Return_Doc_StreamSurvey2014.doc

SERVICE RFP

AG-04N7-S-14-0017

Rogue River-Siskiyou N.F.

RETURN DOCUMENT

Stream Surveys (Level II)

679953

8. ADDRESS OFFER TO (If other than Item 7)

USDA Forest Service Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest

3040 Biddle Road

Medford, OR 97504-4119

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

SOLICITATION

(Hour)

(Date)

CAUTION - LATE Submissions, Modifications, and Withdrawals: See Section L, Provision No. 52.214-7 or 52.215-1. All offers are subject to all terms and conditions contained in this solicitation.

Steve Brazier – Technical Contact 541-618-2018 541-471-6766 mgiuliani@fs.fed.us sbrazier@fs.fed.us

11. TABLE OF CONTENTS

OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

OFFER (Must be fully completed by offeror)

NOTE: Item 12 does not apply if the solicitation includes the provisions at 52.214-16, Minimum Bid Acceptance Period.

12. In compliance with the above, the undersigned agrees, if this offer is accepted within calendar days (60 calendar days unless a different period is inserted by the offeror) from the date for receipt of offers specified above, to furnish any or all items upon which prices are offered at the price set opposite each item, delivered at the designated point(s), within the time specified in the schedule.

(See Section I, Clause No. 52-232-8)

(The offeror acknowledges receipt of amend-ments to the SOLICITATION for offerors and related documents numbered and dated):

15A.

NAME AND ADDRESS

OF OFFEROR

CODE

FACILITY

OFFER (Type or Print)

15B. TELEPHONE NO. (Include area code and extension)

18. OFFER DATE

IS DIFFERENT FROM ABOVE - ENTER

FORMCHECKBOX

SUCH ADDRESS IN SCHEDULE.

AWARD (To be completed by Government)

22. AUTHORITY FOR USING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

FORMCHECKBOX

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

FORMCHECKBOX

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

IVOICE PROCESSING PLATFORM (IPP)

All Invoices must be submitted electronically through the IPP via www.ipp.gov

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

IMPORTANT - Award will be made on this Form, or on Standard Form 26, or by other authorized official written notice.

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

STANDARD FORM 33 (REV.9-97)

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.214(c)

PART I—THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B--SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

SCHEDULE OF ITEMS

STREAM SURVEYS Level II)

ROGUE RIVER-SISKIYOU NATIONAL FOREST AND UMPQUA NATIONAL FOREST

This is a three-year Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) type contract for stream, snorkel and spawning surveys. Offers shall be submitted for items as listed below. Offeror shall submit an offer based on the estimated quantity specified for all items.

Estimated

Unit

Total

Item Survey Type Quantity Unit Price Amount _ Stream Survey 100 Miles Snorkel Survey Miles $___________ Spawning Survey Miles $___________

TOTAL AMOUNT ALL ITEMS $ ___________________

ESTIMATED START WORK DATE: June 2014

AGAR 452.216-73 Minimum and Maximum Contract Amounts (FEB 1988) During the period specified in FAR clause 52.216-18, ORDERING, the Government shall place orders totaling a minimum of 10 miles , but not in excess of 500 miles .

The minimum quantity of services to be ordered under the contract is 10 miles in any combination of the items.

The maximum quantity of services to be ordered under the contract is 500 miles in any combination of the items over a 3 year period.

REFER TO SECTION I, CLAUSES 52.216-18 ORDERING AND 52.216-19 ORDER LIMITATIONS, AND CLAUSE 52.216-22 INDEFINITE QUANTITY.

ISSUANCE OF TASK ORDERS

All work will be ordered by TASK ORDERS. Concurrent Task Orders may be issued. Orders may be issued verbally, by facsimile, by email or by mail via the US Postal Service. Orders issued verbally shall be followed up in writing. (See Section G-3 – Ordering)

A Sample Task Order (Section J, Exhibit 1) is provided for illustration purposes only.

DUNS NUMBER: ________________________________________________________

TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (TIN): _____________________________________________

EMAIL ADDRESS: _______________________________________________________

NOTES:

1) Offerors MUST register in the System for Award management (SAM) data base – See FAR 52.204-7 and Annual Representations and Certifications Applications – See FAR clause 52.204-8. These are now consolidated at the following site: https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/

2) Contractors must register with VETS-100 for contracts awarded in excess of $100,000. (http://www.dol.gov/vets/vets-100.html ) See also FAR 52.222-37 Employment Reports on Veterans (Incorporated by reference in Section I) and K-10- FAR 52.222.38 - Compliance with Veterans Employment Requirements (SEP 2010) 3) ELECTRONIC OFFERS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. An offer that is emailed to a government account will be rejected.

