Sierra Leone Award21-030P

IFB #:
21-030P
Tender Date:
Award Date:
Award Flag:
---
PVO:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS)
Agent:
Lifelink
Invitation #:
93/93A
Program:
McGovern-Dole Food for Education Program

21-030P Sierra-Leone Award (Inv. 093)

October 2, 2023

LIFELINK LOGISTICS issues award notice for Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

IFB NO. 21-030P (Inv. 093)
WBSCM Freight Solicitation Number 2000009556
WBSCM Commodity Solicitation Number 2000009555
Dated October 2, 2023
Issued by LIFELINK LOGISTICS, Middleburg Hts, Ohio
On behalf of Catholic Relief Services
For carriage of Food for Education commodities as follows: 

CARGO UNDER SALES ORDER NO. 5000871531


AA:  CRS-SL-01 SEE NOTE 1
CARGO:  520 NMT RICE, 3/15 LG,W-MLD,FORT BAG-50KG
DISPORT:      FREETOWN
FUMIGATION:  COMMODITIES AND CONTAINERS PRIOR TO LOADING
DISCHARGE/DELIVERY:  PER US FOOD AID BOOKING NOTE SECTION 2.C.i
LDA:  YES, NON-URGENT
LOADPORT AVAILABILITY:  11/15/23
CARRIER:  MAERSK LINE LTD
LOADPORT: RLC
VESSEL/FLAG: MSC NEW HAVEN/P3
FREIGHT:  OCEAN $165.00 + DOM INL $71.00 + FUM $21.00 + FOR INL $20.00  TOTAL $277.00/GMT


CC:  CRS-SL-03 SEE NOTE 1
CARGO:  50 NMT OIL, VEGETABLE CAN-6/4L
DISPORT:      FREETOWN
FUMIGATION:  NOT APPLICABLE
DISCHARGE/DELIVERY:  PER US FOOD AID BOOKING NOTE SECTION 2.C.i
LDA:  YES, NON-URGENT
LOADPORT AVAILABILITY:  10/31/23
CARRIER:  MAERSK LINE LTD
LOADPORT: RHOU
VESSEL/FLAG: MAERSK SERANGOON/P3
FREIGHT:  OCEAN $170.00 + DOM INL $50.00 +  FOR INL $20.00  TOTAL $240.00/GMT

21-030P Sierra-Leone Award (Inv. 093A)

October 2, 2023

LIFELINK LOGISTICS issues partial award notice for Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

IFB NO. 21-030P (Inv. 093A)
WBSCM Freight Solicitation Number 2000009570
WBSCM Commodity Solicitation Number 2000009569
Dated October 2, 2023
Issued by LIFELINK LOGISTICS, Middleburg Hts, Ohio
On behalf of Catholic Relief Services
For carriage of Food for Education commodities as follows: 


CARGO UNDER SALES ORDER NO. 5000871531

AA:  CRS-SL-01 SEE NOTE 1
CARGO:  190 NMT LENTILS, BAG-50KG
DISPORT:      FREETOWN
FUMIGATION:  COMMODITIES AND CONTAINERS PRIOR TO LOADING
DISCHARGE/DELIVERY:  PER US FOOD AID BOOKING NOTE SECTION 2.C.i
LDA:  YES, NON-URGENT
LOADPORT AVAILABILITY:  12/05/23
CARRIER: AMERICAN PRESIDENT LINES, LLC
LOADPORT:  BCHI
VESSEL/FLAG:  CMA CGM LA TRAVIATA/ P3
FREIGHT: OCEAN $196.00 + DOM INL $60.00 + FUM $25.00 + FOR INL $100.00   TOTAL $381.00/GMT

21-030P Sierra-Leone Partial Re-Tender

September 13, 2023

LIFELINK LOGISTICS issues freight partial re-tender for Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

IFB NO. 21-030P (Inv. 093A)
WBSCM Freight Solicitation Number 2000009570
WBSCM Commodity Solicitation Number 2000009569
Dated September 13, 2023
Issued by LIFELINK LOGISTICS, Middleburg Hts, Ohio
On behalf of Catholic Relief Services
For carriage of Food for Education commodities as follows: 

Only firm and non-contingent Offers will be accepted from all U.S. and foreign flag 
carriers. Offers with subjects may be rejected.  All freight proposals will be evaluated 
on the rates submitted in WBSCM. Free form remarks are not evaluated and are for 
informational purposes only and to cover optional ports, optional discharge rates, etc.

When submitting a freight proposal in WBSCM, the Carrier confirms their proposal
is firm and in agreement with the terms and conditions of the freight 
solicitation(s).  In the event a Carrier submits a freight proposal and withdraws
the proposal after USDA receives and awards the commodity offers, the Carrier 
shall be responsible for all expenses resulting from the withdrawal including,
but not limited to, re-procurement costs and additional freight costs. 

SUBMISSION OF FREIGHT OFFERS: 
To determine lowest landed cost, all carriers are required to submit offers 
electronically for the cargoes advertised by this RFP via the U.S. Department 
of Agriculture (USDA) Web Based Supply Chain Management (WBSCM) system for the 
Solicitation Number(s) referenced above. All offers are subject to all requirements
of WBSCM and of the afore-mentioned Solicitation(s), including the deadline(s) 
for submission of bids therein.

As applicable in cases when a fair and reasonable guideline rate determination will 
be made by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), and in accordance with Title 46 Part
382.2(a) of the Code of Federal Regulations, failure of a vessel operator to submit
the required cost data will result in MARAD being unable to construct the guideline 
rate for the affected vessel, which may result in such vessel not being approved by 
the sponsoring Federal agency.

