REQUIREMENTS-24-1611 Amendment 0001.pdf

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

PAGE OF PAGES

1 9

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO.

3. EFFECTIVE DATE

2/12/2024

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO

5. PROJECT NO. (If applicable)

6. ISSUED BY CODE 7. ADMINISTERED BY (IF OTHER THAN ITEM 6) CODE

EAD-NOS

CARLEY.FLAXMAN@NOAA.GOV

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., Street, County, State, and Zip Code)

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

REQUIREMENTS-24-1611

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11) 1/24/2024

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

CODE:

FACILITY CODE:

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

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.

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 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 you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If Required)

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

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

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)

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

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

See pages 2 through X of this amendment for responses to questions.

The SF 330 Response due date is not extended. The revised Request for SF 330s is provided as an attachment.

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 15C. DATE

SIGNED

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

16C. DATE

SIGNED

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer)

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

Previous Edition Unusable Prescribed by GSA FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

1. On Page 2 of the Request for SF330s, it states, the combined maximum ordering value across all awardees shall not exceed the threshold of $350,000,000.

Government Response: The combined maximum ordering value is anticipated to be $450,000,000. The Request for SF330 has been updated to reflect the correct amount.

2. I would like to confirm if the project mentioned above is considered as a potential new requirement or is there an incumbent contract currently performing these services? If there are incumbent vendor(s), would you be able to provide the contract details (such as:

Vendor Name, Contract Number, Award and end dates, total contract value)? Is this work currently performed under the following contracts: 1305M220DNCNJ0052, 1305M220DNCNJ0053, 1305M220DNCNJ0054, 1305M220DNCNJ0056, 1305M220DNCNJ0057 and 1305M220DNCNJ0058? Am I missing any other active incumbent contract? If yes, may I ask for the contract numbers please?

Government Response: The subject Request for SF330s is a recompete requirement.

The requirement is currently being performed under the following contracts, with the following incumbent vendors.

Contract Number Vendor 1305M220DNCNJ0052 David Evans and Associates, Inc.

1305M220DNCNJ0053 Etrac, Inc.

1305M220DNCNJ0054 Fugro USA Marine, Inc.

1305M220DNCNJ0055 Geodynamics, LLC 1305M220DNCNJ0056 Leidos, Inc.

1305M220DNCNJ0057 Ocean Surveys, Inc.

1305M220DNCNJ0058 Terrasond Limited

The current requirement was awarded on December 11, 2019 with a total ordering value, shared among all awardees, of $250,000,000. The current requirement ends on December 31, 2024.

3. Is this a brand new contract or is there an incumbent performing these services? If not a brand new contract, could you please provide the current/previous contract number?

Government Response: Please refer to the response to Question 2.

4. Will the government consider multiple season (years) programs as one project example, or multiple? For example, the government negotiated pricing for a multi-sheet, multi-year campaign, and awards Sheets 1-5 in Year 1. After the complete delivery of Year 1, the government elects to execute an option for Sheets 6-10 in Year 2, under the original negotiated contract through an amendment. Would this be considered one or two project examples when accompanied by separate CPAR/PPQ for each year?

Government Response: One contract or order, inclusive of all options, is one project.

CPARS/PPQs are not indicative of separate projects as they are required annually by statute. The example provided would be considered one project.

5. The RFP states a required font size, however, no font type has been specified. Can a font type (Arial, Times, etc.) be confirmed?

Government Response: As provided in the Request for SF330s, Submission Requirements, use no smaller than 9-point font for SF330 forms and no smaller than 12-point font for non SF330 pages (Section H). There is no required font type.

6. Would it be possible to send me the ID number or contract number for the 2019-2023 hydrographic services contract?

7. Would you consider extending the due date to allow sufficient time for completion of the SF330 submittal requirements?

Government Response: No.

8. Please consider allowing Section D (Organizational Chart) to be 11x17. Each labor category title from Attachment B must be listed and it will be hard to include all this information on 8 ½ x 11 page size with given font size requirements.

Government Response: As stated in the Request for SF330s, Submission Requirements, pages should be 8 ½ X 11.

9. For Part II “9. Employees by Discipline” “a. Function Code” and “b. Discipline” – Please confirm that Part II should be modified to include only the Attachment B Labor Categories and not the “List of Disciplines (Function Codes)” provided in the SF330 Instructions.

Government Response: Part II “9. Employees by Discipline” should follow the instructions on page 4 and the List of Disciplines on page 5 of the instructions in the SF330 itself for the Code and Description. The use of Attachment B Labor Categories is explained in Selection Criteria 1, Professional Qualifications, of the Request for SF330s.

