CONTRACT #1-04-85-30-01, Nursing Breast Pads
Specifications
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES
WOMEN, INFANTS, AND CHILDREN (WIC) PROGRAM
BREAST PAD BID SPECIFICATIONS
NOTE: A COPY OF THE COMPANY'S 'CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION' CAN BE REQUIRED FOR THE PURCHASING OF GARMENTS. THIS REGISTRATION IS OBTAINED FROM THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS, DIVISION OF LABOR STANDARDS ENFORCEMENT, LICENSING AND REGISTRATION
1.0 SCOPE
This specification covers the requirements for nursing breast pads to be used by breastfeeding mothers (participants) in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program. The nursing breast pads shall withstand residential type laundering and drying.
2.0 SPECIFICATION AND STANDARDS
Specifications and standards referenced in this document in effect on the opening of the Invitation for Bid form a part of this specification where referenced.
3.0 REQUIREMENTS
All nursing breast pads shall meet or exceed the following requirements for configuration, materials, durability, labeling and packaging.
3.1 Configuration: Breast pads shall be flat and circular in shape minimum 4" in diameter. The nursing pads shall be a minimum of four (4) layers thick with a thickness in the range of ¼" to 1/8". All nursing breast pads shall be machine (warm) washable, machine (tumble) dryable, and reusable. Note: Pads designed to be disposable after use shall not be acceptable. Flat pads shall lay flat on both sides. Excess fabric in center of pad is not acceptable. Samples may be tested to ensure that they are washable and reusable, see attached Laundering Procedures.
3.2 Stitching: All outer edges shall be sewn with an overedge stitch with 1/8 inch width bite and formed with 1-needle thread and 2-looper threads with the looper threads forming a purl on the edge of the seam. All stitches shall be evenly spaced. Any puckering (1/4 inch maximum), twisting, pleating and raw edges (1/4 inch maximum) are not acceptable. All stitching shall be back stitched a minimum ¼ inch, bartacked minimum ¼ inch or chained off to prevent unraveling. Stitching shall meet or exceed stitch specified.
3.3 Material: The nursing breast pad shall be constructed of 100% cotton flannel fabric. There shall be no plastic material or waterproof lining. All fabric shall meet or exceed the absorbency characteristics of the reference brand products.
3.5 Fabric Weight: All fabric layers shall consist of 100% cotton flannel fabric with a soft pile that meets or exceeds the weight and absorbency characteristics of the reference brand products.
3.6 Shrinkage: After machine washing (warm) and machine (tumble) drying the diameter of the nursing breast pad shall not be less than a minimum of 3.5".
3.7 Workmanship: All workmanship shall conform to the best trade practices. The nursing breast pads shall be free from all avoidable imperfections from the manufacturing process. Defects that adversely affect appearance or serviceability shall be cause for rejection. Fabric defects shall be defined as stated in American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)-D 3990-89 Standard Terminology Relating to Fabric Defects. The apparent silence of this specification as to any detail or the apparent omission of any detail shall be regarded as meaning that only the best commercial practice is to prevail and that only materials and workmanship of first quality are to be used.
4.0 QUALITY ASSURANCE PROVISIONS
4.1 Inspection: The nursing breast pads will be inspected and tested for compliance to this specification as deemed necessary. For purpose of inspection, an inspection lot shall be defined as one delivery to one agency at one time.
4.2 Samples: The bidder (offering other than the reference brand) shall provide four (4) samples (for a total of 16 nursing breast pads) that shall represent exactly the commodity to be supplied. Each sample shall consist of one package of four (4) nursing breast pads and a package label as specified below. The sample shall be retained for comparison and control of future deliveries to the State.
5.0 PREPARATION FOR DELIVERY
5.1 Packaging: The pads shall be wrapped four (4) nursing breast pads per package, with a package label inserted, in a sealed polyethylene type bag or comparable packaging made from recycled materials.
The packages shall be boxed 20 packages per box. Comparable packaging consistent with current industry practice will be considered. Bidders are encouraged to offer product packaging with recycle content.
5.2 Labeling: The packaging label shall be easily readable in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission, Rules and Regulations, Textile Fiber Products Identification Act, including, but not limited to the manufacturer's identification, material content, cleaning instructions and country of origin. Single page cleaning instructions shall be printed in English and Spanish, which are at low literacy level (maximum sixth grade reading level). See attached example of acceptable single page cleaning instructions. Packaging labels/instructions in English and Spanish must be included with the bid samples.
6.0 GUARANTEE
6.1 The vendor shall guarantee for 12 months following the date of delivery that all items provided will be free from defects in workmanship.
6.2 In the event an item is proved defective in service during the guarantee period, the vendor shall repair or replace the defective item without cost to the State within 45 days.
7.0 REFERENCE BRANDS
Flat Pads: NuAngel, Inc., Kushies, Moldworks
Alternate to reference brand products offered will be considered. It shall be the responsibility of the supplier to provide any evidence required to confirm compliance to the specification at no additional cost to the state. All products offered must meet or exceed the quality of the reference brand as determined by DGS Procurement Division's Contract Administrator team, which shall include Agency representatives, DGS Procurement Engineers, DGS Procurement Contract Administrators. Failure of the supplier to inspect the reference brand products does not relieve the supplier of the responsibility to provide a product that meets the quality requirements.
NURSING BREAST PAD
Laundering Procedure
1.0 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
Per the bid description, products offered must be machine washable (warm), machine (tumble) dryable and reusable. After completion of the laundering procedure, samples will be evaluated for form, fit and function as specified in the bid specification.
2.0 APPARATUS AND MATERIALS
2.1 Automatic washing machine
2.2 Automatic tumble dryer
2.3 Low sudsing detergent
2.4 Dummy Load for Washing-Normal weight is 1.8kg (4lb), which may require the addition of dummy load (i.e. white sheeting, regular finish) as needed.
3.0 PROCEDURE
3.1 Laundering - The samples are washed as part of a 1.8kg (4lb) load made up with dummy sheeting as needed.
Machine Cycle: Normal or Cotton Sturdy, full automatic cycle including final spin.
Water Level: Full
Washing Time: 12 minutes
Amount of Detergent: Sufficient low sudsing detergent for good running suds.
Washing Temperature: Warm-Normal 105+/-5*F (41 =/- 3*C)
Rinse Temperature: Warm-Normal 105+/-5*F (41 =/- 3*C)
3.2 At the completion of the wash cycle, remove samples and dummy load from the washer, separate pieces and place wash load (samples and dummy load) in the dryer and tumble until dry (approximately 35 minutes) at the low setting. At the completion of the drying cycle, remove the load from the dryer and separate the pieces.
3.3 The above washing and drying procedure is repeated for a total of three (3) wash/dry cycles.
4.0 EVALUATION
4.1 After the desired number of laundering cycles, samples are laid flat in the examination area.
4.2 Three (3) evaluators, which shall include Agency representatives, DGS Procurement Engineer and DGS Procurement Contract Administrator, shall determine compliance for form, fit and function as specified in the bid specification.
