12318723R0002.pdf

12318723R0002

SOLICITATION, OFFER AND AWARD

4. TYPE OF SOLICITATION2. CONTRACT NUMBER 3. SOLICITATION NUMBER

7. ISSUED BY CODE 8. ADDRESS OFFER TO (If other than Item 7)

ORDER UNDER DPAS (15 CFR 700)

6. REQUISITION/PURCHASE NUMBER

NOTE: In sealed bid solicitations "offer" and "offeror" mean "bid" and "bidder".

NEGOTIATED (RFP)

SEALED BID (IFB)

5. DATE ISSUED

1. THIS CONTRACT IS A RATED RATING PAGE OF PAGES

1 56

C. E-MAIL ADDRESS

EXT.NUMBERAREA CODE

B. TELEPHONE (NO COLLECT CALLS)A. NAME

10. FOR

INFORMATION

CALL:

CAUTION: LATE Submissions, Modifications, and Withdrawals: See Section L, Provision No. 52.214-7 or 52.215-1. All offers are subject to all terms and conditions contained in this solicitation.

(Date)(Hour) local timeuntildepository located in copies for furnishing the supplies or services in the Schedule will be received at the place specified in Item 8, or if hand carried, in the

SOLICITATION

9. Sealed offers in original and

PART IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

INSTRS., CONDS., AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND

LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

CONTRACT CLAUSES

PART III - LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS AND OTHER ATTACH.

I

J

K

L

M SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

PACKAGING AND MARKING

DESCRIPTION/SPECS./WORK STATEMENT

SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM

PART II - CONTRACT CLAUSESPART I - THE SCHEDULE

H

G

F

E

D

C

B

A

SEC. DESCRIPTION PAGE(S) (X) DESCRIPTION SEC. (X)

11. TABLE OF CONTENTS

18. OFFER DATE17. SIGNATURE

SUCH ADDRESS IN SCHEDULE.

IS DIFFERENT FROM ABOVE - ENTER

15C. CHECK IF REMITTANCE ADDRESS

EXT.NUMBERAREA CODE

15B. TELEPHONE NUMBER

(Type or print)AND

ADDRESS

OF

OFFEROR

CODE

FACILITY

16. NAME AND TITLE OF PERSON AUTHORIZED TO SIGN OFFER15A. NAME

DATEAMENDMENT NO.DATEAMENDMENT NO.

and related documents numbered and dated):

amendments to the SOLICITATION for offerors

(The offeror acknowledges receipt of

14. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF AMENDMENTS

CALENDAR DAYS (%)30 CALENDAR DAYS (%)20 CALENDAR DAYS (%)10 CALENDAR DAYS (%)

(See Section I, Clause No. 52.232.8)

13. DISCOUNT FOR PROMPT PAYMENT

designated point(s), within the time specified in the schedule.

by the offeror) from the date for receipt of offers specified above, to furnish any or all items upon which prices are offered at the price set opposite each item, delivered at the

NOTE: Item 12 does not apply if the solicitation includes the provisions at 52.214-16, Minimum Bid Acceptance Period.

OFFER (Must be fully completed by offeror)

IMPORTANT - Award will be made on this Form, or on Standard Form 26, or by other authorized official written notice.

28. AWARD DATE

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

27. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

25. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

26. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

CODE 24. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 7)

ITEM

(4 copies unless otherwise specified)

23. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN

41 U.S.C. 253 (c) ( 10 U.S.C. 2304 (c) (

22. AUTHORITY FOR USING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION:

21. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION20. AMOUNT19. ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS NUMBERED

AWARD (To be completed by government)

CODE

11/14/2022 X

USDA FOREST SERVICE

AQM PROC PROPERTY

1400 INDEPENDENCE AVE SW MS-1138

WASHINGTON DC 20250-1138

cassandra.carey@usda.gov cc: renee.campbell@usda.gov

1700 ET 12/28/2022

CASSANDRA N CAREY 202

cassandra.carey@usda.gov

617-8490

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

PAGE(S)

CASSANDRA N. CAREY

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

Previous edition is unusable

STANDARD FORM 33 (Rev. 9-97)

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.214(c)

12. In compliance with the above, the undersigned agrees, if this offer is accepted within _____60_________ calendar days (60 calendar days unless a different period is inserted

ITEM NO. SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

NAME OF OFFEROR OR CONTRACTOR

2 56

CONTINUATION SHEET

REFERENCE NO. OF DOCUMENT BEING CONTINUED PAGE OF

12318723R0002

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

FOB: Destination

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

0001 Provide best effort for Professional Research and

Development Services for the Office of

International Programs (IP).

