Attachment_1_to_Amendment_3_Solicitation_8_18_2021_0003.pdf

Attachment 1 to Amendment No. 3 Solicitation 140G0221R0003

The purpose of Amendment No. 3 is to provide contractor questions and the government response. This amendment includes questions from the site visit held on August 11, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. Amendment No.

3 also includes the attendance sheet from the site visit. There were no attendees at the 1:00 p.m. site visit.

CONTRACTOR QUESTIONS AND GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

Question 1: The solicitation name on Sam.Gov is SAF ASL Services Re-compete. Please clarify what SAF stands for and advise.

Government Response: SAF was posted in error and is hereby deleted via this amendment. Please do not include “SAF” on submitted documentation for the project title.

Question 2: Please confirm the contract Periods of Performance as the solicitation contains inconsistencies.

Government Response: Per GS0911, Period of Performance-Options Jul 2001, in the solicitation, the period of performance is as follows:

Contract Periods Start Date Completion Date

Basic Contract Period November 1, 2021 April 30, 2022

First Option Period May 1, 2022 April 30, 2023

Second Option Period May 1, 2023 April 30, 2024

Third Option Period May 1, 2024 April 30, 2025

Fourth Option Period May 1, 2025 April 30, 2026

Question 3: Please provide Clause GS0938 listing content requirements for Small Business Subcontracting Reports. The referenced content of Section F, Clause F.9 GS0938 seems to have been omitted from the proposal.

Government Response: Clause GS0938 was listed in error. Offerors should refer to the Sample Small Business Subcontracting Plan Template in GS2320, Evaluation Factors MAR 2019, Evaluation Factor 5 and subcontracting plan requirements as listed in FAR 52.212-9.

Question 4: In June 2021, the Federal Government passed a law to make June 19th a Holiday called Junteenth. This Holiday is not listed. Can you please clarify if the contractor is to observe this day as a Holiday?

Government Response: Yes, June 19th will be observed as a government holiday and is hereby incorporated as a legal holiday into the Performance Work Statement via this Amendment No. 3.

Question 5. Can the government please clarify where in the PWS the contractor will be performing Acquisition function closely associated with inherently governmental functions means supporting or providing advice or recommendations on behalf of USGS. If not, we recommend deletion of this clause.

Government Response: As indicated in the Performance Work Statement, Section C., Scope, “Non-personal services….” are required for work performed under the contract. Which clause is the contractor referencing? Services performed under the contract are not inherently governmental functions.

Question 6. The solicitation contain Labor Categories applicable to the FAR 52.222-41 Service Contract Act and DOL Wage Determination requirements. The government did not include the associated Price adjustment provision. Will the government please incorporate FAR 52.222-44 into the contract?

Government Response: No. FAR 52.222-44 does not apply since it is a cost-reimbursement type contract and contains options.

Question 7. Two referenced Section J Attachments were not attached, please provide.

Attachment 2 "Equipment List" Attachment 6 "Department of Labor Wage Determination"

Government Response: Thank you for providing notification to the Government that these attachments did not post. They are attached to this Amendment No. 3 and incorporated as part of the solicitation.

Question 8. Attachment 7 (numbered 6) Dept of Interior Release of Claims represents the attachment is 20 pages. Solicitation only provided pages 1 and 2. Will the government please provide the entire 20 pages of the attachment?

Government Response: 20 pages is a typographical error. The Department of Interior Release of Claims is “2” pages.

Question 9. 9.L.9, L.10 and L.11 instructions do not align in the required content for each volume.

Please clarify the appropriate submission format requirements. Note, past performance is requested to be provided in multiple locations (volumes).

Government Response: GS2150, Proposal Format and Submission Instructions, Aug 2001, references both GS2160, Technical Proposal Instructions, and GS2170 Business Management Proposal Instructions.

All provisions shall be followed in proposal preparation. Past Performance shall be included in Volume 1-Technical Proposal as indicated.

Question 10.Please clarify the proposal submission is an electronic submission only via email to tbertsch@usgs.gov?

Government Response: Correct. Proposal submission is an electronic submission only via email to tbertsch@usgs.gov.

Question 11. Please provide your email system file size limitations? May the offeror separate proposal Volumes in multiple files if required to transmit with email file size limitations? Will the governement accept pdf files for content and excel for cost model?

Government Response: Yes. The government will accept pdf files for content and excel for the cost model. Offerors may separate proposal Volumes into multiple files to meet the USGS email system file size limitation of 20MB per email. Please ensure that all emails and file attachments are clearly labeled and submitted prior to the solicitation closing date and time.

Question 12. Is it the government's intent for the offeror to submit all government contracts or would you consider revising the requirement to be for all relevant government contracts performed by offeror's business segment currently or completed or terminated within the past 3 years? Note, all government contracts could be a large extensive list. We believe you are interested in all relevant ones.

