Return_This_Copy.doc

OMB APPROVAL NO. 2700-0042

SOLICITATION, OFFER,

AND AWARD

(Construction, Alteration, or Repair)

1. SOLICITATION NO.

AG-82X9-S-09-0020

2. TYPE OF SOLICITATION

FORMCHECKBOX

SEALED BID (IFB)

FORMCHECKBOX

NEGOTIATED (RFQ)

3. DATE ISSUED

December 9, 2008

PAGE OF PAGES

IMPORTANT - The “offer” section on the reverse must be fully completed by offeror.

4. CONTRACT NO.

5. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQUEST NO.

244290

6. PROJECT NO.

7. ISSUED BY

CODE

U.S. Forest Service Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forest

2150 Center Avenue, Building E

Fort Collins CO 80526 U.S. Forest Service

Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forest

Attn: Christina Schofield

2150 Center Avenue, Building E

Fort Collins CO 80526

9. FOR INFORMATION

CALL:

A. NAME

Christina A. Schofield B. TELEPHONE NO. (Include area code) (NO COLLECT CALLS) 970-295-6635

RETURN THIS COPY SOLICITATION

NOTE: In sealed bid solicitations “offer” and “offeror” mean “bid” and “bidder.”

10. THE GOVERNMENT REQUIRES PERFORMANCE OF THE WORK DESCRIBED IN THESE DOCUMENTS (Title, identifying no., date):

AG-82X9-S-09-0020, Boulder Office Remodel

Due: January 9, 2009, 16:00 mountain time

Description: Work for this project includes but is not limited to the framing and relocation of an existing interior door, framing and remodeling existing walls to accommodate walkway, minor electrical and mechanical renovations, constructing gyp board sound proofing in an existing office, construction an exterior door and associated porch and lighting for exterior door, and constructing new flooring in existing office, and all associated work to complete the project as SHOWN ON THE DRAWINGS.

Location: This project is located at the Boulder Ranger District Office in Boulder, Colorado at the intersection of 28th Street and Yarmouth Avenue. The site address is as follows: 2140 Yarmouth Avenue, Boulder, CO 80301.

Project Time: 90 calendar days.

Estimated Start of Work: January 19, 2009.

Pre-Quote Meeting: Will be held at the project site on January 5, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. All participants must RSVP by calling Jason Ruybal at 970-295-6655 on or before January 2, 2009.

Set Aside Status: Total Small Business.

Government Estimate: Under $25,000.

· All Offerors MUST be registered in the Central Contractor’s Registry (CCR) in accordance with FAR 52.204-7 to be considered responsive to this solicitation.

· All Offerors MUST be registered in ORCA in accordance with FAR 52.204-8 to be considered responsive to this solicitation.

· All Offerors MUST respond to the evaluation criteria under Section M to be considered responsive to this solicitation.

11. The Contractor shall begin performance within 10 calendar days and complete it within 90 calendar days after receiving

FORMCHECKBOX

award, FORMCHECKBOX notice to proceed. This performance period is FORMCHECKBOX mandatory, FORMCHECKBOX negotiable. (See .)

12A. THE CONTRACTOR MUST FURNISH ANY REQUIRED PERFORMANCE AND PAYMENT BONDS?

(If “YES,” indicate within how many calendar days after award in Item 12B.)

FORMCHECKBOX

YES

FORMCHECKBOX

NO

12B. CALENDAR DAYS

13. ADDITIONAL SOLICITATION REQUIREMENTS:

A.

Sealed offers in original and TWO copies to perform the work required are due at the place specified in Item 8 by 16:00 (hour) local time January 9, 2009 (date). If this is a sealed bid solicitation, offers must be publicly opened at that time. Sealed envelopes containing offers shall be marked to show the offeror’s name and address, the solicitation number, and the date and time offers are due.

B.

An offer guarantee

FORMCHECKBOX

is, FORMCHECKBOX is not required.

C.

All offers are subject to the (1) work requirements, and (2) other provisions and clauses incorporated in the solicitation in full text or by reference.

D.

Offers providing less than 60 calendar days for Government acceptance after the date offers are due will not be considered and will be rejected.