OPTIONAL FORM 336 (4-86)

Sponsored by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.110

NSN 7540-01-152-8067

International Forest Research, Development, Technical & Support Services for the Office of International Programs

12318722R0003 is updated to the New Solicitation Number below:

12318723R0002

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 Estimated Costs and Fixed Fee for CPFF Task Orders

B.4 Indirect Costs

B.5 Ceiling on Fixed Fee

B.6 Fee for Administrative Services

B.7 Task Order Proposals

B.8 Labor

B.9 Labor Categories and Rates

B.10 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/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

H.6 Option to Increase the Overall Maximum

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

OVERVIEW

The Forest Service Washington Office (WO) – Procurement and Property Services (PPS), National Contracts Branch has a requirement to acquire a contract for forestry research and development expertise, project management and technical support services to effectively implement and execute international sustainable forestry, biodiversity conservation, mitigation of climate change, natural resource management, and disaster mitigation for missions in over 90 countries throughout the world.

This acquisition is for an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity contract where the subsequent task orders with be fixed priced, cost-plus fixed fee or a combination of the two.

PPS desires to obtain the services of one General "Prime" Contractor (GC), and referred to as Offeror or Contractor, who shall be singularly responsible to satisfy the terms of the resulting contract. This solicitation is issued under FAR 15 procedures. The appropriate NAICS code for this requirement is 541715 - Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology).

Section A – SF-33

See pages 1-3 of this document

[END OF SECTION A]

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.6 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 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.7 Task Order Proposals Cost-plus fixed fee and FFP task order proposals must conform to the format presented in Attachment 1 unless otherwise directed by the Contracting Officer. The budgets for FFP task orders for administrative services must correspond to the fee structure proposed in B.3 – B.6.

B.8 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.9 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 http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/Standards/group-stds/gs-prof.asp#table http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/group-stds/Gs-admin.asp http://www.opm.gov/ses/recruitment/ecq.asp

Senior Program Specialist Level I 14 Senior Program Specialist Level II 15 Senior Program Specialist Level III Senior Executive Service

Option Year One 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 Two 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 Three

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 Four 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

B.10 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]

Section C – Description/Specifications/Statement of Work Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Contract

C.1 Background The Office of International Programs (IP) works in over 90 countries and has a mandate to coordinate all international activities for the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) around the world. IP links all branches of the USFS — the National Forest System, Research and State and Private Forestry — with partners overseas to promote sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation. The USFS works internationally for a number of reasons. Those include mitigating climate change by keeping forests and grasslands intact and healthy, by restoring degraded lands, and by advancing sustainable forest management worldwide; enabling countries to anticipate and respond to climate change through adaptation analysis and planning and program implementation; leveling the playing field in international trade by improving the sustainable management of forests overseas and assisting with the prevention and detection of illegal logging; advancing U.S. forestry interests at international policy deliberations and utilizing lessons from overseas for improving forest management at home; improving domestic disaster work by exposure to innovative methods and technologies during assignments; and allowing a broadened understanding through USFS assignments with other cultures, traditions and exotic forest types.

IP receives funds from Congress, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the U.S.

Department of State and other federal agencies, international and domestic cooperators and partners for the purpose of implementing projects which enhance cooperation between the USFS and other countries on practices and policy related to natural resources management, conservation, disaster mitigation and disaster response.

USFS has obtained Contractor support through a similar IDIQ, which will complete its fourth and final option year on August 31, 2022 and has a need for continued Contractor assistance to support its work.

