SF-30_EA133F-17-RFP-1824_Amendment_0008.pdf

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15A. Name and Title of Signer (Type or Print) 16A. Name and title of Contracting Officer (Type or Print)

15B. Contractor/Offeror 15C. Date Signed 16B. United States of America

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

16C. Date Signed

(Signature of person authorized to sign)

NSN 7540-01-152-8070 30-105 STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 10-83)

PREVIOUS EDITIONS UNUSABLE Prescribed by GSA FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT 1. Contract ID Code Page of Pages 1 10

2. Amendment/Modification No. 3. Effective Date 4. Requisition/Purchase Req. No. 5. Project No. (if applicable)

0008 01/16/2018 NFFM7210-16-01824

6. Issued By Code AJ930073 7. Administered By (If other than Item 6) Code SEE BLOCK 6

NOAA/EASTERN REGION ACQUISITION

200 GRANBY STREET

SUITE 815

NORFOLK, VA 23510

8. Name and Address of Contractor (No., Street, County, and Zip Code) (X) 9A. Amendment of Solicitation No.

X

EA133F-17-RP-1824

9B. Date (See Item 11) 10/18/2017 10A. Modification of Contract/Order No.

10B. Date (See Item 13)

Code Facility Code

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

X

The above numbered solicitation is restated as set forth in item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers is extended X is not extended.

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as restated, by one of the following methods:

(a) By completing items 8 and 15, and returning 1 copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted; or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDG- MENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

12. Accounting and Appropriation Data (if required)

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACT/ORDERS.

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

(x) A. This change order is issued pursuant to: (Specify authority) The changes set forth in item 14 are made in the Contract Order No. in item 10A.

B. The above numbered Contract/Order is modified to reflect the administrative changes (such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.)

Set fourth item 14, pursuant to the authority of FAR 43.103 (b)

C. This supplemental agreement is entered into pursuant to authority of:

D. Other (Specify type of modification and authority)

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is not, is required to sign this document and return copies to the issuing office.

14. Description of Amendment/Modification (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

NOAA, National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (NEFOP) Support Services

See the attached Continuation Sheet for a Complete Description of Changes

EA133F-17-RP-1824 Amendment 0008 Page 2 of 10

a. Solicitation Amendment 0008 is issued to:

1) Provide responses to questions pertaining to the Request for Proposals (RFP) that were received on or before

November 3, 2017 as included in Attachment 1 to this Amendment;

2) Update Section B, Payment Description, B.3.1 Seadays;

3) Incorporate Section C.4.1.5, Contractor Transition;

4) Update Section C.4.2.3.2, Observer Communication;

5) Update Section C.4.3.2, Trainings and Debriefings;

6) Update Section C.4.3.1, Logistic and Operation Support for Observer Deployment

7) Update Section C.4.3.4, Observer Equipment, Operation and Maintenance;

8) Update C.4.3.5 Travel and Lodging;

9) Update Section C.4.3.6, Vessel Selection;

10) Section C.4.3.7, Safety Requirements;

11) Update Section C.6, Security Risk Level Designations;

12) Update Section F, Clause F.3 NOAA Acquisition Manual (NAM) Clause 1330-52.215-70 Schedule of

Deliverables, Deliverables F.3.31, F.3.32, and F.3.33;

13) Update Section H, Clause H.16.2, Other Insurance Coverage;

14) Update Section H.18, Observer Candidate Screening Requirements;

15) Update Section I, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Clause 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions

Required To Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items;

16) Update Section I, NAM Clause 1330-52.242-70, Invoices;

17) Update Section J, Attachments; and provide updated solicitation Attachment D, Past Performance Informtion

Form;

18) Update Section K, Representations, Certifications, and Other Offeror Statements, FAR Provision 52.212-3

Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Item;

19) Update Section L, Provision L.6, Commerce Acquisition Regulation (CAR) 1352.215-70, Proposal

Preparation;

20) Insert at Section L, Provision L.8, CAR 1352.233-70, Agency Protests, and renumber subsequent provisions;

and

21) Update Section L, Provision L.10, Solicitation Mailing Instruction.

b. A conformed copy of the RFP is provided herein. All changes made to the RFP as identified above are annotated in bold text.

c. Except for the changes made herein all other terms, conditions and provisions of the solicitation (and Attachments) remain unchanged and in full force and effect.

