ScopeofWork_IDIQBiologicalSurveyServices_26APR16.pdf

Sol. AG-8197-S-16-0008 IDIQ Biological Survey Services Coronado National Forest

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GENERAL DESCRIPTION

MASTER IDIQ BIOLOGICAL SURVEY SERVICES

A. SCOPE OF WORK

This IDIQ biological survey services requirement will provide a procurement instrument to quickly and collaboratively complete biological surveys that are or may be proposed for multiple species across the Coronado National Forest

(CNF). The basis for award for a Master IDIQ contract will be the evaluation of Offeror submittals for the PILOT

PROJECT (See PILOT PROJECT attachment). The awarded contractors (not to exceed two contracts) will compete for individual task orders as species are identified for survey and funding becomes available for the work.

Survey types may include, but are not limited to, visual encounter, call-back, trail-camera, catch and release, and presence/absence surveys on any one or all threatened, endangered, candidate, or petitioned species listed in Table 1 or the Regional Forester’s sensitive species in the attached spreadsheets. Types and locations of surveys will be developed and amended over time and will be dependent on site specific management actions (e.g., projects).

In addition, the scope of work may also include the contractor’s assistance in preparation of biological documents (that may or may not include the results of the aforementioned surveys) in compliance with the Endangered Species Act, National Forest Management Act, Forest Service Manual (FSM) 2670, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Bald and Golden

Eagle Protection Act, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and CNF Forest Land Management Plan (LMP).

These types of documents include:

Biological Assessments (BAs) to assess potential impacts to federally-listed Threatened, Endangered, Proposed, and Candidate plant and animal species and Critical Habitat (See Table 1).

Biological Evaluations (BEs) to assess potential impacts to species that are on the Regional Forester’s Sensitive species list (see attached spreadsheets).

Management Indicator Species reports as identified in the CNF LMP (Forest Service 1998).

Migratory Bird Analyses that address species protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Bald and Golden

Eagle Protection Act.

Summaries of aforementioned reports for inclusion in NEPA documents.

Qualifications

Offerors, as well as their employees and subcontractors must possess past experience and knowledge of species and habitats on the Coronado National Forest. Greater than 3 years of experience conducting surveys on multiple types of species is preferred (see Table 1 and attachments for pertinent species). Demonstrated ability to complete surveys and submit thorough, completed reports on time is of paramount importance. Appropriate permits from Arizona Game and Fish Department and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service are required. In addition, if Offerors have demonstrated knowledge of and experience preparing the aforementioned biological documents for the U.S. Forest Service, preferably for the CNF, this should be detailed in the response. These and all other qualifications should be thoroughly addressed in response to the evaluation criteria for the MSO PILOT PROJECT contained in this solicitation (See 52.212-2 Evaluation--Commercial Items).

Deliverables

For biological surveys, the selected contractor(s) shall prepare survey reports that will assess the population status/habitat status/resources status of the target species. Recommended report outlines will be developed in conjunction with the CNF for each task order/species and will follow standards in FSM 2670 and/or each relevant law, policy, or regulation, as appropriate.

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Performance Period

For biological surveys, a final report must be submitted annually, or within a mutually agreed upon time frame after survey completion. For other biological documents, performance period will be developed on a project by project basis.

Table 1. Threatened, endangered, candidate, and petitioned species on the CNF that may be included in surveys.

Common Name Scientific Name Status

Critical

Habitat

Apache trout Oncorhynchus apache threatened none

Arizona tree frog Hyla wrightorum candidate none

Bartram stonecrop Graptopetalum bartramii petitioned, under review none

Beardless chinchweed Pectis imberbis petitioned, under review none

Canelo Hills ladies’-tresses Spiranthes delitescens endangered none

Chiricahua leopard frog Lithobates chiricahuensis threatened designated

Gila chub Gila intermedia endangered designated

Gila topminnow Poeciliopsis occidentalis occidentalis endangered none

Gila trout Oncorhynchus gilae threatened none

Huachuca springsnail Pyrgulopsis thompsoni candidate none

Huachuca water umbel Lilaeopsis schaffneriana var.

