Revised RFP T2880 - Core Grain 010317~1.docx

Bid Solicitation/Request for Proposal

Vendor’s {Bidder’s} Electronic Question Due Date (Refer to Bid Solicitation {RFP} Section 1.3.1 for more information.)

Mandatory/Optional Pre-Quote {Proposal} Submission Conference (Refer to Bid Solicitation {RFP} Section 1.3.6 for more information.)

Not applicable to this procurement.

Mandatory/Optional Site Visit (Refer to Bid Solicitation {RFP} Section 1.3.5 for more information.)

Not applicable to this procurement.

Quote {Proposal} Submission Date (Refer to Bid Solicitation {RFP} Section 1.3.2 for more information.)

Dates are subject to change. All times contained in the Bid Solicitation {RFP} refer to Eastern Time. All changes will be reflected in Bid Amendments {Addenda} to the Bid Solicitation {RFP} posted on the Division of Purchase and Property website and on www.njstart.gov.

Small Business Set-Aside Status |_| Not Applicable

|_| Entire Blanket P.O. {Contract}

|_| Partial Blanket P.O. {Contract}

|X| Subcontracting Only Category

|X| I |_| IV

|X| II |_| V

|X| III |_| VI

Bid Solicitation {RFP} Issued By Using Agency

Trenton, New Jersey 086250230

Date: 12/1/16

Table of Contents

Attachments:

a. Price Sheet;

b. Offer and Acceptance Page;

c. SubContractor Form; and

d. Vendor Checklis; and

e. Core and Grain Attachments 1 – 13, as listed below:

1. Attachment 1 – NJGWS Penetration Graph;

2. Attachment 2 - NJGWS UXO Detection Method;

3. Attachment 3 – Core Protocol #1: Core Section Opening and Positioning on Processing Rack;

4. Attachment 4 - Core Protocol #2: Core Section Labeling for Photos, Lithologic Description, and Sampling;

5. Attachment 5 - Core Protocol #3: Photographing Core Sections;

6. Attachment 6 - Core Protocol #4: Lithologic Description of the Core;

7. Attachment 7 - Core Protocol #5: Sampling Core Sections for Grain Size Analysis;

8. Attachment 8 - Core Protocol #6: Wrapping Core Sections and Returning to NJGWS;

9. Attachment 9 – Grain Protocol #1: Laboratory Prep and Sieve Analysis of Coarse-Grained Sediment Samples;

10. Attachment 10 – Grain Protocol #2: Laboratory Prep and Sieve Analysis of Fine-Grained Sediment Samples;

11. Attachment 11 – Grain Size Analysis Figures;

12. Attachment 12 – Grain Size Analysis Core 999.xls Spreadsheet; and

13. Attachment 13 - Particle Size Chart.

INFORMATION FOR VENDORS {BIDDERS}

NOTICE: This Bid Solicitation {Request for Proposal (RFP)} is part of the NJSTART Procurement Program. The Vendor {Bidder} is advised to thoroughly read all sections, as many have been revised, and follow all instructions contained in this Bid Solicitation {RFP}, including the instructions on the Bid Solicitation’s {RFP’s} Offer and Acceptance Page {Signatory Page} and read through all Quick Reference Guides (QRGs) located on the NJSTART Vendor Support Page (http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/purchase/njstart/vendor.shtml), in preparing and submitting its Quote {Proposal}.

Terminology is listed by new NJSTART term; {existing term} appears in braces.

PURPOSE AND INTENT

This Bid Solicitation {Request for Proposal (RFP)} is issued by the Procurement Bureau, Division of Purchase and Property (Division), Department of the Treasury on behalf of (the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). The purpose of this Bid Solicitation {RFP} is to solicit Quotes {Proposals} for three (3) distinct services:

a. Vibracore sediment sample acquisition;

b. Vibracore processing; and

c. Offshore sediment sample grain size analysis.

