49100419R1001-0001_Posted_to_FBO.pdf

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 items 8 and 15, and returning or (c) By separate letter or electronic communication which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT 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.

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is not is required to sign this document and return copies to the issuing office.

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT 1. CONTRACT ID CODE

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NUMBER 3. EFFECTIVE DATE 4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQUISITION NUMBER 5. PROJECT NUMBER (If applicable)

7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 6) CODE

STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 11/2016)

Prescribed by GSA FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

FACILITY CODE

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NUMBER

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NUMBER

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers is extended. is not extended.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required) copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted;

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS.

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NUMBER AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

CHECK ONE A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT ORDER

NUMBER IN ITEM 10A.

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, appropriation data, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority)

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15C. DATE SIGNED

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

16C. DATE SIGNED

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

PAGE OF PAGES

6. ISSUED BY CODE

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (Number, street, county, State and ZIP Code) (X)

CODE

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

(Signature of person authorized to sign)

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

Previous edition unusable

491004

See page 2.

National Science Foundation Division of Acquisition & Cooperative Support 2415 Eisenhower Avenue 7th Floor, E 7345 Alexandria, VA 22314

49100419R1001

1 6

03/15/2019

02/15/2019

RFP 49100419R1001 Page 1 of 6

Amendment 0001

The purposes of this amendment 0001 under solicitation 491004R1001 are the following:

A. To revise the Solicitation as stated below;

B. To add Round One Solicitation Questions/Comments and Responses under Attachment L-6.

1. The first paragraph under Sub-section C.2.2.1 entitled, “ALASKA” is hereby revised as follows

(changes in bold):

C.2.2.1 ALASKA

The Contractor shall support NSF-funded researchers working throughout the state of Alaska and the surrounding seas. Generally, the "surrounding seas" is within the Arctic boundary as defined by the Arctic Research and Boundary Act (ARPA). https://www.arctic.gov/maps.html Research cruises to the high Arctic may also mobilize or demobilize in Alaska. The Contractor should be familiar with the variety of land owners and research permit requirements and other regulations across Alaska in addition to understanding how best to support projects across the state. Several locations in Alaska have supported scientific research for many decades and are expected to remain important for research in years to come.

2. Sub-section F.2.3.8 is hereby revised as follows (changes in bold):

F.2.3.8 Option Period 3. If awarded, the Contractor shall provide the services and supplies as described under Section C, from February 1, 2028 through January 31, 2030.

3. Section L.8 is hereby revised as follows (changes in bold):

L.8 READING ROOM

The Government established a website for additional information specifically relevant to the ARSLS acquisition. The website may be accessed via the following link:

https://www.nsf.gov/geo/opp/arctic/arsl/program.jsp. Offerors are advised to periodically visit the website for any new or updated information.

4. Sub-section L.10.1.6 is hereby revised as follows (changes in bold):

L.10.1.6 The resulting contract from this solicitation shall be made only to a U.S. Firm. Any teaming through subcontracting must be between U.S. Firms. “U.S. Firm” is defined as an organization that is incorporated and located within the United States of America. All subcontractors, other than teaming partners, shall be U.S. Firms or firms legally registered to do business in designated countries pursuant to the Trade Agreements Act (TAA) and World Trade Organization

Government Procurement Agreement (WTO GPA), as applicable. For acquisitions below the applicable TAA and WTO GPA dollar thresholds, subcontracting must be with U.S. Firms or designated TAA and WTO GPA countries. Exceptions for acquisitions below the applicable TAA and

WTO GPA dollar thresholds are approved solely for services required in Greenland and Russia. Each subcontractor performing in a foreign country shall be a firm legally registered to do business in the respective country. The Prime Contractor, any teaming partners and any subcontractors shall comply with FAR clause 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification.

5. Sub-section L.10.3.3 is hereby revised as follows (changes in bold):

L.10.3.3 Volume III is limited to fifty (50) pages. Both Contractor Performance Assessment

Reports (CPAR) and Past Performance Surveys shall be excluded from the 50 page limit.

https://www.arctic.gov/maps.html

RFP 49100419R1001 Page 2 of 6

6. Sub-section L.10.3.7 is hereby revised as follows (changes in bold):

L.10.3.7 Items excluded from page count limits include volumes indicating “not page limited”; title page/cover pages; tables of contents; list of figures/acronyms; list(s) of tables and drawings; indexes; tab/page dividers; Letters of Commitment; client authorization letters; past performance information cover letter; Contractor Performance Assessment Reports; Past

Performance Surveys; Subcontractor Consent Forms; and, totally blank pages. Information contained in one volume that can be construed as belonging in another volume of the proposal will be so construed and counted against that volume’s applicable page limitation.

