12318723R0002-Amendment 0003.pdf

(x)

12318723R0002 x x

1 copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted ; or (c) By separate letter or electronic communication which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO BE

RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR

OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted , such change may be made by letter or electronic communication, provided each letter or electronic communication makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

x

WASHINGTON DC 20250-1138

1400 INDEPENDENCE AVE SW MS-1138

AQM PROC PROPERTY

USDA FOREST SERVICE

11/14/20220003

13. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO MODIFICATION OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS. IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required) is not extended.is extended, Items 8 and 15, and returning

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended , by one of the following methods: (a) By completing

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

FACILITY CODE CODE

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

CODE

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., street, county, State and ZIP Code)

7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 6)CODE 6. ISSUED BY

PAGE OF PAGES

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO.3. EFFECTIVE DATE2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO. 5. PROJECT NO. (If applicable)

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

11/14/2022

CHECK ONE A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority) appropriation data, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is not is required to sign this document and return __________________ copies to the issuing office.

ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

This amendment is written as follows:

a. Incorporate questions and responses into this solicitation.

b. Replace solicitation pages 2,3,5-9,12,13,43,44,53

Proposals received after the deadline of January 23, 2023, at 5:00 PM will be returned unopened.

Period of Performance: 03/02/2023 to 03/01/2024

Set aside: Total Small Business

Continued ...

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

15C. DATE SIGNED 16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR 16C. DATE SIGNED

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer)

CASSANDRA N. CAREY

STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 11/2016)

Prescribed by GSA FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

Previous edition unusable

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9 A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect .

ITEM NO. SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

NAME OF OFFEROR OR CONTRACTOR

2 3

CONTINUATION SHEET

REFERENCE NO. OF DOCUMENT BEING CONTINUED PAGE OF

(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)

12318723R0002/0003

Preference: Small Disadvantaged Business Entities

Geographic Area: Outside of the United States

NSN 7540-01-152-8067 OPTIONAL FORM 336 (4-86)

Sponsored by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.110

Responses to Questions - 12318723R0002

1. B.1 states that task orders will be "predominately" that cost plus fixed fee but FFP orders may be issued. Will the Government provide estimates to quantify the meaning of "predominately"?

Will the majority of order issued be CPFF? Or will the majority of the dollars be obligated on

CPFF orders?

a. The majority of the orders issues will be CPFF.

2. Paragraph numbering skips from B.2 to B.6. Please confirm that the omission of B.2 through B.5 is intentional or if not, please provide the missing paragraphs.

a. This was a typo. The RFP has been updated to correct this.

3. B.7 identifies Attachment 1 as containing a required format for task order proposals. Section J and Attachment 1 itself identifies Attachment 1 as a sample task order performance work statement (PWS). Which does not contain a proposal format. Will the Government clarify the requirement stated in B.7?

a. This sentence has been removed.

4. B.9 contains tables of labor categories identified by General Schedule (GS) grade equivalents and containing the requirement to bid a fixed price hourly rate for each labor category. There is no data given on locality or GS steps for the GS grades shown. Given that GS pay rates are given in a base version, 53 locality areas and contain 10 steps per grade, how does the Government envision the proposed fixed hourly rates as working? Are these base rates which will be subject to adjustment based on locality when proposing on task orders? Given that the Government titled a column "Experience/Grade Equivalent" and that experience is reflected in the step associated with a given grade, are the proposed rates intended to reflect a step 1 experience level which will be adjusted to the experience level required by task order requirements when proposing on task orders?

a. For the purposes of the proposal development, please assume Washington, DC step 1 equivalents. Again, this is for the purposes of the proposal submission and cost evaluation. The actual task orders will reflect the requested level of experience.

5. B.9 contains rate tables to be completed by the offeror for 4 option years. Section B of the schedule indicates that there is only 1 performance year for which prices are being solicited.

Please clarify this contradiction.

a. The contract is for a one base year plus four option years, to be exercised at the discretion of the government.

