RFQ.docx

White Pine Scion, Pollen & Cone Collection AG-02RC-S-13-0010 Page 33

Continuation SF 1449, Schedule of Items Base Year Idaho Panhandle National Forests (IPNF) 2013

Amount

TOTAL

Option Year 1 IPNF 2014

Amount

TOTAL

Option Year 2 IPNF 2015

Amount

TOTAL

Base Year Clearwater National Forest (CNF) 2013

Amount

TOTAL

Option Year 1 Clearwater 2014

Amount

TOTAL

Option Year 2 Clearwater 2015

Amount

TOTAL

Estimated quantities are based upon predetermined trees; weather, physiological development of plant materials and funding may be cause for change to the estimated quantities.

The No Climb line item is for trees identified and located but not viable for collection.

One or more contracts may be awarded by Forest to the quote offering the best overall value to the Government. Offerors may limit their quote by completing the following:

My Quote is limited to the:

____ Idaho Panhandle National Forest ____Clearwater National Forest

Contractor Signature Date

FAR Addendum 52.212-4 AGAR 452-215-73 Post Award Conference. (NOV 1996). A post award conference with the successful offeror is required. It will be scheduled and held before the Notice to Proceed is issued, after the date of contract award. The conference will be held at a location to be determined as agreed upon.

FAR 52.217-7 Option for Increased Quantity—Separately Priced Line Item. Mar 1989) The Government may require the delivery of the numbered line item, identified in the Schedule as an option item, in the quantity and at the price stated in the Schedule. The Contracting Officer may exercise the option by written notice to the Contractor within 1 year. Delivery of added items shall continue at the same rate that like items are called for under the contract, unless the parties otherwise agree.

FAR 52.217-9 Option to Extend the Term of the Contract. Mar 2000)

(a) The Government may extend the term of this contract by written notice to the Contractor within 1 year; provided that the Government gives the Contractor a preliminary written notice of its intent to extend at least 60 days before the contract expires. The preliminary notice does not commit the Government to an extension.

(b) If the Government exercises this option, the extended contract shall be considered to include this option clause.

(c) The total duration of this contract, including the exercise of any options under this clause, shall not exceed the base year plus 2 option years or 36 months.

FAR 52.232-19 Availability of Funds for the Next Fiscal Year. (APR 1984) Funds are not presently available for performance under this contract beyond FY 2013. The Government’s obligation for performance of this contract beyond that date is contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds from which payment for contract purposes can be made. No legal liability on the part of the Government for any payment may arise for performance under this contract beyond FY 2013 until funds are made available to the Contracting Officer for performance and until the Contractor receives notice of availability, to be confirmed in writing by the Contracting Officer.

FAR 52.236-9 Protection Of Existing Vegetation, Structures, Equipment, Utilities, And Improvements (Apr 1984)

(a) The Contractor shall preserve and protect all structures, equipment, and vegetation (such as trees, shrubs, and grass) on or adjacent to the work site, which are not to be removed and which do not unreasonably interfere with the work required under this contract. The Contractor shall only remove trees when specifically authorized to do so, and shall avoid damaging vegetation that will remain in place. If any limbs or branches of trees are broken during contract performance, or by the careless operation of equipment, or by workmen, the Contractor shall trim those limbs or branches with a clean cut and paint the cut with a tree-pruning compound as directed by the Contracting Officer.

(b) The Contractor shall protect from damage all existing improvements and utilities (1) at or near the work site, and (2)on adjacent property of a third party, the locations of which are made known to or should be known by the Contractor. The Contractor shall repair any damage to those facilities, including those that are the property of a third party, resulting from failure to comply with the requirements of this contract or failure to exercise reasonable care in performing the work. If the Contractor fails or refuses to repair the damage promptly, the Contracting Officer may have the necessary work performed and charge the cost to the Contractor.

FAR 52.237-1 Site Visit. (APR 1984) Offerors or quoters are urged and expected to inspect the site where services are to be performed and to satisfy themselves regarding all general and local conditions that may affect the cost of contract performance, to the extent that the information is reasonably obtainable. In no event shall failure to inspect the site constitute grounds for a claim after contract award.

FAR 52.242-15 Stop-Work Order. (AUG 1989)

(a) The Contracting Officer may, at any time, by written order to the Contractor, require the Contractor to stop all, or any part, of the work called for by this contract for a period of 90 days after the order is delivered to the Contractor, and for any further period to which the parties may agree. The order shall be specifically identified as a stop-work order issued under this clause. Upon receipt of the order, the Contractor shall immediately comply with its terms and take all reasonable steps to minimize the incurrence of costs allocable to the work covered by the order during the period of work stoppage. Within a period of 90 days after a stop-work is delivered to the Contractor, or within any extension of that period to which the parties shall have agreed, the Contracting Officer shall either—

(1) Cancel the stop-work order; or

(2) Terminate the work covered by the order as provided in the Default, or the Termination for Convenience of the Government, clause of this contract.

