FERC-15-R-0001_0001.docx

5. PROJECT NO.

CODE

7. ADMINISTERED BY

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO.

CODE

6. ISSUED BY

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO.

3. EFFECTIVE DATE

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

9B. DATED

PAGE OF PAGES

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

10B. DATED

BPA NO.

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

FACILITY CODE

CODE

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:

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers

E. IMPORTANT:

is extended,

(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning __________ 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 AC- KNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY is not extended.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

(REV. 10-83)

is required to sign this document and return ___________ copies to the issuing office.

is not, 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.

15C. DATE SIGNED

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

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.

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER

BY

Contractor

16C. DATE SIGNED

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

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

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

STANDARD FORM 30

NSN 7540-01-152-8070

PREVIOUS EDITION NOT USABLE

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.243 (Type or print) (Type or print) (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

(No., street, county, State and ZIP Code) (If other than Item 6) (Specify type of modification and authority) (such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.)

(If required) (If applicable)

(SEE ITEM 11)

(SEE ITEM 13)

(X) (X)

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS,

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

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer) See SCHEDULE 00039 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Procurement Division Attn:

888 First Street, NE, Room 4J Washington DC 20426 00039 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Procurement Division Attn:

888 First Street, NE, Room 4J Washington DC 20426 To all Offerors/Bidders

FERC-15-R-0001

X X X The purpose of this amendment is as follows:

1. Post Questions and Answers

2. Revise the Statement of Work All other terms and conditions remain unchanged.

Questions and Answers E-Learning Course:

Q.1 Can any examples be provided of a suitable e-learning module?

Answer: There are no available examples for e-learning modules. The government encourages innovation on the behalf of the contractor.

Q.2 Would the contractor host the e-learning module on a website set up for this purpose, or would FERC host the module on its website?

Answer: The contractor shall host the module on a website set up for this purpose.

Q.3 If the contractor would host the e-learning module, would the contractor also be responsible for securing the module and granting password-protected access to approved users as identified by FERC?

Answer: The contractor will not be responsible for securing the module and granting access to approved users. That responsibility will lie with the government.

Specialized Session:

Q.4 Section 3.4 of the Statement of Work indicates that the content of these sessions will vary. To facilitate comparison of bids, would FERC be willing to specify a number of general topics per contract period that bidders can use as an assumption to estimate the costs of preparing session content?

Answer: The topics for specialized sessions will vary depending on what topics are suggested by FERC staff or industry requests. Most specialized sessions would be limited to 1 to 4 topics, with the majority of the materials and presentation being provided by FERC staff.

Q.5 How much time per Specialized Session should the contractor assume will be provided for preparation prior to the session?

Answer: The contractor will have at least 90 days to prepare each specialized session.

Kick-off-Meeting:

Q.6 Section 14.0 of the Statement of Work indicates that “the kick-off meeting shall be at no cost to the Government.” Does this mean that there would be no reimbursement for contractor travel costs (if applicable) and/or contractor’s time to participate in the meeting and to prepare the meeting notes?

Answer: Please see revised Statement of Work at paragraph 14.0 for clarification.

Environmental Review and Compliance for Natural Gas Facilities Seminars

STATEMENT OF WORK

1.0 Objective:

The purpose of this requirement is to obtain contracted services for the preparation and presentation of training seminars relating to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC or Commission) natural gas environmental program.

2.0 Background:

The FERC regulates the interstate transmission, storage, and sale of natural gas. If an applicant proposes to abandon, construct or operate interstate natural gas facilities, it must secure approval from FERC, in the form of a certificate of public convenience and necessity pursuant to Section 7 of the Natural Gas Act (NGA) for pipeline or storage facilities or an authorization to construct and site a new liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal pursuant to Section 3 of the NGA.

In order to gain FERC's approval to construct any interstate natural gas related facilities, companies must file an application. FERC will then complete an environmental analysis of that application in which the Commission will use staff’s findings to assist their determination on whether to approve or deny a certificate or authorization for the project. If the Commission approves the project, the certificate or authorization may include certain conditions in which the applicant must comply with in order for FERC to authorize construction of the project.

Once the project is authorized, the applicant must adhere to certain construction-related conditions and land restoration processes of the affected environment. FERC has the responsibility of monitoring project construction and restoration to ensure that the pipeline/facilities are constructed/restored as authorized. FERC accomplishes this responsibility by conducting on-site inspections both during construction to monitor compliance with construction conditions and after construction to monitor restoration of the right-of-way.