The intent of this Bid Solicitation {RFP} is to award up to three (3) Master Blanket Purchase Orders (Blanket P.O.s) {Contracts} to those responsible Vendors {Bidders} whose Quotes {Proposals}, conforming to this Bid Solicitation {RFP} are most advantageous to the State, price and other factors considered. The State intends to award only one (1) Blanket P.O. {Contract} per service. A single Vendor {Bidder} may submit a quote {proposal} for any or up to all three (3) services and the State may award a Blanket P.O to a Vendor {Bidder} for any or all three (3) services. The State may award any or up to all three (3) services. The State, however, reserves the right to separately procure individual requirements that are the subject of the Blanket P.O. {Contract} during the Blanket P.O. {Contract} term, when deemed by the Director of the Division of Purchase and Property (Director) to be in the State’s best interest.

The State of NJ Standard Terms and Conditions (SSTC) accompanying this Bid Solicitation {RFP} will apply to all Blanket P.O.s {Contracts} made with the State of New Jersey. These terms are in addition to the terms and conditions set forth in this Bid Solicitation {RFP} and should be read in conjunction with them unless the Bid Solicitation {RFP} specifically indicates otherwise.

BACKGROUND

The New Jersey Geological and Water Survey (NJGWS) maps the State’s offshore geology and sand deposits by acquiring, analyzing, and interpreting marine geologic and geophysical data. As part of that analysis, the NJGWS collects offshore sediment samples in six (6) meter [20 foot] vibracores. The NJGWS performs lithologic analysis of the cores, including grain size analyses on sediment samples collected from the cores at 30 centimeter intervals. This process yields approximately 20 samples per vibracore. Grain size analysis enables the NJGWS to define lithologic changes down-core, characterize and correlate the lithology to sub-bottom acoustic data, and calculate sand volumes for specific resource areas.

Key Events

ELECTRONIC QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD

The Division will electronically accept questions and inquiries from all potential Vendors {Bidders} via the “Q&A” Tab of the Bid Solicitation {RFP} in NJSTART.

a. Questions should be directly tied to the Bid Solicitation {RFP} and asked in consecutive order, from beginning to end, following the organization of the Bid Solicitation {RFP}; and

b. Each question should begin by referencing the Bid Solicitation {RFP} page number and section number to which it relates.

Vendors {Bidders} may refer to the QRG “Submit a Quote” for additional instruction. QRGs are located on the NJSTART Vendor Support Page.

A Vendor {Bidder} must not contact the Using Agency and/or the Procurement Specialist directly, in person, by telephone or by e-mail, concerning this Bid Solicitation {RFP}.

The cut-off date for electronic questions and inquiries relating to this Bid Solicitation {RFP} is indicated on the Bid Solicitation {RFP} cover sheet. In the event that questions are posed by Vendors {Bidders}, answers to such questions will be issued by Bid Amendment {Addendum}. Any Bid Amendment {Addendum} to this Bid Solicitation {RFP} will become part of this Bid Solicitation {RFP} and part of any Blanket P.O. {Contract} awarded as a result of this Bid Solicitation {RFP}. Bid Amendments {Addenda} to this Bid Solicitation {RFP}, if any, will be posted as a File Attachment on the “Summary” page of the Bid Solicitation {RFP} in NJSTART after the cut-off date. (See Bid Solicitation {RFP} Section 1.4.1 for further information.)

EXCEPTIONS TO THE STATE OF NJ STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS (SSTC)

Questions regarding the SSTC and exceptions to mandatory requirements must be posed during this Electronic Question and Answer period and shall contain the Vendor’s {Bidder’s} suggested changes and the reason(s) for the suggested changes.

SUBMISSION OF QUOTES {PROPOSALS}

In order to be considered for award, the Quote {Proposal} must be received by the Procurement Bureau of the Division at the appropriate location by the required time. Vendors {Bidders} shall submit a Quote {Proposal} either electronically through NJSTART or via hard copy.

Hard copy Quote {Proposal} must be submitted to the physical location noted below:

PROPOSAL RECEIVING ROOM – 9TH FLOOR

DIVISION OF PURCHASE AND PROPERTY

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

33 WEST STATE STREET, P.O. BOX 230

TRENTON, NJ 08625-0230

Directions to the Division are available on the web at http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/purchase/directions.shtml.

