Attachment_Two_GPSC5_Response_to_Questions_4.pdf

Attachment Two: GPSC5 Responses to Questions:

Q. All NAICS Small Business Standards state $16.5M. SBA, however, states the size standard for 541330 is $25.5M; 541360 at $28.5M; and 541370 at $19M. Does USGS intend to adhere to the SBA SB size standard?

A. The Small Business Size Standards are hereby updated to for 541330 is $25.5M; 541360 at

$28.5M; and 541370 at $19M and USGS does intend to adhere to the current SBA SB Size

Standard.

Q. The Evaluation Criteria section on page 4 states the order of importance for each factor, but leaves factor C (professional qualifications) out. Will factor C not be evaluated? If it will, where does it fall in the order?

A. EVALUATION CRITERIA: Part 1- The evaluation criteria are listed in descending order of importance:

Factors A and B are equal; and within factor B, subfactors 1 and 2 are equal. Factor C is less important than factors A & B and more important than factors D and E. Factors D and E are equal.

Q. How many Section F projects are allowed? If they have available CPARS, please confirm a PPQ is not necessary.

A. A maximum of Ten (10) projects must be listed in Section F. A PPQ must be accompanied by each project listed in Section F. PPQ’s are required even if CPARS is available.

Q. If an IDIQ contract is presented as one of the Section F projects, is a task order awarded under that

IDIQ contract allowed as a separate Section F project, as long as that task order is not referred to in the

IDIQ-Section F Project?

A. Yes, as long as the Task Order is not referred to in the IDIQ-section F, and must have a clear description and relevance listed in Section F.

Q. Are in-progress projects allowed for Section Fs?

A. In-Progress projects are not allowed as there can be no formal CPARS or PPQ that can be completed as final deliverable must be met for a true understanding of the project.

Q. The synopsis lists a broad set of capabilities under “Qualifications Minimum Requirements,” including sonar, hydrographic data, and aeromagnetic/radiometric/electromagnetics, but not all of these appear in

Section H Factor B. Can the Government confirm whether offerors must demonstrate qualifications across the full Minimum Requirements list to be eligible, while only the capabilities restated in Factor B

(plus any “highly desired” items) will be evaluated and scored?

A. Offerors must demonstrate qualifications across the full minimum requirements listed in Factor

B and will be evaluated and scored.

The Additional Specialized Experience (highly desired) has been removed as it was already addressed in Factor B, Sub-Factor 1. Factor B, including sub-factor 1 and sub-factor 2 shall be submitted under Section F.

Q. Page l, Introductory paragraph states: "lt is anticipated that a minimum of five awards will be issued." In the second paragraph of page 1, it states: "A maximum of 10 of the most highly qualified firms (estimated six (6) large businesses and four (4) small businesses) will then be slated for consideration under Part II Request for Proposal."

One way to interpret the criteria is that all five awards could be made to large businesses, since the Part II

RFP ranks proposals in numerical order and has a separate ranking for Small Business Firms, but does not state whether the SB are truly independent for possible award.

We suggest you clarify that of the five awards, a certain number be made available to small businesses, of if you intend to award up to six (6) large businesses and up to four (4) small businesses, which was done for the current contract.

A. The introductory paragraph has been changed to remove the estimated number of minimum contracts to be awarded and replaced with a maximum of 10 contracts will be awarded to the most highly qualified firms to align with the second paragraph.

Q. Page 4, Emergency Tasks paragraph: What section of the SF330 do we indicate our interest in providing priority services?

A. Offeror shall indicate their interest in providing priority services in Section H of the SF330.

Q. Page 4, PRICING paragraph: States: "There is a mandatory 23% minimum acceptable small business goal for each contract awarded." We assume this is for the large businesses; please clarify the intent?

A. Correct, the Large Businesses will be required to submit a sub-contracting plan that meets the mandatory 23% small business goals. Small businesses do not have this requirement.

Q. Page 4 "Past performance on similar prior contracts.." Is it your intent to limit Section F to "contracts" vs task orders? Please clarify the intent?

A. An IDIQ and Task Order under the IDIQ may not both be listed or allowed as a Section F

Project. The vendor must choose to list either the IDIQ or the Task Order but not both, with a clear description and relevance listed in Section F.

