PWS_-_CATO_Deer_Management_BPA_4_October_22_2.pdf

Department of the Interior

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

NATIONAL CAPITAL AREA

1100 Ohio Drive S.W.

Washington, D.C., 20242

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CATOCTIN MOUNTAIN PARK

Single-Award Blanket Purchase Agreement for

White-Tailed Deer Management 10-04-2022

Performance Work Statement

1.0 GENERAL

The Record of Decision for the Catoctin Mountain Park Deer Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement was signed in April 2009. The plan supports forest regeneration and provides for long-term protection, conservation, and restoration of native species and cultural landscapes.

Studies have determined that excessive deer browsing reduces forest regeneration, resulting in adverse changes to the forest structure, composition, and wildlife habitat. Lethal White-Tailed Deer reduction operations have taken place for thirteen (13) consecutive seasons beginning in 2010. This is not a new requirement. The previous contract number is 140P3021C0006. Prior to the two previous contracts, all other services were conducted via interagency agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture and their team of biologists.

2.0 PURPOSE

This is a Single-Award Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) to provide all labor, supervision, materials, tools, supplies, transportation, license, certificates, permits, personal protection equipment, and equipment incidental to and necessary to perform deer culling at Catoctin Mountain Park in Thurmont, Maryland. Considering forest regeneration has not yet met the successful regeneration threshold, the National Park Service (NPS), National Capital Area (NCA) seeks a qualified contractor to continue the reduction of the White-Tailed Deer population in the park by the removal of individual deer in an effort to maintain the target deer density of 15 to 20 deer per square mile. This project shall implement the lethal actions (sharpshooting) specified as the selected alternative in Catoctin Mountain Park’s Deer Management Plan.

Historical data puts the margin of difference between the number of proposed deer to be removed and the actual number of deer to be removed at 5%, which equates to a 95% fulfillment rate. The proposed number of deer to be removed is ascertained in a study that concludes in November and can fluctuate from year to year. Additionally, over the historical span of operations, it took an average of fourteen

(14) days to achieve a 95% fulfilment rate with regards to the proposed number. However, since we have reached our deer management goal, it takes an average of seven (7) days. Over the last 6 years, 100% of deer culled have been delivered for processing.

Safety, consultation, communication, and teamwork is critical.

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Preserving unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the national park system for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.

3.0 TASKS

The contractor shall:

3.1 Provide consultation and recommendations to NPS park staff by developing an Annual Operations Plan and submit it to the COR for approval two (2) weeks after a call has been made. There will be a new annual operations plan for the base and each option year funded.

The Annual Operation Plan shall include, but not be limited to:

• Providing recommendations for the locations of bait station setups, locations of shooting blinds and/or tree stands, and locating deer.

• Identification and outline of all usable trails approved by the park for use during the requirement within park boundaries.

• Identification of potential park closures or restricted access during performance times.

• Anticipated operation time period, period of performance, windows of opportunity, etc.

• SMART Goals and objectives specific to the deer culling goal set forth by the Government.

• Implementation of Safety Guidelines and Procedures.

The Annual Operations Plan, once approved by the COR, SHALL be implemented by the contractor for the duration of the year it is approved. There is a possibility that this plan may evolve based on information obtained from meetings, briefings, debriefings, and the after-action review.

3.2 Be responsible for culling a minimum of 90% of the proposed deer culling goal set forth by the deer survey and integrated into the Annual Operations Plan within the period of performance. If the contractor is unable to achieve this goal, the contractor shall prepare a written statement outlining all facts that directly contributed to the contractor’s inability to achieve the goal and submit it to the COR for review.

3.3 Be responsible for making up any workdays missed due to inclement weather.

3.4 Be responsible for making up any workdays missed due to the closures related to Naval Support Facility Thurmont. Portions of the park may be closed with or without warning.

The contractor shall adhere to the direction of the COR on any and all park closures that may impact the area of service.