4) FAX OFFERS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

5) This is not a public bid opening. All offers submitted are considered confidential. The name of the contractor and the amount of the contract will be disclosed only after an award has been made.

6) Proposal Submission Documents: See Section L for a list of required Proposal Submission Documents and other instructions

7) Offers should be mailed or hand delivered to:

Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, Attn: Maggie Giuliani - Contracting

3040 Biddle Road

Medford, OR 97504

Include the following on the sealed envelope:

RFP Number: AG-04N7-S-14-0017

Name of Project: Stream Surveys– Rogue River-Siskiyou NF

PART IV--REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

SECTION K--REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS, AND

OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS OR RESPONDENTS

K-1

AGAR 452.219-70 SIZE STANDARD AND NAICS CODE INFORMATION (JANUARY 2005)

The North American Industrial classification System Code(s) and business size standard(s) describing the products and/or services to be acquired under this solicitation are listed below:

Contract line item(s):

All

--NAICS Code

115310

--Size Standard

$7.0 million

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.

K-2

52.204-8 ANNUAL REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS (JAN 2014)

(a)(1) The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 115310.

(2) The small business size standard is 7.0 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 provision at 52.204-7, System for Award Management, is included in this solicitation, paragraph (d) of this provision applies.

(2) If the provision at 52.204-7 is not included in this solicitation, and the offeror is currently registered in the System for Award Management (SAM), and has completed the Representations and Certifications section of SAM electronically, the offeror may choose to use paragraph (d) 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 (d) applies.

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

(d) The offeror has completed the annual representations and certifications electronically via the SAM website accessed through https://www.acquisition.gov. After reviewing the SAM database information, the offeror verifies by submission of the offer that the representations and certifications currently posted electronically that apply to this solicitation as indicated in paragraph (c) of this provision 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 SAM.

(End of provision)

K-3 52.203-2 Certificate of Independent Price Determination (Apr 1985)

(a) The offeror certifies that—

(1) The prices in this offer have been arrived at independently, without, for the purpose of restricting competition, any consultation, communication, or agreement with any other offeror or competitor relating to—

(i) Those prices;

(ii) The intention to submit an offer; or

(iii) The methods or factors used to calculate the prices offered.

(2) The prices in this offer have not been and will not be knowingly disclosed by the offeror, directly or indirectly, to any other offeror or competitor before bid opening (in the case of a sealed bid solicitation) or contract award (in the case of a negotiated solicitation) unless otherwise required by law; and

(3) No attempt has been made or will be made by the offeror to induce any other concern to submit or not to submit an offer for the purpose of restricting competition.

(b) Each signature on the offer is considered to be a certification by the signatory that the signatory—

(1) Is the person in the offeror’s organization responsible for determining the prices being offered in this bid or proposal, and that the signatory has not participated and will not participate in any action contrary to paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(3) of this provision; or

(2)(i) Has been authorized, in writing, to act as agent for the following principals in certifying that those principals have not participated, and will not participate in any action contrary to paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(3) of this provision ____________________ [insert full name of person(s) in the offeror’s organization responsible for determining the prices offered in this bid or proposal, and the title of his or her position in the offeror’s organization];

(ii) As an authorized agent, does certify that the principals named in subdivision (b)(2)(i) of this provision have not participated, and will not participate, in any action contrary to paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(3) of this provision; and

(iii) As an agent, has not personally participated, and will not participate, in any action contrary to paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(3) of this provision.

(c) If the offeror deletes or modifies paragraph (a)(2) of this provision, the offeror must furnish with its offer a signed statement setting forth in detail the circumstances of the disclosure.

K-4 52.209-5 - Information Regarding Responsibility Matters (Jul 2013)

(a) Definitions. As used in this provision—

“Administrative proceeding” means a non-judicial process that is adjudicatory in nature in order to make a determination of fault or liability (e.g., Securities and Exchange Commission Administrative Proceedings, Civilian Board of Contract Appeals Proceedings, and Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals Proceedings). This includes administrative proceedings at the Federal and State level but only in connection with performance of a Federal contract or grant. It does not include agency actions such as contract audits, site visits, corrective plans, or inspection of deliverables.

