AMENDMENT_0001_-_RFQ_EA-133W-14-RQ-0500.pdf

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

(a) By completing items 8 and 15, and returning or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT 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 your 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.

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

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT 1. CONTRACT ID CODE

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE 4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO. 5. PROJECT NO. (If applicable)

7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 6) CODE

STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 10-83)

Prescribed by GSA FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

FACILITY CODE

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION

NO.

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers is extended, is not extended.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required) copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted;

13. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO MODIFICATION OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS.

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

CHECK ONE 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 FORTH IN 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)

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.

15C. DATE SIGNED

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

16C. DATE SIGNED

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

PAGE OF PAGES

6. ISSUED BY CODE

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., street, county, State and ZIP Code) (X)

CODE

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

(Signature of person authorized to sign)

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

NSN 7540-01-152-8070

Previous edition unusable

EA-133W-14-RQ-0500 AMENDMENT 0001

A. The purpose of this amendment is to make revisions to subject solicitation and provide responses the vendor questions. All changes to the solicitation are in yellow highlights.

B. The following responses to vendor questions are provided as follows:

(1) Question: This base contract performance requires the contractor to provide not only 2 daily soundings but also 6 Special Soundings per year in the price. In order to determine accurate pricing, how many Special Soundings have been required per year for the past 3 years?

Response: There have been 63 special soundings since January 2010.

(2) Question: The Wage Determination in the solicitation is for Massachusetts not Greensboro, NC. Can you please provide the correct Wage Determination?

Response: The correct Wage Determination 2005-2397, Revision No. 14, dated 6/13/2013 is attached to this amendment and replaces Wage Determination 2005- 2259, Revision No. 14, dated 6/13/2013.

(3) Question: In the Bid Schedule, the period of performance for CLINS 0009 and 0010 is showing 01 April 2018 through 31 March 2019? We believe this is a typo?

Response: It is an error. The correct period of performance for CLINs 0009 and 0010 should be 01 July 2018 through 30 June 2019. It’s been corrected and incorporated into the conformed version of the solicitation and is attached to this Amendment.

(4) Question: FAR 52.222-41 Service Contract Labor Standards is not checked in the RFQ SECTION II, CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS 3c (1). Is this procurement not applicable to FAR 52.222-41 Service Contract Labor Standards?

Response: This was an oversight and should have been checked. It is now checked in the attached conformed RFQ .

(5) Question: The Statement of Work states in Section 2.2, Section 2.5.1, and Section 4.3: "Each RRS observation requires the attention of one RRS certified observer for a period of approximately three (3) hours." However, Section 2.2 lists specific time periods that an observer must be present and the time equates to 3.25 hours. Since this is a fixed price contract the number of hours to perform a required task is critical for determining costs. The wording “approximately” is not definitive enough to accurately price a fixed price contract. Can the Government please state the minimum amount of time a certified observer is required to be present for each RRS observation to include both routine and special observations?

Response: The wording in the SOW, Staffing Requirements, Section 4.3, in the 1st sentence, replace the word “approximately” with “minimum”.

C. Additional changes to the Statement of Work (SOW) are incorporated as follows:

(1) Statement of Work (SOW), Section 1.9, Key Control, is hereby marked “RESERVED” and remove the "1.10" in the table of contents.

(2) Statement of Work (SOW), Section 2.4, Observation Balloons, change as follows:

"Observation balloons to be used in the taking of the RRS observation shall be inflated with a bottled gas furnished by the Government. All operating instructions and applicable safety equipment shall be supplied by the Government. The Contractor shall take all necessary precautions to insure that appropriate safety measures are followed when working with the gas. The Contractor’s Site Supervisor shall maintain an inventory of the gas and report deliveries to the COR at Eastern Region Headquarters in Bohemia, NY. Additionally the site supervisor shall insure cylinders are full when delivered. Empty or partially filled tanks shall be reported to the COR by e-mail."

(3) Statement of Work (SOW), Paragraph 2.6, Dissemination of Data, the word “orally” is hereby deleted.

(4) Statement of Work (SOW), Paragraph 3.8, Forms, Charts, and Expendable Supplies, 4th paragraph, the 1st two sentences are hereby deleted.

(5) Attachment 3, titled “Government Furnished Equipment” is added and provided in Paragraph 20, Page 34 in the conformed RFQ..

D. Replace RFQ EA-133W-14-RQ-0500, issued June 2, 2014 with the attached conformed RFQ EA-133W-14-RQ-0500 Amend 0001, issued June 6, 2014.

E. The closing date remains the same: June 12, 2014 (4:00 PM – Central Time).

AMENDMENT 0001

25. Accounting and Appropriation Data 26. Total Award Amount (For Govt. Use Only)

See Attached Schedule US

X 27a. Solicitation incorporates by reference FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-3 and 52.212-5 are attached. Addenda X are are not attached 27b. Contract/Purchase Order incorporates by reference FAR 52.212-4. 52.212-5 is attached. Addenda are are not attached

X 28. Contractor is required to sign this document and return 1 copies to X 29. Award of Contract: Reference. Offer

Issuing Office. Contractor agrees to furnish and deliver all items set forth or otherwise identified above and on any additional sheets subject to the terms and conditions specified herein.