Freight offers are due no later than --- 10:00 am Central Time (11:00 am Eastern 
Time), 18 September 2023 ---. 

The Web Based Supply Chain Management system can be accessed through the following
website:

http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=WBSCM 

Carriers must be assigned a USDA eAuthentication logon ID and password to access 
the WBSCM system. Contact the WBSCM Help Desk for information regarding logon 
IDs, passwords, and WBSCM system questions or concerns:

Telephone: (877) 927-2648 
E-mail: WBSCM.servicedesk@CACI.com 

CARGO UNDER SALES ORDER NO. 5000871531

AA:  CRS-SL-01 SEE NOTE 1
CARGO:  190 NMT LENTILS, BAG-50KG
DISPORT:      FREETOWN
FUMIGATION:  COMMODITIES AND CONTAINERS PRIOR TO LOADING
DISCHARGE/DELIVERY:  PER US FOOD AID BOOKING NOTE SECTION 2.C.i
LDA:  YES, NON-URGENT
LOADPORT AVAILABILITY:  12/05/23


Effective July 1, 2016, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has 
amended the Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS) to require, as a condition 
for loading a packed container onto a ship for export, that the container 
has a verified gross weight (VGM). The SOLAS requirement, states the shipper is 
responsible for the verification of the packed container’s weight; however, 
in most instances Food Aid cargo is containerized at Carrier’s time, risk 
and expense. 

Therefore, the Carrier is required to provide the Verified Gross Mass (VGM) of 
each container, whether required containerization or for Carrier’s convenience, 
directly to the master or his representative and to the marine terminal operator 
sufficiently in advance via the appropriate platform. All responsibility and 
costs for VGM will for be the Carrier’s account and should be included in the 
freight offer. In addition the carrier agrees to hold CRS harmless of any 
liability for an VGM that is not accurately reported.  

If accurate & timely VGM is not provided to above parties, any & all liability, 
delays or costs will be for Carrier’s account.  After the effective date, it 
would be a violation of SOLAS to load a packed container onto a vessel if the 
vessel operator and marine terminal operator do not have a verified container 
weight. 

The SOLAS amendments provide that there are two methods that may be used to 
determine the container weight once the container packing process has taken 
place. 
1. weighing the packed container; or 
2. weighing all packages and cargo items, including the mass of pallets, dunnage 
and other securing material to be packed in the container and adding the tare mass 
of the container to the sum of the single masses, using a certified method approved 
by the competent authority of the State in which packing of the container was 
completed. 

For further information:
http://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Safety/Cargoes/Containers/Pages/Verificat…-
gross-mass.aspx

In awarding cargo under this freight tender, USDA/FAS will consider factors 
including lowest-landed cost and the impact of any potential award on FAS's 
ability to satisfy the requirements of statutes and regulations including the 
Cargo Preference Act. There have been significant changes to the Cargo Preference 
legislation. Offerors are encouraged to review the FAS notice on the same, available
at: http://www.fas.usda.gov/excredits/ifb/default.htm.

FOR ALL CRS CARGOES. CARRIER'S ARE ENCOURAGED TO OFFER ON ANY/ALL 
"FAS POINTS" AND "BRIDGE POINTS" AS LISTED ON THE USDA DOCUMENTS 
"APPROVED PORTS/TERMINALS" AND FORM KC-362. LOADING USDA APPROVED 
PORTS/PLANTS/BRIDGES AS PER KC-362 AVAILABILITY AS PROVIDED ABOVE 
BASIS FAS LOAD PORT.(PLEASE REFER TO ACTUAL COMMODITY IFB FOR 
POTENTIAL SHIPPING PERIODS BASIS PLANT BRIDGE DESTINATIONS).
 
FOR DELIVERY BASIS INTERMODAL PLANT AND BRIDGE, OFFERORS ARE 
ENCOURAGED TO COORDINATE WITH VENDOR TO ENSURE SMOOTH LOADING 
OPERATION.

***EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT AS PROVIDED IN THE FREIGHT TENDERS, ALL AWARDS UNDER 
THIS IFB WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE U.S. FOOD AID 
BOOKING NOTE DATED NOVEMBER 1, 2004 WHICH IS FULLY INCORPORATED HEREIN.  
COPIES OF THIS BOOKING NOTE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE USAID WEBSITE AT 
https://procurement.usaid.gov/usaid-procurement-announcements/notices-t…

Approved Exceptions to Standard US Food AID Booking Note Terms, Procedures and 
Formats and other special terms and conditions (These items will apply to above 
cargo, unless specified otherwise):

Full Liner Berth Terms, All Inclusive. No Demurrage - No Dispatch - No Detention

Rates offered to be all inclusive and quoted in US Dollars per gross metric ton. 
All-inclusive rates which include costs for services other than port to port 
ocean transportation must include a breakdown of the ocean charge component and 
each of the following other charges, as applicable:  domestic inland 
transportation, foreign inland transportation, fumigation or destination bagging,
and special requirements for container load protocol (if applicable). No minimum
bill of lading quantities or charges or minimum container quantities or charges
to apply. Carriers who do not submit all inclusive rates as outlined above will
be considered non-responsive.

- SINGLE BOTTOM SERVICE OFFER MUST INCLUDE VESSEL ITINERARY IN 
THE REMARKS SECTION.
- REGULAR LINER SERVICE OFFER MUST INCLUDE FREQUENCY/ROUTING/
TRANSIT TIME IN THE REMARKS SECTION.

For all parcels, please refer to Clause 14 of Booking Guidelines for Notice 
requirements.