(b) If a stop-work order issued under this clause is canceled or the period of the order or any extension thereof expires, the Contractor shall resume work. The Contracting Officer shall make an equitable adjustment in the delivery schedule or contract price, or both, and the contract shall be modified, in writing, accordingly, if—

(1) The stop-work order results in an increase in the time required for, or in the Contractor’s cost properly allocable to, the performance of any part of this contract; and

(2) The Contractor asserts its right to the adjustment within 30 days after the end of the period of work stoppage; provided, that, if the Contracting Officer decides the facts justify the action, the Contracting Officer may receive and act upon the claim submitted at any time before final payment under this contract.

(c) If a stop-work order is not canceled and the work covered by the order is terminated for the convenience of the Government, the Contracting Officer shall allow reasonable costs resulting from the stop-work order in arriving at the termination settlement.

(d) If a stop-work order is not canceled and the work covered by the order is terminated for default, the Contracting Officer shall allow, by equitable adjustment or otherwise, reasonable costs resulting from the stop-work order.

Safety. Contractors shall comply with OSHA regulations and provide employees a work environment that is sanitary and not hazardous, which includes providing personal protective equipment. Contractors must maintain a health and safety plan and an accident prevention program, which includes frequent and regular inspections of the project site, materials and equipment. Contractors are responsible for risk management regarding contractor/employee and public safety, which include experience of operator to handle road and terrain conditions, getting to the worksite, traffic control and coordination with other users.

Fire Control

(a) Contractor's Responsibility for Contractor-Caused Fires. The Contractor, whether or not directed by the Forest Service, shall immediately extinguish, without expense to the Government, all fires on or in the vicinity of the project which are caused by Contractor's employees, whether set directly or indirectly as a result of Contractor operations. The Contractor may be held liable for all damages and costs of additional labor, subsistence, equipment, supplies, and transportation resulting from fires set or caused by the Contractor's employees or resulting from contract operations.

(b) Other Fires. For the purpose of fighting forest fires on or in the vicinity of the project which are not caused by the Contractor or his employees, the Contractor when requested by the Contracting Officer shall place his employees and equipment temporarily at the disposal of the Forest Service. Payment for such services will be made by the Government at not less than the current rate for fire-fighting services established by the Forest Service in the area concerned.

Any employees and equipment furnished will be relieved from fire fighting as soon as the Forest Service finds that it is practicable to employ other labor and equipment adequate for the protection of the area.

An equitable adjustment in contract time may be made for this period.

(c) Fire Protection Requirements - Fire Plan. At all times during closed fire season period, as specified by State law, the Contractor shall comply with each of the following provisions to the extent applicable to his operation under the contract.

(1) Fire Tools. The Contractor will provide for each employee in the contract area at least one approved handtool of a type appropriate in the contract area, such as shovel, pulaski, or ax. Tools required and furnished under (2) and (4) below, shall count toward fulfillment of the above requirement. Where additional tools, beyond those required under (2) and (4) below, are to be provided, the Contractor shall seal such tools in one or more boxes painted red and marked "Tools for Fire Only." All tools required herein shall be kept sharp and in good serviceable condition and maintained at locations to be designated by the Forest Service.

(2) Fire Extinguishers and Tools on Mobile or Stationary Equipment. Each unit of powered equipment used in connection with this contract, including automobiles, trucks, tractors, etc., shall be equipped with serviceable tools and fire extinguishers as follows:

One - fire extinguisher, dry chemical type of not less than 2-1/2 pound capacity with 4 BC or higher rating.

One - shovel, round point #0 lady or equal.

One - ax, 2 pounds or over, 26-inch minimum length, or one pulaski.

One - water container (at least 1-gallon capacity), not required with stationary equipment.

(3) Spark Arresters. Each internal combustion engine shall be provided with a spark arrester or spark arresting device approved by the Forest Service. Exceptions where the Forest Service may approve mufflers, or other equipment in lieu of spark arresters qualified and rated under Forest Service Standard 5100-1a are: (a) small multiposition engines, such as chain saws, shall meet Society of Automotive Engineers J335b standards; (b) passenger-carrying vehicles and light trucks may have baffle-type mufflers with tail pipe; (c) heavy-duty trucks may have a vertical stack exhaust system and muffler, provided the exhaust stack extends above the cab of the vehicle. An exhaust-driven turbocharger is considered to be a satisfactory spark arrester. Internal combustion engine exhaust systems, arresters, and other devices must be properly installed and maintained.

