s080027A_short_solicitation_pkg.pdf

SOLICITATION FORMS

(FOR OFFEROR’S USE IN SUBMITTING OFFER)

NOTE: Attached forms must be completed and submitted intact.

Issuing Office:

U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service

Western Montana Acquisition Zone Building 24, Fort Missoula

Missoula, MT 59804

Solicitation No.

RFP AG-03R6-S-08-0027A

Offers Are Solicited For:

IDIQ Road Construction Services for Northern Region of the Forest Service

Including Northern Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, and NW Corner of South Dakota

**NOTICE TO OFFEROR**

Return your offer to:

USDA – Forest Service Western Montana Acquisition Zone ATTN: Solicitation No. AG-03R6-S-08-0027A Building 24 – Fort Missoula

IMPORTANT - NOTICE TO OFFEROR

1. Information, Instructions and documents for submission of offers are contained in this packet. It contains only Part I, Sections A and B, and Part IV, Sections K, L, and M. TO ASSURE THAT YOUR OFFER IS RESPONSIVE, ALL DOCUMENTS CONTAINED IN THIS PACKET SHOULD BE COMPLETED AND RETURNED INTACT AS YOUR OFFER. The Offeror’s Copy contains the complete solicitation and should be retained by the Offeror for reference.

2. Before mailing your offer, please recheck the following:

(a) Does your offer set forth full, accurate, and complete information as required by this solicitation including attachments and any amendments which may have been issued?

(b) Have you rechecked your figures, including calculations on your worksheets?

(c) Have you completed and signed all required documents?

3. Pre-Proposal/Industry Meetings will be held:

a. Coeur d’Alene, Idaho – 1/20/09 10 a.m. PST, at Idaho Panhandle NF’s Supervisor’s Office, 3815 Schreiber Way, Grizzley Conference Room.

b. Missoula, Montana – 1/21/09 10 a.m. MST, at Missoula Technology & Development Center, 5785 West Broadway, (aka 5785 Hwy 10 West); park in back of MTDC building and follow signs to the meeting room.

c. Bozeman, Montana – 1/22/09 11 a.m. MST, at Gallatin NF Supervisor’s Office, 10 E. Babcock Room 243; Check in at front desk on 3rd floor.

Comments of prospective Offerors will be accepted until January 23rd at 4 p.m. Comments will be reviewed and if changes to the solicitation are necessary, they will be included in the amendment with the pre-proposal meeting notes.

FS-6300-44

OMB APPROVAL NO. 2700-0042

SOLICITATION, OFFER,

AND AWARD

(Construction, Alteration, or Repair)

1. SOLICITATION NO.

RFP AG-03R6-S-08-0027A

2. TYPE OF SOLICITATION

SEALED BID (IFB)

NEGOTIATED (RFP)

3. DATE ISSUED

12/31/2008

PAGE OF PAGES

1 39

IMPORTANT - The “offer” section on the reverse must be fully completed by offeror.

4. CONTRACT NO.

5. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQUEST NO.

6. PROJECT NO.

7. ISSUED BY CODE 8. ADDRESS OFFER TO

USDA, Forest Service Western Montana Acquisition Zone Building 24, Fort Missoula

USDA, Forest Service Western Montana Acquisition Zone Building 24, Fort Missoula Missoula, MT 59804

9. FOR INFORMATION

CALL:

a. NAME Sue Beron

b. TELEPHONE NO. (Include area code) (NO COLLECT CALLS)

(406) 329-3769

SOLICITATION

NOTE: In sealed bid solicitations “offer” and “offeror” mean “bid” and “bidder.”

10. THE GOVERNMENT REQUIRES PERFORMANCE OF THE WORK DESCRIBED IN THESE DOCUMENTS (Title, identifying no., date):

IDIQ for Road Construction Services Forest Service Northern Region

Northern Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, and NW Corner of South Dakota

Price Range – See Section C

11. The Contractor shall begin performance within 10 calendar days and complete it as required by the task order.

This performance period is mandatory, negotiable. (See Section F, Clause 52.211-10)

12a. THE CONTRACTOR MUST FURNISH ANY REQUIRED PERFORMANCE AND PAYMENT BONDS?

