USDA COMMODITY REQUIREMENTS 

BWSF13 

BULGUR / SOY FORTIFIED BULGUR 

FOR USE IN EXPORT PROGRAMS 

Effective Date: 03/28/2008 
USDA COMMODITIY REQUIREMENTS 

BWSF13 

BULGUR / SOY FORTIFIED BULGUR 

FOR USE IN EXPORT PROGRAMS 

Table of Contents

Part 1 COMMODITY SPECIFICATIONS ______________________________________ 1

Section 1.1 BULGUR REQUIREMENTS __________________________________________ 1

Section 1.2 SOY-FORTIFIED BULGUR REQUIREMENTS _________________________ 3

Section 1.3 SOY-FORTIFIED BULGUR, CRACKED REQUIREMENTS ______________ 5

Section 1.4 SOY GRITS, DEFATTED (TOASTED) OR EXPELLER___________________ 6

Section 1.5 QUALITY ASSURANCE _____________________________________________ 7

Section 1.6 QUALITY DISCOUNTS ______________________________________________ 7

Part 2 CONTAINER AND PACKAGING REQUIREMENTS_______________________ 9

Section 2.1 GENERAL _________________________________________________________ 9

Section 2.2 CONTAINERS AND MATERIALS_____________________________________ 9

Section 2.3 50-KILOGRAM WOVEN POLYPROPYLENE BAGS____________________ 10

Section 2.4 SEWING OF BAG SEAMS___________________________________________ 11

Section 2.5 PERFORMANCE TEST PROCEDURES_______________________________ 11

Section 2.6 TEST FREQUENCY ________________________________________________ 12

Part 3 MARKING REQUIREMENTS_________________________________________ 13

Section 3.1 MARKINGS _______________________________________________________ 13

Section 3.2 MARKING DESCRIPTIONS_________________________________________ 14

Section 3.3 EMPTY BAG DIMENSIONS _________________________________________ 16

Section 3.4 CONTAINERS WITH INCORRECT MARKINGS ______________________ 16

Exhibit A _______________________________________________________________________ 17

Exhibits SMR-1 through SMR4 and LMR1 through LMR8 _____________________________ 18
Part 1 COMMODITY SPECIFICATIONS 

Section 1.1 BULGUR REQUIREMENTS 

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

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

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

The grain standards are available at: 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chemical and Physical Requirements1

Bulgur 

Item Requirements

Minimum Maximum 

Moisture --- 11.5% 

Protein (Nx5.7) 2 9.3% --- 

Crude Fiber 2 --- 2.3% 

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

Material except other grains 3 --- 0.10% 

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

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

Whole processed kernels remaining on No. 8 

woven-wire-cloth sieve 

--- 4.0% 

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

8 woven-wire-cloth sieve 

80.0% --- 

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

14 woven-wire-cloth sieve 

--- 18.0% 

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

30 woven-wire-cloth sieve 

--- 0.9% 

 

1

 All percentages are on the basis of weight. 

2

 These limiting values are on a moisture-free basis. 

3

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

before inclusion in the hull fraction. 

BWSF13 Page 1 
Bulgur4

Calcium 

Mg/lb. 

Max. Ash 

Percent 

Calcium 

Mg/lb. 

Max. Ash 

Percent 

Calcium 

Mg/lb. 

Max. Ash 

Percent 

340-358 2.18 649-666 2.35 957-974 2.52 

359-376 2.19 667-684 2.36 975-993 2.53 

377-394 2.20 685-702 2.37 994-1011 2.54 

395-412 2.21 703-720 2.38 1012-1029 2.55 

413-430 2.22 721-739 2.39 1030-1047 2.56 

431-448 2.23 740-757 2.40 1048-1065 2.57 

449-466 2.24 758-775 2.41 1066-1083 2.58 

467-485 2.25 776-793 2.42 1084-1101 2.59 

486-503 2.26 794-811 2.43 1102-1120 2.60 

504-521 2.27 812-829 2.44 1121-1138 2.61 

522-539 2.28 830-847 2.45 1139-1156 2.62 

540-557 2.29 848-866 2.46 1157-1174 2.63 

558-575 2.30 867-884 2.47 1175-1192 2.64 

576-593 2.31 885-902 2.48 1193-1210 2.65 

594-612 2.32 903-920 2.49 1211-1228 2.66 

613-630 2.33 921-938 2.50 1229-1247 2.67 

631-648 2.34 939-956 2.51 

D. Product Enrichment Requirements 

The product must be blended thoroughly and homogeneously mixed with calcium 

and other listed enrichment ingredients (1/2 oz./cwt. feed rate) in the following 

proportions. 

