PA-RFP-ChesBayJul09.doc

AG 2D37 S 08 0162

The Solicitation provisions, clauses, and all other materials are to downloaded free of charge from WWW.FBO.GOV under Solicitation Number AG 2D37 S 09 1002 Amount: $100,000-$250,000 PROPOSALS DUE: 9:00 AM on August 17, 2009

HOW TO PREPARE A PROPOSAL PACKAGE

1. Complete Blocks 17a, 30a, 30b, and 30c of the Standard Form 1449. In addition, fill out the Schedule prices.

2. Propose terms for FAR Clause 52.216-19(b)(1),(2), and (3) on page 14 of the provisions and clauses.

3. Send proposals to: S. Latimer, Contracting Officer, USDA/NRCS, 339 Busch’s Frontage Rd, Suite 301, Annapolis, MD 21409.

Assistance with Government contracting may be obtained by contacting your Local PTAC at:

http://www.aptac-us.org/new/Govt_Contracting/find.php?what=search&State=PA Small Business Set Aside

NAICS 541690

Size: s/b = < $6.5 million

INTRODUCTION -- NRCS in Pennsylvania announces a Request for Proposals (RFP) for non-engineering Conservation Technical Assistance in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. This is technical assistance typically provided by NRCS Conservation Technicians and Soil Conservationists at the field office locations.

PURPOSE -- To implement conservation practices identified by NRCS in conservation plans and contracts improving water quality and meet other identified resource concerns in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. The plans may address any of the resource concerns in the Pennsylvania Technical Guide on all operations with emphasis on crop and livestock operations needing technical assistance that result in a change of operations.

After a contract is established with NRCS, respondents shall be assigned to producers and issued a Task Order under the Basic Contract. Successful respondents receiving a contract for conservation technical assistance may recommend farmer clients who may need technical assistance and upon agreement by NRCS, a Task Order may follow for that recommended farmer.

NRCS shall, to the extent possible, assign farmers with respondents with whom there is already a working relationship.

The contracts issued will be based upon a Best Value Determination whereas price and other factors are approximately equal. [See FAR 52.212-2] CONTRACT TYPE -- One or more Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts may be awarded from this solicitation. An IDIQ contract is one in which an unknown quantity will be ordered during the contract period. There is no guarantee of any orders other than the minimum amount.

CONTRACT PERIOD -- Five years from date of award.

LOCATION -- This is a Chesapeake Bay wide initiative. Respondents shall indicate their availability by county or region in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, or by designations such as Lower Susquehanna.

MINMUM REQUIREMENTS -- NRCS shall determine minimum requirements for competency. Designation in TechReg as a certified TSP or an equivalent certification may be one of those determining factors.

BEST VALUE FACTORS:

Quantity of Work -Each respondent should indicate the quantity of work they can accomplish. This can be indicated by statements such as, “Work can be accomplished with 1-20 producers at any given time.” Work can be accomplished with 20-40 producers at any given time..etc.”

Prices - The cumulative total of CLINs one, two, three, and four will be used at the offered price.

STANDARDS -- All work to be done will be in accordance with the NRCS Conservation Planning Handbook and the Field Office Technical Guide.

DELIVERABLES -- Deliverables will be determined within the Task Order for each non-engineering assigned technical assistance task.

MISCELLANEOUS -- All contractors must be registered on the Central Contractor Registration and Online Representations and Certifications websites in accordance with Federal law.

Central Contractor Registration (CCR)

The Federal Acquisition Regulation (subpart 4.11) requires that contractors be registered in the CCR database prior to being awarded a contract. Detailed information about CCR is available on the World Wide Web at www.ccr.gov. The CCR Customer Assistance Center can be contacted toll free at 1-888-227-2423.

What is CCR?

· CCR is the primary vendor database for the U.S. Federal Government.

· The information in CCR is entered and maintained by each vendor.

· Each vendor is responsible for the accuracy and currency of their information.