END AMENDMENT 0008 TO EA133F-17-RP-1824

EA133F-17-RP-1824 Amendment 0008 Page 3 of 10

EA133F-17-RP-1824 AMENDMENT 0008

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Vendor Question 1 Please confirm the address where the proposal must be delivered. Is there an option for electronic delivery as referenced under L.4(f)(2)(i)(A)?

Government Responses to Vendor Question 1 Proposals must be delivered to the address identified in block #9 of the Standard From (SF) 1449.

Paragraph L.9, Solicitation Mailing Instructions, is revised to state, in part, “To facilitate proper handling of the offer or amendment thereof, it is imperative that the outermost envelope/packaging which contains the offer/amendment be addressed in the format presented in Block #9 of the SF 1449.” Paragraph L.9, Solicitation Mailing Instructions, is updated with RFP EA133F-17-RP-1824 NEFOP Observer Support Services-Amendment 0008.

No, there is not an electronic commerce transmission method authorized by this solicitation.

Vendor Question 2 Schedule B breaks the hourly rate into Regular and OT. Under section I.11. FAR 52.212-4 (i) Payment (1) Work Performed (i) Hourly Rate E(3) (Page 52) “If the Schedule provides rates for overtime, the premium portion of those rates will be reimbursable only to the extent the overtime is approved by the Contracting Officer.” Which hourly events are approved for premium rates?

Government Response to Vendor Question 2 If overtime is approved by the Contracting Officer, overtime rates may be applicable to the activities identified in paragraph B.3.4 Hourly Rate.

Vendor Question 3 B.3.1 Seadays (page 9) states “An observer's sea day time starts when the observer arrives at the vessel, and ends when the observer departs the vessel. Language on page 23, last paragraph regarding No shows: “The observer must arrive 1 hour prior to the scheduled departure …” and Page 67 Section I.24 NAM 1330-52.242-70 INVOICES (e) “If observer arrival at dock in preparation for a trip exceeds the one (1) hour requirement…” implies the observer is required to be at the dock 1 hour prior to planned sail time, however, we cannot find this stated explicitly in the RFP. Please clarify (1) that the observer must arrive at the dock 1 hour prior to the scheduled departure and when the seaday begins: Is it when the observer arrives at dock/vessel ready to board (whether or not the vessel is ready to sail)? Or when the observer actually sets foot on board the vessel?

Government Response to Vendor Question 3 As provided in Section C, Section C.4.2.3(ii), Observers shall arrive to the dock one (1) hour prior to schedule departure time to allow for sufficient time to locate, the vessel, unloading sampling gear and parking. Section B, Payment Description, B.3.1 Seadays is updated with RFP EA133F-17-RP-1824 NEFOP Observer Support Services-Amendment 0008.

Vendor Question 4 The following two sections seem to specify different requirements for the placement of hourly charges:

• C.4.2.3 Observer Duties and Data Collection Requirements (h) (page 17) refers to “various program support tasks (industry outreach activities, industry meetings, observer training sessions, port orientations (Section J, Attachment 7, Port Orientation Program), reconnaissance, or other research project needs. Each observer shall attend at least one (1) day of at least one (1) Fishery Council Meeting each year in their assigned area. The Contractor shall invoice NMFS separately for these hourly costs in Section B (Section B. 2, Schedule of Items CLIN 0004, 0009, 0014, 0019, 0024) and travel costs in Section B (Schedule of Costs CLIN 0002, 0007, 0012, 0017, 0022).”

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• While C.4.3.2 Training and Debriefings (Page 19) states that “Training costs are reimbursable and are intended to include all costs associated with observer training (initial, refresher recertification, and safety trainings), including, but not limited to, salary during the training period, per diem (meals & reimbursements and lodging), travel, and miscellaneous equipment for use during training (as authorized or requested by the Government) (Section B.2, Schedule of Items, CLIN 0003, 0008, 0013, 0018, 0023).”