(4) Powersaws. For each powersaw used in connection with this contract, the following will be provided:

One - shovel, round point #0 lady or equal. Shovel must be immediately available for use.

One - Fire extinguisher, containing not less than 8 ounces of extinguisher fluid, or a dry chemical powder-type of not less than 1-pound capacity. The extinguisher must be immediately accessible to the saw operator at all times.

Any fueling or refueling of a powersaw shall only be done in an area which has first been cleared or is free of all material capable of carrying fire; powersaw shall be moved at least 10 feet from place of fueling before starting.

(5) Blasting. Fuse or prima cord shall not be used unless authorized in writing by the COR with special precautions stated.

(6) Smoking. Smoking shall not be permitted within the contract area except on surfaced or dirt roads, at landings, within closed vehicles, in camps, or at other posted places, and shall never be allowed while working or traveling on foot.

(7) Storage of Petroleum and Other Highly Flammable Products. Gasoline, oil, grease, or other highly flammable material will be stored either in a separate building used exclusively for such storage, or at a site where all combustible debris and vegetation is cleared away within a radius of 25 feet. Fire extinguishers and/or sand barrels may be required at such locations specified by the Forest Service when unusually hazardous conditions exist.

(8) Debris Burning and Warming Fires. Burning permits will be required for all debris burning fires. Lunch and warming fires may be allowed in fireproofed areas during periods of low fire danger if and as specified in the fire plan. Such fires must not be left burning unattended.

(9) Precautions for Stoves. Stovepipes on all temporary buildings, trailers, and tents using wood burning stoves, will be equipped with roof jacks and serviceable spark arresters of mesh with openings no larger than 5/8 inch.

All stovepipes, inside and out, will not be closer than 2 feet from any wood or other flammable material or 1 foot if the combustible material is protected by a metal or asbestos shield.

(10) Welding. Welding or use of cutting torches will be permitted only in areas that have been cleared or are free of all material capable of carrying fire. Flammable debris and vegetation must be removed from within a minimum of 10 feet radius of all welding and cutting torch operations. A shovel and a 5-gallon standard backpack water container (filled) with handpump attached, shall be immediately available for use in the event of a fire start.

(11) Fire Plan. Prior to initiating work on the contract area, during the closed fire season period, a fire prevention and suppression plan will usually be prepared. The Contractor and the Forest Service will jointly prepare this plan. Such plan shall include a detailed list of men and equipment at the Contractor's disposal for implementing the plan. The fire plan shall also specify additional measures and/or special requirements, such as Hoot Owl restrictions, necessary during periods of critical fire weather conditions.

When Hoot Owl restrictions are invoked, the Forest Service may curtail or shut down all or portions of a Contractor's operations. The following requirements may be imposed:

State of Idaho’s Notice to Offeror , Idaho Workers Compensation Law

(a) Prior to award of any contract subject to Idaho Workers' Compensation Laws, the contractor must provide (1) evidence that they have the required workers' compensation coverage or, (2) documentation from the State of Idaho exempting the contractor from such coverage.

(b) Contractors should obtain and complete a State of Idaho Certificate of Verification of Workers' Compensation Insurance as documentation of insurance coverage or exemption. These certificates may be obtained from and returned to the Employee Compliance Division of the Idaho Industrial Commission at the following offices:

(c) This certificate of verification shall be fully executed by the contractor and signed by the Industrial Commission Compliance Officer prior to award of the contract.

Contract Documents, Exhibits or Attachments Description and Specifications FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors—Commercial Items. (FEB 2012) FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation—Commercial Items. (JAN 1999) Past Performance Survey form FAR 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications—Commercial Items. (APR 2012) Wage Determination No. 1995-0228, Rev 28, dated 9/7/2012 Exhibit B, Example Tree Improvement Collection Tag Exhibit C, Tree Climbing Standards excerpt FSH 6709.11, Section 22.49 Exhibit D, National Tree Climbing Guide, 2005 Edition (may be downloaded from: http://www.fs.fed.us/treeclimbing/policy/guide/tree-climbing-field-guide-2005-edition.pdf)

State of Idaho Verification of Workers’ Compensation Insurance form

DESCRIPTION AND SPECIFICATION

1.0 Scope of Contract: Work consists of collection of scion, monitoring and collecting pollen, and collecting cones on the Idaho Panhandle and Clearwater National Forests. The work will take place in Western White Pine Plus trees that have previously been identified. The heights of the trees to be climbed are between 60-125 feet. The Contractor shall furnish all labor, transportation, supplies (other than Government Furnished), supervision, and incidentals necessary to perform all work safely and within the specifications. Trees may be removed from the estimated quantity list of trees to collect from by the Contracting Officer (CO), before any effort is expended by modifying the contract.