Dated . Your offer on Solicitation (Block 5), including any additions or changes which are set forth herein, is accepted as to items:

30a. Signature of Offeror/Contractor 31a. United States of America (Signature of Contracting Officer)

30b. Name and Title of Signer (Type or Print) 30c. Date Signed 31b. Name of Contracting Officer (Type or Print)

31c. Date Signed

ARTHUR HILDEBRANDT

Andrew.hildebrandt@noaa.gov

32a. Quantity in Column 21 Has Been

Received Inspected Accepted, and Conforms to the Contract, Except as Noted: ________________________

32b. Signature of Authorized Government Representative 32c. Date 32d. Printed Name and Title of Authorized Government Representative

32e. Mailing Address of Authorized Government Representative 32f. Telephone Number of Authorized Government Representative

32g. E-mail of Authorized Government Representative

33. Ship Number 34. Voucher Number 35. Amount Verified Correct

For

36. Payment 37. Check Number

Complete Partial Final

Partial Final

38. S/R Account Number 39. S/R Voucher Number 40. Paid By

41a. I certify this account is correct and proper for payment 42a. Received By (Print)

41b. Signature and Title of Certifying Officer 41c. Date 42b. Received At (Location)

42c. Date Rec'd (YY/MM/DD) 42d. Total Containers

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV 3/2005)

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS

Offeror to Complete Blocks 12, 17, 23, 24, & 30

1. Requisition Number

PAGE 1 OF 58 NWWN4200-14-02011

2. Contract No. 3. Award/Effective Date 4. Order Number 5. Solicitation Number 6. Solicitation Issue Date

EA-133W-14-RQ-0500 June 2, 2014

7. For Solicitation Information Call:

a. Name KURT WEILBAECHER b. Telephone Number (No collect calls) 8. Offer Due Date/Local Time

KURT.WEILBAECHER@NOAA.GOV 228-688-2825 JUNE 12, 2014 /

4:00 PM (CENTRAL)

9. Issued By Code AJ930073 10. This Acquisition is 11. Delivery for FOB Destination Unless Block is Marked. 12. Discount Terms

NOAA/EASTERN REGIONAL

ACQUISITION

200 GRANBY STREET

8TH FLOOR

NORFOLK, VA 23510

Unrestricted Discount: 0% X Set-Aside 100 % for Days: 0

X Small Business See Schedule Net due: 30

Emerging Small Business

HUB Zone Small Business 13a. This contract is a rated order under DPAS (15 CFR 700)

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned

8(a) 13b. Rating

NAICS: 541990 14. Method of Solicitation

Size Standard: $14 Million X RFQ IFB RFP

15. Deliver To Code WN950901 16. Administered By Code AJ930073

NAT'L WEATH SVC UPPER AIR SITE

6425A BRYAN BLVD.

GREENSBORO, NC 27409

NOAA/EASTERN REGIONAL ACQUISITION

200 GRANBY STREET

8TH FLOOR

17a. Contractor/Offeror Code Facility Code 18a. Payment Will Be Made By Code AJ910073

NOAA/FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT DIVISION /EC1

200 GRANBY STREET

ROOM 815

NORFOLK, VA 23510

Telephone No. TIN:

17b. Check if Remittance is Different and Put Such Address in Offer. 18b. Submit Invoices to Address Shown in Block 9 Unless Box Below is Checked.

See Addendum.

mailto:KURT.WEILBAECHER@NOAA.GOV� kurtw Text Box kurtw Typewritten Text kurtw Typewritten Text kurtw Typewritten Text kurtw Typewritten Text kurtw Typewritten Text kurtw Typewritten Text

SCHEDULE Continued

Item No. Supplies/Services Quantity Unit Unit Price Amount

Page - 2

19.

ITEM NO.

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

21.

QUANTIT

Y

22.

UNIT

23.

UNIT PRICE

24.

AMOUNT

BASE YEAR-FIRM-FIXED PRICE

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

01 July 2014 Through 30 June 2015

PROVIDE SERVICES TO TAKE,

DISSEMINATE AND RECORD

RADIOSONDE OBSERVATIONS AT

GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA GSO

UPPER AIR FACILITY AS PER THE

ATTACHED STATEMENT OF WORK

(SOW).

TWO (2) DAILY BALLOON

LAUNCHES/SOUNDINGS AND SIX (6)

SPECIAL LAUNCHES/SOUNDINGS DURING

THE CONTRACT YEAR.

SERVICES ALSO INCLUDE

PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE OF

EQUIPMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE

DUTIES PER THE ATTACHED

STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW).

MO

BASE YEAR-FIRM-FIXED PRICE

OPTIONAL:

01 July 2014 Through 30 June 2015

EA

NOT TO EXCEED

SPECIAL LAUNCHES-SOUNDINGS

BEYOND THE INITIAL 6 AUTHORIZED

NOT TO EXCEED SIX (6) SPECIAL

LAUNCHES-SOUNDINGS FOR THE

CONTRACT YEAR.

SPECIAL SOUNDINGS –FIRM-FIXED

PRICE (SEE FAR 52.217-7 AND PER SOW

PARA 2.5)

Page - 3

0003 OPTION YEAR ONE - FIRM-FIXED

PRICE:

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

01 July 2015 Through 30 June 2016

PROVIDE SERVICES TO TAKE,

DISSEMINATE AND RECORD

RADIOSONDE OBSERVATIONS AT

GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA GSO

UPPER AIR FACILITY AS PER THE

ATTACHED STATEMENT OF WORK

(SOW).