7. The first paragraph of Sub-section L.12.3 is hereby revised as follows (changes in bold):

L.12.3 Meaningful Relationship Commitment Letters (Other than Key Personnel – See

Section L.13.2.2), if applicable

For purposes of the evaluation, proposed Meaningful Relationship Commitment Letters submitted is treated on a pass/fail rated basis and as an offer factor that will result in contractual promises that will be incorporated by reference or attached into any resulting Contract. If the Meaningful

Relationship(s) is between parties of a Contractor Teaming Agreement (CTA), signed by all interested parties, the CTA may be submitted in lieu of Meaningful Relationship Letters for the respective CTA parties only. For each meaningful relationship identified by the Offeror, the

Offeror must provide a Meaningful Relationship Commitment Letter that includes the following

8. The assumptions under Sub-section L.13.4.4 entitled, “Scenario #4 – International Field Expedition in

NW Territories, Canada” is hereby revised as follows (changes in bold):

Assumptions:

• The Contractor has reviewed the science proposal and has provided a ROM estimate, and NSF has approved the project with a start date of March 31, 2020.

• The contractor will support all the participants, both U.S. and international.

• The transects will be supported at specified intervals, with independent travel between points.

• The teams will include a mixture of genders, ages, and experience levels of participants.

• Samples will need to be preserved and shipped at various temperatures from frozen (-20˚C), to near freezing (+4˚C), depending on the type of sample.

• Intervals are Fort Simpson, Norman Wells, and Inuvik.

• There will be at least one exchange of personnel during each of the field seasons.

• During winter, samples of snow and ice will be collected at sites spaced approximately 50 km apart. Each site will yield approximately 15 m of 3"-diameter cores of snow and ice of variable lengths individually that must be stored in 1 m-lengths in insulated core boxes and kept frozen (-

20˚C). Each site will also yield five (5) x 2.5 L water samples in individual carboys that must be stored above freezing (+4˚C).

• No air sampling will take place.

• During spring and summer, ~500 individual samples of combined vegetation and soil will be collected and transported between logistics intervals in large whirl-pak bags, with each sample weighing up to 2.0 lbs. 50% of these samples must be kept refrigerated (+4˚C) and 50% of these samples must be maintained frozen (-20˚C) between logistics intervals (see Line 45) where they will be handled as cargo.

9. Sub-section L.14.1.2 is hereby revised as follows:

RFP 49100419R1001 Page 3 of 6

L.14.1.2 Relevancy is focused on how relevant a recent effort accomplished by the offeror is to the effort to be acquired through the source selection. The criteria used to establish what prior performance is relevant for this acquisition is defined as recent past performance which exhibits:

similar program complexity; similar dollar value; similar contract type; similar scope; same division of company doing the work; and same subcontractor. Past performance information may include data on efforts performed by other divisions, corporate management, and subcontractors or teaming contractors, if such information is relevant to the subject acquisition and may be an indicator of performance under the proposed effort

10. Sub-section L.14.7 entitled, “Past Performance ((CPARS) information exists) is hereby revised as follows:

L.14.7 Past Performance ((CPARS) information exists)

If the Government has an interim or final Contractor Performance Assessment Report (CPAR) in

CPARS, the Offeror shall provide a copy of the entire CPAR with their proposal. The Government will retrieve past performance information from the CPARS database to validate the Offeror’s submission. For the purposes of this solicitation, the final past performance information will be used for relevant past performance reference. If a final rating is not available, the most current past performance information will be used. Offerors are responsible for verifying whether CPAR exists in the CPARS database prior to using Past Performance Surveys.

11. Sub-section L.14.8 entitled, “Past Performance ((CPARS) information does NOT exist) is hereby revised as follows:

L.14.8 Past Performance ((CPARS) information does NOT exist)

If the Government has not finalized an interim or final CPAR in the CPARS database; if the past performance experience was not as a prime contractor; or, if the past performance reference(s) are considered Non-U.S. Federal projects; the Offeror shall submit a certified Past Performance Survey using the template in Attachment L-1, “Past Performance Survey”. No other format or additional proposal documentation will be considered.

