AG-8447-S-13-0001.pdf

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

SOLICITATION NUMBER: AG-8447-S-13-0001

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Small Area Aerial Photography Contract (SAC)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

FARM SERVICE AGENCY

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY FIELD OFFICE

NOTICE TO PROSPECTIVE OFFERORS :

This solicitation is for an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ), fixed-price contract. The contract covers the base year (2013) and four option years (2014 through 2017). Prospective contractors are instructed to submit a single proposal in response to this solicitation AG-8447-S-13-0001 and the task order solicitation SAC-TO-2-13-1. Proposals will be evaluated based on the combined response to both documents. Contracts will be awarded prior to award of any task orders. Task orders are the method by which project item areas are awarded. See Section L of the contract for proposal preparation instructions.

Proposals must be presented in two parts: a pricing proposal and a technical proposal. Two complete printed copies of the proposal are required. Please do not secure the proposal using a “plastic comb” or spiral type bindings (3-ring binders are preferred).

The pricing proposal (part I) shall contain two signed documents, the contract form SF-33 (page 1 of this RFP), and the task order pricing proposal (pages 1-4 of the task order RFP).

The technical proposal shall respond to information requested herein and shall be limited in size to a maximum of 100 double-sided, letter sized pages (camera reports and documents may be placed in separate volume without page limitations). Do not include any pricing or cost information in the technical proposal. Attachments that contain reference material may be submitted as separate documentation and will not be counted toward the page limitation.

The Government’s obligation under this procurement is contingent upon the availability of funds from which payment for contract purposes can be made. No legal liability on the part of the Government for any payment, other than the minimum guaranteed amount, may arise until funds are made available to the Contracting Officer for all or part of the task order requirements.

NOTICE TO OFFEROR

Any proposal submitted for this RFP must be identified with the following information labeled on the outside of the mailing package:

SOL.NO: AG-8447-S-13-0001

DUE DATE: JAN 17, 2013, 4:00 PM

RECEIVING OFFICE: CONTRACTS

Mail To: AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY FIELD OFFICE

CONTRACTING OFFICER

2222 WEST 2300 SOUTH

SALT LAKE CITY UTAH 84119-2020

The complete text of any or all clauses referenced herein may be obtained by submitting a request, identifying this solicitation number, to the Contracting Officer, USDA, FSA, Aerial Photography Field Office, 2222 West 2300 South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84119-2020. Complete copies of the FAR in loose-leaf or CFR form may be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington D.C. 20402.

Part I – The Schedule P a g e | 2

SECTION B – SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS AG-8447-S-13-0001

PART I - THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

B-1 AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY SERVICES

Furnish aerial photography services and related supplies in accordance with the requirements, specifications, terms, conditions, clauses, and provisions specified herein. This is an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract, effective for the periods stated in the schedule.

1.1 Minimum Contract Guarantee

The guaranteed minimum amount for the contract shall be a total of $2,500.00, as met through the issuance of one or more task orders within each contract performance period as defined below. See Section I-2, Ordering, Section I-5, Order Limitations, and Section L-3, Task Order Procedures.

1.2 Contract Performance Periods

(a) The contract performance period for the Base Year (2013) for issuance of task orders is:

Base Year: Date of Award through December 31, 2013.

The contract performance period for Option Years 1 through 4 (2014 through 2017) follows in the subsequent calendar year:

Option Year 1: January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014 Option Year 2: January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015 Option Year 3: January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016 Option Year 4: January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017

(b) The Government reserves the right to exercise the option to extend the term of the contract for Option Years 1 through 4 based on the evaluation of contractor past performance on the previous task order(s) issued during the preceding contract performance period. See Section F-5, Performance of the Work.

1.3 Task Order Ombudsman

The Director of USDA-FSA-Aerial Photography Field Office shall serve as the Task Order Ombudsman responsible for reviewing complaints from the contractors and ensuring that all of the contractors are afforded a fair opportunity to be considered for task orders issued under this contract. To contact the task order Ombudsman please phone (801) 844-2907, or mail to: Director, APFO, 2222 West 2300 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84119.

1.4 Confidentiality Statement

It is U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) policy that site locations of the National Resources Inventory (NRI) and other small area photography programs as specified in the individual Task Orders are “for official use only” and shall remain confidential. Site locations, represented in either hardcopy or digital form, are available exclusively for use by Government authorized personnel conducting resource inventory activities or other

Part I – The Schedule P a g e | 3 authorized use. Before release of exact site locations, offerors must agree to, by signature, the non-disclosure statements contained in the task order and be submitted with the task order proposal.

1.5 Intended Use of Photography

The primary use of the small area aerial photography is for photo interpretation, area and point delineation, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) measurements in support of multiple natural resource management and inventory programs.

1.6 Non-Discrimination Statement

The USDA prohibits discrimination in all its program 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 for 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 of Discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

B-2 OPTION FOR DIRECT DIGITAL ACQUISITION

This contract includes general specifications for a potential direct digital acquisition of imagery. There is a trend in the industry toward digital and away from traditional film based aerial imagery acquisition. This option is included to provide a contingency plan should a need develop for these services. General specifications are included, however, these specifications will not be part of the evaluation of the base contract nor the initial Task Order being issued under this IDIQ contract. Specific requirements and specifications, as well as appropriate evaluation factors, will be developed if and when this option is exercised. See Section B-4.8, Digital Camera Sensor and Section C-9, DIRECT

DIGITAL IMAGERY.

