B08_-_140G0123R0022_Solicitation_Amendment_04_0004.pdf

(x)

140G0123R0022 x x

1 copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted ; or (c) By separate letter or electronic communication which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 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.

x

GNB

RESTON VA 20192

12201 SUNRISE VALLEY DRIVE

205 NATIONAL CENTER

USGS NATIONAL ACQUISITION BRANCH

09/21/20230004

13. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO MODIFICATION OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS. IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required) is not extended.is extended, Items 8 and 15, and returning

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

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

FACILITY CODE CODE

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

CODE

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., street, county, State and ZIP Code)

7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 6)CODE 6. ISSUED BY

PAGE OF PAGES

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO.3. EFFECTIVE DATE2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO. 5. PROJECT NO. (If applicable)

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

09/21/2023

CHECK ONE A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority) appropriation data, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is not is required to sign this document and return __________________ copies to the issuing office.

ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

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

The purpose of this solicitation amendment (04) is to add clause 52.237-3 (Continuity of

Services) under Section I.1. All other terms remain unchanged.

For questions regarding this solicitation, contact:

Chris Kuhn

Contracting Officer ckuhn@usgs.gov

Period of Performance: 01/01/2024 to 12/31/2028

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

15C. DATE SIGNED 16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR 16C. DATE SIGNED

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer)

Christopher Kuhn

STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 11/2016)

Prescribed by GSA FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

Previous edition unusable

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9 A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect .

Document No.

140G0123R0022 Amendment 04

Document Title

USGS EROS SSSC

SECTION B -- SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND COSTS/PRICES

B.1 IDIQ Contracts Ceiling and Limitations

The Government has set a ceiling of $15,000,000.00 for the resulting single-award Indefinite-Delivery

Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. The sum of all orders placed under the resulting single-award IDIQ contract shall not exceed $15,000,000.00.

The ordering period of this IDIQ contract is 5 years (01/01/2024 - 12/31/2028).

The overall minimum guarantee for the life of this IDIQ contract is: $250,000.00 total

The overall combined maximum for all orders issued under the resulting IDIQ contracts is:

$15,000,000.00.

The minimum amount for an order against this IDIQ contract is: $10,000.00

The maximum amount for an order against this IDIQ contract is: $1,000,000.00

The IDIQ contract establishes the total ordering period (5 years) and establishes the clauses/terms/conditions that will flow down to each Task Order. All funding will be obligated at the

Task Order level. Individual task orders may be set up with option periods that fall within the overall

IDIQ ordering period.

B.2 Pricing

This IDIQ contract allows for cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) and firm fixed price (FFP) task orders. All funding will be obligated at the task order level. Estimated costs and/or pricing for requirements under this IDIQ contract will be solicited and established at the task order level. Offeror shall propose individual cost elements (labor categories, rates, fee(s)), including the fixed fee for CPFF task orders, which will be established at the IDIQ level for each annual contract period. These cost elements will be incorporated at the IDIQ level and will flow down to the task order level for establishing task order estimated costs and/or fixed pricing. Reference sections L.6, L.7, and L.8 of this solicitation for proposal formatting instructions and requirements.

END OF SECTION B

Document Title

SECTION C. STATEMENT OF WORK

C.1 BACKGROUND

The Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center is a U.S. Department of the Interior

(DOI)/U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) facility with a global mission. As part of the USGS Core Science

Systems (CSS) Mission Area, EROS contributes to the USGS National Land Imaging (NLI) Program, Land Change Science (LCS) Program, and National and Regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers.

EROS plays a key role in the CSS Mission Area’s goal to conduct climate and land use science to improve understanding of past and present change, develop relevant forecasts, and identify those lands, resources, and communities most vulnerable to Earth system change processes.

The EROS Center is a major USGS science center, a key National Aeronautics and Space Administration

(NASA) Earth observations partner, the operational home and steward for the Landsat program, and the host of one the largest civilian land remote sensing archives in the world. The EROS mission is to contribute to the understanding of a changing Earth and this is accomplished through science and applications, systems development, information technology, and operations. EROS uses its vast infrastructure and human assets to provide land change science data, information, and knowledge needed by users throughout the world. The EROS vision is to be:

• The world's primary source and steward of remotely sensed land images of the Earth;

• Authoritative providers of land change science data, information, and knowledge; and

• Leaders in understanding how changes in land use, cover, and condition affect people and nature.

The EROS mission is framed by interrelated activities that are based on user requirements, supported by science and a strong and efficient multi-mission capability. The focus on land change monitoring and understanding a changing Earth requires capabilities that transform remotely sensed data into information products, scientific assessments, and knowledge needed for understanding environmental change and managing natural resources. The mission is achieved through developing, implementing and operating remote sensing based land change monitoring needed to address science and applications objectives at all levels – within the USGS, across the Federal government, and around the world. The EROS multidisciplinary staff uses their unique expertise in remote sensing-based science and technologies to carry out basic and applied research, data acquisition, systems engineering, information access and management, and archive preservation to address the Nation’s most critical needs.