QUOTES {PROPOSALS} NOT RECEIVED PRIOR TO THE QUOTE {PROPOSAL} OPENING DEADLINE SHALL BE REJECTED. THE DATE AND TIME OF THE QUOTE {PROPOSAL} OPENING ARE INDICATED ON THE BID SOLICITATION {RFP} COVER SHEET AND IN THE “SUMMARY” PAGE OF THE BID SOLICITATION {RFP} IN NJSTART.

Note: A Vendor {Bidder} using U.S. Postal Service regular or express mail services should allow additional time since the U.S. Postal Service does not deliver directly to the Proposal Receiving Room. A Vendor {Bidder} should make every effort to submit its Quote {Proposal} well ahead of the Quote {Proposal} submission deadline to mitigate unforeseen delays or issues. The Vendor {Bidder} is solely responsible for the timely submission of its Quote {Proposal} in response to this Bid Solicitation {RFP}.

Procedural inquiries concerning this Bid Solicitation {RFP} may be directed to njstart@treas.nj.gov and/or (609) 341-3500.

The State will not respond to substantive questions related to the Bid Solicitation {RFP} or any other Blanket P.O. {Contract} via this e-mail address. For inquires related to substantive questions refer to Section 1.3.1 (Electronic Question and Answer Period).

NJSTART

The Division is pleased to announce its new eProcurement solution “ .”

Vendor {Bidder} Support:

Vendors {Bidders} are strongly encouraged to visit the NJSTART Vendor Support Page, which contains Quick Reference Guides (QRGs), supporting videos, a glossary of NJSTART terms, and helpdesk contact information.

The Vendor {Bidder} should utilize the QRGs before attempting to submit its Quote {Proposal} using the NJSTART process. It is the Vendor’s {Bidder’s} responsibility to ensure that the NJSTART Quote {Proposal} and attachments have been properly submitted.

ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES

Vendors {Bidders} submitting Quotes {Proposals} through NJSTART may sign the forms listed in Section 4.4.1 (Forms, Registrations and Certifications Required with Quote {Proposal}) and Section 4.4.2 (Forms, Registrations and Certifications Required Before Blanket P.O. {Contract} Award and That Should Be Submitted with the Quote {Proposal}) of this Bid Solicitation {RFP} electronically by typing the name of the authorized signatory in the “Signature” block as an alternative to downloading, physically signing the form, scanning the form, and uploading the form to NJSTART.

Vendors {Bidders} submitting Quotes {Proposals} in hard copy format, must provide forms with original, physical signatures, otherwise its Quote {Proposal} may be deemed non-responsive.

MANDATORY/OPTIONAL SITE VISIT

Not applicable to this procurement.

MANDATORY/OPTIONAL PRE-QUOTE {PROPOSAL} CONFERENCE

Not applicable to this procurement.

ADDITIONAL Information

BID AMENDMENTS {ADDENDA}: Revisions to this BID SOLICITATION {RFP}

In the event that it becomes necessary to clarify or revise this Bid Solicitation {RFP}, such clarification or revision will be by Bid Amendment {Addendum}. Any Bid Amendment {Addendum} to this Bid Solicitation {RFP} will become part of this Bid Solicitation {RFP} and part of any Blanket P.O. {Contract} awarded as a result of this Bid Solicitation {RFP}.

There are no designated dates for release of Bid Amendments {Addenda}. Those Vendors {Bidders} who are on the bidholder list either through commodity code registration in NJSTART or by acknowledging the bid in NJSTART should receive notification of any Bid Amendment(s) {Addenda}. If a Vendor {Bidder} is not on the bidholder list to receive notifications related to a Bid Solicitation {RFP}, Bid Amendments {Addenda} are still viewable on the “Summary” page of the Bid Solicitation {RFP} in NJSTART.

BID AMENDMENTS {ADDENDA} WILL BE ISSUED AS FILE ATTACHMENTS, AND ARE VIEWABLE ON THE “SUMMARY” PAGE OF THE BID SOLICITATION {RFP} IN NJSTART. Vendors {Bidders} may refer to the QRG “Submit a Quote” for additional instruction. QRGs are located on the NJSTART Vendor Support Page.

