USDA COMMODITY REQUIREMENTS 

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VEGETABLE OIL PRODUCTS 

FOR USE IN EXPORT PROGRAMS 

Effective Date: 03/01/2011
USDA COMMODITIY REQUIREMENTS 

VO14 

VEGETABLE OIL PRODUCTS 

FOR USE IN EXPORT PROGRAMS 

Table of Contents

Part 1 COMMODITY SPECIFICATIONS _______________________________________ 3

Section 1.1 COMMODITIES ___________________________________________________ 3

Section 1.2 QUALITY ASSURANCE ____________________________________________ 3

Section 1.3 QUALITY DISCOUNTS _____________________________________________ 3

Part 2 CONTAINER AND PACKAGING REQUIREMENTS _______________________ 4

Section 2.1 GENERAL ________________________________________________________ 4

Section 2.2 CONTAINERS AND MATERIALS ____________________________________ 4

Section 2.3 PACK SIZES _______________________________________________________ 4

Section 2.4 SHIPPING CONTAINERS ___________________________________________ 5

Section 2.5 Pallet Requirements _________________________________________________ 6

Section 2.6 PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS _________________________________ 6

Part 3 MARKING REQUIREMENTS __________________________________________ 6

Section 3.1 4-LITER CYLINDRICAL-STYLE CANS _______________________________ 6

Section 3.2 4-LITER PLASTIC BOTTLES ________________________________________ 7

Section 3.3 SHIPPING CONTAINERS FOR ALL 4-LITER CONTAINERS ___________ 7

Section 3.4 20-LITER PAILS ___________________________________________________ 8

Section 3.5 208-LITER DRUMS _________________________________________________ 8

Section 3.6 SPECIAL MARKINGS FOR MONETIZATION PROGRAMS _____________ 9

Section 3.7 LOT CODES ______________________________________________________ 10

Section 3.8 CONTAINERS WITH INCORRECT MARKINGS ______________________ 10

Exhibits A through N _____________________________________________________________ 11
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Part 1 COMMODITY SPECIFICATIONS 

Section 1.1 COMMODITIES 

A. The commodity delivered shall meet the requirements as specified in the Commercial Item 

Descriptions (CID) for salad oils (vegetable), A-A-20091D, dated May 7, 2002, which is 

available at http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELDEV3006232. 

B. Salad oil shall be Type I for all contracts unless otherwise specified in the solicitation. 

C. Vegetable oil shall be fortified with vitamin A (retinol palmitate) at the rate of 60-75 IU/g. 

D. See Commercial Item Descriptions (CID), A-A-20091D, dated May 7, 2002, for test procedures. 

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 the 

COA. 

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

requirements. 

Section 1.3 QUALITY DISCOUNTS 

A. The government will accept product subject to the following schedules of discounts for each 100 

pounds (net weight) of product delivered: 

Discounts

Excess Color Excess Peroxide 

Value Meg/Kg. 

Excess Free Fatty 

Red Acid, Percent 

2.1 or 2.2 $0.05 1.1 thru 1.3 $0.35 .06 or .07 $0.10 

2.3 or 2.4 $0.10 1.4 thru 1.5 $0.50 .08 or .09 $0.20 

2.5 or 2.6 $0.15 .10 or .11 $0.30 

B. No individual container shall weigh less than the under-fill limits shown below. Lots found to 

have any containers weighing less than the under-fill limit will be rejected. 

Pack Size(Liters) 

Net Weight Under-Fill Limit 

Kilograms Pounds Kilograms Pounds 

4 3.7 8.1 3.6 7.9 

20 18.5 40.7 18.2 40.1 

208 194.5 429.0 193.0 425.0 

208 Nitrogen Sparged 193.0 425.0 191.0 420.0 

C. If there is a shortage of more than 1⁄2 pound per 208 liter drum between the invoice weight and 
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the weight per drum specified in the contract, the purchase price shall be discounted by the 

difference between required and actual net weights multiplied by $0.15. 

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 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 such 

as, but not limited to, “Made in [Name of Foreign Country.]” or “Product of [Name 

of Foreign Country.]” are strictly prohibited. 