The mission of EROS will continually evolve to meet the changing needs of the USGS, the DOI, and the

Nation, as well as our international constituents. The recent USGS science strategy – 21st Century

Science Strategy 2020-2030 (USGS, 2021) – identifies key science thrusts dealing with hazards risk and vulnerability characterization, ecological modeling and forecasting, monitoring earth systems and processes, and dealing with climate variability and change. Earth observation is essential for understanding these complex issues, and EROS must contribute the data, products, services, and science needed to understand the interconnected issues associated with these thrusts. In addition to serving USGS science objectives, EROS also supports Federal and international operational activities including agricultural monitoring, environmental assessment, emergency response, hazards monitoring, and natural resources management.

A combined Government and contractor work environment has proven to be successful for over 40 years at EROS. This partnership combines government and industry strengths and ensures workforce flexibility.

Currently EROS employs approximately 110 USGS employees, and 625 contract employees.

The roles of Government staff at the EROS Center are:

Document Title

• overall leadership responsibility

• supervision of Government staff

• strategic planning

• program and service leadership and planning

• leadership in scientific research and applications

• leadership in information management, technologies, and applications

• contract management and monitoring

• quality assurance and standards

• procurement, finance, facility, and property management

USGS contractors comprise the balance of the workforce. They carry out scientific, engineering, and other technical support. The roles of contractor staff in general at the EROS Center are:

• EROS Center operations

• supervision of contractor staff

• activity and task management

• assistance to the Government in:

o strategic planning o program, service, and technology planning o scientific and technical leadership o quality assurance and standards o procurement specifications

C.2 OVERVIEW

Within the EROS Center, research and applications projects are conducted by the Integrated Science and

Applications Branch (ISAB) which is currently comprised of 30 government employees situated in Sioux

Falls, South Dakota, and nine government employees located offsite. Workforce skills include, but are not limited to, hydrology, geology, geography, climatology, ecology, forestry, remote sensing, geographic information systems, spatial modeling, mathematics, statistics, and computer science. Some of the workforce has unique expertise in international work, enabling the USGS to address issues of land monitoring and modeling applied to sustainable development, assessments of land cover change, and early warning of hazards such as wildfires, drought, floods, hurricanes, and famine in many countries around the world.

At EROS, ISAB leads the effort to use Landsat and other remotely sensed data to provide authoritative land change science information and knowledge that aids understanding how changes in land use, cover, and condition affect people and natural systems. The EROS science and application branch focuses on national to global land change issues. The specific goals of ISAB include:

1.Improving land change monitoring through remote sensing research.

2.Understanding the temporal and geographic dimensions of land change.

3.Improving the understanding of the connections between climate and land change (e.g., land use,cover, and condition) and their combined impacts on human and natural systems.

This is done through six focus areas in ISAB: Landsat Science, Integrated Land Change Monitoring, Terrain Monitoring and Modeling, Wildland Fire Science, Human Health and Food Security, and

Vegetation, Water & Climate Dynamics. These focus areas contribute to a wide range of Federal and

Document Title international science and resource management programs to improve global land monitoring and assessment.

These science and applications activities are performed in partnership with national and international organizations such as other U.S. Department of the Interior Bureaus, the U.S. Forest Service, other U.S.

Department of Agriculture agencies, NASA, the U.S. Department of State's Agency for International

Development, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Global Change Research

Program, to name a few.

C.3 PURPOSE

This Work Statement defines the requirements for advanced and specialized scientific knowledge and research expertise and its application to support and assist the USGS EROS Center in fulfilling its science mission.

C.4 GENERAL SCOPE

The Contractor shall furnish non-personal scientific support services to EROS science programs including the necessary management and administrative support, and supplies and materials not provided by the government. Performance shall be conducted in accordance with Federal, agency and EROS policies, procedures and regulation (See Attachment E - EROS Policies/Procedures) as stated in the contract.

Scientific research performed under this contract satisfies the following definition of research and research responsibility.

