Q_A_list_updated_7-7-25_0003.pdf

140R4025R0018 – Question and Answer sheet

1. Question: What types of services are included in Task 4.14 - Other Environmental?

Answer: This task encompasses all services not categorized under other specific tasks in the statement of work but classified as Environmental or Cultural Resources Services. These services include but are not limited to providing guidance on environmental issues, such as controlling contamination from pollutants and hazardous materials, preparing management plans for endangered species, wetlands, and watersheds, as well as archaeological and cultural resource management plans. Responsibilities include but are not limited to identifying problems (e.g., inspecting buildings for hazardous materials), evaluating risks, and recommending solutions. The services will be delivered by a multidisciplinary team of scientists, engineers, and technicians with expertise in air and water quality, contamination remediation, ecological restoration, and environmental law, including planning and documentation services related to environmental initiatives.

2. Question: Regarding "Factor 2 - Experience," can you clarify whether the

Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) expects full documents (e.g., standard operating procedures, plans, or reports) to support technical capabilities, or if representative sections or excerpts will su ice?

Answer: Vendors should provide su icient information to give the government a comprehensive understanding of their technical capabilities, organizational structure, and project proposal demonstrating the vendor’s ability to fulfill the contract requirements. The vendor is responsible to ensure the government has enough information to evaluate the proposal based on the submission instructions and criteria provided, demonstrating how the vendor’s approach mitigates risk and provides an advantageous approach to meeting the requirement.

3. Question: Section L Instructions to O erors, Volume II Technical Proposal, Factor 1 Technical Capability: Is there a minimum or maximum number of concurrent projects required for the “project list of concurrent projects” in Factor 1?

Answer: There is no minimum or maximum number of concurrent projects specified for Factor 1. The government aims to assess how e ectively the vendor can manage multiple overlapping projects while meeting deadlines, budgets, and resource requirements, it is up to the vendor to determine the amount of projects which demonstrates this factor.

4. Question: Section L, Factor 1 Technical Capability states that O erors shall submit a list of concurrent projects with overlapping timelines. Must this list be in tabular format, or is any clear format acceptable?

Answer: O erors may use any readable and comprehensible format for this list. The government will not dictate the presentation style.

5. Question: Section L Instructions to O erors, Volume II Technical Proposal, Factor 2: Can the government confirm that project examples can cover multiple task areas if the tasks are specified for evaluation purposes?

Answer: That is correct.

6. Question: Will there be a full and open solicitation for these services?

Answer: This is indeed the full and open solicitation. Task orders, other than seed task orders associated with this solicitation, will be presented to all vendors for the state in which the work is to occur. All vendors awarded that state will have the opportunity to quote the task orders at the time of requirement.

7. Question: Task 4.9, Geographic Information Systems: The first bullet states that O erors should demonstrate knowledge of specific software applications used by the Bureau. If these applications are somewhat outdated, would it be acceptable to demonstrate experience with more current applications that o er similar functionality?

Answer: The listed software represents the current tools used by the Bureau.

Demonstrating expertise with more current applications that are compatible and approved by Reclamation is acceptable. Vendors must provide the software names to facilitate compatibility assessment by Reclamation.

8. Question: Must companies provide all services within one Task, or can they provide most services and clarify discrepancies at the Task Order level?

Answer: Vendors are encouraged to submit a proposal showcasing their abilities to perform all tasks for a specific state. Vendors with broader capabilities or more advantageous teaming arrangements covering the full scope of work and all task associated will be evaluated more favorably than those who provide less capabilities.

9. Question: Clause WBR 1452.236-84 states that contractors must cease work and notify the contracting o icer upon discovering evidence of potential cultural resources. Does this clause apply to cultural resource contractors and surveys?

Answer: Yes, this clause applies to non-cultural resource contractors. Cultural resource contractors engaged in related task orders can expect to find things such as human remains as part of their work.

10. Question: Regarding the seed/sample task orders, must vendors propose on all of them?

Answer: The vendors are required to propose to all seed task orders. As stated under Section M.1 25.212-2(a) - Factor 2-Experience all tasks for selected states must be included in the proposal. Since the seeds are associated with specific tasks associated with any state, each one does need to be included in your proposal.

We recognize that there is some ambiguity in three sections of the package that may have been misleading. Those sections have now been updated to clearly state all seeds must be proposed to.

• Section B (g)

• Attachment 2 – Price Schedule instructions (and Excel spreadsheet)

• L.2 52.212-1> section discussing Volume IV - #4

A technical proposal must also be provided for the Sample task order as well, and all the technical proposals for the seed/sample orders shall be contained in Volume III.

