USDA COMMODITY REQUIREMENTS

ICSB1

INSTANT CORN-SOY BLEND

FOR USE IN EXPORT PROGRAMS

Effective Date: 12/28/2010
USDA COMMODITY REQUIREMENTS

ICSB1

INSTANT CORN-SOY BLEND

FOR USE IN EXPORT PROGRAMS

Part 1 Commodity Specifications ______________________________________________ 3

Table of Contents

Section 1.1 Instant Corn-Soy Blend Commodity Specifications___________________________ 3

Section 1.2 Quality Assurance ___________________________________________________ 10

Part 2 Container and Packaging Requirements _________________________________ 12

Section 2.1 General ____________________________________________________________ 12

Section 2.2 Containers and Materials ______________________________________________ 12

Section 2.3 25-Kilogram Multiwall Paper Bags ______________________________________ 13

Section 2.4 25-Kilogram High Performance Packaging Constructions ____________________ 14

Section 2.5 Outer Closure and Seals _______________________________________________ 14

Section 2.6 Performance Test Procedures ___________________________________________ 15

Part 3 Marking Requirements _______________________________________________ 16

Section 3.3 Empty Bag Dimensions _______________________________________________ 19

Section 3.4 Containers with Incorrect Markings______________________________________ 19

Marking Exhibits _________________________________________________________________ 21
ICSB1 Page 3

Part 1 Commodity Specifications

Section 1.1 Instant Corn-Soy Blend Commodity Specifications

A. Quality of Instant Corn-Soy Blend

(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 term “instant” is only used to describe food that is ready-to-eat, and quickly 

and easily prepared.

B. Finished Product Requirements

(1) Each 100 gram finished product serving size shall have a uniform distribution of 

vitamins and minerals in each serving. This uniformity will be established by 

product testing showing that the product meets the specifications for Vitamin A 

and Iron listed in the table at B(7) below. 

(2) The finished product may be consumed alone or as an ingredient in any number of 

recipes that would otherwise utilize regular cornmeal as a component in the 

finished meal. 

(3) Finished product shall be manufactured to produce a safe, nutritious, fully-cooked 

end item, with a neutral to slightly nutty flavor, light yellow to golden buff color.

(4) Finished product shall contain only degerminated yellow cornmeal, defatted soy 

flour, vegetable oil (as specified) and a vitamin/mineral premix at levels required 

to achieve the specified product characteristics defined in Section 1.1.B(7).

(5) No alternate ingredients, hulls, corn germ or byproducts are permitted in this 

formulation.

(6) Fully cooked shall mean that the finished product shall be sufficiently heat treated 

to deliver a food that is not potentially hazardous.

(7) The product shall be essentially free from foreign material and shall have a good 

characteristic taste and odor, free from rancid, bitter, musty, sour, and other 

undesirable or foreign tastes and odors. The product shall be of small particle size 

suitable for use as a dietary supplement for emergency rations, displaced persons 

assistance, infants and children for serving as a porridge, gruel, or as an extender 

to other foods. It is composed of degerminated yellow cornmeal, defatted soy 

flour (toasted), soybean oil (refined, deodorized, bleached) and a mineral and 

vitamin premix. The finished product shall be manufactured to produce a safe, 
ICSB1 Page 4

nutritious, fully cooked end item with a neutral to slightly nutty flavor, light 

yellow to golden buff in color and meet the following requirements:

INSTANT CORN-SOY BLEND

Item Requirements1

Minimum Maximum

Moisture --- 8.0%

Protein (Nx6.25) 16.7% ---

Fat 2 6.0% ---

Vitamin A 8400 IU/lb 16,000 IU/lb

Iron 14.7 mg/100g 30.0 mg/100g

Crude Fiber --- 2.0%

Material Through a U.S. Standard 

No. 30 Woven-Wire-Cloth Sieve

--- 92.0%

Material Through a U.S. Standard 

No. 60 Woven-Wire-Cloth Sieve

--- 57.0%

Consistency (Bostwick value) 

cooked, 20% gruel, weight/weight as 

is basis 3

9.0 cm 21.0 cm

Total bacteria count per gram --- 10,000

Salmonella, E. Coli and Coagulase Positive Staphylococci shall be 

negative.

