AG-3C78-S-16-0048_0002.pdf

GENERAL CLERK II _III

USDA-NRCS MINNESOTA

8/16/2016

ABSTRACT

The contractor will assist MN NRCS Programs Staff with the assimilation of program documentation, development of correspondence, checking documents for accuracy, processing payments, maintaining spreadsheets, etc.

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Contents

STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW)

ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. Mission

1.2. Background

1.3. Scope

2. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

2.1. Non-Personal Services

2.2. Business Relations

2.3. Contract Administration and Management

2.4. Description of Services

3. SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

4. NON-DISCLOSURE

5. CIVIL RIGHTS AND PROGRAM DELIVERY

6. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY

7. DURATION AND LOCATIONS OF SERVICES

7.1. Duration

7.2. Travel:

7.3. Government Vehicles:

7.4. LOCATIONS

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SSTATEMENT OF WORK (SOW)

ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES

NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE (MINNESOTA)

1. INTRODUCTION

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) requires Administrative Support Services for the USDA- NRCS Field office Program Sections. The individual will be assisting professional staff with the implementation and management of USDA Farm Bill Programs. Primarily assisting with the conservation easement programs.

1.1. Mission

The NRCS is committed to “helping people help the land” – our mission is to provide America’s farmers and ranchers with financial and technical assistance to voluntarily put conservation on the ground, not only helping the environment but agricultural operations, too. For more information regarding the agency and its programs visit http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/.

1.2. Background

MN NRCS desires to complement existing professional staff by reducing the clerical task for staff. By employing this contractor MN NRCS staff will be able to assist more clients with technical aspects and not tie up professional staff assembling files, reviewing forms, application data, creating and maintaining spreadsheets, etc.

1.3. Scope

The contractor will assist MN NRCS Programs Staff with the assimilation of program documentation, development of correspondence, checking documents for accuracy, processing payments, maintaining spreadsheets, etc. Monitors and tracks commencement and expiration of agreements and prepares agreement modifications. Reviews contract obligating documents and assist in internal auditing of agreements. Work shall be completed in accordance with NRCS policies and procedures. The contractor will possess excellent skills in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Google Maps. This contract is expected to last a full year with an option for an extension of an additional full year.

2. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

This section describes the general requirements for this effort. The following sub-sections provide details of various considerations on this effort. The contractor is to provide candidates to fill 80 general Clerk II and III support position.

The contractor must provide employees to perform services who meet the following qualifications:

1. Possess valid driving license; *Violations must be noted before use of Govt Furnished Vehicle

2. Proficient in word processing;

3. Knowledgeable and experienced in utilizing a variety of computer hardware and software applications, such as Microsoft Windows, Word, Excel, and Access;

4. Ability to use e-mail and internet browsers i.e., Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft explorer.

5. Knowledgeable and experienced in operating small office machines, such as calculators, fax machines, scanning devices, postage meters, and copy machines;

6. Knowledgeable and experienced in general office procedures, such as preparing reports, spreadsheets, and filing. Familiarity with certified mail and return-receipt mail procedures;

7. Skillful in working with the general public;

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8. Capable of working independently; and

9. Possess basic telephone skills.

10. Although not required the following qualifications would be preferred:

• Knowledge of Arc View

• Knowledge of general agricultural and conservation programs

The Government's recommended minimum occupation code from the list on the applicable Service Contract Act wage determination is General Clerk II.

2.1. Non-Personal Services

The Government shall neither supervise Contractor employees nor control the method by which the Contractor performs the required tasks. Under no circumstances shall the Government assign tasks to, or prepare work schedules for, individual Contractor employees. It shall be the responsibility of the Contractor to manage its employees and to guard against any actions that are of the nature of personal services, or give the perception of personal services. If the Contractor believes that any actions constitute, or are perceived to constitute personal services, it shall be the Contractor’s responsibility to notify the Contracting Officer (CO) immediately. Contractor employees are not to be supervised by NRCS employees. They are to receive their direction from the Contractor. NRCS employees may provide contractor employees instructions on how to perform tasks, provide orientation, assign tasks and review work results to ensure contractor employees perform correctly.

