Standard Form 30 Amendment 02 July 22 2024.pdf

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

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT 1. CONTRACT ID CODE

3. EFFECTIVE DATE 4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQUISITION NUMBER 5. PROJECT NUMBER (If applicable)

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

STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 11/2016)

Prescribed by GSA FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

FACILITY CODE

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NUMBER

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NUMBER

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers is extended. is not extended.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required)

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 items 8 and 15, and returning 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 ACKNOWLEDGMENT 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.

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS.

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NUMBER AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

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

NUMBER IN ITEM 10A.

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, appropriation data, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority)

15C. DATE SIGNED

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

16C. DATE SIGNED

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

PAGE OF PAGES

6. ISSUED BY CODE

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (Number, street, county, State and ZIP Code) (X)

CODE

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

(Signature of person authorized to sign)

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

Previous edition unusable

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NUMBER

APHIS-MN-1263

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

The purpose of this amendment is to include the government's answers to questions received from vendors regarding this solicitation. The questions and answers are contained within pp. 3 - 5 of this document. Additionally, the solicitation close date is extended from 07/24/2024 to 08/07/2024.

No other changes are made; all other terms and conditions remain unchanged.

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

USDA APHIS

250 MARQUETTE AVE

SUITE 410

MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55401

1120555

12639524Q0205

1 5

07/22/2024

06/14/2024

X

INSTRUCTIONS (Back Page):

Instructions for items other than those that are self-explanatory, are as follows:

Item 1 (Contract ID Code). Insert the contract type identification code that appears in the title block of the contract being modified.

Item 3 (Effective date).

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

For a solicitation amendment, change order, or administrative change, the effective date shall be the issue date of the amendment, change order, or administrative change.

For a supplemental agreement, the effective date shall be the date agreed to by the contracting parties.

For a modification issued as an initial or confirming notice of termination for the convenience of the Government, the effective date and the modification number of the confirming notice shall be the same as the effective date and modification number of the initial notice.

For a modification converting a termination for default to a termination for the convenience of the Government, the effective date shall be the same as the effective date of the termination for default.

For a modification confirming the contracting officer's determination of the amount due in settlement of a contract termination, the effective date shall be the same as the effective date of the initial decision.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)

Item 6 (Issued By). Insert the name and address of the issuing office. If applicable, insert the appropriate issuing office code in the code block.

Item 8 (Name and Address of Contractor). For modifications to a contract or order, enter the contractor's name, address, and code as shown in the original contract or order, unless changed by this or a previous modification.

Items 9, (Amendment of Solicitation Number - Dated), and 10, (Modification of Contract/Order Number - Dated). Check the appropriate box and in the corresponding blanks insert the number and date of the original solicitation, contract, or order.

Item 12 (Accounting and Appropriation Data).

When appropriate, indicate the impact of the modification on each affected accounting classification by inserting one of the following entries:

(2) Accounting classification Net decrease $

Include subject matter or short title of solicitation/contract where feasible.

Item 16B. The contracting officer's signature is not required on solicitation amendments. The contracting officer's signature is normally affixed last on supplemental agreements.

(i)

NOTE: If there are changes to multiple accounting classifications that cannot be placed in block 12, insert an asterisk and the words "See continuation sheet".

Item 13. Check the appropriate box to indicate the type of modification. Insert in the corresponding blank the authority under which the modification is issued. Check whether or not contractor must sign this document. (See FAR 43.103.)

Item 14 (Description of Amendment/Modification).

Organize amendments or modifications under the appropriate Uniform Contract Format (UCF) section headings from the applicable solicitation or contract. The UCF table of contents, however, shall not be set forth in this document.

Indicate the impact of the modification on the overall total contract price by inserting one of the following entries:

(i) Total contract price increased by $

(ii) Total contract price decreased by $

(iii) Total contract price unchanged.

State reason for modification.

When removing, reinstating, or adding funds, identify the contract items and accounting classifications.

(g)

(h)

When the SF 30 is used to reflect a determination by the contracting officer of the amount due in settlement of a contract terminated for the convenience of the Government, the entry in Item 14 of the modification may be limited to --

(i) A reference to the letter determination; and

(ii) A statement of the net amount determined to be due in settlement of the contract.

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 11/2016) BACK

(1) Accounting classification Net increase $

Solicitation 12639524Q0205 Peanut Verification Services for USDA, AMS

Questions and Answers

Question: Is there a standardized form, method, website or database currently by which peanut suppliers, handlers and importers provide their data on lots received and final product, as well as their subsequent testing results? Would the contractor be responsible for developing this method or using/optimizing an existing system in-place or is this data provided to the contractor directly from AMS?

Answer: Yes, there are standardized forms, and they are submitted electronically and with a hard copy from some laboratories. However, the contractor would be responsible for developing and optimizing its own system for categorizing and storing the data. New data collected would come from the industry and aflatoxin laboratories.

