AG-447U-S-17-0007_2.pdf

(x)

AG-447U-S-17-0007

x x

1 copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted ; or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT

THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted , such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

x

447U

JACKSON MS 39201

200 S LAMAR ST STE 500N BOX 44

NATIONAL FORESTS IN MISSISSIPPI

USDA FOREST SERVICE

10/28/20162

13. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO MODIFICATION OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS. IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required) is not extended.is extended, Items 8 and 15, and returning

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended , by one of the following methods: (a) By completing

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

FACILITY CODE CODE

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

CODE

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., street, county, State and ZIP Code)

7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 6)CODE 6. ISSUED BY

PAGE OF PAGES

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO.3. EFFECTIVE DATE2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO. 5. PROJECT NO. (If applicable)

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

10/19/2016

CHECK ONE A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority) appropriation date, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is not, is required to sign this document and return __________________ copies to the issuing office.

ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

The solicitation is amended to include the notes from the Preproposal Conference.

The offer due date is extended to December 8, 2016, 1500, Central Time.

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

15C. DATE SIGNED 16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR 16C. DATE SIGNED

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer)

GEMAA PELCH

STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 10-83)

Prescribed by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

NSN 7540-01-152-8070

Previous edition unusable

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9 A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect .

Performance Based Service Contract (PBSC) for Biological Surveys National Forests in Mississippi

Pre-Proposal Conference November 10, 2016

USDA Forest Service

Acquisition Zone West

• Please sign-in.

• Please silence your cellphones.

• Restroom Locations

• Emergency Exits

• No Recording Devices

USDA Forest Service

Acquisition

Welcome

Introductions

USDA Forest Service

Acquisition Zone West

• Gemaa Pelch – Contracting Officer Contract Specialist AZW, gpelch02@fs.fed.us, 601-965-1671

• Tate Thriffiley – Ecologist De Soto National Forest tatethriffiley@fs.fed.us, 601-528-6184

General Information

Service

Preproposal Conference

• For informational purposes only.

• Answer Offeror Questions; may post to www.fbo.gov.

• Statements or representations made during the conference are not legally binding.

• Changes resulting from the conference are official only if issued through an amendment to the solicitation.

USDA Forest Service

PBSC for Biological Surveys

AG-447U-S-17-0007

• Soliciting contractors to perform biological surveys.

• Botanical/biological surveys of General Forest Area

• Botanical/biological surveys of Firelines/Fuelbreaks

• Drainage, Creek, Stream Surveys (e.g. LA quillwort)

• Request for Proposals

• Totally Set-Aside for Small Business

• Basic period of performance from date of award, through December 31, 2017, plus option periods through 2021.

• Minimum and Maximum Contract Amounts

• Minimum - $2,500; Contract Ceiling - $2,000,000

• Multiple Awards USDA Forest

Service www.fbo.gov

Service

Technical Information or

Performance Work Statement (PWS)

USDA Forest Service

National Forests in Misssissppi

Service

Service

Largest Contiguous Terrestrial Area of somewhat Naturally Functioning Ecosystems in South Mississippi

Ecosystem Restoration (Longleaf Pine, Pitcher Plant Bogs, Coastal Savanna, Bottomland Hardwood, Mesic Slope Forest)

Very Complex District (Growing Population Centers, WUI, Large Prescribed Fire Program, Camp Shelby, Camp Keller, Wilderness Areas, Wild & Scenic River, Oil & Gas)

Utilize HFRA, Joint Chiefs, CFLR, & NFWF (BP$)

General Forest Area

Service

General Forest Area

Service

Tasks and Critical Subtasks Requirements Differ Slightly by Forest/Ranger

District = plant list, dates, incidental occurences

5.1 1a Botanical (+ NNIS) - with incidental gopher tortoise burrow, RCW Cavity Tree – Surveys in General Forest Area

5.1 1b Botanical (+ NNIS) - with incidental gopher tortoise burrow, RCW Cavity Tree – Surveys for Firelines and Fuelbreaks

5.1 1c Drainage, Creek, and Stream Surveys (e.g.

Louisiana quillwort)

USDA Forest Service

Responding to the Solicitation

USDA Forest Service

Disclaimer

THE FOLLOWING IS A BRIEF

OVERVIEW OF THE PROPOSAL

REQUIREMENTS.