recurva endangered designated

Jaguar Panthera onca endangered designated

Lesser long-nosed bat Leptonycteris curasoae yerbabuenae endangered none

Loach minnow Tiaroga cobitis endangered designated

Mexican gray wolf Canis lupus baileyi experimental/non-essential none

Mexican long-nosed bat Leptonycteris nivalis endangered none

Mexican spotted owl Strix occidentalis lucida threatened designated

Mount Graham red squirrel Tamiasciurus hudsonicus grahamensis endangered designated

New Mexico ridge-nosed rattlesnake

Crotalus willardi obscurus threatened designated

Northern aplomado falcon Falco femoralis septentrionalis

Non-essential experimental in AZ and NM none

Northern Mexican gartersnake

Thamnophis eques megalops threatened proposed

Ocelot Leopardus pardalis endangered none

Pima pineapple cactus Coryphantha scheeri var.

robustispina endangered none

Roundtail chub Gila robusta candidate none

Sonora chub Gila ditaenia threatened none

Sonora tiger salamander Ambystoma tigrinum stebbensi endangered none

Southwestern willow flycatcher

Empidonax traillii extimus endangered designated

Spikedace Meda fulgida endangered designated

Sprague’s pipit Anthus spragueii candidate none

Stephan's riffle beetle Heterelmis stephani candidate none

Western yellow-billed cuckoo

Coccyzus americanus threatened proposed

Yaqui chub Gila purpurea endangered designated

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B. MASTER IDIQ TASK ORDERING PROCEDURES

For each order exceeding $2500, awardees will be provided a fair opportunity to be considered for each order. If the order does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold or $150,000, the contracting officer need not contact each of the multiple awardees under the contract before selecting an order awardee. Awardees, for example, who do not have the requisite capability for a particular order, are unavailable because of workforce limitations, or are otherwise unable to meet a reasonable time table for starting work, can be excluded from the fair opportunity consideration.

Each order exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold, but less than $650,000, shall be placed on a competitive basis unless one of the following statutory exemptions applies: A) the agency need for the services ordered is so urgent that providing fair opportunity would result in unacceptable delays, B) Only one awardee is capable of providing the services at the level of quality required, C) The order is a logical follow-on to an order already issued under the contract and performed by a single source, D) It is necessary to place an order to satisfy a minimum guarantee. At no time during the life of the contract can an individual order be placed that exceeds $650,000.

Task Orders issued under the Master IDIQ contract will contain unique Statements of Work particular to the individual project requirements and consistent with the type of task as listed in the Scope of Work. Individual orders will clearly describe all services to be performed and delivered so the full cost or price for performance of the work can be established when the order is placed. Pricing will be evaluated for each order to determine price reasonableness.

Upon providing fair notice to awardees of the intent to make a purchase and place an order, the Contracting

Officer has the discretion to consider past performance on earlier orders, including quality, timeliness, and cost control in making a decision with whom to place an order. The CO will also consider such conditions as the potential impact on other orders placed with the contractor, minimum order requirements, and the amount of time contractors need to make informed business decisions on whether to respond.

The Contracting Officer may also confer with contractors seeking comments on draft statements of work. The contractors most likely to submit the highest value solutions may then be selected for one-on-one sessions with the

Government to increase their understanding of the requirements, provide suggestions for refining requirements, and discuss risk reduction measures. Selected contractors using this consultation method would submit price quotes to be duly considered, and negotiated when appropriate, by the Contracting Officer. The decision for placing an order with a contractor shall consider all price and non-price elements.

Contract Performance Periods Including All Options

The contract period for the Master IDIQ contracts is a Base Year plus up to 4 Option Years. The Base Year comprises the one-year period beginning at the date of contract award. Exercise of Option Years 1, 2, 3, or 4, each of which shall comprise a one-year period, is at the sole discretion of the Government, and the Contracting Officer’s determination to exercise any subsequent option period shall be made and transmitted to all contractors before the end of the previous performance period.