Research – Research is systematic, critical, intensive investigation directed toward discovering, disseminating, and applying new or expanded knowledge in a professional discipline. Research includes, but is not limited to, empirical and theoretical investigations with one or more of the following objectives:

• To determine the nature, magnitude, and interrelationships of physical, biological, psychological, social and other comparable phenomena and processes;

• To create or develop empirical, theoretical, or experimental means of investigating such phenomena and processes; or

• To develop principles, criteria, methods, and data of general applicability

Research Responsibility – professionals under this contract have one or both of the following responsibilities:

• Perform professionally responsible research for a substantial portion of time; or

• Direct, lead and participate in the activities of a research team and/or organization unit (when the primary basis of selection for the position is competence and capability in performing professionally responsible research)

Professionally responsible research shall include, but not limited to, the following criteria:

• Involves applying scientific methods, including exploring and defining problems, planning the approach for studying, analyzing data, interpreting results, and documenting or reporting findings;

• Requires creativity and critical judgment, which may materially affect the nature of the end-product;

• Requires research capability attainable through graduate education and/or demonstrated research experience;

Document Title

• Involves communication of results to scientific and lay audiences through both oral presentations and written reports and publication of results in the peer-reviewed scientific literature is expected;

• Is performed at a level of responsibility typically associated with independent research investigation; and

• Researcher’s contributions, stature, and recognition have a direct and major impact on the level of difficulty and responsibility of the research.

The contractor is not considered to be, and will not function in any capacity as, a consultant but is expected to serve as members of EROS science projects and teams and provide sound scientific input where required. The Government will retain all decision-making authority.

C.4.1 Task Order Requests with Identified Science Requirements Documents Identified

Project requirements shall be communicated through USGS created Task Order (TO) requests with identified Science Requirements Documents (SRDs). SRDs will document the project to be supported, the level of effort required by a specific skill category, educational and research experience qualifications, research objectives, and deliverables and schedule requirements for each project/task. TOs with identified

SRDs will be solicited to the contractor approximately 30-60 days prior to the beginning of each contract task order request. However, they may be modified during the task order/contract year if work requirements, priorities, or relevant funding profiles change. Given the fluid nature of the work the contractor may be called on to make work force adjustments during a task order and/or contract period to meet changing needs of the USGS science agenda or shifts in Federal priorities.

C.4.2 Reporting Requirements

The Contractor shall provide monthly status reports to the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and

Contracting Officer (CO) which document milestone accomplishments, upcoming scheduled activities, and risks at the SRD level. Additionally, monthly reports will contain a staffing summary and financial summary information at each TO/SRD level. The financial reporting is to include planned versus actual expense on both a monthly and cumulative basis. The monthly status report is due by the 15th of each month for the previous month’s reporting period.

The Contractor shall provide individual TO/SRD project status presentations on a bi-annual basis. The project presentations shall include a summary of the outlined research objectives, results of scientific research, conclusions and impacts, and a status on the deliverables outlined in the TO/SRDs. The presentations shall be scheduled and given to the government prior to the end of each contract year and at the midpoint of each year. If the need arises, the Government may request additional project status presentations throughout the contract period.

C.5 KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENT

The ISAB conducts research and develops and transfers new methods, data, models and knowledge so users can better monitor, understand, and manage, land surface conditions, processes, ecosystems and resources. To support the research activities being conducted by ISAB, the contractor shall provide scientific expertise as specified in the issued SRDs.

Examples of tasks that researchers will typically be expected to perform as identified in SRDs are as, but not limited to, the following:

• Identify and conceptualize research needs and make recommendations for consideration by

Government project managers;

Document Title

• Plan and conduct experiments and studies;

• Collect, analyze, interpret, manage, and document data, results, and findings;

• Transfer new information and technology to users;

• Publish and disseminate results;

• Review, evaluate, and apply research products;

• Serve as peer reviewers; and

• Keep abreast of and apply new information and technology.

Researchers will be expected to have appropriate work experience and knowledge with the TO/SRD research they are assigned to. The following examples are areas of expertise and skills required across the various TO/SRDs in recent years:

• Geo-spatial data set generation and modeling

• Concepts and applications of passive optical remotely sensed imagery

• Wildland fire impacts in shrubland and forest ecosystems

• Data analysis and statistical analysis methods

• Multivariate and non-parametric statistical methods, particularly for accuracy assessments

• Characterizing vegetation, surface, and/or canopy fuels for broad regions

• Geospatial analyses to characterize and analyze landscapes

• Regional-to-national assessments

• Strong verbal and written communication skills

• Advanced computing and automation processes

• Application of deep learning (e.g., convolutional neural nets) for development of land-change information

• Evapotranspiration and water balance modeling

• Hydrologic modeling, remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS), water resources management and assessment

• Quantitative application of remote sensing for water and energy balance applications

• Integrating remote sensing, geographic, and in situ data for the monitoring, inventory, mapping, and analysis of land management problems related to natural and anthropogenic factors

• Applied climatology or ecology directed at monitoring vegetation condition (e.g., phenology and drought) utilizing satellite imagery together with in situ measurements

• Developing and implementing methods that use remote sensing imagery and geographic information systems to characterize, map and monitor land cover, land use change, shrub cover and urban imperviousness

• Remote sensing science and applications, digital image processing, and geospatial analysis methods

• Land-change assessments with remotely sensed data

• Image interpretation and digital image processing

• Historical and contemporary land use and land cover investigations

• Geography of change and analyzing temporal trends in different landscape and regions

• Time-series analysis of land change with continuous variables extracted from remotely sensed data

• Land change science issues, including rates and causes of land change and abrupt versus gradual change processes

Researchers are expected to have the appropriate education for the TO/SRD research they are assigned to.