OFFERORS ARE CAUTIONED TO

CAREFULLY READ THE

REQUIREMENTS OF THE

SOLICITATION AND COMPLY

ACCORDINGLY.

USDA Forest

Service

Solicitation Provisions

AGAR 452.215-71 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF

TECHNICAL AND BUSINESS PROPOSALS (SEP 1999)

• Offerors shall submit 2 Copies of their proposal

• Business Proposal

• Technical Proposal

Offers that do not include both a technical and business proposal will not be considered further.

USDA Forest Service

Business Proposal

Service

Acquisition Zone West

• Completed and Signed SF-1449

• Priced Schedule of Items

• Response to AGAR 452.209–70 Representation By Corporations Regarding An Unpaid Delinquent Tax Liability Or A Felony Conviction Under Any Federal Law – Fiscal Year 2015 Appropriations And Beyond

• Contractor’s Financial Information Sheet

• Proof of Insurance

Priced Schedule of Items

Service

Technical Proposal

• Technical proposal must present sufficient information to reflect a thorough understanding of the requirements and a detailed description of the organization, techniques, procedures and program for achieving the objectives of the specifications/statement of work.

• No not paraphrase the requirements of the Government's

• "will comply" or

• "standard techniques will be employed"

• Technical Proposal is limited to 30 single pages or 15 double-sided pages.

• Material submitted in excess of the limit will not be reviewed.

USDA Forest

Service

At a minimum, the technical proposal must clearly address the following factors and subfactors.

Key Personnel Resume/Curriculum Vitae

Methodology

Quality Assurance Plan

Past Performance

Price.

USDA Forest Service

Acquisition

Technical Factors & Subfactors

Offer Due Date

• November 29. 3 p.m.

• Submit offers to….

• EMAIL: gpelch02@fs.fed.us OR

• Mailing Address:

USDA-FS

ATTN: Gemaa Pelch 200 S Lamar ST, Suite 500-N Box 44 Jackson, MS 39201

MAILED PACKAGES SHALL INCLUDE THE SOLICITATION #

AG-447U-S-17-0007

CLEARLY MARKED ON THE FRONT OF THE ENVELOPE.

USDA Forest Service

Acquisition Zone West

Doing Business with the Forest Service

Federal Business Opportunities

Service

Acquisition

447U www.fbo.gov

Service

System for Award Management

Service

System for Award Management

• Required to receive an award.

• Registration is free.

• Free Assistance Provided by the Federal Service Desk

• https://www.fsd.gov/fsd-gov/home.do

• 866-606-8220

• Representations and Certifications should be entered electronically at www.sam.gov

TAKE CARE TO LOG INTO THE CORRECT WEBSITE.

THE CORRECT WEBSITE IS WWW.SAM.GOV.USDA Forest

Service

Small Business Programs

• The Forest Service primarily does business with small business concerns.

• 8(a) Business Development Program

• HUBZone Program - Historically Underutilized Business Zones

• SDVOSB - Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Concern Program

• Woman-Owned Small Business Program

USDA Forest Service

Review

• All notifications/updates for this solicitation will be posted to www.fbo.gov under solicitation number

AG-447U-S-17-0007.

• Offer due date is 11/29 @ 3 pm

• After closing, no information will be available until awards.

USDA Forest Service

It’s Question Time!

Service

SPECIAL PLANT SURVEY FORM Mississippi Natural Heritage Program (revised 2006)

SURVEYOR INFORMATION

Survey date: Time fro m: to: Source Code: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _MSUS

Surveyor(s):

Telephone numbe r: E-ma il:

or Address

ELEMENT INFORMATION

Scientific name: Data sensitive? ELCode Occ. #

FILING

Survey S ite SITENAME

USGS Quad QUADCODE Map N o.

LOCATIONAL INFORMATION

Lando wner: Owner aware of species? Owner protecting species?