3.5 Be responsible for all aspects of processing deer taken during culling activities every night after culling activities have concluded. 100% of deer culled must be recovered and delivered for processing. This may include field dressing if required, proper storage, transport of carcasses to a meat processor/butcher, and the storage of processed meat until

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Preserving unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the national park system for the enjoyment, the park can arrange for pick up to distribute to a food bank of their choice. The Contractor MUST coordinate with the COR and/or POC the deer processing end date so the park can coordinate a pickup and delivery of burger to a foodbank of their choice.

3.6 Be responsible for collecting, in Option Year 2 only, chronic wasting disease samples, one obex and one lymph node, from each male and female deer that is more than one year of age.

Deer less than one year of age will not be sampled. Each sample will be labeled with a unique number so that the location of harvest, age, date of harvest, and sex can be identified.

This can be accomplished by giving each sample a unique number that ties it to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Harvest data that is submitted per the cooperator permit.

3.7 Provide ample staff to fulfil the requirement within the period of performance. The Contractor SHALL submit one (1) resume for each individual designated as a sharpshooter with initial offer outlining a minimum of three (3) years of experience (knowledge, skills, and abilities), specific to wildlife and deer management practices, which include safe firearms handling, direct removal techniques, carcass care and processing, and wildlife capture and handling knowledge. If any of the requested highlights are not addressed in the resume, the offer is not in conformance of the solicitation and is not considered technically capable therefore may not be considered further for award. If a sharpshooter’s designation changes from one person to another, the contractor shall submit the resume of the new sharpshooter to the COR for review and approval within two weeks prior to that individual providing services on site.

3.8 With the initial offer and at least two (2) weeks prior to deer culling activities thereafter, all the employee sharpshooter information shall be provided to the COR and/or POC. All sharpshooters are required to possess a current and valid National Wildlife Control Operators Association (NWCOA) Shooting in Sensitive Environments (SISE) Level 3 Certification. The employee sharpshooter information shall include at least:

• Name of Sharpshooter

• One (1) Copy of the Sharpshooter’s NWCOA SISE Level 3 Certification

3.9 Attend and actively participate in one kick-off meeting, which will take place after each call to the BPA for base and options years and may take up to 1.5 hours. Daily briefings are held each day culling activities are to take place and typically take no longer than 30 minutes. An after-action review will be held within one (1) month of the conclusion of deer culling activities each year and takes roughly 2 hours. These meetings will be established by the COR or a COR designated park employee.

3.10 Complete and submit to the COR and/or POC a daily briefing sheet at the beginning or end of each daily briefing and prior to the commencement of all deer culling activities.

3.11 Complete and submit to the COR and/or POC an Annual Report outlining the number, location, sex, and age composition of each individual deer removed during culling activities within one (1) month of the end of deer culling activities.

3.12 The contractor SHALL execute the service of deer culling during the specific windows of opportunity established in the Annual Operation Plan. Any request to deviate from this

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Preserving unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the national park system for the enjoyment, plan SHALL be done in writing and submitted to the COR forty-eight (48) hours prior to implementation. Request that are not approved SHALL not be implemented for any reason.

3.13 At the conclusion of operations, the contractor will have one (1) month to remove all of their property from within the park boundaries such as tree stands, or blinds used during the requirement.

3.14 The contractor SHALL provide to the COR, for review and approval, a draft work schedule/shooting schedule within one (1) week post call.

3.15 Provide a copy of contractors Safety Plan to the COR, for review and approval, within two

(2) weeks prior to sharpshooting activities.

3.16 Provide a copy of contractors Quality Control Plan to to the COR, for review and approval, within two (2) weeks of intended start of culling activities.

