AG-64R4-S-13-0010AY_-_Offerors_Copy.docx

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS

OFFEROR TO COMPLETE BLOCKS 12, 17, 23, 24, & 30

1. REQUISITION NO.

PAGE

2. CONTRACT NO.

3. AWARD/EFFECTIVE DATE

4. ORDER NUMBER

5. SOLICITATION NUMBER

AG-64R4-S-13-0010AY

6. SOLICITATION ISSUE DATE

05/17/2013

7. FOR SOLICITATION

INFORMATION CALL

a. NAME Anita Young, Contract Specialist

b. TELEPHONE NO. (No collect calls) 573-341-7470

8. OFFER DUE DATE/LOCAL TIME

06/13/2013 4:30pm

9. ISSUED BY CODE

USDA Forest Service Mark Twain National Forest 401 Fairgrounds Road Rolla, MO 65401

|_| UNRESTRICTED

SET ASIDE: 100 % FOR

SMALL BUSINESS

DESTINATION UNLESS BLOCK IS MARKED

|_| SEE SCHEDULE

|_| 8(A)

SIC: 541990

SIZE STANDARD: $14 Million

15. DELIVER TO

16. ADMINISTERED BY CODE

Same as Block 9

USDA Forest Service

19.

ITEM NO.

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

21.

QUANTITY

22.

UNIT

23.

UNIT PRICE

24.

AMOUNT

BOTANICAL SURVEY/INVASIVE PLANT INVENTORY/VEGETATION PLOT INVENTORY

MARK TWAIN NATIONAL FOREST

This solicitation is being issued pursuant to applicable parts of FAR 12—Acquisition of Commercial Items and FAR 13 – Simplified Acquisition Procedures.

SEE

SCHEDULE

OF ITEMS

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

26. TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT (For Govt. Use Only)

27a. SOLICITATION INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-3 AND 52.212-5 ARE ATTACHED. ADDENDA ARE |_| ARE NOT ATTACHED.

|_| 27b. CONTRACT/PURCHASE ORDER INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-5 IS ATTACHED. ADDENDA |_| ARE |_| ARE NOT ATTACHED.

The full text of a clause or provision may be accessed electronically at www.arnet.gov/far/

30a. SIGNATURE OF OFFEROR/CONTRACTOR

31a. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (SIGNATURE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER)

30b. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (TYPE OR PRINT)

30c. DATE SIGNED

31b. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (TYPE OR PRINT)

31c. DATE SIGNED

34. VOUCHER NUMBER

35. AMOUNT VERIFIED CORRECT FOR

38. S/R ACCOUNT NO.

39. S/R VOUCHER NO.

40. PAID BY

42a. RECEIVED BY (Print)

41a. I CERTIFY THIS ACCOUNT IS CORRECT AND PROPER FOR PAYMENT

SOLICITATION NO. AG-64R4-S-13-0010AY

OFFEROR’S COPY

BOTANICAL SURVEY – MARK TWAIN NATIONAL FOREST

SECTION B - SCHEDULE OF ITEMS

BOTANICAL SURVEY/INVASIVE PLANT INVENTORY/VEGETATION PLOT INVENTORY

MARK TWAIN NATIONAL FOREST

The contractor shall provide any and all labor, materials, equipment, tools, transportation, supplies (except as herein specified as Government furnished property), services, incidentals, permits, and licenses necessary for conducting threatened, endangered and sensitive species, and non-native invasive species surveys and vegetation inventories on the Mark Twain National Forest. All work shall be performed in accordance with this solicitation and any resultant contract.

B.1.1 AVA RANGER DISTRICT

TASK/

SUB-TASK

DESCRIPTION

EST

QTY

UNIT

UNIT

PRICE

Base Period

UNIT

PRICE

Option Period 1

UNIT

PRICE

Option Period 2

UNIT

PRICE

Option Period 3

UNIT

PRICE

Option Period 4

5.0 BOTANICAL SURVEY/INVASIVE PLANT INVENTORY/VEGETATION PLOT INVENTORY

5.1

Botanical Survey*

Acre

5.2

Non-Native and Invasive Plant Inventory**

Acre

5.3

Vegetation Plot Inventory***

5.3.1

Establish all setting data for new permanent sampling plots

Plot

5.3.2

Relocate, collect all setting data

Plot

5.3.3

Relocate, collect tree/quadrats data; Brown’s Transect Only

5.3.4

Relocate, collect quadrats data only

Plot

5.3.5

Relocate, collect tree macroplot data only

Note: The Government has used a quantity of 1 for evaluation purposes for items where no work is currently planned.

B.1.2 CASSVILLE RANGER DISTRICT

EST

UNIT

PRICE

Base Period

UNIT

PRICE

Option Period 1

UNIT

PRICE

Option Period 2

UNIT

PRICE

Option Period 3

UNIT

PRICE

Acre

Plot

Plot

Note: The Government has used a quantity of 1 for evaluation purposes for items where no work is currently planned.

