QA for RFQ12FPC326Q0025 NRCS-Wyoming National Resources Inventory Services.docx

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

RFQ 12FPC326Q0025

NRCS-Wyoming National Resource Inventory Services

1. According to the SOW, field data collection was supposed to have begun May 1. Given the award date for this contract is likely to occur in late July, then contracting completed, then NRCS NRI training must be completed (1 week), in addition to general project coordination needs and landowner contacts, actual fieldwork is unlikely to be able to begin until earliest mid-August. That means there would be only 1.5 months of survey versus the 5 months the solicitation was prepared for. Additionally, given the extensive drought conditions for most of the west this year, we have serious concerns about landowner access and the viability of completing quality data collection within 2026.

0. Is the current expectation still to complete all 428 federal and 140 non-federal sample points in 2026? Once data collection has started for 2026 the expectation will be to complete as many of the federal points as possible through September 30, Wyoming does have the state given option to extend the collection period 2 weeks to October 15 and then ask for an additional 2 weeks to October 30.

Non-federal points – May-July data collection period for 2026 as of July 7 is almost over but can be extended 2 weeks to August 15 and then ask for an additional 2 weeks to August 30. Collect data on as many May – July points as possible with given permission until August 30.

July – September data collection period points expectation will be to collect as many points as possible with given permissions until September 30. Wyoming does have the state given option to extend the collection period 2 weeks to October 15 and then ask for an additional 2 weeks to October 30.

0. If not, what would be the maximum anticipated number of sample points in 2026?

0. If not, what would be the minimum acceptable number of sample points in 2026?

1. On page 13 of the SOW, it says the Team Leader must meet the GS-454-11 Rangeland Specialist qualifications. Most of the other state NRI RFPs we have seen have been set at the GS-9 level. Can you confirm that the GS-11 rather than the GS-9 requirement is correct, and explain why the GS-11 is needed for Wyoming? Change to GS-9

1. On page 16 of the SOW, it says the Team Leader must have participated in two previous NRI trainings:

2. Does the training that will be completed the year of, such as 2026 training, count as one of the two? YES

2. We have a number of highly qualified rangeland specialists who have years of experience leading similar rangeland protocols, such as BLM’s Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) and other rangeland studies. However, we have not had a recent NRCS NRI contract for these individuals to have any NRI trainings. Would it be acceptable to demonstrate similar compatible experience for this qualification, to be authorized by the COR’s representative? YES, but there are differences in the protocols and for NRI the specialist must follow NRI protocols with no deviations or exceptions.

1. Given the late issuance of the RFP and subsequent award, is there any consideration to extending the data collection period for this first year or for an understanding that all points may not be able to be collected this first year?

Once data collection has started for 2026 the expectation will be to complete as many of the federal points as possible through September 30, Wyoming does have the state given option to extend the collection period 2 weeks to October 15 and then ask for an additional 2 weeks to October 30.

Non-federal points – May-July data collection period for 2026 as of July 7 is almost over but can be extended 2 weeks to August 15 and then ask for an additional 2 weeks to August 30. Collect data on as many May – July points as possible with given permission until August 30.

July – September data collection period points expectation will be to collect as many points as possible with given permissions until September 30. Wyoming does have the state given option to extend the collection period 2 weeks to October 15 and then ask for an additional 2 weeks to October 30.

1. Page 2 of the solicitation states that “Award will be made to the responsible quoter whose quote responds to the terms of this RFQ and is the best value for the Government” whereas Page 6 states “Award will be made to the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) quote.” Is this a best value or LPTA award? Award will be LPTA

1. Page 11 header states “Quotes are due no later than June 30, 2026”. We assume this is in error as later in that paragraph it says quotes are due July 13. Correct, the due date for quotes is July 13, 2026

1. Project Status: How many segments have been approved and granted necessary permissions to date? Federal points are granted necessary permission but may have on-site accessibility issues such as crossing private land or behind private land locked gates that are unknown until attempt is made to access.

Non-Federal – May-July data collection period - Permission letters where mailed and within 20 segments 1-3 points have given permission to access as of July 2026. July-September data collection period – Permission letters have been sent or will be sent the week of July 6, 2026, but as of July 7, 2026 the returned permissions have not been processed yet – unknown number of allowing access.

1. Contract Timeline: Since the contract typically begins in March or April and we are starting late, will there be delayed collection periods to reflect this shift in the schedule? See questions 1,4, & 7.

1. Environmental Factors: Are there specific weather or drought factors that might impact or reduce the standard data collection timeframes? This is a point of concern for landowners, and I would like to be able to manage their expectations. Landowner(s) in the past have withdrawn previously given permission due to muddy conditions (don’t want roads torn up), dry conditions that could lead to a wildfire. Weather conditions such as snow in mid to late September could impact data collection.