Q. Page 4 As we interpret the requested information all Section F projects and Section H Part A projects are to include CPARS or a PPQ. Please confirm that is the intent.

A. A PPQ must be accompanied by each project listed in Section F. PPQ’s are required even if

CPARS is available. CPARS will be pulled by the Contracting Officer and assessed by DOI-USGS to support the evaluation. CPARS does not need to be submitted in Section H.

Q. Page 4 Projects are limited to those that have a CPARS from January 1,2020 to present. Does this also include projects that have a PPQ during this time period?

A. Projects are limited to those that occurred on or after January 1, 2020 to present. Projects listed during this time must be accompanied with a PPQ even if CPARS is available.

Q. Page 4 Do you want the CPARS for Section F projects provided in Section F or in Section H Part A?

A. CPARS will be pulled by the Contracting Officer and assessed by DOI-USGS to support the evaluation. CPARS does not need to be submitted in Section F or Section H.

Q. Page 4 Projects are limited to those that have a CPARS from January 1,2020 to present. Some firms may have 20 to 30, or more CPARS, which would require a write-up in Section F. Is the intent to limit

Section F projects to say 10 or 12? We suggest a maximum, since there is no page limit (as far as we can tell) for Section F.

A. A maximum of Ten (10) projects must be listed in Section F.

Q. Page 5, FACTOR B: This would normally be Section F of the SF330 form, but we don't see any reference to Section F. The last paragraph references Section H and labeled as Section B, for additional specialized experience, but not where the Section F projects would be submitted.

Assuming you want projects submitted in Section F format, then is the number or projects being submitted in Section F controlled by the parameters in Factor A (i.e. CPARS from January 1,2020 to present)? If not, then please clarify the number of projects to submit in Section F and/or what is the limiting factors.

A. For Factor B: Sub-factor B-1 and B-2 shall be submitted in Section F. The synopsis is corrected to include reference to Section F for Factor B.

The Additional Specialized Experience has been removed as it was already addressed in Factor B, Sub-Factor 1. Factor B, including sub-factor 1 and sub-factor 2 shall be submitted under Section F.

A maximum of Ten (10) projects must be listed in Section F. There are no page limitations to

Section F.

Q. Page 5, FACTOR B: Assuming you do want the projects submitted in the SF330, Section F format, then are we limited to two pages per project? If not, how many pages per project do you want to review?

A. Projects must be submitted in the SF330 Section F format, there are no page limitations for

Section F, only for Section H.

Q. Page 5, FACTOR B, Subfactor (2): It appears you want a listing of equipment, software and hardware, and abilities to provide digital or hardcopy products. Do you want this listing under this Section F for individual projects or is the listing to be provided in Section H, Factor B?

A. Factor B, including sub-factor 1 and sub-factor 2 shall be submitted under Section F.

Q. Page 5, FACTOR B, Additional Specialized Experience paragraph: The last two sentences of this paragraph imply the radar, multispectral, and hyperspectral imagery; and airbome geophysical data to include areomagnetic, radiometric, and airbome electromagnetics, are to be submitted in Section H, Factor B. Another way to read the "above areas" or “this information" would be all of Factor B criteria vs just the additional specialized experience paragraph. Please clarify your intent.

A. The Additional Specialized Experience has been removed as it was already addressed in Factor

B, Sub-Factor 1. Factor B, including sub-factor 1 and sub-factor 2 shall be submitted under Section

F.

Q. Page 6, FACTOR C: The criteria is requesting personnel: Certified photograrnmetrist(s), registered/licensed professional engineer(s) and registered land surveyor(s). We assume you want more than one submitted in each discipline, since you have included "(s)". Please clarify how many of each discipline you want us to include in Section E? And how many pages per discipline we may include?

A. The number of disciplines submitted is at the discretion that the vendor chooses to submit, there is no limit to the number of disciplines submitted and no page limits in Section E.