NSN 7540-01-155-3212

1442-101

STANDARD FORM 1442 (REV. 4-85)

Computer Generated

Prescribed by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.236-1(e)

OFFER (Must be fully completed by offeror)

14. NAME AND ADDRESS OF OFFEROR (Include ZIP Code)

15. TELEPHONE NO. (Include area code)

Email:

Fax No.:

16. REMITTANCE ADDRESS (Include only if different than Item 14)

TIN:

DUNS:

17.

The offeror agrees to perform the work at the prices specified below in strict accordance with the terms of this solicitation, if this offer is accepted by the Government within calendar days after the date offers are due. (Insert any number equal to or greater than the minimum requirement stated in Item 13D. Failure to insert any number means the offeror accepts the minimum in Item 13D.

AMOUNTS

18. The offeror agrees to furnish any required performance and payment bonds.

19. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMENDMENTS

The offeror acknowledges receipt of amendments to the solicitation -- give number and date of each

20A. NAME AND TITLE OF PERSON AUTHORIZED TO SIGN OFFER (Type or print)

20B. SIGNATURE

20C. OFFER DATE

AWARD (To be completed by Government)

21. ITEMS ACCEPTED:

22. AMOUNT

23. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

24. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN

(4 copies unless otherwise specified)

ITEM

25. OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION PURSUANT TO

FORMCHECKBOX

10 U.S.C. 2304(c)( )

FORMCHECKBOX

41 U.S.C. 253(c)( )

26. ADMINISTERED BY

CODE

CONTRACTING OFFICER WILL COMPLETE ITEM 28 OR 29 AS APPLICABLE

FORMCHECKBOX

28. NEGOTIATED AGREEMENT (Contractor is required to sign this document and return ____ copies to issuing office.) Contractor agrees to furnish and deliver all items or perform all work, requisitions identified on this form and any continuation sheets for the consideration slated in this contract. The rights and obligations of the parties to this contract shall be governed by (a) this contract award, (b) the solicitation, and (c) the clauses, representations, certifications, and specifications or incorporated by reference in or attached to this contract.

FORMCHECKBOX

29. AWARD (Contractor is not required to sign this document.) Your offer on this solicitation is hereby accepted as to the items listed. This award consummates the contract, which consists of (a) the Government solicitation and your offer, and (b) this contract award. No further contractual document is necessary.

30A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTOR OR PERSON AUTHORIZED TO SIGN (Type or print) 31A. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

30B. SIGNATURE

30C. DATE

31B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

BY

31C. AWARD DATE

Computer Generated

STANDARD FORM 1442 BACK (REV. 4-85)

PART I—THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B--SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

SCHEDULE OF ITEMS

Item Description Method

QTY

Unit Unit Price Total Amount

Number

Of Meas.

1001(01) Construct Gyp Board

LSQ

Lump Sum

Soundproofing in Office 101

1002(01) Construct Exterior Door

LSQ

and Associated Porch in Office 103

1003(01) Replace Flooring in Office 103

LSQ.

Lump Sum

1004(01) Mobilization

LSQ

TOTAL LINE ITEMS

PART IV--REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

SECTION K--REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS, AND

OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS OR RESPONDENTS

NOTE: Offerors should address questions concerning VETS-100 reporting and reporting requirements to the Office of Veterans Employment and Training Services offices at the following address:

U. S. Department of Labor

VETS-100 Reporting

4200 Forbes Blvd., Suite 202

Lanham, MD 20703

Telephone: (301) 306-6752

Website: www.vets100.cudenver.edu

Reporting Questions: HelpDesk@vets100.com

Reporting Verification: Verify@vets100.com

AGAR 452.219-70 SIZE STANDARD AND NAICS CODE INFORMATION (JANUARY 2005)

The North American Industrial classification System Code(s) and business size standard(s) describing the products and/or services to be acquired under this solicitation are listed below:

Contract line item(s): ALL --NAICS Code 236220

--Size Standard $31 Million

The small business size standard for a concern which submits an offer in its own name, other than on a construction or service contract, but which proposes to furnish a product which it did not itself manufacture, is 500 employees.

52.204-8 ANNUAL REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS (JAN 2006)

(a)(1) The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 236220.

(2) The small business size standard is $31 Million.

(3) The small business size standard for a concern which submits an offer in its own name, other than on a construction or service contract, but which proposes to furnish a product which it did not itself manufacture, is 500 employees.