Dispersibility – shall be essentially free from lumping or balling 

when mixed with water. 

C. Methods of Analyses

Special tests are included in the specifications given herein.

(1) Consistency (Bostwick value) for cooked product 20.0 percent gruel for instant 

corn-soy blend.

a. Apparatus

(i) 1 - 400 ml. Pyrex beaker

(ii) 1 - stainless steel kitchen fork

(iii) 1 - 30o

C water bath

(iv) 1 - consistometer, Cenco-Bostwick, Central Scientific Stock No. 

24925

b. Method

Place 175 grams of boiling water in the 400 ml. beaker, cover with 

watch glass, and bring to boiling on an electrically heated hot plate with 

surface temperature 600o - 650o

F. Gradually add 23.5 grams of the 

commodity to be tested, while stirring vigorously with the fork. Bring 

to boiling and boil for 2 minutes while stirring vigorously with fork. 

 1 Unless otherwise specified analyses are expressed on a moisture-free basis. For methods of analyses see Section 1.1.C.

2 See Section 1.1.D.

3 Reported to the nearest half of Bostwick unit. 
ICSB1 Page 5

Remove from the hot plate and stir 1/2-minute.

Place the cooked slurry in the 30o

C water bath and hold there for 10 

minutes. Place on the scale and add water lost by evaporation so that 

total slurry weight is now 200 grams. Stir 25 times with the fork. Place 

cooked slurry in the 30o

C water bath and hold there for 1-hour. 

Remove from the bath and pour into the reservoir of the Bostwick 

consistometer until it is filled higher than its top level. Strike off the 

excess with a straight edge. Allow the cooked slurry to rest for 30 

seconds. Trip the release lever of the consistometer and read the 

Bostwick value after exactly 1-minute.

(2) Consistency for ingredient specification cornmeal, processed (gelatinized).

a. Apparatus

(i) 1 - 800 ml. Pyrex beaker

(ii) 1 - wooden-handled spatula with a 5-inch stainless steel blade

(iii) 1 - cylindrical open-bottom container, i.e., a 3-inch long section 

of seamless steel tubing 3.0-inch o.d. and 2.87 inch i.d.

(iv) 1 - glass plate 10 by 10 inches

(v) 1 - paper measuring scale, 10 by 10 inches containing a drawn 

3-inch diameter center circle and concentric circles drawn of 

increasing diameter every one inch. Space between circles is 

divided to indicate each 1/4-inch diameter.

b. Method

Place 400 ml. of water at 25o

C in an 800 ml. glass beaker. Gradually 

add 125 g. of the gelatinized (processed) cornmeal while stirring 

vigorously with a wooden-handled spatula with a 5-inch stainless steel 

blade. Then stir4

4

 gently for 3 minutes using a spatula to smooth any 

lumps that may form. Allow the slurry to stand an additional 2 minutes 

for hydration. Then stir gently for about 10 seconds with the spatula. 

Place a glass plate over a paper measuring scale and center the 

cylindrical container over the scale. Transfer the slurry to the retaining 

cup which is resting in the vertical position on the flat glass plate. 

Transfer the slurry until the cup is filled higher than its top level. Strike 

off the excess with a straight edge. Allow the slurry to rest for 30 

seconds. Then remove the cup from the glass plate with a vertical pull, 

avoiding lateral motion. Allow the cup to drain onto the patty for 10 

seconds. After waiting 1-minute for the size of the patty to reach 

equilibrium, read its diameter to the nearest 1/8-inch, as shown on the 

scaled sheet of paper underneath the glass.

(3) Test Result Precision

 4 Mixing may be done using a Hobart Model N-50, slow speed; or equipment giving equivalent results. 
ICSB1 Page 6

Report all percentages on a weight basis. Results for moisture, protein (N x 6.25), 

fat, crude fiber and particle size shall be reported to the nearest 0.1 percent. 