(If “YES,” indicate within how many calendar days after award in Item 12b.)

YES As required on the Task Order NO

12b. CALENDAR DAYS

13. ADDITIONAL SOLICITATION REQUIREMENTS:

a. Sealed offers in original and * copies to perform the work required are due at the place specified in Item 8 by 4:00 pm local time 2/4/2009 (date). If this is a sealed bid solicitation, offers must be publicly opened at that time. Sealed envelopes containing offers shall be marked to show the offeror’s name and address, the solicitation number, and the date and time offers are due.

b. An offer guarantee is, is not required. (If “is required” see AGAR Clause 452.228-70)

c. All offers are subject to the (1) work requirements, and (2) other provisions and clauses incorporated in the solicitation in full text or by reference.

d. Offers providing less than 90 calendar days for Government acceptance after the date offers are due will not be considered and will be rejected.

NSN 7540-01-155-3212 1442-101 STANDARD FORM 1442 (REV. 4-85)

Computer Generated Prescribed by GSA FAR (48 CFR) 53.236-1(e)

OFFER (Must be fully completed by offeror)

14. NAME AND ADDRESS OF OFFEROR (Include ZIP Code)

15. TELEPHONE NO. (Include area code)

Duns No. ____________________________

16. REMITTANCE ADDRESS (Include only if different than Item 14)

CODE FACILITY CODE

17. The offeror agrees to perform the work at the prices specified below in strict accordance with the terms of this solicitation, if this offer is accepted by the Government within calendar days after the date offers are due. (Insert any number equal to or greater than the minimum requirement stated in Item 13d. Failure to insert any number means the offeror accepts the minimum in Item 13d.)

AMOUNTS

18. The offeror agrees to furnish any required performance and payment bonds.

19. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMENDMENTS

The offeror acknowledges receipt of amendments to the solicitation -- give number and date of each

AMENDMENT NO.

DATE

20A. NAME AND TITLE OF PERSON AUTHORIZED TO SIGN OFFER

(Type or print)

20B. SIGNATURE

20C. OFFER DATE

AWARD (To be completed by Government)

21. ITEMS ACCEPTED:

22. AMOUNT 23. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

24. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN

(4 copies unless otherwise specified)

ITEM

25. OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION PURSUANT TO

10 U.S.C. 2304(c)( ) 41 U.S.C. 253(c)( )

26. ADMINISTERED BY CODE 27. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

USDA – Forest Service IDIQ CO will administer parent contracts;

Task Orders will be administered by the Contracting Officer issuing the order

Submit invoice as instructed by the Contracting Officer issuing each Task Order

CONTRACTING OFFICER WILL COMPLETE ITEM 28 OR 29 AS APPLICABLE

28. NEGOTIATED AGREEMENT (Contractor is required to sign this document and return ____ copies to issuing office.) Contractor agrees to furnish and deliver all items or perform all work requirements identified on this form and any continuation sheets for the consideration stated in this contract.

The rights and obligations of the parties to this contract shall be governed by (a) this contract award, (b) the solicitation, and (c) the clauses, representations, certifications, and specifications incorporated by reference in or attached to this contract.

29. AWARD (Contractor is not required to sign this document.) Your offer on this solicitation is hereby accepted as to the items listed. This award consummates the contract, which consists of (a) the Government solicitation and your offer, and (b) this contract award. No further contractual document is necessary.

30a. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTOR OR PERSON AUTHORIZED TO SIGN (Type or print)

31a. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

30b. SIGNATURE 30c. DATE

31b. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

BY

31c. DATE

Computer Generated STANDARD FORM 1442 BACK (REV. 4-85

AG-03R6-S-08-0027A

IDIQ Road Construction Services/Northern Region

PART I - THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES

Forest Service - Northern Region

Northern Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, and NW Corner of South Dakota

B- 1 Schedule of Items

A Schedule of Items will be provided for each Task Order issued against Contract(s) awarded under this Solicitation. Prices will be requested competitively in accordance with Ordering Process in Section H.