TWO DAILY BALLOON

LAUNCHES/SOUNDINGS AND SIX (6)

SPECIAL LAUNCHES/SOUNDINGS DURING

THE CONTRACT YEAR.

SERVICES ALSO INCLUDE

PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE OF

EQUIPMENT

AND ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES PER THE

ATTACHED STATEMENT OF WORK

(SOW).

12 MO $_________ $___________

0004 OPTION YEAR ONE:

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

01 July 2015 Through 30 June 2016

OPTIONAL:

6 EA $__________ $__________

SPECIAL LAUNCHES-SOUNDINGS

BEYOND THE INITIAL 6 AUTHORIZED

NOT TO EXCEED SIX (6) SPECIAL

LAUNCHES-SOUNDINGS FOR THE

CONTRACT YEAR.

SPECIAL SOUNDINGS –FIRM-FIXED

PRICE (SEE FAR 52.217-7 AND PER SOW

PARA 2.5)

Page - 4

0005 OPTION YEAR TWO-FIRM-FIXED

PRICE

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

01 July 2016 Through 30 June 2017

PROVIDE SERVICES TO TAKE,

DISSEMINATE AND RECORD

RADIOSONDE OBSERVATIONS AT

GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA GSO

UPPER AIR FACILITY AS PER THE

ATTACHED STATEMENT OF WORK

(SOW).

TWO DAILY BALLOON

LAUNCHES/SOUNDINGS AND SIX (6)

SPECIAL LAUNCHES/SOUNDINGS DURING

THE CONTRACT YEAR.

SERVICES ALSO INCLUDE

PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE OF

EQUIPMENT

AND ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES PER THE

ATTACHED STATEMENT OF WORK

12 MO $__________ $_________

OPTION YEAR TWO

01 July 2016 Through 30 June 2017

OPTIONAL:

SPECIAL LAUNCHES-SOUNDINGS

BEYOND THE INITIAL 6 AUTHORIZED

NOT TO EXCEED SIX (6) SPECIAL

LAUNCHES-SOUNDINGS FOR THE

CONTRACT YEAR.

Page - 5

OPTION YEAR THREE-FIRM-FIXED

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

01 July 2017 Through 30 June 2018

PROVIDE SERVICES TO TAKE,

DISSEMINATE AND RECORD

RADIOSONDE OBSERVATIONS AT

GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA GSO

UPPER AIR FACILITY AS PER THE

ATTACHED STATEMENT OF WORK

(SOW).

TWO (2) DAILY BALLOON

LAUNCHES/SOUNDINGS AND SIX (6)

SPECIAL LAUNCHES/SOUNDINGS DURING

THE CONTRACT YEAR.

SERVICES ALSO INCLUDE

PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE OF

EQUIPMENT

AND ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES PER THE

ATTACHED STATEMENT OF WORK

OPTION YEAR THREE

01 July 2017 Through 30 June 2018

OPTIONAL:

SPECIAL LAUNCHES-SOUNDINGS

BEYOND THE INITIAL 6 AUTHORIZED

NOT TO EXCEED SIX (6) SPECIAL

LAUNCHES-SOUNDINGS FOR THE

CONTRACT YEAR.

Page - 6

OPTION YEAR FOUR-FIRM-FIXED

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

01 July 2018 Through 30 June 2019

PROVIDE SERVICES TO TAKE,

DISSEMINATE AND RECORD

RADIOSONDE OBSERVATIONS AT

GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA GSO

UPPER AIR FACILITY AS PER THE

ATTACHED STATEMENT OF WORK

(SOW).

TWO (2) DAILY BALLOON

LAUNCHES/SOUNDINGS AND SIX (6)

SPECIAL LAUNCHES/SOUNDINGS DURING

THE CONTRACT YEAR.

SERVICES ALSO INCLUDE

PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE OF

EQUIPMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE

DUTIES PER THE ATTACHED

STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW).

OPTION YEAR FOUR-FIRM-FIXED

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

01 July 2018 Through 30 June 2019

OPTIONAL:

SPECIAL LAUNCHES-SOUNDINGS

BEYOND THE INITIAL SIX (6)

AUTHORIZED NOT TO EXCEED SIX (6)

SPECIAL LAUNCHES-SOUNDINGS FOR

THE CONTRACT YEAR.

TOTAL AMOUNT CLINS 0001-0010

SE

Page - 7

SECTION I

STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW)

WEATHER SERVICE CONTRACT METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATORY (WSCMO)