It is the sole responsibility of the Vendor {Bidder} to be knowledgeable of all Bid Amendments {Addenda} related to this procurement. An interested Vendor {Bidder} should check the NJSTART “Open Bids” Tab on a daily basis to ensure review of the most updated information.

VENDOR {BIDDER} Responsibility

The Vendor {Bidder} assumes sole responsibility for the complete effort required in submitting a Quote {Proposal} in response to this Bid Solicitation {RFP}. No special consideration will be given after Quotes {Proposals} are opened because of a Vendor’s {Bidder’s} failure to be knowledgeable as to all of the requirements of this Bid Solicitation {RFP}.

COST Liability

The State assumes no responsibility and bears no liability for costs incurred by a Vendor {Bidder} in the preparation and submittal of a Quote {Proposal} in response to this Bid Solicitation {RFP}.

CONTENTS of QUOTE {Proposal}

Quotes {Proposals} can be released to the public pursuant to N.J.A.C. 17:12-1.2(b) and (c), or under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq., or the common law right to know.

After the opening of sealed Quotes {Proposals}, including Quotes {Proposals} submitted through the NJSTART electronic process, all information submitted by a Vendor {Bidder} in response to a Bid Solicitation {RFP} is considered public information notwithstanding any disclaimers to the contrary submitted by a Vendor {Bidder}. Proprietary and confidential information may be exempted from public disclosure by OPRA and/or the common law. When the Bid Solicitation {RFP} contains a negotiation component, the Quote {Proposal} will not be subject to public disclosure until intent to award a Blanket P.O. {Contract} is announced.

As part of its Quote {Proposal}, a Vendor {Bidder} may designate any data or materials it asserts are exempt from public disclosure under OPRA and/or the common law, explaining the basis for such assertion. The location in the Quote {Proposal} of any such designation should be clearly stated in a cover letter. The State reserves the right to make the determination as to what is proprietary or confidential, and will advise the Vendor {Bidder} accordingly. Any proprietary and/or confidential information in a Quote {Proposal} will be redacted by the State. The State will not honor any attempt by a Vendor {Bidder} to designate its entire Quote {Proposal} and/or prices as proprietary, confidential and/or to claim copyright protection for its entire Quote {Proposal}. Copyright law does not prohibit access to a record which is otherwise available under OPRA. In the event of any challenge to the Vendor’s {Bidder’s} assertion of confidentiality with which the State does not concur, the Vendor {Bidder} shall be solely responsible for defending its designation, but in doing so, all costs and expenses associated therewith shall be the responsibility of the Vendor {Bidder}. The State assumes no such responsibility or liability.

By signing the Bid Solicitation {RFP} Offer and Acceptance Page {Signatory Page}, the Vendor {Bidder} waives any claims of copyright protection set forth within the manufacturer's price list and/or catalogs. The price lists and/or catalogs must be accessible to State Using Agencies and Cooperative Purchasing Program participants and thus have to be made public to allow all eligible purchasing entities access to the pricing information.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF QUOTE {PROPOSAL} INFORMATION

On the date and time Quotes {Proposals} are due under the Bid Solicitation {RFP}, all information concerning the Quotes {Proposals} submitted may be publicly announced and shall be available for inspection and copying except as noted below:

a. Information appropriately designated as proprietary and/or confidential shall not be available for inspection and copying; and

b. Where negotiation is contemplated, only the names and addresses of the Vendors {Bidders} submitting Quotes {Proposals} will be announced, and the contents of the Quotes {Proposals} shall not be available for inspection and copying until the Notice of Intent to Award is issued by the Director.

PRICE Alteration In Hard copy QUOTES {Proposals}

Hard copy Quote {Proposal} prices must be typed or written in ink. Any price change (including "white-outs") must be initialed. Failure to initial price changes shall preclude a Blanket P.O. {Contract} award from being made to the Vendor {Bidder}.

