Questions and Answers - 12FPC124Q0021- OK response.pdf

Questions and Answers Cultural Resources/Historic Properties Inventory Oklahoma 12FPC124Q0021

1. 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: a similar contract was awarded in 2017 and 2018 (AG-4D90-C-17-0028); since then, there have been no other contracts for this type of service.

2. QUESTION: How do you want this proposal submitted? What was the previous pricing, if any? If so, Is this the same size and scope as the previous project?

ANSWER: The scope of this project is similar (1000 acres) to the 2017/2018 contract (1500 acres).

3. QUESTION: I understand the standards to use and the deliverables required and the qualifications. However, with no information on the project location and size, I dont know how to give you a number. Do you want me to bid a 1,000-acre job? Do you want me to give you a per acre quote?

ANSWER: Bids on per acre basis since there are multiple jobs and locations and up to 1,000 acres as noted in the SOW

4. QUESTION: What THPO offices will be/could be reviewing? Which THPO Guidelines should we be observing along with the SHPO, Federal, and NRCS guidelines?

ANSWER: In Oklahoma, the SHPO does not have published standards; the standards are generally negotiated (depending on the scope of the project) or based on past/acceptable standards. However, the SHPO does have a published format for reports (OK SHPO Factsheet #16). Additionally, there are no federal standards other than those codified in the NHPA (36CFR800) and NRCS standards mirror those in the NHPA. Alternatively, the Osage Nation and Quapaw Nation (who claim ancestral lands in Oklahoma) do have published guidelines. The present contract uses the Osage Nation standards, which are similar if not the same as the Quapaw Nation standards. Other tribes in Oklahoma have no such standards.

5. QUESTION: Could clarification be provided on what pricing should be based on? Are you looking for a price per acre for Phase I shovel testing fieldwork and reporting?

ANSWER: Per acre is good for brush management; per acre is acceptable for other conservation practices such as ponds or GSSs, but could also be used for linear features)

6. QUESTION: How should new discoveries (like archaeological sites) be incorporated into the pricing? How should above-ground resource evaluations be incorporated?

ANSWER: New discoveries and above ground resources should be documented using standard SHPO (and Oklahoma Archaeological Survey) forms. Determining the spatial expanse and vertical depth of either site type follows general archaeology standards using a cruciform shovel test pattern. Specific examples are provided by the Osage Nation THPO. The contractor’s final report would specify if further research were necessary (which is beyond the scope of this contract).

7. QUESTION: Once clarified for what pricing is based on, in what format would you like that information to be in? A table format that shows pricing over a 5 year period?

ANSWER: Use tables for base year and then for each option year

8. QUESTION: RFQ #12FPC124Q0021 defines the area of potential affects (APEs) as “multiple properties of variable acreage amounts on private land located throughout the state of Oklahoma” (C.3.1). Can USDA provide additional information regarding the number, locations, and sizes of the individual parcels? Are maps of the APEs available?

ANSWER: There will be multiple project sites in various locations and of various sizes.

Actual site locations are unknown at this time and will be determined when contract is finalized and based on priority established by NRCS. Refer to Scope Section in SOW.

9. QUESTION: Section F describes the period of performance as one (1) base period with four (4) one-year option periods (F.1.1). Section C.2.1 defines the project size as “not to exceed 1,000 acres” on privately owned lands. Will that ~1,000 acres be spread across both the base period and the option periods? Or is that acreage for the base year only, with any option years including additional acreage, above and beyond the original 1,000 acres?

ANSWER: 1000 acres is for the first year and can be used for estimate in following option years. However, additional acreage may be added based on availability of funds and contract type/spending ceiling). So bids based on per acre will still be valid.

10. QUESTION: Would USDA require Past Performance Questionnaires (PPQs), or would relative project summaries suffice?

ANSWER: Either is fine

11. QUESTION: Can the NRCS provide an estimated number of surveys, or some other mechanism to support a more refined understanding of the magnitude of services to be provided, to support costing/pricing?

ANSWER: See question 8 response and refer to Scope and Part III subpart A.

12. QUESTION: I am looking for KMZ or shapefiles of the project areas, or any maps you might have on hand. Where can I locate this?

ANSWER: Will be provided as outlined in Questions 8 and 11 and in the SOW