If all hourly costs associated with observer training sessions, port orientations, debriefings and exit interviews are to be billed under CLIN 0004, 0009, 0014, 0019,0024, and the travel under CLIN 0002, 0007, 0012, 0017, 0022 which costs should be billed under Training costs CLIN 0003, 0009, 0014, 0019, 0024?

Government Response to Vendor Question 4 As provided in the solicitation, the costs to be billed under Section B.2, Schedule of Items, Contract Line Item Number (CLIN) 0003, 0008, 0013, 0018, 002, are training costs that include salary, travel (per diem and lodging) and miscellaneous equipment for use during the training period. Hourly costs billed under CLINs 0004, 0009, 0014, 0019, 0024, and travel costs billed under CLINs 0003, 0008, 0013, 0018, 0023, are costs associated with support tasks that relate to training as opposed to attendance at training.

Vendor Question 5 I.24 NAM 1330-52.242-70 INVOICES (b) (1) indicates the actual hours worked by each of the contract staff in each active labor category shall be supported by individual time sheets. Is it acceptable for hours to be supported instead by other types of documentation (see below)?

Also, which hours and expenses should be billed under CLIN004 hourly? Below is a list of hourly work types.

Please verify if these are billable under CLIN 0004, 0009, 0014, 0019,0024 and confirm if our suggested means to document/verify hours worked in each case is acceptable as an alternative to time sheets (where appropriate):

• Travel hours – Travel Vouchers

• Cancelled trips and No shows – Cancelled Trip Form

• Reconnaissance hours – Dock Reports

• CAC card pickup – Time Sheet

• Initial Full training days – Completion of the class

• Refresher and safety Trainings Full training day – Completion of Class

• In-house debrief and exit interviews – Time Sheet

• Council meetings, enforcement interviews and outreach meeting hours – Time Sheet

Government Response to Vendor Question 5 The requirement of NAM 1330-52.242-70 Invoices remains unchanged as currently stated.

Vendor Question 6 C.4.2.3 Observer Duties and Data Collection Requirements (h) (page 17) refers to “various program support tasks including reconnaissance and Based on the Attachment 3, NMFS seaday schedule, the majority of the sea days are in the Mid-Atlantic (8230 of 10120 days), where there is not a PTNS call in system or requirement for vessels to notify anyone prior to sailing. In order to achieve the required trips, a large amount of dock time and solicitation at the dock will be required in the Mid-Atlantic. All the mid-Atlantic trips will require the Contractor to locate active vessels, establish contact with operators, find out about planned fishing trips, assess coverage requirements relative to planned trips, persuade operators to carry observers and schedule trips to be covered. Will the observer and/or contractor staff hours spent at the dock on these activities be covered under CLIN 0004, 0009, 004, 0019, 0024 hourly costs or should these costs be built into the Unit Price Sea Day rates?

Government Response to Vendor Question 6 These costs are to be built into the seaday unit price.

Vendor Question 7 C.4.2.3 Observer Duties and Data Collection Requirements (m) Fishery Observer III, page 18 states 1) May act as field Coordinator of lower grade fishery observers and 3) Shifts from one type of responsible technical assignment to other types. Based on this, if Observer III are engaged in observer support activities such as dock

EA133F-17-RP-1824 Amendment 0008 Page 5 of 10 work, outreach, observer mentoring, etc., will these hours be billed separately under the hourly rate or should the cost be incorporated into the loaded fee rates on the Observer III days?

Government Response to Vendor Question 7 Those costs should be incorporated into the loaded fee rates for the Observer III level days.

Vendor Question 8 Based on Attachment 3, NMFS Seaday schedule, the GSA contractor is currently in place in the NE and covering the PTNS and general tasked days. What is the plan to transition between the GSA contract and the new NEFOP contract?