Ordering Authorities

The Contracting Officer is the only authority for issuing orders under this contract. After contract award, the

Contracting Officer may designate other authorities as appropriate and expeditious to the interests of the Government.

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C. CONTRACT CLAUSES

The contract clauses and provisions in FAR Subpart 12.3 -- Solicitation Provisions and Contract Clauses for the

Acquisition of Commercial Items apply to this solicitation and are either included by reference or are contained in full within the PILOT PROJECT document.

In addition, the following FAR and AGAR clauses have been included:

FAR 52.216-18 Ordering (Oct 1995)

(a) Any supplies and services to be furnished under this contract shall be ordered by issuance of delivery orders or task orders by the individuals or activities designated in the Schedule. Such orders may be issued from Contract Award through May 15, 2021.

(b) All delivery orders or task orders are subject to the terms and conditions of this contract. In the event of conflict between a delivery order or task order and this contract, the contract shall control.

(c) If mailed, a delivery order or task order is considered “issued” when the Government deposits the order in the mail. Orders may be issued orally, by facsimile, or by electronic commerce methods only if authorized in the Schedule.

(End of Clause)

FAR 52.216-19 -- Order Limitations (Oct 1995)

(a) Minimum order. When the Government requires supplies or services covered by this contract in an amount of less than $2500, the Government is not obligated to purchase, nor is the Contractor obligated to furnish, those supplies or services under the contract.

(b) Maximum order. The Contractor is not obligated to honor --

(1) Any order for a single item in excess of $250,000;

(2) Any order for a combination of items in excess of $1,000,000; or

(3) A series of orders from the same ordering office within 30 calendar days that together call for quantities exceeding the limitation in subparagraph (b)(1) or (2) of this section.

(c) If this is a requirements contract (i.e., includes the Requirements clause at subsection 52.216-21 of the Federal

Acquisition Regulation (FAR)), the Government is not required to order a part of any one requirement from the

Contractor if that requirement exceeds the maximum-order limitations in paragraph (b) of this section.

(d) Notwithstanding paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, the Contractor shall honor any order exceeding the maximum order limitations in paragraph (b), unless that order (or orders) is returned to the ordering office within 7 calendar days after issuance, with written notice stating the Contractor’s intent not to ship the item (or items) called for and the reasons. Upon receiving this notice, the Government may acquire the supplies or services from another source.

(End of Clause)

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FAR 52.216-22 -- Indefinite Quantity (Oct 1995)

(a) This is an indefinite-quantity contract for the supplies or services specified, and effective for the period stated, in the

Schedule. The quantities of supplies and services specified in the Schedule are estimates only and are not purchased by this contract.

(b) Delivery or performance shall be made only as authorized by orders issued in accordance with the Ordering clause.

The Contractor shall furnish to the Government, when and if ordered, the supplies or services specified in the Schedule up to and including the quantity designated in the Schedule as the “maximum.” The Government shall order at least the quantity of supplies or services designated in the Schedule as the “minimum.”

(c) Except for any limitations on quantities in the Order Limitations clause or in the Schedule, there is no limit on the number of orders that may be issued. The Government may issue orders requiring delivery to multiple destinations or performance at multiple locations.

(d) Any order issued during the effective period of this contract and not completed within that period shall be completed by the Contractor within the time specified in the order. The contract shall govern the Contractor’s and

Government’s rights and obligations with respect to that order to the same extent as if the order were completed during the contract’s effective period; provided, that the Contractor shall not be required to make any deliveries under this contract after May 15, 2021.