Bostwick consistency measurements shall be reported to the nearest 0.5 cm. Test 

results for iron shall be reported to the nearest 0.1 mg/100 g product. Vitamin A 

palmitate shall be to the whole number per pound of product. Aerobic plate count 

shall be reported to two (2) significant digits. Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase 

positive, E. coli, and salmonella should be reported as ‘negative’ (or ‘positive’) to 

test’. Calcium and salt, if added as separate ingredients, shall be reported to the 

nearest 1 mg/100 g product.

(4) Performance

For each 100 gram serving size, there shall be a uniform distribution of vitamins 

and minerals in each serving. Instant CSB shall be manufactured to produce a 

safe, nutritious, fully-cooked end item, and shall be manufactured and 

nutritionally labeled in accordance with all applicable Food and Drug 

Administration regulations. 

D. Manufacturers Requirements 

Instant Corn-soy blend shall contain only degerminated yellow cornmeal, defatted, 

toasted soy flour, stabilized vegetable oil and vitamin and mineral premixes at levels 

required to achieve the specified product characteristics defined in Section 1.1.B(7) and 

shall be a fully cooked end item produced in accordance with good manufacturing 

practices. 

(1) No alternate ingredients, hulls, byproducts or corn germ shall be permitted in this 

formulation.

(2) Proportions

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

Ingredients Pounds per 2,000-lb. Batch

Cornmeal, processed gelatinized 1,391

Soy flour, defatted (toasted) 437

Minerals 60

Vitamin Antioxidant Premix 2

Soybean oil, refined, deodorized, stabilized5 110

(3) Ingredient Specifications

a Cornmeal, Processed (Gelatinized)

(i) Material and Processing

The cornmeal processed (gelatinized) shall be prepared from 

shelled yellow corn that has been dehulled and degermed. The 

 5 The stabilized oil may be added to the mix in order to obtain the required minimum fat level of 6.0 percent in the blend.

Any combination of footnotes may be used to obtain desired result.
ICSB1 Page 7

corn used shall be clean, sound, and essentially free from other 

grains, weed seeds, and other foreign material. It shall be free 

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

tastes and odors. The processed cornmeal shall be produced 

from yellow corn, as defined in the "Official United States 

Standards for Grain," found at 

http://www.gipsa.usda.gov/GIPSA/webapp?area=home&subject=grpi&topic=sq-ous,

in effect at the time the applicable solicitation for offers is 

issued, using the conventional corn dry-milling process.

The item shall be fully cooked and processed in a way that yields a 

product meeting all the finished processed instant corn-soy blend criteria. 

No alternate ingredients, byproducts or corn germ shall be permitted in 

this formulation.

b Analysis

The cornmeal, processed (gelatinized) shall conform with the following 

detailed requirements:

CORNMEAL

ITEM Requirements 6

Min. Max.

Moisture --- 11.0%

Ash 7 --- 1.25%

Material Through a U.S. Standard No. 60 

Woven-Wire-Cloth Sieve --- 35.0%

Consistency (inches) 4.5 8.5

Total bacteria count, per gram --- 10,000

(4) Soy Flour, Defatted (Toasted)

a. Material and Processing

Soy flour, 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.

b. Analysis

The soy flour, defatted (toasted) shall conform to the following detailed 

requirements:

 6 For methods of analyses see Section 1.1.B.

7 Moisture-free basis.
ICSB1 Page 8

SOY FLOUR

ITEM Requirements8

Min. Max.

Moisture --- 10.0%

Protein (Nx6.25) 9 50.0% ---

Fat 9 10 --- 1.0

Crude Fiber 9 --- 3.5%

Ash 9 --- 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 --- 10,000

Color Light yellow to golden buff

Odor Neutral to nutty

Taste Pleasant, neutral to slightly nutty

Texture A homogeneous flour

(5) Soybean Oil

a. Soy oil, refined, deodorized, and stabilized, shall contain 0.005 percent 

citric acid added on the cooling side of deodorization. The soy oil shall

comply with the requirements of the latest revisions and amendments 

for Commercial Item Description A-A-20091D (May 7, 2002), 

http://www.ams.usda.gov/fqa/aa20091d.htm; type IV not winterized 

salad oil.11

b. Antioxidant may be added to either the soy oil or to the vitamin 

antioxidant premix, but it shall not be added to both. 