In addition to completing administrative tasks further discussed in C.3.4, the Contractor is currently providing numerous short-term consultants in addition to expatriate and host country national contract personnel in support of USFS projects across the globe.

C.2 Objective The objective of this IDIQ contract is to acquire forestry research and development expertise, project management; and staff and technical support services to effectively implement and execute international sustainable forestry, climate change mitigation and adaptation, natural resource management, and disaster mitigation projects.

C.3 Scope of Work C.3.1 Management of Contractor Personnel The Contractor shall recruit, hire, manage and oversee all aspects of Contractor personnel matters for U.S.-based and in-country personnel. The Contractor shall provide individuals working on projects overseas with the necessary work permits and benefits, which may include housing allowance, insurance coverage, shipping and/or storage of household effects, and education allowance for children.

The Contractor shall ensure that all personnel working overseas have the necessary work permits, security clearances, visas, and required documents before beginning the project. In addition, the Contractor shall ensure that all personnel traveling and working overseas receive the required Department of State Training (currently Counter Threat Awareness Training and Foreign Affairs Counter Threat Training).

The Contractor shall have procedures for handling emergencies associated with international travel and overseas living, including medical and emergency evacuation.

C.3.2 Short- and Long-Term Forestry and Research Development Expertise The Contractor shall provide personnel, including U.S. and foreign nationals, with the appropriate technical, language, administrative and cultural skills, for short-term and long-term assignments to assist with the implementation of USFS and partner projects and programs. These positions will be located both domestically and internationally. As mentioned above, USFS has projects in over 90 countries, and requires a Contractor with the capacity and ability to quickly provide and manage a broad range of available and capable resources. According to the project specifications, individuals must be skilled in the areas of expertise required and detailed on task orders. These skills may include any part or combination of the following:

Natural resources and conservation practices Sustainable forestry Climate change mitigation and adaptation Governance and policy development Disaster response and mitigation Administration of complex natural resources programs in foreign settings Information Technology systems - Database development and management Technical Writing/Editing – Communication/Public Relations skills Training/Adult education facilitation and methodologies Communications/Logistics Specific language competencies (i.e. Russian, French, Mandarin, Portuguese, Arabic, Spanish, etc.)

Specific knowledge and contextual understanding of cultures and countries

The following list provides examples of the types of Contractor employees and consultants that have been required for previous projects. The list is not comprehensive and is only intended to help offerors understand the breadth of expertise that will be required under this IDIQ contract.

Nepal Ranger Training Country Coordinator and Nepal Ranger Training Law Enforcement Investigation Experts

Cambodia Land Cover Harmonization Consultants Forestry and Community Development Specialist Wood Identification Specialist Senior Forest Policy Advisor Disaster Management Seminar Alumni Engagement Consultants

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/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 are noted in Attachment 2.

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.

The Project Manager must meet the following criteria:

Demonstrated operational familiarity and working knowledge of the Contractor’s administrative, hiring, contracting, recruitment, financial, and other management procedures to perform tasks and responsibilities in their position description, Demonstrated senior- or mid- level management experience and technical leadership in administering high quality complex forestry research and development activities internationally with time sensitive deliverables, Demonstrated experience managing complex contracts of similar value.

C.4 IDIQ Performance Standards IDIQ performance standards are provided in Attachment 3. Performance standards will be included in each task order. In addition to those stated in the QUASP, the USFS will review overall task order performance against these factors on an annual basis as well as other factors to determine whether to exercise option years.

[END OF SECTION C]

Section D – Packaging and Marking For this Solicitation, there are NO clauses in this Section.

[END OF SECTION D]

Section E – Inspection and Acceptance FAR 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference (FEB 1998) This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es): www.arnet.gov/far/

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR CHAPTER 1) CLAUSES

52.246-4 Inspection of Services--Fixed-Price (AUG 1996) 52.246-7 Inspection of Research and Development—Fixed-Price (Aug 1996)

Deliverables will be accepted or rejected by a COR. The COR will be appointed by the Contracting Officer and identified in the contract.

