C05_Amd_Questions and Answers -12FPC325Q0030.docx

Solicitation #12FPC326Q0030 Questions and Answers:

1. According to the SOW, field data collection was supposed to have begun in May. Given the award date for this contract is likely to occur in late July/early August, then contracting completed, then NRCS NRI training must be completed, 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 186 federal and 236 non-federal sample points in 2026? We are not expecting all the segments to be collected this year given the shortened timeline.

0. If not, what would be the maximum anticipated number of sample points in 2026? Around 100 segments or as many as possible.

0. If not, what would be the minimum acceptable number of sample points in 2026? Around 30 non-federal segments.

1. On page 3 and 4 of the SOW, it says the Team Leader and Soil Scientist must meet the GS-0454 and GS-0470 series. What level of these series are required?. Must meet the minimum for the 0470 series (GS-7 or higher grade) and have the working experience identified in the SOW.

1. On page 8 of the SOW, it says the Technical Leader Authorization must “have been previously qualified as a crew member and acted as a crew member for data collections at five or more points, led by an authorized technical leader”. 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 to have these 5 data collection points as a crew member. I have also not seen this language in other recent NRI proposals for other states.

2. Would it be acceptable to demonstrate similar compatible experience for this qualification, to be authorized by the COR’s representative? Yes, that would be fine.

1. In Attachment 2, Schedule of Items, I see that we include our quotes. For Base Year 2026, the quantity of federal points is 186. However, Attachment 1, Statement of Work, Section F, Description of Work, paragraph 3 states: "For fiscal year 2026, there are approximately 118 non-federal inventory segments (236 maxpoints) and 10 federal segments (20 max points). (See Attachment 1 for 2026 workload estimate.)" Due to the shortened timeline of the field season, we are very flexible this year. I agree with using the schedule but we are assuming 30 to 69 non-federal segments based on permissions we have received. We currently have received permissions for 115 points within 69 segments.

1. Can you please clarify the maximum amount of federal points for 2026? - We are assuming 10 to 70 federal segments, 20 to 140 points, or as many as they can get done.

1. Also, can you clarify the last sentence of that quote: "See Attachment 1 for 2026 workload estimate. Since that sentence is in Attachment 1, is it referencing the sentence immediately preceding it? – Typo should have been changed to attachment 2. Initially it was attachment 5 but attachment 2 might be more accurate.

1. Secondly, can you confirm that Attachment 5_Est Total County Points lists only non-federal points? It appears so based on the total number, but I just want to confirm. – please verify yes, this is correct, kind of. 236 non-federal and 20 federal.