Q. Page 6, FACTOR C: The criteria requests "this information'' to be submitted in Section H. However, the last sentence states: "Government shall review, SF330 Part 1. Section E and SF-330 Part I. Section H, Factor C." This clearly states there is a Section E and a Section H, Factor C, which is the reason we were asking for the number of each discipline you want to include in Section E.

A. The number of disciplines submitted is at the discretion that the vendor chooses to submit, there is no limit to the number of disciplines submitted and no page limits in Section E. Factor C has been updated to specify the required information for Section E and Section H. Please see the updated synopsis.

Q. Page 6, FACTOR C: You are requesting registered/licensed professional engineers(s), but do not list any specific disciplines. Do you want to see civil engineers. geomatics engineers, geospatial engineers, or any other specific discipline/ Please clarify so all firms are submitting the same disciplines vs trying to guess?

A. The government does not require specific types of professional engineers. We are looking for professional engineers who have a scientific understanding and are registered/licensed.

Q. Page 6, Factor D states: "Adequacy of in-house quality control procedures..." What specifics are you

Iooking for to meet "adequacy"? If we have received approval on prior QC Plans for similar work is that adequate? If not, please give more specifics to define adequate.

A. The government would like to see the company's QC plan/procedure, along with what resources, certifications, and compliance with ANSI/ISO/ASOC 9001:2015. Adequate is defined as meeting or exceeding.

Q. Page 6, Factor D: We request that the quality certifications and awards in Section H, Factor D be removed from the page count.

A. This will not be removed from the page count in Section H.

Q. Page 6, Factor E: SF330 forms normally request capacity in Section H. Some of the items being requested (i.e. experience working together) will be discussed in Section F. Can we refer to the projects in

Section F or do you want that information to be repeated for Factor E?

A. As long as it is clearly stated where to locate the information, you may refer to the projects listed in Section F.

Q. Page 6, Factor F: This is not required for small business responses, which is shown on page 7, please confirm.

A. Correct, Factor F is not required for Small Businesses.

Q. Pages 6 and 7 - Industry Day: Many govemment agencies are hosting Webex or Online Industry Day, which allows many participants, including our teaming partners and/or subcontractors a chance to ask questions and hear what may impact their expertise area. Many small businesses do not have large business development budgets. Please consider an alternate method for the Industry Day.

A. Due to the Government Shutdown, GPSC5 Industry Day has been moved to a virtual event that will be held on December 17, 2025 at 9am MST.

Q. Pages 6 and 7 - Industry Day: You are requesting names and information on participants nearly three weeks prior to the Industry Day. One benefit of a small business is being agile and flexible, but other project commitments may require a change in personnel. Please consider adjusting the RSVP to October lst or 2nd.

A. The RSVP date for Industry Day has been extended through December 8, 2025.

Q. Pages 6 and 7 - Industry Day: The solicitation has October 9th as the Industry Day, but you are requesting Industry Day questions before October 2lst? Please clarify a date for Industry Day questions prior to October 9th. We assume you mean the last day to submit questions is October 21st, but please clarify

A. Industry Day has been moved to a virtual event on December 17, 2025. Questions resulting from

Industry Day or questions regarding the SF330 must be submitted by December 31, 2025.

A. Page 7, Section H: One way to read your request is that only Section H is to be submitted with Factors

A thru F being incorporated in Section H. That approach does not follow the SF330 instructions, which request Sections A thru H and Part II be part of the submittal.

Another way to interpret your instructions are to submit the SF330 and then have the expanded Section H with Factors A thru F included. Futhermore, Factor A states: "Shall include a summary of Section F", which implies to use projects in Section F and Section H then gets a summary.

Please confirm exactly which method you are requesting, which will allow all submittals to be following the same guidelines vs trying to guess.

A. This has been corrected to read:

All offerors must submit a complete SF330, which includes:

Part I: Section A through H

Part II: for each firm involved, including the prime and subcontractors.

Instructions for Section H – Evaluation Criteria Response

In addition to completing the standard SF 330 format, offerors must clearly and specifically address each of the evaluation factors listed in the solicitation within Section H. The following instructions apply:

• Section H must be submitted as a separate attachment, titled: Section H Attachment.