(b)(1) If the clause at 52.204-7, Central Contractor Registration, is included in this solicitation, paragraph (c) of this provision applies.

(2) If the clause at 52.204-7 is not included in this solicitation, and the offeror is currently registered in CCR, and has completed the ORCA electronically, the offeror may choose to use paragraph (c) of this provision instead of completing the corresponding individual representations and certifications in the solicitation. The offeror shall indicate which option applies by checking one of the following boxes:

[ ] (i) Paragraph (c) applies.

[ ] (ii) Paragraph (c) does not apply and the offeror has completed the individual representations and certifications in the solicitation.

(c) The offeror has completed the annual representations and certifications electronically via the Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA) website at http://orca.bpn.gov. After reviewing the ORCA database information, the offeror verifies by submission of the offer that the representations and certifications currently posted electronically have been entered or updated within the last 12 months, are current, accurate, complete, and applicable to this solicitation (including the business size standard applicable to the NAICS code referenced for this solicitation), as of the date of this offer and are incorporated in this offer by reference (see FAR 4.1201); except for the changes identified below [offeror to insert changes, identifying change by clause number, title, date]. These amended representation(s) and/or certification(s) are also incorporated in this offer and are current, accurate, and complete as of the date of this offer.

FAR Clause # Title Date Change

Any changes provided by the offeror are applicable to this solicitation only, and do not result in an update to the representations and certifications posted on ORCA.

FAR 52.209-5 Certification Regarding Responsibility Matters (May 2008)

(a)

(1) The Offeror certifies, to the best of its knowledge and belief, that --

(i) The Offeror and/or any of its Principals --

(A) Are * are not * presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, or declared ineligible for the award of contracts by any Federal agency;

(B) Have * have not *, within a three-year period preceding this offer, been convicted of or had a civil judgment rendered against them for: commission of fraud or a criminal offense in connection with obtaining, attempting to obtain, or performing a public (Federal, state, or local) contract or subcontract; violation of Federal or state antitrust statutes relating to the submission of offers; or commission of embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsification or destruction of records, making false statements, tax evasion, violating Federal criminal tax laws, or receiving stolen property; and

(C) Are * are not * presently indicted for, or otherwise criminally or civilly charged by a governmental entity with, commission of any of the offenses enumerated in paragraph (a)(1)(i)(B) of this provision; and

(D) Have [ ], have not [ ], within a three-year period preceding this offer, been notified of any delinquent Federal taxes in an amount that exceeds $3,000 for which the liability remains unsatisfied.

(1) Federal taxes are considered delinquent if both of the following criteria apply:

(i) The tax liability is finally determined. The liability is finally determined if it has been assessed. A liability is not finally determined if there is a pending administrative or judicial challenge. In the case of a judicial challenge to the liability, the liability is not finally determined until all judicial appeal rights have been exhausted.

(ii) The taxpayer is delinquent in making payment. A taxpayer is delinquent if the taxpayer has failed to pay the tax liability when full payment was due and required. A taxpayer is not delinquent in cases where enforced collection action is precluded.

(2) Examples.

(i) The taxpayer has received a statutory notice of deficiency, under I.R.C. §6212, which entitles the taxpayer to seek Tax Court review of a proposed tax deficiency. This is not a delinquent tax because it is not a final tax liability. Should the taxpayer seek Tax Court review, this will not be a final tax liability until the taxpayer has exercised all judicial appeal rights.

(ii) The IRS has filed a notice of Federal tax lien with respect to an assessed tax liability, and the taxpayer has been issued a notice under I.R.C. §6320 entitling the taxpayer to request a hearing with the IRS Office of Appeals contesting the lien filing, and to further appeal to the Tax Court if the IRS determines to sustain the lien filing. In the course of the hearing, the taxpayer is entitled to contest the underlying tax liability because the taxpayer has had no prior opportunity to contest the liability. This is not a delinquent tax because it is not a final tax liability. Should the taxpayer seek tax court review, this will not be a final tax liability until the taxpayer has exercised all judicial appeal rights.

(iii) The taxpayer has entered into an installment agreement pursuant to I.R.C. §6159. The taxpayer is making timely payments and is in full compliance with the agreement terms. The taxpayer is not delinquent because the taxpayer is not currently required to make full payment.