Government Response to Vendor Question 8 The anticipated contract award is February 28, 2018, at which time, the successful offeror will begin setting up local infrastructure, building capacity, organizing support staff, and recruiting observers. The new NEFOP provider will start providing observer services as soon as the necessary logistics are in place to do so.

Vendor Question 9 C.4.3.2 Trainings and Debriefing refers to travel for training. Is travel to/from initial NEFOP training reimbursable? If so, which Line item should it be billed under, CLIN 0002 travel reimbursement or CLIN0003 Training Reimbursement?

Government Response to Vendor Question 9 Only the trainees’ meals and lodging to the initial training are eligible for reimbursement. The cost should be billed under CLIN 0003.

Vendor Question 10 C.4.3.2 Trainings and Debriefing also refers to miscellaneous equipment for use during training, what type of equipment is this referring too?

Government Response to Vendor Question 10 The Government does not have a specific list of miscellaneous equipment; however, if a need arises for additional equipment, reimbursement for miscellaneous equipment, as requested and authorized by the Government, is provided under CLINs 0003, 0008, 0013, 0018, and 0023.

Vendor Question 11 C.4.3.2 Trainings and Debriefing Page 20 first full paragraph requires a hardcopy (mailed to the NMFS) of the candidates college transcript. Please confirm that Candidate packets can be fully electronic with the exception of Transcripts. Would faxed copies of transcripts be acceptable?

Government Response to Vendor Question 11 Section C.4.3.2 Trainings and Debriefings is restated with RFP EA133F-17-RP-1824 NEFOP Observer Support Services-Amendment 0008.

The electronic submission method must be approved by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) prior to submission. College transcripts contain Personally Identifiable Information (PII) that must be safeguarded. The Contractor must ensure the electronic submission is safe and approved by the Government.

Vendor Question 12 C.4.3.2 Trainings and Debriefing Page 21 second paragraph training credits for replacing observers that leave before a year: can you please clarify which costs must be credited at next training from the Training cost line item CLIN 0003, 0008, 0013, 0018, 0023, Hourly cost line item CLIN 0004, 0009, 004, 0019,0024 and Travel line item CLIN 0002, 0007, 0012, 0017, 0022?

EA133F-17-RP-1824 Amendment 0008 Page 6 of 10

Government Response to Vendor Question 12 As provided in the solicitation, the costs to be included in the credit to the Government would be the Training costs (travel (meals and reimbursements, lodging) Section B.2, Schedule of Items CLIN 0003, 0008, 0013, 0018, 0023), and hourly wages associated with training for that observer(s) that terminates their employment or an observer with an unapproved change in work status (e.g., part time) with the Contractor within one (1) year of completing the NMFS training.

Vendor Question 13 C.4.3.2 Trainings and Debriefing Page 21 fifth paragraph: “All observers shall call their debriefer prior to making a trip in a fishery or program covered for the first time.” Are these calls billable under training CLIN 0003, 0008, 0013, 0018, 0023 or Hourly CLIN 0004, 0009, 004, 0019,0024?

Government Response to Vendor Question 13 No, the calls are not billable and should be incorporated in the overall seaday rate.

Section C.4.2.3.2 Observer Communication is restated with RFP EA133F-17-RP-1824 NEFOP Observer Support Services-Amendment 0008.

Vendor Question 14 C.4.3.4 Observer Equipment, Operation and Maintenance page 22 first paragraph: “The gear and equipment, purchased and charged to the Government in the performance of the contract becomes Government property at the end of the contract.” What gear items are billable to the government?

Government Response to Vendor Question 14 Section C.4.3.4 Observer Equipment, Operation and Maintenance is restated with RFP EA133F-17-RP- 1824 NEFOP Observer Support Services-Amendment 0008.

As provided in the solicitation, any additional gear items purchased at the request of the Government (see Section C.4.3.4) would be billable.

Vendor Question 15 C.4.3.5 Travel and Lodging, Page 22 paragraph 4 states that an observer travel voucher is to be submitted for documenting all travel logistics and associated costs related to life raft and observer transports. Does the 50 mile from homeport travel rule apply to these activities? Should travel vouchers be used for other travel situations?