The Contractor shall contact the following government personnel (who will be designated as Inspectors and/or CORs’) during business hours Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., at least 24 hours in advance to schedule collection:

IPNF- North Zone-Bonners Ferry-Jamie Wynsma 208-267-6763

IPNF- Central Zone Coeur d’Alene River RD- Fernan and Wallace – Craig Norris 208-769-3072 IPNF- South Zone-St Joe RD-St Maries and Avery – Sidnee Dittman 208-245-6248 CNF- Bob Grubb 208-476-8308 or Mark Klinke 208-476-8300

2.0 Location and Description: Plus trees are located across the South Zone-St Joe Ranger District, Central Zone-Coeur d Alene River Ranger District and North Zone-Bonners Ferry, Priest Lake and Sandpoint Ranger Districts of the Idaho Panhandle National Forests, and Palouse, Pierce or North Fork Ranger Districts of the Clearwater National Forest. The trees identified for collection and protection are accessible by 4-wheel drive and usually by snow mobiles during scion collection. An estimated two thirds of the areas for climbing and collecting are accessible by four-wheel drive vehicles and are up to 300 feet from the road. The remaining other one-third of the trees are on trails or single track roads and walking in up to two miles may be necessary. The Forest Service will not be responsible for access such as sawing out trails or single track access trails.

3.0 Technical Specifications

1. Scion Collection: Scion shall be collected during late dormancy and usually occurs in late February. Dates of operation will be specified in a Work Order, to ensure the Government can deliver the scion to the Coeur d’Alene Nursery by close of business on March 15. Number of pieces to be collected shall be 30, and a list of trees will be specified in the Work Order. Scion is to be collected from the upper third of the tree crown only, collecting from wood that grew the previous summer. Scion should measure 6 to 8 inches in length, and be roughly the size of a No. 2 pencil in diameter. Diameter needs will be specified in the Work Order. Do not trim the needles on the scion.

The cut end of the scion will be wrapped in moist paper towels. Scion from the same donor tree may be wrapped together, so long as the cut ends of all pieces are protected. Collected scion shall be placed in the pre-labeled zip lock bags provided by the Government; these bags will also contain a label inside, which the Contractor will need to ensure stays with the bag during operations.

Bags of scion will be placed in an ice cooler with frozen ice packs (do NOT use dry ice) until delivered to the Government. Delivery shall be made within 48 hours of collection. Provide adequate cooler space to store all scion without compaction; scion should not be stored more than 4 bags deep in coolers.

2. Pollen Collection: Collect pollen from identified trees with a maximum of four bags (GOVERNMENT FURNISHED)/tree. A list of trees will be specified in the task order. These trees have been previously identified by the government. Each tree has GPS coordinates in latitude and longitude. These coordinates can be entered into a GPS receiver to navigate to the tree. The contractor shall provide their own transportation, climbing and collecting equipment. The Forest Service shall provide pollen collection bags and will take possession of the collections at the end of the day. The Forest Service can/may guide the contractor to the tree, then make a determination if the tree will be climbed and collected from or not. If the tree is difficult to locate the guide might spend up to 1 hour to locate the tree. If no inspector is on site during the climb a piece of flagging will be hung in the crown where the collection has been made. The color of flagging will be determined by the COR at the pre-work.

a) Record as much pollen identification information on the outside of the bags ahead of time, to speed up actual field collections.

b) Monitor catkins for signs of ripening; be aware that you have ~ 36 hours to collect mature pollen before pollen flight. Things to keep in mind:

c) Place catkins in paper lunch bags or pollen bags. Seal seams with tape to avoid contamination with other pollen collections. Collect a minimum of 1 bag to a maximum of 4 bags of catkins per tree and do the following;

d) Record collection and identification information with a waterproof marker on each bas as follows:

Collection Date _____/_____/_____ Species Code WP for Breeding Orchard TWN______ RNG______ SEC______ ELEV________ [From list of Trees] Cycle Number_________________ [From list of Trees] Tree Number________________ [From list of Trees] Collected by_____________________________________ Bag ____ of ___

e) Sterilize all collection tools (clippers) and hands with rubbing alcohol between each tree collection to minimize pollen contamination. Surgical gloves are recommended for hands in lieu of repeated skin contact with alcohol.