2.2. Business Relations

The Contractor shall successfully integrate and coordinate all activity needed to execute the requirement. The Contractor shall manage the timeliness, completeness, and quality of problem identification. The Contractor shall provide corrective action plans, proposal submittals, timely identification of issues, and effective management of subcontractors. The Contractor shall seek to ensure customer satisfaction and professional and ethical behavior of all Contractor personnel.

2.3. Contract Administration and Management

The contractor shall furnish all management, supervision, labor, materials, equipment (except as provided further below), and resources needed to provide the services described in this SOW. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) requires administrative support services in various NRCS Field Office(s) throughout Minnesota. The contractor must exhibit the ability to provide geographic flexibility in the provision of services allowing for growth or reduction of the workforce at the various locations listed below.

2.4. Description of Services

Services consist of assisting NRCS staff with conservation program documentation and administration.

Training for NRCS specific program activates will be provided to the Contractor’s employees. IIn order to prevent this from becoming a personal services contract, the contractor’s employees must NOT provide any services other than what is included in this SOW. Any such requests should be forwarded to the Contracting Officer immediately. Work must be completed in accordance with NRCS Minnesota policies, procedures and the local Field Office Technical Guide (FOTG) requirements. Training may be required as needed and provided by the Government.

Providing assistance related to collecting and assembling cost data and processing payment application requests and programs. Reviewing a wide variety of invoices, vouchers, and

P a g e 4 | 8 other miscellaneous paperwork associated with NRCS Programs Compiles supporting documents to substantiate payment requests, ensures that payment requests comply with provisions of long term contracting and are within obligated spending limits prior to submission of payment.

Tracks producer requests for wetland compliance and highly erodible land assistance.

Maintains wetland determination and highly erodible land case files including producer submitted records, conservation plans and associated maps. Tracks requests for appeals related to issued determinations.

Services will require utilizing a variety of computer hardware and software applications and small office machines. Incumbent will need a working knowledge of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) software such as Protracts, Toolkit, Performance Results System, and Excel. Additionally, incumbent will establish and maintain files in Toolkit and Protracts.

Incumbent reviews accuracy of documentation, compliance with regulations, and justification of vouchers, invoices, claims, statements and other requests for payment of goods and services; processes program payment information; prepares for District Conservationist’s signature and forwards completed document to financial management staff for payment.

The incumbent is responsible for establishing and maintaining contracting files and producer records. This includes receiving and assembling program applications and collecting producer eligibility information. Responsible for compiling contract documentation including, but not limited to, conservation plans, maps, photographs, resource data and technical material.

The Government will furnish the use of Government computers to accomplish the work.

Contractor must be able to obtain and maintain every five years a National Agency Background Investigation which is initiated and paid for by the Government. Contractor employees will also be required to successfully complete USDA information technology security awareness training prior to receiving access to NRCS computers and networks.

Some interaction with the general public will be required in an office setting. Work will be performed Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays and other days NRCS offices officially close. Daily schedules will be coordinated between the District Conservationists and the contractor’s employee. Once work schedules have been set, there will be no deviations without prior written approval by the Contracting Officer. Contractor employees must identify themselves as "contractor(s)" during the designated hours of performance. This includes identifying themselves in email correspondence under the signature block as “Insert Name of Contractor, contracted to the NRCS”. Contractor employees also need to be issued identification badges that show the name of their employer and their name. Photo identification is preferred, but not required. When answering the phone it is permissible to do so by stating the person has reached the NRCS, but they must never give the impression that they are an NRCS employee.

33. SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

The Contractor must conduct pre-screening of all persons proposed for work under this contract and ensure that employees who will provide services under the contract have submitted to the Government a completed Standard Form 85, Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions within 15 calendar days after hire. Due to the heightened concern for Homeland Security, all Standard Form

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85’s will be reviewed by NRCS. A Contractor’s employee cannot begin work at NRCS locations while the background check has been initiated and is being conducted. Work at NRCS locations is dependent upon favorable adjudication of the background check. The costs relative to completing the SF 85 and any required fingerprinting shall be borne by the Contractor.

