12 -- RFQ for REDUCER, HOSE

This is a notice RE: pending Open Market Purchase for the following: NSN 4210-01-508-8818 NFES 2230 REDUCER, HOSE: Shall be in accordance with Forest Service Specification 5100-107c, dated October 2000, and Amendment 4, dated June 2004. The reducer shall be Combination Type F of table 2 under 3.2.2: 2-1/2" NH (female) x 1-1/2" NH (male). First article sample(s) are required. Once first article samples have been approved, Certificates of Conformance to material and hardcoating requirements are acceptable in lieu of lot by lot testing. EXCEPTION TO FOREST SERVICE SPECIFICATION 5100-107c: In order to provide clarification to the sampling and inspection procedures as outlined within the referenced Forest Service specification and the industry standard cited therein (ANSI/ASQ Z1.4-2003), the following exceptions shall be incorporated. All references to "defect" (or "defects") shall be deleted and the term "nonconformity" (or "nonconformities") shall be substituted in its place. Similarly, all references to "percent defective" shall be changed to "percent nonconforming" and the phrase "defects per hundred units" shall be changed to "nonconformities per hundred units." The term "rejection" shall be changed to "nonacceptance" when it refers to a result of following the specified procedure. PACKAGING: Ten (10) reducers shall be packaged in a close-fitting corrugated fiberboard box, minimum burst strength 125 psi (minimum edge crush strength 23 lb per inch width), and shall be in compliance with the applicable freight regulations. PACKING: Six (6) packages of reducers (60 reducers total) shall be packed in a close-fitting corrugated fiberboard box, minimum burst strength 200 psi (minimum edge crush strength 32 lb per inch width), and shall be in compliance with the applicable freight regulations. SPECIAL MARKING: The National Fire Equipment System (NFES) number appearing below the National Stock Number (NSN) of this Item Purchase Description shall be marked on the shipping container below the NSN. The NFES number shall be preceded by "NFES". MARKING: Shipments to GSA and other civilian agencies shall be marked in accordance with FED-STD-123. Shipments to the Department of Defense (DOD) shall be marked in accordance with MIL-STD-129. BAR CODE MARKING NOT REQUIRED. Palletization: The shipping (transport) containers shall be palletized. The pallets shall be 48-inch length x 40-inch width, general purpose, four-way entry, flush stringer, and double-face non-reversible pallets. The palletized load shall not exceed 2500 pounds in weight for shipments to the Eastern Distribution Center (Burlington). The palletized load shall not exceed 2000 pounds in weight for shipments to the Western Distribution Center (French Camp and Stockton Locations). The palletized load shall not overhang the pallet deck board edge by more than 1 inch and shall not exceed 53 inches in overall height (including pallet). Less than half pallet loads or loads shipped by small package carrier in acceptable transport packing need not be palletized. When less than full but more than a half pallet is used, the palletized load shall utilize proper bracing and/or reinforcement to ensure that the load can withstand two additional loads placed on it. Stacking: A load-stacking test shall be performed once, at the beginning of the contract, for each different unitized or palletized load configuration. A fully palletized load shall be tested utilizing a total stack of three palletized loads, with all the proper bracing and/or reinforcement necessary to perform the test. There shall be no evidence of damage to the pallets, shipping containers or products when stack is tested on the rigid surface for a minimum of 24 hours, in compliance with all the National and Local Safety Regulations. The pre-tested palletized load configuration shall be duplicated using the same packaging materials, pattern, number of shipping (transport) containers, and procedures consistent throughout the duration of the contract. Palletized loads shall be stable and safe when handled with mechanical equipment by qualified personnel. Materials: All lumber used inside or outside a shipment shall be bark free. No used wood pallets with repaired components or stringers will be acceptable. All wood pallet stringers shall be manufactured from hardwoods. Pallets manufactured of materials other than wood, shall conform to all the requirements specified herein. Unitization: For the purpose of this requirement, the assembled group of containers or items in a single load that can be handled as a unit throughout the distribution system. Unitization encompasses, but is not limited to, consolidation in a container, placement on a pallet or load base having forklift capability, or securely binding together. Shipments should be considered for unitization where appropriate or specified. Unitization of pallet load: The palletized load shall be unitized and secured to the pallet to insure that the load arrives intact without product damage. The containers or items shall be placed in a suitable pattern to form a stable and balanced load. Vertical, horizontal or filler reinforcement shall be added as necessary to meet the stacking strength requirements. A palletized load shall be secured to the pallet by shrink or stretch wrapping, and/or, by steel or nonmetallic strapping. When steel or nonmetallic strapping is used, edge protectors shall be provided to prevent damage to the cartons when tensioning the strapping. As a minimum, two straps shall run lengthwise, two straps shall run widthwise, and two straps shall run around the girth of the palletized load. A palletized load shall be capable of protecting the products against damage in a multiple handling, transportation, and storage environment having distribution warehouses with rack systems that support the load/s overhead of warehouse personnel. Notice of special requirements for shipment to all countries that have endorsed the IPPC Guidelines for treatment of non-manufactured wood packaging: The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) has approved and published on March 15, 2002, - Guidelines for Regulating Wood Packaging Material in International Trade. Countries endorsing the IPPC Guidelines are found at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/swp/. Clause D-FSS-468 requires non-manufactured wood pallets and other non-manufactured wood packaging material used in shipments destined to IPPC compliant countries require the appropriate wood treatment. Additionally, shipments delivered to DOD distribution facilities or freight consolidation points for eventual delivery to or through EU/IPPC countries shall comply with applicable DLA Regulations and Procurement Letter PROCLTR 02-17. (9/1/04).