“Federal contracts and grants with total value greater than $10,000,000” means—

(1) The total value of all current, active contracts and grants, including all priced options; and

(2) The total value of all current, active orders including all priced options under indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity, 8(a), or requirements contracts (including task and delivery and multiple-award Schedules).

“Principal” means an officer, director, owner, partner, or a person having primary management or supervisory responsibilities within a business entity (e.g., general manager; plant manager; head of a division or business segment; and similar positions).

(b) The offeror [ ] has [ ] does not have current active Federal contracts and grants with total value greater than $10,000,000.

(c) If the offeror checked “has” in paragraph (b) of this provision, the offeror represents, by submission of this offer, that the information it has entered in the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS) is current, accurate, and complete as of the date of submission of this offer with regard to the following information:

(1) Whether the offeror, and/or any of its principals, has or has not, within the last five years, in connection with the award to or performance by the offeror of a Federal contract or grant, been the subject of a proceeding, at the Federal or State level that resulted in any of the following dispositions:

(i) In a criminal proceeding, a conviction.

(ii) In a civil proceeding, a finding of fault and liability that results in the payment of a monetary fine, penalty, reimbursement, restitution, or damages of $5,000 or more.

(iii) In an administrative proceeding, a finding of fault and liability that results in—

(A) The payment of a monetary fine or penalty of $5,000 or more; or

(B) The payment of a reimbursement, restitution, or damages in excess of $100,000.

(iv) In a criminal, civil, or administrative proceeding, a disposition of the matter by consent or compromise with an acknowledgment of fault by the Contractor if the proceeding could have led to any of the outcomes specified in paragraphs (c)(1)(i), (c)(1)(ii), or (c)(1)(iii) of this provision.

(2) If the offeror has been involved in the last five years in any of the occurrences listed in (c)(1) of this provision, whether the offeror has provided the requested information with regard to each occurrence.

(d) The offeror shall post the information in paragraphs (c)(1)(i) through (c)(1)(iv) of this provision in FAPIIS as required through maintaining an active registration in the System for Award Management database via https://www.acquisition.gov (see 52.204-7).

(End of provision)

K-5 FAR 52.219-2 Post-Award Small Business Program Representation (Jul 2013)

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause—

Long-term contract means a contract of more than five years in duration, including options. However, the term does not include contracts that exceed five years in duration because the period of performance has been extended for a cumulative period not to exceed six months under the clause at 52.217-8, Option to Extend Services, or other appropriate authority.

Small business concern means a concern, including its affiliates, that is independently owned and operated, not dominant in the field of operation in which it is bidding on Government contracts, and qualified as a small business under the criteria in 13 CFR part 121 and the size standard in paragraph (c) of this clause. Such a concern is “not dominant in its field of operation” when it does not exercise a controlling or major influence on a national basis in a kind of business activity in which a number of business concerns are primarily engaged. In determining whether dominance exists, consideration shall be given to all appropriate factors, including volume of business, number of employees, financial resources, competitive status or position, ownership or control of materials, processes, patents, license agreements, facilities, sales territory, and nature of business activity.

(b) If the Contractor represented that it was a small business concern prior to award of this contract, the Contractor shall rerepresent its size status according to paragraph (e) of this clause or, if applicable, paragraph (g) of this clause, upon the occurrence of any of the following:

(1) Within 30 days after execution of a novation agreement or within 30 days after modification of the contract to include this clause, if the novation agreement was executed prior to inclusion of this clause in the contract.

(2) Within 30 days after a merger or acquisition that does not require a novation or within 30 days after modification of the contract to include this clause, if the merger or acquisition occurred prior to inclusion of this clause in the contract.

(3) For long-term contracts—

(i) Within 60 to 120 days prior to the end of the fifth year of the contract; and

(ii) Within 60 to 120 days prior to the date specified in the contract for exercising any option thereafter.

(c) The Contractor shall rerepresent its size status in accordance with the size standard in effect at the time of this rerepresentation that corresponds to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code assigned to this contract. The small business size standard corresponding to this NAICS code can be found at http://www.sba.gov/content/table-small-business-size-standards.

(d) The small business size standard for a Contractor providing a product which it does not manufacture itself, for a contract other than a construction or service contract, is 500 employees.