B.1.3 WILLOW SPRINGS RANGER DISTRICT

UNIT

PRICE

Base Period

UNIT

PRICE

Option Period 1

UNIT

PRICE

Option Period 2

UNIT

PRICE

Option Period 3

UNIT

PRICE

Acre

Plot

Plot

Note: The Government has used a quantity of 1 for evaluation purposes for items where no work is currently planned.

B.1.4 ELEVEN POINT RANGER DISTRICT

UNIT

PRICE

Base Period

UNIT

PRICE

Option Period 1

UNIT

PRICE

Option Period 2

UNIT

PRICE

Option Period 3

UNIT

PRICE

Acre

Plot

Plot

Note: The Government has used a quantity of 1 for evaluation purposes for items where no work is currently planned.

B.1.5 POPLAR BLUFF RANGER DISTRICT

UNIT

PRICE

Base Period

UNIT

PRICE

Option Period 1

UNIT

PRICE

Option Period 2

UNIT

PRICE

Option Period 3

UNIT

PRICE

Acre

Plot

Plot

Note: The Government has used a quantity of 1 for evaluation purposes for items where no work is currently planned.

B.1.6 SALEM RANGER DISTRICT

UNIT

PRICE

Base Period

UNIT

PRICE

Option Period 1

UNIT

PRICE

Option Period 2

UNIT

PRICE

Option Period 3

UNIT

PRICE

Acre

Plot

Plot

Note: The Government has used a quantity of 1 for evaluation purposes for items where no work is currently planned.

B.1.7 POTOSI/FREDERICKTOWN RANGER DISTRICT

UNIT

PRICE

Base Period

UNIT

PRICE

Option Period 1

UNIT

PRICE

Option Period 2

UNIT

PRICE

Option Period 3

UNIT

PRICE

Acre

Plot

Plot

Note: The Government has used a quantity of 1 for evaluation purposes for items where no work is currently planned.

B.1.8 HOUSTON/ROLLA RANGER DISTRICT

UNIT

PRICE

Base Period

UNIT

PRICE

Option Period 1

UNIT

PRICE

Option Period 2

UNIT

PRICE

Option Period 3

UNIT

PRICE

Acre

Plot

Plot

Note: The Government has used a quantity of 1 for evaluation purposes for items where no work is currently planned.

B.1.9 CEDAR CREEK RANGER DISTRICT

UNIT

PRICE

Base Period

UNIT

PRICE

Option Period 1

UNIT

PRICE

Option Period 2

UNIT

PRICE

Option Period 3

UNIT

PRICE

Acre

Plot

Plot

Note: The Government has used a quantity of 1 for evaluation purposes for items where no work is currently planned.

* Botanical Survey: Survey specific areas, as identified, for the presence of species on the Federal Threatened and Endangered Species List, State Plant Species of Conservation Concern and the Region 9 Regional Forester’s Sensitive Species List for the mark Twain National Forest. Those species on the threatened, endangered, or sensitive species lists will be referred to as TES species in this document.

** Non-Native and Invasive Plant Inventory: Survey and inventory for the presence of non-native and invasive plant species.

***Vegetation Plot Inventory: Data collection per plot setting may include plant data within 1/10th acre tree macroplot, Brown’s transects, 50 ¼ meter quadrats and high resolution photographs.

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO OFFERORS

SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT (SAM) REGISTRATION: In order to be eligible for an award, potential contractors must comply with all requirements of FAR Clause 52.204-99--System for Award Management Registration (DEVIATION). Offerors may register in SAM at www.sam.gov. There is no charge to register when registration is done at the official SAM website shown here.

All offerors must submit the following information:

HOME PHONE: __________________________ CELL PHONE: ____________________________

E-MAIL ADDRESS:_________________________________________________________________

DATA UNIVERSAL NUMBERING SYSTEM (DUNS) NUMBER: __________________________

FEDERAL TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: __________________________________________

ARE YOU REGISTERED IN THE SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT (SAM) AND IS YOUR INFORMATION CURRENT? [ ] YES [ ] NO

ARE YOU REGISTERED IN THE ONLINE REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS (ORCA) DATABASE? [ ] YES [ ] NO

NON DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

B.2 GENERAL AWARD INFORMATION

B.2.1 BASIS OF AWARD:

Award of a contract will be made to that offeror or offerors 1) whose proposal is technically acceptable, and 2) whose technical/cost relationship is the most advantageous to the Government. While cost is secondary, it will be a factor in the award decision. The critical factor in making any cost/quality tradeoff is not the numerical spread between the technical scores, but what the significance of the difference might mean in terms of performance and what it would cost the Government to take advantage of it. This means that award may not necessarily be made to that offeror submitting the lowest priced technically acceptable offer. Award of the contract may be made on the basis of initial offers received, without discussion of such offers. Each initial offer should be submitted on the most favorable terms from a price and technical standpoint, which the offeror can submit. Every proposal received will be carefully considered and all information submitted will be kept in strict confidence. Sufficient data must accompany each proposal to allow the Board of Contract Awards to evaluate each of the Evaluation Factors for Award.