[END OF SECTION E]

http://www.arnet.gov/far/

Section F – Deliveries or Performance Section F.1 Notice of Listing Contract Clauses Incorporated by Reference The following contract clauses pertinent to this section are hereby incorporated by reference (by Citation Number, Title, and Date) in accordance with the clause at FAR "52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE" in Section I of this contract. See FAR 52.252-2 for an internet address (if specified) for electronic access to the full text of a clause.

NUMBER TITLE DATE

52.242-15 STOP-WORK ORDER AUG 1989

52.242-17 Government delay of Work APR 1984

F.2 Period of Performance This contract is comprised of *one base period and four (4) option years.

Base Period March 2, 2023 – March 1, 2024 Option Year 1 March 2, 2024 – March 1, 2025 Option Year 2 March 2, 2025 – March 1, 2026 Option Year 3 March 2, 2026 – March 1, 2027 Option Year 4 March 2, 2027 – March 1, 2028

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

F.3 Task Order Awards Task orders shall be placed during the period of performance of the contract and may extend beyond the IDIQ period of performance for no more than 12 months. The Contractor shall perform the stated services as issued in each task order, and within the period of performance specified in each task order.

F.4 Place of Performance Place of performance shall be specified in each task order. Contractor facilities and USFS locations in the U.S. as well as overseas locations are anticipated. The US Forest Service International Programs works in over 90 countries and requires the contractor to be able to work in a variety of overseas locations.

Locations may include, but are not limited to:

North America: Canada and Mexico

Latin America and the Caribbean: Argentina, Bahamas, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Uruguay

Africa: Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome-Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe

Asia and the Pacific: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Palau, Philippines, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vanuatu, and Vietnam

Middle East and North Africa: Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, West Bank

Europe and Eurasia: Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Georgia, Hungary, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Russia, Ukraine, Tajikistan

F.5 Travel Travel shall be required within the U.S. and to countries around the world to manage and implement the required projects. Task orders shall state travel requirements. All travel will be in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulation. Per Diem rates while on travel away from the U.S. shall be scaled according to U.S. Department of State established rates.

F.6 Place of Delivery All deliverables shall be submitted to the Contracting Officers Representative (COR) specified in the task order.

[END OF SECTION F]

Section G – Contract Administration Data AGAR 452.215-73 Post Award Conference (NOV 1996)

A post award conference with the successful offeror is required. It will be scheduled within 30 days after the date of contract award. The conference will be held at 1400 Independence Ave, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-1147, or via teleconference (to be determined).

G.1 Ordering Procedures/Official ordering instructions will be posted on the WO-Ops shared drive as this acquisition will for Washington Office Operations for the sole purposes of this IP requirement.

USFS will issue task order requests to the single IDIQ holder. Task order requests will include at a minimum:

Background information Task objectives Scope of work Performance standards Deliverables Period of Performance Place of Performance Reporting Requirements Possible Constraints (e.g., personnel, environment, interfaces, etc) Type of contract contemplated Level of effort

COR

Government Furnished Property/Information Proposal requirements

Task Orders will be performance-based as much as practicable. Task order requests will be sent to the Contractor’s IDIQ Program Manager. A two-week response time will be allowed for the Contractor to respond with a technical and price proposal. Simple administrative services and smaller requirements may result in shorter response times. Technical and price proposals must be submitted for each task order request and must be in sufficient detail to facilitate an audit if deemed necessary. Proposal requirements will be specified in each task order request.

G.2 Contracting Officer Representative Unless otherwise designated in individual task orders, Ashlee Jackson, ashlee.jackson@usda.gov, shall serve as the COR for the base period and resulting task orders. The COR is designated by the Contracting Officer to be the technical point of contact for technical issues. The duties of the COR include, but may not be limited to:

Ensure prospective bidders are able to inspect the job site (designate access roads, identify area of work, organize "show-me" trips).

Advise the Contracting Officer (CO) when conditions are appropriate to issue a notice to proceed.

Designate project inspectors and provide copies of the designations to the contractor and the

CO.

Inspect work and materials as the contract work progresses.

Make decisions or recommend actions necessary to the day-to-day administration of the contract.