• Section H must include narrative responses for the following evaluation factors:

o Factor A – Summary of Past Performance listed in Section F and any additional information o Factor B – Summary of Specialized Experience and Technological Competence and any additional information o Factor C – Summary of Professional Qualifications and any additional information o Factor D – Quality Assurance and Quality Control o Factor E - Project Management/Coordination o Factor F - Small Business Participation (Only for Large Businesses)

• Page Limit:

Section H is limited to a total of 75 pages. This is a cumulative page limit for all evaluation factors combined—not 75 pages per individual evaluation factor.

• Excess Pages:

Any content in Section H that exceeds the 75-page limit will not be evaluated.

Q. General: Section H is clear on the page count (i.e. 75 pages), but Sections E and F are not mentioned for a limiting page criteria. Please clarify if those Sections have page limitations.

A. Sections E and F do not have page limitations.

Q. Are example projects required to be fully completed, or will the USGS accept projects that are nearly completed (e.g., at least 80%)?

A. Example project must be fully completed projects.

Q. Given that a CPARS or PPQ must be included for each example project, will USGS accept an interim

CPARS at the task order or IDIQ level?

A. The Government will pull CPARS and they do not need to be included with the SF330 package.

CPARS must be finalized ratings to be utilized for evaluation.

Q. Can Section E resumes or Section F projects exceed one page in length?

A. Sections E and F do not have page limitations.

Q. The solicitation contains conflicting requirements regarding HUBZone and small business participation percentages. Could you please clarify the minimum required percentages for HUBZone and small business participation? Additionally, if there are separate or combined goals for these categories, please specify how compliance will be evaluated.

A. Factor F has been updated to the following for clarification purposes:

FACTOR F. Small Business Participation: Extent of participation of SB, SDB, VOSB, WOSB, HUBZone, and SDVOSB small business in the proposed contract team. The statutory minimum goal for small business participation must be no less than 23% of the total value of prime contract awards in accordance with FAR 52.219-9 Small Business Subcontracting Plan.

In accordance with FAR 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan, the following government-wide statutory small business goals will be used as the basis for establishing subcontracting goals for this contract:

• Small Business (SB): 23% of total prime contract dollars

• Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB): 5% of total prime contract dollars and 5% of the total value of subcontract awards.

• Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB): 5% of total prime contract dollars and 5% of the total value of subcontract awards.

• HUBZone Small Business: 3% of total prime contract dollars and 3% of the total value of subcontract awards.

• Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB): 3% of total prime contract dollars and 3% of the total value of subcontract awards.

These statutory targets represent the minimum levels of small business participation that the

Government seeks to achieve and serve as the foundation for the subcontracting goals proposed for this contract. This information shall be submitted in Section H of the SF330 Part I, and title the information pertaining to this as “FACTOR F”.

Q. Please confirm that Factor B (Specialized Experience), will be evaluated in both Section F and H?

A. The additional Specialized Experience was removed as it was duplicated. The additional

Specialized Experience will no longer be required in Section H. A Summary of Specialized

Experience and Technological Competence is required in Section H and any additional information that you may want to include. Both Section F and H will be looked at for evaluation purposes for

Factor B.

Q. For a Section F project, will a PPQ already signed by USGS government employee be acceptable? Or is it required that we submit a new PPQ using your provided form, completed and returned directly to you?

A. Past Performance (Factor A)

Q. Is a Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ) required for each Section F project if a CPARS report is available and accessible to DOI/USGS?

A. A PPQ must be accompanied by each project listed in Section F. PPQ’s are required even if

CPARS is available. CPARS will be pulled by the Contracting Officer and assessed by DOI-USGS to support the evaluation. CPARS does not need to be submitted in Section H.

Q. If a client previously completed a PPQ for a Section F project, can that same PPQ be reused, or must the client complete the specific PPQ form provided with this solicitation?

A. Please provide a new PPQ using the provided form, completed and emailed to GPSC5@usgs.gov.

Q. USGS does not provide CPARS at the task order level. Will CPARS reports at the IDIQ level suffice, or should contractors request PPQs from USGS Contracting Officers for each task order executed under prior GPSC contracts?

A. CPARS reports may be used for the IDIQ but not for the Task Order, as the Task Orders do not have individual CPARS reporting. PPQs are required for each project listed even if CPARS is available.