· CCR validates the vendor information and provides a secure central database for use by Federal Government agencies.

Registration in CCR

· The preferred method for registration is via the World Wide Web at www.ccr.gov. A CCR handbook, a copy of the registration template, and on-line information about the registration process and information required are available at that site.

· Vendors may register by submitting the registration template to the Department of Defense, Central Contractor Registration 74 Washington Ave., N., Suite 7, Battle Creek, MI 49017-3084.

Registration Process

· The first step is to obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number, which is a unique nine-character identification number provided by the commercial company Dun and Bradstreet (D&B).

· To request a DUNS number call D&B at the toll free number 1-866-705-5711 or register online at ccr.dnb.com/ccr/pages/CCRSearch.jsp.

· Obtaining a DUNS number through this process is free of charge.

· When you obtain a DUNS number you might be included on D&B's marketing list that is sold to other companies. If you do not want to be included on this list, ask D&B to remove your company's name from the marketing list.

· Once you have a DUNS number you can begin the CCR registration process.

· If registering on-line go to www.ccr.gov - select "Start New Registration." You will need your DUNS number to start this registration.

· If registering using the paper copy of the registration template, complete the form, including your DUNS number, and mail to the address indicated above.

Access to the CCR Database — Caution regarding TPIN number

· The CCR is designed to be a highly secure, single repository of vendor information. Vendors are required to enter financial information into CCR for the purpose of facilitating payments through electronic funds transfer. Only authorized Government representatives or the vendors themselves can access this financial information. Once registration is complete, each vendor receives a Trading Partner identification Number (TPIN) that is his/her secure/confidential password. The TPIN should NOT be used on contracts or other Government paperwork. The TPIN is the vendor's confidential password to allow the vendor to access his/her data in the CCR database. Vendors need both their DUNS number and TPIN number to access their data. At a minimum, vendors will need to access their data annually. Vendors must renew/update their data annually to keep their CCR registration active.

Please note that registration in CCR does not guarantee business with the Federal Government.

On-Line Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA)

What is ORCA?

· ORCA is a web-based system that centralizes and standardizes the collection, storage and viewing of many of the FAR representations and certifications required by solicitations. With ORCA, vendors have the ability to maintain their representation and certification information via the World Wide Web at orca.bpn.gov. Representations and certifications completed in ORCA will not need to be submitted with each offer (proposal or bid). Solicitations will include a provision that allows vendors to certify that their representations and certifications in ORCA are current, complete and accurate, or to list any exceptions/changes to those certifications.

Vendor Registration in ORCA

· To register in ORCA, you need to have an active Central Contractor Registration (CCR) record, a Marketing Partner Identification Number (MPIN) from your CCR record, and know your DUNS number. Detailed information regarding ORCA and how to submit records is available on the ORCA Web site at orca.bpn.gov under Help and FAQs.

SELECTION CRITERIA

All firms responding to this announcement will be evaluated on the following factors:

(1) Professional Qualifications necessary for satisfactory performance of required service. (10%)

(2) Specialized experience and technical competence in the type of work required. (40%)

Evaluation will be based on the extent of directly related experience in specialized education at the university level, and all other applicable education, training and certification. Evaluation will include experience and technical competence, for example work shall be documented for review, as well as a description of the type of work performed. These work descriptions will be evaluated based on documented complexity of work performed.

(3) Experience with NRCS standards and technical references (10%)

Evaluation will be based upon the experience of both the firm in general, and the specific personnel to be used on the contract, with current NRCS standards, and other technical references that pertain to the application of selected conservation practices.

(4) Capacity to accomplish the work in the required time. (30%)

Evaluation will be based upon the demonstrated ability to timely perform assigned tasks.

(5) Past performance on contracts with government agencies and private industry. (10%)

Evaluation will be based upon the firm’s past experience with the government agency and the private sector in performing the requirements described: the quality and timeliness of performance under previous contracts.

References with telephone numbers and contact names must be provided.

7/9/2008 ts