(e) Except as provided in paragraph (g) of this clause, the Contractor shall make the representation required by paragraph (b) of this clause by validating or updating all its representations in the Representations and Certifications section of the System for Award Management (SAM) and its other data in SAM, as necessary, to ensure that they reflect the Contractor's current status. The Contractor shall notify the contracting office in writing within the timeframes specified in paragraph (b) of this clause that the data have been validated or updated, and provide the date of the validation or update.

(f) If the Contractor represented that it was other than a small business concern prior to award of this contract, the Contractor may, but is not required to, take the actions required by paragraphs (e) or (g) of this clause.

(g) If the Contractor does not have representations and certifications in SAM, or does not have a representation in SAM for the NAICS code applicable to this contract, the Contractor is required to complete the following rerepresentation and submit it to the contracting office, along with the contract number and the date on which the rerepresentation was completed:

The Contractor represents that it o is, o is not a small business concern under NAICS Code ______________ assigned to contract number ______________.

[Contractor to sign and date and insert authorized signer’s name and title].

(End of clause)

K-6

GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, FORMER USDA EMPLOYEES, AND USDA RETIREES

The offeror/quoter represents and certifies that--

A. It |__| is, |__| is not a current Federal Government employee.

B. It |__| is, |__| is not a former USDA employee.

C. It |__| is |__| is not a retired USDA employee. If retired, give date of retirement:_________.

D. It |__| is, |__| is not related by blood or marriage to a current Forest Service employee. If so, list employee's name and location: _____________________________________________.

E. It |__| is, |__| is not substantially owned or controlled by a former USDA employee or retiree.

K-7 52.223-1 Biobased Product Certification. (May 2012)

As required by the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 and the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (7 U.S.C. 8102(c)(3)), the offeror certifies, by signing this offer, that biobased products (within categories of products listed by the United States Department of Agriculture in 7 CFR part 3201, subpart B) to be used or delivered in the performance of the contract, other than biobased products that are not purchased by the offeror as a direct result of this contract, will comply with the applicable specifications or other contractual requirements.

K-8

AGAR 452.209 – 70 REPRESENTATION BY CORPORATIONS REGARDING AN UNPAID DELINQUENT TAX LIABILITY OR A FELONY CONVICTION (DEVIATION 2012-01) (FEB 2012)Alternate 1 (Feb 2012).

(a.) Awards made under this solicitation are subject to the provisions contained in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012 (P.L. No. 112-74), Division E, Sections 433 and 434 regarding corporate felony convictions and corporate federal tax delinquencies. To comply with these provisions, all offerors must complete paragraph (1) of this representation, and all corporate offerors also must complete paragraphs (2) and (3) of this representation.

(b) The Offeror represents that –

(1) The Offeror is [ ], is not [ ] (check one) an entity that has filed articles of incorporation in one of the fifty states, the District of Columbia, or the various territories of the United States including American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Midway Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Republic of Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands. (Note that this includes both for-profit and non-profit organizations.)

If the Offeror checked “is” above, the Offeror must complete paragraphs (2) and (3) of the representation. If Offeror checked “is not” above, Offeror may leave the remainder of the representation blank.

(2) (i) The Offeror has [ ], has not [ ] (check one) been convicted of a felony criminal violation under Federal or State law in the 24 months preceding the date of offer.

(ii) Offeror has [ ], has not [ ] (check one) had any officer or agent of Offeror convicted of a felony criminal violation for actions taken on behalf of Offeror under Federal law in the 24 months preceding the date of offer.

(3) The Offeror does [ ], does not [ ] (check one) have any unpaid Federal tax liability that has been assessed, for which all judicial and administrative remedies have been exhausted or have lapsed, and that is not being paid in a timely manner pursuant to an agreement with the authority responsible for collecting the tax liability.

K-9 FAR 52.252-6 Authorized Deviations in Clauses (APR 1984)

(a) The use in this solicitation of any Federal Acquisition Regulation (48 CFR Chapter 1) provision with an authorized deviation is indicated by the addition of “(DEVIATION)” after the date of the provision.

(b) The use in this solicitation of any Agriculture’s Acquisition Regularion (48 CFR Chapter 4) provision with an authorized deviation is indicated by the addition of “(DEVIATION)” after the name of the regulation.

(End of Provision)

K-10 FAR 52.222.38 - Compliance with Veterans Employment Requirements (SEP 2010)

By

By submission of its offer, the offeror represents that, if it is subject to the reporting requirements of

38 U.S.C. 4212(d) (i.e., if it has any contract containing Federal Acquisition Regulation clause 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Veterans, it has submitted the most recent VETS-100A Report required by that clause.