B-3 PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS

3.1 National Resource Inventory (NRI) Description

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) National Resources Inventory (NRI) imagery shall be used by NRCS for interpretative analysis and extraction of data on samples by means of GIS measurements. The NRI sample sites are generally 160 acre square parcels measuring 0.5 mile on each side, centered on a single natural color positive aerial photograph. Some sample sites are larger, exceeding 500 acres, requiring an alternate scale and higher altitude to achieve the desired result. Within each sample, NRCS collects data on land cover and use, soil erosion, prime farmland, wetlands, and characteristics of other natural resources. Sample site identification and location data shall be provided by the Government as part of each task order. The nominal photographic scale is predominately 1:7,920 with oversize sites requiring scales of 1:12,000 and 1:15,840.

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The approximate photographic period is March through September. Historically, NRCS requires approximately 70,000 NRI Sites located nationwide to be acquired each year. This random sample set is derived from a larger population of approximately 300,000 NRI Sites.

3.2 Stewardship Lands Imagery (SLI) Description

USDA NRCS Stewardship Lands Imagery (SLI) is the umbrella name given to several NRCS land management initiatives. The most predominant of these is the Wetland Reserve Program (WRP), a voluntary program offering landowners the opportunity to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands on their property. The NRCS provides technical and financial support to help landowners with their wetland restoration efforts. The NRCS goal is to achieve the greatest wetland functions and values, along with optimum wildlife habitat, on every acre enrolled in the program. This program offers landowners an opportunity to establish long-term conservation and wildlife practices and protection. The imagery shall be used to monitor restoration efforts on each property enrolled. The basic unit of description for a SLI site is called an Easement. Stewardship Lands Easements are generally larger than NRI Sites in size with some requiring flight line photography.

However, some SLI easements are less than one (1) acre while others may be as large as 16,000 acres. The nominal photographic scale is predominately 1:7,920 while oversize and flight line sites may require a 1:12,000 scale. The approximate photographic period is March through September. NRCS may require approximately 20,000 exposures covering over 14,000 SLI Easements located in various states nationwide to be acquired each year.

Potential future annual quantities may increase to include over 24,000 SLI exposures (2.8 million acres).

3.3 Other Federal Government Small Area Aerial Photography Programs

Other government agency programs for small area or sample site aerial photography may utilize this contract to satisfy their program requirements. Potential annual requirements are currently unknown, but quantities may be substantial given past trends of successful programs such as the NRI program.

B-4 GENERAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

4.1 Nominal Photographic Scales and/or Ground Sample Distances:

(a) Standard Scales: 1:4,000 to 1:15,840. Predominately 1:7,920 scale.

(b) Non-Standard Scales: 1:24,000 to 1:40,000, as required.

(c) Ground Sample Distance (GSD): 3 cm to 30 cm, may be required for a Direct Digital

Option.

(d) Required scale(s) and/or ground sample distance(s) will be specified in the individual task order(s).

4.2 Approximate Photographic Periods:

Required approximate photo acquisition periods will be specified in the individual task order(s). See Section F-5, Performance of the Work.

(a) State Photo Period. Multiple photographic acquisition periods are designed to capture specific crop types during their prime growing season. These photo periods generally

Part I – The Schedule P a g e | 5 follow state boundaries and typically range between the months of March through September.

(b) First Photo Period. Early start dates may be established in various states which contain counties or areas that are not based on specific agricultural crops. These extended photo periods are designed to allow wider photo acquisition windows for non-agricultural terrain.

4.3 Minimum Sun Angle: 30 Degrees, unless otherwise indicated in the individual task order(s).

4.4 Aerial Film Camera:

(a) Lens Focal Length will be specified in the individual Task Order(s).

(1) Nominal Lens Focal Length: 6 inch (153mm);

(2) Other Lens Focal Length: 8¼ inch (210mm) and 12 inch (305mm).

(b) Filter: Antivignetting and additional filters specified by individual task order(s).

(c) See Attachment A, USDA Aerial Camera Specifications.

4.5 Aerial Film:

(a) Aerial Film type will be specified in the individual task order(s).

(b) See Section C-5, Aerial Film.

4.6 Aerial Film Titling:

(a) Every exposure shall be titled in accordance with the format and instructions specified herein.

(b) Agency Designators will be specified in individual task order(s).

(c) Site Identification Codes will be provided upon task order award.

(d) Automatic electronic titling may be permitted upon Contracting Officer's approval.

(e) See Section C-6, Titling of Aerial Photography.

4.7 Aerial Film Scanning:

(a) The general requirement for film scanning is 40 microns, approximately 600 pixels per inch (PPI) using a photogrammetric quality scanner.

(b) The scans are to be delivered as Tagged Image Format File(s) (.tif(s)) on media to be indicated in the individual task order(s). See Section C-7, Aerial Photography

Scanning.

(c) Specific scanning requirements will be indicated in the individual task order(s).