The following examples are educational areas identified across the various TO/SRDs:

Document Title

• Ecosystem modeling

• Biogeochemistry

• Ecology

• Hydrology

• Geography

• Climatology

• Forestry

• Biology

• Physical science

• Natural sciences

Attachment F provides a few samples of TO/SRDs to be used in responding to this solicitation and are examples of the type of TO/SRD tasks that will be required under the resulting award. Updated TO/SRDs will be provided to the successful offeror on day one of the transition.

C.6 OTHER SKILLS REQUIREMENTS

Extensive knowledge of and skill in the use of spoken and written English is imperative to clearly document and convey research results, methods, and associated technologies via publication of professional articles and books, preparation and presentation of posters and demonstrations, as well as oral presentations to both professional and lay audiences including applications workshops and occasional university-level teaching assignments.

C.7 HOURS OF OPERATION

The Contractor shall supply personnel during the core period of operations, Monday through Friday, except for Federal holidays. A normal work day is 8½ hours, including a 30-minute lunch period every day. The working day is based on a 6-hour core time period (9:00 a.m. CST to 3:00 p.m. CST). The additional 2½ hours required to reach the full 8½ hour working day can be made up of time before and/or after the core period.

C.8 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED EQUIPMENT/PROPERTY (GFE/GFP)

The Government shall provide all equipment to perform the tasks of this contract. Equipment shall include a laptop computer, docking station, monitors, phone equipment, and an office or cubicle for each contract employee. Additionally, shared printing resources are available to the contract staff.

The Contractor shall maintain an inventory system for all Government Furnished Property, Material, Software, and Information (GFP/M/S/I), to identify, at a minimum, (in the following or similar format) the item name, description, make/model/serial number/ date of receipt, organization/person received from, location and condition. The Contractor shall provide the COR with information on the status of

GFP/M/S/I upon request. The Contractor assumes responsibility for repair, upgrade, and replacement of all GFP transferred to the Contractor.

C.9 TELEWORK AND OFF-SITE EMPLOYEES

Document Title

The DOI recognizes the value of telework as an innovative tool that allows employees to balance work and home life, provides flexibility to respond to changing work conditions, along with many other benefits. EROS has a Virtual Private Network (VPN) capability that allows off-site/virtual employees access to the internal network. Government Furnished Equipment must be used to access internal systems and will be furnished for off-site or virtual employees. However, other costs such as network access or other facility costs at the contractor employee site are not considered an allowable expense. Any travel of an off-site/virtual employee to EROS for routine work is also not considered an allowable expense.

Requests by the government for an off-site/virtual contractor employee to travel to EROS must follow the standard travel request process and will be on a reimbursable basis.

Although DOI telework policies only apply to government staff, the contractor is also encouraged to use telework where suitable. At times, the EROS Center may be unexpectedly closed (e.g., inclement weather) or implement a liberal leave statement for on-site Federal employees. Telework is often used as a means to continue progress on work efforts. For each TO/SRD proposal, a telecommute table identifying contractor employees proposed telecommute schedules and locations will be reviewed and approved by the project manager and CO/COR. Each project may have different requirements for onsite versus offsite staff.

The normal day to day duty location for contract employees is on site at EROS in Sioux Falls, SD. On a case-by-case basis, the Contracting Officer may grant temporary or permanent off-site telecommuting with coordination through the Contracting Officer’s Representative and concurrence with the applicable

USGS project manager.

C.10 PERSONNEL

The Contractor shall provide a work force possessing the knowledge, skills, and training to satisfactorily and successfully perform the services required under this contract and issued SRDs. The contractor shall provide contract management and administrative support necessary to execute the day-to-day operations of the contract and serve as the liaison between the contract staff and the government Contracting Officer, Contracting Officer's Representative, and individual government project managers.

This is a non-personal service contract; personnel performing work under this contract are employees of the Contractor and are always under the direction and control of the Contractor.

C.11 QUALITY CONTROL REQUIREMENTS

The contractor shall develop and deliver a research plan in response to each TO/SRD received to the

USGS Project Manager and COR within 15 business days from receiving the TO/SRD request or as otherwise specified at the SRD level/request. The contractor shall establish and maintain a complete

Quality Control Program/Plan to ensure that the requirements of the contract and SRDs are provided as specified. The Government will have a Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan to ensure contractor progress is made and to evaluate the contractor’s performance. The Government will also document surveillance activities via annual CPARs updates. When performance falls below acceptable quality levels as defined in each TO/SRD, the designated contractor representative or Program Manager (PM) will be notified.