4.0 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY AND SERVICES

4.1 For this requirement the Government will provide the following:

• Housing will be provided at no cost to the contractor for up to 5 individuals

• Annual Operations Plan (example provided after award)

• Deer Surveys outlining the number of deer proposed to be culled

• Bait stations and labor to set them up

• Bait and labor to restock bait stations

• Access to areas in which service will take place

• Park Staff to support deer culling operations and safety at the direction of the COR

• Quality Assurance

• All supplies to collect CWD samples including whirl paks, scalpels, and shipping logistics.

4.2 The park may provide at the request of the contractor:

• Motion field cameras setup, data extraction, and data distribution.

4.3 The park may provide if available:

• Space for the storage of materials. If space is not available, the contractor MUST be prepared to transit the entire operational footprint daily.

5.0 ADDITIONAL CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS

5.1 The contractor SHALL furnish and/or provide:

• All labor, supervision, materials, tools, supplies, transportation, license, certificates, permits, personal protection equipment, and equipment incidental to and necessary to perform deer culling at Catoctin Mountain Park in Thurmont, MD.

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Preserving unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the national park system for the enjoyment,

• Provide written supervisor and alternate supervisor designation: A supervisor and/or alternate supervisor designation is required for all on-site during all operations to direct contract personnel and maintain operations. The on-site supervisor MUST:

o Be fluent in the English language in order to effectively communicate with the Contractor’s employees and/or subcontractors as well as the COR and other Government personnel.

o Possess the same qualifications as proposed Sharpshooters.

o Be available for phone calls during all working hours, and have the authority to stop all work or unsatisfactory performance as directed by the COR.

• Any refuse generated by the Contractor MUST be secured and disposed of properly in accordance with federal, state, and local laws.

• Additional Gear to Consider: Spotlights and or night vision and or thermal equipment is highly recommended as culling activities will take place primarily in the in low light and complete darkness. Regardless of how culling is carried out, the contractor SHALL ensure safe operations at all times.

5.2 Written Plans

• Annual Operations Plan: Due two (2) weeks post call

• Annual Safety Plan: Due two (2) weeks prior to sharpshooting activities

• Quality Control Plan: Due two (2) weeks post award

5.3 Firearms and Ammunition

• All firearms:

o MUST be suppressed, equipped with scopes, and chambered in a caliber suitable to humanly dispatch White-Tailed Deer.

o MUST be stored and transported unloaded in their respective hard cases that shall be locked and kept in the vehicles or any such place NPS personnel deem appropriate.

o During recovery of the deer, the firearm(s) SHALL be secured, unloaded in a locked vehicle or will be in the possession of a contractor’s employee.

o Suppression devices MUST be locked in vehicles or any such place NPS personnel deem appropriate.

o No firearm SHALL be discharged within 150 yards of an occupied dwelling or structure without the owner’s consent.

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Preserving unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the national park system for the enjoyment,

• All ammunition:

o MUST be stored separate from the firearms and SHALL be stored in a locked vehicle or any such place NPS personnel deem appropriate.

o All ammunition used MUST be non-lead. Any lead ammunition found may be taken by NPS personnel and returned after services under this contract are performed to ensure non-use.

o All expended cartridges shall be accounted for and removed from Government

Property.

5.4 Contractor Employee Conduct

• Professionalism: The Contractor’s employees SHALL, at all times while on the job site, whether on or off duty, conduct themselves in a professional, orderly, and safe manner.

Rudeness, fighting, being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs or bringing and/or consuming alcohol and/or drugs, gambling, soliciting, stealing, and any immoral or otherwise undesirable conduct shall not be permitted on the job site and shall result in immediate and permanent removal from the job site of any employee engaging in such conduct. Prime and subcontractors shall adhere to safety measures outlined in section 5.5 bullet 2.

• All contract employees SHALL display professionalism in all interactions with the public and Government employees. The Contracting Officer may require the Contractor to remove, from the job site, any employee working under this requirement for reasons of misconduct and security, or if found to be (or suspected to be) under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other incapacitating agent(s).

