Questions BOEM Solicitation 140M0121R0002_0002.docx

Questions BOEM Solicitation 140M0121R0002 Real-time Opportunity for Development of Environmental Observations (RODEO) II

1. SECTION C.5 SCOPE OF WORK: Please confirm if BOEM is anticipating the need to evaluate air emissions from construction activities as a scope element in this IDIQ.

Answer: The Government has included air emissions as part of the IDIQ to allow for the opportunity to evaluate air emissions during future offshore wind development.

2. SECTION I.1 CONTRACT CLAUESE: lists Clause 52.219.9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan – Alternate II and 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns as incorporated by reference, however, nowhere else in the RFP is there a discussion regarding the requirement for or goals for a subcontracting Plan as has been seen in previous BOEM solicitations when a Subcontracting Plan is required. Can BOEM clarify if a Subcontracting Plan is required, and if so, what are the small business goals for this procurement?

Answer: A Small Business Subcontracting Plan is required for this effort. The details in which the subcontracting plan must include have been added in Section L.7.6.1 of the solicitation.

3. SECTION L.6 DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS: Written proposals must be received no later than 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time, January 17, 2021. Can BSEE Confirm the due date since January 17 is a Sunday.

Answer: The proposal due date has been updated to 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time, January 19, 2021 and is reflected in Section L.6. of the solicitation.

4. SECTION K.1 FAR 52.204-8 ANNUAL REPRESENTATION AND CETIFICATIONS: indicates that the NAICS code for this acquisition is 541712; however, looking at the current NAICS code listing, there is not a category that is listed for 541712 code. Could BOEM please clarify what the NAICS code is for this acquisition?

Answer: The NAICS code for this solicitation is 541715 - Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology). This has been updated in Section K.1 of the solicitation along with the size standard.

5. Sample Task Order, SECTION 1.2 LINE-ITEM PRICING: CLIN 00020 is for other direct costs (ODCs). ODCs will be reimbursed at actual expenses incurred. Would the Government consider the application of G&A support costs that are usual and customary costs within the indirect expense rate structure associated with ODCs and travel expenses?

Answer: Yes, the application of G&A support costs within the indirect expense rate structure is acceptable.

6. Sample Task Order; SECTION 2.4.1.A BIWF Seafloor Disturbance and Recovery Monitoring: Please confirm that there is no requirement for deploying equipment, collecting data, or reporting associated with the scour monitors previous used to evaluate seafloor disturbance.

Answer: There is no requirement to deploy scour monitors, as was done previously.

7. Sample Task Order; SECTION 2.4.1.A.1 Field Data Collection: Can BSEE provide additional clarification of the dimensions (length and width) of the survey area and expectations for the number of survey lines and spacing for the high resolution multibeam survey.

Answer: Please see the summary reports on the fieldwork posted on the BOEM website here: https://www.boem.gov/rodeo

8. Sample Task Order; SECTION 2.4.3 BIWF Benthic Monitoring: Please confirm the Benthic Monitoring Report is included as part of this task.

Answer: Section 2.5 of the Sample Task Order describes the deliverables for the project, including a final report of the results from section 2.4.3.

9. Sample Task Order; SECTION 2.4.3 BIWF Evaluate Biofouling Communities on the Foundations. Please confirm a separate Biofouling Report is included as part of this task.

Answer: Section 2.5 of the Sample Task Order describes the deliverables for the project, including a final report of the results from section 2.4.3.

10. Sample Task Order; SECTION 2.4.5 Publications, Presentations and Outreach. This scope of work narrative appears to imply that the draft and final report deliverables associated with the field work is to be included as part of this task. Please confirm this task only includes the preparation of PowerPoint presentation, attendance at end of project webinar, preparation of two journal articles, and prestation of results at three professional meetings.

Answer: Section 2.5 describes the deliverables for the project, including a final report of the results. Section 2.4.5 addresses the dissemination of results to the public. This can include final reports.

11. Sample Task Order; SECTION 2.4.5 Publications, Presentations and Outreach. This scope of work includes prestation of results at three professional meetings. To assist with estimating travel labor and expenses for these presentations can BSEE provide expectations if these professional meetings will be in-person or virtual.