**For all offers, Carrier must acknowledge in the remarks section of WBSCM all 
country specific requirements when submitting offer; otherwise offer will be 
considered  NON-RESPONSIVE including the following: 
*SL - Containerization is required for all commodities and cargo to be unloaded
during port working hours unless agreed upon with Consignee in Sierra Leone with
no night or weekend movement.

**Carrier must confirm in the remarks section of WBSCM they will include the below 
statement(s) on Bill(s) of Lading; otherwise offer will be considered NON-RESPONSIVE: 
-"Freight Prepaid" or "Freight Payable per Booking Note".


LOAD TERMS:  Cargo to be delivered to Carrier FAS Vessel or bridge point at the 
specified load port, and loaded at Carrier's time, risk and expense with no 
demurrage/no despatch/ no detention.

DISCHARGE TERMS:  Cargo to be discharged at Carrier's time, risk and expense, and 
delivered in Carrier's containers to the door of the Receiver's/Consignee's 
warehouse(s)located outside the port area, with no demurrage/ no despatch/ 
no detention - per U.S. Food Aid Booking Note Sec. 2.(C)(i) 

Should cargo be containerized for carrier convenience, any/all additional cost at 
destination due to containerization including devanning or stripping into warehouse 
and THC is for carrier account.


Container demurrage/detention shall be in accordance with the carrier container 
demurrage/detention rates, but shall not exceed $10 per container per day or as 
per carrier tariff rate, whichever is lowest cost per day/per container.

CENTRAL AMERICA/CARIBBEAN BARGE CLAUSE:
If a barge is offered for service, it must be of such a type to adequately protect
the cargo, either by design, such as a house or multi-deck barge, or by use of 
permanent bin walls, provided the commodity is containerized.

TRANSATLANTIC BARGE CLAUSE:

TOWED BARGES WILL BE CONSIDERED IN THE TRANSATLANTIC TRADE PROVIDED ALL CARGO
IS CONTAINERIZED AND STOWED UNDER DECK. TO QUALIFY AS “UNDER DECK” STOWAGE,
THE CONTAINERS MUST BE STOWED IN A HOLD OR COMPARTMENT BELOW THE WEATHER DECK 
CAPABLE OF BEING VENTILATED AND ALLOTTED ENTIRELY TO THE CARRIAGE OF CARGO. 
IT MUST BE BOUND BY PERMANENT DECKS AND BULKHEADS OR THE SHELL OF THE VESSEL,
COMPLETELY PROTECTED FROM SALT SPRAY AND WEATHER ELEMENTS. NO OTHER STOWAGE
ARRANGEMENT WILL BE CONSIDERED UNLESS THE CARRIER HAS RECEIVED WRITTEN 
NOTIFICATION FROM THE SHIPPER(S) AND USDA PROVIDING APPROVAL FOR A SPECIFIC
VESSEL PRIOR TO THAT VESSEL PARTICIPATING IN ANY FOOD FOR PROGRESS AND 
MCGOVERN DOLE INTERNATIONAL FOOD FOR EDUCATION AND CHILD NUTRITION 
TRANSATLANTIC FOOD AID SHIPMENTS.

For ALL CRS CARGOES. Owners and/or their agents must return signed Bills of 
Lading and related documents to LifeLink Logistics within 48 hours (2 business 
days) after receipt of masters at Owners and/or their agents expense.  Rates 
offered to be all-inclusive and displayed on a per metric ton basis on all rated
Bills of Lading as per Booking Guideline Section 18.  Bills of Lading must state 
"Freight Prepaid" or "Freight payable per Booking Note".

For All CRS Cargoes. Owners and/or their agents must return signed Booking 
Note to LifeLink Logistics within 10 business days of receipt.

SIERRA LEONE Cargo. Containerization is required for all commodities.  Cargo 
must ship in 20 foot clean, weather-tight ocean containers. Commodities and 
containers must be fumigated prior to loading.  Prefer all cargo to be shipped
on one vessel. After USDA assigns PO #s, no split parcels. Cargo to be 
unloaded during port working hours unless agreed upon with Consignee in 
Sierra Leone. No night or weekend movement due to security and lack of
electricity outside the port. 

At this time Sulfuryl Fluoride is not an approved fumigant for 
commodities to Sierra leone. 

All charges up to CRS's warehouse for the Thru BLs are for ocean carrier
including but not limited to container scanning fee, delivery order fee, port fees,
road fees, administrative fees, and terminal charges. 

Cargo to be delivered on thru BL to CRS' designated warehouse(s) in Freetown, 
subject to change:
 
MOW Warehouse
Next to SLRTC Compound
George Brook
Kissy,
Freetown

The Carrier must provide one (1) signed copy of the FGIS Container Condition 
Inspection Certificate attesting to the satisfactory condition of containers 
prior to loading cargoes.  

FAS Notice to the Trade issued February 16, 2023 – Prohibition of Methyl Bromide 
as a Fumigant in International Food Assistance Programs is fully incorporated into 
this freight tender / solicitation.
https://fas.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2023-02/fumigation_protocols_a…
prohibition_notice_to_trade-2-16-23.docx
inlcuding resources for additionl fumigation protocols in coordination with Title 
II program.
 
Notice to the Trade dated February 8, 2023 – Pre-treatment of Containers for 
Packaged Cargo except Vegetable Oil is fully incorporated into this solicitation. 

Notice to the Trade dated April 27, 2023 – Bag - Stowage in Containers is fully 
incorporated into this solicitation.       
   
Vessel Loading observation requirements and procedures, as per The U.S. 
Department of Agriculture Kansas City Commodity Office’s notice to the trade 
of May 5, 2000, is hereby incorporated.  A copy of which can be furnished upon 
request. 

Bill of Lading integrity is to be maintained at all times while in the carrier's 
custody and control, assuring that individual ocean bill of lading quantities 
are not commingled.