Section 2.3 PACK SIZES 

A. 4-Liter Cylindrical-Style Cans 

(1) Cylindrical-style steel cans shall be clean, sanitary, and suitable for vegetable oil. The 

cylindrical-style can shall: 

(a) Be sized to accommodate 4 liters of vegetable oil 

(2) The steel utilized in the construction of the cylindrical-style can shall: 

(a) Meet all FDA guidelines for safe contact with food for human consumption 

(b) Be durable enough to withstand long periods of stacking in warehouses and ocean 

going vessels without the aid of container shipment 

(3) Vegetable Oil Can Size 

All oil in 6/4 liter cylindrical-style cans shall be packaged in only one can size per 

contract. 

(4) Closures 

(a) The closure of cylindrical-style cans after filling may be accomplished in any 

commercially acceptable manner that assures a sound, leak-proof, tamper-
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resistant seal capable of withstanding temperature extremes of at least 150 

degrees F without product leakage. 

(b) Full compliance with these performance requirements include, but is not limited 

to: full documentation of closure procedures, consistent performance of 

documented procedures, completion and retention of all applicable records for 

three years after production. 

B. 4-Liter Plastic Containers 

(1) Plastic containers shall be clean, sanitary, and suitable for vegetable oil. 

(2) Plastic containers shall be sized to accommodate 4 liters of vegetable oil. 

(3) Plastic containers shall be securely closed to prevent product tampering, and to protect 

the product from leaking during long periods of stacking in warehouses and ocean going 

vessels. 

(4) Plastic containers shall be light blue in color, as close to PMS 291 as possible. 

(5) The utilization of plastic containers is limited. Plastic containers shall be specified within 

the solicitation. 

C. 20-Liter Pails 

(1) 18.5 kilograms (40.7 pounds) of oil shall be packed in clean, sanitary, 20- liter round, 

tight-head pails using the UN1A/Y1.4/250, as a minimum. 

(2) The interior of the pails shall be coated with a rust inhibitor which meets FDA guidelines 

for safe contact with vegetable oil. 

(3) A collapsible handle shall be fixed to the top of the pail for ease in handling. 

D. 208-Liter Drums 

(1) 194.5 kilograms (429 pounds) of vegetable oil shall be packed in new, sanitary, tighthead steel drums. 

(2) The interior of the drums shall be coated with a rust inhibitor, which meets FDA 

guidelines for safe contact with vegetable oil. 

Section 2.4 SHIPPING CONTAINERS 

A. Cylindrical Style Cans 

(1) Shipping containers shall be packed with 6/4 liter cylindrical-style cans. 

(2) Shipping container flaps shall be securely closed with suitable adhesive to prevent lifting 

of free edges or corners of outer flaps during transportation, international distribution, 

stacking and storage. 

B. Plastic Containers

(1) 6/4 liter bottles shall be packed in a corrugated fiberboard shipping container. The 
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shipping container shall conform to Rule 41, as amended, of the Uniform Freight 

Classification Rules and Regulations, and shall be sized to minimize headspace between 

the top of the bottles and the closed flaps of the shipping container. 

(2) The shipping containers shall be marked to show the maximum safe stacking height. 

This should be expressed as follows: “Do not stack above ___ tiers per pallet, ___ pallets 

high.” It is the responsibility of the contractor in cooperation with the shipping container 

and plastic container manufacturer to determine the safe stacking height. 

C. All shipping containers filled with either cans or bottles must, at a minimum, accommodate 670 

cases per 20 foot common intermodal container based on external container measurements of 20 

ft (6.1m) long, 8 feet (2.4m) wide, and 8.5 ft (2.6m) high. 

Section 2.5 Pallet Requirements 

For contractors choosing to palletize shipments for their convenience: 

A. Pallets shall be: 

(1) Constructed to facilitate the safe handling, transportation and storage of the packaged 

product, as a unit, without loss or damage.

(2) A Number 2, four-way, reversible flush stringer with no broken runners or slats.

(3) Suitable for use in the shipment of food products.

B. Pallet loads shall be:

(1) Stacked in such a way as to minimize the amount that shipping containers overhang the edges 

of pallets.