In addition, the Offeror shall provide the following information for each past performance reference provided under this sub-section L.14.8:

a) Offeror’s or subcontractor’s Company/Division Name/Business Unit performing the work;

b) Program Title;

c) Address of the Government agency (Federal, state or local), contracting activity or company name;

d) Contract/subcontract number;

e) Contract type;

f) Original contract dollar value and current contract dollar value, and a brief description for any difference;

g) Current status of the contract (i.e., in-progress, completed);

h) Final amount invoiced (if completed) or amount invoiced to date (if on-going);

i) Date of contract award and period of performance (including option periods, if applicable);

j) Name, mailing address, e-mail address, and telephone number of the following contract references:

i. CO (or company business manager) or Administrative CO, and

ii. COTR (or company principal technical point of contact).

RFP 49100419R1001 Page 4 of 6

k) A brief description of contract effort and the services performed;

l) State performance responsibility as either prime contractor or subcontractor;

m) Description of contract work and relevancy to the subject RFP requirements;

n) Description of problems or obstacles encountered on the contract and corrective actions taken to resolve the problems or obstacles;

o) Descriptions, at a minimum, shall address the following:

i. Quality of Product or Service - compliance with contract requirements, accuracy of reports, technical excellence; satisfaction of end users with contractor’s service or recommended solutions.

ii. Cost Control - performing within original approved budget without the need for additional funds

[except for augmentation of work]; current, accurate and complete billings; relationship of negotiated to actual costs; and cost efficiencies.

iii. Timeliness of Performance - meeting interim milestones, reliability, responsiveness to technical direction, and on-time completion.

iv. Business Relations - effective contract administration.

Using the Past Performance Survey in Attachment L-1, the Offeror shall provide the survey directly to each of the references. For prime federal contracts, the Past Performance Survey must be completed and signed by a Warranted Contracting Officer with cognizance over the submitted project.

For a commercial project, the Past Performance Rating Survey must be completed and signed by a

Corporate Officer of the firm with cognizance over the submitted project. For a subcontract, the

Past Performance Survey must be completed and signed by a Corporate Officer of the firm with cognizance over the submitted project.

The Offeror shall instruct each rater to send a completed form directly back to the Offeror.

The Offeror must follow up with each rater to ensure the Past Performance Rating Forms were received and completed prior to the proposal closing date.

The Offeror must submit all Past Performance Surveys, as applicable, with their proposal submission.

In the event the evaluation team discovers misleading, falsified, and/or fraudulent past performance ratings, an Offeror shall be eliminated from further consideration for award. Falsification of any proposal submission, documents, or statements may subject the Offeror to civil or criminal prosecution under Section 1001 of Title 18 of the United States Code.

12. Sub-section L.15.7 entitled, “SECTION 4 – SMALL BUSINESS SUBCONTRACTING PLAN” is hereby revised as follows:

L.15.7 SECTION 4 – SMALL BUSINESS SUBCONTRACTING PLAN

If the Offeror is other than a small business, the Offeror shall submit an acceptable small business subcontracting plan under Volume IV. Pursuant to FAR Subpart 19.7 and FAR 52.219-9, if the apparently successful Offeror is other than a small business, then an acceptable subcontracting plan must be negotiated with the CO prior to award. If the apparently successful Offeror fails to negotiate an acceptable subcontracting plan with the CO within five (5) business days after the CO initiates the small business subcontracting plan negotiations, the Offeror may be considered ineligible for award.

The CO solely determines if the proposed small business subcontract plan is acceptable.

The goals, stated below, should be used as guidance for developing a subcontracting plan in response to this RFP. In addition, the apparently successful Offeror shall also provide annual and semi-annual reports from the Electronic Subcontracting Reporting System (eSRS) at www.esrs.gov to demonstrate

RFP 49100419R1001 Page 5 of 6 a record of previous performance in carrying out the goals of subcontracting plans. The Offeror’s eSRS reports, submitted under this section, shall correspond to the references provided under

Section L14.7. If the Offeror did not submit eSRS reports for a contract(s) referenced under

Section L.14.7, the Offeror shall explain why eSRS reports were not submitted. For each past performance reference listed under Section L.14.7 and L.14.8 that did not require eSRS report submissions, the Offeror may provide eSRS reports submitted for another recent contract of similar size. If the Offeror has had no previous contracts requiring a subcontracting plan, include a statement to that effect in the proposal. The goals listed below represent the subcontract dollar percentage of total contact dollars for work performed within the U.S. The apparently successful offeror shall provide details, percentages, performance incentives, and evidence of corporate commitment for each small business category addressed. In addition, the apparently successful

Offeror shall provide the anticipated dollar amount for each of the small business categories. The total contract dollar amount proposed will be deemed to represent 53% for work performed within the U.S.

and 47% for work performed outside the U.S. Therefore, the contract dollar amount representing work performed within the U.S. will be compared to total subcontract dollars proposed to determine a percentage of total subcontract dollars for each of the categories:

Total Small Business 17.0%

Small Disadvantaged Business 5.0%

Women-Owned Small Business 5.0%

HUBZone Business 3.0%

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business 3.0%

NOTE: Contract awards placed by both the prime contractor and all first-tier subcontractors may count towards achieving the goals set forth above.