All vessel substitution requests must be reviewed by USDA. The proposed substitute 
vessel should be of the same type as the originally awarded vessel. This applies to 
both U.S. and foreign flag vessel substitutions. The proposed substitute vessel must
also appear on the applicable Maritime Administration U.S. or foreign flag vessel 
list which can be accessed using the following URL: 

http://www.marad.dot.gov/ships_shipping_landing_page/cargo_preference/c…
humanitarian_assistance/cargo_human_assistance_reports/Humanitarian_Food_Aid_Reports.htm

Vessel substitutions must be approved by the Shipper and USDA, as applicable, and 
cargo shall not be loaded into unapproved substitute vessels.

In keeping with U.S. Customs enforced compliance program for outbound documentation,
carriers are hereby notified that any assessments against the cargo due in whole or 
in part to delay by carrier in verifying final load count, and providing same to 
LifeLink Logistics, will be solely for carrier’s account.

CRS RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REQUIRE VESSEL OWNER/OPERATOR TO POST A 
PERFORMANCE BOND. SAID BOND TO BE IN THE FORM OF A CERTIFIED CHECK ONLY,
DRAWN ON A U.S. BANK, EQUIVALENT TO 5 PERCENT OF THE GROSS OCEAN FREIGHT. 
THE CHECK MUST BE MADE OUT IN FAVOR OF CRS. AS NEGOTIATED, THE PERFORMANCE 
BOND WILL BE GOOD THROUGH FINAL U.S. LOAD PORT; OR GOOD THROUGH FINAL 
DISCHARGE PORT; OR INLAND DESTINATION. SAID BOND IS DUE WITHIN FIVE (5) 
WORKING DAYS OF CONFIRMATION OF BOOKING, FAILURE TO DO SO WILL VOID THE 
CONTRACT. AS APPLICABLE, SAID BOND WILL BE RETURNED UPON RECEIPT OF WRITTEN
NOTICE THAT ALL AVAILABLE CARGOES HAVE BEEN LOADED AT U.S. PORT; OR THAT ALL 
CARGOES HAVE BEEN DELIVERED TO FINAL DISPORT OR INLAND DESTINATION POINT.

Loading Delay Assessment (LDA) applicable when specified in above cargo details.
    
Note 1: The Shipper will impose a Loading Delay Assessment (LDA) for each and every
day beyond the contracted load date that the Carrier has failed to load the cargo
aboard a vessel.  The contracted load date is defined as the date that the vessel
is estimated to arrive at the loading port, as specified in the US Aid Food Aid 
Booking Note Part I, plus a ten (10) day grace period. LDA shall be US $1.00 per 
metric ton per day or pro-rata, to be deducted from ocean freight payment. 

Application of LDA’s will be specific to CRS cargo.

FREIGHT PAYMENT SHALL BE PROCESSED  THRU THE WBSCM SYSTEM AND PAID BY USDA. 
60% OF THRU B/L FREIGHT PAYABLE UPON ARRIVAL AT THE DISCHARGE PORT. 
40% OF FREIGHT PAYABLE UPON COMPLETION OF DELIVERY TO THE FINAL INLAND 
WAREHOUSE(S).

Offers from NVOCCs will be considered non-responsive.

            ***USAID NOTICE TO THE TRADE***
 
For offers submitted through the electronic Web-Based Supply Chain Management 
(WBSCM) system, one of the statements below must appear in the Free Form Remarks
Section for each offer submitted. 

1. This freight proposal, whether successful or unsuccessful, contains trade secrets
or commercial financial information which are privileged and confidential and exempt
from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. Section 552.  
Furthermore, this information is prohibited from disclosure under the Trade 
Secrets Act, 18 U.S.C. Section 1905.

-- OR --

2. This freight proposal, whether successful or unsuccessful, may, in the future, 
be made public or released under a FOIA request."

Notice to the Trade dated April 5, 2017- Ocean Carrier Charges and Oversees Offices
or Agents is fully incorporated into this IFB.

EXPANSION OF TERMINAL DESIGNATIONS WITHIN THE PORT OF 
HOUSTON, TEXAS
 
Effective with Title II Invitation 028 issued on February 20, 2008, the Notice to 
the Trade  EOD-150 (Pilot Program for Load Port Surveys and Processed Commodity 
Bidding Basis Houston, Texas) is cancelled.  USAID Notice to the Trade dated 
April 5, 2006 “F.A.S. Allocated Commodities at Houston and Jacinto” is also 
rescinded.  This means that beginning with INV 028, Houston will no longer be 
available as an approved delivery point.  Offerors must select terminals within
the Port of Houston as listed in Notice to the Trade: Expansion of Terminal 
Designations Within The Port Of Houston, Texas. The notice is posted on the 
USAID Ocean Notices website at http://www.usaid.gov/business/ocean/notices. 
A complete list of delivery/bid point codes, including the new Houston 
delivery/bid point codes, is available at: 
http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=home&subject=coop&topic=pas-ex-…;

Commodity, load port and intermodal point abbreviations as per USDA form KC-362. 
Delivery terms per USDA Notice to the Trade of April 5, 1995.

1) All offers MUST include ETA loadport, ETS loadport, and ETA destination, along 
with routing information. Other requirements or pertinent information: 
A. Vessel’s itinerary and current position.
B. Full particulars on vessel owner’s company including officers, address and bank 
references.
C. Voyage number for vessel being offered.

