Amendment_006_SF-30.doc

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

PAGE OF PAGES

Contracting Officer

USDA Forest Service

Pan American Bldg Suite 200

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AG-7604-S-12-0020

9B. DATE (SEE ITEM 11)

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9/21/2012

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER

NO.

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

FORMCHECKBOX

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers FORMCHECKBOX is extended, FORMCHECKBOX is not ex-tended.

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 Items 8 and 15, and returning 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 ACKNOWLEDG-MENT 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 this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required)

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACT/ORDERS,

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

TRACT ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

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B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying offices, appropriation date, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

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D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority)

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor FORMCHECKBOX is not, FORMCHECKBOX is required to sign this document and return _1_ copies to the issuing office.

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

See Page 2-8

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

Brendell J. Gallegos, Contracting Officer

BY

(Signature of person authorized to sign)

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

AG-7604-S-12-0020

Amendment #006 Amendment #005 is issued to provide the following responses to questions:

Questions and Responses – 9/21/2012 Question 1: Please verify the correct Lat/Long for the Table Rock, OR site? The coordinates of Latitude N 31 01 41.5 Longitude W 117 54 40.8 are for a point in the Pacific Ocean off the Baja California Coast of Mexico.

· Table Rock Tower Geotechnical Investigation has been removed from Task Order 0001 and will no longer be available for submission of proposals.

Question 2: Cougar Tower SOW: Location shows 45 57 19N 123 51 48W. We think the correct site location is 44 57 19N 123 51 48W. Geo report is showing the gps coordinate as well. Site is located in Lincoln County, OR. Please advise us of the correct coordinates.

· The Radio Technician confirmed the correct GPS coordinates are 44 57 19N 123 51 48W.

Question 3: Regarding subcontractor pricing, the following language has been included in the task order:

(3) SUBCONTRACTS

(a) Subcontractors may completely burden their labor through G&A and Profit in their

Tables 1 and 2 submissions to the prime contractor. Fully-disclosed subcontractor Tables 1, 2, and 3 shall be submitted directly to the PCO, under separate cover, completed in accordance with the pricing instructions in this solicitation. NOTE: Subcontractor tables are due by the closing date identified in this announcement.

Does this mean that our subcontractors are supposed to send their pricing directly to you, or does this mean that we are to include a breakdown of their pricing under separate sealed cover in our proposal to you as the Prime Contractor?

· The vendor has the ability to either send the information required directly to the Contracting Officer is via separate sealed envelope or submit the same information via separate sealed envelope with the prime contractor’s proposal submission. Please note that if a separate submission is provides, these submissions are subject to Late Proposal requirements.

Question 4: Sample Task Order: Will the government provide a survey of the tower site for use in design.

· The Government does not have a survey of the tower site for use in the design. This was confirmed by the Forest.

Question 5: Sample Task Order: Will the government provide a topographic survey of the access road to the site?

· The Government does not have a topographic survey of the access road to the site. The forest has informed that access to the site is accessible to by a 2WD vehicle.

Question 6: Sample Task Order: What is the equipment load for the tower?

· Tower loading is to be determined by the vendor with government providing quantities’ and part numbers for all telecommunications equipment that will be installed on identified tower. All specifications for equipment can be found at the manufactures website or with a distributor. The vendors engineer is to provide the tower loading with specified number and type of antenna with an assumption that up to two additional antennas could be added to every tower without effecting the load capabilities of the tower.

Question 7: Sample Task Order: What is the Class of Structure for the tower?

· Class 2 – This has been noted in the Sample Task Order.

Question 8: Sample Task Order: What is the Exposure Category for the tower?

· Based on ANSI EIA/TIA 222G Question 9: Sample Task Order: What is the Topographic Category for the tower?

· Based on ANSI EIA/TIA 222G Question 10: Sample Task Order: What is the Site Class for the tower?

· Based on ANSI EIA/TIA 222G Question 11: Sample Task Order: In RFP Section 10.0 Safety Plan it is stated: "Vendor must provide fencing around the immediate installation of the communication tower and foundation when not working at site. Is this fencing and assume gate going to be permanent and remain on the site post-project completion and sign off? If so, what are the expected specifications of this fencing and gate (i.e. fencing material and dimensions, buffer area size between fencing and foundation)?