(iv) The taxpayer has filed for bankruptcy protection. The taxpayer is not delinquent because enforced collection action is stayed under 11 U.S.C. 362 (the Bankruptcy Code).

(ii) The Offeror has [ ] has not [ ], within a three-year period preceding this offer, had one or more contracts terminated for default by any Federal agency.

(2) “Principals,” for the purposes of this certification, means officers; directors; owners; partners; and, persons having primary management or supervisory responsibilities within a business entity (e.g., general manager; plant manager; head of a subsidiary, division, or business segment, and similar positions).

This Certification Concerns a Matter Within the Jurisdiction of an Agency of the United States and the Making of a False, Fictitious, or Fraudulent Certification May Render the Maker Subject to Prosecution Under Section 1001, Title 18, United States Code.

(b) The Offeror shall provide immediate written notice to the Contracting Officer if, at any time prior to contract award, the Offeror learns that its certification was erroneous when submitted or has become erroneous by reason of changed circumstances.

(c) A certification that any of the items in paragraph (a) of this provision exists will not necessarily result in withholding of an award under this solicitation. However, the certification will be considered in connection with a determination of the Offeror’s responsibility. Failure of the Offeror to furnish a certification or provide such additional information as requested by the Contracting Officer may render the Offeror nonresponsible.

(d) Nothing contained in the foregoing shall be construed to require establishment of a system of records in order to render, in good faith, the certification required by paragraph (a) of this provision. The knowledge and information of an Offeror is not required to exceed that which is normally possessed by a prudent person in the ordinary course of business dealings.

(e) The certification in paragraph (a) of this provision is a material representation of fact upon which reliance was placed when making award. If it is later determined that the Offeror knowingly rendered an erroneous certification, in addition to other remedies available to the Government, the Contracting Officer may terminate the contract resulting from this solicitation for default.

FAR 52.219-28 Post-Award Small Business Program Rerepresentation. (June 2007)

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause—

Long-term contract means a contract of more than five years in duration, including options. However, the term does not include contracts that exceed five years in duration because the period of performance has been extended for a cumulative period not to exceed six months under the clause at 52.217-8, Option to Extend Services, or other appropriate authority.

Small business concern means a concern, including its affiliates, that is independently owned and operated, not dominant in the field of operation in which it is bidding on Government contracts, and qualified as a small business under the criteria in 13 CFR part 121 and the size standard in paragraph (c) of this clause.

(b) If the Contractor represented that it was a small business concern prior to award of this contract, the Contractor shall rerepresent its size status according to paragraph (e) of this clause or, if applicable, paragraph (g) of this clause, upon the occurrence of any of the following:

(1) Within 30 days after execution of a novation agreement or within 30 days after modification of the contract to include this clause, if the novation agreement was executed prior to inclusion of this clause in the contract.

(2) Within 30 days after a merger or acquisition that does not require a novation or within 30 days after modification of the contract to include this clause, if the merger or acquisition occurred prior to inclusion of this clause in the contract.

(3) For long-term contracts—

(i) Within 60 to 120 days prior to the end of the fifth year of the contract; and

(ii) Within 60 to 120 days prior to the exercise date specified in the contract for any option thereafter.

(c) The Contractor shall rerepresent its size status in accordance with the size standard in effect at the time of this rerepresentation that corresponds to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code assigned to this contract. The small business size standard corresponding to this NAICS code can be found at http://www.sba.gov/services/contractingopportunities/sizestandardstopics/.

(d) The small business size standard for a Contractor providing a product which it does not manufacture itself, for a contract other than a construction or service contract, is 500 employees.

(e) Except as provided in paragraph (g) of this clause, the Contractor shall make the rerepresentation required by paragraph (b) of this clause by validating or updating all its representations in the Online Representations and Certifications Application and its data in the Central Contractor Registration, as necessary, to ensure they reflect current status. The Contractor shall notify the contracting office by e-mail, or otherwise in writing, that the data have been validated or updated, and provide the date of the validation or update.

(f) If the Contractor represented that it was other than a small business concern prior to award of this contract, the Contractor may, but is not required to, take the actions required by paragraphs (e) or (g) of this clause.

(g) If the Contractor does not have representations and certifications in ORCA, or does not have a representation in ORCA for the NAICS code applicable to this contract, the Contractor is required to complete the following rerepresentation and submit it to the contracting office, along with the contract number and the date on which the rerepresentation was completed:

The Contractor represents that it ( ) is, ( ) is not a small business concern under NAICS Code ______________ assigned to contract number ______________.