Greensboro, NC GSO / KGSO Upper Air

June 6, 2014 Revision 1

INDEX

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

1.2 Authority

1.3 Objective

1.4 Security

1.5 Overtime

1.6 Emergency/Priority Service

1.7 Strike Contingency Plan

1.8 Passes and Badges

1.9 RESERVED

1.10 Key Control

2. UPPER AIR RADIOSONDE REPLACEMENT SYSTEM OBSERVATIONS

2.1 General

2.2 Time Schedules for taking Radiosonde Replacement System Observations

2.3 Data Processing

2.4 Observation Balloons

2.5 Special Radiosonde Replacement System Observation

2.5.1 General

2.5.2 Notification Procedures for Special Radiosonde Replacement System Observation

2.5.2.1 Authorized Contractor Personnel

2.5.2.2 Authorized National Weather Service Offices

2.6 Dissemination of Data

2.7 Preparation and Handling of Forms and Records

3. GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED MATERIALS & SERVICES

3.1 Observation Facility.

2.1.1 Smoke Free Facility

2.1.2 Sleeping Policy

2.1.3 Television Policy

3.2 Telephone and Internet Service

3.3 Postage

3.4 Security

3.5 Conservation of Utilities

3.6 Safety

3.7 Government-Furnished Property

Page - 8

2.7.1 Appliances

2.7.2 Key Control

3.8 Forms, Charts, and Expendable Supplies

3.9 Regulatory Handbooks and Manuals

4. PERSONNEL CERTIFICATION AND STAFF REQUIREMENTS

4.1 Certification Requirements

4.2 Initial Contingent of Contractor Personnel

4.3 Staffing Requirements

5. CONTRACTOR SUPPLIED MATERIALS AND SERVICES

5.1 Office Equipment and Supplies

5.2 Site Operations Guide and Operations Log

6. CONTINUITY OF SERVICES

6.1 General

6.1.1 Contractor Orientation

6.2 Phase-In-Period

6.3 NWS Oversight of Phase-In Period

6.4 Phase-Out

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background: The National Weather Service (NWS) Weather Forecast Office (WFO) at Raleigh, NC conducts an upper air observation program at the Weather Service Contract Meteorological Observatory (WSCMO) at Greensboro, NC GSO / KGSO Upper Air at Greensboro, NC which meets a variety of needs and serves a variety of users. Upper Air observations are taken and coded for the operational use of meteorologists and hydrologists, as well as for international dissemination.

1.2 Authority: The Organic Act of 1890 charges the organization now known as the NWS with responsibility for forecasting the weather and issuing warnings for the benefit of agriculture, commerce, and navigation. The Act also requires the taking of the meteorological observations to define the climatology of the United States. The Air Commerce Act of 1926 added responsibility for furnishing weather reports, forecasts, warnings, and advice as may be required to promote safety and efficiency of air navigation. This responsibility was broadened in 1958 by the Federal Aviation Act.

1.3 Objective: The objective of this contract is to continue the upper air observation program currently being conducted at the Greensboro, NC GSO / KGSO Upper Air facility in such a manner that the highest possible quality data is available to the program’s many users.

1.4 Security

The Contractor shall be responsible for the following security aspects of work performed under this contract.

Page - 9

1.4.1 Contractor’s Security Point of Contact

The Contractor shall submit with quote a Point of Contact for security related matters.

1.4.2 Physical Security

The Contractor shall safeguard all Government property provided for Contractor use.

The Contractor shall maintain physical security management of all operational areas, equipment, data, forms and products.

1.4.3 The Certification and Accreditation (C & A) requirements of Commerce Acquisition Regulation Clause 1352.239-73, Security Requirements for Information Technology Resources, does not apply and a Security Accreditation Package is not required.

1.5 Overtime

There is no overtime authorized under the contract terms and conditions. Contractor shall be able to accomplish all services, to include requests for special soundings in accordance with paragraph 5.2., without overtime required.

1.6 Emergency/Priority Service

During the contract period the occurrence of weather phenomena such as storms, floods or other natural disasters may require a temporary increase and a general increase in the demand for the contract services. The Contractor shall anticipate the need to take expeditious action, such as adjusting schedule, to meet these requirements (See FAR 52.217-7 and Para 2.5).

1.7 Strike Contingency Plan

The Contractor shall develop a contingency plan to ensure the continuity of all operations in the event of a strike, work stoppage or other job action by contractor personnel. This plan shall be submitted to the COR 10 days after award of contract. Contractor operations under the strike contingency plan shall be at no additional cost to the Government.

1.8 Passes and Badges

All Contractor employees shall, without expense to the Government, obtain the required employee and vehicle passes, if applicable. All Contractor employees shall carry a contractor issued identification card that contains, at a minimum, a picture of the employee, the employee's name and title, an expiration data and the name of the Contractor's organization, if applicable.

1.9 Key Control

The Government will issue required keys and combinations to locks to the Contractor.

The Contractor shall be responsible for the cost of replacing any keys that are furnished to and lost by the Contractor or his/her employees. If the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) determines that a lock must be replaced because of the loss of a key by the Contractor's employees, the Contractor shall pay the cost of that replacement.

Similarly, the Contractor shall pay the cost of changing combination if the Contracting

Page - 10

Officer’s Representative (COR) has reasonable cause to assume that the combination has been compromised by the Contractor or the Contractor's employees.

2. UPPER AIR RADIOSONDE REPLACEMENT SYSTEM (RRS) OBSERVATIONS

2.1 General

The Contractor shall provide an adequate number of NWS certified weather observers necessary to take, document, and disseminate upper air observations using the RRS Workstation (RWS) at Greensboro, NC. All contract observers must be RRS/RWS certified by the NWS prior to responding to this solicitation and during the contract period of performance.

All services conducted in connection with the performance of this contract shall be in accordance with the most recent revisions of upper air observing manuals and guidelines used by the NWS, including those which take effect during the course of the contract. All scheduled observations shall be taken and disseminated in accordance with the provisions of this solicitation/contract.

2.2 Time Schedules for taking Radiosonde Replacement System Observations

Observations shall be taken two times daily, each and every day of the contract period.

Observations shall have a standard scheduled release time of 0000 and 1200 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Required upper air data shall be transmitted to National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) at the prescribed times for all scheduled releases.

Whenever, for any reason, a scheduled observation is not taken or transmitted data is late to NCEP, the cause shall be documented in detail by the Contractor and sent electronically within one (1) day to the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) at Eastern Region Headquarters.

