QA_22Nov23_0002.pdf

Ques�on and Answers #2 22 November 2023

Q1. We have ques�ons about the sub-item for “Ground Survey” under RTV. There is no quan�ty defined under that heading. Are we bidding for acres, feet, miles, polygons?

A1. The unit is 90 m of transect/acre. Our understanding is that this is the same for both version 3 and 4 of the protocol, although we gather the transects are not required for version 4.

Q2. The newest version of RTV protocol published by the USFS last year - 4.0, eliminates the need for line transects. Rather it recommends “targeted climbing.” It is unclear if the BLM has moved on from version 3.0.

A2. All but one field office are using version 4 for RTV surveys. At the �me of an individual task order, the Field office will specify which version they are using.

Q3. Please clarify contract awards. On page 131 of the solicita�on, it states “The Government es�mates awarding seven Mul�ple Award Indefinite Delivery Indefinite”, though it also men�ons the possibility of a single award throughout the solicita�on. Please clarify.

A3. It could be beneficial to award to contractors who propose to cover all BLM districts for all species. However, there is a possibility where many contractors will not propose to cover all survey ac�vi�es for all species and/or it may be advantageous to the BLM to award to contractors that proposed to cover some BLM districts for some species. The solicita�on is writen to allow some flexibility on contract award strategy, depending on the proposals received.

Q4: On page 70, The solicita�on states “For orders that do not exceed the simplified acquisi�on threshold (currently $250,000), the Contrac�ng Officer need not contact each of the mul�ple awardees under the contract before selec�ng an order awardee if the Contrac�ng Officer has informa�on available to ensure that each awardee is provided a fair opportunity to be considered for each order.” If mul�ple awards are made, please clarify what is considered to be a “fair opportunity”, if the other contractors don’t have a chance to bid on the task order.

A4: If adequate pricing informa�on has been established in the respec�ve mul�ple award contracts, fair opportunity could be sa�sfied by comparing the various prices and services offered.

Q5: The solicita�on is seeking contractor pricing for districts in which some of the species do not occur. Please revise.

A5: Contractors do not have to propose pricing for those districts where the species does not occur.

While only the NW District and Roseburg survey for RTV under the RMP, it may be advantageous, for contract scope and modifica�on purposes, in case something changes with the species in the next 5 years for the Districts where the species’ range overlaps.

Q6: Will any biological services contractors with past performance issues on other BLM wildlife contracts be excluded from considera�on for this IDIQ MATOC?

A6: All proposals will be considered. However, awards can only be made to responsible offerors. One of the standards to be determined responsible is having a sa�sfactory performance record.

Q7: On page 70, the solicita�on states “Applicable Rates. The task order shall u�lize price rates of the current ordering period the task order is awarded within given delivery does not exceed the date

Ques�on and Answers #2 22 November 2023 specified in clause 52.216-22 Indefinite Quantity. When a task order RFP is issued, the Contractor may elect to propose compe��ve pricing to capture bulk or economic pricing discounts but in no event shall exceed the Base MATOC unit price rates.” To clarify, the Base MATOC price cannot be exceeded for a given year in which the contractor has provided pricing? Contractor pricing varies by project loca�on within a District and the quan�ty of survey effort required by a Task Order.

A7: As an example, say a contractor proposed the following for Item No. 0001:

Item No

Item Description

Unit Coos Bay

Lakeview Medford NW

OR

Roseburg

0001 Survey Station Set-up

Each $2 $2.50 $1 $4 $3.75

A. Task Order RFP requests 6 Survey Station Set-ups for Lakeview District B. The Contractor can propose a unit price of $2.50 or less since this is for Lakeview

District.

If proposing a unit price of $2.50, the total price for the 6 units of that line item would be $15.00.