Offerors that do not submit a technical proposal will not be considered for award.

B.2.2 CONTRACT AWARDS:

Multiple Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts for botanical survey and inventory work on the Mark Twain National Forest is anticipated. Surveys will be for threatened, endangered, and sensitive plant species (TES), inventory for non-native invasive plants (NNIP) and inventory for fix vegetation plot data collection on the Mark Twain National Forest. Vegetation plot information per plot setting may include plant data within 1/10th acre tree macroplot, Brown’s transects, 50 ¼ meter quadrats, and high resolution photographs.

Work will be accomplished through task orders (TO) issued against these IDIQ contracts. Offerors may offer on one line item, all line items, or any combination of line items. The Government anticipates award of no less than 2 and no more than 6 contracts as a result of this solicitation.

B.2.3 TASK ORDERS:

Individual task orders will be issued for work to be done. Task orders will be awarded during the base period for each line item based on prices received in response to this solicitation. Task orders awarded during future option periods may be competed among contract awardees (see PRICING), however the Forest Service can elect to issue a TO without competition. Reasons for not competing a TO may include: 1) meeting the minimum contract guarantee, 2) new work that ties directly with work previously completed by one of the IDIQ contractors, or 3) an emergency situation.

B.2.4 PRICING:

The pricing offered is considered by the Forest Service to be a contractually binding unit ceiling pricing. If a contract is awarded based on this pricing, the Contractor is bound to this offered pricing as the maximum pricing that can be offered when a task order is solicited. When offering a task order proposal, the IDIQ Contractor can elect to offer less than the contractually established ceiling pricing; however, this reduction is only in effect for that specific task order solicitation and resultant task order and does not constitute a contractual change to the unit ceiling pricing.

The offeror’s prices for all line items should include all costs associated with performing the work required by each task and sub-task and all applicable overhead and profit and all burden costs such as, insurance, support costs, compliance with environmental laws, taxes, and protection of government property. If any portion of the work will be subcontracted the price proposed should be inclusive of all costs involved with subcontracting the work.

An IDIQ Contractor can only offer a proposal for a task order solicitation where line item pricing is contractually established at the time of contract award.

B.2.5 PRE-PROPOSAL MEETING:

A Pre-Proposal Meeting is not scheduled for this solicitation. Please contact Anita Young at (573) 341-7470 or by email at ayoung@fs.fed.us for information for the following: (1) to review the requirements of the Performance-Based Service Contract type of contracting, (2) to discuss the format for submitting proposals, and (3) to discuss the evaluation process for this contract. Contractors should contact Brian Davidson at (573) 341-7414 or by e-mail at briandavidson@fs.fed.us for additional technical information.

B.2.6 SITE VISITS:

No formal site visits are being scheduled for this solicitation. However, offerors are required to inspect the site where services are to be performed and to satisfy themselves regarding all general and local conditions that may affect the cost of contract performance, to the extent that the information is reasonably obtainable. Failure to inspect the site prior to any contract award will not later be deemed as the basis for any claim. Contractors desiring to view the sites may schedule a site visit by contacting Brian Davidson at the above telephone or e-mail address.

Task orders for Botanical Surveys and NNIP surveys can be issued on any unit on the Mark Twain National Forest. Contractors should examine the site location exhibit to see where previous plot settings are situated.

B.2.7 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 $2,000, but not in excess of $250,000.

SECTION C – DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATION AND WORK STATEMENT

DIVISION 1.0 – GENERAL

1.1 SCOPE OF CONTRACT

Botanical Survey/NNIP Inventory: This contract is for the survey of specific areas for the presence of species on the Federal Threatened and Endangered Species list and the Region 9 Regional Forester’s Sensitive Species list for the Mark Twain National Forest. Those species on the threatened, endangered, or sensitive species lists will be referred to as TES species in this document. Also, this contract is for the survey for plants on the Forest’s Non-Native Invasive Plants (NNIP) list, particularly those species with the potential to invade forested ecosystems (high priority NNIP). See attached list of TES and NNIP in Attachments B and C.

Vegetation plot inventory: Work will consist of locating and establishing the plot center using a global positioning system device (GPS). Plot will be monumented so that the plot center can be relocated for measuring and recording data. Vegetation will be measured, data collected by Data Recorder, and a photo taken of the plot for documentation. A list and shape file of plot locations will be furnished upon issuing work orders.

The contractor shall provide any and all labor, equipment, supplies, services, and licenses/permits necessary to perform the services required herein in accordance with the terms, specifications, conditions, and provisions of this solicitation. The contractor and contractor’s employees must be able to identify all species of vascular plants on the attached lists of TES and NNIS plants on the Mark Twain National Forest.

