B09_140M0124Q0059_Amendment_4_0004.pdf

(x)

140M0124Q0059 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

M10

Sterling VA 20166-9216 45600 Woodland Road, VAE-AMD

BOEM-HQ

08/12/20240004

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

08/12/2024

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 Amendment 0004 is to respond to the questions received on the RFQ and revise the RFQ in response to the questions. The RFQ questions and BOEM's responses are attached.

As a result of the questions, this Amendment makes changes to RFQ Sections 2.3.6, 2.3.7, 2.4.1, and 2.4.6. Additionally, RFQ Section 2.4.3 is revised to correct the title of this procurement and Section 4.3 is revised to change the quote due date to September 10, 2024, as noted in Amendments 2 and 3. RFQ Replacement Pages 8, 9, 10 and 26 are attached noting the changes using red font.

PLEASE SIGN THIS AMENDMENT AND INCLUDE IT WITH YOUR QUOTE.

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)

Caroline Laikin-Credno

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 .

RFQ No. 140N0124Q0059 - Tribal Support for Vineyard NE Wind Project

RFQ Questions and BOEM Answers

# RFQ/SOW

Section

Questions Answers

1 Section 1.3 Section 1.3 lists a reimbursable travel cost NTE $8,000; would the Government allow us to submit a lower travel amount in our price proposal if we anticipate lower travel costs?

No, this is a set reimbursable dollar amount.

2 Section 1.4 The sample table in Section 1.4 seems to indicate that different LCATs can be submitted. Does the Government intend to provide the desired LCATS for this task order?

No, the contractor is to propose the labor categories and rates required for the requirement.

3 Section 2.3.6 Section 2.3.6 states that “the contractor shall review and provide comments on behalf of the Tribes.” In previous and current projects, the Tribes have been ultimately responsible for submitting these letters to BOEM to maintain Tribal sovereignty and agency.

Please confirm the contractor should prepare the outline of the Tribal Values and Concerns appendix, draft EIS, and Section 106 documents for each Tribe, and each Tribe will be individually responsible for subsequently submitting these to BOEM. Providing this deliverable according to this established procedure will help ensure Tribal sovereignty and agency.

Agree, Tribes are responsible for submitting letters to BOEM and summary reports at the discretion of the Tribes.

4 Section 2.3.6 Section 2.3.6 also states that “The Contractor shall prepare a summary report for the Tribes.” While we are not opposed to this, it could raise issues as we would need to sanitize this document since our summary reports often contain information from other Tribes. Given that we already provide the Tribes with comment matrices to “crosswalk the concerns and issues raised by the Tribes with the sections of the documents that incorporate the concern,” would the government consider changing this requirement to “The contractor shall prepare a comment matrix for the Tribes…”?

Agree. The summary report may be submitted to BOEM at the discretion of each Tribe. RFQ Section 2.3.6 is revised to reflect this change.

5 Section 2.3.6 and 2.3.7

Section 2.3.7 states that “No information considered proprietary or confidential by the Tribes shall be included.” Can the government incorporate this remark to Section 2.3.6 as well?

Agree. RFQ Section 2.3.6 is revised to add the propreitary statement from Section 2.3.7.

6 Section 2.3.7 Section 2.3.7 states that “The Contractor shall share information with BOEM in the form of a comment letter…” We have done this in the past if granted permission by the Tribes, but believe that this ultimately should come from the Tribes. Would the government consider removing the comment letter requirement from this Task?

Comments will be provided to BOEM at the discretion of each Tribe. RFQ Section 2.3.7 is revised to reflect this change.

7 Section 2.3.7 Section 2.3.7 states that “The Contractor shall prepare a summary report of the concerns and issues raised by the Tribes and recommendations for methods to interact and share data.” While we are not opposed to this requirement, it is unclear if this report is a new separate report or the same as the final summary report mentioned in Section 2.4.6, which currently states that it only covers Tasks 1-4.

Can the Government provide a clarification on these summary report requirements?

One final summary report in Task

2.4.6 shall include Tasks 1 through 7.

RFQ Section 2.4.6 is revised to reflect this change.

8 Section 2.4.1 Section 2.4.1 states that the Contractor will "provide a summary to BOEM of the meeting, including date, time, attendees, and general description of topics covered.” On a previous contract, one Tribe expressed to us that to properly respect Tribal sovereignty, the contractor should not be sharing meeting summaries/notes with BOEM as required in this deliverable and was somewhat unsettled that we asked for permission as he believed the Tribe should be sharing this information with BOEM directly to respect the Government to Government relationship.

While we understand that BOEM can’t necessarily do this, we agreed to express the THPO’s concern to BOEM upon the request for a new task order. Given this context, would the Government consider revising this aspect of the requirement?

We agree with this approach. RFQ Section 2.4.1 is revised stating that the meeting summaries shall be provided to the Tribes who can then share the summaries with BOEM at their discretion. And that the Contractor may also share the summaries with BOEM with approval by the Tribe(s).

9 Section 2.4.1 Section 2.4.1 states that the Contractor will provide a summary to BOEM of the Tribal meeting, with the exception of any information considered proprietary or confidential by the Tribes, which should be excluded from these reports. Is the expectation of this deliverable diverting from past task orders where we would only provide Tribal meeting notes from Tribes who agree with sharing? Would we be expected to provide BOEM with a brief summary of the meeting regardless of Tribes agreeing to share or wishing to withhold details of engagement? (We recognize this question may be void, pending the response to question 8)

See response to question 8.

10 Section 2.4.3 and 2.4.5

Through our experience supporting the Tribes on the other wind projects, numerous THPOs have expressed concerns that all of these overlapping and consecutive wind projects are placing an undue strain on Tribal resources; despite the overall intention of addressing Tribal concerns in a more deliberate and meaningful way, the request for an additional deliverable for comment letters on BOEM's Outline of Tribal Values and Concerns (Section 2.4.3) may have the ultimate effect of exacerbating the resource constraints of the Tribes. Given this concern, would the Government consider combining the review of this appendix (Task 3) with the DEIS Review (Task 4) as well as combining the comment letters from this appendix (Section 2.4.3) with the overall comment letter on the DEIS (Section 2.4.5)?

BOEM acknowledges the potential impact on Tribal capacity and BOEM would like to consult with Tribes on the EIS outline, prior to the Draft EIS to ensure Tribal Values and Concerns are incorporated into the EIS. As a result, review under Task 3 and Task 4 cannot be combined, however BOEM welcomes feedback from the Tribes on the most effective process for this consultation.

11 Section 2.4.4 and 2.4.5

Sections 2.4.4 and 2.4.5 only list comment matrices for the DEIS, but not comment letters. Can Government clarify if comment letters on the DEIS are expected? In addition, if comment letters on the DEIS are expected, can the Government confirm if it would be acceptable for them to be in the same letter as the deliverable required under 2.4.5 (comment letters on the MOA and other docs)?

Comment letters are not required -only the matrices for those sections.

12 Section 2.4.6 Section 2.4.6 states that “The Contractor shall provide a summary report of discussions and products prepared for each of the participating Tribes during the execution of Tasks 1 through 4.” Can the Government clarify if this includes the summary report mentioned in both Task 6 (Section 2.3.6) and Task 7 (Section 2.3.7) or if these are separate deliverables?

One final summary report in Task

2.4.6 will include Task 1 through 7.

RFQ Section 2.4.6 is revised to reflect this change.

13 SOW Can the Government specify when the Vineyard NE Wind DEIS is scheduled to be released?

Notice of Availability of a Draft EIS is scheduled for May 23, 2024.

RFQ 140M0124Q0059 – Tribal Engagement for Vineyard NE Wind Project – Amendment 4 Page 8 of 39

The contractor shall review and provide comments on behalf of the Tribes for BOEM’s Proposed Vineyard Northeast project for the outline of the Tribal Values and Concerns appendix, draft EIS and Section 106 documents. When reviewing these documents, the Contractor shall pay attention to the accuracy of information, adequacy of the methodology and assumptions used in the analysis, new relevant information that would change the conclusions, different sources of credible research, and where any clarifications might be needed.

Areas for focus include:

Visual simulations Paleolandscapes Cultural Heritage Potential project layout and cable pathways Other areas identified by Tribes

The Contractor shall prepare a summary report for the Tribes about the COP, outline of the Tribal Values and Concerns appendix, draft EIS, and section 106 documents that crosswalks the concerns and issues raised by the Tribes with the sections of the documents that incorporate the concern. The Contractor shall identify any missing information or issue and prepare a draft letter for the Tribes to consider submitting to BOEM and may include potential mitigation under Section 106. At the discretion of each Tribe tThe summary report shall be submitted to BOEM.

No information considered proprietary or confidential by the Tribes shall be included.

2.3.7 Task 7: Capture key information from the Tribes and Share with BOEM The Contractor shall work with the Tribes to share information that can be incorporated into the Final Environmental Impact Statement. This may include participatory Geographic Information System (GIS) or other methods to relay specific information and concerns.

Areas for focus include:

Visual Impacts Paleolandscapes Cultural Heritage Traditional Cultural and Ecological Knowledge Other issues identified by Tribes

No information considered proprietary or confidential by the Tribes shall be included. The Contractor shall share information with BOEM in the form of a comment letter, data, maps, or other methods. BOEM will review such submissions to inform potential changes to the Final EIS. The Contractor shall prepare a summary report of the concerns and issues raised by the Tribes and recommendations for methods to interact and share data. No information considered proprietary or confidential by the Tribes shall be included. Comments may be provided to BOEM at the discretion of each Tribe.

2.4 MEETINGS, REPORTS AND OTHER DELIVERABLES

The Contractor is responsible for editing and proofreading all material in order to prepare products as error free as possible prior to their delivery to the BOEM. All reports shall be written as non-proprietary, releasable by BOEM to the public either through posting on the

RFQ 140M0124Q0059 – Tribal Engagement for Vineyard NE Wind Project – Amendment 4 Page 9 of 39

BOEM webpage or by other means unless stipulated elsewhere in the contract.

The following deliverables shall be submitted, and meetings held in accordance with the schedule specified in Section 2.5.

2.4.1 Tribal Meeting Summary Reports (Deliverable 1)

The Contractor shall meet with BOEM identified Tribes and provide meeting a summaryies to the Tribes. BOEM Tribes may share meeting summaries with BOEM at their discretion. The Contractor may provide a summary to BOEM of the meeting, including date, time, attendees, and general description of topics covered if the Tribe agrees. No information considered proprietary or confidential by the Tribes should be included in these reports.

2.4.2 Monthly Status Meetings (Deliverable 2)

The Contractor shall host via teleconference Progress Meetings with the Contractor and the COR to discuss the status of the project, any issues that have arisen regarding the specific tasks or other requirements in this SOW, quality control, changes in personnel, budget, invoices, deliverables, or schedule for deliverables. These meetings shall allow for efficient communication of any relevant issues and shall ensure that the project is proceeding according to BOEM’s requirement. The Contractor shall be responsible for documenting the call discussion, including all BOEM decisions and action items for the project team. The call notes should not be a verbatim of the call, but instead capture high-level discussions via bullets. Meeting summaries shall be submitted by email within three (3) calendar days of each meeting.

The first monthly meeting will be held within the first week of the Purchase Order Period of Performance to act as a kick-off meeting for the Purchase Order.

2.4.3 Comment Letters on BOEM’s Outline of Tribal Values and Concerns Appendix (Deliverable 3)

The contractor shall provide individual comment letters to each Tribe for BOEM’s draft outline of Tribal Values and Concerns for the Atlantic Shores North Vineyard Northeast project. The letters shall clearly and concisely capture Tribal concerns and comments on the outline. Each Tribe may deliver the letters to BOEM within an agreed-upon timeframe prior to publication of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement.

2.4.4 Comment Matrices on BOEM’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Deliverable 4)

The contractor shall provide a matrix of comments on behalf of each Tribe for BOEM’s EIS site assessment and site characterization activities in the Vineyard Northeast project area. The matrices shall have numbered comments with tabs organized by EIS section, and any additional formatting and information determined necessary in discussions with BOEM. These will be delivered to BOEM at the close of the public comment period.