If the missed observation was due to equipment malfunction the contract observer shall be required to transmit electronically the coded reason for the missed observation. In the event of an extended equipment outage, the Contractor shall still be responsible for transmission of the appropriate 101XX group/groups for each missed observation. The coded 101XX group shall be completed as to explain the reason for the missing observation. If the missed observation was due to weather, the letter shall include the official surface observation for one (1) hour before and one hour after the standard scheduled release time.

Normally, the completion of one upper air observation using the RRS requires the attention of one observer for approximately 3 hours. The Contractor shall have a RRS certified observer on duty at the WSCMO from 1015 to 1330 UTC and 2215 to 0130 UTC each day of the contract period.

2.3 Data Processing.

All observation data shall be processed to usable data through the use of the RRS computer workstation furnished by the Government.

Page - 11

2.4 Observation Balloons.

Observation balloons to be used in the taking of the RRS observation shall be inflated with a bottled gas furnished by the Government. All operating instructions and applicable safety equipment shall be supplied by the Government. All operating instructions and applicable safety equipment shall be supplied by the Government. The Contractor shall take all necessary precautions to insure that appropriate safety measures are followed when working with the helium gas. The Contractor’s Site Supervisor shall maintain an inventory of the helium gas and report deliveries to the COR at Eastern Region Headquarters in Bohemia, NY. Additionally the site supervisor shall insure cylinders are full when delivered. Empty or partially filled tanks shall be reported to the COR by e-mail

2.5 Special Radiosonde Replacement System Observations.

Special RRS observations are defined as those observations which are requested by the NWS, in addition to those specified in paragraph 2.1, Upper Air Radiosonde Replacement System observation.

2.5.1 General. The Contractor shall be required to take, record, and document a special RRS observation associated with NWS sanctioned field projects or critical meteorological events. The minimum performance standard for this requirement is:

All special Radiosonde Replacement System observations which are requested by the NWS shall be taken. Normally, the RRS observation requires the attention of one RRS certified observer for a period of approximately three hours.

2.5.2 Notification Procedures for Special Radiosonde Replacement System Observations.

Whenever possible, the NWS shall provide at least twelve (12) hours’ notice before a special RRS observation is required. However, during a weather emergency, this 12 hour advance notice may not be possible. The Contractor shall make every effort to take the requested observation during weather emergencies with a shorter advance notification time. Special observations may require special dissemination and/or handling procedures.

The Contractor shall be instructed with regard to special dissemination and handling requirements when the request for a special RRS observation is made.

2.5.2.1 Authorized Contractor Personnel. Within three days of the notification of the award of the contract, the Contractor shall provide the COR with the names and contact information, including telephone numbers of all contract personnel to be contacted when the NWS requests a special RRS observation.

2.5.2.2 Authorized National Weather Service Offices. Only personnel from the below-listed NWS Offices are authorized to request contract personnel take a special RRS observation(s) at the Greensboro Weather Service Contract Observatory:

Page - 12

• NWS, National Headquarters Washington, DC.

• NWS, Eastern Region Headquarters, Bohemia, NY

• WFO, Raleigh, NC

2.6 Dissemination of Data.

The dissemination goal is to transmit all data to 70 mb or when the TTAA/TTBB message is scheduled. The Contractor shall transmit all RRS observations via a Government furnished Internet source or orally via the telephone in the event of a failure of Internet service. The minimum performance standard for this requirement is that a 98 % of all required messages should be transmitted, as scheduled. When equipment problems, second releases, and/or weather conditions make it impossible to meet the dissemination goal, the Contractor shall use the following priorities for transmission of the TTAA/TTBB data.

Priorities are listed in descending order of importance:

All data to 70 mb All data to 100 mb All data to 400 mb RADAT Messages Whatever data is available at transmission time

Whenever the TTAA/TTBB data cannot be entered into the communications system in the scheduled time window, the Contractor is required to telephone all available data to WFO Raleigh for relay to NCEP, as soon as possible. In addition, a letter shall be forwarded to the COR explaining the circumstances of the delayed transmission by e-mail.

2.7 Preparation and handling of Forms and Records.

The Contractor shall prepare and electronically transfer all forms and records as specified by the COR. All original observation records shall be electronically transferred to NCDC (National Climatic Data Center) for archiving and off-station quality control.

A monthly B-85 RRS Supply Inventory shall be completed and transferred electronically to NWS National Headquarters and the COR by the third day of each month. A copy of the B-85 RRS Inventory shall be maintained at the observational facility. The COR at Eastern Region Headquarters shall be responsible for ordering National expendables supplies (See Section 3.8) for the WSCMO at Greensboro NC Upper Air facility.

3. GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED MATERIALS & SERVICES

3.1. Observation Facility.

The WSCMO facilities at Greensboro NC, including heat, electricity, water, security, pest control and ground maintenance services shall be provided and maintained by the Government. The Contractor is limited to contract operations at the facility. No other business activity shall be allowed. The Government reserves the right to have NWS personnel enter the facilities at any time for any reason.

The Contractor is required to immediately notify the COR, or in his absence, the Forecaster-

Page - 13 in-Charge (FIC) at WFO Raleigh, NC of any loss or damage to Government furnished facilities, equipment, or supplies. In the event of facility failure, such as a roof leak, broken window, etc., the Contractor shall take reasonable action to prevent further damage to equipment and other Government property. The Contractor shall take responsible and reasonable care of the facility to keep it neat and presentable.