 8 For methods of analysis see Section 1.1.B.

9 Moisture-free basis.

10 See Section 1.1.D.

11 Analytical Data for type IV Salad Oil in Commercial Item Description A-A-20091D as follows:

• Stability, active oxygen method (AOM), PV not greater than 100 meg/kg (hours) maximum: 15 hours
ICSB1 Page 9

(6) Mineral Premix

a The minerals and vitamin premix shall not be combined and shall be 

added to the formulation separately.

The mineral premix shall contain the micronutrients listed in this Section, 

at the stated levels, and mineral premix identified as Option 1 shall be 

added to corn-soy uniformly blend at the rate of sixty (60) pounds per 

2,000 pound batch of finished product in a manner that produces a 

finished product with a uniform distribution of minerals in each 100g 

serving size The weight of other mineral premix options vary and any 

deviation in weight from 60 pounds shall be added or subtracted, as 

appropriate, from the total final product batch weight.

Weight of Minerals per 60 pounds of Premix 

Option

1

Option 

2

Optio

n3

Option 

4

Option 

5

Option 

6

Option 

7

Option 

8

lbs lbs lbs lbs lbs lbs lbs Lbs 

Calcium Phosphate, 

Tribasic 

40.00 26.00 18.00 18.00

Calcium Carbonate 36.00 36.00 12.00 12.00 10.00 10.00

Sodium Phosphate, 

Monobasic 

32.00 16.00

Calcium Phosphate, 

Dibasic 

12.00 44.00

Potassium Phosphate, 

Monobasic 

32.00 16.00

Calcium Phosphate, 

Dibasic, Anhydrous 

34.00

Zinc Sulfate, 

Monohydrate 1

0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25

Ferrous Fumarate, 

FCC Grade, Purified

0.92 0.92 0.92 0.92 0.92 0.92 0.92 0.92

Magnesium Oxide 

(MgO)

2.75 2.75 2.75 2.75 2.75 2.75 2.75 2.75

Iodized Salt (0.007% 

I2)

16.25 16.25 16.25 16.25 16.25 16.25 16.25 16.25

Mineral Premix Total 

Weight, lbs

60.17 88.17 88.17 58.17 66.17 66.17 64.17 74.17

1 Zinc sulfate heptahydrate (0.4 lbs) may be used as an alternative to 0.25 lbs zinc 

sulfate monohydrate.

b If calcium and phosphorus ingredients and/or salt are added independently 

from a mineral premix, verification of the correct addition level must be 

documented, by assay, on the Certificate of Analysis.
ICSB1 Page 10

(7) Vitamin Antioxidant Premix

a The vitamin premix shall contain the micronutrients listed in this Section, 

at the stated levels, and shall be added to corn-soy blend at a balanced, 

uniform rate of two (2) pounds per 2,000 pound batch in a manner that 

assures a uniform distribution of vitamins in each 100g serving size of 

finished product. 

Weight of Vitamins per 2 Pounds of Premix

Vitamins Grams

Thiamine mononitrate 2.5

Riboflavin 3.5

Niacin 45.0

Folic Acid 1.8

Pyridoxine hydrochloride 1.5

Calcium D-pantothenate 25.0

Vitamin B12 0.012

Ascorbic Acid (Stabilized, ethyl cellulose coated) 1 364

 FDA Approved Antioxidant

If antioxidant is added in soy oil, omit from this premix 

40.0

IU 

Vitamin A-Palmitate (Stabilized) 21,000,000

Vitamin D (Stabilized) 1,800,000

Alpha tocopherol acetate 68,000

Carrier 2 As Required to reach total 

weight of 2 lbs.

Lbs

Vitamin Premix, Total 2.0 

1 Ascorbic acid (stabilized), ethyl cellulose (coated). Ascorbic acid content shall 

be not less than 364 g.

2 Soy flour, defatted (toasted) to reach total weight.

Vitamin A stability testing shall be completed by the manufacturer or supplier 

of the vitamin premix. Manufacturers shall maintain documentation of such 

test results as required by the contract terms.

Section 1.2 Quality Assurance

A. This contract provides for Government quality assurance at source. The Government shall 

sample, inspect, and test the product offered in performance of the contract. The Government 

shall pay for the sampling and testing. 

1. Sampling and testing will be performed by employees of the Department of Agriculture or 

contractor personnel under the direction or supervision of Government personnel. The results 

of Government testing shall be issued on an official Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) 

Commodity Inspection Certificate. A FGIS Commodity Inspection Certificate is required for 
ICSB1 Page 11

invoice payment pursuant to the Invoicing Requirements clause of the contract.

2. Contractors shall provide advance notification to the appropriate FGIS field office of the 

scheduled production for all lots provided under the contract. The advance notification shall 

be sent between two and seven workdays, inclusive, prior to the start of production. 

3. Pursuant to contact clause 52.246-2, Inspection of SuppliesFixed Price, Subparagraph 

(e)(1), if the supplies are not ready for inspection at the time specified by the contractor, the 

contracting officer may charge the contractor the additional cost of inspection and/or test. 

4. The Government will test the finished product for the following specifications: Vitamin A, 

Iron, Sieving, Moisture, Protein, Fat, Crude Fiber, consistency (Bostwick value uncooked) 

and consistency (Bostwick value cooked)

5. The Government will test the finished product for microbiological contaminants including: 

Salmonella, Staphylococcus, and E. coli.

6. The Government will test the finished product for the following mycotoxin: Aflatoxin

7. The Government will determine the average net weight of the filled containers in each 

production lot and the net weight of the total lot in accordance with established FGIS 

procedures for packaged commodities. 

8. The Government will verify that the packaged commodity meets the U.S. Standards for the 

Condition of Food Containers. 

9. Sampling will be conducted pursuant to the FGIS Processed Commodities Handbook and 

at the rates provided for dry corn and soybeans in Handbook Section 2.3, Table No. 2. See 

Subparagraph B below for lot size restriction. 

10. FGIS will use the following test methods:

Vitamin A GIPSA WI: Vita3r01 Determination of Vitamin A as Retinyl 

Palmitate in Processed-Grain Commodities

Iron GIPSA WI: Determination of Iron in Cereal Grains and Seed 

Oils by Flame AA

Sieving GIPSA Method

Moisture AOAC 925.10

Protein AOAC 992.23

Fat AOCS Am 5-04

Crude Fiber AOCS Ba 6a-05

Consistency 

(Bostwick value 

cooked)

Part 1, Section 1.1.B of CRD CSB13

Microbiological 

contaminants Standard Plate Count
ICSB1 Page 12

Salmonella Compendium of Methods for the Microbiological Examination 

of Foods, 4th Edition 2001

Staphylococcus AOAC 2003.07

E. coli AOAC 991.14

Aflatoxin AOAC 991.31

Note: Any AOAC or AOCS testing method shall be as prescribed in the latest edition of the 

AOACs Official Methods of Analysis and AOCS Official Methods and Recommended 

Practices, respectively, in effect at the time of testing. The GIPSA Work Instructions for 

Vitamin A, Iron and Sieving are accessible at the following URL: 

http://www.gipsa.usda.gov/GIPSA/webapp?area=home&subject=grpi&topic=iws-gqt.

11. Quality discounts as provided in Subsection 1.4 shall be applicable and assessed based on 

the results of the Governments testing. The Governments test results, subject to FGIS re-test 

and appeal process at 7 CFR 868, shall be final. 