Answer: Since this IDIQ spans five years, either virtual or in-person meetings may occur during this timeframe. The Government will accommodate virtual meetings when appropriate.

12. Sample Task Order; SECTION 2.5 D, TECHNICAL REPORT (DRAFT COPY): the RFP states that the Draft copy of the Technical Report shall be submitted within 12 months of completion of the data collection; whereas, SECTION 2.6 DELIVERABLES SCHEDULE indicates that the Draft copy of the Technical Report is due 6 months after data collection is complete. Please clarify this submittal requirement.

Answer: Attachment 3 – Sample Task Order, Section 2.6 has been corrected to state twelve (12) months after data collection.

13. Sample Task Order; SECTION 2.5 D, TECHNICAL REPORT (DRAFT COPY): Can BSEE indicate whether the Technical Reports will be limited to presenting results collected for this Task Order only, or will the contractor be required to compare the findings to similar monitoring efforts conducted under previous RODEO Task Orders?

Answer: The Government expects a comparison to previous results.

14. Within the Base RFP, SECTION B.2.2, SAMPLE TASK ORDER PRICING: the pricing table indicates that the CLIN for the sample task order is 00001 and includes the materials and equipment, whereas, within ATTACHMENT 3, SECTION 1.2, LINE ITEM PRICING: there are 2 separate CLINs identified for the Ceiling Amounts, CLIN 00010 for the all services and supplies and CLIN 00020 for Other Direct Costs. Could BOEM please clarify the pricing structure and CLINs for the Sample Task Order?

Answer: RFP Section B.2.2. has been updated to be consistent with Attachment 3 – Sample Task Order – Section 1.2.

15. Oral Presentations. Per the RFP, the presentation team is limited 5 individuals with only 4 spots available for technical experts (fifth one being the Program Manager) (Page 48, first paragraph under L.7.1.5.1) .

a. Q: Given that RODEO II evaluations can potentially cover several different and diverse technical disciplines, it would be useful to know which specific technical categories will be covered during the Q&A, so we can have the most appropriate expert available during the presentation to respond to BOEM. This is particularly important for the second set of Q that will be provided on-the-spot.

Answer: The advanced and on-the-spot questions are hereby removed the solicitation. Please reference RFP Section L.7.1.5.1. for the new oral presentation requirements. The original RFP Section L.7.1.5.1-L.7.1.5.2.5 concerning oral presentations are also hereby removed.

The individuals chosen to present at the oral presentations shall be familiar with the offeror’s technical approach.

16. Oral Presentations. Per the RFP, the Government will NOT ask questions about the information contained in an Offeror’s proposal submission (Page 49, Item 1 under L.71.5.4).

Q: Should this guidance be interpreted to mean that no Q will be asked on the technical approach presented in the Sample Task Order also.

Answer: RFP Section L.7.1.5.1 Oral Presentation Constraints has been added to the solicitation with Sections L.7.1.5.1-L.7.1.5.2.5 concerning oral presentations are also hereby removed. The oral presentations shall focus on the offeror’s technical approach and questions concerning the offeror’s technical approach will be asked, per the revised Section L.7.1.5.1.

17. Please confirm that the number of pages for the Technical Proposal specified on the third line on page 45 under L.7.1.a should read “40” pages and not “440”.

Answer: This is correct. The number of pages should read “40 pages”. This has been updated in Section L.7.1.a.

18. Please confirm the Period of Performance for the Sample Task Order. On page 1 of 11 under Section 1.2, it is indicated as 24 months, whereas on page 9 of 11 under Section 3.1 it is indicated as 18 months. Note: based on prior experience of having successfully implemented similar studies under RODEO I, we believe a 24 month POP is more appropriate.

Answer: The period of performance has been updated in Section 3.1 to reflect twenty-four (24) months.

19. The current due date for proposals is 2:00 PM Eastern Time, Sunday, January 17th. Please confirm the proposal due date and time.

Answer: See answer to Question 3.