Data collected and reports prepared under this contract are the property of the USDA Forest Service. Data publication is prohibited without prior written consent of the USDA Forest Service. The USDA Forest Service reserves the right to edit any potential publications. The USDA Forest Service will be acknowledged in any publication using such data.

1.2 DESCRIPTION AND LOCATION

Botanical Survey/NNIP Inventory: The Contractor will conduct a TES species survey on the Mark Twain National Forest. All stands/areas listed in the Schedule of Items will be thoroughly surveyed by the timed-meander method with bias toward covering known likely habitat for the TES plants. Travel routes should cross drainages and side ridges to provide good coverage of all of the different habitats present in each stand/area. While TES and NNIS plants will be the focus of the survey, the Contractor will compile a list of all herbaceous, vine, and shrub species found during the survey.

While conducting the survey, the Contractor will also report conditions found within the stand or site, regardless of presence or absence of TES and NNIS plant species. Remarks of this type should include: general ecological characterization of the site, notation of erosional features, evidence of herbivore, feral hog activity, rock outcrops and ledges, large areas of blow down, seeps, wetlands, and presence of old roads within the stand. The Contractor will also report populations of TES plants or high priority NNIS encountered within the project area boundary while traveling between stands to be surveyed.

The areas to be surveyed are located across the Forest (see maps included in attachments). Exact locations for surveys will be species specific and will be contained in each Task Order.

Vegetation plot inventory: Plots settings are located across the Forest; please see maps in attachments and refer to the list of existing monitoring plots. Exact locations for vegetation monitoring will be contained in each Task Order.

While most work orders will resample vegetation plot locations as specified, the locating of some new vegetation plot settings is anticipated during the contract period. Access and travel to plots should take into account an average distance to plot centers of approximately ¼ to ½ mile from Forest Service (or other accessible) roads. Exceptions will likely occur (i.e. wilderness areas) and offerors are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the contract areas. Additional compensation will not be allowed when conditions are different that those stated above.

1.3 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

The Contractor shall:

· Provide the COR with a survey plan prior to doing field surveys.

· Conduct the survey in accordance with the approved plan.

· Provide Bi-weekly progress reports to the COR.

· Provide a Final Report for all work contained in the Task Order to the COR

1.4 CONTRACTOR REPRESENTATIVE

The contractor shall provide a contract representative for the performance of the work if more than one person conducts the work. The name of this person and an alternate(s) who shall act for the contractor when the contractor is absent shall be designated in writing to the contracting officer. The contractor representative or alternate shall have full authority to act for the contractor on all contract matters relating to daily operation of this contract. The contractor representative and alternate(s) must be able to read, write, speak, understand English, and communicate with his/her staff.

1.5 PROTECTION OF IMPROVEMENTS

Any improvements damaged by the contractor’s work shall be repaired to the condition that existed prior to the start of work at the contractor’s expense. Access to respective established or referenced plots is via physical non-mechanical means from the nearest available forest service road or other public thoroughfare.

1.6 PAYMENT

Botanical Survey/NNIP Inventory: Payment for performed work will be based on actual work completed and final reports.

Vegetation Plot Inventory: Payment for performed work will be based on actual plot work completed. Plot establishment will include establishing or re-establishing the plot, vegetation data collected on the macroplot and all quadrats, Exams PC data files completed by the Contractor displaying technically accurate plant scientific names, quadrat data and photographs accepted by the Government. Quadrat data must be accurately entered into ExamsPC and verified by Forest Service staff to ensure that all data entries are complete and accurate to specifications as outlined under the Data Collection Specifications of this contract (also see Specifications and Inspections). Payment will be processed for completed Plots only and for a minimum amount of $5,000.00.

DIVISION 2.0 - DEFINITIONS

2.1 STANDARD DEFINITIONS

2.2 TECHNICAL DEFINITIONS

Cover abundance

The ocular estimation of percentage cover of all vascular plants in a quadrat

DIVISION 3.0 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY, MATERIALS AND SERVICES

3.1 – Government-Furnished

The Government will furnish the following items of Government property to the Contractor for use in the performance of this contract. The Contractor shall be liable for all loss or damage of such Government-Furnished Property delivered to him until completion and final acceptance of work required under this contract:

1) A list of species identified using these references must (as stated above) be cross referenced to the National Plant Database (NPD), including the NPD codes.

2) GPS list of plot locations with coordinates (Latitude and Longitude).

3) Software for CSE data entry with Mark Twain NF protocols.

4) List of Plant Species at Risk

5) Names for likely contacts (but not restricted to) for plant species information: Brian Davidson, Mark Twain National Forest; Paul Nelson, Mark Twain National Forest to assist with item c of B for the General Technical Specifications under the Vegetation Sampling Standards below.

