b. Bidders_Packet.doc

Solicitation Number: AG-04R3-S—09-0010 PAGE 14 of 38 Project Name: Terrestrial Ecological Unit Inventory

PAGES

FORMCHECKBOX

NEGOTIATED (RFP)

Umatilla National Forest 2517 SW Hailey Ave.

Pendleton, OR 97801

SAME AS BLOCK 7.

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

SOLICITATION

9. Offers in original and copies for furnishing the supplies or services in the Schedule will be received at the place specified in Item 7, or if

(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.

Gary Dillavou- Admin

541-278-3817 541-278-3841

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.

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)

15A.

NAME AND ADDRESS

OF OFFEROR

CODE

OFFER (Type or Print)

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

FORMCHECKBOX

18. OFFER DATE

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) (

(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- Unit costs and annual Amt. Estimates

Annual Estimate

PRICE

AMOUNT

BLUE MOUNTAINS TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGICAL UNIT INVENTORY

TOTAL ALL ITEMS

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 $75,000 but not in excess of $999,000.

PART IV--REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

SECTION K--REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS, AND OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS OR RESPONDENTS

K.1 FAR 52.252-1 SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

This solicitation incorporates one or more 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 provision may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es): www.arnet.gov/far/, www.da.usda.gov/procurement/policy/agar.html, or www.fs.fed.us/im/directives/fsh/6309.32.

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR CHAPTER 1) CLAUSES

NOTE: Offerors should address questions concerning VETS-100 reporting and reporting Requirements to the Office of Veterans Employment and Training Services offices at the following address:

U. S. Department of Labor

VETS-100 Reporting

6101 Stevenson Avenue

Alexandria, VA 22304-3540

Telephone: (703) 461-2460 E-mail: VETS100@dyncorp.com

Website: www.vets100.cudenver.edu

K.2 FAR 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 subparagraphs (a)(1) through (a)(3) above; 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 subparagraphs (a)(1) through (a)(3) above

[Insert full name of person(s) in the offeror's organization responsible for determining the prices offered in the 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) above have not participated, and will not participate, in any action contrary to subparagraphs (a)(1) through (a)(3) above; and

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

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

K.3 52.204-7 CENTRAL CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION (OCT 2003)

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause—

“Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database” means the primary Government repository for Contractor information required for the conduct of business with the Government. “Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number” means the 9-digit number assigned by Dun and Bradstreet, Inc. (D&B) to identify unique business entities. “Data Universal Numbering System +4 (DUNS+4) number” means the DUNS number assigned by D&B plus a 4- character suffix that may be assigned by a business concern. D&B has no affiliation with this 4-character suffix.) This 4-character suffix may be assigned at the discretion of the business concern to establish additional CCR records for identifying alternative Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) accounts (see the FAR at Subpart 32.11) for the same parent concern. “Registered in the CCR database” means that—

(1) The Contractor has entered all mandatory information, including the DUNS number or the DUNS+4 number, into the CCR database; and

(2) The Government has validated all mandatory data fields and has marked the record “Active”.

(b)

(1) 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, basic agreement, basic ordering agreement, or blanket purchasing agreement resulting from this solicitation.

(2) 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 exactly as stated in the offer. The DUNS number will be used by the Contracting Officer to verify that the offeror is registered in the CCR database.

(c) If the offeror does not have a DUNS number, it should contact Dun and Bradstreet directly to obtain one.

(1) An offeror may obtain a DUNS number—

(i) If located within the United States, by calling Dun and Bradstreet at 1-866-705-5711 or via the Internet at http://www.dnb.com; or

(ii) If located outside the United States, by contacting the local Dun and Bradstreet office.

(2) The offeror should be prepared to provide the following information:

(i) Company legal business.

(ii) Tradestyle, doing business, or other name by which your entity is commonly recognized.

(iii) Company Physical Street Address, City, State, and Zip Code.

(iv) Company Mailing Address, City, State and Zip Code (if separate from physical).

(v) Company Telephone Number.

(vi) Date the company was started.

(vii) Number of employees at your location.

(viii) Chief executive officer/key manager.

