Attach_04_Supplement_to_Evaluation_Factors_for_Award.pdf

Supplement to Evaluation Factors for Award

PALEONTOLOGICAL LOCALITY 141 EXCAVATION

TULE SPRINGS FOSSIL BEDS NATIONAL MONUMENT, NEVADA

1. Introduction

1.1. Best value will be used for selecting the contractor. The goal of this method of evaluating technical factors and price is to select the quote that offers the best value to the Government.

Best value, as defined under FAR 2.101, means the expected outcome of an acquisition that, in the Government’s estimation, provides the greatest overall benefit in response to the requirement.

1.2. The Government will make an award to the responsible offeror whose quote conforms to the solicitation and is most advantageous to the Government. The award of a firm-fixed price purchase order will result from this solicitation.

1.3. The Government will evaluate technical factors and price to determine the best value to the Government. Award will be made to the responsible offeror whose offer conforms to the solicitation requirements and provides the best value to the Government considering the stated technical factors and price.

1.4. Best value allows the Government the flexibility to accept other than the lowest priced quote when the perceived benefits of a higher priced quote merit the additional cost. The Government still reserves the right to award to the lowest priced quote that conforms to the solicitation requirements.

2. Basis for Award

2.1 NPS shall evaluate all responses received using the evaluation criteria listed below. The NPS evaluation team will consider the level of effort and the mix of labor proposed to perform the specific tasks being ordered and in determining that the total price is reasonable. The intent will be to place an order with the scheduled contractor that represents the Best Value to the Government in accordance with FAR 13.106-1.

3. Evaluation Factors and Significant Subfactors. The Government will assess each offer based on the following factors.

3.1. Technical Approach. This factor evaluates the Offeror's proposed methodology to excavate and map TUSK paleontological locality 141 following professional standards for paleontological research, conduct skilled preparation and preservation of the excavated fossil specimens for research and long-term storage, and write a final report to summarize findings in accordance with the Performance Work Statement (PWS).

3.1.1. The Government will evaluate the technical approach based on the Offeror’s demonstrated understanding of the project requirements, the PWS, and the contract documents, and how they will successfully meet the project requirements.

3.1.2. If proposing to use subcontractors, must demonstrate how Prime contractor will effectively manage subcontractor(s).

TULE SPRINGS FOSSIL BEDS NATIONAL MONUMENT, NEVADA

3.1.3. Narratives that appear to only copy and paste direct from the PWS, without demonstrating a well-thought, comprehensive analysis of the scope, may be rated less favorably.

3.2. Key Personnel. The Government will evaluate the demonstrated experience in similar scope, complexity, magnitude. Must demonstrate the ability to apply their technical knowledge and skills in their specific specialty (see below). This project requires two key personnel:

3.2.1. PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: The Principal Investigator is responsible for collaborating with the agency on project planning, obtaining all necessary federal and state excavation and collection permits, preparing and submitting final reports, and ensuring compliance with all scientific and operational requirements of the project.

3.2.2. This job classification must meet the following minimum qualifications.

3.2.2.1. A) a graduate degree (M.A., M.S. or Ph.D.) with an emphasis in paleontology (or related field, i.e. physical/biological anthropology, paleoecology, morphology, etc.)

-OR-

B) demonstrated equivalent professional experience (e.g., minimum of 3 years of full-time project experience with paleontological excavation). To receive credit for paleontological experience obtained in positions that are not full-time professional paleontological positions, the applicant is responsible for indicating clearly the actual time or percentage of time devoted to relevant duties within such positions, and for giving adequate descriptions of the work functions.

3.2.2.2. Two years of demonstrated full-time professional experience and competency with paleontological resource salvage projects at the level of field supervisor or higher from project initiation to fossil discovery, fossil collection, laboratory preparation, specimen identification, and curation. To receive credit for paleontological experience obtained in positions that are not full-time professional paleontological positions, the applicant is responsible for indicating clearly the actual time or percentage of time devoted to relevant duties within such positions, and for giving adequate descriptions of the work functions.

3.2.2.3. Paleontological fieldwork within the Las Vegas Formation is complex because the fossils at Tule Springs Fossil Beds are not permineralized or petrified and the stratigraphy is very nuanced; this project requires scientific expertise (following Paleontological Resources Preservation Act (PRPA)) to avoid impacts to nonrenewable paleontological resources and the preservation of scientific data.

3.2.3. SUPERVISOR: The Supervisor is responsible for managing the paleontology technicians, supervising fossil collection and excavation, preparation and curation of fossils, and communicating with agency points of contact.

3.2.4. This job classification must meet the following minimum qualifications.

3.2.4.1. A) a graduate degree (M.A., M.S. or Ph.D.) with an emphasis in paleontology (or related field, i.e. physical/biological anthropology, paleoecology, morphology, etc.)

-OR-

TULE SPRINGS FOSSIL BEDS NATIONAL MONUMENT, NEVADA

B) demonstrated equivalent professional experience (e.g., minimum of 3 years of full-time project experience with paleontological excavation). To receive credit for paleontological experience obtained in positions that are not full-time professional paleontological positions, the applicant is responsible for indicating clearly the actual time or percentage of time devoted to relevant duties within such positions, and for giving adequate descriptions of the work functions.

3.2.4.2. One year of demonstrated full-time professional relevant experience and competency with paleontological resource salvage projects from project initiation to fossil discovery, fossil collection, laboratory preparation, specimen identification, and curation under the supervision of a Principal Investigator. To receive credit for paleontological experience obtained in positions that are not full-time professional paleontological positions, the applicant is responsible for indicating clearly the actual time or percentage of time devoted to relevant duties within such positions, and for giving adequate descriptions of the work functions.

3.2.5. Resume: Provide a resume to include personal narrative, education, relevant work or volunteer experience, and relevant published research and professional presentations.

3.2.5.1. Relevant work experience should include the name, job title, employer, years with firm, hours worked per week, and any other relevant credentials and/or qualifications of the key personnel.

3.2.5.2. Resumes must include relevant experience to this project’s scope, complexity, and magnitude and relevant, specialized coursework.

3.2.5.3. The Government will consider key personnel qualifications and experience to determine the breadth, depth, and relevance of their previous work as it relates to this project and the Offeror’s commitment to comply with the key personnel requirements of the project. Only those key personnel listed in the contract will be allowed to work on the project. See Key Personnel Clause in the solicitation regarding substitution requirements.

3.2.5.4. Resumes should be a maximum of 3 pages.

3.3. Experience. The Government will evaluate the Offeror’s experience as a Prime Contractor in successfully completing projects of a similar scope, magnitude and complexity to the work described in the PWS. If using a subcontractor, relevant experience must be submitted for each subcontractor used. Offer must identify each project by its project and/or contract number as well as its title. Each project referenced must include a point of contact (POC) from the organization for which the service was performed. The Offeror shall provide the POC’s name, job title, and current contact information (email and phone number).

3.3.1. The Offeror shall submit a minimum of three and a maximum of six projects of a similar scope, magnitude and complexity to the work described in the PWS in which they performed as the Prime contractor (not as a subcontractor). These projects shall have been performed during the last five years (as of the closing date of this solicitation). Offerors with experience at a state or federal land management agency (including but not limited to NPS, BLM, FWS, USFS, etc.)

TULE SPRINGS FOSSIL BEDS NATIONAL MONUMENT, NEVADA

may be evaluated more favorably.

3.4. Past Performance. The Contracting Officer will evaluate the degree to which the quoter successfully performed past projects similar in scope, magnitude and complexity to the project detailed in this solicitation within the last five (5) years and satisfied past customers, using the quoter’s provided references.

3.5. Past performance must demonstrate Prime contractor’s effective management of proposed subcontractor team(s).

3.6. Past performance information from other sources, including the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS), may also be utilized in the determination of the past performance record. In addition to those references provided directly by the quoter, the Contracting Officer may identify and analyze the past performance of the quoter on any other relevant contract which the Contracting Officer has knowledge or obtains knowledge, including but not limited to projects listed in CPARS.

3.7. The Quoter shall submit a minimum of three and a maximum of six references for entities that have contracted with the quoter. For each reference, the quoter must submit at least one POC name, address, email and phone number.

3.8. Price. The proposed pricing shall be submitted in accordance with the attached Price Schedule and must include all costs associated to perform the project scope. Pricing will be evaluated to determine price reasonableness.