6. B.9 indicates that the labor rates proposed therein will be used when issuing a FFP task order.

B.6 provides a table in which offerors propose fee rates are to be applied administrative service requirements as shown in C.3.4. The requirements described in C.3.4 would appear to never require the use of the labor categories contained in B.9. Will the Government provide a better description of what is meant by FFP task orders, what sort(s) of requirements may be contained in FFP task orders, and provide clarification of the seemingly disparate requirements described in both B.6 and B.9?

a. Firm fixed price will be used for administrative payment processing services (B.6) and may be used for other labor-specific task orders based on the level of certainty. Most of the task orders under the current contract have been cost plus fixed fee given the international nature of the work and the unpredictability associated with that which is not expected to change under the new requirement.

7. C.3.5 states that tasks transitioning from the current contract are noted in Attachment 2. Per

Section J and Attachment 2 itself, that attachment is a past performance questionnaire. It contains no list of tasks to be transitioned. Will the Government please clarify this requirement to transition task orders from the current contract?

a. After award of this follow-on contract, any transitioned tasks will be assimilated in new task orders with specific requirements incorporated. Language in C.3.5. is updated as attached.

8. F.1 identifies option year periods which is inconsistent with Section B The Schedule as previously noted. Will the Government provide clarification as to whether there are option periods contained in this requirement, and if so, what they are?

a. The contract is for one base year plus four option years, to be exercised at the discretion of the government. The specific dates will be based on this award. See the note

**Actual dates will be updated at the time of award.

9. Above in L.1.1 it says that "The Sample Task Order Cost must be submitted using spreadsheet software that is compatible with Microsoft Excel". In L.1.3, it says "Offerors shall include technical and cost information in the same volume" (and in other areas “volumes” seem to be equated to unique, individual files in compatible MS Office format). Does this mean in the same file (one attachment) and if so given the L.1.1 wording does that mean that the attachment

(entire Sample Task response) has to be in Excel compatible format?

a. Per L.1.3, “Because this is only a sample and will not be awarded, Offerors shall include technical and cost information in the same volume only in this instance.” It can be in either Excel or Word format.

10. L.1.5 in the task order cost section contains a complete budget requirement that must be met

"in accordance with IDIQ B.8 Task Order Budget Requirements." B.8 is titled Labor and contains a couple briefly stated requirements which pertain to direct compensation and overseas recruitment incentives. Will the Government provide clarification on what its complete task order budget requirements are, whether the reference to B.8 is accurate, and if not, what the correct reference is?

a. The numbering in section B has been updated along with the language in L.1.5. The cost proposal should contain pricing for the base and options for sections B.3 and B.6.

11. Notwithstanding the title it contains detailed instructions for the sample task order proposal to include a complete budget, breakdowns by cost element, other direct cost data, complete indirect cost data and a cost narrative. The preceding part of L.1.5 that does address the IDIQ cost proposal contains no requirements for a breakdown of direct costs, indirect costs, fee/profit justification or cost narrative. Does this summary reflect the Government's understanding of what it intends for the IDIQ and task order cost proposals as described in

L.1.5? And if not, will the Government provide clarification of its IDIQ and task order cost proposal requirements?

a. The cost proposal should have a breakdown of all costs and all formulas must be displayed and the not locked.

12. "The Offeror is expected to establish a reasonable relationship among the cost elements listed in Section B of the sample task order." Attachment 1 the sample task order is a performance work statement and does not contain a Section B with listed cost elements. Will the

Government provide clarification on what it intends to evaluate with this reference to a section

B and how it intends to evaluate it?

a. The reference to section B has been removed. The offeror is expected to establish a reasonable relationship among the cost elements listed in the sample task order.

13. "The remaining elements of the cost proposal will be analyzed in accordance with FAR 15.404-

1." The antecedent reference to "remaining elements" is not clear. Given that this sentence follows 2 paragraphs addressing evaluation of the sample task order cost proposal, does

"remaining elements" refer to any sample task cost proposal elements that were not specifically identified in the prior paragraphs of M.5? If not, what are the remaining elements that will be evaluated?

a. The word remaining is removed. Section B will be evaluated using FAR 15.404-1.