QUOTE {Proposal} ERRORS

In accordance with N.J.A.C. 17:12-2.11, “Proposal errors,” a Vendor {Bidder} may withdraw its Quote {Proposal} as described below.

QUOTE {PROPOSAL} WITHDRAWAL PRIOR TO QUOTE {PROPOSAL} OPENING

NJSTART: A Vendor {Bidder} may withdraw its Quote {Proposal} submission in NJSTART prior to the Quote {Proposal} opening; however, Vendors {Bidders} should note that while withdrawn NJSTART Quotes {Proposals} remain viewable by the Vendor {Bidder} on its Vendor Profile Homepage, they are removed from the Division’s view and cannot be considered for Blanket P.O. {Contract} award. The Vendor {Bidder} may submit a revised Quote {Proposal} as long as the Quote {Proposal} is received prior to the announced date and time for Quote {Proposal} submission. Vendors {Bidders} may refer to the QRG “Submit a Quote” for additional instruction. QRGs are located on the NJSTART Vendor Support Page.

Hard Copy: A Vendor {Bidder} may request that its hard copy Quote {Proposal} be withdrawn prior to the Quote {Proposal} opening. Such request must be made, in writing, to the Supervisor of the Proposal Review Unit at the address provided in Section 1.4.7.2 below. The Vendor {Bidder} may submit a revised Quote {Proposal} as long as the Quote {Proposal} is received prior to the announced date and time for Quote {Proposal} submission and at the place specified.

QUOTE {PROPOSAL} WITHDRAWAL AFTER QUOTE {PROPOSAL} OPENING, BUT PRIOR TO BLANKET P.O. {CONTRACT} AWARD

NJSTART and Hard Copy: If, after the Quote {Proposal} opening, but before Blanket P.O. {Contract} award, a Vendor {Bidder} discovers an error in its Quote {Proposal}, the Vendor {Bidder} may make a written request to the Supervisor of the Proposal Review Unit to withdraw its Quote {Proposal} from consideration for award. If the Vendor’s {Bidder’s} request to withdraw is made in good faith, and the State will not be significantly prejudiced by granting the withdrawal of the Quote {Proposal} beyond the loss of the benefit of the bargain to the State of the withdrawing Vendor’s {Bidder’s} offer, the request shall be granted. Evidence of the Vendor’s {Bidder’s} good faith in making this request can be demonstrated by one (1) or more of the following factors: A mistake is so significant that to enforce the Blanket P.O. {Contract} resulting from the Quote {Proposal} would be unconscionable; that the mistake relates to a material feature or term of the Blanket P.O. {Contract}; and that the mistake occurred notwithstanding the Vendor’s {Bidder’s} exercise of reasonable care. After Quote {Proposal} opening, while pursuant to the provisions of this section a Vendor {Bidder} may request to withdraw its Quote {Proposal} and the Director may in her discretion allow said Vendor {Bidder} to withdraw it, the Division also may take notice of repeated or unusual requests to withdraw by a Vendor {Bidder} and take those prior requests to withdraw into consideration when evaluating the Vendor’s {Bidder’s} future Quotes {Proposals}.

All Quote {Proposal} withdrawal requests must include the Bid Solicitation {RFP} identification number and the final Quote {Proposal} submission date and be sent to the following address:

Department of the Treasury Division of Purchase and Property PO Box 039 33 West State Street – 9th Floor Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0039 Attention: Supervisor, Proposal Review Unit

If during a Quote {Proposal} evaluation process, an obvious pricing error made by a potential Blanket P.O. {Contract} awardee is found, the Director or her designee shall issue written notice to the Vendor {Bidder}. The Vendor {Bidder} will have up to five (5) business days after receipt of the notice to confirm its pricing. If the Vendor {Bidder} fails to respond, its Quote {Proposal} shall be considered withdrawn, and no further consideration shall be given to it.

If it is discovered that there is an arithmetic disparity between the unit price and the total extended price, the unit price shall prevail. If there is any other ambiguity in the pricing, other than a disparity between the unit price and extended price and the Vendor’s {Bidder’s} intention is not readily discernible from other parts of the Quote {Proposal}, the Director may seek clarification from the Vendor {Bidder} to ascertain the true intent of the Quote {Proposal}. If the Vendor {Bidder} inadvertently completes the “Discount” field and the “Unit Cost” field, the Discounted Unit Cost will prevail.