C.12 TRANSITION PLANS

Transition In-- Phase-in shall begin at contract award. The contractor shall complete all phase-in efforts in accordance with the approved transition plan that is to be submitted and reviewed/approved by the

Document Title

Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) upon contract award (to include the Government's validation of the Transition Plan, containing critical events, schedules and approach), be prepared to begin transition performance immediately following approval of the transition plan, and to have transition completed no later than 30 days after award. The contractor shall submit a weekly status report during the phase-in period to the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) beginning within the first week of performance.

The status report shall address those items identified as being key to the success of the transition as identified in the plan.

NOTE: Awardee and incumbent contractor are expected to work together during the transition phases to ensure continuity of services as applicable. The incumbent contractor recognizes that the services provided by this contract are vital to the Government's overall effort, that the continuity thereof must be maintained in a consistently high level without interruption, that upon expiration of their contract a successor-either the Government or another contractor may continue these services. That the successor, be it the Government or another contractor, will need phase-in training by the incumbent contractor, and that the incumbent contractor must give their best effort and cooperation in order to affect an orderly and efficient transition to a successor. ·

NOTE: Awardee and incumbent contractor are expected to work together during the transition phases to ensure continuity of services as applicable. The incumbent contractor agrees to cooperate with the successful offeror, whether it's the Government or another contractor, in allowing as many personnel as practicable to remain on the job in order to enhance the continuity and consistency of the services called for by this contract. If said employees are agreeable to the change and are accepted by the successor, then the incumbent contractor shall release them at a mutually acceptable date.

Transition Out-- At the end of the period of performance, the incumbent contractor shall transition activities to the incoming contractor with minimal disruption of services to the government. The contractor shall maintain sufficient qualified staff to meet all requirements of this effort services. The contractor shall submit a written phase out plan to the COR no later than ninety (90) calendar days prior to the expiration of the contract period, unless otherwise agreed upon. The plan shall detail phase-out activities to assure continuity of operations and the execution of a smooth and timely transition. Phase-out activities shall be coordinated through the COR. The outgoing contractor shall submit a weekly status report of phase-out activities to the COR beginning the 7th calendar day following the award -of a successor contract until otherwise notified by the COR to discontinue.

C.13 OTHER SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS/INSTRUCTIONS

HSPD 12/Contractor Personnel Security and Suitability Requirements

Performance of this contract requires contractor personnel to have a Federal government-issued Personal

Identity Verification (PIV) credential before being allowed unsupervised access to a DOI facility and/or information system. The Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) or Contracting Officer's Technical

Representative (COTR) will be the requesting official and will make arrangements through a DOI Access

Card Sponsor for personal identity verification and DOI Access Card issuance.

At least two weeks before start of contract performance, the Contractor must identify all contractor and subcontractor personnel who will require [physical and/or logical] access for performance of work under this contract. Physical Access means routine, unescorted or unmonitored access to nonpublic areas of a federally controlled facility. Logical Access means routine, unsupervised access to a Level 3 or 4 federally controlled information system. The Contractor must make their personnel available at the place and time specified by the COR/COTR or DOI Access Card Sponsor in order to initiate screening and

Document Title background investigations. The following forms and inquiries, or their equivalent, will be used to initiate the credentialing process:

• OPM Standard Form 85 or 85P

• OF 306

• National Criminal History Check (NCHC) (local procedures may require the fingerprinting to be done at a police station; in this case, any charges are to be borne by the contractor)

• Release to Obtain Credit Information

• PIV card application (web-based)

Before starting work under this contract, a National Criminal History Check (NCHC) will be initiated to verify the identity of the individual applying for clearance and to determine the individual's suitability for the position. If the NCHC adjudication is favorable, a DOI Access Card will be issued for that individual.

If the adjudication is unfavorable, the credentials will not be issued, and the contractor must make other arrangements for performance of the work. In the event of a disagreement between the Contractor and the

Government concerning the suitability of an individual to perform work under this contract, DOI shall have the right of final determination.

Contractor employees must give, and authorize others to give, full, frank, and truthful answers to relevant and material questions needed to reach a suitability determination. Refusal or failure to furnish or authorize provision of information may constitute grounds for denial or revocation of credentials.

Government personnel may contact the contractor personnel being screened or investigated in person, by telephone or in writing, and the Contractor must ensure they are available for such contact.

Alternatively, if an individual has already been credentialed by another agency through OPM, and that credential has not yet expired, further investigation may not be necessary. In that case, the contractor must provide the COR/COTR with documentation that supports the individual's credentialed status.

