORTIFIE

CORNMEAL
SFCM2 

SOY FORTIFIED

CORNMEAL

SOY FORTIFIE

CORNMEAL
SFCM2 

Exhibit A 

Bag Closure Guide Location

Front of Bag

Pre-applied Hot Melt
SFCM2 

Exhibit B