Inform the CO of contract work progress and recommend administrative actions to the CO.

Initiate payments and keep current record of progress or partial payments. Provide copies to the contractor.

Provide instructions relating to compliance with contract specifications, plans, and provisions to the contractors or their designated representatives.

Initiate contract modifications. Advise the CO of wage problems.

If provided for in the contract, conduct preliminary conceptual discussions with the contractor concerning any potential Value Engineering Proposal (VEP), receive the VEP, and immediately notify the CO.

Maintain a file of all documents incidental to administration of the contract.

G.3 Invoicing and Payment Procedures Invoicing will be completed at the Task Order level. Invoices shall be submitted through Department of Treasury's Invoice Processing Platform (IPP), https://www.ipp.gov, with a copy to the COR and the CO.

They should contain the following information: (1) Name and mailing address; (2) Date of Invoice; (3) unique invoice number; (4) description of items being billed/ schedule of values; (5) Vendor identification number (6) Order number, (7) TIN (8) the name, phone number and address and email address of the person to notify in event of a defective invoice.

All final payments must be accompanied with certification approving final deliverables and release of claims.

Invoices submitted without all the elements of a proper invoice will be returned and will result in delayed payments.

The Contractor is responsible for keeping their System for Award Management (SAM) active in order to continue receiving payments.

[END OF SECTION G]

https://www.ipp.gov/

Section H – Special Contract Requirements

AGAR 452.237-74 Key Personnel (FEB 1988)

(A) The Contractor shall assign to this contract the following key personnel: Project Manager, as delineated in the SOW section C.3.6.

(B) During the first ninety (90) days of performance, the Contractor shall make no substitutions of key personnel unless the substitution is necessitated by illness, death, or termination of employment. The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer within 15 calendar days after the occurrence of any of these events and provide the information required by paragraph (c) below. After the initial 90-day period, the Contractor shall submit the information required by paragraph (c) to the Contracting Officer at least 15 days prior to making any permanent substitutions.

(C) The Contractor shall provide a detailed explanation of the circumstances necessitating the proposed substitutions, complete resumes for the proposed substitutes, and any additional information requested by the Contracting Officer. Proposed substitutes should have comparable qualifications to those of the persons being replaced. The Contracting Officer will notify the Contractor within 15 calendar days after receipt of all required information of the decision on substitutions. The contract will be modified to reflect any approved changes of key personnel.

H.1 Additional Requirements for Personnel Compensation

Definitions: Base pay, or base salary, is defined as an employee’s basic compensation (salary) for services rendered. Income taxes are the responsibility, or liability, of the employee and are inclusive of, not additive to, base pay or salary. The base pay excludes benefits and allowances, bonuses, profit sharing arrangements, commissions, consultant fees, extra or overtime payments, overseas differential or quarters, cost of living or dependent education allowances, etc.

Setting Salaries: The reasonableness of proposed salaries will be evaluated applying the factors set forth in the applicable cost principles (FAR Part 31). In addition to these factors, the contracting officer will consider the “market value” of each proposed position and the associated minimum qualifications as defined in the solicitation. The reasonableness of salaries or compensation will be determined by the contracting officer.

Salaries and wages: Must be reflective of the “market value” for each position along with salary history.

Salaries and wages may not exceed the Contractor’s established policy and practice, including the Contractor’s established pay scale for equivalent classifications of employees, which shall be certified to by the Contractor. As well, no individual salary or wage may exceed the employee’s salary or wage, or the highest rate of annual salary or wage received during any full year of the immediately preceding three (3) years without the approval of the contracting officer. In the instance where the Contractor believes that a particular salary cannot be accommodated within the “market value” the Contractor bears the burden of factually substantiating the need to exceed the established value or ceiling. Such presentation may not solely rest upon prior salary history and/or organizational policy.

Initial Salaries: The initial starting salaries of all US national, third country national (TCN), and cooperating country (CCN) consultants or employees whose salaries are charged as a direct cost to this contract must be approved, in advance and in writing, by the contracting officer. Any initial starting salaries included in the final proposal revision and accepted during negotiations, are deemed approved upon contract execution

To-Be-Determined (TBD) Positions: The initial starting salaries for professionals whose salaries are charged as direct costs and were not included in the Contractor’s final proposal revision and may have been indicated by “TBD” must be approved, in advance and in writing, by the contracting officer.

