Intent_of_this_BPA_and_What_a_BPA_Is.docx

INTENT OF THIS BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT (BPA) AND WHAT A BPA IS

SECTION I – INTENT BEHIND THIS SOLICITATION

The intent behind this solicitation is to establish Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) for contractors who are technically capable and have relevant experience within the past three years on Timber projects. Price reasonableness will be evaluated per Call. These BPAs will be for the Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests as well as the Savannah River Site, all within the State of South Carolina.

This solicitation will establish a set of Contractors who are technically acceptable to the Forest Service to perform work as established by the solicitation. When the Forest Services has a Timber project, the Contracting Officer (CO) will send each BPA awardee, unless exempted as identified below, a Schedule of Items, Statement of Work, and Department of Labor Wage Determination for the project’s location. The CO will provide a due date for each Call and identify what needs to be returned with the proposal. A pre-bid site visit may be held; if one is not held, the Contractor has the right to request a pre-bid site visit. Late proposals may be deemed unresponsive and not accepted. The availability of the Contractor may be a consideration if the Contractor cannot perform the work during the period of performance requested. Price reasonableness will be determining factor. The Government reserves the right not to award to the lowest price and award without discussions.

Every Contractor that will be awarded a BPA from this solicitation will have the opportunity to send in pricing on each Call with the exception of the following:

1. The Contractor identified areas they wish not to be considered. These identified areas are geographical areas and/or types of work they wish not to be considered for. This will be determined from page 3 of the solicitation’s body.

2. The Contractor has not provided relevant experience or technical capability relevant to the Call’s project. This will be determined by the background information and relevant experience documents the Contractor provides with their proposal.

3. The Contractor has not performed adequately with previous Calls.

4. The Contractor or Government terminated the BPA by written notice. At least 30 days written notice must be provided before the BPA is terminated.

5. The Contractor’s System for Award Management (SAM) is no longer active. Contractors must have an active SAM account to be awarded a project. SAM is a free website; do not pay anyone to activate or reactivate your SAM account. Go to www.sam.gov.

Although the maximum amount of this base plus four option year BPA is $ 975,000.00, the average price awarded for most Timber projects is about $20,000.00. There are currently no plans for large increases in budget or projects. This maximum amount of the BPA allows for flexibility if it is presented.

SECTION II - INTRODUCING THE BPA

1. A Blanket Purchase Agreement, or BPA, is a simplified method of filling anticipated repetitive needs for supplies or services with qualified sources. BPA's are designed to reduce administrative costs in accomplishing small purchases by eliminating the need for issuing individual purchase documents. In other words, the Government uses BPA's when we know the we will need a basic requirement over and over, but can't say for sure when or how many of the items will be required.

2. A BPA is an agreement between the government and a contractor which sets the stage for the government to buy something quickly. BPAs are agreements, not contracts. Either side may opt out of the BPA at any time by giving at least a 30-day notice in writing. All of the conditions of sale are negotiated when the BPA Call is made.

3. BPA's Calls are made when it is determined a service or supply is required. The Contracting Officer will place the call to the contractor to request pricing for delivery of those items.

SECTION III – BPA TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. Description of agreement. A Statement that the supplier shall furnish supplies or services, described in general terms, if and when requested by the contracting officer (or the authorized representative of the contracting officer) during a specified period and within a stipulated aggregate amount, if any.

2. Extent of obligation. The Government is obligated only to the extent of authorized purchases actually made under the BPA.

3. Purchase limitation. The dollar limit for each Call shall be $150,000.00. The dollar limit for the entire term of this BPA shall be $900,000.00. This is a turnkey project; there are no incumbents. However, historically, the Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests have conducted an average of 12 timber projects over the course of the year with an average cost of $15,000.00. One project in the last three years was awarded for $25,000.00.

4. Individuals authorized to purchase under the BPA. Only Forest Service Contracting Officers and Purchasing Agents working projects for or on behalf of the Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests and Savannah River Site may place Calls under this BPA.

5. Invoices. A summary invoice shall be submitted upon the completion of each Call. Invoicing shall be placed through the Invoice Processing Platform at www.ipp.gov. An IPP account will be established at the time of the Call if the Awardee does not already have an IPP account. All payments under this BPA will be NET 30.

6. Securing maximum discounts. Price, resources, location, and availability are all considerations for establishing these BPAs.