· No. The requirements for the fencing are to secure the site during the construction phase. The Forest Services does not envision permanent fencing. However, if permanent fencing is required, the Task Order will specify those requirements.. The Cougar tower under the Sample Task Order will not require a fence to be permanent.

Question 12: Sample Task Order; RFP Section C.3, p.9: The Sample Task Order states that "Antennas to be provided GFE." However, in the SOW, it states on page 9: "Government Furnished Property (GFP) is not available at this time. However should the Government opt to provide GFP for a specific Task Order, the GFP listing will be furnished by the Government and properly identified on the Task Order Price Request." Currently the Task Order #0003 Tower Construction states: "The contractor shall furnish the necessary labor, supplies, equipment, materials, travel, facilities, hardware, required to accomplish the Tower Construction detailed in SOW Paragraphs 6.0 through 8.0. Task Orders will be issued in accordance with Section H entitled 'Task Order Process.'" What will the Point of Demarcation be for the contractor between the equipment hut and the fully built out Tower?

· Antennas will be clearly identified in each task order contractors will propose on. In the case of the Sample Task Order, the Government originally listed GFP N/A in error. The government will provide 3 antennas as GFP in support of the Sample Task Order. Please see ANTENNAS in the SOW located in CLIN #003. Note that for future requirements, the Government will list out the GFP in each Task Order.

Question 13: Attachment 3, Pricing Tables, Table 1, Transition, Base Period, Option 1-3: What is defined as a transition period? Does the Government mean Mobilization? If the Government does want to show a transition from an incumbent, please provide the projects that may be transitioned as well as the staff to be transitioned, per the President’s Order regarding existing contract staff. What is the purpose of the base year plus three option years? The RFP calls for Base plus four option years.

· The pricing table contained at Attachment 3 – Table 1 contains two errors and is replaced in its entirety with the revised Attachment “3R”. Note that the reference to “Transition” was an oversight and is NOT required. Additionally, please note that option pricing for the Sample Task is NOT required.

Question 14: Attachment 3, Pricing Tables, Table 1, Transition, Base Period, Option 1-3: Table 1 represents a rollup of Table 2 CLINS based on Task Order 0001 and the Sample Task Order. However, the Tasks provided for pricing purposes will not extend beyond the Base Period. What does the Government want to be included in Option Years? Usually for Fixed Fee contracts, the vendors are expected to provide a fixed price per Task Order/Contract and provide appropriate data as their basis of estimate. If the Government is anticipating a cost plus fixed fee contract, please advise. It is our observation that normally on a fixed priced contract the Government requests the contractor to provide their basis of estimate based upon their standard and proprietary accounting and estimating systems and methodologies. We suggest that the Government only ask that the vendors provide sufficient basis of estimate in accordance with the CLINs with sufficient information and transparency for the Government to fairly and effectively evaluate the contractor’s offer.

· Please refer to response to question 13. Also note that the Government does NOT anticipate a cost plus fixed fee contract. The Government has requested the minimum pricing information necessary to evaluate proposed prices as fair and reasonable.

Question 15: Attachment 3, Pricing Tables, Table 1: Table 1 indicates that Materials/Supplies/Equipment should be included in one column; usually these items are considered ODCs, which are in another column. Please clarify what should be included in ODCs.

· Please refer to page 19, item 6 entitled Other Direct Costs (ODCs) for examples of what should be included as ODCs

Question 16: Attachment 3, Pricing Tables, Table 2: Table 2 instructions request that the number of production hours (i.e., exclusive of non-productive time such as vacation and holiday hours) that comprise an FTE be included in Column D. However, in order to arrive at an actual cost for each CLIN, normally only a portion of an FTE’s time will be included. If the Government wishes to determine the actual number of labor hours required by the CLIN, the columns should reflect the hours on the CLIN Task in a separate column

· No. The request information is for price evaluation purposes. Please provide the information as requested.