JOINT Venture

If a Joint Venture is submitting a Quote {Proposal}, the agreement between the parties relating to such Joint Venture should be submitted with the Joint Venture’s Quote {Proposal}. Authorized signatories from each party comprising the joint venture must sign the Offer and Acceptance Page {Signatory Page}. Each party to the Joint Venture must individually comply with all the forms and certification requirements in Sections 4.4.1 and 4.4.2 of this Bid Solicitation {RFP}.

Reciprocity for Jurisdictional Vendor {Bidder} Preference

In accordance with N.J.S.A. 52:32-1.4 and N.J.A.C. 17:12-2.13, the State of New Jersey will invoke reciprocal action against an out-of-State Vendor {Bidder} whose state or locality maintains a preference practice for its in-state Vendors {Bidders}. The State of New Jersey will use the annual surveys compiled by the Council of State Governments, National Association of State Procurement Officials, or the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing or a State’s statutes and regulations to identify States having preference laws, regulations, or practices and to invoke reciprocal actions. The State of New Jersey may obtain additional information as it deems appropriate to supplement the stated survey information.

A Vendor {Bidder} may submit information related to preference practices enacted for a State or Local entity outside the State of New Jersey. This information may be submitted in writing as part of the Quote {Proposal} response, including name of the locality having the preference practice, as well as identification of the county and state, and should include a copy of the appropriate documentation, i.e., resolution, regulation, law, notice to Vendor {Bidder}, etc. It is the responsibility of the Vendor {Bidder} to provide documentation with the Quote {Proposal} or submit it to the Director within five (5) business days after the deadline for Quote {Proposal} submission. Written evidence for a specific procurement that is not provided to the Director within five (5) business days of the public Quote {Proposal} submission date may not be considered in the evaluation of that procurement, but may be retained and considered in the evaluation of subsequent procurements.

QUOTE {PROPOSAL} ACCEPTANCES AND REJECTIONS

N.J.A.C. 17:12-2.7(d), the Director’s right to waive minor irregularities or omissions in a Quote {Proposal} and N.J.A.C. 17:12-2.2 which defines causes for Quote {Proposal} rejection, apply to all Quotes {Proposals}. In addition, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:34-12, the Director retains the right to reject all Quotes {Proposals} if it is in the public interest.

DEFINITIONS

CROSSWALK

General Definitions

The following definitions will be part of any Blanket P.O. {Contract} awarded or order placed as result of this Bid Solicitation {RFP}.

Definitions are listed by new NJSTART terminology; {existing terminology} appears in braces.

All-Inclusive Hourly Rate – An hourly rate comprised of all direct and indirect costs including, but not limited to: labor costs, overhead, fee or profit, clerical support, travel expenses, per diem, safety equipment, materials, supplies, managerial support and all documents, forms, and reproductions thereof. This rate also includes portal-to-portal expenses as well as per diem expenses such as food.

Best and Final Offer or BAFO – Pricing timely submitted by a Vendor {Bidder} upon invitation by the Bureau Division after Quote {Proposal} opening, with or without prior discussion or negotiation.

Bid or Bid Solicitation {RFP or Solicitation} – This series of documents, which establish the bidding and Blanket P.O. {Contract} requirements and solicits Quotes {Proposals} to meet the needs of the Using Agencies as identified herein, and includes the Bid Solicitation {RFP}, State of NJ Standard Terms and Conditions (SSTC), price schedule, attachments, and Bid Amendments {Addenda}.

Bid Amendment {Addendum} – Written clarification or revision to this Bid Solicitation {RFP} issued by the Division of Purchase and Property. Bid Amendments {Addenda}, if any, will be issued prior to Quote {Proposal} opening.

Business Day - Any weekday, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, State legal holidays, and State-mandated closings unless otherwise indicated.

