Attachment_4_Further_Clarifications.pdf

Ross Lake Archeological Services North Cascades NPS Complex Attachment 4: Clarifications provided in RFQ Amendment #2

Based on questions posed by prospective quoters, NPS provides the following clarifications.

The RFQ due date and time are not extended in this amendment.

Quotes are due by 2:00 PT on Monday, February 29, 2016, unless extended in future amendment(s).

1. The projected number of artifacts that may be recovered at Site 45WH262 is very difficult to estimate. It is therefore very difficult to provide a firm fixed price for Line Item 2b, Analysis and Report Preparation for Site 45WH262. Do you have any estimates or suggestions?

Due to high stratigraphic variability on site, the contractor's firm fixed prices for Line Items 2a and 2b should be based on the collection of 13,000 +/- 4% chipped stone artifacts from the excavation units. This represents the maximum target number of chipped stone artifacts NPS expects to be collected.

In order to collect no more than the target number of artifacts at this site, NPS may direct changes to the sampling strategy presented in the Statement of Work. For example, we may increase screen size to reduce the number of chipped stone artifacts collected in the high density component (identified in the 1998 Test Unit 1) if the low density component of the same excavation unit still requires sampling. The NPS Archeologist will make regular site visits during data recovery and is authorized to make minor adjustments to the sampling strategy within standard archeological practices. The adjustments are for the purpose of reducing the collection of chipped stone artifacts if high volumes are encountered rather than increasing the quantity if high volumes are not found. Prior to the placement of excavation units, the contractor should become spatially oriented with earlier work and use the excavation of shovel probes to make informed decisions as to the anticipated artifact volumes.

If the number of artifacts collected during data recovery varies more than four percent (4%) above or below the target quantity (13,000), an equitable adjustment in the contract price of Line Item 2a and/or 2b may be made upon demand of either party. The equitable adjustment will be based upon any increase or decrease in costs due solely to the variation above or below the allowed variance of the target quantity (13,000 +/- 520). In other words, NPS will pay the contractor’s awarded firm fixed prices for collecting, processing, and analyzing Site 45WH262 for 12,480 – 13,520 artifacts. Either the Contractor or NPS may request an equitable adjustment if the actual number of artifacts collected is below 12,480 or above 13,520.

If the quantity variation is such as to cause an increase in the time necessary for completion, the Contractor may request, in writing, an extension of time, to be received by the Contracting Officer on or before the Progress Report due date (90 days after completion of field work). NPS will not require acceleration of analysis and report writing if the number of artifacts is less than expected.

2. Statement of Work Field Methods for Site 45WH441

Ross Lake Archeological Services North Cascades NPS Complex Attachment 4: Clarifications provided in RFQ Amendment #2

The screen mesh size must be no larger than ¼" (clarification of existing verbiage stating it must be at least ¼”).

3. Include a brief schedule showing planned field work dates at each site with your quote. This will assist NPS in planning site visits, particularly at Site 45WH262.

4. The number of pages allowed in each electronically-submitted quotation is increased to 24 (from 20) due to the addition of two amendments and the field schedule. Note that amendments may be acknowledged using any of the three methods stated in Block 11 of the SF1449:

“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 __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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 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.”