Contractor employees who have been successfully adjudicated will be issued DOI Access Cards, which must be activated at a USAccess Credentialing Center. Those Contractor employees not located within a reasonable travel time of a USAccess Credentialing Center will be screened and issued alternate credentials, such as temporary access badges.

During performance of the contract, the Contractor must keep the COR/COTR apprised of changes in personnel to ensure that performance is not delayed by compliance with credentialing processes. Cards that have been lost, damaged, or stolen must be reported to the COR/COTR and Issuing Office within 24 hours. If reissuance of expired credentials is needed, it must be coordinated through the COR/COTR.

At the end of contract performance, or when a contractor employee is no longer working under this contract, the Contractor must ensure that all identification cards are returned to the COR/COTR.

This requirement must be incorporated into any subcontracts that require subcontractor personnel to have routine unsupervised access to a federally-controlled facility for more than 180 calendar days or any unsupervised access to a federally-controlled Level 3 or 4 information system.

Reference clause SECURITY REQUIREMENTS: FACILITY ACCESS and INFORMATION

TECHNOLOGY (August 2016) in Section H for additional details.

C.14 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

Document Title

The period of performance (IDIQ ordering period) is estimated to be, January 1, 2024 through December

31, 2029.

Transition-in services will be performed and fully carried out within the first month to have the Scientific

Support services begin the first day of month two.

C.15 SECTION 508 APPLICABLE STANDARDS

ICT Accessibility Requirements Statement per the Revised Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act

General Exceptions

Technical Criteria:

E207.1 General -

Where components of ICT are software and transmit information or have a user interface, such components shall conform to E207 and the requirements in Chapter 5

E207.2 WCAG Conformance -

User interface components, as well as the content of platforms and applications, shall conform to Level A and Level AA Success Criteria and Conformance Requirements in WCAG 2.0 (incorporated by reference, see 702.10.1).

E207.2.1 Word Substitution -

When Applying WCAG to Non-Web Software For non-Web software, wherever the term “Web page” or

“page” appears in WCAG 2.0 Level A and AA Success Criteria and Conformance Requirements, the term

“software” shall be substituted for the terms “Web page” and “page”. In addition, in Success Criterion in

1.4.2, the phrase “in software” shall be substituted for the phrase “on a Web page.”

E207.3 Complete Process for Non-Web Software -

Where non-Web software requires multiple steps to accomplish an activity, all software related to the activity to be accomplished shall conform to WCAG 2.0 as specified in E207.2.

Electronic Content

E205.1 General -

Electronic content shall comply with E205.

E205.3 Agency Official Communication -

Electronic content that is not public facing shall conform to the accessibility requirements specified in

E205.4 when such content constitutes official business and is communicated by an agency through one or more of the following:

A. An emergency notification;

B. An initial or final decision adjudicating an administrative claim or proceeding;

C. An internal or external program or policy announcement;

D. A notice of benefits, program eligibility, employment opportunity, or personnel action;

E. A formal acknowledgement of receipt;

Document Title

F. A survey questionnaire;

G. A template or form;

H. Educational or training materials; or

I. Intranet content designed as a Web page.

E205.4 Accessibility Standard (WCAG 2.0) -

Electronic content that is not public facing shall conform to the accessibility requirements specified in

E205.4 when such content constitutes official business and is communicated by an agency through one or more of the following:

A. An emergency notification;

B. An initial or final decision adjudicating an administrative claim or proceeding;

C. An internal or external program or policy announcement;

D. A notice of benefits, program eligibility, employment opportunity, or personnel action;

E. A formal acknowledgement of receipt;

F. A survey questionnaire;

G. A template or form;

H. Educational or training materials; or

I. Intranet content designed as a Web page.

E205.4.1 Word Substitution when Applying WCAG to non-Web Documents -

For non-Web documents, wherever the term “Web page” or “page” appears in WCAG 2.0 Level A and

AA Success Criteria and Conformance Requirements, the term “document” shall be substituted for the terms “Web page” and “page”. In addition, in Success Criterion in 1.4.2, the phrase “in a document” shall be substituted for the phrase “on a Web page”.

The following standards are applicable:

• All WCAG A & AA Success Criteria apply.

• 602 Support Documentation

• 603 Support Services

• 302 Functional Performance Criteria

The following standards are applicable:

• All WCAG A & AA Success Criteria - except

• 2.4.1 Bypass Blocks

• 2.4.5 Multiple Ways

• 3.2.3 Consistent Navigation

• 3.2.4 Consistent Identification

• 602 Support Documentation

• 603 Support Services

• 302 Functional Performance Criteria

602 Support Documentation

603 Support Services

302 Functional Performance Criteria

Software

Document Title

E501.1 Scope - The requirements of Chapter 5 shall apply to software where required by 508 Chapter 2

(Scoping Requirements), 255 Chapter 2 (Scoping Requirements), and where otherwise referenced in any other chapter of the Revised 508 Standards or Revised 255 Guidelines.