[Contractor to sign and date and insert authorized signer’s name and title].

FAR 52.223-1 Biobased Product Certification (DEC 2007)

As required by the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 and the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (7 U.S.C. 8102(c)(3)), the offeror certifies, by signing this offer, that biobased products (within categories of products listed by the United States Department of Agriculture in 7 CFR part 2902, subpart B) to be used or delivered in the performance of the contract, other than biobased products that are not purchased by the offeror as a direct result of this contract, will comply with the applicable specifications or other contractual requirements.

SECTION L--INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS OR RESPONDENTS

FAR 52.252-1 Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference (FEB 1998) This solicitation incorporates one or more solicitation provisions by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. The offeror is cautioned that the listed provisions may include blocks that must be completed by the offeror and submitted with its quotation or offer. In lieu of submitting the full text of those provisions, the offeror may identify the provision by paragraph identifier and provide the appropriate information with its quotation or offer. Also, the full text of a solicitation provision may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es):

www.arnet.gov/far/ www.usda.gov/procurement/policy/agar.html

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR CHAPTER 1)

52.215-1 Instructions to Offerors--Competitive Acquisition (JAN 2004)

AGRICULTURE ACQUISITION REGULATIONS (48 CFR CHAPTER 4) CLAUSES

452.204-70 Inquiries (FEB 1988)

FAR 52.215-5 Facsimile Proposals (OCT 1997)

(a) Definition. "Facsimile proposal," as used in this provision, means a proposal, revision or modification of a proposal, or withdrawal of a proposal that is transmitted to and received by the Government via facsimile machine.

(b) Offerors may submit facsimile proposals as responses to this solicitation. Facsimile proposals are subject to the same rules as paper proposals.

(c) The telephone number of receiving facsimile equipment is: 970-295-6699.

(d) If any portion of a facsimile proposal received by the Contracting Officer is unreadable to the degree that conformance to the essential requirements of the solicitation cannot be ascertained from the document--

(1) The Contracting Officer immediately shall notify the offeror and permit the offeror to resubmit the proposal.

(2) The method and time for resubmission shall be prescribed by the

Contracting Officer after consultation with the offeror; and

(3) The resubmission shall be considered as if it were received at the date and time of the original unreadable submission for the purpose of determining timelines, provided the offeror complies with the time and format requirements for resubmission prescribed by the Contracting Officer.

(e) The Government reserves the right to make award solely on the facsimile proposal. However, if requested to do so by the Contracting Officer, the apparently successful offeror promptly shall submit the complete original signed proposal.

FAR 52.216-1 Type of Contract (APR 1984)

The Government contemplates award of a firm fixed price contract resulting from this solicitation.

FAR 52.222-5 Davis-Bacon Act—Secondary Site of the Work (JUL 2005)

(a)(1) The offeror shall notify the Government if the offeror intends to perform work at any secondary site of the work, as defined in paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of the FAR clause at 52.222-6, Davis-Bacon Act, of this solicitation.

(2) If the offeror is unsure if a planned work site satisfies the criteria for a secondary site of the work, the offeror shall request a determination from the Contracting Officer.

(b)(1) If the wage determination provided by the Government for work at the primary site of the work is not applicable to the secondary site of the work, the offeror shall request a wage determination from the Contracting Officer.

(2) The due date for receipt of offers will not be extended as a result of an offeror’s request for a wage determination for a secondary site of the work.

FAR 52.222-23 Notice of Requirement for Affirmative Action to Ensure Equal Employment Opportunity for Construction (FEB 1999) (Applicable if contract exceeds $10,000)

(a) The offeror's attention is called to the Equal Opportunity clause and the Affirmative Action Compliance Requirements for Construction clause of this solicitation.

(b) The goals for minority and female participation, expressed in percentage terms for the Contractor's aggregate workforce in each trade on all construction work in the covered are, are as follows:

Goals for minority participation for each trade: 10.2%

Goals for female participation for each trade: 6.9% (Contracting Officer shall insert goals)

These goals are applicable to all the Contractor's construction work performed in the covered area. If the Contractor performs construction work in a geographical area located outside of the covered area, the Contractor shall apply the goals established for the geographical area where the work is actually performed. Goals are published periodically in the Federal Register in notice form, and these notices may be obtained from any Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs office.