(End of provision)

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

FAR 52.252-1 Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference (FEB 1998) This solicitation incorporates one or more solicitation provisions by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. The offeror is cautioned that the listed provisions may include blocks that must be completed by the offeror and submitted with its quotation or offer. In lieu of submitting the full text of those provisions, the offeror may identify the provision by paragraph identifier and provide the appropriate information with its quotation or offer. Also, the full text of a solicitation provision may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es):

www.arnet.gov/far/ www.usda.gov/procurement/policy/agar.html

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR CHAPTER 1)

52.204-6 Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) (JUL 2013) 52.215-1 Instructions to Offerors--Competitive Acquisition (JAN 2004) 52.237-1 Site Visit (APR 1984)

AGRICULTURE ACQUISITION REGULATIONS (48 CFR CHAPTER 4) CLAUSES

452.204-70 Inquiries (FEB 1988)

L-1 452.215-72 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-2 FAR 52.216-1 Type of Contract (APR 1984) The Government contemplates award of an IDIQ firm- fixed price contract resulting from this solicitation.

L-3 FAR 52.233-2 Service of Protest (SEP 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 Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, 3040 Biddle Road, Medford, OR 97504-4119.

(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-4 Instruction for the Preparation of Technical and Business Proposals

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

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

(a) 1 copy of the completed, signed offer, SF 33 (Sections A through K of the solicitation return package)

(b) 1 copy of the technical proposal

(c) 1 copy of the business/cost proposal – Section B –Schedule-Prices*

*A firm’s completion and submission of SF—33, Section B – Schedule of Items constitutes the fulfillment of the Government’s price proposal requirements under this solicitation.

(b) Technical Proposal Instructions. The technical proposal will be used to make an evaluation and arrive at a determination as to whether the proposal will meet the requirements of the Government. Therefore, the technical proposal must present sufficient information to reflect a thorough understanding of the requirements and a detailed, description of the techniques, procedures and program for achieving the objectives of the specifications/statement of work. Proposals which merely paraphrase the requirements of the Government's specifications/statement of work, or use such phrases as "will comply" or "standard techniques will be employed" will be considered unacceptable and will not be considered further. As a minimum, the proposal must clearly address the criteria outlined in Section M-2.

Copies of company literature or other information can be attached if appropriate. Unnecessarily elaborate submissions are neither required nor desired, however, you must make sure your response addresses all of the elements cited in Section M-2.

L-5 Proposal submission Documents In summary, the following proposal documents must be submitted:

· Return packet – SF33 [complete ‘Offer’ blocks and provide an original signature of an authorized company representative in block 17]

· Return packet -Section K – Certifications and Representations

· Section B - Prices [include DUNS number, TIN, and Email]

· Technical Proposal [see Section M]

SECTION M--EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

452.216-72 Evaluation Quantities--Indefinite Delivery Contract. (FEB 1988)

To evaluate offers for award purposes, the Government will apply the offeror's proposed fixed-prices/rates to the estimated quantities included in the solicitation, and will add other direct costs if applicable.

(End of Provision)

M-1

AWARD DETERMINATION

Award will be made to that offeror (1) whose proposal is technically acceptable and (2) whose technical/cost relationship is the most advantageous to the Government. While cost is secondary to technical, it will be a factor in the award decision. The critical factor in making any cost/technical trade-off is not the spread between the technical scores, but rather what is the significance of that difference. The significance of the spread in scores will be determined on the basis of what that difference might mean in terms of performance and what it would cost the Government to take advantage of it. Awards may not necessarily be made to that offeror submitting the lowest offer. Also, award may not necessarily be made for technical capabilities that would appear to exceed those needed for the successful performance of the work. The Government reserves the right to make cost/technical trade-offs that are in the best interest and to the advantage of the Government.

Proposals will be rated to determine those offerors which are within the competitive range, price and other factors considered. Proposals should be submitted initially on the most favorable terms which the offeror can make to the Government. The Government reserves the right to reject any or all proposals or to make award without conducting discussions. Discussions (oral or written) may be conducted as appropriate with all offerors considered to be within the competitive range. For the purpose of this solicitation, discussion shall not be considered to have been initiated where the Government requests additional information supplementing or clarifying a proposal without materially changing it. Discussion shall be considered to be open negotiation with an offeror for the purpose of modifying or materially changing the proposal as submitted. Where discussions are held with one offeror within the competitive range, they will be held with all offerors within the competitive range.