Question: Is there a standardized method of contact between the government, suppliers and contractor for inquiries related to subject batches/lots and their disposition?

Answer: We receive a monthly report from the contractor regarding activities/audits performed and findings of compliance. AMS also communicates on a regular basis/monthly by phone on any activities or concerns from the contractor. AMS also performs on onsite audit every two years to ensure that compliance with the standards is being carried out and documented properly.

Question: Can the government provide a rough estimate of how many total on-site audits are projected yearly?

Answer: Approximately 275, this can range from 20 to 30 on-site visits per month.

Question: Section C.3 states “The contractor will be responsible for performing the required duties as defined in the Standards and listed below under accountability, compliance, and violations.” Is the work proposed to be performed for all imported and domestically processed batches, or only those that have a current disposition of failing/requiring remilling?

Answer: Yes, the contractor maintains a database and disposition of approximately 90,000 domestic lots annually. Roughly this is equal to 4 billion pounds of peanuts annually.

Question: Section C.1.3 Accountability “The contractor monitors and tracks inspection results and outgoing grade and aflatoxin testing results (approximately 90,000 annually) electronically or presents a plan for implementing practices to reduce the use of paper, as in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.” Is this quantity the number of testing results, or the number of pages?

Answer: Yes, this quantity is the number of testing results on the milled peanut inspection certificate from shellers and aflatoxin reports from a USDA approved labs.

Some lots are remilled multiple times and tested to meet the standards, which could result in additional records.

Questions and Answers

Question: Does the government have an estimate of current number of domestic suppliers/handlers?

Answer: Approximately 60 shellers and 4 crushers, this number can be dynamic due to consolidation or expansion of the industry.

Question: Can the government provide an estimated number of man-hours currently applied for review of peanut testing and compliance results, or conversely number of FTEs applied to this project? contract.

Answer: 6 to 7 full time equivalents are needed under the current contract. The contractor is responsible for determining adequate man power to successfully render required services.

Question: Does the government have any expectation of overseas travel to exporting suppliers required for this position, and/or other situations where a translator may be required?

Answer: No, all travel is domestic (conus only).

Question: We would like to know if this is a brand-new contract OR if there is (was) an incumbent performing these services. If not brand new, could you please provide the current / previous contract number?

Answer: Yes, currently, peanut verification services are being provided to USDA, AMS by Tabb & Associates, 2537 Lafayette Plaza Dr. Suite A, Albany, GA 31707 under Contract 12639519D0037.

Question: (Ref Section C.3) Does USDA require a certain number of verification audits per year?

Answer: No, the number can vary based on compliance needs.

Question: (Ref Section C.3) How many verification audits and handler visits have been completed the past year and the past five years?

Answer: Approximately 275 annually and over the past five years approximately 1,800 visits total.

Question: (Ref Section C.3) Will the contractor be required to store and analyze every peanut sample and Alfatoxin sample performed by USDA (the 90,000 annual inspections mentioned)?

Answer: Peanut samples “no”, but analysis “yes” for milled peanut inspection certificate and aflatoxin testing from laboratories and other records like site visits and final disposition of lots.

Questions and Answers

Question: (Ref Section C.3) Will the contractor conduct verification audits based on samples received?

Answer: The contractor is not receiving samples, but rather acting on the results of certificates of inspection and aflatoxin results from shellers and laboratories.

Question: (Ref Tech Eval Factor 5) Is this a Small Business set aside? If not, are you required to subcontract with a small business?

Answer: No, as stated within the solicitation posting on SAM.gov, this solicitation is issued as full and open (no set-aside used) under NAICS code 541690 (Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services, with a Size Standard of $19.0 Million in annual sales. Other Than Small Businesses are encouraged to submit a quote, which must include a Subcontracting Plan (See technical evaluation factors).

Question: (Ref Section C.1.1) Does MDD have a system and process in place for handling violation case referrals?

Answer: Yes, the contractor would investigate and is responsible for producing the evidence to send to MDD a case referral with all exhibits and materials from the compliance investigation. This evidence/case referral is used by MDD for administrative adjudication.

Question: (Ref Section C.3.1) Does MDD have an existing electronic database for tracking, or will contractor need to build/procure an electronic database for tracking results?

Answer: No, MDD does not have an existing electronic database for tracking and the contractor would need to procure its own tracing system.

Question: (Ref Section C.4) Are there existing report layouts and/or templates outlining the manner in which the reporting to AMS & MDD shall be performed and documented?

Answer: Yes, there is an existing report template for providing a quarterly report to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that is required under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between AMS and FDA.

Question: Is there a current incumbent performing peanut compliance verification services?

Answer: Yes, currently, peanut verification services are being provided to USDA, AMS by Tabb & Associates, 2537 Lafayette Plaza Dr. Suite A, Albany, GA 31707 under Contract 12639519D0037.