13. Attachment L-1 entitled “Past Performance Survey” is hereby revised as attached.

14. Attachment L-6 entitled “Round One Solicitation Questions/Comments and Responses” is hereby added.

15. Section J is hereby revised as follows:

SECTION J - LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

No./Label Document

No.

Pages Reference Appendix A Total Number of Contractor Supported Science Projects 1 C.2.2

Appendix B Geographic Distribution of Contractor Supported Science

Projects

1 C.2.2

Appendix C Projects & Locations, 2016 and 2017 1 C.2.2

Appendix C1 Contractor Supported Projects, 2016 10 C.2.2

Appendix C2 NSF vision for Research Support & Logistics at Summit

Station

7 C.2.2

Appendix D NSF vision for Research Support & Logistics at Summit

Station

1 C.2.2.2

Appendix E Contractor Support Science Project Funding Sources 2016 1 C2.3.1

Appendix F Construction and Maintenance Projects, 2016 and 2017 4 C.2.4.2

Appendix G Aviation Support 2016 2 C.2.5

Appendix H Greenland Operations Air Support, 2016 2 C.2.5

Appendix I Physical Qualification Standard Operating Procedure 3 C.2.8

RFP 49100419R1001 Page 6 of 6

Appendix J Property Inventory Report, 2017 44 C.2.9.6

Appendix K Summit Emissions Report, 2017 40 C.2.4.3

WD 15-5687

(Rev.-7)

12/26/2018

DOL Wage Determination for Alaska Boroughs of Aleutian

Island, Bethel, Bristol Bay, Dillingham, Kenai Peninsula, Kodiak Island, Nome, North Slope, Southeast Fairbanks, Valdez-Cordova, Wade Hampton, Yukon-Koyukuk

11 52.222-41

WD 15-5683

(Rev.-7)

12/26/2018

DOL Wage Determination for Alaska Borough of Fairbanks

North

11 52.222-41

WD 15-5419

(Rev.-11)

12/26/2018

DOL Wage Determination for Colorado 11 52.222-41

WD 15-4143

(Rev.-10)

12/26/2018

DOL Wage Determination for New York

Counties of Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie

11 52.222-41

Attachment H-1 Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Agreement 1 H.12

Attachment H-2 DD Form 254, Contract Security Classification Specification

(expected at time of award or thereafter)

1 H.13

Attachment H-3 Level-of-Effort, Direct Labor Hours*

B.6

Subcontracting

Plan

Small Business Subcontracting Plan**

AK190001

Date: 01/18/2019

Davis-Bacon Act Wage Decision for Alaska 15 52.222-6 to

52.222-16

Attachment L-1 Past Performance Survey Rev. 1 2 L.11.3.3, L11.3.7 &

L.15

Attachment L-2 Prime Offeror Cost/Price Worksheet L.16.4

Attachment L-3 Proposed Subcontractor Cost/Price Worksheet L.16.4

Attachment L-4 List of Acronyms 3 L.3.7

Attachment L-5 Hand Delivery Sheet 1 L.12.3

Attachment L-6 Round One Questions/Comments and Responses 4 L.9

PAST PERFORMANCE SURVEY

FROM: NSF, Division of Acquisition & Cooperative Support (DACS)

TO: Whom it may concern

SUBJECT: NSF Solicitation No.49100419R1001, Arctic Research Support and Logistics Services

DATE:

Your current or former contractor is submitting an offer to provide services to the National Science Foundation, an independent federal agency. As part of the Foundation’s evaluation process, the prospective contractor’s past performance is reviewed and scored.

Please complete the survey below to help assess this contractor’s performance under any contracts or task orders performed for you within the last three years. Definitions of Rating Guidelines and Performance Elements are included for your use in completing the survey form. Please email your completed survey to ____________________. If you have any questions, please call _____________at _________________. Thank you.

CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE EVALUATION SURVEY

Contractor’s Name/Location:

Contract #: Dates of Service/Contract Term: Agency:

Description of Services Provided:

PERFORMANCE ELEMENTS RATINGS

Excellent Very Good Satisfactory Marginal Unsatisfactory

Quality of Product or service Timeliness Knowledge level of workers Supervision during performance Dependability of workers Cost Control Business Relations Customer Satisfaction Comment:

Signature Name/Title Phone Date

Agency/Company/Organization

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

2415 Eisenhower Avenue ▪ Alexandria, VA 22314

Page 2. Contractor Performance Evaluation Survey

RATING GUIDELINES

Grade Definition

Excellent Performance is outstanding in most respects, approaching the best that could be performed by a qualified contractor. The contractor has greatly exceeded quality, schedule, output, and overall performance that would be expected of a qualified contractor. Areas requiring improvement are very few and relatively unimportant.

Contractor shows initiative in performing work and implementing improvements.

Very Good

Performance is substantially better than average. Contractor has met all needs and improved upon quality and schedules. Contractor has exceeded performance of an average contractor. Areas requiring improvement are relatively few, and are more than offset by areas of above average or excellent performance.

Satisfactory

Performance is adequate overall. Contractor has met needs, schedules, and expectations in a fashion that corresponds to standard performance by a qualified contractor. Areas requiring improvement are relatively minor and are offset by areas of above standard performance.

Marginal

Performance is below the standard expected of a qualified contractor. Contractor needs to improve in a significant number of areas. Performance in other areas is generally average, with few or no areas of above standard performance.

Unsatisfactory Performance is generally below average and needs improvement in a substantial number of work areas.

PERFORMANCE ELEMENTS

Element Characteristics Quality of Service Did contractor comply with requirements, exhibit reasonable/cooperative behavior, and/or recommend effective solutions to contract issues Timeliness of Performance

Did contractor consistently meet deadlines without extraordinary assistance from the client; was contract administration completed in timely manner

Knowledge Level of Workers

Were contractor’s employees trained, qualified for their positions, able to accomplish assignments independently and without assistance from supervisors

Supervision during Performance

Was contractor able to accomplish contract requirements independently and without client’s assistance

Dependability of Workers

Were contractor’s employees punctual, reliable, courteous; was there abnormal employee turnover

Cost Control

Did permanent cost savings accrue to the client due to operational improvements;

was work accomplished within established budgets, were attempts made to control extra cost items, were proposed costs/prices for changed conditions reasonable; were invoices accurate and complete

Business Relations Was contractor effective, responsive and proactive during contract performance;

was offeror reasonable/cooperative during negotiations

Customer Satisfaction

Were you satisfied with performance; did contractor exhibit a businesslike concern for your agency’s interests; would you continue to do business with the contractor if you had the opportunity.

Item

RFP Section Subsection/Paragraph Page Number Question/Comment Response

1 B B.5 B.2

Para states "that “Fixed Fee” and subsection B.6 entitled “Level‐of‐Effort,” payment of the fixed fee shall be made at the expiration of each period, if the performance is considered satisfactory by the Government." Can the Government please clarify if it holds the prerogative of reducing fixed feed payments?

Pursuant to FAR 16.306(d)(2), "Under this form, if the performance is considered satisfactory by the Government, the fixed fee is payable at the expiration of the agreed‐upon period, upon contractor statement that the level of effort specified in the contract has been expended in performing the contract work."

2 C C.2 C.2 Please clarify, are the 10‐15 projects funded by sources outside of ARC to be supported by the contractor?

The respective 10 ‐15 projects are under the scope of work and the estimated hours are included under Attachment L‐2. A resulting award shall support the respective projects.

3 C C.2 C.2

Para states that "The Contractor shall be responsible for all waste management issues, operational health and safety practices and information security associated with its operation and maintenance of the facilities." Can the Government please clarify the details of previous Waste management issues" addressed." is the contractor responsible for waste management issues produced by non‐NSF generated waste?

Generally, the Contractor shall be responsible for waste management issues produced by: the Contractor, subcontractors, NSF‐sponsored researchers, other personnel using NSF facilities and from the operation and maintenance of NSF facilities.

4 C C.2.1 C.3

Para states that "The activities within each project shall be coded similarly and shall indicate the estimated cost, quantity, unit cost, unit type and schedule information for each activity." Can the Government please clarify the level of detailed needed at the "activity" level within each project?

Generally, the Contractor shall adhere to the GAO Estimating Guide and GAO Scheduling Guide.

However, the Contracting Officer may require certified cost or pricing data or other than certified cost or pricing data when required.

