Scope of Work for Packing Rig Tender Applicants October 26, 2007
Manufacture of a Demonstration / Pilot Mobile Field Packing Rig
The Agribusiness Development Program (ADP) is a USAID-funded program implemented by
CNFA. The program is designed to improve the international competitiveness of Moldova’s high
value agricultural sector by strengthening the capacity of all participants of the value chain –
producers, processors, aggregators and exporters. ADP will achieve its overall objective of increasing
incomes and employment in the agricultural sector by leveraging private sector investment and
commercial finance by providing targeted training and technical assistance.
Objectives: To design and produce a prototype demonstration mobile pack house rig, to be used in-field
and orchards for grading, size calibration and packing of fruits and vegetables.
Rationale:
Fruit and vegetable production is a key industry in Moldova.
However, current post harvest practices are generally poor.
Because of limited access to pack house facilities for
grading, size calibration and packing, and limited
possibilities to build costly packhorses, Moldovan produce is
frequently packed in open fields without any attention to
grading or presentation. Products packed in this way are
generally supplied to the low value sectors of both local and
export markets, where they are sold at low prices.
An alternative to high cost fixed pack houses are mobile field packing rigs. These tractor
drawn packing stations can be transported from field to field as required, and offer a
protected environment, usually with equipment for sorting, selection and grading of produce.
They can either be used stationary in a field, or can be drawn through crops, following
harvesters as crops are picked.
Such rigs are widely used by growers in the USA and Europe. Products packed on mobile rigs are moved to pre-coolers and cold stores, prior to sale and distribution. In Moldova, it is anticipated that mobile rigs can be used to improve the presentation of products packed and sold directly from the field, but can also be used in conjunction with pre-coolers/cold stores where these are available.
Proposed Activities:
It is proposed to design and have produced a mobile packinghouse rig by one successful Moldovan bidder. The winning proposal will provide a design and construction approach that will result in a mobile packing rig that is safe, stable, and easy to use and will meet all required HACCP and GlobalGAP food safety requirements.
The technical component of the winning proposal will demonstrate the capacity of the bidder to develop a design and also to complete the construction on a pilot basis. The cost component of the proposal should reflect only the preparation of the design. After successful completion of the design, the successful bidder will enter into discussions with the Agribusiness Development Project to determine the cost and other conditions for constructing the packing rig.
Note: The assistance programs administered by CNFA are exempt from VAT payment so the cost of the submitted bids should be calculated at a 0% VAT rate. Contact Person: Simion Bostan, tel: 577-930; e-mail: sbostan@moldova.cnfa.org.
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