Government Response to Vendor Question 15 Travel vouchers are only required for travel 50 miles or more from the observer’s homeport for which the Provider is billing the Government. Life raft and observer transport would require travel vouchers (for billing purposes), but are not subject to the 50 mile travel rule. Section C.4.3.5 Travel and Lodging, is restated with RFP EA133F-17-RP-1824 NEFOP Observer Support Services-Amendment 0008.

Vendor Question 16 C.4.3.6 Vessel Selection. Page 23, 2nd full paragraph states “For trips outside closed areas and other special access fishing programs there shall be no more than two (2) back to back trips by the same observer on the same vessel AND there shall be no more than two (2) trips on the same boat within one month.” Based on the number of vessels in ports in the Mid-Atlantic (attachment 28 ) and the number of days required in various REF#s each quarter (Attachment 3- Seaday Schedule), some vessels may be required to carry observers more than 6 trips per quarter. Can you confirm that this constraint will apply to all coverage areas in the contract?

Government Response to Vendor Question 16 As stated in the solicitation, vessels must be covered randomly, without repeated deployments on the same vessels by the same observer, unless waived by the COR. However, when applicable, the COR may waive the repeat deployment restriction. Section C.4.3.6 Vessel Selection, is restated with RFP EA133F-

EA133F-17-RP-1824 Amendment 0008 Page 7 of 10

17-RP-1824 NEFOP Observer Support Services-Amendment 0008 to provide further clarification regarding the circumstances in which waivers of this requirement may be considered.

Vendor Question 17 C.4.3.16 Research Vessel Deployments page 27 fifth full paragraph states that “The Contractor shall invoice NMFS separately for these hourly costs. This is CLIN 0004, 0009, 0014, 0019 and 0024 in the Schedule of Items and Prices at Section B.” If observers are deployed for more than 12 hours should the contractor bill under the seaday rate? Otherwise this may cause issue with overtime incurred when deployed.

Government Response to Vendor Question 17 Research Vessel Deployments are infrequent events that occur on NMFS research vessels and are to be billed under the hourly rate CLINs. Approval for, and logistics pertaining to, overtime requirements will be coordinated with the COR prior to the Research Vessel Deployment.

Vendor Question 18 C.6 SECURITY RISK LEVEL DESIGNATIONS Investigation Packages page 27 states that ”The following requirements will be completed prior to the Contractor hiring an observer:

0 – 30 days = Security Worksheet, Finger Print Cards (FD 258 Cards), 2 forms of identification, Commerce Department (CD)-591 form (Department of Commerce Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Request), Optional Form (OF)-306 form (Declaration of Federal Employment).

31 – 179 days = e-QIP questionnaire must be completed successfully within 14 days from the time the Security Office sends the e-mail invite to the applicant. E-QIP signature pages must be faxed to the Security Office within the same time frame (14 days)” Based on the dates above, how can these items be completed “prior” to hire?

Government Response to Vendor Question 18 Section C.6 Security Risk Level Designations, is restated with RFP EA133F-17-RP-1824 NEFOP Observer Support Services-Amendment 0008 to indicate that the requirements detailed therein are to be completed prior to the Contractor Observers performing under this contract.

Vendor Question 19 F.3.31 Invoice page 34 states invoice is due “14 days following the last day of the prior month”. Is that 14 business days or the 14th day of the following month?

Government Response to Vendor Question 19 Section F, Clause F.3 NOAA Acquisition Manual (NAM) Clause 1330-52.215-70, Schedule Of Deliverables, (Deliverable F.3.31) and NOAA Acquisition Manual (NAM) Clause 1330-52.242-70, Invoices, are restated with RFP EA133F-17-RP-1824 NEFOP Observer Support Services-Amendment 0008 to specify that the invoice is to be submitted 14 business days following the last day of the prior month.

Vendor Question 20 H.20 Travel page 43 first paragraph states “If travel is required, the travel shall be requested and approved in advance by the Contracting Officer.” And that “Travel will be reimbursed in accordance with FAR Part 31 and the Federal Travel Regulation.” This contract will require substantial amounts of travel. Does the government require pre-approval for all travel? Will the contractor request approval for travel by Area coordinators and/or Program Manager and submit this for reimbursement?

