1305M219RNWWG0023_P19001.pdf

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 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.

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

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NUMBER 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) copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted;

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)

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.

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)

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

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

19001

See attached

NOAA/ERAD

200 GRANBY STREET

NORFOLK VA 23510

NWWG0000-19-00003

1305M2-19-R-NWWG-0023

1 4

9/18/2019

9/18/2019

The purpose of this amendment is to correct solicitation language and respond to the submitted questions and answers.

A. As a result of the modification section (E) (a) of the General Instructions section is changed to reflect the below updates:

From:

A page shall be an 8 ½ X 11” sheet of paper, minimum of 1” margins. Letter size and spacing requirements for illustrations and tables can be at the discretion of the offeror but must be easily readable. Fold-outs with diagrams and tables will be counted as one page and shall not exceed an 8 ½ X 17” sheet of paper. The offeror shall number each page in order to eliminate any confusion. In the event the offeror creates an ambiguity in their numbering of pages, the Government may exercise its own discretion in counting pages.

To:

spacing requirements for illustrations and tables can be at the discretion of the offeror but must be easily readable. Fold-outs with diagrams and tables will be counted as one page and shall not exceed an 11 X 17” sheet of paper. The offeror shall number each page in order to eliminate any confusion. In the event the offeror creates an ambiguity in their numbering of pages, the Government may exercise its own discretion in counting pages.

B. As a result of the modification langaunge in Volume II, Factor I, Technical approach on page 33-34 is changed to reflect the following updates:

The offeror's Technical Approach shall demonstrate that the offeror is capable of fully providing the services identified in Attachment I- PWS by the end of the transition period. The offeror shall demonstrate their ability to meet the data-related, platform, geographical and performance requirements identified in Section 2.0 of the PWS. The offeror shall provide an inventory that provides a detailed presentation of the geographical distribution of the networks and infrastructure that will be used to provide the data and meet the related requirements as described in the PWS. The inventory shall include information pertinent for each and every mesonet or aggregator of mesonets for which it would provide the data to the Government described in the PWS. This inventory shall be limited to assets that meet the definition of “mesonet” or “mesonet-type” as described in the PWS. This inventory shall include the associated data distribution category for each mesonet located in the PWS, Appendix C (Data Distribution

Categories). The offeror’s Technical Approach shall demonstrate their ability to expand the procurement of observational data in order to enhance the forecast and warning mission of the NWS in accordance with The National Weather Research and Forecasting

Innovation Act of 2017 as described in the PWS. The offeror’s capability to provide any stations, profilers, soundings and platforms in excess of the established numbers shall be addressed in their Technical Approach. The offeror’s Technical Approach shall also address their transition plan; quality control plan addressing data schedule intervals and data integrity; and the management and coordination of subcontractors.

To:

The offeror's Technical Approach shall demonstrate that the offeror is capable of fully providing the services identified in Attachment I- PWS by the end of the transition period. The offeror shall demonstrate their ability to meet the data-related, platform, geographical and performance requirements identified in Section 2.0 of the PWS. The offeror shall provide an inventory that provides a detailed presentation of the geographical distribution of the networks and infrastructure that will be used to provide the data and meet the related requirements as described in the PWS. The inventory shall include information pertinent for each and every mesonet or aggregator of mesonets for which it would provide the data to the Government described in the PWS. This inventory shall be limited to assets that meet the definition of “mesonet” or “mesonet-type” as described in the PWS. This inventory shall include the associated data distribution category for each mesonet located in the PWS, Appendix C (Data Distribution

Categories). The offeror’s Technical Approach shall demonstrate their ability to expand the procurement of observational data in order to enhance the forecast and warning mission of the NWS in accordance with The National Weather Research and Forecasting

Innovation Act of 2017 as described in the PWS. The offeror’s capability to provide any stations, profilers, soundings and platforms in excess of the established numbers shall be addressed in their Technical Approach. The offeror’s Technical Approach shall also address their transition plan; quality control approach addressing data schedule intervals and data integrity; and the management and coordination of subcontractors.

C. As a result of the modification langaunge in FAR 52.212-2 - EVALUATION -

COMMERCIAL ITEMS (OCT 2014), Technical Approach Evaluation on page 36 is changed to reflect the following updates:

The offeror’s Technical Approach will be evaluated based on their understanding of the requirements identified in the PWS. The Government will evaluate the offeror’s proposal in accordance with E.3 FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors. If the Offeror simply restates the requirements of the solicitation, the proposal will be deemed unacceptable as it does not demonstrate that the offeror has an understanding of the work to be performed.

The Government reserves the right not to further consider technical proposals that are deemed unacceptable.