5 C C.2.1.4 C.4

Para states that "This includes the Air National Guard, required to support science and facilities projects, and small vendors supporting specific science projects." Is the contractor responsible for covering the costs of the Air National Guard?

See last paragraph page C‐2, "NSF funds some logistics providers directly, outside of the ARSLS Contract. For example, NSF pays separately for airlift in Greenland for passengers and cargo that is provided by the New York Air National Guard (ANG), 109th Airlift Wing. The Contractor shall track ANG and other third‐party provided support utilized by science and operations projects to meet NSF’s requirements."

6 C C.2.1.6 C.4

Para states that world includes "network infrastructure, satellite phones, and mechanisms that support data transmission from field locations by portfolio, project, location and funding source."

Will existing IT and communication infrastructure be handed off to the incoming contractor?

The existing network infrastructure is expected to remain in place after a resulting award. The NSF expects to transfer the Government property currently under the current contract to a resulting award, including satellite phones.

7 C C.2.2.1 C.4

Para states that "The Contractor shall support NSF‐funded researchers working throughout the state of Alaska and the surrounding seas." Is there any geographic limit to the extent to which research is performed in "surrounding seas"?

Generally, the "surrounding seas" is within the Arctic boundary as defined by the Arctic Research and Policy Act (ARPA). https://www.arctic.gov/maps.html See revised sub‐section C.2.2.1.

8 C C.2.2.1 C.5

Para states that "A UIC subsidiary, UIC‐Science, is subcontracted by the current ARSLS Contractor to access research support in the Utqiaġvik area. " Can the Government please clarify the commitment UIC‐Science has to any new incoming contractor? The Government expects to provide revisions to sub‐section C.2.2.1 under Amendment 0002.

9 C C.2.3.1 C.11

Para states that "The Contractor will be provided data and information about available and potential logistics support resources, such as local and international vendors, rates, and previous work support to the RSL program.." Can the Government please clarify from which organization(s) will be providing such data and information?

The NSF expects to provide the respective data and information to a resulting awardee if other than the incumbent.

10 C C.2.3.1 C.9

Para states that "Each year the Contractor shall conduct an out brief to collect information for continuous improvement of the process and to document days of fieldwork lost due to the Contractor, a reportable metric for the Government Performance Reporting Act (GPRA)." Can the Government provide a listing of previous days of fieldwork lost due to the Contractor? The Government does not expect to provide the respective information under this solicitation.

11 C C.2.3.1 C.11

Para states that "The Contractor will be provided a database of cost reimbursable projects, entitled Database of Reimbursable Project Accounting." Can the Government provide a copy of this Database?

The Government expects to provide the respective database to the awardee, if other than the incumbent. The Government does not expect to provide the database under the solicitation.

12 C C.2.3.1 C.12

Para states that "The Government of Greenland requires visitors traveling to certain parts of Greenland to carry insurance for Search and Rescue in the amount of 1,000,000DKK." Can the Government clarify if term "visitors" is defined as only U.S. citizens? Visitors is defined as non‐residents of Greenland.

13 C C.2.4 C.12 Can the Government provide summary detail from the computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) for Arctic facilities? The Government does not expect to provide the respective information under this solicitation.

14 F ‐ Deliveries or Performance F.2.3.8 31/121

F.2.3.8 states that the Option Period 3 is from February 1, 2028 through January 31, 2029 (1 Year). In Section B.2 Consideration, the Option Period 3 for CLINs 0900 and 1000 state that the Option Period 3 is from February 1, 2028 through January 31, 2030. Will the client provide an updated Section F that matches to Section B.2? See revised sub‐section F.2.3.8.

15 J ‐ List of Attachments Attachment L‐2 N/A

The pricing template contains multiple line items of descriptions in Column D for the Periods of Performance. For example an Accountant at Headquarters in Row 320 of the Base Period has a combined hours of 5,100 for Base App Yr 1. Does the accountant represent only 1 position or based on a contractor's approach, the accountant represents the entire accounting structure (regardless of level)? Will the Government allow offerors to split this position into multiple positions (workers, supervisors, managers) so long as it is explained and the amount of hours proposed matches to the 5,100 in the example. See sub‐section L.15.4.3.