Replacement Staff: With the exception of key personnel, initial salaries of new staff replacing those previously approved in the Contractor’s final proposal revision do not require prior approval by the contracting officer, provided that the following conditions are met:

The position has been authorized in the contract.

The initial salary shall not exceed either the individual’s recent long-term salary by 5%, or the approved salary for the particular position in the final proposal revision, whichever is less.

The Contractor has obtained COR approval of the individual’s technical appropriateness to work on IDIQ related activities.

Note: The Contractor must retain any approvals issued pursuant to sections (a) through (f) above for audit purposes. Approvals issued pursuant to the above must be within the terms of this contract and shall not serve to increase the total estimated cost or the obligated amount of this contract, whichever is less.

Salary Ceiling: A ceiling has been established for international and CCN staff on the reimbursable base salary or wage paid to personnel under the contract. For international staff, the ceiling is equivalent to the maximum annual salary for agencies without a certified SES performance appraisal system (AWCPAS) referred to as the published at http://www.opm.gov/oca/05tables/html/es.asp as amended from time to time, unless the contracting officer approves a higher amount with the Agency policy and procedures. For CCN staff, the ceiling is the maximum salary of the highest senior FSN position authorized under the U.S. Embassy Compensation Plan, which will be provided to the Contractor on request after contract award.

Annual Salary Increases Contractor Staff: For Contractor employees, annual increases in accordance with the Contractor’s established policies, procedures and practices are allowable. The annual salary increase may not exceed 5% applied to an employee pool. Annual salary increases of any kind exceeding these limitations or exceeding the ceilings in paragraph (g) above require the advance written approval of the contracting officer.

Consultants:

International Consultants: No compensation for consultants will be reimbursed unless their use under the contract has advance written approval of the contracting officer. If such provision has been made or approval given, compensation shall not exceed:

The highest rate of annual compensation received by the consultant during any full year of the immediately preceding three years or

The ceilings established in paragraph (g), whichever is less. Requests for waiver to this compensation guidance must be fully justified and shall require the approval of the contracting officer.

Local Consultants: No compensation for consultants will be reimbursed unless their use under the contract has advance written approval of the contracting officer. If such provision has been made or approval given compensation shall not exceed the ceilings established in paragraph (g). Requests for waiver to this compensation guidance must be fully justified and shall require the approval of the contracting officer.

Salaries during Travel: Salaries and wages paid while in travel status will not be reimbursed for a travel period greater than the time required for travel by the most direct and expeditious route possible.

Return of Overseas Employees: Salaries and wages paid to an employee serving overseas who is discharged by the Contractor for misconduct, inexcusable non-performance, or security reasons will in no event be reimbursed for a period which extends beyond the time required to return him/her promptly to his/her point of origin by the most direct and expeditious air route.

H.2 Work Week Non-overseas Employees: The Contractor's U.S., non-overseas employees shall not be required or permitted to work more than 40 hours in any workweek unless overtime hours are approved and paid at not less than 1 1/2 times the basic rate of pay.

Overseas Employees: The Contractor's overseas employees shall not be required or permitted to work more than 40 hours in any workweek unless overtime hours are approved by the Contracting Officer and paid at not less than 1 1/2 times the basic rate of pay and shall be scheduled to coincide with the work week for those employees at the work site. Holidays taken by Contractor’s overseas employees may not exceed those of the U.S. Mission in the country where the requirement is being fulfilled, as published annually.

H.3 Medical Evacuation Services All requests for these services shall be delineated at the task order level. Upon request:

The Contractor must provide MEDEVAC service coverage to all U.S. citizen, U.S. resident alien, and Third Country National employees and their authorized dependents while overseas under this contract. US Forest Service will reimburse reasonable, allowable, and allocable costs for MEDEVAC service coverage incurred under the contract. The Contracting Officer will determine the reasonableness, allowability, and allocability of the costs based on the applicable cost principles and in accordance with cost accounting standards.