• A contractor’s employee SHALL be subject to removal from the premises upon determination by the Contracting Officer that such action is in the best interests of the Government. Such removal from the job site or dismissal from the premises SHALL not relieve the Contractor of the requirement to provide sufficient personnel to perform the service as specified.

• All areas used by the Contractor within park boundaries SHALL be kept neat and organized. All equipment MUST properly maintained and secured at the end of each day.

The contractor SHALL not leave any tools, parts and/or supplies unattended in at any time while performing services. Deer fluids MUST not be visible to the public on vehicles, equipment, roads, the landscape near public areas, or other park facilities.

• Contractor employees shall not loiter in any working or patron area. Upon completion of their assigned work, employees shall promptly depart from the public areas.

• The contractor SHALL permit park staff to accompany sharpshooters at any time during this requirement at the written direction of the COR.

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Preserving unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the national park system for the enjoyment,

• The contractor SHALL abide by COMAR 08.03.09.11 and MUST obtain and maintain a Maryland Deer Cooperator Permit, which includes obtaining certifications for each sharpshooter and providing all documentation required by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to obtain the permit(s) no more than thirty (30) days before culling activities commence or by the due date set by DNR, whichever comes first . The contractor is responsible, without additional expense to the Government, for obtaining and renewing all necessary licenses, certificates, and permits required to accomplish this service.

• Additionally, all deer culling activities SHALL be conducted in compliance with all federal firearm laws administered by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and Maryland State Department of Natural Resources laws and regulations.

• Photographs, social media posts, online content, or any form of communication is strictly prohibited regarding all aspects of this requirement unless authorized in writing by the

COR.

• All inquiries from the public or press SHALL be immediately directed to the COR.

5.5 Responsibility and Liability

The Contractor SHALL be responsible:

• For all damages and liability for any loss or damage to Government property caused by his/her operations and SHALL assume full responsibility for any and all damages or claims for damage resulting from injury to persons, property or equipment that might result from any service performed under this contract.

• Ensuring that proper safety and health precautions are in place to protect the work, the workers, the public and the property of others at all times in performance of this contract.

o Working in a Federal building or Federally controlled indoor workspaces:

In order to take steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to protect the health and safety of all Federal employees, onsite contractors, visitors to Federal buildings or Federally controlled indoor workspaces, and other individuals interacting with the Federal workforce, employees under the subject contract who are required to work on site in Federal buildings or Federally controlled indoor worksites must comply with requirements located at https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/overview/.

• For the repair or replacement of all damaged government property caused by his/her operations.

• All losses and/or damages shall be reported to the CO, COR and/or POC in writing, within two (2) hours of any loss and/or damage being determined. The documentation must include at least:

http://mdrules.elaws.us/comar/08.03.09.11 https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/overview/

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Preserving unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the national park system for the enjoyment, o Time and Date of occurrence o Type of Loss or Damage o Name (s) and Number of People involved o Impact to park operation and/or assets effected by incident o Any details leading up to and after the incident

• For all identified losses and/or damages o The contractor SHALL take any immediate actions necessary to prevent further damage.

o Is responsible for all costs associated with reported damages and/or losses to persons or property that occur as a result of the contractor’s negligence.

o The Government, at its sole direction, may elect to repair and/or replace the damaged property.

6.0 EXTENT OF OBLIGATION

In accordance with FAR 13.303-3(a)(2), the Government is obligated only to the extent of authorized calls made under the BPA. The establishment of the BPA does not imply any agreement on the part of the Government to place future calls with the BPA holder. The Government makes no representation as to the number of calls or actual amount of work to be ordered.

7.0 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The Period of Performance for issuance of calls against this agreement is one year from date of award plus four (4) option years.

The period of performance for the calls will be from Time of Call through May 31, 2023 – actual sharpshooting/deer culling activities will only take place starting 15 January through 30 March.

Option Year 1: Time of Call through May 31, 2024 - actual sharpshooting/deer culling activities will only take place beginning 15 January through 30 March.