B- 2 Bonding

Payment for bond premiums in accordance with FAR Clause 52.232-5, Payment Under Fixed-Price Construction Contracts, shall not be in addition to the contract price. Therefore any prices offered for a Task Order shall include bonding costs in Mobilization or Overhead.

B- 3 AGAR 452.216-73 Minimum and Maximum Contract Amounts (FEB 1988) - See Section C

B- 4 Identification of Contractor’s Availability and Interest

Contracts awarded under this solicitation will cover a range of road, bridge, and culvert construction projects throughout the Northern Region. As this is a broad geographical area, the following matrix will be used to determine Contractor’s interest in competing or performing projects. Place a “check” or “Y” in the block if interested in competing for the various types of work in each area.

Note: The intent of this table is to keep mobilization costs reasonable and to streamline the competitive process in a fair manner. Proposal shall support that the Offeror has performed work in a similar geographic range in the past.

TYPE OF

WORK

NORTHERN

IDAHO

NORTHWEST

MONTANA

SOUTHWEST

MONTANA

EASTERN

MONTANA

THE

DAKOTAS

Road Bridge Culverts and Aquatic Passages

Road Decommissioning

Trail Bridges

Northern Idaho = Nez Perce, Clearwater, and Idaho Panhandle National Forests Northwestern Montana = Kootenai and Flathead National Forests Southwestern Montana = Lolo, Bitterroot, and Beaverhead-Deer Lodge National Forests Eastern Montana = Helena, Lewis and Clark, Gallatin, and Custer (Montana portion) National Forests The Dakotas = Custer (North or South Dakota portion) National Forest and the Dakota Prairie Grassland

B- 5 Ordering Officials

Any Forest Service Northern Region Contracting Officer holding a Construction Warrant is hereby authorized to issue task orders so long as the project area is within Northern Region of the Forest Service.

IDIQ Road Construction Services/Northern Region

PART IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

SECTION K - REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS, AND OTHER

STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS OR RESPONDENTS

52.223-1 Biobased Product Certification (DEC 2007) 52.223-4 Recovered Material Certification (MAY 2008)

K- 1 FAR 52.204-8 Annual Representations and Certifications (JAN 2006)

(a) (1) The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 237990 and 237310.

(2) The small business size standard is both are $33.5 Million.

(3) The small business size standard for a concern which submits an offer in its own name, other than on a construction or service contract, but which proposes to furnish a product which it did not itself manufacture, is 500 employees.

(b) (1) If the clause at 52.204-7, Central Contractor Registration, is included in this solicitation, paragraph (c) of this provision applies.

(2) If the clause at 52.204-7 is not included in this solicitation, and the offeror is currently registered in CCR, and has completed the ORCA electronically, the offeror may choose to use paragraph

(c) of this provision instead of completing the corresponding individual representations and certifications in the solicitation. The offeror shall indicate which option applies by checking one of the following boxes:

(i) Paragraph (c) applies.

(ii) Paragraph (c) does not apply and the offeror has completed the individual representations and certifications in the solicitation.

(c) The offeror has completed the annual representations and certifications electronically via the Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA) website at http://orca.bpn.gov. After reviewing the ORCA database information, the offeror verifies by submission of the offer that the representations and certifications currently posted electronically have been entered or updated within the last 12 months, are current, accurate, complete, and applicable to this solicitation (including the business size standard applicable to the NAICS code referenced for this solicitation), as of the date of this offer and are incorporated in this offer by reference (see FAR 4.1201); except for the changes identified below [offeror to insert changes, identifying change by clause number, title, date]. These amended representation(s) and/or certification(s) are also incorporated in this offer and are current, accurate, and complete as of the date of this offer.

FAR Clause # Title Date Change

Any changes provided by the offeror are applicable to this solicitation only, and do not result in an update to the representations and certifications posted on ORCA.