Government Response to Vendor Question 20 The clause H.20, Travel, refers to travel other than the travel stated at Section B.3.2, C.4.3.2, and C.4.3.5 that is requested by the Government.

Vendor Question 21 Under H.16.2 OTHER INSURANCE COVERAGE we have multiple questions/clarifications:

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A) line "a) Worker’s Compensation and Maritime Employer’s Liability insurance must be provided to cover the observer, vessel owner, and observer provider. The minimum coverage required is $5,000,000."

1) Workers compensation is statutory coverage, so there should be no limit; does item a) refer to two separate policies, a Worker's Compensation and MEL policy, or does this refer to MEL policy only?

2) Workers Compensation cannot cover the Vessel owner as they are not the “employer” of the

Contractor. Under Contractor’s MEL the vessel owner cannot be named as an additional insured/alternate employer to cover suits against the vessel owner. Any claims against the vessel owner would go on Contractor's loss record through no fault of the Contractor and would increase future premiums due to actions beyond the control of the Contractor. The Contractor would be protecting the vessel owner from their own negligence. Please clarify the extent to which the government expects the contractor’s insurance to apply to the vessel owner.

B) line "b) Coverage as required by federal and state workers’ compensation and occupational disease statutes."

1) This seems to duplicate the WC part in (a) above, or does this item refer to State Workers Compensation insurance?

2) There is no mention of USL&H coverage which it is a federal statute that has been required under previous contracts, please clarify?

3) The limits of $100,000 seem very low in comparison to the $5,000,000 limits in item a) above, please explain reduced limits?

C) line "c) Comprehensive bodily injury liability insurance with limits of not less than $500,000 for each occurrence." and "d) Property damage liability with a limit of not less than $100,000 for each occurrence."

1) Should these items include “third party” coverage as they are referring to items typically covered under a Marine General Liability policy and never written separately?

2) In addition, the limits are very low in comparison to the $5,000,000 limits in item a) above; please explain reduced limits.

Government Response to Vendor Question 21 Section H, Clause H.16.2 Other Insurance Coverage is restated with RFP EA133F-17-RP-1824 NEFOP Observer Support Services-Amendment 0008

Vendor Question 22 In Section L.6 (3) (page 90) It states that the page count for Volume I is limited to seventy (70) pages. What is the page count limit for Volume II Technical Proposal?

Government Response to Vendor Question 22:

The page count for Volume II Technical Proposal is seventy (70) pages. Section L, Provision L.6, paragraph (a)(3), is restated with RFP EA133F-17-RP-1824- NEFOP Observer Support Services- Amendment 0008.

Vendor Question 23 Are the Health & Welfare fringe benefits for this contract covered by special reduced Executive Order (EO) 13706 fringe benefits ($4.13) or the SCA Health & Welfare fringe benefits ($4.41)?

Government Response to Vendor Question 23 As provided in Attachment A-Wage Determination 2004-02874 Revision 23, dated 07/25/2017, Executive Order (EO) 13706, Establishing Paid Sick Leave for Federal Contractors, applies to all contracts subject to the Service Contract Act for which the contract is awarded (and any solicitation was issued) on or after January 1, 2017.

The Contractor is responsible for complying with Service Contract Labor Standards as established in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clause 52.222-41, Service Contact Labor Standards, and FAR Clause 52.222-62, Paid Sick Leave Under Executive Order 13706. Questions pertaining to compliance with Service Contract Labor Standards and EO 13706 should be addressed to the Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division.

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Vendor Question 24 On page 20 it states “An observer’s first three (3) deployments and the resulting data shall be immediately edited and approved after each trip by NMFS prior to any further deployments by that observer (Section J, Attachment 16)”. However in Attachment 16 Section II it states “NEFOP Certification - A minimum of four certification training trips must be completed in order to achieve final certification. The first trip must be a with a certified trip trainer. Remaining certification training trips will be solo trips on either gillnet or bottom otter trawl vessels. At least one certification training trip must document the ability to take species verification photos and biological samples, such as otoliths and/or scales. What is the minimum number of training trips required to become NEFOP certified?