Option Year 2: Time of Call through May 31, 2025 - actual sharpshooting/deer culling activities will only take place beginning 15 January through 30 March.

Option Year 3: Time of Call through May 31, 2026 - actual sharpshooting/deer culling activities will only take place beginning 15 January through 30 March.

Option Year 4: Time of Call through May 31, 2027 - actual sharpshooting/deer culling activities will only take place beginning 15 January through 30 March.

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Preserving unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the national park system for the enjoyment,

8.0 PURCHASE LIMITATIONS

No call under this agreement shall exceed $100,000.00. The BPA Dollar Limit is $450,000.00 for five years (one year plus four option years).

9.0 INDIVIDUALS AUTHORIZED TO MAKE BPA CALLS

Only a NPS NCA CO and/or his/her designated representative(s) may place calls (orders) against this

BPA.

10.0 DELIVERY

The proposed number of deer to be removed is ascertained in a study that concludes each November and can fluctuate from year to year. Once the Park receives the study, the CO will place a call based on the pre-priced days incorporated to this agreement.

11.0 PRICING

The pre-priced items have been accepted by the Government as part of this agreement. The Contractor shall apply labor, equipment, and supplies at the prices listed in the Price Schedule section. The days identified in the Price Schedule are the number of days the actual sharpshooting/deer culling activities will take place.

11.0 HOURS OF OPERATION

Sharpshooting services shall be conducted between the hours of 1:00 PM and 5:00 AM ET, Monday – Thursday. Non-sharpshooting services (tree stand set up) shall be conducted between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM ET, Monday thru Friday, except when the Government facility is closed due to local or national emergencies, administrative closings, or similar Government directed facility closings. The contractor will not be reimbursed when the Government facility is closed for the above reasons unless emergency services are requested. Considering the nature of this requirement, additional care must be taken. Work outside of these days/times shall only occur with approval from the COR.

No Work shall take place on the following Federal Holidays:

New Year’s Day – January 1st

Martin Luther King Junior’s Birthday – Third Monday in January President’s Day – Third Monday in February Memorial Day – Last Monday in May Juneteenth – June 19th Independence Day – July 4th Labor Day – First Monday in September Columbus Day – Second Monday in October Veteran’s Day – November 11th

Thanksgiving Day – Fourth Thursday in November Christmas Day – December 25th

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Preserving unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the national park system for the enjoyment,

12.0 ADDITIONAL APPLICABLE REGULATIONS AND POLICIES

8.1 Publications that apply include:

• 29 CFR

• COMAR 08.03.09.11

13.0 DEFINITIONS

Annual Operations Plan: A document that identifies every aspect of operations associated with culling deer and it is required to obtain Maryland Deer Cooperator Permit.

Contracting Officer (CO): The person executing this contract on behalf of the Government, including any duly appointed successor and authorized representatives of the Contracting Officer acting within the limits of his/her authority.

Contracting Officer's Representative (COR): The on-site contract administrator for the Contracting Officer. The duties and responsibilities of the Contracting Officer’s Representatives are defined below in this Section or in a letter of designation issued by the Contracting Officer.

Contractor: The individual, partnership, joint venture, or corporation undertaking the execution of work under the terms of the contract and acting directly or through their agent, employees, or subcontractors.

COMAR: Code of Maryland Regulations

CS: Contract Specialist

Deer Culling: Lethal removal of White-Tailed Deer using modern long rifles in simultaneous combination with sharpshooting techniques

Deer Culling Activities: The actions directly related to the actual lethal removal of deer.

Processed Meat: The carcass is deboned; ground into and suitably packaged as burger, fit for human consumption, frozen, and ready for distribution.

PWS: Performance Work Statement

QC: Quality Control: Actions taken by a contractor to carry out a written Quality Control Plan to ensure the performance of contracted services meet the PWS requirements

Quality Control Plan: A written document created by the contractor outlining the specific actions the contractor will take to ensure the performance of contracted services meet the requirements contained within the PWS.