Question 17: Attachment 3, Pricing Tables, Table 3: The instructions for indirect rates state that “indirect rates should reflect only those costs that cannot reasonably be charged to a specific contract CLIN” However, Section B-2 Bonding of the SOW states that “any prices offered for a Task Order shall include bonding costs in Mobilization or Overhead”. Performance Bonds are specific to Task Orders and Contracts, and are a specific direct charge to a task and therefore an ODC under usual and customary accounting practices as well as DCAA. We suggest performance bonds should be priced as an ODC. Additionally, since the contract is a fixed price contract, and the Government will not pay until the Task Order is complete and accepted by the Government, what is the basis and benefit to the Government for requiring a performance bond and the associated additional costs?

· Please refer to paragraph 4.2.6 that states in part … “if the offeror’s terminology differs significantly from the list provided – cross reference the terms’” The purpose of the performance bonds is to ensure that the contractor fully performs it obligations under the contract.

Question 18: The Table Rock site is listed as Umatilla National Forest, Oregon – could the location be in Washington State? Please confirm.

· The Table Rock Tower has been removed and will be reflected on Task Order 0001.

Question 19: The Table Rock coordinates place the site in the ocean. It appears the latitude may be incorrect. Please confirm coordinates.

· Please refer to Question 18 for further information.

Question 20: Sample Task Order, attachment #4, CLIN #0003 Descriptive Data – refers to accomplish the Tower Construction per Paragraphs 6.0 through 8.0. Section 8.0 Entry Panels states a minimum of 2-entry ports shall be installed at building entrance. Are we to assume that the existing facility at Cougar Tower does not have adequate entry ports and that the contractor is to purchase & install a new 2-port minimum entry panel to support the new tower antenna RF transmission cables?

· Please refer to Section 8.0 for the exact requirements to government is requiring at the Cougar Tower Site in the Sample Task Order.

Question 21: Sample Task Order, attachment #4, CLIN #0003 Antennas – states the antennas are to be provided GFE. Will the transmission line (LDF4-50A) also be provided as GFE?

· The Government will not be providing the transmission line (LDF4-50A) for the Cougar tower in the Sample Task Order.

Question 22: Sample Task Order, attachment #4, CLIN #0003 Antennas – states the antennas are to be provided GFE. Will the antenna mount (1-3’ sidearm & 1-flush mount 2 3/8” O.D. pipe) also be provided as GFE?

· The Government will be providing the antenna mount (1-3’ sidearm & 1-flush mount 2 3/8” O.D. pipe) for the Cougar tower in the Sample Task Order.

Question 23: Sample Task Order, attachment #4, CLIN #0003 Antennas – states the antennas are to be provided GFE. Will the antenna transmission line cable connectors (N Male connectors) also be provided as GFE?

· The Government will be providing the antenna mount (1-3’ sidearm & 1-flush mount 2 3/8” O.D. pipe) for the Cougar tower in the Sample Task Order.

Question 24: Sample Task Order, attachment #4, CLIN #0003 Antennas – states the antennas are to be provided GFE. Will the antenna transmission line cable lightning/surge protection devices (Polyphaser IS-5ONX-C2-MA or equivalent) also be provided as GFE?

· The Government will not be providing the antenna transmission line cable lightning/surge protection devices (Polyphaser IS-5ONX-C2-MA or equivalent)for the Cougar tower in the Sample Task Order Question 25: Pricing Tables, attachment #3, table #1 – “Transition”. Can the Government explain what they are referring to and what the offers’ are to enter in this row?

· The Transition was accidently entered into the spreadsheet and is now deleted and will not be required.

Question 26: Pricing Tables, attachment #3, table #1 – “Base Period”. Can the Government explain what they are referring to and what the offers’ are to enter in this row?

· The Base Period was named incorrectly. The name of the line is now Cougar Tower.

Question 27: Pricing Tables, attachment #3, table #1 – “Option 1”. Can the Government explain what they are referring to and what the offers’ are to enter in this row?

· The Option 1 was accidently entered into the spreadsheet and is now deleted and will not be required.

Question 28: Pricing Tables, attachment #3, table #1 – “Option 2”. Can the Government explain what they are referring to and what the offers’ are to enter in this row?