6) Names of review contacts (but not restricted to): Brian Davidson, Botanist, Mark Twain National Forest; Paul Nelson, Ecologist, Mark Twain National Forest.

7) Alphabetical list of vascular plant species expected to occur on the Mark Twain National Forest.

8) Diagram describing the plot layout 9) Above Government-Furnished Property will be made available to the Contractor at the pre-work conference. The ExamsPC software for PDRs is available on the internet at:

(http://www.fs.fed.us/emc/nris/products/fsveg/index.shtml#software) and may be downloaded for data entry by the contractor. Any maps, overlays, and unused Government-furnished items shall be returned to the Government upon completion of the contract. Failure to do so may result in charges for damage or replacement.

Data collected and reports prepared under this contract are the property of the USDA Forest Service. Data publication is prohibited without prior consent of the USDA Forest Service, Mark Twain National Forest and the USDA Forest Service reserves the right to edit any potential publications. The USDA Forest Service will be acknowledged and referenced in any publications using such data.

DIVISION 4.0 CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS/SERVICES

4.1 – Contractor Furnished

The contractor shall provide any and all labor, equipment, supplies, services, and licenses/permits necessary to perform the services required herein in accordance with the terms, specifications, conditions, and provisions of this solicitation.

DIVISION 5.0 PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT TASKS AND CRITICAL SUBTASKS

5.0.1 BOTANICAL SURVEY/INVASIVE PLANT INVENTORY/VEGETATION PLOT INVENTORY

The contractor shall perform the following tasks and subtasks to the quality performance standards addressed in Section 7 or as indicated below for each task/subtask.

5.1 BOTANICAL SURVEY

Survey specific areas, as identified, for the presence of species on the Federal Threatened and Endangered Species List, State Plant Species of Conservation Concern and the Region 9 Regional Forester’s Sensitive Species List for the mark Twain National Forest. Those species on the threatened, endangered, or sensitive species lists will be referred to as TES species in this document.

5.2 NON-NATIVE AND INVASIVE PLANT INVENTORY

Survey and inventory for the presence of non-native and invasive plant species.

5.3 VEGETATION PLOT INVENTORY

Data collection per plot setting may include plant data within 1/10th acre tree macroplot, Brown’s transects, 50 ¼ meter quadrats and high resolution photographs.

5.4 DOCUMENTATION

The contractor shall provide the following documentation:

DIVISION 6.0 – GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS/ INDUSTRY STANDARDS/STATE AND GOVERNMENT STANDARDS/TECHNICAL EXIBITS

6.1 – TECHNICAL EXHIBITS

NUMBER/DATE

TITLE

AGENCY

NUMBER

OF

PAGES

Exhibit 1 May 2013

Technical Specifications for Threatened, Endangered and Sensitive and Non-Native Invasive Plant Species Surveys and Vegetation Plot Inventories

USDA Forest Service

DIVISION 7.0 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY

7.1 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS (see Technical Specifications)

Task/ Subtask Quality/ Performance Standards

Negative Incentives

Positive Incentives

5.1 Botanical Survey

5.2 Invasive Plant Inventory

5.3 Vegetation plot inventory

Flag pins run along the 250 foot transects are for the purpose of assuring the contractor accuracy in locating individual numbered quadrat numbers, and for purposes of inspections. The Contractor can opt to remove the flags following completion, invoicing and approval of relevant plot setting work.

The AQL for trees within the macroplot is 3% times the total tree count (TCnt) correctly identified for all trees less than 5 inches in diameter and no errors in identifying all tree species equal or greater than 5 inches in diameter within the macroplot.

Verify contractor records, data, and reports

Periodically witness contractor inspection

Independent Government verification Sampling plots and vegetation data collected not meeting the AQL will be reworked at the contractor’s expense until it reaches the AQL.

Those areas that cannot be reworked will result in non-payment for that area and a 1% decrease in total task order amount.

1% increase in payment of the total task order amount if all contract work requirements are met within the time frame allowed for each task order.

SECTION D – PACKAGING AND MARKING

{For this Solicitation, there are NO clauses in this Section}

SECTION E - INSPECTION

E.1 FAR 52.246-4 Inspection of Services - Fixed-Price. (AUG 1996)

SECTION F – DELIVERY OR PERFORMANCE

F.1 AGAR 452.211-74 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE (FEB 1988)

The period of performance of this contract is 12 months from date of award.

F.2 AGAR 452.211-75 EFFECTIVE PERIOD OF THE CONTRACT (FEB 88)

The effective period of this contract for the base period is for a 12-month period from date of award, plus four (4) one-year option periods, if exercised. Total duration of the contract shall not exceed five (5) years. Submission of an offer for the base contract period constitutes an offer to perform in the Option Periods, if exercised. Offerors not providing a unit price for the option periods will not be considered for an award.