3.0 Description of Services:

3.1. The contractor shall provide the necessary level of administrative, professional, and technical support required to facilitate 3 to 3.5-day Environmental Review and Compliance for Natural Gas Facilities Seminars in conjunction with FERC staff. The seminar’s objectives include educating representatives of the natural gas industry and other stakeholders about FERC’s environmental review process and providing an introduction to pipeline construction. The contractor shall provide those services, personnel, materials, and related equipment to perform the work delineated herein.

FERC expects the seminar to cover the same material as the most recent session, which took place on August 26-28, 2014 in Savannah, GA (See Attachment A). The contractor shall meet with FERC staff to determine what changes should be made to the format and content of the materials.

3.2 Environmental Review

The Environmental Review portion of the seminar is intended to educate the trainee about the FERC environmental review process, from the early planning stages of a natural gas project to FERC approval, including applicable FERC regulations, and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process. The seminar shall provide the information necessary to prepare the environmental report which is filed with applications for project construction and/or abandonment. The contractor shall provide an overview of all information necessary to meet the Commission's minimum filing requirements for environmental reports, as well as best practices to improve stakeholder outreach and optimize the review process. The contractor shall include interactive exercises to reinforce key concepts and topics. Topics covered in this section of the seminar include, but are not limited to the following:

· Introduction to FERC

· FERC Jurisdiction and Regulations

· The Pre-filing Process

· Stakeholder Outreach

· Landowner Notification

· NEPA Scoping and Process Overview

· Resource Report Preparation

· General Project Description

· Water Use and Quality

· Fish, Vegetation, Wildlife, and Threatened and Endangered Species

· Cultural Resources

· Geological Resources

· Soils

· Land Use, Recreation, and Aesthetics

· Air Quality and Noise

· Reliability and Safety

· Socioeconomics

· PCB Contamination

· LNG Engineering and Design Material

· Alternatives

· Cumulative Impacts

· Post-Application

· Section 2.55 Projects

· Section 157 Blanket Certificate Projects

· Natural Gas Policy Act Section 311 Projects

3.3 Environmental Compliance

The Environmental Compliance portion of the seminar is intended to provide an introduction to pipeline construction for industry newcomers; a discussion of pre-construction preparation considerations; a review of baseline mitigation measures for pipeline construction and restoration detailed in the FERC’s Upland Erosion Control, Revegetation, and Maintenance Plan (Plan) and Wetland and Waterbody Construction and Mitigation Procedures (Procedures); construction best management practices; and resource protection measures. The contractor shall include interactive exercises to reinforce key concepts and topics. Topics covered in this section of the seminar include, but are not limited to:

· Environmental Compliance Management Programs

· Environmental Inspection

· Environmental Training

· Compliance Reports

· Third Party Compliance Programs

· Variance Process

· Preconstruction Planning

· Defining Project Work Areas and Access Roads

· Clearing and Grading

· Facility Installation

· Waterbody Crossings

· Wetland Construction

· Residential Construction

· Winter Construction

· Erosion Control and Resource Protection Measures

· Revegetation, Restoration, Monitoring, and Maintenance

· Post Construction Reporting

3.4 Five Hour Specialized Session

Upon request by the COR, the contractor shall provide the necessary level of administrative, professional, and technical support required to facilitate a half-day specialized session directly preceding or following the 3-day Environmental Review and Compliance for Natural Gas Facilities Seminars in conjunction with FERC staff. The seminar content will be based on attendees’ interest and issues affecting the natural gas industry at the time.

3.5 Seminars

The 3 to 3.5-day seminar covers the FERC’s environmental review and compliance process, current regulations, and environmental reporting requirements, as described in section 3.2 and 3.3 above.

3.6 Venue Selection Support

3.6.1 The Contractor shall identify three potential sites at each location determined by the Government, and include summary information on the following logistical items to the COR:

· Meeting dates, as proposed

· Room to accommodate the proposed number of trainees (generally160 people )

· Chevron seating (no interior pillars or other obstructions)

· Overhead projector

· Screen

· Audio equipment (e.g. wireless microphones and speaker system)

· Speaker’s table for participants (4 to 5 persons each)

· Extension cords

· Flip chart

· Registration tables (2) outside of room

· Two tables for presentation materials in the back

· Charge for mailing 20 average-sized boxes to the venue

3.6.2 The Government will select one site amongst the three potential sites presented by the Contractor.

3.7 Guidance Manual for Environmental Report Preparation

The contractor shall review all related materials and updates to the Guidance Manual for Environmental Report Preparation (Guidance Manual, Attachment B) produced since 2002 and incorporate them into the document. The contractor shall edit the entire document for technical accuracy, statutory applicability, consistency, as well as orthographical and grammatical errors. The contractor shall update this document regularly at the request of the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR).