2.4.5 Comment Letters on BOEM’s Section 106 Memorandum of Agreement and other related consultation documents (Deliverable 5)

RFQ 140M0124Q0059 – Tribal Engagement for Vineyard NE Wind Project – Amendment 4 Page 10 of

The contractor shall provide individual comment letters on behalf of each Tribe for BOEM’s Section 106 MOA and other related documents for the Vineyard Northeast project. The letters shall clearly and concisely capture Tribal concerns and comments including but not limited to identification of historic properties and sites of cultural and religious significance to Tribes, proposed mitigation measures and funding amounts, and participation of Tribes in mitigation measures. These will be delivered to BOEM at the close of the Section 106 comment periods.

2.4.6 Summary Report (Deliverable 6)

The Contractor shall provide a summary report of discussions and products prepared for each of the participating Tribes during the execution of Tasks 1 through 4 7. BOEM understands that information provided by the Tribes may be confidential and therefore, the reports will only contain information identified by the Tribes as open for sharing.

2.5 CORRESPONDENCE

All correspondence pertaining to this Contract, prepared by the Contractor, shall have a courtesy copy (with attachments) sent to the COR and CO. Correspondence pertaining to this Contract, received by the Contractor (excluding correspondence to and from the BOEM) shall be copied and sent to the COR and CO. All correspondence shall be clearly marked with the Contract number on the first page and/or in the subject line.

2.6 SCHEDULE AND DISTRIBUTION OF DELIVERABLES AND MEETINGS

The Contractor shall edit and proofread all material in order to prepare error-free products prior to their delivery to BOEM. Deliverable products shall be submitted to the addresses shown in Section 2.7 in accordance with the following schedule. The timing may be adjusted based on the schedule for the publication of the draft EIS.

Item No.

Deliverable Due Date Distribution

Tribal Meeting Summary Reports

Within seven (7) days of meeting(s)

One (1) digital copy to the CO and COR via email

2 Monthly Status Meetings and Summaries

Monthly, within seven (7) days of contract award and monthly, Summaries Three (3) days after monthly meeting thereafter

One (1) digital copy to the CO and COR via email

3 Comment Letters for Outline of Tribal Values and Concerns Appendix

Within an agreed-upon timeframe between BOEM and the Tribes, prior to publication of the Draft Environmental Impact

One (1) digital copy to the CO and COR via email

RFQ 140M0124Q0059 – Tribal Engagement for Vineyard NE Wind Project – Amendment 4 Page 26 of

SECTION 4

QUOTATION PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS

NOTICE: The failure to submit any of the information requested in this RFQ may lead to the rejection of your quotation without further consideration.

4.1 QUOTE PREPARATION

Quoter shall prepare their its in accordance with Section 1-Pricing, Section 2-Statement of Work, and Section 4-Quote Preparation Instructions.

4.2 SUBMISSION OF QUESTIONS

All questions regarding this RFQ must be submitted via email to the Contracting Officer, Caroline Laikin-Credno, at Caroline.laikin-credno@bsee.gov no later than 12:00 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time on Friday, August 16. 2024. You MUST include the RFQ number 140M0124Q0059 in the email subject line. Please be advised that the Government reserves the right to transmit those questions and answers of a common interest to all prospective Quoters.

4.3 QUOTATION DUE DATE

Quotations must be submitted electronically via email to the Contracting Officer, Caroline Laikin-Credno at Caroline.Laikin-Credno@bsee.gov with the RFQ number 140M0122Q0059 in the subject line no later than 12:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time, August 29 September 10, 2024. The Quoter is responsible for ensuring the Contracting Officer received the quotation and all attachments.

4.4 QUOTATION PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS

Quotes must be submitted in two separate volumes: 1) Technical Volume and 2) Price Volume in accordance with the instructions contained in this solicitation. Both Technical and Price volumes must be submitted in Microsoft Word, Adobe PDF, and/or Microsoft Excel.

The failure to submit any of the information requested in this RFQ may lead to the rejection of your quotation without further discussion.

This RFQ in no way obligates the Government to issue an award. The Government will not be responsible for any costs incurred by responding to this RFQ or subsequent orders. You may participate by submitting your response in accordance with the instructions contained herein.

4.4.1 Technical Volume

The Technical Submission shall not contain price information.

The Technical volume shall be as succinct as possible, but no more than 20 pages, maximum, not including the title pages, the table of contents, and resumes of Key Personnel. Any pages in