CONTRACT TIME FOR TASK ORDERS: For TES and NNIS surveys, delivery date will be dependent upon time of year when task orders are written and how that time coordinates with growing seasons.

For establishing new, relocating old and monumenting plot setting locations, contract time shall commence immediately upon award of contract.

For collection of vegetation data from plot quadrats, contractor will collect vegetation data from respective ¼ meter quadrats during the growing season to maximize the most efficient plant identification and consistency in eventual analysis of the data. This generally runs from May 1 through September 30. The contractor can collect macroplot tree data any time during the contract period.

SECTION G – CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

G.1 TASK ORDER AUTHORITY: Any Contracting Officer assigned to the US Department of Agriculture, with the requisite warrant authority, may issue task orders against this contract.

G.2 INVOICE SCHEDULES: Invoices shall be submitted in arrears, no advance payments will be authorized.

G.3 PROPERLY SUBMITTED INVOICE: The invoice must contain specific information as listed below or the invoice shall be returned to the contractor within seven days after receipt, noting reasons why it is not a proper invoice. The agency payment office will no longer “hold” or “pen and ink” the invoice in an attempt to correct it. The contractor must correct and resubmit the invoice to the payment office where it will again be date stamped upon receipt

G.4 CONTRACTOR INVOICES: In accordance with Prompt Payment Act (Public Law 97-177), contractors are to submit proper invoices for payment. A proper invoice includes:

1. Name and address of the Contractor

2. Invoice date and invoice number

3. Contract/order number

4. Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)

5. Description, quantity, unit of measure, unit price, and extended price

6. Name (where practicable), title, phone number, and mailing address of person to notify in the event of a defective invoice.

G.5 GOVERNMENT INVOICE ADDRESS: Unless otherwise directed, all invoices from the contractor shall be mailed to the address cited on the Task Order documents.

G.6 PAYMENT TERMS: Once the properly submitted invoice is received, and services are accepted, the payment will be processed in accordance with the Prompt Payment Act. Notify the Contracting Officer or COR if payment is not received within ten (10) calendar days following the due date.

G.7 CONTRACTOR REMITTANCE ADDRESS: All payments by the Government to the contractor under this contract will be made in accordance with Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) methods referenced in this solicitation. All required contractor information must be entered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database (www.sam.gov). The SAM database information must also remain current.

G.8 PAYMENT STATUS: To receive a status regarding past due payments, contractors are encouraged to contact the PAYMENT INQUIRY branch at the USDA National Finance Center (800) 421-0323 or 504-426-6510.

G.9 NOTIFICATION OF PAYMENTS: Contractors are encouraged to enroll in the U.S Department of Treasury’s Financial Management Service (FMS), Internet Payment Platform (IPP). To enroll in the IPP-PAID service, please call IPP’s toll-free number at (866) 973-3131 or email at bos.ipp.helpdesk@bos.frb.org. This service is free and provides contractors with advance notification of payments processed through EFT. For additional information, please refer to the IPP-PAID website (https:www.ipp.gov/).

G.10 VETS-100 PROGRAM

In accordance with Title 38, United States Code, Section 4212(d), the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) collects and compiles data on the employment of veterans with Federal contractors and subcontractors. Federal contractors are required to submit one of two reports (VETS-100 and VETS-100A) and, in some cases, both reports. The VETS-100 Report and the VETS-100A Report must be submitted each year between August 1 and September 30. Per the recent DOL change, the Contractor need only report if the annual contract amount exceeds $100,000. For this IDIQ, the threshold will be $100,000 for any year, base or optional year.

Contractor questions concerning VETS-100 reporting and reporting requirements to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) at the following address:

U.S. Department of Labor 200 Constitution Ave., NW Washington, DC 20210

By Phone:

National Toll-Free Contact Center. Live assistance is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time by calling, 1-866-4-USA-DOL (1-866-487-2365), TTY: 1-877-889-5627.

Phone Numbers by Topic. Search for a Departmental phone number based on the topic of your question.

The Leadership Team. A list of phone numbers for key personnel in the Department.

General VETS-100 / VETS-100A Questions: Call the VETS-100 Service Center at (866) 237-0275 or email VETS100-customersupport@dol.gov. For international callers, please call (202) 693-4715.

SECTION H – SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

H.1 SPECIAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS OF KEY PERSONNEL

Minimum qualifications of key personnel performing and/or assisting with Contractor duties are based upon a GS-430 Botany Series, as follows:

Basic Requirements:

A. A Bachelor’s Degree: or higher in botany or basic plant science that included at least 24 semester hours in botany.

OR

B. Combination of education and experience-courses equivalent to a major in botany or basic plant science that included at least 24 semester hours in botany, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Evaluation of Education: Courses in basic botany, plant anatomy or morphology, cytology, histology, genetics, taxonomy or systematics, algology, mycology, ethnobotany, and those dealing with specific problems of botanical nature or with specific groups of plants are qualifying.