3.8 E-learning Course

The contractor shall produce and host the interactive online training materials that combine text, graphics, animation, audio, and video. The e-learning module shall cover all of the content covered by the traditional seminar and will take between 16 and 24 hours to complete for an average learner.

3.9 Contractor Travel (Other Direct Cost)

Contractor will be required to travel CONUS during the performance of this contract to attend meetings, conferences, and training. The contractor may be required to travel to off-site training locations and to ship training aids to these locations in support of this SOW. Contractor will be authorized travel expenses consistent with the substantive provisions of the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) and the limitation of funds specified in each Task Order.

4.0 Deliverables Schedule:

Deliverables: A deliverable is defined as any document/report that is required to be generated during the period of performance of the contract as outlined in the SOW. The contractor shall submit deliverables through the COR for review and approval. The COR will respond to the deliverables submitted with a formal approval or non-approval. Deliverables shall be submitted via email. In the event that a document exceeds the email capacity of either party, the contractor shall setup a secure file transfer site for transfer of large documents. All deliverables are the property of the FERC and the information contained in the reports is considered proprietary.

4.0.1 Guidance Manual: The contractor will have 90 days to complete original and consequent reviews and edits to the Guidance Manual.

4.0.2 Prepare a master training manual and presentation package to be used as the master manual for all of the sessions. A copy of the manual used in the 2014 seminars is attached for your reference. Slides used at the 2014 sessions will be provided to the selected contractor, as needed (Keep in mind that this is a sample; we encourage creativity, without undue expense, in preparing and presenting these seminars as long as the material included in the attached sample is thoroughly covered). The master training manual shall include at a minimum: introductory materials for all presenters (FERC and contractor staff), copies of the training PowerPoint slides, a CD of applicable reference documents, booklet copies of the FERC’s Plan and Procedures; interactive exercises to be used periodically throughout the presentation; and other materials at the request of the COR. The presentation materials will be updated for each session based on attendee comments, and updates to FERC’s regulations, policies, or procedures. PowerPoint Slides, videos, pictures, and exercises used during the presentation will be periodically refreshed at the request of the COR.

4.0.3 Prepare name tents and name tags for all confirmed attendees and up to 20 individuals on the waiting list based on a finalized registration list supplied by the COR.

4.0.4. Prepare and maintain a database of attendee registrations. Specific information required for registration will be determined by the COR, but normally includes names of the registrants, their titles, company affiliation, mailing address, phone number, e-mail, and whether each registrant has attended a previous session.

4.0.5. Maintain seminar registration website and announcement distribution list. Send the COR an updated distribution list on a quarterly basis. At the direction of the COR, the registration website shall allow registrants the option to select either the Environmental Review session or the Environmental Compliance session, or to attend both sessions.

4.0.6. Coordinate all registration activities electronically and on-site. Contractor will send two e-mails to individuals on the distribution list prior to registration going live. Specific dates of the e-mail will be determined by the COR. Contractor will send automated confirmation emails to registered attendees and will send separate e-mails to individuals placed on the waiting list up to 100 individuals within 48 hours of their registration. All consequent questions, cancellations, and substitutions of attendees will not be responsibility of the contractor. The contactor will send a daily email with an updated registration list to the COR or their designee until authorized to close registration by the COR. The contractor will coordinate delivery of all presentation materials and manuals to the seminar site, verify the room set up, sign in all registrants, and distribute attendee materials.

4.0.7. Provide evaluation forms and summarize the results of attendee evaluations. Suggest meaningful ways to improve the program based on attendee feedback.

4.0.8. Make duplicates of training materials/binders for each registered participant, and individual presenter binders for each presenter. Provide 5 extra copies of the participant binders to the COR.

4.0.9. Provide training certificates for all attendees.

4.0.10 Facilitate all presentations and exercises throughout the seminar, track timing, adjust presentations and breaks accordingly, and record all questions.

4.0.11 E-learning course: The contractor will have 6 months to complete original and subsequent reviews and edits to the e-learning course.

5.0 Schedule of Performance:

Unless otherwise indicated, the task described in this SOW will be accomplished by the contractor, with review and approval by Commission staff, according to the following schedule:

6.0 General Information:

The contractor shall furnish all labor, materials, equipment, facilities, software, transportation, and incidentals necessary to perform in accordance with this SOW, and associated terms and conditions. The contractor shall communicate with the FERC COR to ensure all project related tasks are performed in a timely manner.

7.0 Contract Type:

The Government anticipates award of a single Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with Firm Fixed Price Task Orders with a cost-reimbursable line item for travel.

8.0 Period of Performance:

The ordering period shall be for a base of 12 months plus four (4) 12 months option periods as follows:

9.0 Place of Performance:

The majority of the work to be performed under this contract will be performed at the contractor’s facility. Seminars will take place in various cities throughout the continental United States and will be determined by each Task Order.