K- 2 FAR 52.225-9 Buy American Act--Construction Materials (JAN 2005)

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause--

"Component" means any article, material, or supply incorporated directly into construction materials.

"Construction material" means an article, material, or supply brought to the construction site by the Contractor or a subcontractor for incorporation into the building or work. The term also includes an item brought to the site preassembled from articles, materials, or supplies. However, emergency life safety systems, such as emergency lighting, fire alarm, and audio evacuation systems, that are discrete systems incorporated into a public building or work and that are produced as complete systems, are evaluated as a single and distinct construction material regardless of when or how the individual parts or components of those systems are delivered to the construction site. Materials purchased directly by the Government are supplies, not construction material.

"Cost of components" means--

(1) For components purchased by the Contractor, the acquisition cost, including transportation costs to the place of incorporation into the end product (whether or not such costs are paid to a domestic firm), and any applicable duty (whether or not a duty-free entry certificate is issued); or

(2) For components manufactured by the Contractor, all costs associated with the manufacture of the component, including transportation costs as described in paragraph (1) of this definition, plus allocable overhead costs, but excluding profit. Cost of components does not include any costs associated with the manufacture of the construction material.

"Domestic construction material" means--

(1) An unmanufactured construction material mined or produced in the United States; or

(2) A construction material manufactured in the United States, if the cost of its components mined, produced, or manufactured in the United States exceeds 50 percent of the cost of all its components.

Components of foreign origin of the same class or kind for which nonavailability determinations have been made are treated as domestic.

"Foreign construction material" means a construction material other than a domestic construction material.

"United States" means the 50 States and the District of Columbia, and outlying areas.

(b) Domestic preference.

(1) This clause implements the Buy American Act (41 U.S.C. 10a - 10d) by providing a preference for domestic construction material. The Contractor shall use only domestic construction material in performing this contract, except as provided in paragraphs (b)(2) and (b)(3) of this clause.

(2) This requirement does not apply to the construction material or components listed by the Government as follows: ___________________________________. The Contracting Officer will provide information for each Task Order.

(3) The Contracting Officer may add other foreign construction material to the list in paragraph (b)(2) of this clause if the Government determines that--

(i) The cost of domestic construction material would be unreasonable. The cost of a particular domestic construction material subject to the requirements of the Buy American Act is unreasonable when the cost of such material exceeds the cost of foreign material by more than 6 percent;

(ii) The application of the restriction of the Buy American Act to a particular construction material would be impracticable or inconsistent with the public interest; or

(iii) The construction material is not mined, produced, or manufactured in the United

States in sufficient and reasonably available commercial quantities of a satisfactory quality.

(c) Request for determination of inapplicability of the Buy American Act.

(1) (i) Any Contractor request to use foreign construction material in accordance with paragraph (b)(3) of this clause shall include adequate information for Government evaluation of the request, including--

(A) A description of the foreign and domestic construction materials;

(B) Unit of measure;

(C) Quantity;

(D) Price;

(E) Time of delivery or availability;

(F) Location of the construction project;

(G) Name and address of the proposed supplier; and

(H) A detailed justification of the reason for use of foreign construction materials cited in accordance with paragraph (b)(3) of this clause.

(ii) A request based on unreasonable cost shall include a reasonable survey of the market and a completed price comparison table in the format in paragraph (d) of this clause.

(iii) The price of construction material shall include all delivery costs to the construction site and any applicable duty (whether or not a duty-free certificate may be issued).

(iv) Any Contractor request for a determination submitted after contract award shall explain why the Contractor could not reasonably foresee the need for such determination and could not have requested the determination before contract award. If the Contractor does not submit a satisfactory explanation, the Contracting Officer need not make a determination.

(2) If the Government determines after contract award that an exception to the Buy American Act applies and the Contracting Officer and the Contractor negotiate adequate consideration, the Contracting Officer will modify the contract to allow use of the foreign construction material. However, when the basis for the exception is the unreasonable price of a domestic construction material, adequate consideration is not less than the differential established in paragraph (b)(3)(i) of this clause.