(ix) Line of business (industry).

(x) Company Headquarters name and address (reporting relationship within your entity).

(d) 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.

(e) Processing time, which normally takes 48 hours, should be taken into consideration when registering. Offerors who are not registered should consider applying for registration immediately upon receipt of this solicitation.

(f) The Contractor is responsible for the accuracy and completeness of the data within the CCR database, and for any liability resulting from the Government’s reliance on inaccurate or incomplete data. To remain registered in the CCR database after the initial registration, the Contractor is required to review and update on an annual basis from the date of initial registration or subsequent updates its information in the CCR database to ensure it is current, accurate and complete. Updating information in the CCR does not alter the terms and conditions of this contract and is not a substitute for a properly executed contractual document.

(g) (1)

(i) If a Contractor has legally changed its business name, “doing business as” name, or division name (whichever is shown on the contract), or has transferred the assets used in performing the contract, but has not completed the necessary requirements regarding novation and change-ofname agreements in Subpart 42.12, the Contractor shall provide the responsible Contracting Officer a minimum of one business day’s written notification of its intention to (A) change the name in the CCR database; (B) comply with the requirements of Subpart 42.12 of the FAR; and (C) agree in writing to the timeline and procedures specified by the responsible Contracting Officer. The Contractor must provide with the notification sufficient documentation to support the legally changed name.

(ii) If the Contractor fails to comply with the requirements of paragraph (g)(1)(i) of this clause, or fails to perform the agreement at paragraph (g)(1)(i)(C) of this clause, and, in the absence of a properly executed novation or change-of-name agreement, the CCR information that shows the Contractor to be other than the Contractor indicated in the contract will be considered to be incorrect information within the meaning of the “Suspension of Payment” paragraph of the electronic funds transfer (EFT) clause of this contract.

(2) The Contractor shall not change the name or address for EFT payments or manual payments, as appropriate, in the CCR record to reflect an assignee for the purpose of assignment of claims (see FAR Subpart 32.8, Assignment of Claims). Assignees shall be separately registered in the CCR database. Information provided to the Contractor’s CCR record that indicates payments, including those made by EFT, to an ultimate recipient other than that Contractor will be considered to be incorrect information within the meaning of the Suspension of payment” paragraph of the EFT clause of this contract.

(h) Offerors and Contractors may obtain information on registration and annual confirmation requirements via the internet at http://www.ccr.gov or by calling 1-888-227-2423, or 269-961-5757.

K.4 FAR 52.209-5 CERTIFICATION REGARDING DEBARMENT, SUSPENSION, PROPOSED DEBARMENT, AND OTHER RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS (DEC 2001) (a)(1) The Offeror certifies, to the best of its knowledge and belief, that--

(i) The Offeror and/or any of its Principals--

(A) Are FORMCHECKBOX are not FORMCHECKBOX presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, or declared ineligible for the award of contracts by any Federal agency;

(B) Have FORMCHECKBOX have not FORMCHECKBOX , within a three-year period preceding this offer, been convicted of or had a civil judgment rendered against them for: commission of fraud or a criminal offense in connection with obtaining, attempting to obtain, or performing a public (Federal, state, or local) contract or subcontract; violation of Federal or state antitrust statutes relating to the submission of offers; or commission of embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsification or destruction of records, making false statements, tax evasion, or receiving stolen property; and

(C) Are FORMCHECKBOX are not FORMCHECKBOX presently indicted for, or otherwise criminally or civilly charged by a governmental entity with, commission of any of the offenses enumerated in paragraph (a)(1)(i)(B) of this provision.

(ii) The Offeror has FORMCHECKBOX has not FORMCHECKBOX , within a three-year period preceding this offer, had one or more contracts terminated for default by any Federal agency.

(2) "Principals," for the purposes of this certification, means officers; directors; owners; partners; and, persons having primary management or supervisory responsibilities within a business entity (e.g., general manager; plant manager; head of a subsidiary, division, or business segment, and similar positions).

This Certification Concerns a Matter Within the Jurisdiction of an Agency of the United States and the Making of a False, Fictitious, or Fraudulent Certification May Render the Maker Subject to Prosecution Under Section 1001, Title 18, United States Code.