(2) Blocked and braced or otherwise loaded into the conveyance in a manner that prevents 

shifting during transit. 

Section 2.6 PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS 

A. Cylindrical Style Cans shall be capable of withstanding the following performance testing. 

Individual cylindrical-style steel cans shall have a minimum top-to-bottom compression strength 

load of 1500 pounds. Compression strength shall be determined by ASTM D642-90, “Standard 

Test Method for Determining Resistance of Shipping Containers, Components and Unit Loads,” 

using a compression testing machine with a swivel platen, and conducted without contents, 

closures, or shipping containers. 

B. Plastic Containers shall meet applicable Department of Transportation (DOT) and United 

Nations (UN) performance standards. 

Part 3 MARKING REQUIREMENTS 

Section 3.1 4-LITER CYLINDRICAL-STYLE CANS 

A. Standard marking and color requirements for use in U.S. Agency for International Development 

(USAID) programs are referred to as “SMR-1” and are shown in Exhibit A. The USAID logo 

shall be printed in the same style as shown in Exhibits A and I. 
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B. Standard marking requirements for use in Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) programs are 

referred to as SMR-2 and are shown in Exhibit B. For standard marking requirements for use in 

FAS programs, “SMR-2”, contractor shall use Exhibit A and omit the flag and the USAID brand 

(logo and “USAID From the American People and replace the flag with three stripes and “USA” 

as depicted in Exhibit B. The letters USA shall be in Univers black (75) obique or Helevetica 

extra bold with 70% scaling and 70 tracking or equivalent as depicted in Exhibit B. The stripes 

shall be 7/16 inches high, and shall extend around the can. The “USA” logo shall be 2 inches 

high and 1 1⁄2 inches in width. 

C. The natural background of the tin-plated can shall be used. Pressure sensitive or other labels are 

not acceptable. Any markings not shown in the Exhibits shall be marked in blue or black. 

D. All dimensions are approximate. All printing shall be lithographed in indelible ink directly on 

the can. Unless otherwise specified all characters shall be in normal block print. 

E. The applicable contract number shall be printed on each can. 

Section 3.2 4-LITER PLASTIC BOTTLES 

A. Standard marking and color requirements for use in USAID programs are referred to as “SMR1” and are shown in Exhibit C. 

B. For standard marking requirements for use in FAS programs, contractor shall use Exhibit C and 

omit the flag and the USAID brand (logo and “USAID From the American People.”) The letters 

USA and stripes should replace the flag as depicted in Exhibit B. The USA letters should be 

1.0” high and 4.0” wide. The stripes shall also be 1.0” high and extend to the edge of the label. 

C. Pressure-sensitive labels are acceptable. Any markings not shown on the Exhibit C shall be 

marked in blue or black. When printed on the plastic container, the colors blue and red shall 

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

D. All dimensions are approximate. The size of graphics and markings are shown in the Exhibits as 

actual sizes. 

E. The applicable contract number shall be printed on each bottle. 

Section 3.3 SHIPPING CONTAINERS FOR ALL 4-LITER CONTAINERS 

A. Standard marking and color requirements for shipping containers for use in USAID programs are 

provided in Exhibits D and E. The USAID logo shall be printed in the same style as shown in the 

Exhibits. 

B. For standard marking and color requirements for shipping containers for use in FAS programs, 

contractor shall use Exhibit D and omit the USAID brand (logo and “USAID From the 

American People”), and replace the flag with three stripes and “USA” as depicted in Exhibit B. 

The letters USA shall be in Univers black (75) obique or Helevetica extra bold with 70% scaling 

and 70 tracking or equivalent and be 3 inches high and 6 inches in total width. The stripes shall 

be each 5/8 inches high, shall begin 1⁄4 inch from the letters USA and extend to 1⁄2 inch from the 

edge of the box panel. 
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C. The contract number, net weight and gross weight are to be printed on alternate panels of each 

shipping carton in the size and font required in Exhibit D. Arrows shall not be printed on the top 

of shipping cartons. Additional identifying markings shall be printed on the top of shipping 

cartons including agency branding and US Flag graphics. 