14. M.5 contains no evaluation criteria that are explicitly identified as pertaining to the evaluation of the IDIQ cost proposal. Does the Government not intend to evaluate the IDIQ cost proposal?

If it does, will the Government provide the evaluation criteria for any such evaluation of the IDIQ cost proposal in section M?

a. It will be evaluated using FAR 15.404-1.

15. Section L.1.2 Volume 1: IDIQ Technical Proposal (20 Page Limit). Will the Government, USFS (IP) consider increasing the page count from 20 to 22?

a. No. Please keep the proposal to the 20-page limit.

Table of Contents

OVERVIEW

Section A – SF‐33

Section B – Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs

B.1 Type of Contract

B.2 Minimum and Maximum Quantities

B.3 Fee for Administrative Services

B.4 Task Order Proposals

B.5 Labor

B.6 Labor Categories and Rates

B.7 Task Order Limitations

Section C – Description/Specifications/Statement of Work

C.1 Background

C.2 Objective

C.3 Scope of Work

C.3.1 Management of Contractor Personnel

C.3.2 Short‐ and Long‐Term Forestry and Research Development Expertise

C.3.3 Overseas Project Office Management and Implementation

C.3.4 Administrative Services/Foreign Vendor Payment Processing

C.3.5 Transition of Current Tasks

C.3.6 Key Personnel

C.4 IDIQ Performance Standards

Section D – Packaging and Marking

Section E – Inspection and Acceptance

Section F – Deliveries or Performance

Section F.1 Notice of Listing Contract Clauses Incorporated by Reference

F.2 Period of Performance

F.3 Task Order Awards

F.4 Place of Performance

F.5 Travel

F.6 Place of Delivery

Section G – Contract Administration Data

G.2 Contracting Officer Representative

G.3 Invoicing and Payment Procedures

Section H – Special Contract Requirements

H.1 Additional Requirements for Personnel Compensation

H.2 Work Week

H.3 Medical Evacuation Services

H.4 Organizational Conflict of Interest

H.5 Supervision of Contractor’s Employees

Section I – Contract Clauses

Section J – List of Attachments

Section K – Representations, Certifications and Other Statements of Offerors or Respondents

Section L – Instructions, Conditions and Notices to Offerors or Respondents

L.1.1 Instructions to the Offerors

L.1.2 Volume 1: Technical Proposal

L.1.3 Volume 2: Sample Task Order Proposal

L.1.4 Volume 3: Past Performance

L.1.5 Volume 4: IDIQ Cost Proposal

L.2 Detailed Proposal Instructions

L.2.1 Technical Proposal

Section M – Evaluation Factors for Award

M.1 Evaluation Factors for Award

M.2 Relative Importance of Evaluation Criteria

M.3 Evaluation Factors

M.3.1 Technical Approach Factor

M.3.2 Management Approach Factor

M.3.3 Response to the Sample Task Order Factor

M.4 Past Performance Factor

M.5 Cost Factor

Section B – Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs

B.1 Type of Contract The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) intends to issue a single award Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity

(IDIQ) contract. Specific tasks and/or work to be performed will be detailed in individual task orders issued under this IDIQ contract. Task orders will predominately be cost‐plus fixed fee, but Firm Fixed

Price (FFP) task orders will be used when appropriate.

B.2 Minimum and Maximum Quantities During the contract period of performance (including any exercised option years), the maximum IDIQ shall not exceed $300 million. The minimum ordering quantity is $100,000.

B.3 Fee for Administrative Services Certain task orders issued under this IDIQ will require the Contractor process payments for the Forest

Service overseas for the provision of administrative services. Examples of administrative services are included in section C.3.4. All tasks requiring foreign vendor payment processing for administrative services will be issued as Firm Fixed Priced (FFP) task orders. For FFP task orders or FFP portions of FFP hybrid task orders requiring administrative services, the Contractor may charge a fee to account for the administrative cost of processing the transaction. The fee scale will be based on the dollar value of the payment processing request. Fees will be applied using the following dollar ranges (Offeror proposes percentage fee and should use the following table in their IDIQ cost proposals): Contractor shall fulfill requests to process payments for the Forest Service overseas for the provision of administrative services.