(3) Unless the Government determines that an exception to the Buy American Act applies, use of foreign construction material is noncompliant with the Buy American Act.

(d) Data. To permit evaluation of requests under paragraph (c) of this clause based on unreasonable cost, the Contractor shall include the following information and any applicable supporting data based on the survey of suppliers:

Foreign and Domestic Construction Materials Price Comparison

Construction Material Description Unit of Measure Quantity Price (Dollars)*

Item 1:

Foreign construction material _______ _______ _______

Domestic construction material _______ _______ _______

Item 2: _______ _______ _______

Foreign construction material _______ _______ _______

Domestic construction material

[List name, address, telephone number, and contact for suppliers surveyed. Attach copy of response; if oral, attach summary.] [Include other applicable supporting information.] [* Include all delivery costs to the construction site and any applicable duty (whether or not a duty-free entry certificate is issued).]

SECTION L - INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS AND

RESPONDENTS

52.215-1 Instructions to Offerors—Competitive Acquisition (JAN 2004) 52.216-27 Single or Multiple Awards (OCT 1995)

L- 1 AGAR 452.204-70 Inquiries (FEB 1988)

Inquiries and all correspondence concerning this solicitation should be submitted in writing to the Contracting Officer. Offerors should contact only the Contracting Officer issuing the solicitation about any aspect of this requirement prior to contract award.

L- 2 AGAR 452.215-71 Instructions for the Preparation of Technical and Business Proposals

(SEP 1999)

(a) General Instructions. Proposals submitted in response to this solicitation shall be furnished in the following format with the numbers of copies as specified below.

(1) The proposal must include a technical and business proposal. Each of the parts shall be separate and complete so that evaluation of one may be accomplished independently from evaluation of the other.

The technical proposal must not contain reference to cost; however, resource information (such as data concerning labor hours and categories, materials, subcontracts, etc.) must be contained in the technical proposal so that the contractor's understanding of the statement of work may be evaluated.

(2) Offerors may, at their discretion, submit alternate proposals or proposals which deviate from the requirement; provided, that an offeror also submit a proposal for performance of the work as specified in the statement of work. Any "alternate" proposal may be considered if overall performance would be improved or not compromised, and if it is in the best interest of the Government. Alternate proposals, or deviations from any requirement of this RFP, must be clearly identified.

(3) The Government will evaluate proposals in accordance with the evaluation criteria set forth in Section M of this RFP.

(4) Offerors shall submit their proposal(s) in the following format and the quantities specified:

(i) 1 copy of the completed, signed offer (Sections A through K of the solicitation package).

(ii) 3 copies of the technical proposal.

(iii) 1 copy of the business/cost proposal.

TECHNICAL EVALUATION (35%)

• Company Experience (15%): Provide a listing of all relevant contracts currently in process or completed during the past 5 years of work. Referenced project should be of similar type, size and scope as outlined in the Scope of Work. Describe the contract work and identify key personnel that performed the contract. Include contract number, Contracting Officer or customer name, contact person and phone number, contract amount, and subcontractors used (if any).

• Company Resources (10%): Provide information for company resources that will be used for the satisfactory performance of the work as outlined in the Scope of Work.

o Key personnel listed in Section H: Identify name, title or role, of key personnel that will work on projects awarded under the contract(s). Provide qualifications of individuals including special education, experience, training, certifications, etc.

o Equipment: Identify equipment that is available including type, size, specialized accessories, etc.

o Potential subcontractors and material suppliers: List types of work that will be subcontracted and potential subcontractors (including any engineering or testing subcontractors). List commonly used supply sources for culverts, steel, concrete, pre-stressed concrete members, timber, or other major supply items.

o Organizational Structure and Contract Management: Describe the organizational structure and contract management to be used to manage the overall implementation of the contract with multiple on-going task orders including major material suppliers and subcontractors.

• Knowledge and Understanding of Geographical Area (10%): Identify the location of the company and geographic range of past work and the company’s ability to respond to task orders of the various National Forests in the Northern Region in a timely, cost-effective manner. Describe company’s general knowledge of the geographical area of the Northern Region of the Forest Service and demonstrated knowledge of potential work conditions, construction methods, materials, suppliers, access, etc.