3. Western White Pine Cone Collection: All cones collected under this contract are and shall remain the property of the Government. The delivery point is the administering District Ranger Station, and will be specified by Work Order. Climb and harvest mature cones from previously identified Western White Pine Plus trees as prescribed by the terms of the contract. A list of trees will be specified in the Work Order. For safety reasons, contractor shall have TWO climbers on site while work is being performed. A Forest Service inspector may assist the contractor in locating the trees to be climbed and help in handling the collected cones. If no inspector is on site during the climb a piece of flagging will be hung in the crown where the collection has been made. The color of flagging will be determined by the COR at the pre-work.

a. Seed Cone Source

i. Cones shall be harvested only from Government-designated trees. The Contractor is expected to climb all trees designated. The COR or the Inspector may verbally order the Contractor to climb trees and collect cones for sampling seed count and follow up in writing with a Work Order form. If no further cone collections are made from that tree, the Contractor will be paid the rate for climbing that tree. The Contractor is entitled to pay for climbing the tree if the cones are bad due to seed eating insects and no cones are collected.

ii. Any designated tree the Contractor declares unsafe to climb shall be reported to the COR in writing, specifying the reason the tree is not safe to climb, including the nature and location of the hazard. The COR will designate, verbally and follow up in writing, an acceptable substitute tree or delete the tree from the Schedule.

iii. Cones may be damaged by disease, frost, or insect attack, or may be harvested by squirrels. If the COR or Inspector determines there are not enough cones or seed count is too low to warrant picking, the Contractor may be notified verbally and follow up in writing not to pick specified tree, and the tree will be deleted from the Schedule.

iv. Cones cut by squirrels shall not be collected.

b. Seed Cone Standards

i. All cones harvested shall be from the current calendar year seed cone crop. It is the Government’s responsibility to determine the quality of the cones prior to collection. The COR may require the Contractor to pick sample cones from designated trees.

ii. The COR or Inspector may determine cone quality on the basis of the cut cone test. A minimum of 3 cones for each individual tree collection may be sampled to determine cone quality. All cut tests will be made by slicing the cone lengthwise through the central axis. Number of sound seed is determined by counting exposed seed on one open cone face. Cones must meet average cut count per cut face as determined by COR or Inspector.

iii. Seed will be considered sound when the endosperm and embryo are developing normally and there is no evidence of insect, disease, climatic, or other types of damage.

iv. If cone quality is so low that minimum cone quality standards are not met, cone collection efforts may be stopped. The COR may terminate all or any portions of the collections or may direct the Contractor to collect in other collection areas.

v. The actual seed condition will vary by species but in general is considered mature when the embryo fills 90% or more of the embryo cavity and is a cream or pale yellow color. The surrounding storage tissue (endosperm) will have a firm consistency and not a viscous, milky condition. The seed coat and seed wing will have darkened in color and be easily lifted from the cone scale.

c. Cone Collection Standards

i. The Contractor shall harvest cones only from the top ½ of trees identified by the Government for collection. Cones shall be from the current calendar year and meet the Seed Cone Standards stated above. The Contractor shall collect mature, sound seed in the quantity specified.

ii. Cones must be dry, free of mold and not showing damage by animals, insects or disease or physical damage.

iii. The Contractor shall notify the COR when cones are not sufficiently mature or if they do not meet the quality standards for collection.

iv. Branches shall be pulled to the picker by the use of limb hook with a handle allowing a minimum reach of eight feet, unless another type of equipment has been authorized by the Contracting Officer or his/her representative.

v. All cones shall be picked and placed into bags in the tree and lowered to the ground to avoid mechanical damage to seed and to avoid contamination of cones by soil bearing fungi. Bagged cones shall not be thrown or dropped out of trees. Cones shall be protected from moisture and heat. Cones shall not be damaged during any phase of picking or transporting. No payment will be made for climbing and collection of cones that have been damaged. The COR may suspend work until proper procedures are being followed.

vi. Cones from each tree shall be bagged separately. Bags will be furnished by the Government. Bags shall be free of debris (such as twigs, needles, cone stems, cones of other tree source). The bag shall be tied securely shut approximately 3 inches from the top of the bag.

vii. For each tree, the Contractor shall prepare two Tree Improvement (TI) cone tags (R1-2470-11), using the information from the actual collection site and information provided in the Information Chart. Information must be legible, and be in permanent ink, and in English. One tag shall be place inside the bag at the top, and the other securely fastened on the outside of the closed bag. In addition, the TI number shall be clearly marked on a separate tag or flagging attached to the bag, and shall be consistent with the number on the cone tag, the sign on the tree, and the Work Order.

viii. Collected cones shall be submitted to the COR or Inspector each day for inspection and acceptance.