10.0 Organizational Conflict of Interest:

The contractor shall prepare and submit one hard copy and one electronic copy of a No Conflict of Interest Statement as required by Part 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Section 1506.5(c) at time of proposal (Attachment C). In the alternative, if the contractor decides that the appearance of a conflict of interest is possible or that a conflict exists, the contractor shall submit a full disclosure statement, describing the circumstances or conditions that create the conflict and any mitigating measures the contractor intends to implement to resolve the conflict or the appearance of a conflict. If no mitigation will suffice, the contractor will not be assigned to that particular task. The contractor shall also assure that any proposed subcontractor performing work shall also submit the appropriate conflict of interest statements to FERC. If any changes arise in the selected contractor’s OCI status, the contractor must notify FERC immediately.

11.0 Quality Assurance/Control.

The contractor shall ensure that training manuals provided to participants at the training sessions are complete.

All final documents will be reviewed and edited by the contractor to ensure that the document is both technically and grammatically correct. The final documents will be organized in a logical manner.

The contractor shall only submit deliverables that conform to the requirements of this SOW. The government reserves the right to inspect all deliverables that have been tendered for acceptance. The government may require correction of nonconforming deliverables at no increase in price. If correction is not possible, the government may seek an equitable price reduction or adequate consideration for acceptance of the nonconforming deliverables.

12.0 Communication Protocol.

The contractor, as needed, shall make arrangements to meet with the COR to obtain additional direction and clarification on technical requirements. Regular interaction between the contractor and COR is expected to ensure that both parties are informed of ongoing developments.

13.0 Key Personnel

Key Personnel are considered to be essential to the work being performed and includes, but is not limited to, a seminar facilitator, all seminar presenters and a project manager. The project manager shall be responsible for the performance of the work. The name of this person and an alternate who shall act for the contractor when the manager is absent shall be designated in writing to the contracting officer. Prior to diverting any of the Key Personnel, the Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer reasonably in advance (not less than 30 days prior to the diversion or substitution of Key Personnel) and shall submit a written justification (including proposed substitutions) in sufficient detail to permit evaluation of the impact on the task activities including a description of mitigating measures, if any. Individuals submitted as key personnel changes will be approved at the sole discretion of the Contracting Officer, with concurrence of the COR.

Qualifications for all key personnel are as follows:

Seminar Facilitator and Seminar Presenters: Resumes shall demonstrate relevant educational background (i.e engineering, biology, cultural resources, archaeology, hydrology, etc.) and training in FERC’s Environmental review and Compliance for Natural Gas Facilities Seminars (or equivalent training). Additionally, resumes shall address the individual's experience with:

· Oral presentations to large audiences;

· FERC's environmental process and regulations for natural gas projects;

· Preparation of environmental resources reports for FERC certificate applications;

· FERC’s current Plan and Procedures;

· Compliance inspections of FERC-regulated natural gas projects;

· Instructional design and training.

Project Manager: Resume shall demonstrate project management experience with basic understanding of the natural gas industry.

Project Manager: The contractor shall have one project manager, and an alternate contact who shall respond within 36 hours to all inquiries from the COR.

Seminar Facilitator: The contractor shall have a seminar facilitator to oversee logistics at the seminars.

Course Instructors: The contractor shall have at least four course instructors to deliver each seminar.

14.0 Kick-off meeting: A one-day kickoff meeting will be held with the Contractor at the FERC Headquarters Office in Washington, DC or via teleconference. Arrangements for this meeting shall be coordinated with the COR within 30 days of the award. The Contractor shall prepare notes of this meeting, highlighting all agreements made with FERC staff on any technical decisions made during the meeting. If the Government chooses to hold the kick-off meeting via teleconference, the kick-off meeting shall be at no cost to the Government. Conversely, if the Government determines that an in-person kick-off meeting is appropriate, the Government will only reimburse the Contractor for travel expenses.

15.0 Administrative Reporting:

Invoices: Invoices for seminars are due 60 days after the commencement of the seminar. Invoices for editorial work are due 60 days after COR’s acceptance of the completed product. All travel expenses must be submitted in Microsoft Excel with each traveler and expense category outlined separately. All receipts must be submitted in PDF format.

16.0 Data Ownership

All data produced is and shall remain the exclusive property of the Government. The contractor shall ensure that the government retains all rights to: access, export, download, transfer, and any other required data manipulations and transactions of all data for any purpose the Government deems necessary, including but not limited to: investigation, transfer, or migration to other cloud platforms. The contractor shall provide notice immediately of any third-party request for the data and the request cannot be serviced without COR’s prior approval.