BUSINESS EVALUATION (35%)

• Example Project outlined in the attached plans and specifications (Attachment B) (25%).

• Use the assumptions provided on the drawings to prepare:

o Technical Approach: Prepare an outline and schedule describing how the example project would be completed.

o Price Proposal: Prepare a price proposal for the schedule of items of the example project.

• Socio-economic Status of Company (5%): Provide documentation of business qualifications under HUBZone, 8(a), SDVOB, or other Small Business. If Offeror is a joint venture, documentation must be on the joint venture not on the separate companies in the joint venture.

• Capacity (5%): Construction projects over $30,000 require a payment bond or alternative payment protection; projects over $100,000 require both payment and performance bonds.

Bonds are held throughout the warranty period which is normally 1 year after acceptance of work. Provide the available per-project and aggregate bonding capacity.

• Offer from Large Business Only (not part of evaluation): If a large business is considered for an award, the Contracting Officer will request a formal Subcontracting Plan be provided before award. This Plan shall comply with all elements of FAR 52.219-9 Small Business Subcontracting Plan, and be acceptable to the Contracting Officer before award is made.

PAST PERFORMANCE (30%)

Satisfactory Past Performance will be evaluated by Government contacting a sample of customers from the listing of past projects under Company Experience; review of Past Performance surveys received; and any other source available.

Offeror shall prepare and send Past Performance Survey Forms to previous customers. Include the name of your company at the top of each page and the cover letter provided in Attachment A.

Confidentiality is critical so all surveys shall be marked “Source Selection Sensitive” and are to be returned by email directly to the Contracting Officer no later than February 4, 2009.

Past Performance will be evaluated to respective of quality of services timeliness of performance;

management and business relations with previous customers; customer satisfaction; cost control;

oversight of project including subcontractors, and suppliers; and compliance with contract requirements, labor, and safety standards.

If the Offeror’s business has re-organized with the same management in place, Past Performance from the old business may be used. In the case where an Offeror’s business is new so the business does not have a Past Performance record, they will not be evaluated either favorably or unfavorably but will receive a neutral rating.

L- 3 AGAR 452.215-72 Amendments To Proposals (FEB 1988)

Any changes to a proposal made by the offeror after its initial submittal shall be accomplished by replacement pages. Changes from the original page shall be indicated on the outside margin by vertical lines adjacent to the change. The offeror shall include the date of the amendment on the lower right corner of the changed pages.

L- 4 FAR 52.216-1 Type of Contract (APR 1984)

The Government contemplates award of Firm Fixed Price contracts resulting from this solicitation.

L- 5 FAR 52.233-2 Service of Protest (SEPT 2006)

(a) Protests, as defined in section 33.101 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation, that are filed directly with an agency, and copies of any protests that are filed with the Government Accountability Office (GAO), shall be served on the Contracting Officer (addressed as follows) by obtaining written and dated acknowledgment of receipt from Contracting Officer, Western Montana Acquisition Zone, Building 24, Fort Missoula, Missoula, Montana 59804.

(b) The copy of any protest shall be received in the office designated above within one day of filing a protest with the GAO.

L- 6 FAR 52.236-28 Preparation of Proposals--Construction (OCT 1997)

(a) Proposals must be (1) submitted on the forms furnished by the Government or on copies of those forms;

and (2) manually signed. The person signing a proposal must initial each erasure or change appearing on any proposal form.

(b) The proposal form may require offerors to submit proposed prices for one or more items on various bases, including--

(1) Lump sum price;

(2) Alternate prices;

(3) Units of construction; or

(4) Any combination of paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(3) of this provision.

(c) If the solicitation requires submission of a proposal on all items, failure to do so may result in the proposal being rejected without further consideration. If a proposal on all items is not required, offerors should insert the words "no proposal" in the space provided for any item on which no price is submitted.

(d) Alternate proposals will not be considered unless this solicitation authorizes their submission.