Government Response: Please reference the following excerpts from Evaluation Factor 2: Past Performance: “…Evaluation will consider the Offeror's record of past performance in organizing, operating, and managing on-site technical support contracts that are similar in size and nature to this requirement…..” and “ offerors must provide at least three references with complete contact information for on-going contracts completed not more than three (3) years ago with previous employers/clients who are familiar with the Offeror's work on similar projects.”

Question 13. Verify plug-in amounts:

1) For purposes of proposal submission, use $200,000.00 as a “Plug-in” amount for pricing travel for the base and all option years, will include this amount.

Question: In addition to full year option periods, is it the government’s intent to use a $200K travel plug-in for the 6 month base period and 6 month extension period?

Government Response: For proposal submission, please use $250,000.00 for the base and each option period (including for the 6 month base period and 6 month extension period).

GS2170 Business Management Proposal Instructions is hereby amended to “250,000.00 as the “Plug-in” amount. “50,000.00 for per diem M/I” is hereby deleted.

There will also be a “plug-in” amount of $50,000.00 for per diem M/I applied in the same manner as the travel “plug-in” amount.

Question: The defined $200K travel plug number should be inclusive of per diem M/I amounts as per diem M/I costs are only incurred during travel. What is the government’s intent for listing a separate per diem M/I plug in amount?

Government Response: The separate per diem costs were in error. Please use $250,000.00 as the plug in number for travel in proposal submission for the base period and each option year.

Question: In addition to full year option periods, is it the government’s intent to use a $50K per diem M/I plug-in for the 6 month base period and 6 month extension period?

Government Response: Please see the government response above. Please use $250,000.00 as the plug in number for travel in proposal submission for the base period and each option year.

Question 14.As stated in M.4 GS2320 Evaluation Factor 5: Small Business Subcontracting Plan -the requirements for the plan are specified in Clause 52.219-9. The Sample Small Business Subcontracting Plan format provided in the solicitation does not address all of the requirements in FAR 52.219-9. Is it the government's intent for the offeror to use the Sample SB Subcontracting plan in their submission? If so, can the offeror augment the sample format to address all FAR 52.219-9 requirements or can they use their own format?

Government Response: The sample subcontracting plan is a sample only. Yes, an offeror can augment the sample format to address all FAR 52.219-9 requirements. An offeror may also use their own format if all FAR requirements are met.

Question 15: Is there a file size limitation for the email submittal of the proposal? If there is a file size limit, are multiple e-mails acceptable or a secure file share, if needed?

Government Response: Please reference Question 11 above. There is an email size limitation of 20MB per email. Multiple emails are acceptable. Offeror proposals shall be submitted via email by the solicitation closing due date and time. The subject must clearly be identified for each email volume.

Question 16: Will the Government confirm that it wants Offerors to submit only an electronic copy of the proposal and provide the desired format, e.g., .PDF?

Government Response: Please reference Question 11 above. Currently, the Government is requesting an electronic copy of the proposal. Please reference GS2150 Proposal Format and Submission Instructions Aug 2001, GS2160 Technical Proposal Instructions, and GS2170 Business Management Proposal Instructions.

Question 17: For "as-needed" taskings, will the Government contract this as part of a separate task order under the contract?

Government Response: The government will consider a modification to the contract for government required services that are not specifically listed in the Performance Work Statement that are considered within the scope of the contract. This is not a task order contract.

Question 18: Should Offerors provide past performance small business subcontracting accomplishments? If so, should the Offeror determine the most applicable client/contract data to include if the Offeror does not have DoI past performance?

Government Response: Offerors are only required to provide past performance information as indicated in the solicitation. Please reference GS2160 Technical Proposal Instructions and GS2320 Evaluation Factors. “DOI” past performance is not required. The solicitation indicates “Evaluation will consider the Offeror's record of past performance in organizing, operating, and managing on-site technical support contracts that are similar in size and nature to this requirement.”

Question 19: The Performance Standards Attachment lists 5 pages; however only 2 pages are provided. Please confirm the performance standards are only two pages or provide the additional 3 pages.

Government Response: “5” pages was listed in error. The performance standards are “2” pages.

Question 20: Within the Form SF33, Section 12, the Government indicates a "0" in the blank. As in, our proposal will only be valid for 0 calendars days. Can we assume this is in error and it should remain blank? And, does the Government have a preference for the length of proposal validity?

Government Response: “0” is a typographical error. Block 12 should read “60” calendar days.

Quetion 21: Attachment 6 is listed as a Department of Labor Wage Determination, which was not attached to the solicitation. Was this listed in error and if not, will the Government please provide?

Government Response: Please reference Question 7 above. The Department of Labor Wage Determination No. 2015-5443, Revision 13, dated 8/3/2021, is attached to this Amendment No. 3 and hereby made a part of the solicitation.