QASP: Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan: A written Government document specifying the surveillance method used to surveil the contractor performance.

https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/ http://mdrules.elaws.us/comar/08.03.09.11

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Preserving unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the national park system for the enjoyment, Quality Assurance: Actions taken by the Government to assure contracted services meet PWS requirements.

Safety Plan: A written document that takes into consideration the risk assessment of the requirement and develops reasonable concepts, behaviors, and disciplines to mitigate the assessed risk.

Sharpshooter: A highly trained, skilled, certified, and accurate marksman.

14.0 PERSONAL SERVICE

The Government has determined that use of an Agreement to satisfy this requirement is in the best interest of the government, economic and other factors considered, and this Contract is not being used to procure personal services prohibited by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 37.104 titled “Personal Services Contracts”.

To counter the circumstances that infer personal services and to preserve the non-personal nature of the Agreement, the contractor shall adhere to the following guidelines in the performance of the Contract:

• Contractor provides for direct supervision of all contract employees assigned to the task.

• Refrain from discussing the issues such as skill levels and hours, salaries, cost and funding data, or administrative and personnel matters affecting contractor employees with the client.

• Ensure close communication/coordination with the CO and COR/POC, reporting problems to the COR/POC and CO as they occur.

• Do not permit Government officials to interview potential contractor employees, discuss individual performance, approve leave or work scheduling of contractor employees, terminate contractor employees, assist contractor employees in doing their jobs or obtain assistance from the contractor in doing Government job.

• Do not assign contractor personnel to work under direct Government supervision.

• Maintain a professional distance from Government employees.

• Provide contractor employees with badges, if appropriate, identifying them as contractors.

• Ensure proper communications with the Government (technical discussion and government surveillance is okay, but the Government cannot tell the contractor how to do the job).

• The Government has the right to reject the finished product or result, and this does not constitute personal services.

15.0 THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT PERSONNEL AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR

CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION

A. Contracting Officer (CO): The CO has the overall responsibility for the administration of this contract. The CO is authorized to make changes to the contract.

B. Contracting Officer's Representative (COR): The COR will be designated in writing at the time of award to assist the CO in the day-to-day on-site administration of the contract requirements.

The responsibilities of the COR include, but are not limited to;

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Preserving unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the national park system for the enjoyment,

(1) Determining the compliance and adequacy of performance by the Contractor in accordance with the terms and conditions of this contract;

(2) Requesting removal of unsuitable contractor employees;

(3) Ensuring adequacy of schedule and Quality Control Plan, including changes;

(4) Ordering re-performance of unacceptable work or performance by other mean, etc.

C. Point-of-Contact (POC): The POC will be used if an official COR cannot be designated at the time of award. The POC will not be designated in writing and will assist the CO/COR in the day-to-day on-site administration of the contract requirements.

16.0 DESIGNATION OF CONTRACTING OFFICERS REPRESENTATIVE (COR)

A. The Contracting Officer may designate a certified FAC-COR as the Contracting Officer's

Representative (COR) at time of award. The COR will receive a designated COR Appointment Letter.

B. The COR is responsible for administering the performance of work under this contract. In no event, however, will any understanding, agreement, modification, change order, or other matter deviating from the terms of this contract be effective or binding upon the Government unless formalized by a proper contractual documents executed by the Contracting Officer prior to completion of the contract.

C. The Contracting Officer should be informed as soon as possible of any actions or inactions by the Contractor or the Government which will change the required delivery or completion times stated in the contract, and the contract will be modified accordingly. (This does not apply to individual assignments which were issued by the Contracting Officer’s Representative provided they do not affect the delivery schedule or performance period stated in the contract.)