4. Tree Climbing Standards

a. The Contractor shall take all precautions necessary to prevent excessive damage to trees. The Contractor shall provide all personal protection and tree climbing equipment, and a collapsible pole or branch hook for pulling the branches toward them to reach the cones. Living branches shall not be deliberately broken, barked, or cut nor shall tree trunks be skinned or peeled to cause excessive damage to the cambium. If the COR determines that excessive damage is occurring, the Contractor’s right to proceed will be suspended until the proper corrections have been made. Rappelling out of the crown is allowed.

b. Contractor assumes all risks of loss or damage to his/her equipment and injury to self or employees, and will hold and save the Government and its employees harmless from liability of any nature or kind resulting from performance of this contract, except for negligent acts of Government employees.

5. Crew Safety

a) The Contractor shall comply with the safety requirements of the following:

i. The National Tree Climbing Guide

ii. FSH 6709.11 Health and Safety Code Handbook, section 22.49 At the request of the Contractor, alternate procedures may be approved by the Contracting Officer that meet the intent of Forest Service safety requirements, but differ in actual practice. The Forest Service National Tree Climbing Guide (Technical Report 0567-2819-MTDC, March, 2005, may be found at:

http://www.fs.fed.us/treeclimbing/policy/guide/tree-climbing-field-guide-2005-edition.pdf

The Contractor shall follow all Federal, State, and local safety laws and regulations applicable to the contract work to be performed. The Contractor assumes all risks of loss or damage to his/her equipment and injury to self or employees. Contractor shall utilize safety practices for safe climbing, rescue and emergency communications.

4.0 Government Furnished Materials

The property that will be provided by the Government is as follows:

(GPS locations and sketch maps with LAT/LONG data will be available with the records).

Provided with Notice to Proceed

Pre-labeled paper “lunch” bags for pollen collection.

Burlap or Mesh bags for cone collection.

Provided on first day of work and upon Contractor request

FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors—Commercial Items. (FEB 2012)

(a) North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code and small business size standard. The NAICS code and small business size standard for this acquisition appear in Block 10 of the solicitation cover sheet (SF 1449). However, the small business size standard for a concern which submits an offer in its own name, but which proposes to furnish an item which it did not itself manufacture, is 500 employees.

(b) Submission of offers. Submit signed and dated offers to the office specified in this solicitation at or before the exact time specified in this solicitation. Offers may be submitted on the SF 1449, letterhead stationery, or as otherwise specified in the solicitation. As a minimum, offers must show—

(1) The solicitation number;

(2) The time specified in the solicitation for receipt of offers;

(3) The name, address, and telephone number of the offeror;

(4) A technical description of the items being offered in sufficient detail to evaluate compliance with the requirements in the solicitation. This may include product literature, or other documents, if necessary;

(5) Terms of any express warranty;

(6) Price and any discount terms;

(7) “Remit to” address, if different than mailing address;

(8) A completed copy of the representations and certifications at FAR 52.212-3 (see FAR 52.212-3(b) for those representations and certifications that the offeror shall complete electronically);

(9) Acknowledgment of Solicitation Amendments;

(10) Past performance information, when included as an evaluation factor, to include recent and relevant contracts for the same or similar items and other references (including contract numbers, points of contact with telephone numbers and other relevant information); and

(11) If the offer is not submitted on the SF 1449, include a statement specifying the extent of agreement with all terms, conditions, and provisions included in the solicitation. Offers that fail to furnish required representations or information, or reject the terms and conditions of the solicitation may be excluded from consideration.

(c) Period for acceptance of offers. The offeror agrees to hold the prices in its offer firm for 30 calendar days from the date specified for receipt of offers, unless another time period is specified in an addendum to the solicitation.

(d) Product samples. When required by the solicitation, product samples shall be submitted at or prior to the time specified for receipt of offers. Unless otherwise specified in this solicitation, these samples shall be submitted at no expense to the Government, and returned at the sender’s request and expense, unless they are destroyed during preaward testing.

(e) Multiple offers. Offerors are encouraged to submit multiple offers presenting alternative terms and conditions or commercial items for satisfying the requirements of this solicitation. Each offer submitted will be evaluated separately.

(f) Late submissions, modifications, revisions, and withdrawals of offers.

(1) Offerors are responsible for submitting offers, and any modifications, revisions, or withdrawals, so as to reach the Government office designated in the solicitation by the time specified in the solicitation. If no time is specified in the solicitation, the time for receipt is 4:30 p.m., local time, for the designated Government office on the date that offers or revisions are due.