Transaction Amount Fee (%)

$1 ‐ $10,000

$10,001 ‐ $50,000

Greater than $50,001

B.4 Task Order Proposals The budgets for FFP task orders for administrative services must correspond to the fee structure proposed in B.3 – B.6.

B.5 Labor The following applies to compensation of personnel under this contract or any resulting subcontract.

Direct compensation of the Contractor’s personnel will be in accordance with the Contractor’s established policies, procedures, and practices, and the cost principles applicable to this contract.

Reimbursement of the employee’s allocable salary and overseas recruitment incentive, if any, which exceed the ceiling in H.1 of this IDIQ, must be approved in writing by the Contracting

Officer.

B.6 Labor Categories and Rates When a firm fixed price task order is requested, the Contractor shall provide services under this contract using the fully burdened, government‐site, fixed hourly rates as proposed under this RFP.

All offerors should propose fully burdened hourly rates for the following labor categories. These categories reflect the experience and education levels of the group qualification standards for professional and scientific positions outlined by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/Standards/group‐stds/gs‐prof.asp#table and the administrative and management positions at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/group‐stds/Gs‐admin.asp. In general, IP will request the Contractor to provide labor support similar to those found under the GS‐ 101

Social Science and the GS‐401 General Biological Sciences or GS‐343 Program Management series. IP may also require contractors to provide labor support at a level similar to the Senior Executive Service.

Further information about the qualification standards for the SES may be found at http://www.opm.gov/ses/recruitment/ecq.asp. In addition to the OPM group qualification standards IP utilizes the following guidelines when referring to the Labor Categories listed below.

Scientist (all levels) – Academic background in the physical sciences. Experience includes domestic and international technical assistance in environment and natural resource management. Strong written and analytical skills. Expertise leading teams of interdisciplinary experts within an international context.

Foreign language skills and experience living and working overseas preferred.

Program Specialist (all levels) – Academic background in either the physical or social sciences.

Experience includes domestic and international support and/or management of development assistance programs related to environment and natural resource management. Familiarity with USG government regulations with a particular emphasis on FS and USAID requirements for the implementation of international development assistance activities focused on the environment and natural resource management. Strong written and analytical skills. Foreign language skills and experience living and working overseas preferred.