L- 7 AGAR 452.237-71 Pre-Bid/Pre-Proposal Conference (FEB 1988)

(a) The Government is planning a pre-bid/pre-proposal conference, during which potential Offerors may obtain a better understanding of the work required.

(b) Offerors are encouraged to submit all questions in writing at least five (5) days prior to the conference.

Questions will be considered at any time prior to or during the conference. However, Offerors will be asked to confirm verbal questions in writing. Subsequent to the conference, an amendment to the solicitation containing an abstract of the questions and answers, and a list of attendees, will be disseminated.

(c) In order to facilitate conference preparations, it is requested that the person named on the Standard Form 33 of this solicitation be contacted and advised of the number of persons who will attend.

(d) The Government assumes no responsibility for any expense incurred by an Offeror prior to contract award.

(e) Offerors are cautioned that, notwithstanding any remarks or clarifications given at the conference, all terms and conditions of the solicitation remain unchanged unless they are changed by amendment to the solicitation. If the answers to conference questions, or any solicitation amendment, create ambiguities, it is the responsibility of the offeror to seek clarification prior to submitting an offer.

(f) The conference will be held:

City, State: Coeur d’Alene, Idaho Date: 1/20/09 Time: 10 a.m. PST Location: Idaho Panhandle NF’s Supervisor’s Office, 3815 Schreiber Way, Grizzley Conference Room.

City, State: Missoula, Montana Date: 1/21/09 Time: 10 a.m. MST Location: Missoula Technology & Development Center, 5785 West Broadway, (aka 5785 Hwy 10 West); park in back of building and follow signs to the meeting room.

City, State: Bozeman, Montana Date: 1/22/09 Time: 11 a.m. MST Location: Gallatin NF Supervisor’s Office, 10 E. Babcock Room 243; Check in at front desk on 3rd floor.

SECTION M - EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

M- 1 Evaluation Criteria

TECHNICAL EVALUATION (35%)

• Company Experience (15%)

• Company Resources (10%)

• Knowledge and Understanding of Geographical Area (10%)

BUSINESS EVALUATION (35%)

• Technical Approach and Price Proposal on Example Project outlined in the attached plans and specifications (Attachment B) (25%).

• Socio-economic Status of Company (5%)

• Capacity (5%) Per-project and aggregate bonding capacity.

• Offer from Large Business Only (not part of evaluation): If a large business is considered for an award, the Contracting Officer will request a formal Subcontracting Plan be provided before award. The Plan may be provided hard copy on SF-295 or submitted electronically from https://esrs.symplicity.com/.

o This Plan shall comply with all elements of FAR 52.219-9 Small Business Subcontracting Plan, and be acceptable to the Contracting Officer before award is made. Acceptable will be a Plan that demonstrates local small businesses will be utilized and clearly shows how experienced local small businesses will be selected.

PAST PERFORMANCE (30%)

Satisfactory Past Performance will be evaluated by Government contacting a sample of customers from the listing of past projects under Company Experience; review of Past Performance surveys received; and any other source available.

Offeror shall prepare and send Past Performance Survey Forms to previous customers. Include the name of your company at the top of each page and the cover letter provided in Attachment A.

Confidentiality is critical so all surveys shall be marked “Source Selection Sensitive” and are to be returned by email directly to the Contracting Officer no later than February 4, 2009.

M- 2 Award Statement

Basis of Award

The Government intends to evaluate proposals and award multiple contracts without discussions with Offerors (except for clarification as described in FAR 15.306(a)). Proposals should be submitted initially on the most favorable terms, from a business and technical standpoint. In determining the number of awards the Government will consider the ranking of offers and the location of businesses. Technical portion of the proposal is slightly more important than Past Performance and when combined, they are approximately twice as important as the Business Proposal.

M- 3 FAR 52.217-3 Evaluation Exclusive of Options (APR 1984)

The Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by including only the price for the basic requirement; i.e., options will not be included in the evaluation for award purposes.

https://esrs.symplicity.com/

SECTION L - INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS AND RESPONDENTS