Bulgur 

Requirements 

Item 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

Vitamin A-Palmitate 5 8,800 IU/lb --- 

Calcium (in harmless and assimilable form) 500 mg/lb 750 mg/lb 

Iron (reduced iron, 325 mesh, to be used in the 

iron source) 6 13.0 mg/lb 26.0 mg/lb

 

4

 Bulgur, prior to calcium enrichment, may not have an ash content exceeding 2.00 percent on a moisture-free basis. 5

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

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

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

the USP assay procedure. The Vitamin A-Palmitate shall have storage stability such that not more than 20 percent 

of its original activity will be lost when stored for 21 days at 45° C in a sealed container at a target level of 11,000 

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

6

 Ferrous sulfate is not to be used as the iron source in any processed cereal products purchased for export assistance 

programs. 

BWSF13 Page 2 
E. Flavor Stability 

When used for fortifying bulgur at the level of 8,800 IU per pound, the Vitamin A 

Palmitate preparation shall contribute no off-flavor or odor to the dry mix, or to 

the prepared cooked products. 

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

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

to 14.5 percent to assure stability of the vitamin. 

(2) 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. The cornmeal will be 

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

enriched to contain: 2.0 to 3.0 mg thiamine per pound; 1.2 to 1.8 mg

riboflavin per pound; 16.0 to 24.0 mg niacin or niacinamide per 

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

pound. 

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

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

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

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

Section 1.2 SOY-FORTIFIED BULGUR REQUIREMENTS 

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

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

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

The grain standards are available at: 

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

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

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

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

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

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

proportions. 

Ingredients Pounds per 2,000 lb Batch 

Bulgur, cracked 1,700 

Soy grits, defatted (toasted) or expeller 300 

Total 2,000

 

BWSF13 Page 3
(1) The soy-fortified bulgur when cooked by mixing one part by volume of 

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

and boiling gently for 15 minutes, shall be distinctly particulate 

(individual particles which adhere together to some extent after cooking 

but will not disintegrate or otherwise lose their identity) but tender and 

palatable. It must not be ropy or gluey. 

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

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

odors. 

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

Chemical And Physical Requirements7

Soy-Fortified Bulgur 

Requirements 

Item Minimum Maximum 

Moisture --- 11.5% 

Protein (Nx5.7) 8 17.3% --- 

Crude Fat 8 --- 2.6% 

Crude Fiber 8 --- 2.6% 

Total Bacteria Count --- 50,000gm 

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

Materials other than cereal grains or soy grits 9 --- 0.10% 

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

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

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

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

woven-wire-cloth sieve 

81.0% --- 

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

14 woven-wire-cloth sieve 

--- 23.0% 

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

30 woven-wire-cloth sieve 

--- 1.2% 

Soy-Fortified Bulgur 10

Calcium 

Mg/lb. 

Max. Ash 

Percent 

Calcium 

Mg/lb. 

Max. Ash 

Percent 

Calcium 

Mg/lb. 

Max. Ash 

Percent 

340-358 2.98 649-666 3.15 957-974 3.32 

 

7

 All percentages are on the basis of weight. 

8

 These limiting values are on a moisture-free basis. 

9

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

before inclusion in the hull fraction. 

10 Soy-fortified bulgur, prior to calcium enrichment, must not have an ash content exceeding 2.80 percent on a 

moisture-free basis. 

BWSF13 Page 4 
359-376 2.99 667-684 3.16 975-993 3.33 

377-394 3.00 685-702 3.17 994-1011 3.34 

395-412 3.01 703-720 3.18 1012-1029 3.35 

413-430 3.02 721-739 3.19 1030-1047 3.36 

431-448 3.03 740-757 3.20 1048-1065 3.37 

449-466 3.04 758-775 3.21 1066-1083 3.38 

467-485 3.05 776-793 3.22 1084-1101 3.39 

486-503 3.06 794-811 3.23 1102-1120 3.40 

504-521 3.07 812-829 3.24 1121-1138 3.41 

522-539 3.08 830-847 3.25 1139-1156 3.42 

540-557 3.09 848-866 3.26 1157-1174 3.43 

558-575 3.10 867-884 3.27 1175-1192 3.44 

576-593 3.11 885-902 3.28 1193-1210 3.45 

594-612 3.12 903-920 3.29 1211-1228 3.46 

613-630 3.13 921-938 3.30 1229-1247 3.47 

631-648 3.14 939-956 3.31 

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

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

Section 1.3 SOY-FORTIFIED BULGUR, CRACKED REQUIREMENTS 

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

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

classes. The grain standards are available at: 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chemical And Physical Requirements11

Soy-Fortified Bulgur, Cracked 

Requirements 

Item Minimum Maximum 

Moisture --- 11.5% 

Protein (Nx5.7) 12 10.5% --- 

Crude Fiber --- 2.0% 

 

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

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

BWSF13 Page 5 
Ash --- 1.8% 

Foreign Material: Total --- 0.20% 

Material: Other than Cereal Grains --- 0.05% 

Material except other grains 13 --- 0.10% 

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

Ungelantized particles (whole and/or pieces of 

kernels) 

--- 1.0% 

Whole processed kernels remaining on No. 8 

woven-wire-cloth sieve 

--- 4.0% 

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

8 woven-wire-cloth sieve 

80.0% --- 

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

14 woven-wire-cloth sieve 

--- 23.0% 

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

30 woven-wire-cloth sieve 

--- 0.9% 

Section 1.4 SOY GRITS, DEFATTED (TOASTED) OR EXPELLER 

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

obtained from selected soybeans by cleaning, cracking, dehulling, tempering, 

flaking, defatting with hexane, desolventizing, deodorizing, toasting (full cook 

with color change to light yellow or golden buff), and cooling. 

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

selected soybeans by cleaning, cracking, dehulling, heating, and expeller change 

to golden buff or tan, and cooling. The product shall conform to the requirements 

in the table below. 

Chemical and Physical Requirements14

Soy Grits, Defatted (Toasted) Or Expeller 

Requirements 

Item Minimum Maximum 

Moisture --- 12.0% 

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

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

Crude Fat, expeller grits 5.0% 6.5% 

Ash --- 7.0% 

Crude Fiber --- 3.5% 

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

8 woven-wire-cloth sieve 

90.0% --- 

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

14 woven-wire-cloth sieve 

--- 75.0% 

 

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

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

BWSF13 Page 6 
Material that will pass through a U.S. Standard No. 

30 woven-wire-cloth sieve 

--- 5.0%

Nitrogen Solubility Index 10.0% 30.0% 

Urease activity increase in pH 0.05% --- 

Total bacteria count --- 50,000gm

Color, defatted, toasted 

grits 

Light yellow to golden 

Color, expeller grits Golden to tan 

Texture Reasonably uniform grit

Odor Neutral to nutty

Taste Pleasant, neutral to slightly nutty 

Section 1.5 QUALITY ASSURANCE 

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

that the product meets the commodity specifications. The results shall be

evidenced by a Certificate of Analysis (COA). Copies of the original COA 

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

results of all tests specified. If quality discounts are provided in the contract, 

and the product to be delivered by the contractor falls within the quality 

discount table, those factors shall be identified by an asterisk on the copies of 

the COA. 

B. 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 1.6 QUALITY DISCOUNTS 

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

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

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

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

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

rejected. 

Bulgur 

Deficient Protein Excess Whole Kernels Remaining on a 

No. 8 Sieve 

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

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

8.8% $0.35 4.9% or 5.0% $0.35

Excess Ungelantinized Particles Excess Material other than Cereal 

BWSF13 Page 7
Grains 

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

1.5% thru 1.8% $0.20

1.9% or 2.0% $0.35

Excess Ash Percentage Points above 

Maximum 

Excess Other Grains Except Wheat 

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

.03% or .04% $0.20

.05% $0.35

Excess Moisture Excess Crude Fiber 

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

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

12.0% $0.35 2.8% $0.35

Excess Granulation Through a No. 

14 Sieve 

Excess Scorched Particles

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

23.0% thru 26.0% $0.20

27.0% or 28.0% $0.35

Deficient Granulation Through a No. 

8 Sieve

Deficient Calcium 

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

439 – 400 mg/lb $0.10

399 – 340 mg/lb $0.20

Deficient Granulation Through a No. 

30 Sieve

Excess Calcium 

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

1.6%thru 2.5% $0.20

2.6% thru 3.0% $0.35

Soy-Fortified Bulgur 

Deficient Protein Excess Whole Kernels Remaining on a 

No. 8 Sieve 

17.2% or 17.1% $0.10 3.6% thru 4.0% $0.10

17.0% or 16.9% $0.20 4.1% thru 4.5% $0.20

16.8% $0.35 4.6% or 5.0% $0.35

Excess Ungelantinized Particles Excess Material other than Cereal 

Grains and Soy Grits 

1.0% or 1.1% $0.10 0.11% thru 0.20% $0.25

1.2% or 1.3% $0.20

1.4% $0.35

Excess Ash Percentage Points above 

Maximum 

Excess Other Grains Except Wheat and 

Soy Grits – Percent 

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

.03% or .04% $0.20

.05% $0.35

Excess Moisture Excess Crude Fiber 

11.6% or 11.7% $0.10 2.7% or 2.8% $0.10

11.8% or 11.9% $0.20 2.9% thru 3.0% $0.20

12.0% $0.35 3.1% $0.35

BWSF13 Page 8
Excess Granulation Through a No. 14 

Sieve 

Excess Crude Fat 

24.0% thru 26.0% $0.10 2.7% or 2.8% $0.10

27.0% thru 29.0% $0.20 2.9% or 3.0% $0.20

30.0% or 32.0% $0.35 3.1% $0.35

Deficient Granulation Through a No. 8 

Sieve

Deficient Calcium 

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

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

776.0% $0.35

Deficient Granulation Through a No. 

30 Sieve

Excess Calcium 

1.3% thru 1.8% $0.10 750 – 1247 mg/lb $0.0 

1.9% thru 2.5% $0.20 Excess Scorched Particles

0.21% thru 0.30% $0.25

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. 

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. 

BWSF13 Page 9
D. In addition, all containers and packaging materials shall be constructed to comply 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

846, as revised. 

Section 2.3 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 must be in place for review by the Government's audit personnel.

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

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

foot, when tested in accordance with ASTM Test Method D737, as amended. 

D. The fabric shall be finished by coating or other suitable method to prevent 

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

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

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

impaired. 

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

200 hours of exposure in a weatherometer, when tested in accordance with Test 

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

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

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

Test), as amended. 

F. Bags may be flat tube or gusseted. 

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

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

BWSF13 Page 10
rate required for product stability and fumigation, as well as filling efficiency. 

Section 2.4 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. 

Section 2.5 PERFORMANCE TEST PROCEDURES 

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

impact resistance. 

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

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

of 195 inches per second using a shock duration of .002 seconds without 

loss of product. 

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

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

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

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

equilibrium.

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

other applicable material, construction, and performance specifications. 

B. Test Laboratories 

The contractor may use any independent or private laboratory that is capable of 

conducting the performance test for impact resistance described in Section 2.5. 

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

independent or private laboratories that have such capability: 

BWSF13 Page 11
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 2.6 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. 

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. 

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Part 3 MARKING REQUIREMENTS 

Section 3.1 MARKINGS 

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

markings not shown on the exhibits shall be printed in blue. When printed on the 

bag, the colors blue and red shall match the Pantone Matching System (PMS) 

chart numbers 280 and 200, respectively, to the extent practicable. 

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

be in normal block print. 

C. The US Flag shall be 7 inches high and 12 3/4 inches in total width on the front 

and back of the applicable bag, see exhibits. 

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

70% scaling and -70 tracking or equivalent to match the style as shown in the 

exhibits. The letters USA shall be 6 1/2 inches high and 12 1/2 inches in total 

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

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

edge. 

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

printed in the same style as shown in the markings exhibits, sized approximately 7 

1/2 inches high and 9 3/8 inches in total width. The USAID logo shall be 4 1/4 

inches in diameter. The USAID brandname shall be 2 inches in height. The 

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

USAID vertical identity is available to download at 

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

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

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

exhibits. 

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

exhibits. The language marking for LMR-2 and LMR-6 should be sized to fit as 

shown in the exhibits. 

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

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

Section 3.2 MARKING DESCRIPTIONS 

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

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

business days after the date of the contract. 

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

Standard Marking Requirement #1 (SMR-1)

USAID – Distribution 

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

EXCHANGED,” USAID logo, contract number, net weight, dimensions, “SMR1,” and use no hooks symbol. See exhibit SMR-1, front. 

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

Standard Marking Requirement #2 (SMR-2)

FAS - Distribution 

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

OR EXCHANGED," USDA logo, contract number, net weight, dimensions, 

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

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

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 

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

Back: US Flag, the commodity name, North Korean language panel, and “LMR1” only. See exhibit LMR-1, back. 

Language Marking Requirement #2 (LMR-2)

USAID – Distribution for Afghanistan, with Pashtu and Dari 

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

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

“LMR-2" and use no hooks symbol. See exhibit LMR-2, front. 

Back: US Flag, the commodity name, Pashtu and Dari language panel, and 

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

Language Marking Requirement #3 (LMR-3)

USAID – Distribution for South Africa Region

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

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

“LMR-3" and use no hooks symbol. See exhibit LMR-3, front. 

Back: US Flag, the commodity name, English language panel, and “LMR-3” 

only. See exhibit LMR-3, back. 

Language Marking Requirement #4 (LMR-4)

USAID – Distribution for Iraq with Arabic 

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

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

“LMR-4" and use no hooks symbol. See exhibit LMR-4, front. 

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

See exhibit LMR-4, back. 

Language Marking Requirement #5 (LMR-5)

FAS – Distribution for North Korea 

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

OR EXCHANGED,” USDA logo, contract number, net weight, dimensions, and 

“LMR-5" and use no hooks symbol. See exhibit LMR-5, front. 

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

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

Language Marking Requirement #6 (LMR-6)

FAS – Distribution for Afghanistan, with Pashtu and Dari 

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

OR EXCHANGED,” USDA logo, contract number, net weight, dimensions, and 

“LMR-6" and use no hooks symbol. See exhibit LMR-6, front. 

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

and “LMR-6” only. See exhibit LMR-6, back. 

Language Marking Requirement #7 (LMR-7)

FAS – Distribution for South Africa Region 

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

OR EXCHANGED,” USDA logo, contract number, net weight, dimensions, and 

“LMR-7" and use no hooks symbol. See exhibit LMR-7, front. 

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

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

 

Language Marking Requirement #8 (LMR-8)

FAS – Distribution for Iraq with Arabic 

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

OR EXCHANGED,” USDA logo, contract number, net weight, dimensions, and 

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

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

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

Section 3.3 EMPTY BAG DIMENSIONS 

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

Gusseted Bags Face Width X Gusseted Width X Finished Length 

Flat Tube Bags Face Width X Finished Length 

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

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

the contractor, unless otherwise specified by the contracting officer. 

Section 3.4 CONTAINERS WITH INCORRECT MARKINGS 

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

referred to as "containers") displaying incorrect markings may be used under a 

Government contract provided that the incorrect markings are obliterated and 

correct markings are applied in a permanent manner with approval of the 

contracting officer. 

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

unfilled bearing markings identifying the containers as part of a Government 

contract may cause the Government expense in determining whether commodities 

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

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

or other channels of containers and container materials bearing any markings 

required under a Government contract, including those held by the contractor or 

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

container from a Government contract that appears in commercial or other 

channels shall have all markings required under this contract permanently 

obliterated. 
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Exhibit A 

List of Commodity Names Printed on 50 Kilogram Woven Polypropylene 

Bags 

Commodity 

Requirements 

Commodity Name Commodity 

Requirements 

Commodity Name 

Bulgur / Soy- BULGUR BLACK BEANS 

Fortified Bulgur 

(BWSF) 

SOY-FORTIIFIED BULGUR BLACKEYE BEANS 

BUCKWHEAT GROATS DARK RED KIDNEY BEANS 

BUCKWHEAT GRITS LIGHT RED KIDNEY BEANS 

Buckwheat 

(BWP) 

BUCKWHEAT FLOUR GARBANZO BEANS 

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 

YELLOW CORN 

Bagged Grain 

(KCBG) 

YELLOW SOYBEANS 

Dry Edible 

Beans (DEB) 

SMALL WHITE BEANS 

MILLED RICE 

LONG GRAIN 

LENTILS 

MILLED RICE 

MEDIUM GRAIN 

SPLIT GREEN PEAS 

MILLED RICE 

SHORT GRAIN 

SPLIT YELLOW PEAS 

Milled Rice (MR) 

MILLED RICE 

PARBOILED 

SMOOTH GREEN DRY PEAS 

FLOUR 

ALL PURPOSE 

Wheat Flour/ 

Bread Flour 

(WFBF) BREAD FLOUR 

Peas and 

Lentils (PL) 

SMOOTH YELLOW DRY PEAS 

WHEAT 

CORN 

SORGHUM 

SOYBEANS 

50 KG 

Polypropylene 

Bags 

(KCPBAGS) 

SOYBEAN MEAL 
Exhibits SMR-1 through SMR4 and LMR1 through LMR8 

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