11. Question: Multiple inquiries have been raised regarding the 50% rule as it relates to small business subcontracting for this e ort.

Answer: Teaming arrangements are anticipated to meet required technical capabilities; however, compliance with the 50% sta ing rule remains necessary. The limitations on subcontracting clause will be in force for this solicitation and award. An example of teaming where 50% of the prime contractor’s workforce does not have to utilized is as follows: If, for example, a Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) is partnering with another WOSB the 50% requirement is fulfilled regardless. In contrast, if a WOSB partners with a large business, the 50% rule still applies and the prime WOSB must provide 50% of the workforce for the base award and all task orders. We recognize there was ambiguity under the ‘3. Key Personnel’ section of the package. It has now been updated to accurately explain the expectation.

12. Question: Must vendors propose on all tasks in each state to be considered?

Answer: Proposals are required for all 16 task areas for the states being considered, as articulated in Section M.1 25.212-2(a) - Factor 2-Experience.

Proposals demonstrating strong technical and past performance in a state will be evaluated more favorably.

It is anticipated that vendors may or will engage in partnering, venturing or other teaming arrangements to fill out their sta ing needs for all tasks within a state, in order to meet the required technical capabilities and organizational structure requested.

We recognize there was some ambiguity under section L.2 52.212-1> Volume IV

- #3. Technical and price proposals should be provided for all tasks for the states which the vendor is requesting consideration for.

13. Question: The solicitation requests experience to be demonstrated by state/geographic area for each task. How are the states grouped geographically?

Answer: States are not grouped geographically; vendors should illustrate capability across similar geographies. For example, Wyoming and Montana share similarities; thus, if experience is not in a specific state but is in a comparable region, the vendor should explain its relevance and demonstrate the capability to do work in both states by virtue of the geography being the same.

14. Question: Factor 2 Experience states that project examples must be within the past five years. Would the government consider expanding this to eight years?

Answer: Five years is typically su icient to evaluate experience. Expanding this to eight years will not be considered.

15. Question: The solicitation indicates that "the vendor shall provide at least one project for each state." This request could lead to up to 126 project summaries for only nine tasks. Will the government revise this requirement to a more manageable number of projects, perhaps 10-15, that are representative of the scope and geographic reach?

Answer: It is anticipated that vendors will not propose on all 14 states. Instead, selective proposals may result in fewer project examples. Additionally, projects can exemplify multiple tasks or states, enabling consolidation. Vendors should clarify which tasks their examples correspond to in their submissions.

16. Question Factor 3 Past Performance states that 141 projects may be required if o ering for all 14 states. Given the current administrative climate, will the government consider reducing this to a regional representation instead of state-specific?

Answer: Although vendors may select specific states for their proposals, if encompassing all states, project examples should cover all states or be grouped by geographical similarities. Past Performance Questionnaires (PPQs) representing similar settings may be submitted for di erent states.

17. Question: Section L asks for CPARS or PPQs for projects under Factor 1. Are these expected for concurrent project lists or just Factor 2 Experience projects?

Answer: Factor 1 requires a project listing, while Factor 3 stipulates whether projects appear in CPARS. For those not listed in CPARS, a PPQ must be obtained and submitted by the proposal deadline.

18. Question: For Factor 3, where should O erors include copies of CPARS?

Answer: Vendors should indicate which projects are in CPARS, and the government will retrieve those reports. No individual CPARS reports should be included in the submission; however, a list of projects should be provided.

19. Question: PPQs must be submitted for projects not represented in CPARS.

Can previously completed PPQs be accepted, and where should they be included?

Answer: PPQs, if required, must be requested from the designated contact point for each project. They should be sent directly to the contracting specialist two days before the proposal deadline. Previously completed PPQs cannot be included in the vendor's proposal.

20. Question: The solicitation indicates that project submissions may evaluate past performance. Does this reference the projects listed in Factor 1?

Answer: Yes, this pertains to Factor 1.

21. Question: For Factor 3 - Past Performance, are PPQs required for projects listed under Factor 1? If submitting PPQs for all overlapping projects results in more than 40, should we select a representative sample instead?

Answer: Projects in Factor 1 should demonstrate the vendor's capacity to manage multi-faceted projects. If they have a significant number shown in CPARS, fewer than 40 PPQs will be necessary. Vendors may submit a representative list demonstrating their technical abilities.

22. Question: Can key personnel resumes be used for multiple labor categories, i.e., is dual hatting permitted?

Answer: Yes, dual hatting is allowed; please specify which personnel hold multiple roles.

23. Question: For the “Air Quality Specialist” labor category, what specific EPA permit is required for “other qualifications”?

Answer: "The "other qualification" under this category has been updated for clarification.