Base Year

Labor Category for US‐ based Employees

Experience/Grade Equivalent

Hourly Rate

Scientist Level I 11

Scientist Level II 12

Scientist Level III 13

Senior Scientist Level I 14

Senior Scientist Level II 15

Senior Scientist Level III Senior Executive Service

Program Specialist Level I 5

Program Specialist Level II 7

Program Specialist Level III 9

Mid‐level Program Specialist Level I 11

Mid‐level Program Specialist Level II 12

Mid‐level Program Specialist Level III 13

Senior Program Specialist Level I 14

Senior Program Specialist Level II 15

Senior Program Specialist Level III Senior Executive Service

Option Year One based Employees

Experience/Grade Equivalent

Hourly Rate

Scientist Level I 11

Scientist Level II 12

Scientist Level III 13

Senior Scientist Level I 14

Senior Scientist Level II 15

Senior Scientist Level III Senior Executive Service

Program Specialist Level I 5

Program Specialist Level II 7

Program Specialist Level III 9

Mid‐level Program Specialist Level I 11

Mid‐level Program Specialist Level II 12

Mid‐level Program Specialist Level III 13

Senior Program Specialist Level I 14

Option Year Two based Employees

Experience/Grade Equivalent

Hourly Rate

Scientist Level I 11

Scientist Level II 12

Scientist Level III 13

Senior Scientist Level I 14

Senior Scientist Level II 15

Senior Scientist Level III Senior Executive Service

Program Specialist Level I 5

Program Specialist Level II 7

Program Specialist Level III 9

Mid‐level Program Specialist Level I 11

Mid‐level Program Specialist Level II 12

Mid‐level Program Specialist Level III 13

Senior Program Specialist Level I 14

Option Year Three based Employees

Experience/Grade Equivalent

Hourly Rate

Scientist Level I 11

Scientist Level II 12

Scientist Level III 13

Senior Scientist Level I 14

Senior Scientist Level II 15

Senior Scientist Level III Senior Executive Service

Program Specialist Level I 5

Program Specialist Level II 7

Program Specialist Level III 9

Mid‐level Program Specialist Level I 11

Mid‐level Program Specialist Level II 12

Mid‐level Program Specialist Level III 13

Senior Program Specialist Level I 14

Option Year Four based Employees

Experience/Grade Equivalent

Hourly Rate

Scientist Level I 11

Scientist Level II 12

Scientist Level III 13

Senior Scientist Level I 14

Senior Scientist Level II 15

Senior Scientist Level III Senior Executive Service

Program Specialist Level I 5

Program Specialist Level II 7

Program Specialist Level III 9

Mid‐level Program Specialist Level I 11

Mid‐level Program Specialist Level II 12

Mid‐level Program Specialist Level III 13

Senior Program Specialist Level I 14

B.7 Task Order Limitations

FFP Task Orders: When issuing FFP task orders, Contracting Officers must state in the task order the FFP, which represents the total amount of the task order and the maximum price the Contractor may be paid to perform the services, reports, or other deliverables in the task order.

Maximum Order: When USFS requires services or other deliverables covered by this contract in a task order amount of more than $10,000,000 the Contractor is not obligated to accept an order to furnish those services or reports and other deliverables under this IDIQ. However, if the Contractor agrees to furnish services or reports and other deliverables required by USFS in excess of $10,000,000 and is awarded a task order to do so, the Contractor is required to provide said services and reports/deliverables in accordance with the Task Order’s terms and conditions.

Option to Increase the Overall Maximum

The Government reserves the right to increase the Overall Maximum under this contract by an amount not to exceed 25% of the current Overall Maximum by written notice to the Contractor within 30 calendar days, provided that the Government gives the Contractor a preliminary written notice of its intent to extend at least 30 days before the contract expires. The preliminary notice does not commit the Government to the increase.

[END OF SECTION B]

Mexico Web Designer Consultant

Early Career Scientist Capacity Building Expert

Response Practitioner Development Specialist

Response Learning Specialist

Colombia INL Interpretation and Translation Consultants

Malaysia ICS Operations Section Chief Expert

Mozambique Fire Consultant

Mexico Database Management and System Analyst

Liberia Program Support Consultants

Indonesia Law Enforcement Technical Expert

South America Regional Fire Situation Consultant

Balkans Regional Program Consultants

Philippines Forestry Geospatial Data Consultant

Senior Advisor for Uganda

Bangladesh Disaster Management Consultant

Bangladesh Lead Technical Disaster Resilience Advisor

Global Events Support Assistant

Financial Reporting and Management Specialist

Brazil Amazon Lidar Analysis Consultant

Compass Bangladesh Program and Logistics Experts

SilvaCarbon Harmonization Expert

Timor‐Leste Emergency Management Specialist

World Forest ID Learning Platform Consultants

Mozambique Landscape Architect Consultant

Indonesia Mobile Computing Expert

YCC Educational Technology Assistant

Response Staffing Support Specialist

Colombia Wildland Fire Prediction Systems Consultants

Lower Mekong Law Enforcement and Investigations Experts

CAFTA‐DR Seedbank Manual Consultants

Mekong Program Manager

India and Bhutan Program Manager

Latin America World Forest ID Program Manager

Wood Identification Specialist

C.3.3 Overseas Project Office Management and Implementation The Contractor shall provide complete solutions, including personnel and supplies, to effectively establish, manage and implement overseas project offices. This may include using U.S.‐based and/or in‐ country personnel to provide:

Technical experts in forestry research and development, sustainable forestry, climate change mitigation and adaptation, natural resource management and disaster mitigation

Project management

Training

Business support/administrative functions

Security/Guard services

Database development and information technology support

Logistics

Technical writing, communication and marketing assistance

Language competencies

C.3.4 Administrative Services/Foreign Vendor Payment Processing At the request of USFS, the Contractor shall fulfill requests to process payments for the Forest Service to support overseas offices and administrative services. This may include but is not limited to the following services:

Conference registration

Workshop support

Technical assistance activities

Simultaneous language interpretation

Purchase of supplies

Identification and provision of secure office and Contractor employee facilities and/or housing which meets the safety and security standards of the USFS and the US Department of State

Identification and provision of vehicles and program equipment

Salary, benefits and allowances of host country Contractor employees

General office support including but not limited to; telephone, internet, reproduction, bank charges, office supplies/computer equipment, utilities, vehicle fuel/maintenance, and vehicle rental

C.3.5 Transition of Current Tasks The Contractor shall work with USFS and the current Contractor to transfer existing efforts under new task orders. Activities that will continue under the new IDIQ will be assimilated in new task orders with specific requirements incorporated.

The Contractor shall provide a statement describing its capabilities to manage the Transition to migrate support from the incumbent Contractor. The statement should include the following:

Management approach and capabilities for transitioning from the current Contractor.

Provision of a list of all Government dependencies and assumptions for Government services to be used during the transition.

Perceptions of risk and risk mitigation recommendations.

Transition Out: The current Contractor shall provide comprehensive assistance and documentation requested by the Government and/or Contractors to facilitate an orderly exit, and possible transition to a new Contractor, upon notice of termination.

C.3.6 Key Personnel The Contractor shall designate a Project Manager. This position is considered key personnel.

Cover Page (CP) – not counted in page limit

Table of Contents (TOC) – not counted in page limit

Sub Factor 1 Past Performance Summaries – limited to two pages per past performance summary

Past Performance Notice: The information provided by the Offeror is only one of the means used by the

Government to obtain relevant Past Performance information. The Government reserves the right to obtain information from other sources (e.g., CPARS and past performance questionnaires) to assess

Offeror’s performance risk. The Government may consider positive and negative information not mentioned by the Offeror but found during the course of assessing relevant Past Performance.

Offerors shall provide unclassified contracts whenever possible. Offerors should provide the

Government with the most current data on each summary. Before including any person as a point‐of‐ contact, verify the accuracy, currency, and completeness of the point‐of‐contact’s mailing address, e‐ mail address, and telephone number, and that the point‐of‐contact is willing to cooperate in this evaluation effort. The inability to reach any of an Offeror’s point‐of‐contacts or their unwillingness to provide the requested information may adversely affect the Government’s evaluation of the Offeror’s performance.

L.1.5 Volume 4: IDIQ Cost Proposal The Offeror’s Volume 4: IDIQ Cost Proposal shall be submitted as described below.

VOLUME 4: IDIQ COST PROPOSAL (No Page Limits)

Cover Page (CP)

Cover Letter

Contract Business Proposal Assumptions

Cost Tables in accordance with Section B.3 and B.6 of the IDIQ (base and option years)

Labor Descriptions and cross reference to OPM categories (as appropriate) in accordance with Section B.5 of the IDIQ

Labor Rates in accordance with Section B.5 of the IDIQ (base and option years)

Task Order Cost with overhead and fees

The Offeror shall provide a complete budget, including the budgets for each subcontractor, by cost element and in accordance with IDIQ B.8 Task Order Budget Requirements. All formulas must be displayed, and the budget must not be locked. The Offeror must propose costs that it believes are realistic and reasonable for the work in accordance with the Offeror’s technical approach. See Sample Task Order SOW outline for delineation of whether proposed cost should be FFP or CPFF.