4.8 Digital Camera/Sensor (Direct Digital Option):

(a) Properties: The requirements for digital cameras will be provided in the individual task order(s). The general requirement is that the footprint of the sensor shall be able to cover the width of a standard 160 acre NRI site (.5 miles), with a nominal ¼ mile buffer, in a single flight line.

(b) Digital Camera/Sensor Acquisition: Digital sensor acquisitions require the Contractor to comply with the technical requirements and specifications of this contract. The

Part I – The Schedule P a g e | 6 digital sensor system shall be a tested, stable, geometrically calibrated system with appropriate documentation, suitable for use in precision photogrammetric applications.

(c) Sample Imagery Requirements: The Contractor shall provide sample images from the digital camera proposed for use. The sample imagery must be at the same resolution and represent similar terrain for the project that the Contractor is proposing.

(d) Direct Digital Orthoimagery: The general requirement is for orthorectified imagery, seamlessly mosaicked as necessary, covering the specified area (including the standard ¼ mile buffer). See Section C-9, Direct Digital Imagery. Specific direct digital orthoimagery requirements will be indicated in the individual task order(s).

4.9 Photographic Operations:

(a) Air Space Clearance:

(1) The Contract Project Areas may contain controlled or restricted airspace. USDA will provide a letter describing the contract program to assist in gaining access to any controlled or restricted airspace.

(2) It is the responsibility of the Contractor to obtain all approvals necessary to assure that specified altitudes are achieved.

(3) See Section H-1, Permits and Clearances, for instructions.

(b) Terrain Conditions:

(1) Photography must be secured when neither snow nor flooding obscures the ground.

(2) See Section C-3, Photographic Conditions.

(c) Progress Reports:

(1) A Progress Report is required for each day progress is made in acquiring project photography.

(2) Progress Reports shall be transmitted by e-mail following each day of progress.

E-mail addresses are indicated on the form (See Section J, Exhibit 1).

(3) Progress reports shall be submitted in an ASCII Text format.

(4) See Sections F-5.2 and G-4 for instructions and Section J, Exhibit 1 for sample.

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SECTION C – DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/WORK STATEMENT AG-8447-S-13-0001

SECTION C - DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/WORK STATEMENT

C–1 SCOPE OF CONTRACT

The general scope of this contract is to procure vertical, high resolution, natural color and/or color infrared aerial photography for management and inventories of natural resources and other uses by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The aerial photography and/or digital imagery shall be used by USDA agencies for interpretative analysis and extraction of data by means of photo interpretation and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technologies. The data collected includes land cover and use, soil erosion, prime farmland, forest resources, wetlands, and characteristics of other natural resources.

1.1 Introduction

The contractor is responsible for furnishing vertical, high resolution, aerial photography and related deliverables in accordance with the requirements, specifications, terms, and conditions specified herein.

(a) Technical Requirements and Specifications.

The technical requirements and specifications of this contract are described in Section C which defines the essential elements in securing high quality photography. Any deviation from the specifications stated herein may cause increased time and effort in using the imagery as intended.

(b) Delivery and Performance.

The delivery and performance requirements are described in Section F. All materials shall be shipped within the time limits and to the place of delivery specified herein.

Performance of the contract shall be authorized and monitored by the Contracting Officer and/or the Contracting Officer's Representative.

(c) Quality Control.

Quality control shall be exercised by the Contractor continuously throughout the performance of the contract. Procedures shall be established to assure that all aerial photography and related materials are delivered in accordance with the delivery schedule and at the required level of accuracy and quality. The Contractor shall acquire immediate reflights of any photography where coverage or quality fails to meet minimum requirements of the contract specifications. USDA inspection and acceptance procedures are described in Section E.

(d) References

The following documents referenced in this solicitation document are considered requirements and specifications under the resulting contract(s), as applicable to the Contractor’s technical proposal:

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(1) Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) Specification, FGDC-STD-001-

1998 (“Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata”)

(2) Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) Title 14 (“Federal Aviation Regulations”)

(3) GeoTIFF Revision 1.0 Specification, dated December 28, 2000 (Version 1.8.2)

(4) TIFF Specification Revision 6 dated June 3, 1992 (Adobe Systems Inc.)

1.2 Location of Work

The Standard NRI Sites cover all fifty states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Pacific Trusts. Data is collected over approximately 300,000 randomly located NRI Sites.

Each year a subset of approximately 70,000 NRI Sites will be inventoried. Other program sample sites or small areas may be found in any of the fifty states, Puerto Rico, the U.S.

Virgin Islands, and Pacific Trusts. The location and number of small area sites to be photographed under this contract are described in the individual task orders.

1.3 Labor and Materials

The Contractor shall furnish all materials, equipment, transportation, superintendence, and labor as required herein. The Contractor shall execute and finish the aerial photographic services for the project specified and shall deliver to the USDA all materials called for in Section F-1, Materials to be Delivered.

1.4 Size of Sample Sites

Nationally, the small area sample site sizes range from less than one acre to more than 16,000 acres (25 square miles) depending on the specific program requirements. The predominant size of a sample site (NRI Site) is approximately 160 acres (1/4 square mile).