2) Commodity supplier delivery terms, origin points and specific shipping dates will
not be known until commodities are purchased. All cargo's availability date at 
loadport will be 12/05/23. Depending on the commodity suppliers elected shipping
dates, cargo can start shipping out as early as 10/16/23. Carriers will be 
required to receive cargo in accordance with USDA suppliers contractual shipping
dates and delivery terms. The potential shipping periods for bids at the plant 
or bridge point locations can be found in the commodity solicitation.

3) Total commissions 1.67% on gross freight / dead-freight is payable to 
Charterer's agent / Freight Forwarder, LifeLink Logistics. See Notice to the 
Trade at: https://apps.fas.usda.gov/excredits/Trade-Notice-Dated-1-16-2018.htm

4) Evaluation and contract award:   offers which do not comply with mandatory 
requirements of this IFB, including but not limited to the minimums and maximums 
specified above, will not be considered.  Offers must include full particulars 
demonstrating the willingness and ability to meet these requirements. Catholic 
Relief Services reserves the right to award without discussions with USDA 
approval. Award will be to the lowest responsible offeror meeting the mandatory
requirements of this IFB.  

5) Contract Terms:   Except to the extent provided above, this IFB is subject to the
standard US Food Aid Booking Note (INCLUDING ANY AND ALL AMENDMENTS 
AND ATTACHMENTS), which are fully incorporated herein. Copies of these 
guidelines may be obtained from USAID website, at 
https://procurement.usaid.gov/usaid-procurement-announcements/notices-t…;
 

 

 

 

21-030P Sierra-Leone Tender

August 25, 2023

LIFELINK LOGISTICS issues freight tender for Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

IFB NO. 21-030P (Inv. 093)
WBSCM Freight Solicitation Number 2000009556
WBSCM Commodity Solicitation Number 2000009555
Dated August 24, 2023
Issued by LIFELINK LOGISTICS, Middleburg Hts, Ohio
On behalf of Catholic Relief Services
For carriage of Food for Education commodities as follows: 

Only firm and non-contingent Offers will be accepted from all U.S. and foreign flag 
carriers. Offers with subjects may be rejected.  All freight proposals will be evaluated 
on the rates submitted in WBSCM. Free form remarks are not evaluated and are for 
informational purposes only and to cover optional ports, optional discharge rates, etc.

When submitting a freight proposal in WBSCM, the Carrier confirms their proposal
is firm and in agreement with the terms and conditions of the freight 
solicitation(s).  In the event a Carrier submits a freight proposal and withdraws
the proposal after USDA receives and awards the commodity offers, the Carrier 
shall be responsible for all expenses resulting from the withdrawal including,
but not limited to, re-procurement costs and additional freight costs. 

SUBMISSION OF FREIGHT OFFERS: 
To determine lowest landed cost, all carriers are required to submit offers 
electronically for the cargoes advertised by this RFP via the U.S. Department 
of Agriculture (USDA) Web Based Supply Chain Management (WBSCM) system for the 
Solicitation Number(s) referenced above. All offers are subject to all requirements
of WBSCM and of the afore-mentioned Solicitation(s), including the deadline(s) 
for submission of bids therein.

As applicable in cases when a fair and reasonable guideline rate determination will 
be made by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), and in accordance with Title 46 Part
382.2(a) of the Code of Federal Regulations, failure of a vessel operator to submit
the required cost data will result in MARAD being unable to construct the guideline 
rate for the affected vessel, which may result in such vessel not being approved by 
the sponsoring Federal agency.

Freight offers are due no later than --- 10:00 am Central Time (11:00 am Eastern 
Time), 31 August 2023 ---. 

The Web Based Supply Chain Management system can be accessed through the following
website:

http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=WBSCM 

Carriers must be assigned a USDA eAuthentication logon ID and password to access 
the WBSCM system. Contact the WBSCM Help Desk for information regarding logon 
IDs, passwords, and WBSCM system questions or concerns:

Telephone: (877) 927-2648 
E-mail: WBSCM.servicedesk@CACI.com 

CARGO UNDER SALES ORDER NO. 5000871531

AA:            CRS-SL-01 SEE NOTE 1
CARGO:            520 NMT RICE, 3/15 LG,W-MLD,FORT BAG-50KG
DISPORT:        FREETOWN
FUMIGATION:        COMMODITIES AND CONTAINERS PRIOR TO LOADING
DISCHARGE/DELIVERY:    PER US FOOD AID BOOKING NOTE SECTION 2.C.i
LDA:            YES, NON-URGENT
LOADPORT AVAILABILITY:    11/20/23

BB:            CRS-SL-02 SEE NOTE 1
CARGO:            190 NMT LENTILS, BAG-50KG
DISPORT:        FREETOWN
FUMIGATION:        COMMODITIES AND CONTAINERS PRIOR TO LOADING
DISCHARGE/DELIVERY:    PER US FOOD AID BOOKING NOTE SECTION 2.C.i
LDA:            YES, NON-URGENT
LOADPORT AVAILABILITY:    11/20/23

CC:            CRS-SL-03 SEE NOTE 1
CARGO:            50 NMT OIL, VEGETABLE CAN-6/4L
DISPORT:        FREETOWN
FUMIGATION:        NOT APPLICABLE
DISCHARGE/DELIVERY:    PER US FOOD AID BOOKING NOTE SECTION 2.C.i
LDA:            YES, NON-URGENT
LOADPORT AVAILABILITY:    11/20/23


Effective July 1, 2016, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has 
amended the Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS) to require, as a condition 
for loading a packed container onto a ship for export, that the container 
has a verified gross weight (VGM). The SOLAS requirement, states the shipper is 
responsible for the verification of the packed container’s weight; however, 
in most instances Food Aid cargo is containerized at Carrier’s time, risk 
and expense. 