24. Question: For the “Environmental Specialist” labor category, does five years of relevant experience su ice, given the requirement of ten years stated elsewhere?

Answer: Candidates with a bachelor's degree or higher and five years of experience are qualified. Without a degree, ten years of experience is required.

25. Question: Does the maximum labor rate include fee/profit? Clarify if indirect rates may apply to non-labor in accordance with our DCAA-approved practices.

Answer: Yes, maximum labor rates should be fully burdened, as they become pre-priced costs for task orders.

26. Question: Are there any key personnel required to be from the prime contractor?

Answer: This will depend on your partnering and subcontracting plans in the proposal and shall align with the question answered about limitations on subcontracting as already answered in question 11.

27. Question: Vendors are required to submit resumes/CVs for personnel with specific qualifications. Is this necessary for all labor categories?

Answer: Yes, all 40 labor categories requiring specific qualifications, therefore resumes/CVs for each should be submitted as part of the proposal. They won't count toward the page limit. An index page indicating labor categories and qualifications can be included but is not mandatory.

28. Question: Regarding the “States & Tasks” tab in the pricing spreadsheet:

must O erors submit technical responses and projects for all 16 tasks under each state?

Answer: Yes, O erors must provide pricing quotes on all 16 tasks for the state.

29. Question: Do the pre-populated annual estimated hours in the Seed Task

Orders represent the government's required hours? If a contractor believes their estimate di ers, should they submit it now?

Answer: The ‘estimated hours’ column in the Seed tabs have now been corrected to remove the numbers and allow vendors to populate the field with proposed estimated hours as their estimate of the e ort it will take to complete the seed task order.

30. Question: Requests for an extension to the solicitation deadline have been made.

Answer: Amendment P00002 was issued granting an extension, moving the proposal deadline to July 17, 2025.

31. Question: May O erors use 11x17 pages for organizational charts/graphics?

Answer: Yes, 11x17 pages are acceptable.

32. Question: What are the formatting requirements for proposal volumes (page size, margins, font size)?

Answer: Pages must be no larger than 8.5"x11", with a 1" margin and 12-point Times New Roman font, except for illustrated content, which may be on 11"x17" pages. This information has been added to Section L.

33. Question: When providing examples applicable to multiple tasks, does the government require a specific format for noting this?

Answer: No specific format is mandated, but clarity is essential in indicating applicable tasks.

34. Question: Which email should O erors use to contact the Contract Specialist?

Answer: Either email is acceptable. However, the solicitation has been updated to reflect terra_warren@ios.doi.gov as the primary contact.

35. Question: What is the maximum file size for emailing proposals?

Answer: Reclamation can receive emails up to 25 MB. If proposals exceed this, please submit multiple emails with the sequence indicated in the subject line.

36. Question: Are there font or page count requirements for project descriptions in Factor 3?

Answer: Refer to the font requirements in Question 32 and page count details in Question 40.

37. Question: The SF1449 states the Period of Performance is 10/01/2025 to 09/30/2030, while page 59 states it is 5 years from 10/01/2023 to 09/30/2028. Please confirm the correct timeframe.

Answer: The Period of Performance has been updated to 11/01/2025 to 10/30/2030. This information supersedes the previously stated timelines in the solicitation package.

38. Question: What is the updated period of performance for the Seed Task Order regarding Historic Preservation Services for the Rose Hill School?

Answer: The Seed Task Order Statement of Work has been updated to reflect a Period of Performance of 2 years from the date of award.

39. Question: Can Reclamation add page numbers to increase accessibility in the solicitation?

Answer: Page numbers have been added to the package in this amendment.

40. Question: Are there page limits for technical approach responses?

Answer: The maximum for the technical proposal is 100 pages, not including addendums and supplementary materials, as clarified in this amendment.

41. Question: Key Personnel information seems incomplete after the first paragraph.

Answer: The grammatical error has been corrected in the solicitation package.

42. Question Factor 1.2 states that resumes/CVs are not counted in the total submission and should be supplied as an appendix. Is there a page limit for Factor 1?

Answer: The maximum for the technical proposal is 100 pages; resumes included as an attachment or addendum will not count against this limit.

43. Question: There are discrepancies regarding the due dates for PPQs in the Foreword page compared to the PPQ template.

Answer: Amendment 2 has aligned the timelines; PPQs are due two days before the proposal deadline.

44. Question: The solicitation states, “The contractor must employ the following professional personnel.” However, there is no “Table 1” provided.

Can Reclamation supply it?

Answer: The reference to "Table 1" has been removed.

45. Question: Factor 3 states "Line 2," but do you mean Factor 2?

Answer: This correctly refers to Factor 1.