C-2 EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS

Any equipment (aircraft and cameras, in addition to those submitted at the time of the offer) proposed to be used by the Contractor must be approved for use by the Contracting Officer. If the aircraft and camera proposed for use is not owned by the Contractor, a written statement of availability from the owner of the equipment shall be furnished to the Contracting Officer. See Attachment A, USDA Aerial Camera Specifications.

2.1 Aircraft

(a) All aircraft used in the performance of the work under this contract shall be maintained and operated in accordance with all regulations required by the U.S.

Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Aircraft operated in the acquisition of imagery under this contract shall be FAA certified to a service ceiling with operating load (crew, camera, film, oxygen, and other required equipment) of not less than the highest altitude specified in the individual task order.

(b) When the flight plan and location of any item in the proposed coverage falls within positive control airspace, the aircraft must contain the appropriate equipment to operate in such positive-control areas within the purview of the Federal Aviation Regulation.

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(c) The design of the aircraft shall be such that when the camera is mounted with all its parts within the outer structure, an unobstructed field of view is obtained. The field of view shall be shielded from the exhaust gases, oil, effluence, and air turbulence.

Glass, plastic, or other window material shall not be interposed between the camera or digital image system and the ground to be imaged unless authorized by the Contracting Officer.

2.2 Navigation System

The aircraft shall have an onboard, operational, and integrated Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver with a FAA certified antenna for navigation to sample site centroids and acquisition of aerial photography over the centroid. The GPS shall be able to receive real time differential correction signals where available.

2.3 Laboratory

The Contractor’s laboratory shall be adequately equipped and staffed to facilitate the production of the specified photographic materials or the Contractor shall have access to such facilities.

C-3 PHOTOGRAPHIC CONDITIONS

Photography shall be acquired during conditions when well-defined, high detail images can be resolved. It shall be free from smoke, clouds, cloud shadows, and excessive haze. The ground shall be free from standing water (other than natural or man-made ponds and lakes), flood waters from streams which have overflowed their banks, and wet ground or snow which obscures field, soil, or crop lines. Specular reflections that limit or hinder photo interpretation of the site will not be acceptable.

3.1 Photographic Period

The official photographic acquisition periods are defined in individual task orders for each program or requirement. Generally, aerial photography acquisition is to be performed during the agricultural growth periods when vegetation has adequate canopy and greatest contrast. The beginning and ending dates of the acquisition period will vary by individual task orders and by leaf-on vs. leaf-off requirements. Generally, the earliest beginning date is March 1, and the latest ending date is September 30. The Contracting Officer shall have the right to adjust the acquisition periods based on adverse weather, deviation of crop growth from normal planting and harvest dates, or other program requirements or factors.

3.2 Sun Angle Requirement

Unless otherwise indicated in the individual task order, imagery shall only be acquired during the portion of the day when the sun angle exceeds the minimum of 30 degrees.

3.3 Priorities for Acquiring Project Areas

The Contracting Officer may direct by written order certain areas or sites to be photographed in a priority order, weather and ground conditions permitting. All reasonable

Part I – The Schedule P a g e | 10 effort will be directed to providing a schedule of operations favorable to both the Government and Contractor.

C-4 FLIGHT PLAN REQUIREMENTS

The Contractor shall obtain vertical, high resolution aerial photography in accordance with the following technical requirements.

4.1 Project Area(s) To Be Photographed

Each small area or site exposure station centroid(s) shall be identified by state, county, national forest, or region/area, unique site number, latitude/longitude coordinates, acreage, ground elevation, and acquisition period. USDA will furnish the above in a digital file, and if requested, as a coverage in decimal degrees compatible with ArcMap. The site locations shall be indicated by latitude and longitude coordinate system of the North American Datum of 1983. Coordinates shall be expressed in decimal degrees with five (5) decimal places of precision. (Example: latitude 35.75502, longitude -102.37502).

(a) Coverage Requirements. Complete physical or, where required, stereoscopic photographic coverage of the site or small area shall be obtained by the Contractor.

The image shall be acquired directly over the specified latitude/longitude coordinate of the exposure station centroid. In addition to complete coverage of the site, USDA requires coverage over a buffer zone beyond the actual site boundary. The minimum buffer unless otherwise specified in the individual task order(s) shall be 1,320 feet, (402 meters) or (1/4 mile).

(b) Site/Area Coverage. USDA requires most sites acquired with film to be on a single frame regardless of the size of the site. Contractor must adjust flight altitudes from the stated 1:7,920 nominal scale, to flight altitudes achieving a 1:12,000, 1:15,840, or smaller scale to ensure complete coverage of the larger sample sites or small area sites on one frame of film. Areas requiring blocked, overlapped aerial photography shall be specified in the individual task order(s). Requirements for sites or small areas acquired with direct digital imagery shall be indicated in the respective task order(s).

(c) Flight Direction. All flights will be oriented in either a North-South or East-West direction unless otherwise specified in the task order. Independent of the flight direction all titling shall be at the north or most northerly edge of the image.

(d) The Government will furnish flight line data for areas requiring blocked, overlapped aerial film based photography.

4.2 Image Scale and Flight Altitude for Film Based Photography

The nominal photographic scale is 1:7,920, with the nominal flight altitude above mean ground elevation being 1,207 meters (3,960 feet) with a 6” focal length lens. For other nominal scales and flight altitudes, see table below.