D. The corrugated fiberboard shipping containers shall be marked in the color as specified in the 

Exhibits D, or E. The natural background of the brown corrugated box shall be used. Pressuresensitive or other labels are not acceptable. Any markings not shown on the Exhibits shall be 

marked in blue or black. 

E. All dimensions are approximate. All printing shall be printed in indelible ink directly on the box. 

Unless otherwise specified, all characters shall be in normal block print. 

F. The arrows above “THIS END UP” shall be 1⁄2 inches high. 

G. If H-style Bliss box is used, markings shall conform to the requirements of this section, Exhibit 

D and the end panels shown in Exhibit E. For standard FAS “SMR-2” markings, omit the 

USAID logo and replace with the letters “USA,” and omit the flag and replace with three red 

stripes. The stripes shall be each 5/8 inches high. 

Section 3.4 20-LITER PAILS 

A. Standard marking requirements for use in USAID programs are referred to as “SMR-1” and are 

shown in Exhibit F. 

B. For standard marking requirements for use in FAS programs, “SMR-2”, contractor shall use 

Exhibit F and omit the flag and the USAID brand (logo and “USAID From the American People 

and replace the flag with three stripes and “USA” as depicted in Exhibit B. The letters USA 

shall be Univers black (75) oblique or Helvetica extra bold with 70% scaling and -70 tracking or 

equivalent at 3-1⁄2 inches high and 7 inches in total width. The stripes shall be each 11/16 inches 

high, shall begin 1⁄2 inch from the letters USA and extend around the pail. 

C. The color of the pail itself shall be white for SMR-1 and a light blue pail, as close to PMS 291 as 

possible, shall be used for all other markings. Any markings not shown on the Exhibit shall be 

marked in blue. When printed on the pail, the colors blue and red shall match the PMS chart 

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

D. All dimensions are approximate. All printing shall be lithographed in indelible ink directly on 

the box. Unless otherwise specified, all characters shall be in normal block print. 

E. The contract number shall be placed on the top of the pail or on the back panel of the pail. 

Section 3.5 208-LITER DRUMS 

A. Standard marking and color requirements for use in USAID programs are referred to as “SMR1” and are shown in Exhibit G. 

B. The color of the drum shall be light blue, as close to PMS 291 or RAL 5024 as possible. Any 

marking not shown on the Exhibit shall be marked in blue. When printed on the drum, the colors 
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blue and red shall match the PMS chart numbers 280 and 200, respectively, to the extent 

practicable. All markings shall be legible and of sufficient size to stand out prominently. 

C. For standard marking requirements for use in FAS programs, “SMR-2”, contractor shall use 

Exhibit G and omit the flag and the USAID brand (logo and “USAID From the American 

People) and replace the flag with three stripes and “USA” as depicted in Exhibit B, except the 

stripes shall be Blue PMS 280. 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 

Exhibit. The letters USA shall be 6 inches high and 12 inches in total width. The stripes shall be 

each 1-1⁄8 inches high, and shall extend around the drum as far as possible. 

D. All dimensions are approximate and may be adjusted to fit on each panel. All printing shall be in 

indelible ink. Unless otherwise specified, all characters shall be in normal block print. 

E. The USAID logo shall be printed in the same style as shown in the Exhibits. 

Section 3.6 SPECIAL MARKINGS FOR MONETIZATION PROGRAMS 

In order to make all products easily identifiable throughout the production and delivery process, all oil 

destined for use in export monetization program shall have the following special markings: 

A. Special Marking Requirements 

(1) Markings for monetization are shown in Exhibits H, I, J, K, L, M, and N. 

(2) All 4-liter, cylindrical style cans, 4-liter plastic bottles, corrugated fiberboard cartons, and 20-

liter pails used for monetizing programs will be printed with a white band as shown in the 

Exhibits. The white band shall extend completely around the container. 

SMR-1 Monetized 4-liter can (monetized – white band product)

Omit the flag, the USAID brand (logo and “USAID From the American People”), and the 

words “NOT TO BE SOLD OR EXCHANGED.” Retain all other markings. See Exhibit H. 

SMR-3 Special Marking Requirement (monetized – white band product)

Omit the words “NOT TO BE SOLD OR EXCHANGED”. Retain all other markings in 

blue. See Exhibits I, J, K, L, and M. 