E502.1 General -

Software shall interoperate with assistive technology and shall conform to 502.

E502.2 Documented Accessibility Features -

Software with platform features defined in platform documentation as accessibility features shall conform to 502.2.

E502.3 Accessibility Services -

Platform software and software tools that are provided by the platform developer shall provide a documented set of accessibility services that support applications running on the platform to interoperate with assistive technology and shall conform to 502.3. Applications that are also platforms shall expose the underlying platform accessibility services or implement other documented accessibility services.

E502.4 Platform Accessibility Features -

Platforms and platform software shall conform to the requirements in ANSI/HFES 200.2, Human Factors

Engineering of Software User Interfaces — Part 2: Accessibility (2008) (incorporated by reference, see

702.4.1) listed below:

A. Section 9.3.3 Enable sequential entry of multiple (chorded) keystrokes;

B. Section 9.3.4 Provide adjustment of delay before key acceptance;

C. Section 9.3.5 Provide adjustment of same-key double-strike acceptance;

D. Section 10.6.7 Allow users to choose visual alternative for audio output;

E. Section 10.6.8 Synchronize audio equivalents for visual events;

F. Section 10.6.9 Provide speech output services; and

G. Section 10.7.1 Display any captions provided.

Exceptions:

E503.2 User Preferences -

Applications that are designed to be isolated from their underlying platform software, including Web applications, shall not be required to conform to 503.2.

ICT Support and Services

E208.1 General –

Where an agency provides support documentation or services for ICT, such documentation and services shall conform to the requirements in Chapter 6.

E601.1 Scope -

The technical requirements in Chapter 6 shall apply to ICT support documentation and services where required by 508 Chapter 2 (Scoping Requirements), 255 Chapter 2 (Scoping Requirements), and where otherwise referenced in any other chapter of the Revised 508 Standards or Revised 255 Guidelines.

E602.1 General –

Document Title

Documentation that supports the use of ICT shall conform to 602.

E602.2 Accessibility and Compatibility Features –

Documentation shall list and explain how to use the accessibility and compatibility features required by

Chapters 4 and 5. Documentation shall include accessibility features that are built-in and accessibility features that provide compatibility with assistive technology.

E602.3 Electronic Support Documentation -

Documentation in electronic format, including Web-based self-service support, shall conform to Level A and Level AA Success Criteria and Conformance Requirements in WCAG 2.0 (incorporated by reference, see 702.10.1).

E602.4 Alternate Formats for Non-Electronic Support Documentation -

Where support documentation is only provided in non-electronic formats, alternate formats usable by individuals with disabilities shall be provided upon request.

E603.1 General -

ICT support services including, but not limited to, help desks, call centers, training services, and automated selfservice technical support, shall conform to 603.

E603.2 Information on Accessibility and Compatibility Features -

ICT support services shall include information on the accessibility and compatibility features required by

602.2.

E603.3 Accommodation of Communication Needs -

Support services shall be provided directly to the user or through a referral to a point of contact. Such ICT support services shall accommodate the communication needs of individuals with disabilities.

C.16 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SECURITY REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY

*The Contractor shall perform in accordance with clause “Security Requirements: Facility Access and Information Technology.”*

C.16.1 Background Investigation

The Contractor shall perform in accordance with clause “Security Requirements: Facility Access and

Information Technology.”

C.16.2 Non-disclosure Agreement

Prior to receiving access to USGS computers, contractor employees shall be required to sign nondisclosure or other system security agreements, depending on the systems to be used and level of access granted. Restrictions on use, duplication and disclosure of sensitive and proprietary data are covered in clause GS1406.

Work under this contract may involve design, development, or operation of (access to) systems containing personal information protected by the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. Section 552a). See Attachment A.

The contractor will not be required or permitted to respond to requests for Privacy Act data or to make decisions about releases of data under the Act. Contractor will ensure its employees are instructed to safeguard against improper use or release of such data and advise them that violation of the Act may involve criminal penalties. The contractor will comply with FAR clause 52.224-2, Privacy Act, Document Title incorporated herein by reference, and with DOI Privacy Act regulations at 43 CFR 2, Subpart D, available at: http://www.doi.gov/foia/43cfrsub.html.

C.16.3 Training

Contractor employees must successfully complete DOI’s end-user computer security awareness training prior to being granted access to DOI data or being issued a user account. Training must be renewed annually. Additionally, the contract employees must sign a Statement of Responsibility (SOR) that states they have read the appropriate Rules of Behavior and other applicable Information security policies.

C.16.4 Personnel Changes

Information Technology” - The contractor must notify the COR immediately when an employee working on a DOI system is reassigned or leaves the contractor’s employ.’

C.16.5 Contractor Location

Information Technology.” No portion of the services to be performed hereunder may be performed outside the United States without the express written permission of the Contracting Officer. If services are proposed to be performed abroad, the Contractor shall provide an acceptable security plan that addresses mitigation of problems related to communication, control, and protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of IT systems and information. A Security Plan Template is available upon request from the Contracting Officer.

C.16.6 Applicable Standards

N/A

C.16.7 Asset Valuation

The Contractor shall perform inaccordance with clause “Security Requirements: Facility Access and

Information Technology.”User Access to USGS IT Systems – The Government is responsible for security categorization on USGS systems to which the Contractor may have access under this contract.

C.16.8 Property Rights

The Government's rights in software delivered hereunder shall be as described in software developer's commercial software license agreement or the clause FAR 52.227- 19, Commercial Computer Software-

Restricted Rights, whichever is greater.

C.16.9 Independent Verification and Validation (IV & V)

C.16.10 Certification & Accreditation http://www.doi.gov/foia/43cfrsub.html

Document Title

C.16.11 Internet Logon Banner

C.16.12 Incident Reporting

The Contractor shall perform in accordance with contract clause “Security Requirements: Facility Access and Information Technology” - The contractor must report computer security incidents affecting DOI data or systems in accordance with the DOI Computer Incident Response Guide.

C.16.13 Quality Control (Malicious Code)

All software or hardware purchased must be free of malicious code such as viruses, Trojan horse programs, worms, spyware, etc. Validation of this must be written into the contract.

C.16.14 Self-Assessment

The Contractor shall perform in accordance with contract clause “Security Requirements: Facility Access and Information Technology” - The contractor must conduct an annual self-assessment in accordance with annual DOI guidance on all information systems in production.

C.16.15 Vulnerability Analysis

Vulnerability Analysis on USGS systems to which the Contractor may have access under this contract will be conducted by the Government or another of its contractors.

C.16.16 Logon Banner

Contractor employees who access DOI information systems must acknowledge a government-approved legal warning banner prior to logging on to the system. This includes contractor owned information systems hosting DOI data.

C.16.17 Security Controls

The Contractor shall perform in accordance with contract clause “Security Requirements: Facility Access and Information Technology” – The Contractor shall ensure compliance with the security control requirements of the current version of NIST SP 800-53, Rev.1, which are applicable to the security categorization of the data or system. FIPS 199 and the NIST SP 800-60 will be used to determine information types and security categorizations.

C.16.18 Contingency Plan The Contractor shall perform in accordance with contract clause “Security

Requirements: Facility Access and Information Technology.”

END OF SECTION C

Document Title

SECTION D. PACKAGING AND MARKING

END OF SECTION D

Document Title

SECTION E. INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E.1. 52.252-02 Clauses Incorporated by Reference (IBR) (February 1998)

This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es):

https://www.acquisition.gov/far/

IBR Clauses:

Clause Number Title Date

52.246-4 Inspection of Services – Fixed

Price

August 1996

52.246-5 Inspection of Services – Cost

Reimbursement

April 1984

52.246-8 Inspection of Research and

Development – Cost

Reimbursement

May 2001

END OF SECTION E

Document Title

SECTION F. DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

F.1 52.252-02 Clauses Incorporated by Reference (IBR) (February 1998)

This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es):

IBR Clauses:

Clause Number Title Date

52.242-15 Stop-Work Order August 1989

52.242-15 Stop-Work Order – Alternate I April 1984

52.247-34 F.O.B Destination November 1991

52.247-55 F.o.b. Point for Delivery of

Government-Furnished Property

June 2003

F.2 GS0905 Place of Performance (July 2001)

Unless specified otherwise, services to be provided hereunder shall be performed at the following on-site location(s):

United States Geological Survey

EROS

47914 252nd Street

Sioux Falls, SD 57198-0001

Services may be provided off-site (remote/telework), on-site, or a combination of, depending on program requirements. Occasional travel may be required.

F.3 GS0910 Period of Performance (July 2001)

The ordering period of this contract will be five years (01/01/2024 – 12/31/2028). Individual periods of performance for task orders to be established at task order level.

F.4 GS0919 Legal Holidays (June 2021)

The following legal holidays are observed by this Government agency:

New Year's Day January 01

Martin Luther King's Birthday 3rd Monday in January

Presidents Day 3rd Monday in February

Memorial Day Last Monday in May

Juneteenth June June 19

Independence Day July 04

Labor Day 1st Monday in September

Columbus Day 2nd Monday in October

Veterans Day November 11

Thanksgiving…