(b) The Offeror shall provide immediate written notice to the Contracting Officer if, at any time prior to contract award, the Offeror learns that its certification was erroneous when submitted or has become erroneous by reason of changed circumstances.

(c) A certification that any of the items in paragraph (a) of this provision exists will not necessarily result in withholding of an award under this solicitation. However, the certification will be considered in connection with a determination of the Offeror's responsibility. Failure of the Offeror to furnish a certification or provide such additional information as requested by the Contracting Officer may render the Offeror nonresponsible.

(d) Nothing contained in the foregoing shall be construed to require establishment of a system of records in order to render, in good faith, the certification required by paragraph (a) of this provision. The knowledge and information of an Offeror is not required to exceed that which is normally possessed by a prudent person in the ordinary course of business dealings.

(e) The certification in paragraph (a) of this provision is a material representation of fact upon which reliance was placed when making award. If it is later determined that the Offeror knowingly rendered an erroneous certification, in addition to other remedies available to the Government, the Contracting Officer may terminate the contract resulting from this solicitation for default.

K.5 FAR 52.219-1 SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM REPRESENTATION (APR 2002)

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

(2) The small business size standard is $6.5 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) Representations.

(1) The offeror represents as part of its offer that it FORMCHECKBOX is, FORMCHECKBOX is not a small business concern.

(2) [Complete only if the offeror represented itself as a small business concern in paragraph (b)(1) of this provision.] The offeror represents, for general statistical purposes, that it FORMCHECKBOX is, FORMCHECKBOX is not, a small disadvantaged business concern as defined in 13 CFR 124.1002.

(3) [Complete only if the offeror represented itself as a small business concern in paragraph (b)(1) of this provision.] The offeror represents as part of its offer that it FORMCHECKBOX is, FORMCHECKBOX is not a women-owned small business concern.

(4) [Complete only if the offeror represented itself as a small business concern in paragraph (b)(1) of this provision.] The offeror represents as part of its offer that it FORMCHECKBOX is, FORMCHECKBOX is not a veteran-owned small business concern.

(5) [Complete only if the offeror represented itself as a veteran-owned small business concern in paragraph (b)(4) of this provision.] The offeror represents as part of its offer that it FORMCHECKBOX is, FORMCHECKBOX is not a service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern.

(6) [Complete only if the offeror represented itself as a small business concern in paragraph (b)(1) of this provision.] The offeror represents, as part of its offer, that-

(i) It FORMCHECKBOX is, FORMCHECKBOX is not a HUBZone small business concern listed, on the date of this representation, on the List of Qualified HUBZone Small Business Concerns maintained by the Small Business Administration, and no material change in ownership and control, principal office, or HUBZone employee percentage has occurred since it was certified by the Small Business Administration in accordance with 13 CFR part 126; and

(ii) It FORMCHECKBOX is, FORMCHECKBOX is not a joint venture that complies with the requirements of 13 CFR part 126, and the representation in paragraph (b)(6)(i) of this provision is accurate for the HUBZone small business concern or concerns that are participating in the joint venture. [The offeror shall enter the name or names of the HUBZone small business concern or concerns that are participating in the joint venture:__________.] Each HUBZone small business concern participating in the joint venture shall submit a separate signed copy of the HUBZone representation.

(c) Definitions. As used in this provision-

"Service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern"-

(1) Means a small business concern-

(i) Not less than 51 percent of which is owned by one or more service-disabled veterans or, in the case of any publicly owned business, not less than 51 percent of the stock of which is owned by one or more service-disabled veterans; and

(ii) The management and daily business operations of which are controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans or, in the case of a veteran with permanent and severe disability, the spouse or permanent caregiver of such veteran.

(2) Service-disabled veteran means a veteran, as defined in 38 U.S.C. 101(2), with a disability that is service-connected, as defined in 38 U.S.C. 101(16).

"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 (a) of this provision.