10. Please confirm that all SF330 Sections Part I A-G must contain 1 inch margins on top, bottom, left and right. This does not allow for much room for all the text required in each Section. The latest version of the SF330 forms (REV. 7/2021) do not have 1 inch margins. Please clarify.

Government Response: It is understood that the SF330 form may not be conducive to formatting. Single line spacing and no less than 1-inch margins applies to Section H only.

11. Please confirm that are no font style/type requirements, only no smaller than 9-point font for Sections A-G and 12-point font for Section H. Confirm that Arial Narrow is acceptable.

Government Response: Please refer to the response to Question 5.

12. Are there any font size requirements for Part II?

13. Are there any margin size requirements for Part II?

Government Response: Please refer to the response to Question 10.

14. Are there any font size requirements for Section D Organizational Chart?

15. Are there any font size requirements for Section H tables, figures, graphics, or captions?

16. Please confirm if resumes can only be provided for Labor Categories denoted as KEY on Attachment B including Principal, Project Manager, Lead Hydrographer and Senior Hydrographer. Can resumes be provided for other labor categories?

Government Response: As stated in the Request for SF330s, Submission Requirements, Section E shall be limited to 15 resumes for key personnel only and no more than 30 pages total.

17. Should copies of the CPARS for Section F projects be included with the SF330 submittal? If so, can they be exempt from the 90 page limit?

Government Response: No, copies of the CPARS shall not be included.

18. Can Relevant Projects listed on the resumes include projects completed in the last 10 years?

Government Response: There is no requirement on how recent the projects must be.

Please refer to the Specific Instructions for Part I, Section E on page 2 of the SF330.

19. If a Joint Venture is submitting, how many Part IIs are required? A Part II for the Joint Venture itself and each JV partner? Or just one for each JV partner?

Government Response: Please refer to the SF330 General Instructions on Page 1 for firms with branch offices. Only one Part II is required for the Joint Venture itself.

20. Can IDIQ holders also work as subcontractors for other IDIQ holders?

Government Response: Yes. Conflicts of interest have not been identified by the Government that would cause conflict with the requirements of the Hydrographic Surveying Services contracts. Any apparent or perceived conflicts of interest will be mitigated prior to the award of the requirements solicited under this Request for SF330 number REQUIREMENTS-24-1611. In accordance with Commerce Acquisition Regulation (CAR) clause 1352.209-74 “Organization Conflict of Interest,” the Contractor will be required to disclose any present an actual, or significant potential for, an organizational conflict of interest.

21. I would like to clarify if the Notice ID Requirements -24-1611 “NOS OCS HSD Hydrographic Surveying Services” is the 4 year contract expiring this year under which IDIQ Contracts are awarded.

22. Item 2 allows projects that are completed to the 80% level. Incomplete projects will not have had a CPARS evaluation. If the project is an on-going (invoiced to the 90% level) project specifically for NOAA NOS/OCS/HSD (e.g. the customer for this solicitation), is a PPQ required?

Government Response: As stated in the Request for SF330s, under Selection Criteria 2, Specialized Experience and Technical Competence, firms shall provide a maximum of eight projects completed or substantially completed (defined as 80% of the project invoiced), in the SF330, Part I, Section F. The use of a PPQ is explained in Selection Criteria 4, Past Performance, of the Request for SF330s. The Request for SF330s has been clarified to state that in the event a CPARS is not available, a PPQ shall be submitted.

23. Are you requesting/requiring CPARS and/or PPQs to be submitted with our response? If yes, will they be excluded from the 90 page limit?

Government Response: Please refer to the response to Question 17. As stated in the Request for SF330, under Selection Criteria 4, if a PPQ is utilized, the firm is to complete blocks 1 through 4 and the Client (the agency, private firm that the firm completed work for) is to complete blocks 5 through 8. The Client shall provide the completed PPQ via email to the Contract Specialist, Carley Flaxman at Carley.Flaxman@noaa.gov and carbon copy the Contracting Officer, Nicole Lawson at Nicole.Lawson@noaa.gov. No PPQs will be accepted from firms themselves.

24. Can you please confirm that an SF330 Part II must be provided for all offices listed on Part I, Block C and that those SF330 Part IIs do count against the 90 page limit?

Government Response: Please refer to the General Instructions on page 1 of the SF330.

As stated in the Request for SF330s, Submission Requirements, the overall submission package (Part I and Part II of SF330) shall not exceed 90 pages, exclusive of Part (I and II) dividers.

25. Without a small business set aside, is it still the intent of NOAA to award two contracts to directly to certified small businesses?

Government Response: As stated in the Request for SF330 and posting on SAM.gov, this acquisition is being solicited on a full and open competition basis, with the anticipation of awarding six base IDIQ contract awards, with two awards reserved for small business. Contracts will be awarded in accordance with FAR subpart 36.6, A-E Services to the most highly qualified firms.