D. On all matters that pertain to the contract terms the Contractor must communicate with the

Contracting Officer. Whenever, in the opinion of the Contractor, the Contracting Officer’s Representative requests effort outside the scope of the contract, the Contractor should so advise the Contracting Officer’s Representative. If the Contracting Officer’s Representative persists and there still exists a disagreement as to proper contractual coverage, the Contracting Officer should be notified immediately, preferably in writing if time permits. Proceeding with work without proper contractual coverage could result in nonpayment or necessitate submittal of a contract claim.

E. The COR's major duties and responsibilities are contained in the Forest Service Handbook of

Contract Administration. The COR is delegated full authority under this contract except for the following actions which are reserved for the Contracting Officer:

1. Approve Change Orders and Modifications

2. Take action to terminate the contract for default or Government convenience.

3. Make contract adjustments under the Differing Site Conditions clause.

4. Grant extensions of contract time.

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5. Approve assignment of claims.

6. Make final decisions under the Disputes clause.

7. Make final acceptance under the contract.

8. Make final decisions under the Suspension of Work clause.

9. Make equitable adjustments.

10. Authorize change in amount of Payment Retention.

11. Approve subcontractors.

12. Approve payments with deductions or final payment.

13. Approve use and possession prior to completion.

14. Enforce the warranty provisions.

15. Issue any direction that would result in a possible change to contract requirements.

17.0 POINT OF CONTACT (POC)

The POC will be used if an official COR cannot be designated at the time of award.

The POC will not be designated in writing and will assist the CO in the day-to-day on-site administration of the contract requirements.

• The POC is responsible for administering the performance of work under this contract. In no event, however, will any understanding, agreement, modification, change order, or other matter deviating from the terms of this contract be effective or binding upon the Government unless formalized by proper contractual documents executed by the CO prior to completion of the contract.

• The CO should be informed as soon as possible of any actions or inactions by the Contractor or the Government which will change the required delivery or completion times stated in the contract, and the contract will be modified accordingly. (This does not apply to individual assignments which were issued by the CO provided they do not affect the delivery schedule or performance period stated in the contract.)

• On all matters that pertain to the contract terms the Contractor must communicate with the CO. Whenever, in the opinion of the Contractor, the POC requests effort outside the scope of the contract, the Contractor should so advise the CO. If the POC persists and there still exists a disagreement as to proper contractual coverage, the CO should be notified immediately, preferably in writing if time permits. Proceeding with work without proper contractual coverage could result in nonpayment or necessitate submittal of a contract claim.

• The POC has limited authority under this contract and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

1. Determining the compliance and adequacy of performance by the

Contractor in accordance with the terms and conditions of this contract;

2. Requesting removal of unsuitable contractor employees;

3. Ensuring adequacy of schedule and Quality Control Plan, including changes;

4. Ordering re-performance of unacceptable work or performance by other means, etc.

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Preserving unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the national park system for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.

5. Approval of invoices and submitted reports

6. Requesting any of the work contained within contract

18.0 INVOICING SUBMITTAL PROCEDURES

The "Submit Invoice to" address for DOI orders is the Department of Treasury's Invoice Processing Platform (IPP). All invoices are to be submitted online via the electronic Invoice Processing Platform.

This is a mandatory requirement initiated by the U.S. Department of Treasury and you can find more information at this website https://www.ipp.gov/index.htm.

Your company must register at https://www.ipp.gov/vendors/enrollment-vendors.htm to establish an account in order to submit an invoice on this project. Benefits of registering with IPP include the ability to create invoices directly from a contract award and submit them electronically, as well as:

email notification when invoice(s) are paid online payment history email notification when you are awarded a new contract

The email notification of payment is sent when a payment is distributed to your bank account and will include all pertinent payment information. For all questions related to IPP registration and issues with submitting invoices, please contact IPP Customer Support at 1 (866) 973-3131.

An itemized invoice shall be submitted at least monthly, or upon expiration of this BPA, whichever occurs first, for all deliverables provided against this BPA during a billing period and for which payment has not been received.

14.0 PERSONAL SERVICE