· The Option 2 was accidently entered into the spreadsheet and is now deleted and will not be required.

Question 29: Pricing Tables, attachment #3, table #1 – “Option 3”. Can the Government explain what they are referring to and what the offers’ are to enter in this row?

· The Option 3 was accidently entered into the spreadsheet and is now deleted and will not be required.

Question 30: Pricing Tables, attachment #3, table #1 – “Subcontracts”. Is this the section that offers’ input the total value for any subcontractors that would be utilized for fulfillment of the task order (i.e. tower, concrete, foundation construction, etc.)?

· Yes, that is correct.

Question 31: Pricing Tables, attachment #3, table #2 – will the Prime Contractor include subcontractor labor categories in this table along with the Prime’s labor categories?

· No the total sub contract costs should be shown here. Subcontractors are required to submit the same level of detail for their proposal directly to the CO.

Question 32: Pricing Tables, attachment #3, table #1 – “Subcontractors”. Will all Prime Contractor’s subcontract costs be input in this section?

· Yes, that is correct.

Question 33: Solicitation AG-7604-S-12-0020, Section H-4.0 Pricing Instructions for Task Orders, paragraph 4.2.6 (3)(a) Subcontracts. How will the subcontractor submit the Fully-disclosed subcontractor Tables 1,2,3 to the PCO so that the PCO is able to cross reference and identify which Prime the subcontractor is submitting through?

· The subcontractor has the option of submitting Tables 1, 2, 3 to the PCO or incorporating them in with the prime’s proposal when submitting.

Question 34: Solicitation AG-7604-S-12-0020, Section H-4.0 Pricing Instructions for Task Orders, paragraph 4.2.6 (3)(b) Subcontracts. Is the Government requesting that the Prime contractor provide with our Price Proposal a copy of the verbal or written quote for the subcontracts as defined in this paragraph?

· Please refer to page 18 – paragraph 3 entitled SUBCONTRACTS

Question 35: Solicitation AG-7604-S-12-0020, Section H-4.0 Pricing Instructions for Task Orders, paragraph 4.2.6 (3)(b) Subcontracts. Can the government provide an example of what they are referring to as a subcontract for other than labor?

· A subcontract is defined as “any contract (e.g. mutually binding legal relationship (obligating seller and to furnish supplies or services and a buyer to pay for them) entered into for supplies or services for the performance of a prime contract of a sub contract. It includes, but is not limited to purchase orders, and changes and modifications to purchaser orders.

Question 36: Solicitation AG-7604-S-12-0020, Section H-4.0 Pricing Instructions for Task Orders, paragraph 4.2.5. Will the offeror (Prime Contractor) be providing separate Price Tables, attachment #3, one for the Prime and one for each Prime’s subcontractors? Example, if Prime contractor has a total of two (2) subcontractors in order to fulfill the task order, would the Prime be submitting a total of three (3) Pricing Tables?

· Yes, that is correct.

Question 37: Solicitation AG-7604-S-12-0020, Section L-3 Volume 1: Mission Capability. The Factor 1: Technical Approach now includes the Sample Task Order as Chapter 4 and is included in the 25-page limit. From a technical stand-point, we are finding it difficult to adequately document all the requested information within the 25-page limit. Being that the Technical Approach is the highest rated Evaluation Factor, will the Government increase the page limit to 50-pages or remove the Sample Task Order and Task Order 0001 as being included in the page count?

· Task Order 0001 and Sample Task Order will not be included in the 25 page count. This will be reflected on the RFP.

Question 38: For the 2 Yagi antennas to be provided for the Cougar sample task, what are the model #s?

· UHF Yagi Kathrein Scala CA7-410. This information has been noted in the Sample Task Order.

Question 39: What is the size and model of the tower that needs to be removed for the Cougar sample task?

· ROAN 45 G. This has been noted in the Sample Task Order.

Question 40: Would subcontractors that primarily provide manufacturing and materials need to complete Attachment 3- Table 1, 2 and 3?

· Please refer to page 18 – paragraph 3 entitled SUBCONTRACTS

In lieu of STANDARD FORM 30 In lieu of STANDARD FORM 30 BACK