3.1.1 Smoke Free Facility. Smoking is not permitted in any Government facility at the Greensboro facility. In the performance of this contract, this includes the Operations Building, Upper Air Inflation Building and the grounds within 50 feet of these buildings.

Failure to comply with this requirement may result in an unsatisfactory contractor performance report and will become part of the contractor’s official performance record.

3.1.2 Sleeping Policy. Sleeping is not permitted at any time at the WSCMO facility.

Failure to comply with this requirement may result in an unsatisfactory contractor performance report and will become part of the contractor’s official performance record.

3.1.3 Television Policy. A television is prohibited at the WSCMO. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in an unsatisfactory contractor performance report and will become part of the contractor’s official performance record.

3.2 Telephone and Internet Service.

Commercial telephone service and internet service shall be furnished by the Government.

The Government shall provide and maintain telephone service with an unpublished number for backup dissemination of observations and other contract-related business. The Government will provide high speed internet service as the primary means of electronically transmitting data, reports, e-mail, and for software updates. The Contractor shall use the telephone and internet services only in the conduct of business.

3.3 Postage.

All postage shall be the responsibility of the Contractor.

3.4 Building Security.

The Government has provided a security system and monitoring service for the Operations Building at the Greensboro, NC WSCMO. The Contractor shall be responsible for assuring that proper security measures are enforced at the facility. The Operations building, inflation shelter, and storage building shall be kept locked when unattended. The Contractor shall notify the COR immediately of any loss or damage to Government-furnished facilities, equipment, and/or supplies. Access to the building shall be limited to Contractor personnel unless otherwise stated elsewhere in this contract. In the event of a facility failure such as a roof leak, broken window, etc., the Contractor shall be required to take reasonable action to prevent further damage to equipment and/or property. The Contractor shall also take reasonable care of the facilities and keep them neat and presentable. No alteration to the facilities shall be made by the Contractor without written permission of the COR. The Contractor shall return the facilities to the Government in the same condition as received except for reasonable wear and approved modifications.

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3.5 Conservation of Utilities.

The Contractor shall be responsible for ensuring the use of utility conservation practices at the Greensboro, NC Upper Air facility. This shall include the use of lights, heating/air conditioning, electrical appliances, and water. Further, the use of such utilities shall be limited to the minimum amount required for the performance of the required services and used for no other purpose.

3.6 Safety.

The Contractor shall be responsible to comply with all safety measures as required by local, state, and Federal regulations at this Government facility. The Contractor shall maintain safety and health standards consistent with requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA). The Contractor shall comply with prescribed accident prevention and fire protection requirements of applicable directives. Close liaison shall be established and maintained with Government safety representatives to insure that working conditions provide an optimum degree of safety for both Contractor and Government personnel. The Government reserves the right to conduct an investigation of all mishaps occurring as a result of Contractor's operation in which there is reportable damage to Government-furnished items, or injury or occupational disease to Government or Contractor personnel.

3.7 Government-Furnished Property.

The Government shall furnish all necessary electronic, communication, meteorological equipment, the Radiosonde Replacement System (RRS) workstation (RWS) used for the transmission of electronic forms and official email, and other miscellaneous property necessary to perform the services required by this contract. All Government-Furnished equipment shall be maintained by the Government. The Contractor shall be responsible for proper operation and care of all Government-furnished equipment. The Contractor shall log all equipment failures in the Operations Log and immediately call Eastern Region Headquarters to notify the FIC and/or maintenance personnel and the COR to assure a prompt response. During an equipment outage, the Contractor shall use available back up procedures to take observations if any backup is available.

3.7.1. Appliances. Any appliances currently at the site are provided for the convenience of persons occupying the building. The Contractor is authorized to use these appliances at the site. However, the continued maintenance, repair, or replacement of these items is at the discretion of the Government and their continued availability for Contractor use is not guaranteed.

3.7.2. Key Control. Required keys, security codes, and combinations to locks shall be issued to the Contractor. The Contractor shall be responsible for the cost of replacing any keys furnished to and lost by the Contractor or his/her employees. If the COR determines a lock must be replaced because of loss of a key by the Contractor’s employees, the Contractor shall pay all expenses associated with the cost of replacement. Similarly, the Contractor shall pay the cost of changing a combination if the COR has reasonable cause to assume that the combination has been compromised by the Contractor’s employees. Access keys and security codes shall be secure at all times. In the event, either the keys and/or security codes become compromised; the Contractor shall notify the COR immediately.

Page - 15

3.8 Forms, Charts, and Expendable Supplies.

The Government shall determine and furnish all forms, charts, and local and national expendable supplies necessary for the Contractor to carry out the requirements of this contract.

Local expendable supplies include pens and pencils, paper, forms, CDs, helium, etc. The Contractor shall request, in writing (electronic mail is acceptable), all local expendable supplies from the COR at Eastern Region Headquarters. When supplies are received, the Contractor shall note the date of receipt on the station copy of the written request. Copies of all written requests for local expendable supplies shall be maintained at the WSCMO facility.

National expendable supplies include RRS instruments, batteries, lighting units, train regulators, parachutes, twine, and balloons. The Contractor shall furnish the NWS with a monthly inventory of national expendable supplies on hand by completing the RRS Supply Inventory, WS Form B-85 electronically.