(c) The Contractor's compliance with Executive Order 11246, as amended, and the regulations in 41 CFR 60-4 shall be based on (1) its implementation of the Equal Opportunity clause, (2) specific affirmative actions obligations required by the clause entitled "Affirmative Action Compliance Requirements for Construction," and (3) its efforts to meet the goals. The hours of minority and female employment and training must be substantially uniform throughout the length of the contract, and in each trade. The Contractor shall make a good faith effort to employ minorities and women evenly on each of its projects. The transfer of minority or female employees or trainees from Contractor to Contractor, or from project to project, for the sole purpose of meeting the Contractor's goals shall be a violation of the contract, Executive Order 11246, as amended, and the regulations in 41 CFR 60-4. Compliance with the goals will be measured against the total work hours performed.

(d) The Contractor shall provide written notification to the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Federal Contract Compliance, U. S. Department of Labor, within 10 working days following award of any construction subcontract in excess of $10,000 at any tier for construction work under the contract resulting from this solicitation. The notification shall list the--

(1) Name, address, and telephone number of the subcontractor;

(2) Employer's identification number of the subcontractor;

(3) Estimated dollar amount of the subcontract;

(4) Estimated starting and completion dates of the subcontract; and

(5) Geographical area in which the subcontract is to be performed.

(e) As used in this Notice, and in any contract resulting from this solicitation, the "covered area" is Boulder County, Colorado.

FAR 52.225-10 Notice of Buy American Act Requirement--Construction Materials (May 2002)

(a) Definitions. "Construction material," "domestic construction material," and "foreign construction material," as used in this provision, are defined in the clause of this solicitation entitled "Buy American Act--Construction Materials" (Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clause 52.225-9).

(b) Requests for determinations of inapplicability. An offeror requesting a determination regarding the inapplicability of the Buy American Act should submit the request to the Contracting Officer in time to allow a determination before submission of offers. The offeror shall include the information and applicable supporting data required by paragraphs (c) and (d) of the clause at FAR 52.225-9 in the request. If an offeror has not requested a determination regarding the inapplicability of the Buy American Act before submitting its offer, or has not received a response to a previous request, the offeror shall include the information and supporting data in the offer.

(c) Evaluation of offers.

(1) The Government will evaluate an offer requesting exception to the requirements of the Buy American Act, based on claimed unreasonable cost of domestic construction material, by adding to the offered price the appropriate percentage of the cost of such foreign construction material, as specified in paragraph (b)(3)(i) of the clause at FAR 52.225-9.

(2) If evaluation results in a tie between an offeror that requested the substitution of foreign construction material based on unreasonable cost and an offeror that did not request an exception, the Contracting Officer will award to the offeror that did not request an exception based on unreasonable cost.

(d) Alternate offers.

(1) When an offer includes foreign construction material not listed by the Government in this solicitation in paragraph (b)(2) of the clause at FAR 52.225-9, the offeror also may submit an alternate offer based on use of equivalent domestic construction material.

(2) If an alternate offer is submitted, the offeror shall submit a separate Standard Form 1442 for the alternate offer, and a separate price comparison table prepared in accordance with paragraphs (c) and (d) of the clause at FAR 52.225-9 for the offer that is based on the use of any foreign construction material for which the Government has not yet determined an exception applies.

(3) If the Government determines that a particular exception requested in accordance with paragraph (c) of the clause at FAR 52.225-9 does not apply, the Government will evaluate only those offers based on use of the equivalent domestic construction material, and the offeror shall be required to furnish such domestic construction material. An offer based on use of the foreign construction material for which an exception was requested-

(i) Will be rejected as nonresponsive if this acquisition is conducted by sealed bidding; or

(ii) May be accepted if revised during negotiations.

AGAR 452.237-71 Pre-Bid/ Pre-Proposal Conference (FEB 1988)

(a) The Government is planning a pre-bid/pre-proposal conference, during which potential offerors may obtain a better understanding of the work required.

(b) Offerors are encouraged to submit all questions in writing at least five (5) days prior to the conference. Questions will be considered at any time prior to or during the conference; however, offerors will be asked to confirm verbal questions in writing. Subsequent to the conference, an amendment to the solicitation containing an abstract of the questions and answers, and a list of attendees, will be disseminated.