"Veteran-owned small business concern" means a small business concern-

(1) Not less than 51 percent of which is owned by one or more veterans (as defined at 38 U.S.C. 101(2)) or, in the case of any publicly owned business, not less than 51 percent of the stock of which is owned by one or more veterans; and

(2) The management and daily business operations of which are controlled by one or more veterans.

"Women-owned small business concern" means a small business concern-

(1) That is at least 51 percent owned by one or more women; or, in the case of any publicly owned business, at least 51 percent of the stock of which is owned by one or more women; and

(2) Whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more women.

(d) Notice.

(1) If this solicitation is for supplies and has been set aside, in whole or in part, for small business concerns, then the clause in this solicitation providing notice of the set-aside contains restrictions on the source of the end items to be furnished.

(2) Under 15 U.S.C. 645(d), any person who misrepresents a firm's status as a small, HUBZone small, small disadvantaged, or women-owned small business concern in order to obtain a contract to be awarded under the preference programs established pursuant to section 8(a), 8(d), 9, or 15 of the Small Business Act or any other provision of Federal law that specifically references section 8(d) for a definition of program eligibility, shall-

(i) Be punished by imposition of fine, imprisonment, or both;

(ii) Be subject to administrative remedies, including suspension and debarment; and

(iii) Be ineligible for participation in programs conducted under the authority of the Act.

K.6 FAR 52.219-4 NOTICE OF PRICE EVALUATION PREFERENCE FOR HUBZONE SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS (JAN 1999)

(c) Waiver of evaluation preference. A HUBZone small business concern may elect to waive the evaluation preference, in which case the factor will be added to its offer for evaluation purposes. The agreements in paragraph (d) of this clause do not apply if the offeror has waived the evaluation preference.

FORMCHECKBOX

Offeror elects to waive the evaluation preference.

K.7 FAR 52.222-22 PREVIOUS CONTRACTS AND COMPLIANCE REPORTS (FEB 1999)

The offeror represents that --

(a) It FORMCHECKBOX has, FORMCHECKBOX has not participated in a previous contract or subcontract subject to the Equal Opportunity clause of this solicitation;

(b) It FORMCHECKBOX has, FORMCHECKBOX has not filed all required compliance reports; and

(c) Representations indicating submission of required compliance reports, signed by proposed subcontractors, will be obtained before subcontract awards.

K.8 FAR 52.222-25 AFFIRMATIVE ACTION COMPLIANCE (APR 1984)

The offeror represents that--

(a) It FORMCHECKBOX has developed and has on file, FORMCHECKBOX has not developed and does not have on file, at each establishment, affirmative action programs required by the rules and regulations of the Secretary of Labor (41 CFR 60-1 and 60-2); or

(b) It FORMCHECKBOX has not previously had contracts subject to the written affirmative action programs requirement of the rules and regulations of the Secretary of Labor.

K.9 FAR 52.223-13 CERTIFICATION OF TOXIC CHEMICAL RELEASE REPORTING (AUG 2003)

(a) Executive Order 13148, of April 21, 2000, Greening the Government through Leadership in Environmental Management, requires submission of this certification as a prerequisite for contract award.

(b) By signing this offer, the offeror certifies that--

(1) As the owner or operator of facilities that will be used in the performance of this contract that are subject to the filing and reporting requirements described in section 313 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 (EPCRA) (42 U.S.C. 11023) and section 6607 of the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 (PPA) (42 U.S.C. 13106), the offeror will file and continue to file for such facilities for the life of the contract the Toxic Chemical Release Inventory Form (Form R) as described in sections 313(a) and (g) of EPCRA and section 6607 or PPA; or

(2) None of its owned or operated facilities to be used in the performance of this contract is subject to the Form R filing and reporting requirements because each such facility is exempt for at least one of the following reasons: [Check each block that is applicable.]