(2)(i) Any offer, modification, revision, or withdrawal of an offer received at the Government office designated in the solicitation after the exact time specified for receipt of offers is “late” and will not be considered unless it is received before award is made, the Contracting Officer determines that accepting the late offer would not unduly delay the acquisition; and—

(A) If it was transmitted through an electronic commerce method authorized by the solicitation, it was received at the initial point of entry to the Government infrastructure not later than 5:00 p.m. one working day prior to the date specified for receipt of offers; or

(B) There is acceptable evidence to establish that it was received at the Government installation designated for receipt of offers and was under the Government’s control prior to the time set for receipt of offers; or

(C) If this solicitation is a request for proposals, it was the only proposal received.

(ii) However, a late modification of an otherwise successful offer, that makes its terms more favorable to the Government, will be considered at any time it is received and may be accepted.

(3) Acceptable evidence to establish the time of receipt at the Government installation includes the time/date stamp of that installation on the offer wrapper, other documentary evidence of receipt maintained by the installation, or oral testimony or statements of Government personnel.

(4) If an emergency or unanticipated event interrupts normal Government processes so that offers cannot be received at the Government office designated for receipt of offers by the exact time specified in the solicitation, and urgent Government requirements preclude amendment of the solicitation or other notice of an extension of the closing date, the time specified for receipt of offers will be deemed to be extended to the same time of day specified in the solicitation on the first work day on which normal Government processes resume.

(5) Offers may be withdrawn by written notice received at any time before the exact time set for receipt of offers. Oral offers in response to oral solicitations may be withdrawn orally. If the solicitation authorizes facsimile offers, offers may be withdrawn via facsimile received at any time before the exact time set for receipt of offers, subject to the conditions specified in the solicitation concerning facsimile offers. An offer may be withdrawn in person by an offeror or its authorized representative if, before the exact time set for receipt of offers, the identity of the person requesting withdrawal is established and the person signs a receipt for the offer.

(g) Contract award (not applicable to Invitation for Bids). The Government intends to evaluate offers and award a contract without discussions with offerors. Therefore, the offeror’s initial offer should contain the offeror’s best terms from a price and technical standpoint. However, the Government reserves the right to conduct discussions if later determined by the Contracting Officer to be necessary. The Government may reject any or all offers if such action is in the public interest; accept other than the lowest offer; and waive informalities and minor irregularities in offers received.

(h) Multiple awards. The Government may accept any item or group of items of an offer, unless the offeror qualifies the offer by specific limitations. Unless otherwise provided in the Schedule, offers may not be submitted for quantities less than those specified. The Government reserves the right to make an award on any item for a quantity less than the quantity offered, at the unit prices offered, unless the offeror specifies otherwise in the offer.

(i) Availability of requirements documents cited in the solicitation.

(1)(i) The GSA Index of Federal Specifications, Standards and Commercial Item Descriptions, FPMR Part 101-29, and copies of specifications, standards, and commercial item descriptions cited in this solicitation may be obtained for a fee by submitting a request to— GSA Federal Supply Service Specifications Section Suite 8100 470 East L’Enfant Plaza, SW Washington, DC 20407 Telephone (202) 619-8925 Facsimile (202) 619-8978.

(ii) If the General Services Administration, Department of Agriculture, or Department of Veterans Affairs issued this solicitation, a single copy of specifications, standards, and commercial item descriptions cited in this solicitation may be obtained free of charge by submitting a request to the addressee in paragraph (i)(1)(i) of this provision. Additional copies will be issued for a fee.

(2) Most unclassified Defense specifications and standards may be downloaded from the following ASSIST websites:

(i) ASSIST (http://assist.daps.dla.mil).

(ii) Quick Search (http://assist.daps.dla.mil/quicksearch).

(iii) ASSISTdocs.com (http://assistdocs.com).

(3) Documents not available from ASSIST may be ordered from the Department of Defense Single Stock Point (DoDSSP) by—

(i) Using the ASSIST Shopping Wizard (http://assist.daps.dla.mil/wizard);

(ii) Phoning the DoDSSP Customer Service Desk (215) 697-2179, Mon-Fri, 0730 to 1600 EST; or

(iii) Ordering from DoDSSP, Building 4, Section D, 700 Robbins Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Telephone (215) 697-2667/2179, Facsimile (215) 697-1462.

(4) Nongovernment (voluntary) standards must be obtained from the organization responsible for their preparation, publication, or maintenance.