Question 22: Section B defines a 5-month phase-in period as the base period. This phase-in is fixed price. Should a new contractor be selected, do we anticipate a phase-in of the number of staff over the course of the 5-month period (as best determined by the new contractor); or, will the incumbent contractor maintain all staff until the conclusion of the phase-in?

Government Response: The phase-in period allows for all new contractor staff to obtain background checks and USGS id's and allows for the transfer of knowledge such as location of station files and inventory databases. As the new contractor incrementally assumes operation responsibilities, there is no need for the incumbent to maintain all staff.

Question 23: Scope Section G.1 states that "The Contractor shall provide a Permitting specialist to assist the USGS in establishing permits to replace outdated earthquake monitoring equipment and, in some cases, to establish new sites at locations that include public and private owners. For each site, the work will include verifying landowner information, compiling an upgrade/installation request package for the site (sample provided), based on documentation provided by the USGS."

The referenced sample does not appear to have been provided with the solicitation.

Government Response: The wording here is meant to convey that the permitting specialist will be given an example of a request package for them to complete for each site.

Question 24: Attachment 2 is identified as an Equipment List; however, it is, in actuality, a Surveillance Activity Checklist. Can the Government provide the full equipment list, including export classifications?

Government Response: Please reference Question 7 above. There are no export restrictions on the equipment that is in operation at international stations. The only export restrictions are on an orientation device that uses a fiber optic gyroscope. It is a tool of the trade, but cannot be taken to all countries.

Question 25: Will the Government permit offerors to use smaller than 10-point font for tables, figures, and exhibits, and callouts so long as they are legible, e.g., no less than 8 point?

Government Response: Yes. 8-point font may be used for tables, figures, exhibits, and callouts as long as it is legible.

Question 26: Attachment 3 states that appropriate background investigations need to be in place at the time of the award; however, the security levels are not specified for each of the positions in the staffing table. Will the Government please clarify the sensitivity levels/investigation requirements for each position?

Government Response: Security clearance is not required for contractor employees. The background investigation is to obtain a government id (HSDP12) used for base access and computer system access.

Question 27: Will the Government entertain a 2-week extension to the due date?

Government Response: Yes. The Government is extending the solicitation closing date and time to 12:00 p.m. (MDT), Wednesday, September 15, 2021.

Questions and Answers from Site Visit held on August 11, 2021 at 9:00a.m.

Contractor Questions and Government Response:

Question 1: Which networks are treated as geophysical observatories?

Government Response: Both GSN and ANSS, N4 sites.

Question 2: Do Magnetometers have data quality issues because of station electronics, metal, etc.?

Government Response: No, they are used as variometers, so installation does not need to be as far away from other equipment as an absolute sensor.

Question 3: ASL does research and science, is there any research required of the contractor?

Government Response: No, the contractors are primarily operational support.

Question 4: For field ops in the US and the PRSN upgrade – how is work divided between USGS and contract staff?

Government Response: GSN field work is primarily contract personnel. With adoption of N4/regional nets, for trips within the US, it can be a mix of contract and USGS staff on a given trip.

Question 5: Was there Damage during Hurricane Maria to CU network solar skids from Sacred Power?

Government Response: Yes, two sites had solar panels blown away, but they were later repaired.

Question 6: What is the relationship between IRIS (Incorporated Research Institutions in Seismology) and the USGS GSN operations done under this contract?

Government Response: The USGS operates 2/3 of the GSN. The USGS attends the IRIS GSN working group standing committee meetings, and through an MOU with them, takes guidance from that group. It is an advisory capacity only, they have no direct control over network activities.

Question 7: Is ASL involved in DAS (distributed acoustic sensing)?

Government Response: No, not yet, but we are keeping an eye on the technology as it evolves.

Question 8: Can foreign citizens work for the contractor?

Government Response: Contractor personnel need to be able to get a base access credential and USGS log in credentials (HSPD-12). 48 CFR 3052.204-71 Contractor employee access indicates:

g) Each individual employed under the contract shall be a citizen of the United States of America, or an alien who has been lawfully admitted for permanent residence as evidenced by a Permanent Resident Card (USCIS I-551). Any exceptions must be approved by the

Department’s Chief Security Officer or designee.

(h) Contractors shall identify in their proposals, the names and citizenship of all non-U.S. citizens proposed to work under the contract.

Any additions or deletions of non-U.S. citizens after contract award shall also be reported to the contracting officer.

Question 9: Do outside agencies or vendors use ASL for testing and pay for testing.

Government Response: Yes, we have rented space for vendors in the past. If an instrument under test is a candidate for use in the GSN or Us regional networks, we will generally test for free.

Question 10: How do you select who might go on an aftershock deployment.

Government Response: Whoever is available. People like to volunteer to go to be where the action is.

The successful contractor shall be responsible for supervising and selecting contractor personnel for work under the contract.

Question 11: What metric does your management judge GSN performance by?

Government Response: Seismic data completeness and station noise levels.