44. NON-DISCLOSURE

Work performance required by this PWS will involve access to potentially sensitive information about governmental and landowner issues. The Contractor and all Contractor employees must comply with the terms of AGAR 452.224-70, Confidentiality of Information, as well as provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. 552a. Additionally, the Contractor's employees must sign a NRCS Conservation Cooperator Certification form and comply with privacy of personal information relating to natural resources conservation programs in accordance with Section 1619 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 which provides that USDA, or any “contractor or cooperator” of USDA, “shall not disclose—(A) information provided by an agricultural producer or owner of agricultural land concerning the agricultural operation, farming or conservation practices, or the land itself, in order to participate in the programs of the Department; or (B) geospatial information otherwise maintained by the Secretary about agricultural land or operations for which information described in subparagraph (A) is provided.” USDA may disclose protected information to a USDA cooperator when such cooperator is “providing technical or financial assistance with respect to the agricultural operation, agricultural land, or farming or conservation practices” if USDA determines that the protected information will not be subsequently disclosed, except in accordance with the exceptions contained in Section 1619.

5. CIVIL RIGHTS AND PROGRAM DELIVERY

The Contractor will ensure that personnel prohibit discrimination in all aspects of programs and activities related to this Contract on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. The Contractor shall employ only persons able to speak, read, write, and understand English fluently for those positions interacting with Government personnel and customers in the performance of this contract, and where English is necessary to provide a service under this contract.

6. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY

The following property will be furnished by the USDA-NRCS:

Office Space and work desk Computer and network connections Office supplies Access to copier, printer, and fax machines District Office Fleet Vehicle, when available and requested by DC Accompanying fuel card for fleet vehicle and pin

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77. DURATION AND LOCATIONS OF SERVICES

7.1. Duration

Services may be required at the NRCS Field Office located at any county within Minnesota. The number of hours needed and schedule for each location will be specified in task orders issued against this requirements contract. The hours specified on any task order will be the number of hours the NRCS needs assistance and the contractor will not be paid for hours break, lunch, vacation, sick leave, holiday’s, or while the NRCS office is closed. Overtime is not anticipated under this contract and will not be paid unless advanced approval is requested by the contractor and received from the Contracting Officer. No other NRCS employee has the authority to authorize overtime (work hours in excess of 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week). A normal field office work schedule is Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays and when the office is officially closed. The core hours that all NRCS offices are to be manned is between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.; most Field Offices hours are 8:00 to 4:30 daily (this includes a required 30 minute unpaid lunch for Federal employees; contractor employees will only be paid a maximum of 8 hours per day). The actual hours of contractor employees at each location will be coordinated between the District Conservationist (DC), the Contractor and the Contracting Officer based on the need at each location.

7.2. Travel: Limited travel may be required to support mission accomplishments (Note taking;

meeting transcripts, etc). Travel must be requested by the DC through the COR to the CO 72 hours PRIOR to the event. Travel will be confined to the state of MN and only utilizing Government provided vehicles.

POV will not be authorized under any circumstance. Any associated costs will be in accordance with GSA per diem standards.

7.3. Government Vehicles: Government vehicles are authorized under this contract for mission requirements only. Vehicles cannot be used for provided Contractor personnel transportation from or to domicile. Contractor personnel must follow the same policies and procedures same NRCS employees when operating a Government vehicle and complete the AGLEARN Driver’s Education course prior to vehicle use.

7.3.1. Government vehicles are provided and prioritized by the DC. At no time shall the contractor be encourage or directed to utilize a POV. If the travel is required, the DC shall provide the transportation.