(j) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number. (Applies to all offers exceeding $3,000, and offers of $3,000 or less if the solicitation requires the Contractor to be registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database.) The offeror shall enter, in the block with its name and address on the cover page of its offer, the annotation “DUNS” or “DUNS+4” followed by the DUNS or DUNS+4 number that identifies the offeror’s name and address. The DUNS+4 is the DUNS number plus a 4-character suffix that may be assigned at the discretion of the offeror to establish additional CCR records for identifying alternative Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) accounts (see FAR Subpart 32.11) for the same concern. If the offeror does not have a DUNS number, it should contact Dun and Bradstreet directly to obtain one. An offeror within the United States may contact Dun and Bradstreet by calling 1-866-705-5711 or via the internet at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. An offeror located outside the United States must contact the local Dun and Bradstreet office for a DUNS number. The offeror should indicate that it is an offeror for a Government contract when contacting the local Dun and Bradstreet office.

(k) Central Contractor Registration. Unless exempted by an addendum to this solicitation, by submission of an offer, the offeror acknowledges the requirement that a prospective awardee shall be registered in the CCR database prior to award, during performance and through final payment of any contract resulting from this solicitation. If the Offeror does not become registered in the CCR database in the time prescribed by the Contracting Officer, the Contracting Officer will proceed to award to the next otherwise successful registered Offeror. Offerors may obtain information on registration and annual confirmation requirements via the CCR database accessed through https://www.acquisition.gov or by calling 1-888-227-2423 or 269-961-5757.

(l) Debriefing. If a post-award debriefing is given to requesting offerors, the Government shall disclose the following information, if applicable:

(1) The agency’s evaluation of the significant weak or deficient factors in the debriefed offeror’s offer.

(2) The overall evaluated cost or price and technical rating of the successful and the debriefed offeror and past performance information on the debriefed offeror.

(3) The overall ranking of all offerors, when any ranking was developed by the agency during source selection.

(4) A summary of the rationale for award;

(5) For acquisitions of commercial items, the make and model of the item to be delivered by the successful offeror.

(6) Reasonable responses to relevant questions posed by the debriefed offeror as to whether source-selection procedures set forth in the solicitation, applicable regulations, and other applicable authorities were followed by the agency.

Addendum 52.212-1 Submit the following as your Quote:

SF 1449 with the Schedule of Item, completed and signed Response to FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation

NOTE: An offeror shall complete only paragraph (b) of provision 52.212-3 if the offeror has completed the annual representations and certifications electronically via https://www.acquisition.gov. If an offeror has not completed the annual representations and certifications electronically at the ORCA website, the offeror shall complete only paragraphs (c) through (o) of this provision.

Questions concerning registrations, certifications or assistance with preparing quotes, contact Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) http://www.aptac-us.org/new/. The PTAC contact in Boise Idaho, Sundi Neely at (208) 334-2650 ext 2133.

FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation—Commercial Items. (JAN 1999)

(a) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers in descending order of importance:

i. Experience and Technical Capability A. Identify the personnel who will be executing the work and provide their specific experience/skills for each person identified. Document the qualifications or skill level of individual personnel who will execute the requirements of the contract.

B. Identify the extent and type of work your firm previously accomplished, include both private and government. Identify projects with size, location, dollar value and references with contact information that can corroborate the experience listed.

C. Specify the techniques and safety practices planned and/or equipment to be used for the contract.

ii. Past Performance with similar type of work A) Past Performance will be evaluated on the following:

i. Quality of Services: Demonstrated ability to perform services in accordance with contract specifications. Conformance to good standards of workmanship.

ii. Customer Satisfaction: Satisfaction of end users with the contractor's completed services.

iii. Cost Control: Ability to complete contracts within budget (at or below); reasonableness of price change proposals submitted; providing current, accurate, and complete billings.

iv. Business Relations: Effective management, ability to manage projects involving subcontracts, working relationship with the contracting officer and technical representatives, reasonable/cooperative behavior, flexibility, effective contractor recommended solutions, businesslike concern for government's interests.

v. Timeliness of Performance: compliance with delivery schedules; reliability; responsiveness to technical direction, no assessment of liquidated damages.

Past Performance. Information requested includes successful execution of contracts or previous work. When problems were encountered, briefly describe the problem area and the steps taken to resolve or correct. Each Offeror is responsible for sending the attached Past Performance Survey to at least three (3) previous customers for whom similar work was performed or completed within the last three years. Once that organization has completed the questionnaire, they are required to submit the survey form no later than the due date and time indicated, send quotes and surveys directly to:

R1 IMAT, IPNF

Attn: Rita Loper

iii. Price

Experience and past performance, when combined, are significantly more important than cost or price.

(b) Options. The Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement.