Attachment F - Combined SS_SNF WaterLab Inspection APR 2026.pdf

SUF-CON CMFC-Water Lab Inspection

12444626Q0029

Description

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Part 12. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation. Quotations are being requested and a separate written solicitation will not be issued.

Solicitation number 12444626Q0029 is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for performing services related to an on-site assessment of the Superior National Forest Water Lab in accordance with the Minnesota Department of Health On-Site Assessment Agenda.

This acquisition is not set-aside for small business concerns. The applicable North American

Industry Classification Standard Code is 541380 The small business size standard is $19.0 mil. This acquisition is a Total Small Business Set-Aside. All responsible sources may submit a quotation which will be considered by the agency.

For the Solicitation:

• Create an SF-1449 (Supplies/Services) or an SF-1447 (Invitations for Bid) in IAS (or agency procedures if you don’t use IAS).

• The rest of this document should be completed, saved to PDF, and then uploaded into IAS

(or other agency system/process if you don’t use IAS) as an external document, which will be attached to the SF-1449/1447.

• Contracting Officers may choose to upload all attachments (e.g., PWS, SOW, etc.) as external documents in IAS (or other agency system/process if you don’t use IAS) that will attach to the SF-1449/1447 or include them as separate attachments to the SAM posting.

• Attach the SF-1449/SF-1447 package, along with any other documents not already attached, to the SAM.gov posting.

Statement of Requirement

This contract is to render services of an on-site water lab assessment on the Superior National Forest.

The assessment will include one paper and one electronic assessment report sent to the Minnesota

Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (MN-ELAP) and one paper and one electronic assessment copy sent to the Superior National Forest. Please see Attachment A - SOW for a complete list of requirements.

Schedule of Items

See Attachment B - SOI SNF WaterLab.

Technical Data

Technical Data and supporting documentation associated with this solicitation are available through the following sources:

1. Solicitation Attachments

The following documents are included as attachments to the solicitation and can be accessed via the “Attachments/Links” section of the posting.

• Attachment A - SOW SNF WaterLab Insp

• Attachment B - Attachment B - SOI SNF WaterLab Insp

• Attachment C - Wage Determination 15-4939

• Attachment D - Wage Determination 15-4959

• Attachment E - Solicitation SNF WaterLab Inspection

• Attachment F - Combined SS_SNF WaterLab Inspection APR 2026

Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and United States Department of Agriculture

Acquisition Regulation (AGAR) Clauses and Provisions

The clauses and provisions contained herein are applicable to any order awarded as a result of this solicitation. The terms and conditions set forth herein supersede all other terms and conditions.

Acceptance of the order in accordance with (IAW) FAR 12.201-1(b)(2) constitutes acceptance of all terms and conditions contained herein.

As part of the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO), system updates may lag policy updates. The

System for Award Management (SAM) may continue to require entities to complete representations based on provisions that are not included in this solicitation. Contracting officers will rely on representations from offers based on provisions in the solicitation. Entities are not required to, nor are they able to, update their entity registration to remove these representations in SAM.

52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference Feb 1998

This solicitation incorporates one or more clauses 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. Also the full text of the clause may be accessed electronically at Internet address https://www.acquisition.gov/far-overhaul/far-part-deviation-guide/far-overhaul-part-52

The following clauses are mandatory in all solicitations and contracts - Do not delete these.

52.212-4 Terms and Conditions—Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov 2025)

☐ Alternate I (Nov 2025) of 52.212-4

52.203-17 Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights (Nov 2023)

52.203-19 Prohibition on Requiring Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements

(Jan 2017)

52.222-50 Combating Trafficking in Persons (Nov 2025)

☐ Alternate I (Nov 2025) of 52.222-50

52.226-8 Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving (May 2024)

52.232-39 Unenforceability of Unauthorized Obligations (Jun 2013)

52.232-40 Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (Mar 2023)

52.233-3 Protest After Award (Sep 2025)

52.233-4 Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (Sep 2025)

52.240-91 Security Prohibitions and Exclusions (Nov 2025)

☐ Alternate I (Nov 2025) of 52.240-91

52.244-6 Subcontracts for Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov 2025)

The following clauses are applicable if checked:

☒ 52.204-13 System for Award Management—Maintenance (Nov 2025)

☒ 52.209-10 Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations (Sep 2025)

☒ 52.219-6 Notice of Total Small Business Aside (Nov 2025)

☒ 52.222-19 Child Labor—Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies (Nov 2025)

☒ 52.222-41 Service Contract Labor Standards (Aug 2018)

☒ 52.222-42 Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires (May 2014)

☒ 52.222-62 Paid Sick Leave Under Executive Order 13706 (Jan 2022)

☒ 52.222-90 Addressing DEI Discrimination by Federal Contractors (Apr 2026)

☒ 52.223-23 Sustainable Products and Services (Nov 2025)

☒ 52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer— System for Award Management (Oct 2018)

Other Applicable Clauses

52.247-34 F.O.B. Destination (Jan 1991)

AGAR Clauses

452.203-71 Anti-Discrimination and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Compliance (Dec

2025)

(a) By entering into this contract, the Contractor certifies that:

(1) It is compliant with all applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws and the Equal Protection principles of the U.S. Constitution, and it will remain compliant for the duration of the contract.

(2) Neither it nor any subcontractor or teaming partner operates or funds any program, policy, or initiative that promotes DEI in a manner that violates any applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws, including but not limited to Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of

1964, or the Equal Protection principles of the U.S. Constitution, and the Contractor and any subcontractor or teaming partner will not do so for the duration of the contract.

(b) If the Contractor participates in, facilitates, or funds programs that implicate Title VI of the Civil

Rights Act of 1964 or Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended, including but not limited to grants to or for schools, colleges, universities, 4-H programs, non-governmental organization (NGO) programs, sports programs, and education-related grants to prisons or other detention facilities, the Contractor certifies that it will remain compliant with those laws, including the requirements set forth in Executive Order 14168, Defending Women from Gender Ideology

Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government, and Executive Order 14173, Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity.

(c) The Contractor affirms that the above requirements are conditions of payment that go to the essence of the contract and are therefore material terms of the contract. Payments under the contract are predicated on compliance with the above requirements, and therefore the Contractor is not eligible for funding under the contract or to retain any funding under the contract absent compliance with the above requirements.

(d) This certification reflects a change in the Government’s position regarding the materiality of the foregoing requirements and therefore any prior payment of similar claims does not reflect the materiality of the foregoing requirements to this contract.

(e) Submission of a knowing false statement relating to Contractor’s compliance with the above requirements and/or eligibility for the contract may subject the Contractor to liability under the False

Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. § 3729, and/or criminal liability, including under 18 U.S.C. §§ 287 and 1001.

(f) The Contractor must include the provisions of this clause in all subcontract solicitations.

(g) Failure on the part of the Contractor or its subcontractors to comply with the terms of this clause may be grounds for the Contracting Officer to terminate this contract for default.

(End of Clause)

452.204–70 Modification for Contract Closeout (Apr 2026)

(a) If unliquidated funds in the amount of $1000 or less remain on the contract, the Contracting

Officer (Contracting Officer) may issue a unilateral modification for deobligation. The contractor will receive a copy of the modification but is not required to provide a signature. The Contracting

Officer will immediately proceed with contract closeout upon completion of the period of performance, receipt and acceptance of supplies or services, and final payment.

(b) For commercial contracts not exceeding the simplified acquisition procedure threshold under

FAR 12.001(c), if more than $1,000 in unliquidated funds remain at closeout, the Contracting

Officer will issue a bilateral deobligation modification. Only the modification requires the contractor’s signature, though a Release of Claims may be requested. If the required documents are not returned within 60 days, the Contracting Officer will issue a unilateral modification and proceed with closeout once performance is complete, acceptance is confirmed, and final payment is made.

(c) For all other non-commercial or non–cost‑reimbursement contracts, if more than $1,000 in unliquidated funds remain at closeout, the Contracting Officer will issue a bilateral deobligation modification and a Release of Claims, both requiring contractor signature. If these documents are not returned within 120 days, the Contracting Officer will issue a unilateral modification u and proceed with closeout upon completion of performance, acceptance, and final payment.

(End of Clause)

Solicitation Information

Award Type

It is anticipated that a firm-fixed price requirements contract will be awarded as a result of this synopsis/solicitation.

The Government intends to make one award from this solicitation. Therefore, to be considered responsive, contractors must submit pricing for all items.

Evaluation and Basis for Award

The provision at FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation—Commercial Products and Commercial Services is not applicable to this solicitation. In lieu of this provision, quotes will be evaluated in accordance with FAR 12.203 based on the criteria listed below. Award will be made to the offeror representing the best value to the Government.

Technical Approach:

The technical approach will evaluate the ability of the offeror to provide a sound and compliant approach that meets all requirements and shows a thorough understanding of them. It is the contractor's responsibility to ensure their quotation clearly demonstrates their capability to meet these requirements. All offerors must provide the following minimum information and documentation with their quotations to be considered responsive and have their offers evaluated:

• Ability of the offeror to meet the schedule requirements listed in the Statement of Work

(SOW).

• Detailed explanation of any requirement listed in the SOW that cannot be successfully accomplished by the offeror.

Price:

The offeror shall provide pricing as requested in the Schedule of Items in Attachment B of this

Request for Quote. Failure to propose pricing for all individual line items may result in a quotation being excluded from further consideration. The offeror’s quotation will be evaluated in accordance with FAR 12.204, to determine if it is fair and reasonable.

Past Performance:

The Government may utilize any references provided by the Contractor, along with information available from past contracts/orders with the USDA and any information found using sources such as Federal Government sources or the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System

(CPARS) to determine if the Contractor has acceptable or neutral Past Performance. Past

Performance will be evaluated using the following rating system:

• Acceptable: The contractor shows a demonstrated ability to meet contract requirements in prior or current contracts, including quality of work, timeliness, cost control, business relations, and adherence to contract terms.

• Neutral: Offeror does not have a past performance record.

• Unacceptable: The contractor has a documented history of failing to meet contract requirements, including poor quality, missed deadlines, cost overruns, lack of responsiveness, or unethical behavior.

Evaluation Method:

The Government will evaluate quotations based on the lowest price technically acceptable criteria.

Only the lowest priced offer will be evaluated for Technical Acceptability. Should the lowest priced offer not receive an acceptable technical or past performance rating, the process will continue in order of lowest priced offer until the lowest price, technically acceptable offer with acceptable or neutral past performance is identified.

Technical Approach:

The technical approach will evaluate the ability of the offeror to provide a sound and compliant approach that meets all requirements and shows a thorough understanding of them. It is the contractor's responsibility to ensure their quotation clearly demonstrates their capability to meet these requirements. All offerors must provide the following minimum information and documentation with their quotations to be considered responsive and have their offers evaluated:

• Ability of the offeror to meet the schedule requirements listed in the Statement of Work

(SOW).

• Detailed explanation of any requirement listed in the SOW that cannot be successfully accomplished by the offeror.

Delivery Information

F.o.b. destination, is requested as the F.O.B. point for all deliverables.

All offers will be considered F.O.B. Destination unless F.O.B. origin is specified AND estimated shipping costs are included.

The USDA requires delivery of all items by 90 days after award. Early deliveries will be accepted.

Shipping Instructions:

Items shall be shipped to the following address:

USDA FOREST SERVICE

Superior National Forest

Kawishiwi Ranger District

1393 Hwy 169

Ely MN 55731

Service Contract Labor Standards

The Service Contract Labor Standards could apply to any contracts awarded through this solicitation.

In accordance with (IAW) FAR 22.1002-3(a)(2), the place of performance for this contract is currently unknown. The Contracting Officer has determined multiple possible places of performance and has included Wage Determinations for each place as an attachment to this solicitation. The Contracting Officer will obtain wage determinations for additional possible places of performance if asked to do so in writing.

Offerors must request additional wage determinations no later than two days before solicitation close. Offerors who intend to perform in a place or area of performance for which a wage determination has not been attached or requested may nevertheless submit proposals. However, a wage determination shall be incorporated in the resultant contract, and there shall be no adjustment to the contract price.

Qualification Requirements

Offerors, or the product or service, ARE required to meet a qualification requirement to be eligible for award. Qualification requirements may be obtained by the Minnesota Department of Health MN

Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program. The Contractor must be approved and appear on the Approved list of MN-ELAP Assessment Organizations.

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): https://www.acquisition.gov/far-overhaul/far-part-deviation-guide/far-overhaul-part-52

52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors - Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov

52.203-18 Prohibition on Contracting with Entities that Require Certain Internal Confidentiality

Agreements or Statements-Representation (Jan 2017)

52.209-2 Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations - Representation

(Sep 2025)

52.209-11 Representation by Corporations Regarding Delinquent Tax Liability or a Felony

Conviction under any Federal Law (Sep 2025)

52.240-90 Security Prohibitions and Exclusions Representations and Certifications (Nov 2025)

The following provisions are applicable if checked:

☒ 52.204-7 System for Award Management—Registration (Nov 2025)

☐ Alternate I (Nov 2025) to 52.204-7

AGAR Provisions

452.203-70 Anti-Discrimination and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Certification (Dec

(a) By submission of its offer, the offeror certifies that:

(3) It is compliant with all applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws and the Equal Protection principles of the U.S. Constitution.

(4) Neither it nor any proposed subcontractor or teaming partner operates or funds any program, policy, or initiative that promotes DEI in a manner that violates any applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws, including but not limited to Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of

1964, or the Equal Protection principles of the U.S. Constitution.

(b) If the offeror participates in, facilitates, or funds programs that implicate Title VI of the Civil

Rights Act of 1964 or Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended, including but not limited to grants to or for schools, colleges, universities, 4-H programs, non-governmental organization (NGO) programs, sports programs, and education-related grants to prisons or other detention facilities, by submission of its offer, the offeror certifies that it is compliant with those laws, including the requirements set forth in Executive Order 14168, Defending Women from

Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government, and

Executive Order 14173, Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity.

(c) The offeror affirms that the above requirements are conditions of payment that go to the essence of the contract and are therefore material terms of the contract. Payments under the contract are predicated on compliance with the above requirements, and therefore the offeror will not be eligible for funding under the contract or to retain any funding under the contract absent compliance with the above requirements.

(d) This certification reflects a change in the Government’s position regarding the materiality of the foregoing requirements and therefore any prior payment of similar claims does not reflect the materiality of the foregoing requirements to this contract.

(e) Submission of a knowing false statement relating to offeror’s compliance with the above requirements and/or eligibility for the contract may subject the offeror to liability under the False

Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. § 3729, and/or criminal liability, including under 18 U.S.C. §§ 287 and 1001.

(f) Failure on the part of the offeror or its subcontractors to comply with the terms of this clause may be grounds for the Contracting Officer to terminate the contract for default.

(End of Provision)

NOTICE FOR FILING AGENCY PROTESTS

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Ombudsman Program

The USDA is committed to issuing solicitations and awarding contracts in a fair and prompt manner.

The Ombudsman Program for Agency Protests (OPAP) was established to address protest issues within the agency, providing an alternative to costly and time-consuming litigation. Operating independently, OPAP offers relief comparable to that granted by the Government Accountability

Office (GAO). Interested parties are encouraged to resolve concerns through USDA’s internal

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process before pursuing external forums such as the GAO.

Concerns may be addressed informally or through a formal agency protest filed with either the

Contracting Officer or the Ombudsman.

Informal Forum with the Ombudsman

1. Initial Point of Contact: Interested parties who believe a specific USDA procurement is unfair or otherwise defective should first direct their concerns to the applicable Contracting

Officer.

2. Escalation: If the Contracting Officer is unable to address their concerns, interested parties are encouraged to contact the USDA Ombudsman for Agency Protests. Under this informal process, the agency is not required to suspend contract award performance. Utilization of the informal forum does not suspend any time requirement for filing a formal protest with the agency or other forums.

3. Required Information: To ensure a timely response, interested parties should provide the following information to the Ombudsman: solicitation/contract number, contracting office, Contracting Officer, and solicitation closing date (if applicable).

Formal Agency Protest with the Ombudsman

1. Effort to Resolve: Prior to submitting a formal agency protest, protesters must first use their best efforts to resolve their concerns with the Contracting Officer through open and frank discussions.

2. Independent Review: If the protester’s concerns remain unresolved, an Independent Review is available by the Ombudsman. The protester may file a formal agency protest with either the

Contracting Officer or, alternatively, with the Ombudsman under the OPAP program. Contract awards or performance will be suspended during the protest period unless justified in writing for urgent and compelling reasons or determined in writing to be in the best interest of the

Government.

3. Resolution Timeline: The agency’s goal is to resolve protests within 35 calendar days from the date of filing.

4. Required Information: Protests shall include the information set forth in FAR 33.104(a)(3).

Failure to submit the required information may result in a delay or dismissal of the protest.

5. Timeliness: Protests must be filed within the timeframes specified in FAR 33.104.

6. Submission: Formal protests under the OPAP program should be submitted electronically to SPE.inquiry@usda.gov and the Contracting Officer.

Election of Forum. By initiating a protest with the USDA, the protester agrees not to pursue the same matter with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) or any other external forum while the agency protest is pending. If a protest is filed externally, the agency protest will be dismissed mailto:SPE.inquiry@usda.gov