SECTION I - CONTRACT CLAUSES

I.1 FAR 52.212-5 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE ORDERS—COMMERCIAL ITEMS (JAN 2013)

(a) The Contractor shall comply with the following Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses, which are incorporated in this contract by reference, to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items:

(1) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (Feb 2009) (22 U.S.C. 7104(g)).

___Alternate I (Aug 2007) of 52.222-50 (22 U.S.C. 7104(g)).

(2) 52.233-3, Protest After Award (AUG 1996) (31 U.S.C. 3553).

(3) 52.233-4, Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (OCT 2004) (Pub. L. 108-77, 108-78).

(b) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (b) that the Contracting Officer has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items:

__ (1) 52.203-6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (Sept 2006), with Alternate I (Oct 1995) (41 U.S.C. 253g and 10 U.S.C. 2402).

__ (2) 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (Apr 2010) (Pub. L. 110-252, Title VI, Chapter 1 (41 U.S.C. 251 note)).

XX (3) 52.203-15, Whistleblower Protections under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (June 2010) (Section 1553 of Pub. L. 111-5). (Applies to contracts funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.)

__ (4) 52.204-10, Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (Aug 2012) (Pub. L. 109-282) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

__ (5) 52.204-11, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act—Reporting Requirements (Jul 2010) (Pub. L. 111-5).

XX (6) 52.209-6, Protecting the Government’s Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment. (Dec 2010) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

XX (7) 52.209-9, Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding Responsibility Matters (Feb 2012) (41 U.S.C. 2313).

__ (8) 52.209-10, Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations (May 2012) (section 738 of Division C of Pub. L. 112-74, section 740 of Division C of Pub. L. 111-117, section 743 of Division D of Pub. L. 111-8, and section 745 of Division D of Pub. L. 110-161).

__ (9) 52.219-3, Notice of HUBZone Set-Aside or Sole-Source Award (Nov 2011) (15 U.S.C. 657a).

__ (10) 52.219-4, Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small Business Concerns (JAN 2011) (if the offeror elects to waive the preference, it shall so indicate in its offer) (15 U.S.C. 657a).

__ (11) [Reserved] __ (12)(i) 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (Nov 2011) (15 U.S.C. 644).

__ (ii) Alternate I (Nov 2011).

__ (iii) Alternate II (Nov 2011).

__ (13)(i) 52.219-7, Notice of Partial Small Business Set-Aside (June 2003) (15 U.S.C. 644).

__ (ii) Alternate I (Oct 1995) of 52.219-7.

__ (iii) Alternate II (Mar 2004) of 52.219-7.

__ (14) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (Jan 2011) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3)).

__ (15)(i) 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan (Jan 2011) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(4)).

__ (ii) Alternate I (Oct 2001) of 52.219-9.

__ (iii) Alternate II (Oct 2001) of 52.219-9.

__ (iv) Alternate III (Jul 2010) of 52.219-9.

__ (16) 52.219-13, Notice of Set-Aside of Orders (Nov 2011)(15 U.S.C. 644(r)).

XX (17) 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting (Nov 2011) (15 U.S.C. 637(a)(14)).

__ (18) 52.219-16, Liquidated Damages—Subcontracting Plan (Jan 1999) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(4)(F)(i)).

__ (19)(i) 52.219-23, Notice of Price Evaluation Adjustment for Small Disadvantaged Business Concerns (OCT 2008) (10 U.S.C. 2323) (if the offeror elects to waive the adjustment, it shall so indicate in its offer).

__ (ii) Alternate I (June 2003) of 52.219-23.

__ (20) 52.219-25, Small Disadvantaged Business Participation Program—Disadvantaged Status and Reporting (Dec 2010) (Pub. L. 103-355, section 7102, and 10 U.S.C. 2323).

__ (21) 52.219-26, Small Disadvantaged Business Participation Program— Incentive Subcontracting (Oct 2000) (Pub. L. 103-355, section 7102, and 10 U.S.C. 2323).

__ (22) 52.219-27, Notice of Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside (Nov 2011) (15 U.S.C. 657 f).

XX (23) 52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Rerepresentation (Apr 2012) (15 U.S.C. 632(a)(2)).

__ (24) 52.219-29, Notice of Set-Aside for Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) Concerns (Apr 2012) (15 U.S.C. 637(m)).

__ (25) 52.219-30, Notice of Set-Aside for Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Concerns Eligible Under the WOSB Program (Apr 2012) (15 U.S.C. 637(m)).

XX (26) 52.222-3, Convict Labor (June 2003) (E.O. 11755).

XX (27) 52.222-19, Child Labor—Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies (Mar 2012) (E.O. 13126).

XX (28) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (Feb 1999).

XX (29) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Mar 2007) (E.O. 11246).

XX (30) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (Sep 2010)(38 U.S.C. 4212).

XX (31) 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities (Oct 2010) (29 U.S.C. 793).