SCALE

FLIGHT ALTITUDES

6” Lens 8 ¼” Lens 12” lens 1:4,000 N/A N/A 1,219m (4,000’)

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1:7,920 1,207m (3,960’) 1,661m (5,445’) N/A

1:12,000 1,829m (6,000’) 2,515m (8,250’) 3,658m (12,000’) 1:15,840 2,414m (7,920’) 3,319m (10,890’) N/A 1:24,000 3,658m (12,000’) N/A N/A 1:40,000 6,096m (20,000’) N/A N/A

4.3 Deviation From Specified Flight Altitudes for Film Based Photography

Deviation from the specified flight altitude shall not exceed 2% low or 3% high. For deviation from specified altitudes for nominal scales, see table below.

SCALE

DEVIATION FROM SPECIFIED FLIGHT ALTITUDES

2% Low 3% High 1:4,000 24 meters (80 feet) 37 meters (120 feet) 1:7,920 24 meters (80 feet) 37 meters (120 feet) 1:12,000 37 meters (120 feet) 55 meters (180 feet) 1:15,840 48 meters (157 feet) 73 meters (240 feet) 1:24,000 73 meters (240 feet) 110 meters (361 feet) 1:40,000 120 meters (394 feet) 181 meters (594 feet)

This chart uses a six (6) inch lens for all but the 1:4,000 Scale, which uses a 12 inch lens as a standard.

4.4 Direct Digital Imagery Option

Flight Altitudes are determined by ground sample distance (GSD) requirements and are related to sensor optics and footprint size. The GSD for any project will be identified in the individual task order. The Government will furnish shape files and/or centroid locations, as needed, and it shall be the Contractor’s responsibility to provide such flight planning as is necessary to obtain the required coverage (including buffer) for each of the sites or areas.

4.5 Horizontal Deviation

Deviation from the specified site exposure station centroid in excess of six (6) percent of a full frame may be cause for rejection of the site.

4.6 Crab

Any photograph crabbed in excess of five degrees (5o) as measured against a North-South orientation, may be cause for rejection.

4.7 Tilt

Exposure made with the optical axis of the camera in a vertical position is desired. Tilt (departure from the vertical) of exposure station exceeding four degrees (4o) may be cause for rejection.

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C-5 AERIAL FILM

All aerial film provided for any individual task order shall be from one film type and manufacturer and be purchased by the Contractor. Extreme care shall be exercised to insure proper exposure and processing of the film to minimize vignetting due to differential exposure.

This differential shall not exceed that which would result from a basic ¼ stop difference in exposure. All pertinent exposure information shall be supplied to the processing laboratory. The film shall be processed as soon as possible after exposure to avoid undesirable changes in the latent image.

5.1 Salient Film Characteristics

Only unexpired, fine grained, polyester base film of the type specified in the individual task order(s) shall be used. The film base shall have a nominal thickness of 4 mils and be 24.1cm (9.5 inches) wide. Natural color and black and white panchromatic emulsions shall be sensitive to the entire visible spectrum plus an extended red sensitivity to approximately 720 through 750 nanometers.

5.2 Film Densities – Natural Color Positive Films

The natural color positive film will have a diffuse rms granularity value of 13 or lower (read at a net green diffuse density of 1.0 with a 48-micron aperture). Color emulsions shall be balanced for daylight exposure and the spectral sensitivity will cover the entire visible spectrum to 700 nanometers or greater.

5.3 Image Quality for Film

(a) All film shall be properly exposed and processed according to manufacturer’s specifications. Modified or non-standard processing is not permitted on this contract without prior approval from the Contracting Officer. The film shall be processed in a continuous roller transport processor to achieve consistent and uniform development throughout the roll.

(b) The film shall be of such quality that results in a sharp image that provides maximum image detail of the site. All film imagery, positive or negative, shall be inspected and evaluated according to established industry standards for general film quality and proper exposure and processing of film.

5.4 Physical Properties for Film

(a) All aerial film shall be free of chemicals, stains, tears, scratches, abrasions, watermarks, finger marks, lint, dirt, and other physical defects. The imagery shall be clear and sharp in detail and uniform density. It shall be free from light streaks, static marks, and other defects that would interfere with the intended purpose. Any notations or marks placed on the film or on the sleeve for titling or editing purposes shall be removed prior to shipment.

(b) All film shall be thoroughly fixed and washed to insure freedom from chemicals and shall be of archival quality.

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C-6 TITLING OF AERIAL FILM BASED PHOTOGRAPHY

6.1 Required Titling

Each exposure shall be clearly titled on the northern edge of the film in accordance with the following format example sketch and required project data:

+ 13:26Z AZ 04001 090901B + 8 USDA-NRCS 06-12-11 +

Exposure Time: The time of the exposure, expressed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) (also known as Zulu Time) as designated by a “Z”, using HH:MMZ for the hour and minute of the exposure. Alaska and Hawaii shall use local time and the “Z” shall not be appended to the time.

State Acronym: The two-letter acronym representing the state designation.

State and County FIPS or Forest Code: Number identifying the state and county, or National Forest in accordance with Federal Information Process Standards (FIPS), as specified in individual task orders.

Site Identification Number: The unique site or exposure identification number specified in the individual task order.

Scale: Nominal photographic scale represented by one or two digits to the nearest thousand (8 = 1:7,920, 12 = 1:12,000).

Agency Designator: The acronym of the Government agency the image is being acquired for and used by.

Date: Month-Day-Year in standard numeric notation (MM-DD-YY).

6.2 Type and Size of Characters and Application

The characters used in titling film shall be standard block lettering 6.35 mm (1/4 inch) high. They shall be sharp, legible, and uniformly applied with non-flaking black ink. The titling shall be placed on the non-emulsion side of the film and may be applied by use of an ink drawing pen or stamp.

6.3 Location of Titling Characters

Identifying data shall be placed in a line along the northerly edge of the image. Titling shall be positioned so that the characters are 2.5 mm (1/10 inch) from the image edge and no closer than 2.5mm (1/10 inch) to the corner fiducials.

6.4 Automatic Titling Option

The Government may approve the use of automatic labeling/titling systems as a replacement of the standard ink titling. Contractors are required to submit samples of “auto-labeling” with similar data indicated above including any additional data such as

Part I – The Schedule P a g e | 14 symbol indicating north and latitude and longitude coordinates. The Contracting Officer shall evaluate the proposed titling and notify the contractor of decision to accept or reject.

6.5 Alternate or Additional Titling Requirements

The Government reserves the right to change, alter, or modify the above required titling to include agency or program specific information on the film titling. Individual task orders will clearly specify the titling required for any given program or task order.

C-7 AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY SCANNING

7.1 Image Scanning Requirements for Film Based Photography

All individual aerial photographic images shall be scanned after the film is titled and before being cut and individually sleeved where cutting and sleeving is part of the task order requirements. The scan shall include the film image from edge to edge of the film and include the data strip and all fiducial marks associated with the image. The scans shall be clear and sharp in detail with uniform density, and free from dirt and other defects in the digital imagery in accordance with the following requirements:

(a) Resolution. Aerial photography shall be scanned such that the final product results in a 600 dots per inch (40 micron) resolution or the resolution specified in the individual task order.

(b) Accuracy. The geometric accuracy of the scan shall be such that a Root Mean Square

Error (RMSE) of 2 or less results when registering the calibrated fiducial marks to the scanned image.

(c) Scan Orientation. The digital scan of the aerial film exposure shall be oriented such that the north-most edge is at the top position of the computer screen when viewed with standard computer software, regardless of North-South or East-West oriented flights.

(d) Histogram. The histogram of scanned images must represent all the pixels with the digital image without clipping highlight or shadow detail from the image.

(e) Color Requirements. The scans shall be properly color balanced to match the original film’s color, contrast, and brightness.

(f) File Format. Tagged Image File Format (TIFF). Scanned files shall be submitted in accordance with the Baseline TIFF 6.0 file format as defined in the TIFF 6.0 Specifications. All baseline TIFF 6.0 files shall store data as uncompressed RGB full-color images as defined in the specification using the “little-endian” byte order and shall only contain one image file directory (IFD). All TIFF files submitted shall be readable by older applications that assume TIFF 5.0 or an earlier version of the specification. TIFFs that use designated "Extended TIFF 6.0 file" features shall not be acceptable. Features designated as "not recommended for general data interchange" are considered extensions to the Baseline TIFF 6.0 specification, and will not be acceptable. This includes TIFFs that use one of the major new extensions such as

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"tiled images". In the TIFF 6.0 specification, the term "tag" refers only to the identifying number, the term "field" refers to the entire field, including the value.

Tags that are defined by the TIFF specification are called public tags and shall not be modified outside of the parameters given in the latest TIFF specification. Tags numbered 32768 or higher, sometimes called private tags, are reserved and shall not be acceptable. Enumeration constants numbered 32768 or higher are reserved and shall not be acceptable. Do not choose your own tag numbers, use only those specified in the Baseline TIFF 6.0 Specification for RGB full-color. Tags numbered in the "reusable" 65000-65535 range shall not be acceptable.

(g) Media Requirements. Refer to Section D-1(d) Media Requirements.

7.2 Scan File Naming Convention

The scan file naming convention shall be specified in individual Task Order Award(s) where the Scanning Option is exercised. The naming convention will generally follow the “Standard: Geospatial Datasets File Naming” found at:

<http://www.la.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/geotech/SPG-GeospatialDatasetFileNaming.pdf>.

A directory shall be created on the specified media named “<stnnn>” where <stnnn> is the Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) code for the state and county containing the images. State codes will be expressed as two-letter US Postal Office abbreviations (md, az, tx, etc.). County codes will be expressed as three-digit FIPS number (001, 015, etc.). Files shall be named “scan_<identifier>_<yyyy>_<sequence number>.tif”. The identifier shall be the five-digit FIPS code and sample identification number separated by an underscore. <yyyy> is the year the photo was acquired. <sequence number> may be added if multiple photos were taken (i.e. 1, 2, 3) to give each photo a unique name. <.tif> is the file extension. File names are case-sensitive.