Calendar Day – Any day, including Saturdays, Sundays, State legal holidays, and State-mandated closings unless otherwise indicated.

Change Order {Contract Amendment} – An alteration or modification of the terms of a Blanket P.O. {Contract} between the State and the Vendor(s) {Contractor(s)}. A Change Order {Contract Amendment} is not effective until it is signed and approved in writing by the Director or Deputy Director, Division of Purchase and Property.

Cooperative Purchasing Program – The Division’s intrastate program that provides procurement-related assistance to New Jersey local governmental entities and boards of education, State and county colleges and other public entities having statutory authority to utilize select State Blanket P.O.s {Contracts} issued by the Division, pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 52:25-16.1 et seq.

Days After Receipt of Order (ARO) - means the number of calendar days ‘After Receipt of Order’ in which the Using Agency will receive the ordered materials and/or services.

Director – Director, Division of Purchase and Property, Department of the Treasury, who by statutory authority is the Chief Contracting Officer for the State of New Jersey.

Discount - Means the standard discount applied by the Vendor {Bidder} to all items.

Discounted Unit Cost – Means “Unit Cost” field multiplied by (100 percent minus the “Discount” field percentage).

Division – The Division of Purchase and Property.

Evaluation Committee – A committee established or Division staff member assigned by the Director to review and evaluate Quotes {Proposals} submitted in response to this Bid Solicitation {RFP} and recommend a Blanket P.O. {Contract} award to the Director.

Firm Fixed Price – A price that is all-inclusive of direct cost and indirect costs, including, but not limited to, direct labor costs, overhead, fee or profit, clerical support, equipment, materials, supplies, managerial (administrative) support, all documents, reports, forms, travel, reproduction and any other costs.

Freight - Means Freight on Board (FOB) Destination.

Joint Venture – A business undertaking by two or more entities to share risk and responsibility for a specific project.

Master Blanket Purchase Order (“Blanket P.O.”) {Contract} – The Blanket P.O. {Contract} consists of the State of NJ Standard Terms and Conditions (SSTC), the Bid Solicitation {RFP}, the responsive Quote {Proposal} submitted by a responsible Vendor {Bidder} as accepted by the State, the notice of award, any Best and Final Offer, any subsequent written document memorializing the agreement, any modifications to any of these documents approved by the State and any attachments, Bid Amendment {Addenda} or other supporting documents, or post-award documents including Change Orders {Contract Amendments} agreed to by the State and the Vendor {Contractor}, in writing.

May – Denotes that which is permissible or recommended, not mandatory.

No Bid – The Vendor {Bidder} is not submitting a price Quote {Proposal} for an item on a price line.

No Charge – The Vendor {Bidder} will supply an item on a price line free of charge.

Ownership Disclosure Form – Refers to the Statement of Bidder/Vendor Ownership as utilized in NJSTART.

Primary Form – An electronic form contained within a Vendor’s {Bidder’s} NJSTART profile designated by the Vendor {Bidder} as the primary or principal version of the required form.

Procurement Bureau - The Division unit responsible for the preparation, advertisement, and issuance of Bid Solicitations {RFPs}, for the tabulation of Quotes {Proposals} and for recommending award(s) of Blanket P.O.(s) {Contract(s)} to the Director and the Deputy Director.

Project – The undertakings or services that are the subject of this Bid Solicitation {RFP}.

QRGs – Quick Reference Guides.

Quote {Proposal} – Vendor’s {Bidder’s} timely response to the Bid Solicitation {RFP} including, but not limited to, technical Quote {Proposal}, price Quote {Proposal}, and any licenses, forms, certifications, or other documentation required by the Bid Solicitation {RFP}.

Retainage - The amount withheld from the Vendor {Contractor} payment that is retained and subsequently released upon satisfactory completion of performance milestones by the Vendor {Contractor}.

Revision – A response to a BAFO request or a requested clarification of the Vendors {Bidders} Quote {Proposal}.

Shall or Must – Denotes that which is a mandatory requirement. Failure to meet a mandatory material requirement will result in the rejection of a Quote {Proposal} as non-responsive.