Therefore, the Carrier is required to provide the Verified Gross Mass (VGM) of 
each container, whether required containerization or for Carrier’s convenience, 
directly to the master or his representative and to the marine terminal operator 
sufficiently in advance via the appropriate platform. All responsibility and 
costs for VGM will for be the Carrier’s account and should be included in the 
freight offer. In addition the carrier agrees to hold CRS harmless of any 
liability for an VGM that is not accurately reported.  

If accurate & timely VGM is not provided to above parties, any & all liability, 
delays or costs will be for Carrier’s account.  After the effective date, it 
would be a violation of SOLAS to load a packed container onto a vessel if the 
vessel operator and marine terminal operator do not have a verified container 
weight. 

The SOLAS amendments provide that there are two methods that may be used to 
determine the container weight once the container packing process has taken 
place. 
1. weighing the packed container; or 
2. weighing all packages and cargo items, including the mass of pallets, dunnage 
and other securing material to be packed in the container and adding the tare mass 
of the container to the sum of the single masses, using a certified method approved 
by the competent authority of the State in which packing of the container was 
completed. 

For further information:
http://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Safety/Cargoes/Containers/Pages/Verificat…-
gross-mass.aspx

In awarding cargo under this freight tender, USDA/FAS will consider factors 
including lowest-landed cost and the impact of any potential award on FAS's 
ability to satisfy the requirements of statutes and regulations including the 
Cargo Preference Act. There have been significant changes to the Cargo Preference 
legislation. Offerors are encouraged to review the FAS notice on the same, available
at: http://www.fas.usda.gov/excredits/ifb/default.htm.

FOR ALL CRS CARGOES. CARRIER'S ARE ENCOURAGED TO OFFER ON ANY/ALL 
"FAS POINTS" AND "BRIDGE POINTS" AS LISTED ON THE USDA DOCUMENTS 
"APPROVED PORTS/TERMINALS" AND FORM KC-362. LOADING USDA APPROVED 
PORTS/PLANTS/BRIDGES AS PER KC-362 AVAILABILITY AS PROVIDED ABOVE 
BASIS FAS LOAD PORT.(PLEASE REFER TO ACTUAL COMMODITY IFB FOR 
POTENTIAL SHIPPING PERIODS BASIS PLANT BRIDGE DESTINATIONS).
 
FOR DELIVERY BASIS INTERMODAL PLANT AND BRIDGE, OFFERORS ARE 
ENCOURAGED TO COORDINATE WITH VENDOR TO ENSURE SMOOTH LOADING 
OPERATION.

***EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT AS PROVIDED IN THE FREIGHT TENDERS, ALL AWARDS UNDER 
THIS IFB WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE U.S. FOOD AID 
BOOKING NOTE DATED NOVEMBER 1, 2004 WHICH IS FULLY INCORPORATED HEREIN.  
COPIES OF THIS BOOKING NOTE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE USAID WEBSITE AT 
https://procurement.usaid.gov/usaid-procurement-announcements/notices-t…

Approved Exceptions to Standard US Food AID Booking Note Terms, Procedures and 
Formats and other special terms and conditions (These items will apply to above 
cargo, unless specified otherwise):

Full Liner Berth Terms, All Inclusive. No Demurrage - No Dispatch - No Detention

Rates offered to be all inclusive and quoted in US Dollars per gross metric ton. 
All-inclusive rates which include costs for services other than port to port 
ocean transportation must include a breakdown of the ocean charge component and 
each of the following other charges, as applicable:  domestic inland 
transportation, foreign inland transportation, fumigation or destination bagging,
and special requirements for container load protocol (if applicable). No minimum
bill of lading quantities or charges or minimum container quantities or charges
to apply. Carriers who do not submit all inclusive rates as outlined above will
be considered non-responsive.

- SINGLE BOTTOM SERVICE OFFER MUST INCLUDE VESSEL ITINERARY IN 
THE REMARKS SECTION.
- REGULAR LINER SERVICE OFFER MUST INCLUDE FREQUENCY/ROUTING/
TRANSIT TIME IN THE REMARKS SECTION.

For all parcels, please refer to Clause 14 of Booking Guidelines for Notice 
requirements.

**For all offers, Carrier must acknowledge in the remarks section of WBSCM all 
country specific requirements when submitting offer; otherwise offer will be 
considered  NON-RESPONSIVE including the following: 
*SL - Containerization is required for all commodities and cargo to be unloaded
during port working hours unless agreed upon with Consignee in Sierra Leone with
no night or weekend movement.

**Carrier must confirm in the remarks section of WBSCM they will include the below 
statement(s) on Bill(s) of Lading; otherwise offer will be considered NON-RESPONSIVE: 
-"Freight Prepaid" or "Freight Payable per Booking Note".


LOAD TERMS:  Cargo to be delivered to Carrier FAS Vessel or bridge point at the 
specified load port, and loaded at Carrier's time, risk and expense with no 
demurrage/no despatch/ no detention.

DISCHARGE TERMS:  Cargo to be discharged at Carrier's time, risk and expense, and 
delivered in Carrier's containers to the door of the Receiver's/Consignee's 
warehouse(s)located outside the port area, with no demurrage/ no despatch/ 
no detention - per U.S. Food Aid Booking Note Sec. 2.(C)(i) 

Should cargo be containerized for carrier convenience, any/all additional cost at 
destination due to containerization including devanning or stripping into warehouse 
and THC is for carrier account.


Container demurrage/detention shall be in accordance with the carrier container 
demurrage/detention rates, but shall not exceed $10 per container per day or as 
per carrier tariff rate, whichever is lowest cost per day/per container.