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7.4. LOCATIONS

DDUTY STATIO N CO UNTY SHARED CATEGO RY

TO TAL PER

WEEK

TO TAL HRS PER

YEAR

REGION 1

ADA FO / MOORHEAD FO NORMAN YYES II 40 2080

BAGLEY FO / BEMIDJI FO CLEARWATER YYES II 40 2080

BAUDETTE FO L.O.T.W II 40 2080

BEMIDJI FO Beltrami II 40 2080 CROOKSTON FO Polk II 40 2080 DETROIT LAKES FO Becker II 32 1664 HALLOCK FO / ROSEAU FO Kittson YYES II 40 2080

MAHNOMEN FO / MCINTOSH FO MAHNOMEN YYES II 40 2080

PARK RAPIDS FO Hubbard II 20 1040 RED LAKE FALLS FO / TRF FO Red Lake YYES II 40 2080 WARREN FO Marshall II 40 2080 THIEF RIVER FALLS AO Pennington II I I 40 2080

REGION 2

FERGUS FALLS AO Otter Tail II I I 40 2080 ALEXANDRIA FO Douglas II 40 2080 BENSON FO / MONTEVIDEO FO Swift YYES II 40 2080 FERGUS FALLS FO / BRECKENRIDGE FO Otter Tail YYES II 40 2080 GLENWOOD FO Pope II 24 1248 LONG PRAIRIE FO Todd II 40 2080 MADISON FO Lac qui Parle II 32 1664 MORRIS FO / ELBOW LAKE FO Stevens YYES II 40 2080 ORTONVILLE FO Big Stone II 24 1248 PERHAM FO / WADENA FO Otter Tail YYES II 32 1664 WHEATON FO Travers II 40 2080

REGION 3

BAXTER FO / AITKIN FO Crow Wing YYES II 40 2080 VIRGINIA / GRAND RAPIDS FO St Louis YYES II 40 2080 CAMBRIDGE FO / NORTH BRANCH FO Isanti YYES II 40 2080 FOLEY FO Benton II 40 2080 LITTLE FALLS FO Morrison II 40 2080 HINCKLEY FO / MORA FO Pine YYES II 40 2080 DULUTH FO St Louis II 40 2080 HINCKLEY FO (ASTC-COMPLIANCE) Pine II 40 2080

REGION 4

BROOKLYN CENTER AREA OFFICE ** Hennepin III 40 2080 BUFFALO FO Wright II 20 1040 ELK RIVER FO Sherburne II 20 1040 FARMINGTON FO Dakota II 20 1040 GAYLORD FO Sibley II 20 1040 GLENCOE FO / WACONIA FO McLeod YYES II 40 2080 JORDAN FO Scott II 20 1040 LE CENTER FO Le Sueur II 20 1040 LITCHFIELD FO Meeker II 40 2080 WAITE PARK FO Stearns II 40 2080 WILLMAR FO Kandiyohi II 40 2080

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RREGION 5

CLARKFIELD FO Yellow Medicine

II 40 2080

FAIRMONT FO Martin II 40 2080 IVANHOE FO Lincoln II 32 1664 LAKEFIELD FO Jackson II 40 2080 LUVERNE FO Rock II 32 1664 MARSHALL FO Lyon II 40 2080 OLIVIA FO Renville II 40 2080 PIPESTONE FO Pipestone II 40 2080 REDWOOD FALLS FO Redwood II 40 2080 SLAYTON FO Murray II 40 2080 SLEEPY EYE FO Brown II 24 1248 ST. JAMES FO Watonwan II 40 2080 WINDOM FO Cottonwood II 20 1040 WORTHINGTON FO Nobles II 40 2080 MARSHALL AO Lyon III 40 2080

RREGION 6

ALBERT LEA FO Freeborn II 20 1040 AUSTIN FO Mower II 40 2080 BLUE EARTH FO Faribault II 20 1040 CALEDONIA FO Houston II 20 1040 FARIBAULT FO Rice II 20 1040 GOODHUE FO Goodhue II 20 1040

MANKATO FO ** BLUE EARTH II 40 2080

PRESTON FO Filmore II 20 1040 ROCHESTER FO Olmstead II 40 2080 WABASHA FO Wabasha II 20 1040 WASECA FO Waseca II 20 1040

SSTATE OFFICE

ST. PAUL (ENG/ECS) Ramsey III 40 2080 ST. PAUL (EASEMENTS) Ramsey III 40 2080 ST. PAUL (FAP / SOILS) Ramsey III 40 2080

2432 126464

Solicitation Amendment 0001

** REGION IV: ADD BROOKLYN CENTER

** REGION VI: ADD MANKATO FO