(c) In order to facilitate conference preparations, it is requested that the person named on the Standard Form 1442 of this solicitation be contacted and advised of the number of persons who will attend.

(d) The Government assumes no responsibility for any expense incurred by an offeror prior to contract award.

(e) Offerors are cautioned that, notwithstanding any remarks or clarifications given at the conference, all terms and conditions of the solicitation remain unchanged unless they are changed by amendment to the solicitation. If the answers to conference questions, or any solicitation amendment, create ambiguities, it is the responsibility of the offeror to seek clarification prior to submitting an offer.

(f) The conferences will be held at the following locations for the corresponding line items and Forests listed in the Schedule of Items:

Date:

January 5, 2009

Time:

10:00 a.m. local time Location: Project Site, 2140 Yarmouth, Boulder, Colorado.

SECTION M--EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

AWARD DETERMINATION

(a) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The critical factor in making any cost/technical trade-offs is not the spread between the technical ratings, but rather the significance of that difference. The significance of the difference in ratings will be determined on the basis of what that difference is and what it would cost the Government to take advantage of it. Award may not necessarily be made for technical capabilities that would appear to exceed those needed for fulfilling the requirements of this contract. The Government reserves the right to make cost/technical trade-offs that are in the best interest and to the advantage of the Government. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers:

TECHNICAL CRITERIA. The technical proposals will be evaluated and ranked according to the following criteria. The contractor is responsible to submit documentation and records of successful completion of past performances of similar projects within the past three years along with his bid package. In addition the contractor shall provide a list of personnel qualifications, an outline detailing how they plan to accomplish the project (Performance Plan) along with a schedule for finishing the work within the contract time.

1. Past Performance:

(i) Quality of Work: Demonstrated ability to perform services in accordance with contract specifications. Conformance to good standards of workmanship.

(ii) Customer Satisfaction: Satisfaction of end users with the contractor's completed products and services.

(iii) Timeliness of performance: compliance with delivery schedules; reliability; responsiveness to technical direction, no assessment of liquidated damages.

(iv) Business relations: Effective management, ability to manage projects involving subcontracts, working relationship with the contracting officer and technical representatives, reasonable/cooperative behavior, flexibility, effective contractor recommended solutions, businesslike concern for government's interests.

(v) Cost control: Ability to complete contracts within budget (at or below); reasonableness of price change proposals submitted; providing current, accurate, and complete billings.

(2) Technical Approach:

Organization

Understanding of project and Performance Plan

General plan and operating schedule

Personnel

COST/PRICE EVALUATION CRITERION. This criterion will consider (1) price reasonableness, and (2) help determine the offerors understanding of the work. Cost/price is equal in weight to technical evaluation criteria; however, the importance of cost/price may become greater as the differences between technical proposals decreases. Where technical proposals are determined to be substantially equal, any cost/price advantage to the Government may control award.

Proposals will be evaluated and rated to determine which Offerors are within a competitive range, price and other factors considered. Award may be made without further negotiations. Proposals should be submitted initially on the most favorable terms that the offeror can submit to the Government, from both price and technical standpoints. However the Government may, after evaluation of proposals, conduct further oral or written discussions as appropriate, with all offerors whose proposals are within a competitive range. Proposals that do not address one or more criteria or sub-factors, may not be considered further for award.

Firms lacking a past performance record (e.g., new firms or those with no relevant experience within their organization) will be treated as an unknown performance risk, receiving a neutral score in this criteria. A neutral score will be established as the average of all other competing offerors, or the average of the total score available, whichever is less.

Technical and past performance, when combined, are approximately equal to cost or price.

(b) Options. The Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. The Government may determine that an offer is unacceptable if the option prices are significantly unbalanced. Evaluation of options shall not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s).

(c) A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offer's specified expiration time, the Government may accept an offer (or part of an offer), whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award.

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�*Contracting Officer shall fill in the blanks with appropriate information for the contract line items in the solicitation. If needed the lines may be duplicated as required to describe all contract line items or sub-line items.

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�NOTE: Use in conjunction with 52.223-2 unless the contract will not involve the use of USDA-designated items at http://www.usda.gov/biopreferred or 7 CFR Part 2902

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