SMR-4 Special Marking Requirement (monetized – white band product)

Omit the USAID brand (logo and “USAID From the American People”), the words “NOT 

TO BE SOLD OR EXCHANGED” and the red stripes. Retain all other markings. See 

Exhibit N. 

(3) For 208 Liter drums, a white band is not required but all other markings are to be retained in 

blue. See Exhibit M. 

B. Fiberboard Shipping Container (Exhibit K)

(1) A 3-inch solid white band shall be printed on all four side panels of all fiberboard 

containers used for 4-liter vegetable oil procured for monetization programs. The band 

shall extend completely around the container to the extent that the box type/style will 

permit. 

(2) The 3-inch band shall be printed level with the flag as shown in Exhibit. 

(3) At no time will the white band and the phrase, “NOT TO BE SOLD OR EXCHANGED” 

appear on the same shipping container. 
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(4) If H-style Bliss box is used, markings shall conform to the requirements of this section, 

Exhibit D and the end panels shown in Exhibit E. Omit the U.S. Flag or the three red 

stripes and replace with a white band. 

Note: All other required markings on the 4-liter cylindrical style cans, corrugated fiberboard 

cartons and 20-liter pails “white band product” used for monetization programs shall be printed 

in blue. 

Section 3.7 LOT CODES 

Lot codes unique to each lot offered for inspection shall be legibly marked on each individual 

primary container and shipping container. Commodity suppliers may use any type of lot coding 

system provided a unique code is used to identify each lot offered for inspection under contract. 

Commodity suppliers shall provide the contracting officer with an explanation of the lot coding 

system used. 

Section 3.8 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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Exhibits A through N 

Exhibit A 
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Exhibit B 
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Exhibit C 
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Exhibit D 

 
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Exhibit E 

 
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Exhibit F 
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Exhibit G 

SPECIFICATIONS: 

 Labeling of Steel 208 Liter Drums 

 Title II – Direct Feeding 

Language: English 

Markings: SMR-1 

Inscription: REFINED VEGETABLE OIL 

VITAMIN A FORTIFIED 

 NOT TO BE SOLD OR EXCHANGED 

 USAID Brand 

 CONTRACT NO. CUBIC METERS: 

 208 LITER GROSS WEIGHT 214 kg 

Font / Size: 140 and 60 point Arial Bold Narrow (top and bottom respectively) 

Dimensions: Flag 5.6” high X 9.5” wide 

 USAID Brand 7.5” high X 9.5” wide 

Color: Wording, flag, and brand printed with Blue PMS 280 and Red PMS 200 with a 

background color of PMS 291. 

 

Upper

Panel

Middle

Panel

Lower

Panel

Upper

Panel

Middle

Panel

Lower

Panel

CONTRACT NO. CUBIC METERS:

208 LITER GROSS WEIGHT: 214 kg

REFINED VEGETABLE OIL

VITAMIN A FORTIFIED

NOT TO BE SOLD OR EXCHANGED
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Exhibit H 
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Exhibit I 
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Exhibit J 
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Exhibit K 
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Exhibit L 
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Exhibit M 

SPECIFICATIONS: 

 Labeling of Steel 208 Liter Drums 

 Title II – Monetization 

Language: English 

Markings: SMR-3 

Inscription: REFINED VEGETABLE OIL 

VITAMIN A FORTIFIED 

 USAID Brand 

 CONTRACT NO. CUBIC METERS: 

 208 LITER GROSS WEIGHT 214 kg 

Font / Size: 140 and 60 point Arial Bold Narrow (top and bottom respectively) 

Dimensions: Flag 5.6” high X 9.5” wide 

 USAID Brand 7.5” high X 9.5” wide 

Color: Wording, flag, and brand printed with Blue PMS 280 with a 

background color of PMS 291. 

Upper

Panel

Middle

Panel

Lower

Panel

Upper

Panel

Middle

Panel

Lower

Panel

CONTRACT NO. CUBIC METERS:

208 LITER GROSS WEIGHT: 214 kg

REFINED VEGETABLE OIL

VITAMIN A FORTIFIED
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Exhibit N