FORMCHECKBOX

(i) The facility does not manufacture, process or otherwise use any toxic chemicals listed in 40 CFR 372.65;

FORMCHECKBOX

(ii) The facility does not have 10 or more full-time employees as specified in section 313(b)(1)(A) of EPCRA, 42 U.S.C. 11023(b)(1)(A);

FORMCHECKBOX

(iii)The facility does not meet the reporting thresholds of toxic chemicals established under section 313(f) of EPCRA, 42 U.S.C. 11023(f) (including the alternate thresholds at 40 CFR 372.27, provided an appropriate certification form has been filed with EPA);

FORMCHECKBOX

(iv)The facility does not fall within the following Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes or their corresponding North American Industry Classification System sectors:

(A) Major group code 10 (except 1011, 1081, and 1094.

(B) Major group code 12 (except 1241).

(C) Major Group codes 20 through 39.

(D) Industry code 4911, 4931, or 4939 (limited to facilities that combust coal and/or oil for the purpose of generating power for distribution in commerce).

(E) Industry code 4953 (limited to facilities regulated under Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Subtitle C (42 U.S.C. 6921, et seq), or 5169, or 5171, or 7389 (limited to facilities primarily engaged in solvent recovery services on a contract or fee basis); or

FORMCHECKBOX

(v) The facility is not located in the United States or its outlying areas.

K.10 GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, FORMER USDA EMPLOYEES, AND USDA RETIREES

The offeror/quoter represents and certifies that--

(a) It FORMCHECKBOX is, FORMCHECKBOX is not a current Federal Government employee.

(b) It FORMCHECKBOX is, FORMCHECKBOX is not a former USDA EMPLOYEE.

(c) It FORMCHECKBOX is, FORMCHECKBOX is not a retired USDA employee. If retired, give date of retirement ________________.

(d) It FORMCHECKBOX is, FORMCHECKBOX is not related to a current Forest Service employee on the Wallowa-Whitman, Umatilla or Malheur National Forests. If so, list employee's name and location. ____________________________________

(e) The firm FORMCHECKBOX is, FORMCHECKBOX is not substantially owned or controlled by a former USDA employee or retiree.

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

L.1 FAR 52.252-1 SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

This solicitation incorporates one or more 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 provision may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es): www.arnet.gov/far/ or www.usda.gov/procurement/policy/agar.html

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR CHAPTER 1) CLAUSES

AGRICULTURE ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR CHAPTER 4) CLAUSES

L.2 FAR 52.216-1 TYPE OF CONTRACT (APR 1984)

The Government contemplates award of a firm-fixed-price contract resulting from this solicitation.

L.3 FAR 52.233-2 SERVICE OF PROTEST (AUG 1996)

(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 General Accounting Office (GAO), shall be served on the Contracting Officer (addressed as follows) by obtaining written and dated acknowledgment of receipt from Contracting Officer, Blue Mountain Acquisition Management, 2517 SW Hailey Ave, Pendleton, OR 97801.

(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 TECHNICAL PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS

(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) Proposals shall be submitted in two parts - a technical proposal and a price proposal. Each part shall be separate and complete in itself so that evaluation of one may be accomplished independently of the other. The price proposal shall be submitted with the solicitation forms, no breakdown of the unit price is required. 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 are cautioned that sufficient and detailed information must be presented in their technical proposals to enable the Government to evaluate their proposals fully in accordance with the evaluation and award criteria contained herein. The Government is not obligated to ask for additional information and in the absence of appropriate information, the proposal will be rated deficient.

(3) The Government will evaluate proposals in accordance with Section M evaluation criteria as set forth herein.

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

(i) 1 copy of the completed, signed offer (solicitation package)

(ii) 2 copies of the Technical Proposal

(b) Technical Proposal.

The technical proposal shall list the following two types of information for evaluation purposes:

1. Experience and Relevant Past Performance Information - Offerors shall submit a list of all similar projects completed, or in progress, that are similar in nature to Terrestrial Ecological Unit Inventory services for their firm and any proposed subcontractors performing more than 20% of the work.

The offeror shall include the following information for each contract/subcontract:

A) Project name

B) Contract number

C) Location

D) Year of completion, or anticipated completion date if in progress

E) Contract administrator's name, phone and facsimile numbers

F) Your crew supervisors and any inspectors who worked on the project

G) Project size (dollars or unit of measure)

H) Quality of work performed

I) Whether the contract was completed timely

The offeror may provide information on problems encountered on the contracts and subcontracts listed and the corrective actions taken to resolve those problems. The Government may obtain information from existing contract files. Because discussions may not be held, the offeror may refute any problems in the original offer.