Each proposal received will be carefully considered and all information submitted will be kept in strict confidence within legal constraints. This request for proposals does not commit the Government to pay any costs incurred in the preparation of the submission of proposals.

M-2

EVALUATION FACTORS

Each offeror’s technical and cost proposal will be evaluated according to the criteria specified in Section M, as outlined below. Evaluation of past performance will be conducted in accordance with FAR Subpart 15.3. The proposal evaluation will be weighted and scored as follows, based on a 50-point scale.

Proposals shall be prepared in accordance with the general instructions shown in Section L, Instructions for Preparation of Proposals, and as described below.

Offerors shall submit information sufficient to evaluate the proposals based on the criteria listed. Failure to provide information required in order to evaluate proposals may result in rejection of proposals without further discussion.

Offerors shall submit their proposals organized in a manner corresponding to the criteria listed. The relative importance of the evaluation criteria is indicated by the number of points.

B.

SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS

1.

Section A 15 Points - Past Performance * Resume of the background of the firm or company. This should include its qualifications to complete the type of work described. A description of work experience of a similar nature (previously completed or in progress) should be included, covering the past 5 years. Information on past performance should be furnished, including past or current contracts similar to this Solicitation. Absence of past performance information will result in neither a favorable nor unfavorable evaluation on this factor.

*The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has authorized Federal Agencies to collect past performance information under OMB clearance number 9000-0142.

2.

Section B 15 Points - Experience of Firm/Key Personnel Name(s) and specific qualifications of persons(s) assigned by the firm to supervise the project (or portions thereof). Describe responsibilities, experience, education and minimum requirements of crew leaders and stream surveyors.

3.

Section C 20 Points - Ability to Perform the Work A description of the approach proposed by the Offeror to fulfill the work requirements described. This should include a schedule of operations, time and personnel required to complete this project in accordance to referenced protocol and time requirements. In addition the offeror shall develop, maintain and submit a Quality Control Plan delineating the Contractor's quality control program/inspection system to monitor and control their performance of services required in order to meet the work statement/protocol.

M-3

EVALUATION CRITERIA

These criteria are arranged in order of importance with A being the least important and C being the most important.

A.

Section A

Experience and past performance of the firm, and the qualifications (expertise, manpower, etc.) to complete the project described.

B.

Section B (See attached stream surveyor credentials/qualifications) Educational and pertinent related work experience for person(s) assigned to supervise the project and phases thereof.

C.

Section C Realism of planning and scheduling to assure quality performance and timely completion of the total contract. Include quality control plan.

M-4

SCORING OF EVALUATION CRITERIA

The various evaluation criteria elements will be scored through the application of the following ratings.

(45+) Excellent

(35-44) Good

(25-34) Fair

(0-24) Poor M-5

COST/PRICE EVALUATION CRITERIA

A.

This criteria will include consideration of cost provided to support item prices entered in Schedule of Items, Section B. It is the Government's intent to assess the price/cost breakdown to determine reasonableness and the offeror's understanding of the work and ability to perform the contract.

B.

No weight will be applied to price. Cost is approximately equal in importance to technical evaluation factors; however, the importance of cost may become greater as the differences between technical proposal scoring decreases. Where technical proposals are determined to be substantially the same, cost may control award.

C.

The cost and business proposal must be clear, complete, and accurate to allow the Government to conduct a proper evaluation of the proposed costs.

SECTION M - ATTACHMENT

STREAM SURVEYOR CREDENTIALS/QUALIFICATIONS

Project Leader, Supervisor:

Responsibility: Writes and reviews final reports, evaluates the data, is ultimately responsible for the performance of the survey crew and Minimum requirements:

A bachelor's degree in fisheries biology or related field.

-- and --

One year/season of stream survey experience.

-- or --

Three seasons of specialized experience directly related to stream survey or fish habitat evaluation which has provided knowledge equivalent to above requirements.

Crew Leader:

Responsibilities: Supervises survey crew, data collection/recording, and report writing

Minimum requirements:

One year/season of stream survey experience, plus training in Region 6 stream survey techniques.

Stream Surveyor:

Responsibility: conducts stream surveys, collects data, and writes reports.

Minimum requirements:

Training in Region 6 stream survey techniques.

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