CENTRAL AMERICA/CARIBBEAN BARGE CLAUSE:
If a barge is offered for service, it must be of such a type to adequately protect
the cargo, either by design, such as a house or multi-deck barge, or by use of 
permanent bin walls, provided the commodity is containerized.

TRANSATLANTIC BARGE CLAUSE:

TOWED BARGES WILL BE CONSIDERED IN THE TRANSATLANTIC TRADE PROVIDED ALL CARGO
IS CONTAINERIZED AND STOWED UNDER DECK. TO QUALIFY AS “UNDER DECK” STOWAGE,
THE CONTAINERS MUST BE STOWED IN A HOLD OR COMPARTMENT BELOW THE WEATHER DECK 
CAPABLE OF BEING VENTILATED AND ALLOTTED ENTIRELY TO THE CARRIAGE OF CARGO. 
IT MUST BE BOUND BY PERMANENT DECKS AND BULKHEADS OR THE SHELL OF THE VESSEL,
COMPLETELY PROTECTED FROM SALT SPRAY AND WEATHER ELEMENTS. NO OTHER STOWAGE
ARRANGEMENT WILL BE CONSIDERED UNLESS THE CARRIER HAS RECEIVED WRITTEN 
NOTIFICATION FROM THE SHIPPER(S) AND USDA PROVIDING APPROVAL FOR A SPECIFIC
VESSEL PRIOR TO THAT VESSEL PARTICIPATING IN ANY FOOD FOR PROGRESS AND 
MCGOVERN DOLE INTERNATIONAL FOOD FOR EDUCATION AND CHILD NUTRITION 
TRANSATLANTIC FOOD AID SHIPMENTS.

For ALL CRS CARGOES. Owners and/or their agents must return signed Bills of 
Lading and related documents to LifeLink Logistics within 48 hours (2 business 
days) after receipt of masters at Owners and/or their agents expense.  Rates 
offered to be all-inclusive and displayed on a per metric ton basis on all rated
Bills of Lading as per Booking Guideline Section 18.  Bills of Lading must state 
"Freight Prepaid" or "Freight payable per Booking Note".

For All CRS Cargoes. Owners and/or their agents must return signed Booking 
Note to LifeLink Logistics within 10 business days of receipt.

SIERRA LEONE Cargo. Containerization is required for all commodities.  Cargo 
must ship in 20 foot clean, weather-tight ocean containers. Commodities and 
containers must be fumigated prior to loading.  Prefer all cargo to be shipped
on one vessel. After USDA assigns PO #s, no split parcels. Cargo to be 
unloaded during port working hours unless agreed upon with Consignee in 
Sierra Leone. No night or weekend movement due to security and lack of
electricity outside the port. 

At this time Sulfuryl Fluoride is not an approved fumigant for 
commodities to Sierra leone. 

All charges up to CRS's warehouse for the Thru BLs are for ocean carrier
including but not limited to container scanning fee, delivery order fee, port fees,
road fees, administrative fees, and terminal charges. 

Cargo to be delivered on thru BL to CRS' designated warehouse(s) in Freetown, 
subject to change:
 
MOW Warehouse
Next to SLRTC Compound
George Brook
Kissy,
Freetown

The Carrier must provide one (1) signed copy of the FGIS Container Condition 
Inspection Certificate attesting to the satisfactory condition of containers 
prior to loading cargoes.  

FAS Notice to the Trade issued February 16, 2023 – Prohibition of Methyl Bromide 
as a Fumigant in International Food Assistance Programs is fully incorporated into 
this freight tender / solicitation.
https://fas.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2023-02/fumigation_protocols_a…
prohibition_notice_to_trade-2-16-23.docx
inlcuding resources for additionl fumigation protocols in coordination with Title 
II program.
 
Notice to the Trade dated February 8, 2023 – Pre-treatment of Containers for 
Packaged Cargo except Vegetable Oil is fully incorporated into this solicitation. 

Notice to the Trade dated April 27, 2023 – Bag - Stowage in Containers is fully 
incorporated into this solicitation.       
   
Vessel Loading observation requirements and procedures, as per The U.S. 
Department of Agriculture Kansas City Commodity Office’s notice to the trade 
of May 5, 2000, is hereby incorporated.  A copy of which can be furnished upon 
request. 

Bill of Lading integrity is to be maintained at all times while in the carrier's 
custody and control, assuring that individual ocean bill of lading quantities 
are not commingled.

All vessel substitution requests must be reviewed by USDA. The proposed substitute 
vessel should be of the same type as the originally awarded vessel. This applies to 
both U.S. and foreign flag vessel substitutions. The proposed substitute vessel must
also appear on the applicable Maritime Administration U.S. or foreign flag vessel 
list which can be accessed using the following URL: 

http://www.marad.dot.gov/ships_shipping_landing_page/cargo_preference/c…
humanitarian_assistance/cargo_human_assistance_reports/Humanitarian_Food_Aid_Reports.htm

Vessel substitutions must be approved by the Shipper and USDA, as applicable, and 
cargo shall not be loaded into unapproved substitute vessels.

In keeping with U.S. Customs enforced compliance program for outbound documentation,
carriers are hereby notified that any assessments against the cargo due in whole or 
in part to delay by carrier in verifying final load count, and providing same to 
LifeLink Logistics, will be solely for carrier’s account.