Note: If the contractor does not provide Relevant past performance information, or indicate a lack of past performance with its offer, the Contracting Officer need not pursue further information if it is clear that the offeror’s price is not competitive.

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

2. Offeror shall provide the educational qualifications of all employees to be assigned to this contract, including degrees obtained and other relevant advanced training. Documents shall be signed by the individuals certifying the qualifications are accurate.

(c) Price: A firm’s completion and submission of Section B’s Schedule of Items constitutes the fulfillment of the Government’s price proposal requirements under this solicitation.

SECTION M--EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

M.1 EVALUATION CRITERIA

(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 offeror’s proposal shall be in the format prescribed by, and shall contain a response to each of the areas identified, which affects the evaluation factors for award. The Government will determine best overall value on the basis of the factors described below.

1. General. Proposals will be evaluated on the basis of the following technical factors and their designated importance: experience, with an emphasis on local ecological conditions; past performance on similar projects; and educational qualifications. When combined, these technical evaluation factors are approximately equal to cost or price.

2. Technical Proposal (100 points)

A.

Experience, with an emphasis on local ecological conditions (50 points) - The evaluators will conduct an appraisal of the past and current experience of the firm and/or personnel in completing projects of similar size, type and complexity. Offeror will be evaluated on the ability to supply qualified resources to complete this project within the contract period. Experience and knowledge of vegetation/ecological types, soils, and progressive correlation in the Blue Mountains of Eastern Oregon will score higher points.

B.

Relevant Past performance on similar projects (40 points) – Offerors will be evaluated on their past performance of similar contracts performed within the last three years in accordance with the following subfactors:

1. Quality of services (10 points) – Demonstrated ability to perform services in accordance with contract requirements.

2. Customer satisfaction (10 points) – Satisfaction of end users with the contractor’s completed products and services.

3. Timeliness of performance (8 points) – Compliance with delivery schedules; reliability; responsiveness to technical direction; responsiveness to exchange of documents; and no assessment of damages.

4. Business management (6 points) – Demonstrated ability to manage projects of this nature and involving subcontracts; working relationships with the Contracting Officer and technical representatives; flexibility; effective contractor recommended solutions; and businesslike concern for Government’s interests.

5. Price Control (6 points) – Demonstrated ability in completing contracts within budget (at or below); reasonableness of price change proposals submitted; and providing current, accurate, and complete billings.

The Government may research offeror performance on any federal, state, local, and commercial contract performance of the offeror that is known to the Government, but not included in the submitted information. Additionally, corporate and evaluator knowledge of offeror performance may be utilized.

Past performance by key subcontractors and predessor firms will be considered in the offeror’s past performance. However, the offeror’s performance under its current business structure will be considered more relevant than performance by predessor companies, subcontractors, or individual employees.

Offerors with good past performance, considered relevant to the scope of this procurement, will receive the most points. Offerors with poor past performance or performance considered less relevant to this procurement will receive fewer points.

Offerors with no past performance will receive the average of all other offerors’ past performance scores or 20 points, whichever is lower.

C.

Educational qualifications (10 points) – Educational qualifications of principal scientists will be rated according to level of degree and applicability to the work:

Bachelor’s degree in Soils, Forestry, Ecology, Botany, or related field (8 points)

Bachelor’s degree described above with advanced training (9 points)

Master’s or higher degree in Soils, Forestry, Ecology, Botany, or related field (10 points)

*Note: Offerors may enhance their technical proposal by identifying strengths, personnel skills and knowledge, and unique capabilities that may be considered by the Government to be of added value.

3. Price Evaluation Criterion.

The degree of importance of the price will increase with the degree of equality of the proposals in relation to the other factors on which selection is to be based, or when the price is so significantly high as to diminish the value of the technical superiority to the Government.

(b) A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offer’s specified expiration time, the Government may accept an offer (or part of an offer), whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award.

M.2 AGAR 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.