127EAV26Q0014 Technical and Program Support Forest Health and Protection Responses.pdf

127EAV26Q0014 Responses to Questions

Technical and Program Support Forest Health and Protection

Question 1 –Can the Government please share whether this is a new requirement or if an incumbent contractor (or independent consultant) is currently providing these or materially similar services? If the latter, please provide the contractor name and contract number.

This is a new requirement.

Question 2 – Could the Government please confirm: (a) the preferred submission channel (e.g., email to the Contracting Officer); (b) acceptable file format(s); (c) whether the four volumes should be submitted as separate files or as a single combined PDF; and (d) any size limitations on email attachments?

Offerors shall submit proposals electronically via email to the Contracting Officer, daavid.l.watson@usda.gov.

Acceptable file formats are PDF and Microsoft Office-compatible formats.

The Government requests the proposal volumes be submitted as separate files labeled by volume. Combined submissions are acceptable provided all required information is clearly organized and identifiable.

Question 3 – Section M.2 Could the Government please confirm the relative order of importance of the evaluation factors, or whether the non-price factors when combined are significantly more important than, approximately equal to, or less important than price?

Section M.1 of the solicitation states that technical factors, when combined, are significantly more important than price.

Question 4 – Can the Government please clarify whether the intent of this solicitation is to acquire 1 FTE Key Personnel to perform the services described in the PWS, or whether offerors are being asked to quote more robust support? If the latter, then can the Government please provide more specific details about to the requirements, such as the number of training/workshop hours to be delivered, number of students to be trained, maximum participants at workshops and conferences, supplies/equipment that the contractor must provide for workshops/trainings, etc.?

The solicitation contemplates one proposed Key Personnel position identified as the “Forest Health Program and Training Specialist” in Section 7.0 of the Statement of Work.

However, offerors are responsible for proposing any additional staffing, support, coordination, or resources necessary to successfully accomplish all required tasks and deliverables identified within the solicitation.

The solicitation identifies the anticipated deliverables, workshop requirements, symposium support requirements, quarterly meetings, and reporting requirements in Sections 3.0, 5.0, and 6.0 of the Statement of Work.

Question 5 – Would the Government consider lowering the education requirement to a Bachelor’s degree if all other requirements are met/exceeded?

The educational requirements identified in the solicitation reflect the Government’s minimum requirements for this position. The Government does not intend to revise the degree requirement at this time.

Question 6 – Wage Determination 2015-5707, Revision 28 (Puerto Rico) is incorporated. The Forest Health Program & Training Specialist position requires a Master's degree, scientific subject-matter expertise, and curriculum design responsibilities. Has the Government determined the appropriate occupational classification under the wage determination, or does the Government anticipate that a conformance under SF-1444 will be required following award?

The solicitation incorporates FAR 52.222-41 Service Contract Labor Standards and Wage Determination 2015-5707.

Offerors are responsible for proposing labor classifications they determine appropriate for performance and compliance with applicable labor laws and regulations.

If, after award, the contractor determines that an additional labor classification is required and not currently identified within the wage determination, the contractor may submit a conformance request in accordance with FAR 52.222-41 and applicable Department of Labor procedures.

Question 7 – Can the Government please clarify that only the Key Personnel individual is required to travel for these trips? Additionally, please clarify how the KP will complete ground transportation for travel. Is the Government providing ground transportation or a Government-owned vehicle, or whether the Contractor should price in rental car/fuel or POV mileage?

Travel requirements are identified in Section 6.0 of the Statement of Work.

The Government anticipates that the proposed Key Personnel position will perform the majority of required travel associated with this requirement. However, offerors are responsible for proposing any additional staffing support necessary to successfully perform all required services.

As stated in the solicitation, the contractor may have access to Government vehicles based on availability.

Offerors through assumptions shall include any anticipated travel-related costs necessary for contract performance, including airfare, lodging, per diem, rental vehicles, mileage, and incidental expenses.

Question 8 – Would the Government please extend the due date by 1 week to allow time for offerors to review and consider answers to questions?

The government is not contemplating an extension at this time.