Expendable supplies are delivered by courier service to a small, locked storage building on Contract site premises. Contract personnel shall transfer these expendable supplies from the storage building to the supply room in the main Operations building within twenty-four

(24) hours after delivery. On occasion, the Contractor shall make someone available to accept delivery of emergency supplies/parts, and/or special allotments of expendables shipped to the observation site. Invoice receipts shall be forwarded to the COR at Eastern Region Headquarters. If any supplies on hand are reduced to a twenty (20) day supply, the Contractor shall immediately notify the COR Eastern Region Headquarters.

3.9 Regulatory Handbooks and Manuals.

The Government shall furnish those portions of the handbooks and manuals which provide the regulatory material regarding meteorological observations which the Contractor is required to comply in the performance of this contract. These manuals include, but are not limited to, the following:

Radiosonde Replacement System Workstation (RWS) User Guide National Weather Service NWSPD 10-1401

Federal Meteorological Handbook No. 3 (FMH) Engineering Handbooks Numbers 8, 9 and 15 (EHB) All other appropriate NWS manuals or training guides since revised added or included after the date of this statement of work.

From time to time, additions, deletions, and revisions, are made to the regulatory materials listed previously. Such changes are made in writing and notification shall be subsequently made via email. During the course of this contract, the Contractor shall be responsible for printing and filing all such changes into the appropriate handbook(s) or manual(s) in accordance with instructions attached to such revisions, additions, or deletions. Changes

Page - 16 are normally of a routine or minimal nature and should not impact the Contractor’s staff requirements.

4. Personnel Certification and Staff Requirements

4.1 Certification Requirements.

All Contractor personnel who are assigned the duties of taking observations are required to be NWS certified in both Surface (SFC) and the new RRS observations. The requirement procedures for certification are described in the NWSOM, Directive 10- 1401. The Contractor’s Site Supervisor certification must be verified in writing by the COR at Eastern Region Headquarters. Contractor personnel must demonstrate proficiency in all facets of the upper air program including the completion of both a correct surface and RRS observation while meeting transmission schedules. RRS certificates with Surface Observation endorsements shall be displayed in plain sight in the upper air operations area at the WSCMO in Greensboro at all times.

Uncertified Contractor personnel may watch observations in a training capacity only, if supervised by the RRS contract station supervisor.

4.2 Initial Contingent of Contractor Employees.

The initial contingent of Contractor employees who participate in the Phase-In Training are required to have a minimum of one year previous experience in the taking of aviation and upper air observations. This previous experience must have been during the last 3 years.

In addition, the Contractor’s Site Supervisor must have a minimum of three (3) years experience in taking upper air observations. At least one year of this experience must have occurred during the last 3 years. The site supervisor must be an RRS certified observer.

4.3 Staffing Requirements.

The automated upper air observation utilizes the RRS computer workstation and requires a minimum of approximately three hours by a NWS approved, RRS certified observer.

Additional time may be necessary to record quality control data and complete required reports. Much of the operator’s time is spent responding to the RRS workstation prompts, data evaluation and quality control.

5. CONTRACTOR SUPPLIED MATERIALS

5.1 Office Supplies and Equipment.

The Contractor shall supply all office supplies and equipment, including furniture, not specified as Government-furnished elsewhere in this contract.

5.2 Site Operations Guide.

The Contractor shall prepare a site operations guide within 30 days after the contract start date. This guide shall contain detailed local instructions for operation of the facility.

Page - 17

This guide shall contain, but not be limited to, working hours, working schedules, equipment operation instructions, who to call in the event of equipment failure, how to obtain supplies, names and telephone numbers of personnel to be contacted in emergencies, and safety instructions. This guide shall become Government property and shall be kept at the observing site. The guide shall be updated as required by changes at the observing site. A copy of this guide and all updates shall be furnished to the COR for approval. The Contractor, upon assuming responsibility for the duties outlined in this Statement of Work (SOW) shall maintain the Operations Log. The Operations Log is a daily dairy that documents what occurred during the shift. If problems occurred during the shift, the Contractor shall document whatever transpired and whatever corrective action was taken. This log can be used as a means of briefing oncoming shifts of any problems with equipment or simply passing along new information or procedures to the rest of the staff. This Operations Log shall become property of the Government as it may serve as a means of documenting unknown software or hardware issue discovered in an operational atmosphere.

6. CONTINUITY OF SERVICES

6.1 General.

Upper Air Observations are currently being performed by contract employees. The services must continue to be performed with the utmost proficiency and without interruption. To this end, this contract provides for a Phase-In-Period.

6.1.1 Contractor Orientation. The Contractor shall be responsible for performing only the duties outlined in the Statement of Work (SOW). The Contractor shall abide by all directions in the SOW except as may be authorized in writing by the Contracting Officer. The Contractor shall instruct all employees and new hires as to the responsibilities, parameters, and limitations of their position. The Contractor shall have each employee sign a statement affirming that this instruction has taken place and that the employee understands the extent and limitations of his/her responsibilities under this contract. The dated and signed statements shall be kept on file at the contract site for Government inspection.

6.2 Phase-In Period.

An on-site phase-in orientation opportunity may be available to the Contractor prior to the contract commencement date. This is not reimbursable under the contract, but is offered to assist the Contractor to become fully capable of performance.

The orientation shall be offered to the Contractor on a one-to-one basis, that is, one Contractor employee working with the current Government observer or contractor observer, as appropriate. The orientation is intended only to familiarize the Contractor’s employees with the work to be done. It is not intended to train people how to perform the job. Training is the Contractor’s responsibility.