26. Does this mean that the resumes to be submitted can only be associated with the key personnel identified in Attachment B and in the Hydrographic Surveying Request for SF330s (i.e. Principal, Project Manager, Lead Hydrographer, and Senior Hydrographer) or can additional labor categories also be submitted?

Government Response: Please refer to the response to Question 16.

27. SF330, Selection Criteria 4, Past Performance: can an example of a typical task order be provided?

Government Response: No.

mailto:Carley.Flaxman@noaa.gov mailto:Nicole.Lawson@noaa.gov

28. If the prime bidder is a small business that will have subcontractors, is a subcontracting plan still required?

Government Response: As stated in the Request for SF330s, Submission Requirements, if a large business is selected for a contract, it must comply with FAR 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan (AUG 2018), regarding the requirement for a subcontracting plan.

29. Can you confirm that the latest edition of the SF330 is REV. 7/2021? If this is not the correct version, can the latest edition be provided?

Government Response: The latest edition of the SF330 can be found at gsa.gov/forms.

30. Are CPARS and PPQ required for all projects that are being submitted?

Government Response: As stated in the Request for SF330, under Selection Criteria 4, a PPQ shall not be submitted if a CPARS evaluation has been completed, as the CPARS is the final record and will be the information considered. Additionally, the Request for SF330s has been clarified to state that in the event a CPARS is not available, a PPQ shall be submitted.

31. If CPARS and PPQ are required, how would we submit for a project that is still in progress and more than 80% complete?

Government Response: Please refer to the response to Question 22.

32. Can we include vessels specifications and equipment lists as an appendix, and will it count towards the page count?

Government Response: Please refer to the Specific Instructions under Part I, Section H, on page 3 of the SF330. As stated in the Request for SF330s, under Submission Requirements, Section H shall be no more than 30 pages total.

33. Are we required to supply CPARS reports, or will the review team refer to the CPARS database?

Government Response: Please refer to the response to Question 17.

34. If we are required to supply CPARS reports, can we include CPARS as an appendix and does it count towards the page count?

Government Response: Please refer to the response to Question 17.

35. Please confirm if SF330 Part II should use the List of Disciplines from the SF330 instructions or use the Labour Categories from Attachment B.

Government Response: Please refer to the General Qualifications, 9. Employees by Discipline, on page 4 of the SF330. The List of Disciplines is not related to the Labor Categories listed in Attachment B.

36. The requirement for “no less than 1 inch margins” is specified. However the SF330 template (7/2021) itself has margins that are considerably less than 1 inch throughout.

Can you please clarify if the 1 inch requirement applies to the entire SF330 response, which would require modifying the template, or if this is meant just for the non-SF330 pages (“Section H”)?

Government Response: Please refer to the response to Question 10.

37. It is clear that the 15 resumes are for “key personnel only”. Since there are only four key personnel categories (Senior Hydrographer, Lead Hydrographer, Principal, and Project Manager), we would provide multiple resumes for each key personnel category. Some of our staff can fill more than one role; for example a Project Manager would also qualify as a Lead Hydrographer. Is there a preferred distribution for key personnel? For example, would you like to see two Principals and two Project Managers, with the rest distributed between Lead and Senior Hydrographers, or a single Principal and Project Manager with more Lead and Senior Hydrographers?

Government Response: As stated in the Request for SF330, under Criteria 1, Professional Qualifications, firms must provide resumes for all proposed key personnel in SF330, Part I, Section E in order to demonstrate the key personnel meet the minimum education, experience qualifications, and experience requirements as identified in Attachment B. Key personnel include the labor categories of Principal, Project Manager, Lead Hydrographer, and Senior Hydrographer. In order to be qualified, firms must also have on payroll at least two NSPS-THSOA Level Two certified hydrographers (any combination of Senior Hydrographer, Lead Hydrographer, Principal or Project Manager).

Firms will also be evaluated on the ability of proposed personnel to perform the work required under this contract, including participation in example projects as outlined in the SF330 Part I, Section G. There is no preferred distribution for key personnel.

38. For example projects, it is clear that PPQs shall not be submitted if CPARS evaluations are available. For projects that are not in CPARS (for example, non-federal), is a PPQ required for that project?

Government Response: The Request for SF330s has been clarified to state that in the event a CPARS is not available, a PPQ shall be submitted.

39. Since individual task orders will determine specific staffing requirements, please confirm the requirement to have all 25 labor categories on payroll is applicable to the time of task order submission(s) rather than IDIQ proposal submission.