XX (32) 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Veterans (SEP 2010) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

__ (33) 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (Dec 2010) (E.O. 13496).

XX (34) 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification (JUL 2012). (Executive Order 12989). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items or certain other types of commercial items as prescribed in 22.1803.)

XX (35)(i) 52.223-9, Estimate of Percentage of Recovered Material Content for EPA–Designated Items (May 2008) (42 U.S.C. 6962(c)(3)(A)(ii)). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items.)

__ (ii) Alternate I (May 2008) of 52.223-9 (42 U.S.C. 6962(i)(2)(C)). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items.)

__ (36) 52.223-15, Energy Efficiency in Energy-Consuming Products (DEC 2007) (42 U.S.C. 8259b).

__ (37)(i) 52.223-16, IEEE 1680 Standard for the Environmental Assessment of Personal Computer Products (DEC 2007) (E.O. 13423).

__ (ii) Alternate I (DEC 2007) of 52.223-16.

XX (38) 52.223-18, Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving (AUG 2011) (E.O. 13513).

__ (39) 52.225-1, Buy American Act—Supplies (Feb 2009) (41 U.S.C. 10a-10d).

__ (40)(i) 52.225-3, Buy American Act—Free Trade Agreements—Israeli Trade Act (Nov 2012) (41 U.S.C. chapter 83, 19 U.S.C. 3301 note, 19 U.S.C. 2112 note, 19 U.S.C. 3805 note, 19 U.S.C. 4001 note, Pub. L. 103-182, 108-77, 108-78, 108-286, 108-302, 109-53, 109-169, 109-283, 110-138, 112-41, 112-42, and 112-43).

__ (ii) Alternate I (Mar 2012) of 52.225-3.

__ (iii) Alternate II (Mar 2012) of 52.225-3.

__ (iv) Alternate III (Nov 2012) of 52.225-3.

__ (41) 52.225-5, Trade Agreements (NOV 2012) (19 U.S.C. 2501, et seq., 19 U.S.C. 3301 note).

__ (42) 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (June 2008) (E.O.’s, proclamations, and statutes administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury).

__ (43) 52.226-4, Notice of Disaster or Emergency Area Set-Aside (Nov 2007) (42 U.S.C. 5150).

__ (44) 52.226-5, Restrictions on Subcontracting Outside Disaster or Emergency Area (Nov 2007) (42 U.S.C. 5150).

__ (45) 52.232-29, Terms for Financing of Purchases of Commercial Items (Feb 2002) (41 U.S.C. 255(f), 10 U.S.C. 2307(f)).

__ (46) 52.232-30, Installment Payments for Commercial Items (Oct 1995) (41 U.S.C. 255(f), 10 U.S.C. 2307(f)).

__ (47) 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—Central Contractor Registration (Oct 2003) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

XX (48) 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—Other than Central Contractor Registration (May 1999) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

__ (49) 52.232-36, Payment by Third Party (Feb 2010) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

__ (50) 52.239-1, Privacy or Security Safeguards (Aug 1996) (5 U.S.C. 552a).

__ (51)(i) 52.247-64, Preference for Privately Owned U.S.-Flag Commercial Vessels (Feb 2006) (46 U.S.C. Appx. 1241(b) and 10 U.S.C. 2631).

__ (ii) Alternate I (Apr 2003) of 52.247-64.

(c) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (c), applicable to commercial services, that the Contracting Officer has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items:

[Contracting Officer check as appropriate.] XX (1) 52.222-41, Service Contract Act of 1965 (Nov 2007) (41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.).

XX (2) 52.222-42, Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires (May 1989) (29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.). GS-430-7/1 Botanist $18.59/hour XX (3) 52.222-43, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Act—Price Adjustment (Multiple Year and Option Contracts) (Sep 2009) (29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.).

__ (4) 52.222-44, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Act—Price Adjustment (Sep 2009) (29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.).

__ (5) 52.222-51, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Act to Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment—Requirements (Nov 2007) (41 351, et seq.).

__ (6) 52.222-53, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Act to Contracts for Certain Services—Requirements (Feb 2009) (41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.).

__ (7) 52.222-17, Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers (JAN 2013) (E.O.13495).

__ (8) 52.226-6, Promoting Excess Food Donation to Nonprofit Organizations (Mar 2009) (Pub. L. 110-247).

__ (9) 52.237-11, Accepting and Dispensing of $1 Coin (Sept 2008) (31 U.S.C. 5112(p)(1)).

(d) Comptroller General Examination of Record. The Contractor shall comply with the provisions of this paragraph (d) if this contract was awarded using other than sealed bid, is in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold, and does not contain the clause at 52.215-2, Audit and Records—Negotiation.

(1) The Comptroller General of the United States, or an authorized representative of the Comptroller General, shall have access to and right to examine any of the Contractor’s directly pertinent records involving transactions related to this contract.

(2) The Contractor…