The Offeror shall provide a narrative discussing the different cost elements to adequately justify the total estimated cost. Any assumptions should be clearly stated. The information in the narrative should be in sufficient detail to allow a complete analysis. This should include a complete breakdown of cost elements associated with each line item and those costs associated with any proposed subcontract. The cost information shall include the basis of each and every cost, (e.g., current salaries, vendor proposals, market surveys, historical experience, etc.). Under Other Direct Costs, international travel should be identified separately and broken down by destination, number of trips, and number of travelers.

Indirect Cost Information: The Offeror shall include a complete copy of its most current Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) or other documentation from its cognizant Government Audit Agency, if any, stating the most recent final indirect cost rates. The proposal shall also include the name and address of the Government Audit Agency, and the name and telephone number of the auditor.

L.2 Detailed Proposal Instructions The Offeror’s complete proposal will be evaluated in accordance with the Basis for Award Section M of this solicitation.

The following detailed proposal instructions are provided to ensure a consistent and detailed description of the Offeror’s approach and the associated cost. The Offeror must include and address the Volumes and Factors described above using the precise labeling schema described. Offerors may add Sections and Chapters if deemed appropriate, but the numbering schema defined herein shall not be changed.

Failure to comply with this requirement may eliminate an Offeror’s proposal from consideration.

L.2.1 Technical Proposal

Factor 1: Technical Approach

The Offeror shall describe its:

Breadth and depth of technical capabilities and experience, including those of its Subcontractors, in fulfilling requirements similar to those in this solicitation on a world‐wide basis. Contractor shall include a list of countries where they have done natural resource management projects in the last 5 years.

Recruiting and fielding on a world‐wide basis short‐term (several weeks) U.S. and foreign personnel skilled in foreign languages, relevant technical skills (i.e.., sustainable forestry and

Whether the Offeror’s proposal displays a clear and thorough understanding of the objectives and work to be performed.

Whether the Offeror’s proposal provides detailed, practical and logical actions that will result in the successful accomplishment of the requirements.

Whether the Offeror’s management approach and staffing plan provides logical structure and sufficient resources with relevant language skills and technical expertise in relation to the task order requirements.

The stability of employment and the relevancy of skills, experience, expertise, education, certifications and qualifications of the personnel proposed as Key Personnel in relation to the task order requirements.

M.4 Past Performance Factor The Past Performance factor will be evaluated on the basis of the following criteria, which are in descending order of importance.

Submissions of the past performance questionnaire.

Similarity in size, scope and complexity to the PWS requirements, as well as the currency of the past performance references.

Quality of Services, including the Offeror’s compliance with contract requirements, standards of good workmanship, accuracy of reports, performance of key individuals, and technical excellence to include quality awards/certificates received during the period of performance.

Schedule, including the Offeror’s timeliness against contracts, responsiveness to technical direction, and timeliness against administrative requirements.

Cost Control, including the Offeror’s ability to perform within or below budget, use of cost efficiencies, relationship of negotiated costs to actuals, submission of reasonably priced change proposals, forecasting accuracy and timeliness, and ability to provide timely, current, complete, and accurate billings.

Business Relations, including the Offeror’s timeliness of interactions, problem identification completeness and quality, corrective action plans, history of reasonable and cooperative behavior, customer satisfaction, and timely award and management of subcontracts.

Management of Staff, including the Offeror’s quality and effectiveness of selecting, retaining, supporting, and replacing staff.

M.5 Cost Factor The Cost Portion of the Response to Sample Task Order Factor will be evaluated on the basis of:

The sample task order proposal will be evaluated for price reasonableness. The Offeror is expected to establish a reasonable relationship among the cost elements listed in the sample task order. An evaluation of the Offeror's cost proposal will be made to determine if the cost is realistic for the work to be performed, reflects a clear understanding of the requirements, and is consistent with the technical proposal. Reasonableness determinations will be made by determining if competition exists, and/or comparing Offeror costs to the IGCE.

The sample task order proposal will be evaluated for cost/price realism. A proposal that is unrealistic in terms of technical level of effort or unrealistically low in cost and/or price will be considered to reflect a lack of technical competence and an inability to comprehend the complexity and risk of contract requirements.