Q. Can a project that is not yet fully completed (e.g., 80% invoiced) be used as a Section F reference?

A. Project must be a fully completed project.

Q. If a partially completed project can be used (e.g., 80% invoiced) in Section F, would either an interim

CPARS or PPQ be acceptable?

A. Partially completed projects will not be acceptable. Interim CPARS or PPQ’s are not acceptable.

Q. The pre-solicitation document indicates that completed PPQs should be returned to the Contracting

Officer, but does not specify an email address for this purpose. Could you please confirm whether GPSC5@usgs.gov is the correct email address for clients to submit their completed PPQs?

A. Correct, please submit PPQs to GPSC5@usgs.gov

Q. Does a PPQ need to be emailed directly to the Contracting Officer by the client filling it out, or can we include the completed PPQ as an attachment with our submittal?

A. Completed PPQs must be submitted via attachment with submittals and emailed to

GPSC5@usgs.gov.

Q. Can resumes in Section E include ongoing projects (e.g., 80% invoiced)?

A. No, projects must be complete.

Q. Can resumes in Section E include projects older than five years if they are relevant and demonstrate key qualifications?

A. No, resumes must include projects listed within the Period of Performance starting in Calendar

Year 2020 through the current Calendar Year 2025.

Q. Can offerors include hyperlinks or QR codes in Section H to reference additional materials or videos, or will these be disregarded in evaluation?

A. No hyperlinks or QR codes shall be referenced in the submission package.

Q. Will the government confirm receipt of PPQs submitted directly by client references?

A. The government will confirm receipt of a PPQ with the original sender of the PPQ.

mailto:GPSC5@usgs.gov mailto:GPSC5@usgs.gov

Q. Can an IDIQ contract with multiple task orders be shown as a single Section F past performance project?

A. An IDIQ and Task Order under the IDIQ may not be combined as a single Section F Project.

The vendor is allowed to list the IDIQ and the Task Order separately with a clear description and relevance listed in Section F.

Q. Is there a minimum or maximum number of projects that can be submitted for Section F?

A. The maximum number of projects to list in Section F is 10.

Q. Would you please clarify exactly what is needed for the Submission Requirement, “All subcontracting or teaming arrangements must be included in the SF330”? Would you like to see Teaming Agreements, which would be a significant number of pages, or just a list or description of the teaming arrangements?

A. Teaming Agreement can be summarized with a list of the vendors the teaming agreements are with.

Q. Will the SF330 submission due date of 11/12 still hold regardless of status of the government shutdown?

A. No, this has been updated to January 14, 2026.

Q. Regarding Past Performance (Section F) - Several federal IDIQ contracts do not issue contract-wide

CPARS and will therefore require PPQ for overall contract performance, to accompany our Past

Performance section. How are we to handle requests for Past Performance Questionnaires from Federal contract POCs if the government is still shut down into late October / November? Will there be an extension to submission due date to accommodate the lead time required to ensure they can be completed and submitted on time?

A. Yes, this has been extended to December 31, 2025.

Q. Page 7 of solicitation, bottom, It is stated "Section H shall be included as its own Attachment titled;

Section H Attachment." Can you confirm that the submission should be comprised of 2 attachments – 1)

Part I Sections A through G, (omit H), I, and Part II; and 2) Part 1 Section H? Or should Part II comprise a third attachment (in addition to Part I - A through G (Omit H), I / Part I - Section H)?

A. All offerors must submit a complete SF330, which includes:

Part I: Section A through H

Part II: for each firm involved, including the prime and subcontractors.

Instructions for Section H – Evaluation Criteria Response

In addition to completing the standard SF 330 format, offerors must clearly and specifically address each of the evaluation factors listed in the solicitation within Section H. The following instructions apply:

• Section H must be submitted as a separate attachment, titled: Section H Attachment.