CRS RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REQUIRE VESSEL OWNER/OPERATOR TO POST A 
PERFORMANCE BOND. SAID BOND TO BE IN THE FORM OF A CERTIFIED CHECK ONLY,
DRAWN ON A U.S. BANK, EQUIVALENT TO 5 PERCENT OF THE GROSS OCEAN FREIGHT. 
THE CHECK MUST BE MADE OUT IN FAVOR OF CRS. AS NEGOTIATED, THE PERFORMANCE 
BOND WILL BE GOOD THROUGH FINAL U.S. LOAD PORT; OR GOOD THROUGH FINAL 
DISCHARGE PORT; OR INLAND DESTINATION. SAID BOND IS DUE WITHIN FIVE (5) 
WORKING DAYS OF CONFIRMATION OF BOOKING, FAILURE TO DO SO WILL VOID THE 
CONTRACT. AS APPLICABLE, SAID BOND WILL BE RETURNED UPON RECEIPT OF WRITTEN
NOTICE THAT ALL AVAILABLE CARGOES HAVE BEEN LOADED AT U.S. PORT; OR THAT ALL 
CARGOES HAVE BEEN DELIVERED TO FINAL DISPORT OR INLAND DESTINATION POINT.

Loading Delay Assessment (LDA) applicable when specified in above cargo details.
    
Note 1: The Shipper will impose a Loading Delay Assessment (LDA) for each and every
day beyond the contracted load date that the Carrier has failed to load the cargo
aboard a vessel.  The contracted load date is defined as the date that the vessel
is estimated to arrive at the loading port, as specified in the US Aid Food Aid 
Booking Note Part I, plus a ten (10) day grace period. LDA shall be US $1.00 per 
metric ton per day or pro-rata, to be deducted from ocean freight payment. 

Application of LDA’s will be specific to CRS cargo.

FREIGHT PAYMENT SHALL BE PROCESSED  THRU THE WBSCM SYSTEM AND PAID BY USDA. 
60% OF THRU B/L FREIGHT PAYABLE UPON ARRIVAL AT THE DISCHARGE PORT. 
40% OF FREIGHT PAYABLE UPON COMPLETION OF DELIVERY TO THE FINAL INLAND 
WAREHOUSE(S).

Offers from NVOCCs will be considered non-responsive.

            ***USAID NOTICE TO THE TRADE***
 
For offers submitted through the electronic Web-Based Supply Chain Management 
(WBSCM) system, one of the statements below must appear in the Free Form Remarks
Section for each offer submitted. 

1. This freight proposal, whether successful or unsuccessful, contains trade secrets
or commercial financial information which are privileged and confidential and exempt
from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. Section 552.  
Furthermore, this information is prohibited from disclosure under the Trade 
Secrets Act, 18 U.S.C. Section 1905.

-- OR --

2. This freight proposal, whether successful or unsuccessful, may, in the future, 
be made public or released under a FOIA request."

Notice to the Trade dated April 5, 2017- Ocean Carrier Charges and Oversees Offices
or Agents is fully incorporated into this IFB.

EXPANSION OF TERMINAL DESIGNATIONS WITHIN THE PORT OF 
HOUSTON, TEXAS
 
Effective with Title II Invitation 028 issued on February 20, 2008, the Notice to 
the Trade  EOD-150 (Pilot Program for Load Port Surveys and Processed Commodity 
Bidding Basis Houston, Texas) is cancelled.  USAID Notice to the Trade dated 
April 5, 2006 “F.A.S. Allocated Commodities at Houston and Jacinto” is also 
rescinded.  This means that beginning with INV 028, Houston will no longer be 
available as an approved delivery point.  Offerors must select terminals within
the Port of Houston as listed in Notice to the Trade: Expansion of Terminal 
Designations Within The Port Of Houston, Texas. The notice is posted on the 
USAID Ocean Notices website at http://www.usaid.gov/business/ocean/notices. 
A complete list of delivery/bid point codes, including the new Houston 
delivery/bid point codes, is available at: 
http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=home&subject=coop&topic=pas-ex-…;

Commodity, load port and intermodal point abbreviations as per USDA form KC-362. 
Delivery terms per USDA Notice to the Trade of April 5, 1995.

1) All offers MUST include ETA loadport, ETS loadport, and ETA destination, along 
with routing information. Other requirements or pertinent information: 
A. Vessel’s itinerary and current position.
B. Full particulars on vessel owner’s company including officers, address and bank 
references.
C. Voyage number for vessel being offered.

2) Commodity supplier delivery terms, origin points and specific shipping dates will
not be known until commodities are purchased. All cargo's availability date at 
loadport will be 11/20/23. Depending on the commodity suppliers elected shipping
dates, cargo can start shipping out as early as 10/01/23. Carriers will be 
required to receive cargo in accordance with USDA suppliers contractual shipping
dates and delivery terms. The potential shipping periods for bids at the plant 
or bridge point locations can be found in the commodity solicitation.

3) Total commissions 1.67% on gross freight / dead-freight is payable to 
Charterer's agent / Freight Forwarder, LifeLink Logistics. See Notice to the 
Trade at: https://apps.fas.usda.gov/excredits/Trade-Notice-Dated-1-16-2018.htm

4) Evaluation and contract award:   offers which do not comply with mandatory 
requirements of this IFB, including but not limited to the minimums and maximums 
specified above, will not be considered.  Offers must include full particulars 
demonstrating the willingness and ability to meet these requirements. Catholic 
Relief Services reserves the right to award without discussions with USDA 
approval. Award will be to the lowest responsible offeror meeting the mandatory
requirements of this IFB.  

5) Contract Terms:   Except to the extent provided above, this IFB is subject to the
standard US Food Aid Booking Note (INCLUDING ANY AND ALL AMENDMENTS 
AND ATTACHMENTS), which are fully incorporated herein. Copies of these 
guidelines may be obtained from USAID website, at 
https://procurement.usaid.gov/usaid-procurement-announcements/notices-t…;
 

 

Contact

New Tenders and Awards

2-TL@fas.usda.gov

Apply

All opportunities must be applied
for through WEBSCM.