Example: Directory name: az001

File names: scan_04001_090901B_ 2011.tif scan_04001_110701R_ 2011.tif scan_04001_140501R_ 2011.tif

7.3 Scan Data File Description

Contractor shall furnish a Scan Data File in ASCII comma delimited text format containing the following data. All data elements shall be included and shall be provided in the specified order. The “Number of Characters in Field” represents the MAXIMUM number of characters for any element.

Description Number of Characters in Field Scan File Name 30 Scan resolution in microns 4 Samples = Columns 4 Lines = Rows 4 Camera Number (10 characters max) 10 Lens Number (10 characters max) 10

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Camera Calibration Date (ddmmyyyy)* 8 Exposure Date (ddmmyyyy)* 8 Time of Exposure in UTC (hh:mmZ) 6 Scanner Manufacturer and Model Number: “Free text with quotations” (50 characters max)

* All dates shall be padded with leading zeros.

Example (for each line in the text file):

scan_05109_020291R_2009.tif,40,6400,5900,1234567890,1234567890,14112009,150620 11,13:26Z,"LHS XXXXX Photogrammetric Scanner"

The text file shall use the following naming convention:

scan_data_project_(item number).txt (i.e. scan_data_project1_item1.txt)

C-8 ABGPS/IMU

The use of Airborne Global Positioning System (ABGPS) and/or Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) may be required under the individual task order(s). If required, the specifications, data formats, and deliverables will be specified in the individual task order.

C-9 DIRECT DIGITAL IMAGERY

9.1 General Requirements

This contract includes general specifications for a potential direct digital acquisition of imagery. This option is included to provide a contingency plan should a need develop for these services. These specifications will not be part of the evaluation of the base contract nor the initial Task Order being issued under this IDIQ contract. Specific requirements and specifications, as well as appropriate evaluation factors, will be developed if and when this option is exercised. Under this option, the Contractor shall furnish direct digital services for the project item areas in accordance with the requirements and specifications specified in the individual task order(s).

9.2 Digital Orthoimagery

The Contractor shall provide digital orthorectified imagery at the scale or Ground Sample Distance (GSD) specified in the individual task order(s). The imagery shall be orthorectified, and projected in the 1983 North American Datum (NAD83) and 1988 North American Vertical Datum (NAVD88), using the corresponding native Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) zone. The orthoimages shall be mosaicked as indicated in the individual task order(s) if the area of interest covers more than one image. Mosaics shall be tone balanced for a consistent and uniform image quality appearance that eliminates any checkerboard effect. The resulting mosaics must maintain the original color and appearance of the images that comprise the mosaic.

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9.3 Metadata Template

(a) Metadata File. The Contractor will be furnished upon award one (1) data text file

(.txt) containing a Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) compliant metadata template to be used when creating the metadata as required below. The Contractor shall create a FGDC compliant, per the FGDC-STD-001-1998 specification, metadata file using the Government provided template for each orthophoto generated. The metadata must parse cleanly through the USGS metadata parser “mp” version 2.8.10 without any errors. The metadata file shall have the same file name as the orthophoto but with a “.met” extension.

(b) Auxiliary File. The Contractor may be required to provide an ESRI Projection compatible “aux” file for each orthophoto where compatibility is required for earlier versions of GIS software. The file shall use the same naming convention as other files in the data set but with an “.aux” extension. This requirement will be specified in the individual task order(s).

9.4 Accuracy Requirements

This requirement will be specified in the individual task order(s) and will generally depend on the GSD specified in the task order.

9.5 Orthophoto File Naming

All USDA files shall be named according to the “Geospatial Datasets File Naming Standard”. A directory shall be created on the specified media named “<stnnn>” where <stnnn> is the Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) code for the state and county containing the images. State codes will be expressed as two-letter US Postal Office abbreviations (md, az, tx, etc.). County codes will be expressed as three-digit FIPS number (001, 015, etc.). Files shall be named “highres_<identifier>_<yyyy>_<sequence number>.tif”. The identifier shall be the five-digit FIPS code and sample identification number separated by an underscore. <yyyy> is the year the photo was acquired.

<sequence number> may be added if multiple photographs were taken (i.e. 1, 2, 3) to give each photo a unique name.

<.tif> is the file extension. File names are case-sensitive.

Example: Directory name: al001

File names: highres_01001_010101B_2011.tif highres_01001_020202B_2011.tif highres_01001_020302A_2011_1.tif highres_01001_020302A_2011_2.tif highres_01001_030303B_2011.tif

9.6 Media Requirements

Refer to Section D-1(d) Media Requirements.

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9.7 Additional Requirements

Additional requirements related to direct digital imagery products and acquisition may include, but are not limited to, georeferenced uncompressed digital image files; stereo block files; Airborne Global Positioning System (ABGPS) data; and Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) data. Additional requirements will be specified in the individual task order(s).

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SECTION D – PACKAGING AND MARKING AG-8447-S-13-0001

SECTION D - PACKAGING AND MARKING

D-1 PREPARATION OF MATERIALS FOR SHIPMENT

(a) Aerial Film Rolls and Positive Film Transparencies. Unless otherwise specified in the individual Task Order, each original color positive film transparency shall be submitted cut and individually sleeved. See Paragraph (b) Film Sleeves, below. Each exposure shall be cut from the original film roll with the data strip intact and unimpaired. Sites shall be assembled according to the groupings identified in the individual task order requirements. All transparencies shall be assembled by either county group or area in the same site numeric order as listed in the reference data.