• Section H must include narrative responses for the following evaluation factors:

o Factor A – Summary of Past Performance listed in Section F and any additional information o Factor B – Summary of Specialized Experience and Technological Competence and any additional information o Factor C – Summary of Professional Qualifications and any additional information o Factor D – Quality Assurance and Quality Control o Factor E - Project Management/Coordination o Factor F - Small Business Participation (Only for Large Businesses)

• Page Limit:

Section H is limited to a total of 75 pages. This is a cumulative page limit for all evaluation factors combined—not 75 pages per individual evaluation factor.

• Excess Pages:

Any content in Section H that exceeds the 75-page limit will not be evaluated.

Q. Can interim CPARs issued on the contract level, listing individual task orders referenced in Section F.

Example Projects, be sufficient as a past performance evaluation demonstration in lieu of providing individual past performance questionnaires?

A. Interim CPARS will not be evaluated. PPQ’s are required for all projects even if CPARS is available.

Q. Would USGS accept a previously completed Past Performance Questionnaire from another agency on projects utilizing questionnaires in lieu of the USGS-provided form?

A. No, please provide a new PPQ using the provided form, completed and emailed to

GPSC5@usgs.gov.

Q. Are Past Performance Questionnaires required for every project profile submitted in Section F.

Example Projects?

A. Yes, PPQ’s are required for all projects listed in Section F.

Q. Can the government please confirm if HUBZone small business participation is required in both the

3% and 5% categories if SDB/WOSB and SDVOSB partners are represented in teaming arrangements?

goal for small business participation must be no less than 23% of the total value of prime contract awards in accordance with FAR 52.219-9 Small Business Subcontracting Plan.

In accordance with FAR 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan, the following government-total value of subcontract awards.

• Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB): 5% of total prime contract dollars and 5% of the total value of subcontract awards.

• HUBZone Small Business: 3% of total prime contract dollars and 3% of the total value of subcontract awards.

this contract. This information shall be submitted in Section H of the SF330 Part I, and title the information pertaining to this as “FACTOR F”.

Q. The requirement under Factor F. Small Business Participation states 3% and 5% goals for both the total prime award and the total subcontract award. Can you please confirm that the percentage goals would be the same for both the total prime award and the total subcontract award?

A. Yes, the percentage are the same for the prime and subcontracted award.

Q. Are copies of our individual teaming agreements for each subcontractor required to be included in the

SF330 package?

A. Teaming Agreements can be summarized with a list of the vendors the teaming agreements are with.

Q. The solicitation states that the statutory minimum goals for small business participation include “≥23%

SB, SDB, VOSB, WOSB, HUBZone, and SDVOSB,” and further states that the minimum goals for small-disadvantaged, woman-owned, and HUBZone small businesses shall be no less than 5%, while the minimum goals for service-disabled veteran-owned and HUBZone small businesses shall be 3%. Could the Government please clarify the correct minimum percentage requirement for HUBZone participation, as both 5% and 3% are listed? Additionally, is there a defined minimum requirement for Veteran-Owned

Small Business (VOSB) participation separate from SDVOSB?

goal for small business participation must be no less than 23% of the total value of prime contract awards in accordance with FAR 52.219-9 Small Business Subcontracting Plan.

In accordance with FAR 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan, the following government-total value of subcontract awards.

• Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB): 5% of total prime contract dollars and 5% of the total value of subcontract awards.

• HUBZone Small Business: 3% of total prime contract dollars and 3% of the total value of subcontract awards.

this contract. This information shall be submitted in Section H of the SF330 Part I, and title the information pertaining to this as “FACTOR F”.

Q. A client has a strict policy that prohibits them from providing detailed quantitative feedback or performance ratings (e.g., Outstanding, Above Average, Satisfactory, Marginal, Unacceptable) for any contractor or contract. This policy applies uniformly across all their engagements.

Instead, they are only permitted to provide factual statements related to contract execution, such as:

1. The type, amount, and location of data acquired and/or processed.

2. Confirmation that all delivered data met the quality specifications outlined in the contract.

3. Whether deliveries were complete, accurate, on time, and accepted.

4. Whether the contractor requested any variations or additional funds.

5. Whether any safety incidents or near-miss events were recorded.

6. Would they hire or work with this firm again?

Would such statements of fact, listed on a PPQ, be acceptable in lieu of ratings?

A. Yes, the “statements of fact”, listed on a PPQ would be acceptable.