Government Response to Vendor Question 24 Four (4) certification trips (or more if required) are required for NEFOP certification.

Section C.4.3.2 Training and Debriefings, is updated with RFP-EA133F-17-RP-1824 NEFOP Observer

Vendor Question 25 On page 22 Section C.4.3.6 it states “When the Contractor/observer makes initial contact with the vessel, the Contractor/observer shall verify with the captain that the vessel has sufficient life raft capacity for an additional person (observer). If not, the Contractor shall immediately attempt to have one of the NMFS issued valise life rafts available for the observer for that trip”. On page 24 Section C.4.3.7 it states “The Contractor shall purchase three (3) valise life rafts, at a minimum, upon award of the contract as referenced in Section F.3.20.

The Contractor shall maintain the life rafts while in their care and ensure the life raft is up to date with service and inspections as required in F.3.21.” In the course of this contract will the government provide government owned life rafts in addition to the Contractor owned life rafts?

Government Response to Vendor Question 25 Section C.4.3.6, Vessel Selection, is updated with RFP-EA133F-17-RP-1824 NEFOP Observer Support Services-Amendment 0008.

Vendor Question 26 Can the government provide specification for the life rafts required for this contract? Are the rafts required to be SOLAS and USCG approved?

Government Response to Vendor Question 26 Section C.4.3.7, Safety Requirements, is updated with RFP-EA133F-17-RP-1824 NEFOP Observer

Vendor Question 27 In Attachment 28 NEFOP Trips in 2016 does this total include both SBRM tasked days and Pre-Trip Notification Sea Days (PTNS)?

Government Response to Vendor Question 27 Yes, Attachment 28, NEFOP Trips in 2016, includes observed trips for both SBRM tasked and PTNS groundfish. Please note the trips in the attachment are seadays accomplished not total tasked days.

Vendor Question 28 Would the government provide the total number of SBRM and PTNS sea days tasked and the total number of SBRM and PTNS sea days completed each year for the past 5 years?

Government Response to Vendor Question 28 The Government can provide an estimated range of total tasked days (SBRM and PTNS groundfish) over the past five (5) years. The estimate range includes 5,000 – 12,000 days.

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Vendor Question 29 On page 90 Section L.6 (1) Volume II Technical Proposal it states “The Offeror shall provide to NOAA, at the address shown in Block 28 on Page 1 of this solicitation, one (1) original, three (3) copies and two (2) CD ROMS of Volume I and one (1) original, six (6) copies and two (2) CD ROMS of Volume II”. Will the government consider accepting e-mailed versions of Volumes I and II to reduce the amount of paper utilized as many of the NOAA line offices currently encourage e-mail submission of proposals?

Government Response to Vendor Question 29 No, there is not an electronic commerce transmission method authorized by this solicitation.

Vendor Question 30 Attachment D-Past Performance Information Form contains the following text in the second column second row:

“Number of Observer Services Provided under Contract/Purchase Order”. Please explain what information you would like provided in this part of the form.

Government Response to Vendor Question 30 The “Number of Observer Services Provided under Contract/Purchase Order” has been removed from Attachment D – Past Performance Questionnaire. Attachment D-Past Performance Information Form- Amendment 0008 is updated with the issue of EA133F-17-RP-1824 NEFOP Observer Support Services- Amendment 0008.

Vendor Question 31 If a vendor is registered in the Systems for Awards Management (SAM) do they still need to complete and include Section K Representations and Certifications and completed Provisions in Volume I Price Proposal?

Government Response to Vendor Question 31 As provided in the solicitation, Provision K.6, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items, The Offeror shall complete only paragraph (b) of the provision if the Offeror has completed the annual representations and certification electronically via the System for Award Management (SAM) Web site. If the Offeror has not completed the annual representations and certifications electronically, the Offeror shall complete only paragraphs (c) through

(u) of the provision.