49100419R1001 Attachment L‐6 Round One Questions/Comments Responses Page 1 of 3

RFP Section Subsection/Paragraph Page Number Question/Comment Response

16 L ‐ Instructions, Conditions & Notices L.6 L.10.1.6

This clause states that “Any teaming through subcontracting must be between U.S. Firms.” In addition, this clause was modified in the final RFP to state that “All subcontractors, other than teaming partners, shall be U.S. Firms or firms legally registered to do business in designated countries pursuant to the Trade Agreements Act (TAA) and World Trade Organization Government Procurement Agreement (WTO GPA), as applicable.” Is it the Government’s intent that non U.S. Firms be excluded from teaming with U.S. contractors in a prime/sub relationship. If yes, this impacts a U.S. prime contractor’s ability to provide the most cost effective service offering in locations outside of the U.S.

See 42 U.S. Code § 1870a https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/1870a.

See FAR Part 25, including but not limited to FAR Sub‐part 25.402.

https://www.acquisition.gov/content/part‐25‐foreign‐acquisition.

17 L ‐ Instructions, Conditions & Notices L.6 L.10.3.7

This clause indicates that client authorization letters are excluded from the page count, however we do not see a requirement for a client authorization. Please clarify what if any client authorization letters are required. See revised sub‐section L.10.3.7.

18 L ‐ Instructions, Conditions & Notices L.6 L.10.3.7 Please confirm that the CPARS information (L.14.7) required to be submitted in Volume III is excluded from the page count. See revised sub‐section L.10.3.3.

19 L ‐ Instructions, Conditions & Notices L.8 L‐3 The link provided for a Resource Library results in "Page Not Found" error. See revised sub‐section L.8.

20 L ‐ Instructions, Conditions & Notices L.10.1.6 L‐4 Can the Government please clarify what the “applicable TAA and WTO GPA dollar thresholds are”?

See FAR Part 25, including but not limited to FAR Sub‐part 25.402.

https://www.acquisition.gov/content/part‐25‐foreign‐acquisition

21 L ‐ Instructions, Conditions & Notices L.10.1.6 L‐4

Can the Government please clarify the phrase “Exceptions for acquisitions below the applicable TAA and WTO GPA dollar thresholds are approved solely for services required in Greenland and Russia, whereas subcontracting below the TAA and WTO GPA thresholds may be with firms legally registered to do business in the respective countries”? The phrase appears to state the same idea two times. See revised sub‐section L.10.1.6.

22 L ‐ Instructions, Conditions & Notices L.10.3.5 L‐5/L‐6 Would the Government consider removing the requirement for submitting printed copies of the proposal and allow the entire proposal to be submitted via compact disk (electronic submittal)?

The Government considered the respective request. The paper copies requirement remains unchanged.

L ‐ Instructions, Conditions & Notices L.12.3, 1st Para, Last Sentence L.12.3, 2nd Para, Last Sentence L.12.4, 1st Para

Meaningful Relationship Commitment Letter and Contract Teaming Agreement (CTA)

Discussion: Reference 1) states, "For each meaningful relationship identified by the Offeror, the Offeror must provide a Meaningful Relationship Commitment Letter…". Reference 2) states, " If the Offeror proposes to utilize Subcontractor labor for performance of the statement of work, the Offeror must provide a Meaningful Relationship Commitment Letter for each proposed Subcontractor." Reference 3) addresses the Offeror's option to enter into Prime/Subcontractor CTA's. A fully executed CTA, consistent with FAR 9.601(2), would contain the same information as a Meaningful Relationship Commitment Letter for a proposed subcontractor.

Question/Recommendation: Please confirm that a fully executed Teaming Agreement that includes all of the information identified in Section L.12.3 satisfies the need for the MRCL in a traditional prime/subcontractor relationship.

See revised sub‐section L.12.3.

24 L ‐ Instructions, Conditions & Notices L.13.4.4 L‐16

The Scenario 4 assumptions state that some scientific samples must be maintained at +20° C as well as other temperatures. However, the details about samples provided elsewhere in the assumptions specify only ‐20° C and +4° C. What is the expectation? See revised sub‐section L.13.4.4, Scenario 4.

25 L ‐ Instructions, Conditions & Notices L.14.1.2 L.16

Can the Government please clarify the phrase “same critical subcontractor interaction.” This phrase could be interpreted as meaning only subcontractors performing work in Arctic or it could be interpreted as meaning subcontractors performing work with the prime contractor on the projects cited in Volume III, Past Performance.” Can the Government please clarify the meaning of this phrase to incorporate subcontractors working with the prime contractor on projects cited in Volume III? See revised sub‐section L.14.1.2.

26 L ‐ Instructions, Conditions & Notices L.14.7 L‐17

Paragraph L.14.7 states, "If the Government has interim or final ratings in CPARS, the Offeror shall provide a copy of this rating with their proposal." Will the Government please confirm that "the copy of this rating" refers to the first page of the Offeror's most recent Contract Performance Assessment Report (CPAR)? See revised sub‐sections L.14.7 and L.14.8.