The Government will assess the offeror’s demonstration to meet the data related, platform, geographical and performance requirements identified in Section 2.0 of the

PWS. The Government will assess the offeror’s ability to substantiate their inventory that provides a detailed presentation of the geographical distribution of the networks and infrastructure that will be used to provide the data and meet the related requirements as described in the PWS. The Government will assess the offeror’s ability to expand the procurement of observational data in order to enhance the forecast and warning mission of the NWS in accordance with The National Weather Research and Forecasting

Innovation Act of 2017 as described in the PWS. The Government will assess the offeror’s demonstration to manage and coordinate with subcontractors; and the offeror’s plan to ensure continued service through the contract transition period. The Government will assess the offeror’s quality control plan to ensure continuous data integrity in accordance with PWS requirements.

To:

The offeror’s Technical Approach will be evaluated based on their understanding of the requirements identified in the PWS. The Government will evaluate the offeror’s proposal in accordance with E.3 FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors. If the Offeror simply restates the requirements of the solicitation, the proposal will be deemed unacceptable as it does not demonstrate that the offeror has an understanding of the work to be performed.

The Government reserves the right not to further consider technical proposals that are deemed unacceptable.

The Government will assess the offeror’s demonstration to meet the data related, platform, geographical and performance requirements identified in Section 2.0 of the

PWS. The Government will assess the offeror’s ability to substantiate their inventory that provides a detailed presentation of the geographical distribution of the networks and infrastructure that will be used to provide the data and meet the related requirements as described in the PWS. The Government will assess the offeror’s ability to expand the procurement of observational data in order to enhance the forecast and warning mission of the NWS in accordance with The National Weather Research and Forecasting

Innovation Act of 2017 as described in the PWS. The Government will assess the offeror’s demonstration to manage and coordinate with subcontractors; and the offeror’s plan to ensure continued service through the contract transition period. The Government will assess the offeror’s quality control approach to ensure continuous data integrity in accordance with PWS requirements.

D. All other terms and conditions remain unchanged.

1. Page 32 of the RFP under (E) General Instructions, Paragraph 3:

spacing requirements for illustrations and tables can be at the discretion of the offeror but must be easily readable. Fold-outs with diagrams and tables will be counted as one page and shall not exceed an 8 ½ X 17” sheet of paper. The offeror shall number each page in order to eliminate any confusion. In the event the offeror creates an ambiguity in their numbering of pages, the Government may exercise its own discretion in counting pages.

Request clarification for using 10pt letter size as easily readable for illustrations and tables. Further clarification is requested to establish that all foldouts shall not exceed the standard foldout size of 11 x 17 and not the 8 ½ x 17 requirement stated in the RFP.

Government Response: Easily readable is at the discretion of the offeror. The solicitation has been amended to allow for 11 x 17 foldout size.

From: A page shall be an 8 ½ X 11” sheet of paper, minimum of 1” margins. Letter size and spacing requirements for illustrations and tables can be at the discretion of the offeror but must be easily readable. Fold-outs with diagrams and tables will be counted as one page and shall not exceed an 8 ½ X 17” sheet of paper. The offeror shall number each page in order to eliminate any confusion. In the event the offeror creates an ambiguity in their numbering of pages, the Government may exercise its own discretion in counting pages.

To: A page shall be an 8 ½ X 11” sheet of paper, minimum of 1” margins. Letter size and spacing requirements for illustrations and tables can be at the discretion of the offeror but must be easily readable. Fold-outs with diagrams and tables will be counted as one page and shall not exceed an 11 X 17” sheet of paper. The offeror shall number each page in order to eliminate any confusion. In the event the offeror creates an ambiguity in their numbering of pages, the Government may exercise its own discretion in counting pages.

2. At page 34 (Factor 1) the RFP states that the offeror’s Technical Approach “shall also address their…quality control plan addressing data schedule intervals and data integrity.” Furthermore, at page 36 (Technical Approach Evaluation), the RFP states

“[t]he Government will assess the offeror’s quality control plan to ensure continuous data integrity in accordance with PWS requirements.” Given the importance of data quality to the National Mesonet Program Contract please confirm that the Government wishes to see a separate Quality Control Plan document in the offeror’s submission. Also, please confirm that this Quality Control Plan should be included in Volume II outside of the Volume II page limit of 29 pages.

Government Response: Required to address within the 29 page limit.

3. The RFP states in Section B – Price Schedule, Ordering Period 1, March 4, 2020 or date of award, whichever occurs later, through twelve months thereafter. RFP Section C.2(S)

CAR 1352.270-70 Period of Performance (APR 2010) states the base period of this contract is March 4, 2020, or date of award, whichever occurs later, through 60 months thereafter. Please confirm that the 30-day transition period begins on March 4, 2020 and the 60-month period of performance begins on April 3, 2020.

Government Response: The transition begins on March 4, 2020 and it included within the overall 60-month period of performance.

Amendment language