Government Response: As stated in the Request for SF330s, Selection Criteria 1, in order to be qualified, the proposed team as a whole (prime and subcontractors) shall have all of the labor categories identified in Attachment B Labor Categories, (including key personnel), on payroll. Firms shall demonstrate this by identifying each labor category title, from Attachment B, in the Standard Form (SF) 330, Part I, Section D and SF330, Part II.

40. Since individual task orders will determine specific staffing requirements, is there an expectation for how many FTEs are required for each LCAT?

Government Response: As stated in the Request for SF330s, Selection Criteria 1, order to be qualified, the proposed team as a whole (prime and subcontractors) shall have all of the labor categories identified in Attachment B Labor Categories, (including key personnel), on payroll. Additionally, as stated in the Request for SF3 330s, Selection Criteria 1, firms must also have on payroll at least two NSPS-THSOA Level Two certified hydrographers (any combination of Senior Hydrographer, Lead Hydrographer, Principal or Project Manager).

41. Please confirm that teaming agreement documents submitted as part of Section C are not included in the page limitations.

Government Response: The SF330, Part I, Section C is included in the page count.

42. Please confirm the information submitted in this section [SF330 Part II, 9. Employees by Discipline] is representative, since individual task orders will determine specific staffing requirements.

Government Response: Please refer to the response to Question 35 and 39.

43. Would the Government consider providing an additional two weeks for proposal development (extending the due date to March 1, to allow offerors time to incorporate answers to questions?

Government Response: Please refer to the response to Question 7.

44. Would the Government consider alternate allied Hydrographic Certifications in lieu of NSPS-THOSA Level 2? For example the Canadian Hydrographic Surveyor Certification Scheme (CHS) or Australasian Hydrographic Surveyors Certification Panel (AHSCP)?

Government Response: No.

45. Is there a file size limitation on the NOAA server for accepting attachments? If there is a file size limitation and the final PDF document is larger than that limit, is it acceptable to provide multiple email submissions; for example: Response_1of 3, 2of3, and 3of3? We would note the total number of submissions with the first submittal email.

Government Response: The size limitation is 25MB. In the event that the file size is above this limit, it is acceptable to provide multiple submissions provided that this is noted in the first email submission and all submissions are received prior to the due date and time.

46. If a Past Performance example is a NOAA task order that is greater than 80% complete but we are not in receipt of a CPAR, can the project be included as a Past Performance without the CPAR and Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ)?

Government Response: Please refer to the response to Question 22.

47. Uncrewed Systems - The selection criteria includes "uncrewed system(s) capable of working in both the nearshore and offshore environment". This could encompass everything from a drifter buoy to an unmanned aerial vehicle. Would you please provide requirements for the desired system to include level of autonomy and sensor suites intended?

Government Response: As stated in the Request for SF330s, Selection Criteria 3, Capacity to Accomplish the Work in the Required Time, in order to be qualified, firms shall demonstrate availability of uncrewed system(s) capable of working in both the nearshore and offshore environment. There are no specific requirements tied to this system(s).

48. Small Business Reserve Contracts - What percentage or dollar amount is allocated to the two small business reserve contracts?

Government Response: Please refer to the response to Question 1 and Question 25.

49. On page 2 of RFP, it is stated "In order to be qualified, the proposed team as a whole (prime and subcontractors) shall have all of the labor categories identified in Attachment B Labor Categories, (including key personnel), on payroll. Firms shall demonstrate this by identifying each labor category title, from Attachment B, in the Standard Form (SF) 330, Part I, Section D and SF330, Part II." Our question: The Discipline Names listed on page 2 of the Part II instructions (and to use in a Part II) are not the same as the Labor Category Titles in Attachment+B+Labor+Categories.docx, nor can they be cross-referenced (i.e., different names for same category). Can you confirm that Part II block 9b from all team members should include Labor Category names instead of Discipline / Function Codes on page 2 of instructions? Or shall we demonstrate team coverage of all labor categories elsewhere in the proposal?

Government Response: Please refer to the response to Question 9 and Question 35.

50. Can staff be listed in more than 1 Labor Category? For example, can a staff member with a bachelor’s degree and 1 year experience be listed as both a Hydro Survey Tech II and a GIS Specialist?

Government Response: Yes, one individual can be listed in more than one labor category if they meet the minimum requirements of each. As stated in the Request for SF330s, Selection Criteria 1, firms will be evaluated on the ability of proposed personnel to perform the work required under this contract, including participation in example projects as outlined in the SF330 Part I, Section G. Also, firms will be evaluated on the capacity to accomplish the work in the required time (personnel and equipment) per Selection Criteria 3. These should be taken into consideration by the firm to propose a team of enough staff to cover all requirements of the Request for SF330s.