All of the Contractor’s employees participating in the orientation and phase-in period shall have been previously trained and certified in taking upper air

Page - 18 observations. All personnel must be certified by NWS.

6.3 NWS Oversight of Phase-In Period.

The NWS reserves the right to be present at any time during the Phase-In Period, as deemed necessary, to insure the orderly transition of services from the Incumbent Contractor to the Incoming Contractor and to conduct proficiency examinations

6.4. Phase-Out Period.

The Incumbent Contractor may be required to conduct a Phase-Out Period in conjunction with a new Contractor's phase-in period. This period may begin up to 30 days prior to completion of this contract. The Incumbent Contractor shall be required to provide orientation, and familiarization as may be required for an Incoming Contractor’s initial contingent of employees. The Incumbent Contractor shall continue to be totally responsible for contract performance during the Phase-Out Period.

The NWS shall be present in an advisory capacity at the observatory during this time period, as deemed necessary, in order to insure an orderly transition of services by the Incumbent Contractor employees to a Incoming Contractor’s employees.

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SECTION II

CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. FAR 52.212-4 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS - COMMERCIAL ITEMS

(MAY 2014)

(Incorporated by reference: Available at https://www.acquisition.gov/far/)

2. FAR 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

This contract 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 a clause may be accessed electronically at this address:

https://www.acquisition.gov/far/

(End Clause)

3. FAR 52.212-5 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED

IMPLEMENTING STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE ORDERS--COMMERCIAL

ITEMS (MAY 2014)

(a) The Contractor shall comply with the following Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses, which are incorporated in this contract by reference, to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items:

(1) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (Feb 2009) (22 U.S.C. 7104(g)).

___Alternate I (Aug 2007) of 52.222-50 (22 U.S.C. 7104(g)).

(2) 52.233-3, Protest After Award (AUG 1996) (31 U.S.C. 3553).

(3) 52.233-4, Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (OCT 2004) (Pub. L. 108-77, 108-78).

(b) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (b) that the Contracting Officer has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items:

__ (1) 52.203-6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (Sept 2006), with Alternate I (Oct 1995) (41 U.S.C. 253g and 10 U.S.C. 2402).

__ (2) 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (Apr 2010) (Pub. L.

110-252, Title VI, Chapter 1 (41 U.S.C. 251 note)).

__ (3) 52.203-15, Whistleblower Protections under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (June 2010) (Section 1553 of Pub. L. 111-5). (Applies to contracts funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.)

XX (4) 52.204-10, Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (Jul 2013) (Pub. L. 109-282) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

___ (5) 52.204-11, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act—Reporting Requirements (Jul 2010) (Pub. L. 111-5).

XX (6) 52.204-14, Service Contract Reporting Requirements (Jan 2014) (Pub. L. 111-117, section 743 of Div. C).

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___ (7) 52.204-15, Service Contract Reporting Requirements for Indefinite-Delivery Contracts (Jan 2014) (Pub. L. 111-117, section 743 of Div. C).

___ (8) 52.209-6, Protecting the Government’s Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment. (Dec 2010) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

___ (9) 52.209-9, Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding Responsibility Matters (Jul 2013) (41 U.S.C. 2313).

___(10) 52.209-10, Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations (May 2012) (section 738 of Division C of Pub. L. 112-74, section 740 of Division C of Pub.

L. 111-117, section 743 of Division D of Pub. L. 111-8, and section 745 of Division D of Pub. L. 110-161).

___ (11) 52.219-3, Notice of HUB Zone Set-Aside or Sole-Source Award (Nov 2011) (15 U.S.C. 657a).

___(12) 52.219-4, Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUB Zone Small Business Concerns (JAN 2011) (if the offeror elects to waive the preference, it shall so indicate in its offer) (15 U.S.C. 657a).

___(13) [Reserved] ___(14)(i) 52.219-6, Notice of Partial Small Business Set-Aside (Nov 2011) (15 U.S.C. 644).

__ (ii) Alternate I (Oct 1995) of 52.219-7.

__ (iii) Alternate II (Mar 2004) of 52.219-7.

___ (15)(i) 52.219-7, Notice of Partial Small Business Set-Aside (June 2003) (15 U.S.C.

644).

XX (16) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (Jan 2011) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3)).

___(17)(i) 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan (Jul 2013) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(4)).

__ (ii) Alternate I (Oct 2001) of 52.219-9.

__ (iii) Alternate II (Oct 2001) of 52.219-9.

__ (iv) Alternate III (Jul 2010) of 52.219-9.

XX (18) 52.219-13, Notice of Set-Aside of Orders (Nov 2011)(15 U.S.C. 644(r)).

XX (19) 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting (Nov 2011) (15 U.S.C. 637(a)(14)).

___(20) 52.219-16, Liquidated Damages—Subcontracting Plan (Jan 1999) (15 U.S.C.

637(d)(4)(F)(i)).

___(21)(i) 52.219-23, Notice of Price Evaluation Adjustment for Small Disadvantaged Business Concerns (OCT 2008) (10 U.S.C. 2323) (if the offeror elects to waive the adjustment, it shall so indicate in its offer).

__ (ii) Alternate I (June 2003) of 52.219-23.

___(22) 52.219-25, Small Disadvantaged Business Participation Program—Disadvantaged…