Contractor must insert a clause similar to this clause in all subcontracts that require performance by Contractor employees overseas.

Contractors are responsible for providing medical evacuation coverage for their employees.

Medical evacuation costs are allowable as a direct cost. Medevac services costs are allowable as a direct cost.

H.4 Organizational Conflict of Interest The Contractor warrants that, to the best of the Contractor's knowledge and belief, there are no relevant facts or circumstances which could give rise to an organizational conflict of interest, as defined in FAR Subpart 9.5, or that the Contractor has disclosed all such relevant information.

The Contractor agrees that if an actual or potential organizational conflict of interest is discovered after award, the Contractor will make a full disclosure in writing to the CO. This disclosure shall include a description of actions which the Contractor has taken or proposes to take, after consultation with the CO, to avoid, mitigate, or neutralize the actual or potential conflict.

Remedies. The CO may terminate this contract for convenience, in whole or in part, if it deems such termination necessary to avoid an organizational conflict of interest. If the Contractor was aware of a potential organizational conflict of interest prior to award or discovered an actual or potential conflict after award and did not disclose or misrepresented relevant information to the CO, the Government may terminate the contract for default, debar the Contractor from Government contracting, or pursue such other remedies as may be permitted by law or this contract.

The Contractor further agrees to insert provisions which shall conform substantially to the language of this clause, in any subcontract or consultant agreement hereunder.

H.5 Supervision of Contractor’s Employees Personnel assigned to render services under this contract shall at all times be employees of the Contractor or its subcontractor(s) and under the direction and control of the Contractor.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this contract, the Contractor shall at all times be responsible for the supervision of its employees in the performance of the services required hereunder.

Contractor personnel shall not at any time during the contract period be employees of the U.S.

Government.

[END OF SECTION H]

Section I – Contract Clauses FAR 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference (FEB 1998)

This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es):

www.arnet.gov/far/ www.usda.gov/procurement/policy/agar.html

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR CHAPTER 1) CLAUSES

52.202-1 Definitions (JUN 2020) 52.203-3 Gratuities (APR 1984) 52.203-5 Covenant Against Contingent Fees (MAY 2014) 52.203-6 Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government. (JUN

2020) 52.203-7 Anti-Kickback Procedures (JUN 2020) 52.203-8 Cancellation, Rescission, and Recovery of Funds for Illegal or Improper

Activity (MAY 2014) 52.203-10 Price or Fee Adjustment for Illegal or Improper Activity (MAY 2014) 52.203-12 Limitation on Payments to Influence Certain Federal Transactions

(JUN 2020)

52.203-13 Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (Nov 2021)

52.203-14 Display of Hotline Poster(s) (Nov 2021) 52.203-16 Preventing Personal Conflicts of Interest (JUN 2020) 52.204-2 Security Requirements (MAR 2021) 52.204-9 Personal Identity Verification of Contractor Personnel (JAN 2011) 52.204-10 Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (Jun 2020) 52.204-15 Service Contract Reporting Requirements for Indefinite-Delivery Contracts (OCT 2016) 52.204-23 Prohibition on Contracting for Hardware, Software, and Services Developed or

Provided by Kaspersky Lab and Other Covered Entities. (Nov 2021) 52.204-25 Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video

Surveillance Services or Equipment. (Nov 2021) 52.209-6 Protecting the Government's Interest when Subcontracting with Contractors

Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment (Nov 2021) 52-209-9 Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding Responsibility Matters (OCT

2018) 52.209-10 Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations (Nov 2015) 52.210-1 Market Research NOV 2021) 52.215-2 Audit and Records—Negotiation Alt I (JUN 2020) 52.215-8 Order of Precedence--Uniform Contract Format (OCT 1997) 52.215-19 Notification of Ownership Changes (OCT 1997) 52.215-23 Limitations on Pass-Through Charges (JUN 2020) 52.217-7 Option for Increased Quantity Separately Priced Line Item (MAR 1989) 52.217-8 Option to Extend Services (Nov 1999) 52.