12. Any re-test or appeal requested by a contractor shall be at the contractors expense. The 

contractor shall submit requests for re-test or appeal in writing to both the Contracting 

Officers Technical Representative and the Contracting Officer listed on the contract award

notification by e-mail or otherwise in writing. 

13. Contractor shall provide the results of any re-test or appeal to the Contracting Officer.

14. All test results outside of the specification ranges or discount ranges will constitute nonconforming product.

15. Aflatoxin that exceeds 20 p.p.b. will result in rejection of the lot.

B. The maximum lot size shall be no more than the quantity contained in one railcar.

Part 2 Container and Packaging Requirements

Section 2.1 General

This part provides the container specifications and packaging materials requirements used under this 

contract. 

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. 
ICSB1 Page 13

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

USDA/FSA/DACO 

Room 5755 – South Bldg, STOP 0553

1400 Independence Avenue SW 

Washington, DC 20250-0553

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 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 
ICSB1 Page 14

100oF 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 

(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 heat-sealed 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 
ICSB1 Page 15

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 

1.8oF) 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.

Independent or private laboratories known to be capable of conducting the shock machine 

test described above are as follows: 

Review Test Laboratories

(1) Michigan State University 

School of Packaging 

East Lansing, MI 48824-1223 

(517) 355-9580 

(2) PIRA International

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

1287 Reamwood 

Sunnyvale, CA 94089 

(408) 734-9724 

And:

PIRA International

6539 Westland Way, Suite 24

Lansing, MI 48917 

(517) 322-2400

http://www.pirainternational.com/Home.aspx
ICSB1 Page 16

(3) Rutgers University Center for Engineering

617 Brett Road

Piscataway, NJ 08854 

(732) 445-3224

http://catalogs.rutgers.edu/generated/nbgrad_0507/pg24361.html

(4) Ten-E Packaging Services, 

Inc. 

1666 County Road 74 

Newport, MN 55055 

(651) 459-0671 

www.ten-e.com 

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, brandname, and tagline, shall be printed 

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

and 9 3/8 inches in total width. The USAID logo shall be 4 1/4 inches 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/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 online printing on filled bags.
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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, as 

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

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

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

3/8 inch high.

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

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

gussets.

M. Bag Closure Guide Location Bars (BCGL) shall be printed on the front panel of all multiwall paper bags, as shown in the exhibits. The BCGL bars shall be plainly visible, 

approximately one inch in length, printed in blue in two parallel rows evenly spaced over 

the entire width of the bag. The BCGL bars are to be used as visual quality control 

verification. Visually identifying two bars or no bars on the bag would indicate a bag 

closure failure. Visually identifying one bar would indicate a proper bag closure. 

(Exhibits A & B)

Section 3.2 Markings 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:

USAID – Distribution

Standard Marking Requirement #1 (SMR-1)

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

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

exhibit SMR-1, front.

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

FAS - Distribution

Standard Marking Requirement #2 (SMR-2)

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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USAID – Monetization 

Standard Marking Requirement #3 (SMR-3)

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.

FAS or USAID - Monetization 

Standard Marking Requirement #4 (SMR-4)

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.

USAID – Distribution for North Korea

Language Marking Requirement #1 (LMR-1)

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 “LMR-1” only. 

See exhibit LMR-1, back.

USAID – Distribution for Afghanistan, with Pashtu and Dari

Language Marking Requirement #2 (LMR-2)

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.

USAID – Distribution for South Africa Region

Language Marking Requirement #3 (LMR-3)

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.

USAID – Distribution for Iraq with Arabic

Language Marking Requirement #4 (LMR-4)

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)
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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.

FAS – Distribution for Afghanistan, with Pashtu and Dari

Language Marking Requirement #6 (LMR-6)

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.

FAS – Distribution for South Africa Region

Language Marking Requirement #7 (LMR-7)

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.

FAS – Distribution for Iraq with Arabic

Language Marking Requirement #8 (LMR-8)

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 
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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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Marking Exhibits
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Exhibit A

Bag Closure Guide Location

Front of Bag

Pre-applied Hot Melt
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Exhibit B