27 L ‐ Instructions, Conditions & Notices L.14.7 L‐17

Paragraph L.14.7 states, "If the Government has interim or final ratings in CPARS, the Offeror shall provide a copy of this rating with their proposal." Will the Government please confirm that information provided to meet this requirement is excluded from the 50 page volume limit? See revised sub‐section L.10.3.3.

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RFP Section Subsection/Paragraph Page Number Question/Comment Response

28 L ‐ Instructions, Conditions & Notices L.14.8 L‐17 Paragraph L.14.8 references subsection L.15.8, which does not appear in the final RFP. Will the Government please clarify which sub‐section header is the intended target of the reference? See revised sub‐section L.14.8

L ‐ Instructions, Conditions & Notices L.14.8 & Attachment L‐1 L‐17

Please confirm that offerors should use the government customer to complete the Past Performance Survey where CPARS do not exist, and the work was performed for the government as a subcontractor where the prime contractor is a direct competitor on this procurement, in order to avoid procurement integrity issues.

See revised sub‐section L.14.8. See sub‐section L.14.9.

30 L ‐ Instructions, Conditions & Notices

L.14.8 & Attachment L‐1 L‐17

1. In order to avoid procurement integrity issues and conflict of interest, please confirm that a past performance survey can be completed by the functional government customer. In a situation where the performer/offeror was a subcontractor to a Prime who is a direct competitor on this procurement, and no true CPARS exist for the subcontractor, though the work was performed directly for the government customer who has direct knowledge of the work and is best positioned to provide an accurate rating.

See revised sub‐section L.14.8. See sub‐section L.14.9.

31 L ‐ Instructions, Conditions & Notices

L.14.8 & Attachment L‐1 L‐17

1. The RFP directs the offeror to turn in the past performance survey with the proposal, but the questionnaire says to return it directly to Mr. Joe Cloft. Is it possible to both have the survey sent directly to Mr. Joe Cloft and a copy provided to the offeror to include with the proposal submittal? See revised Attachment L‐1.

32 L ‐ Instructions, Conditions & Notices

L.14.8, and Attachment L‐1

L‐18 & Attachment L‐1

Past Performance Survey

Discussion: RFP Section L.14.8 states “The Offeror shall instruct each rater to send a completed form directly back to the Offeror. The Offeror must follow up with each rater to ensure the Past Performance Rating Forms were received and completed prior to the proposal closing date. The Offeror must submit all Past Performance Surveys, as applicable, with their proposal submission.”

Attachment L‐1 states “Please complete the survey below to help assess this contractor’s performance under any contracts or task orders performed for you within the last three years.

Definitions of Rating Guidelines and Performance Elements are included for your use in completing the survey form. Please email your completed survey to joscloft@nsf.gov. If you have any questions, please call Joe Cloft at 703‐292‐8094.”

Question/Recommendation:

Please confirm that all Past Performance Surveys should be returned to the Offeror only, so the Offeror can include the Past Performance Surveys in their proposal submission.

See revised Attachment L‐1.

33 L ‐ Instructions, Conditions & Notices L.15.7 Section 4 L ‐ 23 When submitting the eSRS Reports, should all reports be submitted or just the ones that match the Past Performance Section? See revised section L.15.7.

34 L ‐ Instructions, Conditions & Notices L.15.7 Section 4 L ‐ 23 Is the 53% based only on work performed in the US or should it include any SBs that may perform work in other countries?

As stated under Section L.15.7, "The total contract dollar amount proposed will be deemed to represent 53% for work performed within the U.S. and 47% for work performed outside the U.S.

Therefore, the contract dollar amount representing work performed within the U.S. will be compared to total subcontract dollars proposed to determine a percentage of total subcontract dollars for each of the categories:..." Only work performed in the United States.

35 L ‐ Instructions, Conditions & Notices L.15.7 Section 4 L ‐ 23 If we use the first‐tier subcontractors awards to meet our goal, do we need to make note of those awards? Yes.

36 Other SF33 SF33 Given the magnitude, complexity and the significant changes from the DRAFT RFP, will the Government consider extending the proposal due date by at least two (2) weeks? The Government expects to extend the due date under Amendment 0002.

37 Other We would like to visit all the sites.

The Government expects to have a site visit(s) for this solicitation. Additional information will be posted to fbo.gov as soon as possible.

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Round One Questions/Comments Responses Page 3 of 3