Directions:

County: Township/Range/Section:

Coordinates: Northing/Latitude Easting/Longitude UTM Zone G 15 G16

Datum : GNAD27 GNAD83 GWGS84

Was GPS used? GYes GNo GPS Make and Model

GPS Pos ition Accu racy: # of Satellites

Locationa l Certainty

Is your depiction of the observed area on the map within 6.25m (ca. 20ft) of its actual location on the ground? GY GN

If “N”, complete the following:

a. Estimate of uncertainty distance: based on landmarks, elevation, etc., the location of the observed area on the map is accurate to within meters kilometers feet miles of its actual location on the ground.

b. Is the observed area known to be located within some feature(s) on the map (e.g., wetland boundary, lake, road, trail, contour lines)? GYes GNo If “Y”, indicate the boundary within which the observed area is known to be located on the ma p lines, and if applicable, iden tify the feature (e.g., marsh).

Survey extent: Are you reasonably confident that the area surveyed and mapped represents the full extent of the population? GYes GNo GUncertain If No or U ncertain, describe the un-surveyed area (extent, location):

IDENTIFICATION

Photograph/slide taken? GYes GNo If yes, will a copy be submitted to Heritage? GYes GNo

Specimen collected? GYes GNo Co llection # an d repos itory:

Identification problems? GYes GNo

Taxon omic refe rence u sed:

G Memory G Comparison with verified herbarium specimen

G Book: G Web site:

G Other - sp ecify:

BIOLOGY

Population Area: length (units) width (units) area (units)

Population Size

Total #: of G individual plants G stems Gclump s Basis: G actual co unt G estimate

If the occurrence is composed of multiple, discrete areas (subpopulations) record the number of subpopulations:

Numb er of subp opulation s: and the p opulation estimate /count for e ach: 1. 2. 3.

4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.

Phen ology (% ): Vegeta tive/Pre-flow er: Flowering /Buddin g: Fruiting/Dis persed :

Age Structure (%): Seedlings Immature 1st Year Mature Senes cent

Vigor: G Very feeble G Feeble G Norm al GVigorous GExceptionally vigorous

Type of reproduction:

G sexua l G asexu al

Explain:

Evidence of disease, predation, etc.

G yes G no

Explain:

HABITAT (check all that apply)

Aspec t:

GN GNE

GE GSE

GS GSW

GW GNW

Slope:

G Flat

G 1-10%

G 10 - 35%

G 35+%

G Vertical

Light:

G open

G partial

G filtered

G shade

Topographic position:

G Crest

G Upper slope

G Mid-slope

G Lower-slope

G Bottom

Moisture Regime:

G inundated

G saturated

G moist

G dry-mesic

G dry

Assoc iated natu ral comm unity/plant c omm unity:

Associated Species

Groun d cover: ( % cove r)

Unde rstory/Scru b Spec ies: ( % cove r)

Overstory/Tree Species ( % cove r)

Estima ted area o f potential ha bitat in the im media te area (un its):

Conservation / Management

Eviden ce of disturb ance:

Threats :

Cons ervation/m anage ment:

Research needs:

Summary (for each category assign a letter rank: A-Excellent B-Good C-Marginal D-Poor U-Unable to assess)

EO Size / Quality: EO Condition: EO Viability: EO Defensibility: EO R ank:

AG-447U-S-17-0007

Performance Based Service Contract (PBSC) for Biological Surveys

National Forests in Mississippi

Preproposal Conference Notes

1. When you have work, will you have a compartment of a certain size that you would send out for the contract?

We may send out one, but more usually several compartments at a time in a package. A package could be around 500 acres, but could be up to 1500-2000 acres per package.

2. Is surveying for the T&E animal species (RCW tree, burrows,etc.) incidental to surveying for the plant species? The survey design would NOT have to be created to survey for the T&E animal species.

That is correct.

3. Are there other species of quillwort down on the Forest? Is it safe to assume a quillwort is Louisiana quillwort?

Currently we will assume a quillwort is Louisiana quillwort. Genetics may indicate that there is a “Mississippi quillwort” but at this time assuming a quillwort is Louisiana quillwort will protect the listed species and any other quillwort species (that may turn out to be rare later).

4. Should we target botanical species on list, but mark NNIS and T&E animals as found?

Yes

5. Do we need to GPS around a bog if it is set up for survey?

No, if we give you maps and GIS layers for bogs or other habitats, you do not need to GPS around the edges. However, if you find an ecosystem type scattered within another habitat type (hillside seep in a pine stand) then document it. If it is a small habitat, a GPS point is sufficient, but if 35 feet x 35 feet or larger then take a polygon.