The assembled material shall be placed in a clear plastic bag with the county (or group) name identified on the outside.

(b) Film Sleeves. Every film transparency shall be protected and submitted in clear, sturdy archival quality polypropylene film sleeves in accordance with the following requirements:

(1) Aerial film sleeve nominal dimensions: 25.4 cm (10 inches) by 24.1 cm (9.5 inches); long side open; 3.0 mil thickness.

(2) Brand names for aerial sleeve: Picture Pocket ® Corporation, FilmGuard

Corporation, or equivalent.

(3) Film sleeves must have a fold-over lip seal located on the short side (9.5”) of the sleeve.

(4) Original aerial film and film sleeves shall be free of any marks or labels which would obstruct any part of the film transparency.

(c) Digital Scan File(s) and Metadata (Text) Files. All text files shall be provided on the indicated media in their own clearly labeled directory(s).

(d) Media Requirements.

(1) Hard Drive Disks. All digital images, whether scans/orthos from film or the direct digital ortho imagery, shall be delivered on industry standard Serial ATA (Version I or II) Hard Drive Disks (HDs) in either 3.5 inch or 2.5 inch form factors. The maximum allowable capacity shall be stated in the task order These shall be unenclosed (bare) drives packaged in anti-static sleeves, and shipped in containers sufficient to prevent damage to the drives. The files shall not be write-protected nor require an ‘administrator’ to access them. Each hard drive shall be labeled as to content. See Exhibit 3 for labeling requirements.

(2) Digital Versatile Disks (DVDs). All digital versatile disks (DVDs) shall be delivered on archival media, 4.7 Gigabytes (GB) (120-minute) per disk DVD+/-R, ISO 9660 Mode 1 format using level 2 interchange. The Contractor must insure that each and every copy session has been properly closed. No multi-session enabled DVDs shall be acceptable. The DVD media shall have a label attached

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SECTION D – PACKAGING AND MARKING AG-8447-S-13-0001

identifying the digital contents of the DVD in accordance with Section J, Exhibit 3, Figures 1 and 2 (thermal printed DVDs are acceptable). In addition to the packaging requirements in D-2, all DVD media shall be packaged in standard single DVD jewel cases (5-5/8" x 4-15/16" x 3/8") with a clear front cover. The DVD label should be readable without opening the case or removing the DVD from the case. “Slim” or other non-standard sized jewel cases shall not be accepted.

D-2 PACKAGING FOR SHIPMENT

(a) All material shall be packed for shipment in such a manner that will insure acceptance by common carrier and safe delivery at destination. Containers and closures shall comply with the Interstate Commerce Commission regulations, Uniform Freight Classification rules, or regulations of other carriers as applicable to the mode of transportation. Damaged materials will be replaced by the Contractor at no cost to the Government.

(b) A Government furnished packing slip form shall accompany each shipment. See

Section J, Exhibit 2, Packing Slip.

D-3 SHIPPING RECEIPTS

Receipts from common carriers for shipment of materials shall be retained by the Contractor and be made available to the Contracting Officer upon request.

D-4 SHIPPING CONTAINER MARKINGS

All shipping containers shall be clearly marked with delivery address. See Section F-2.

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SECTION E – INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE AG-8447-S-13-0001

PART I -THE SCHEDULE

SECTION E - INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E-1 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE (FEB 1988) (AGAR 452.246-70)

(a) The Contracting Officer or the Contracting Officer's duly authorized representative will inspect and accept the supplies and/or services to be provided under this contract.

(b) Inspection and acceptance will be performed at:

Aerial Photography Field Office 2222 West 2300 South

Salt Lake City, Utah 84119-2020

E-2 INSPECTION PROCEDURE

(a) All materials specified in Section F-1 will be inspected to determine conformance to all contract requirements and specifications. Inspections will be performed at the APFO laboratory in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Refer to FAR 52.246-2, Inspection of Supplies-Fixed Price and FAR 52.246-4, Inspection of Services-Fixed Price.)

(b) If any of the services do not conform to the contract requirements, the Government may require the Contractor to perform the services again in conformity with contract requirements, at no increase in contract amount. When the defects in services cannot be corrected by re-performance, the Government may:

(1) Require the Contractor to take necessary action to ensure that future performance conforms to contract requirements and

(2) Reduce the contract price to reflect the reduced value of services performed.

E-3 INSPECTION SCHEDULE

(a) The Government will make every effort to inspect all material specified within 30 calendar days after they are received at the point designated. Should the inspection procedure be delayed longer than 30 days, the Contractor will be notified of the reason(s) for delay and given the estimated completion date.

(b) Contract materials will be inspected in the order of their receipt, unless otherwise prioritized by the Government. Inspection of project areas where the photographic season is open will be given priority over projects for which the season has closed.

(c) The Contractor will be notified in writing whether the materials are satisfactory and what areas, if any, shall be re-photographed and what materials, if any, shall be remade because of non-conformity with…