(End of Clause)

FAR 52.217-8 -- Option to Extend Services (Nov 1999)

The Government may require continued performance of any services within the limits and at the rates specified in the contract. These rates may be adjusted only as a result of revisions to prevailing labor rates provided by the Secretary of

Labor. The option provision may be exercised more than once, but the total extension of performance hereunder shall not exceed 6 months. The Contracting Officer may exercise the option by written notice to the Contractor within 30 days before the expiration of the contract.

(End of Clause)

FAR 52.217-9 -- Option to Extend the Term of the Contract (Mar 2000)

(a) The Government may extend the term of this contract by written notice to the Contractor within 30 days after the expiration of a contract performance period; provided that the Government gives the Contractor a preliminary written notice of its intent to extend at least 60 days before the contract expires. The preliminary notice does not commit the

Government to an extension.

(b) If the Government exercises this option, the extended contract shall be considered to include this option clause.

(c) The total duration of this contract, including the exercise of any options under this clause, shall not exceed 5 years 6 months.

(End of Clause)

FAR 52.232-19 -- Availability of Funds for the Next Fiscal Year (Apr 1984)

Funds are not presently available for performance under this contract beyond the Base Year performance period. The

Government’s obligation for performance of this contract beyond that date is contingent upon the availability of

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Government for any payment may arise for performance under this contract beyond September 30, 2016, until funds are made available to the Contracting Officer for performance and until the Contractor receives notice of availability, to be confirmed in writing by the Contracting Officer.

(End of Clause)

FAR 52.246-20 -- Warranty of Services (May 2001)

(a) Definitions.

“Acceptance,” as used in this clause, means the act of an authorized representative of the Government by which the Government assumes for itself, or as an agent of another, ownership of existing and identified supplies, or approves specific services, as partial or complete performance of the contract.

(b) Notwithstanding inspection and acceptance by the Government or any provision concerning the conclusiveness thereof, the Contractor warrants that all services performed under this contract will, at the time of acceptance, be free from defects in workmanship and conform to the requirements of this contract.

The Contracting Officer shall give written notice of any defect or nonconformance to the Contractor within

30 days of acceptance by the government. This notice shall state either --

(1) That the Contractor shall correct or reperform any defective or nonconforming services; or

(2) That the Government does not require correction or reperformance.

(c) If the Contractor is required to correct or reperform, it shall be at no cost to the Government, and any services corrected or reperformed by the Contractor shall be subject to this clause to the same extent as work initially performed. If the Contractor fails or refuses to correct or reperform, the Contracting Officer may, by contract or otherwise, correct or replace with similar services and charge to the Contractor the cost occasioned to the Government thereby, or make an equitable adjustment in the contract price.

(d) If the Government does not require correction or reperformance, the Contracting Officer shall make an equitable adjustment in the contract price.

(End of provision)

AGAR 452.204-70 Inquiries (FEB 1988)

Inquiries and all correspondence concerning this solicitation should be submitted in writing to the Contracting

Officer. Offerors should contact only the Contracting Officer issuing the solicitation about any aspect of this requirement prior to contract award.

(End of provision)

AGAR 452.237-74 Key Personnel (FEB 1988)

(a) The Contractor shall assign to this contract the following key personnel: All personnel cited in the

Offeror’s proposal as key personnel; e.g. biologists, field supervisors…

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(b) During the first ninety (90) days of performance, the Contractor shall make no substitutions of key personnel unless the substitution is necessitated by illness, death, or termination of employment. The

Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer within 15 calendar days after the occurrence of any of these events and provide the information required by paragraph (c) below. After the initial 90-day period, the

Contractor shall submit the information required by paragraph (c) to the Contracting Officer at least 15 days prior to making any permanent substitutions.

(c) The Contractor shall provide a detailed explanation of the circumstances necessitating the proposed substitutions, complete resumes for the proposed substitutes, and any additional information requested by the

Contracting Officer. Proposed substitutes should have comparable qualifications to those of the persons being replaced. The Contracting Officer will notify the Contractor within 15 calendar days after receipt of all required information of the decision on substitutions. The contract will be modified to reflect any approved changes of key personnel.

(End of Clause)