6. How accurate does GPS information need to be?

Accuracy needs to 5 meters or less.

7. When were previous surveys done and how complete were they?

It depends. Some areas have very complete surveys, some partial. Many areas haven’t had plant surveys. Most areas will not have very recent surveys.

Preproposal Conference Notes Page 2 of 3

8. Would you award a compartment/compartment package to several groups; or would it be one group per compartment/compartment package?

Most likely there would be only one group in a compartment or package of compartments.

However, there could be some overlap depending on response to offers and capacity. Drains vary-some easy to go through, some thick and hard to move through. Expect variation in vegetation within sites and within packages.

9. What have been past unit prices per acre and per ¼ mile?

The last contract on the De Soto was done in 2003. We do not have historical contract pricing.

10. Within a survey area, would you expect conflicts with hunters?

We do not anticipate any conflicts with hunters. However, as always when working in the Forest, we recommend wearing highly-visible, reflective clothing be situationally aware.

A vehicle on side of road is usually an indication that someone is in the woods. Talk and otherwise make noise so that you are not mistaken for an animal.

11. According to the material, work should be done Monday through Friday? Is that ironclad or is it okay to work on weekend?

Unless time changes are approved by the COR or Inspector, all work shall be performed during the time period of one-half hour after sunrise to one-half hour before sunset, Monday through Friday.

No additional compensation is provided should a Contractor schedule work on weekends or holidays.

12. Are you bidding this out as per acre or per compartment cost?

We are bidding it out either on per acre cost for compartments or per ¼ mile for miles of fire lanes/drains.

13. What happens if the list of plants changes during a survey?

The list of plants will vary by District and will change in the future. We will probably not add too many more species, but may add some different ones. If the list changes mid-survey, then already surveyed areas will stay under old list and rest of survey under the new list.

14. We need to see the Contractor’s methodology for surveying in the proposal. See AGAR 452.215-71 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF TECHNICAL AND BUSINESS PROPOSALS (SEP 1999) in the solicitation.

15. Do we want information on plants on the state heritage list?

Yes, we would like it. It is not part of the requirement, but we would appreciate it.

16. Does the sample report page count against the 30 page limit.

The sample report will count as one page even if it is more than 1 page.

Preproposal Conference Notes Page 3 of 3

17. Does the past performance report count again the 30 pages.

It does not count against 30 pages. Cover and back sheets count against 30 pages, pretty pictures count as part of your pages. Don’t worry about pretty covers.

18. Contract sheet is on page 46?

Yes and is one page.

19. What kind of Quality Assurance Plan do you want as they vary based on type of project?

Provide a Quality Assurance Plan that is specific to the work required by the solicitation. Cite the quality assurance plan that you will follow to perform quality control on your surveys and reports.

20. You ask for 3 past performance records, is that a maximum?

No, it is a minimum, but you can have more. Past performance doesn’t count against your 30 pages.

Send your past performance form to your evaluators and they should forward them to the Forest Service. You can use our form, or your own, but make sure you cover all the bases on our form.

21. If we as a contractor use a subcontractor, does the subcontractor have to submit a formal document?

No

22. Should the contractor submit past performance forms for any subcontractors to be used?

Yes, it is encouraged.

23. How will we be notified if we receive an award?

Successful offerors will be posted to Fed Biz Opps, www.fbo.gov. The Forest Service will also send an email with copy of contract to successful offerors. We are anticipating multiple awards.

Successful offerors compete for the individual projects. Competition will be based primarily on price at that point, because you would have already been qualified based on technical requirements.

24. How many awards does the Forest Service anticipate?

We do not have a set number of awards anticipated. The amount of awards depends on the amount of highly qualified offerors.

25. Can you bid on only a certain area or should you bid for the whole state?

Contractors should submit an offer for the entire project no matter which District or area they wish to perform work.

http://www.fbo.gov/

LISA YAGER

DE SOTO RANGER

DISTRICT, USDA

FOREST SERVICE

GEMAA PELCH

AZW

USDA FOREST

SERVICE

Lindsay Hanna AEM Group

Danielle McLain AEM Group

Tony Grow Grow Environmental Solutions, LLC

GPELCH02@FS.FED.US