Should – Denotes that which is permissible or recommended, not mandatory.

Small Business – Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 17:13-1.2, “small business” means a business that meets the requirements and definitions of “small business” and has applied for and been approved by the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services, Small Business Registration and M/WBE Certification Services Unit as (i) independently owned and operated, (ii) incorporated or registered in and has its principal place of business in the State of New Jersey; (iii) has 100 or fewer full-time employees; and has gross revenues falling in one (1) of the three (3) following categories: For goods and services - (A) 0 to $500,000 (Category I); (B) $500,001 to $5,000,000 (Category II); and (C) $5,000,001 to $12,000,000, or the applicable federal revenue standards established at 13 CFR 121.201, whichever is higher (Category III); For construction services: (A) 0 to $3,000,000 (Category IV); (B) gross revenues that do not exceed 50 percent of the applicable annual revenue standards established at 13 CFR 121.201 (Category V); and (C) gross revenues that do not exceed the applicable annual revenue standards established at CFR 121.201, (Category VI).

State – The State of New Jersey.

State Contract Manager (SCM) – The individual, as set forth in Section 8.0, responsible for the approval of all deliverables, i.e., tasks, sub-tasks or other work elements in the Scope of Work. The SCM cannot direct or approve a Change Order {Contract Amendment}.

Subtasks – Detailed activities that comprise the actual performance of a task.

Subcontractor – An entity having an arrangement with a Vendor {Contractor}, whereby the Vendor {Contractor} uses the products and/or services of that entity to fulfill some of its obligations under its State Blanket P.O. {Contract}, while retaining full responsibility for the performance of all [the Vendor’s {Contractor's}] obligations under the Blanket P.O. {Contract}, including payment to the Subcontractor. The Subcontractor has no legal relationship with the State, only with the Vendor {Contractor}.

Task – A discrete unit of work to be performed.

Unit Cost – All-inclusive, firm fixed price charged by the Vendor {Bidder} for a single unit identified on a price line.

Using Agency[ies] – A State department or agency, a quasi-State governmental entity, or a Cooperative Purchasing Program participant, authorized to purchase products and/or services under a Blanket P.O. {Contract} procured by the Division. In addition, with the approval of the Director of the Division of Purchase and Property and the agreement of the Vendor {Contractor}, the Blanket P.O. {Contract} may be used by any Using Agency or quasi-State governmental entity.

Vendor {Bidder} – An entity offering a Quote {Proposal} in response to the Division’s Bid Solicitation {RFP}.

Vendor {Contractor} – The Vendor {Bidder} awarded a Blanket P.O. {Contract} resulting from this Bid Solicitation {RFP}.

BLANKET P.O. {contract}-specific definitions/ACRONYMS

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) International – International standards organization that develops and publishes voluntary consensus technical standards for a wide range of materials, products, systems, and services.

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D422 – 63 (2007) –. Standard test method that covers the quantitative determination of the distribution of particle sizes in soils. http://www.astm.org/Standards/D422.htm.

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D2487 – 11 (2011) –Standard that classifies soils from any geographic location into categories representing the results of prescribed laboratory tests to determine the particle-size characteristics, liquid limit, and the plasticity index. http://www.astm.org/Standards/D2487.htm.

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) E11 – Standard Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves. http://www.astm.org/Standards/E11.htm.

Baseline Month – The month prior to the start of the Blanket P.O. {Contract}.

Cubic Feet Per Minute (CFM) – A measurement of the velocity at which air flows into or out of a space.

Gallons Per Minute (GPM) – A unit of volumetric flow rate.

Global Positioning System (GPS) – A system of satellites, computers, and receivers that is able to determine the latitude and longitude of a receiver on Earth by calculating the time difference for signals from different satellites to reach the receiver.

Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPG) - A file extension for a graphics file that reduces a files size by permanently eliminating certain information, especially redundant information. The JPG file format was created by a joint committee called the Joint Photographic Experts Group.

Latitude/Longitude Coordinates (ddmm.mmm) – The general format for latitude and longitude coordinates for purposes of this Bid Solicitation {RFP}.

Lithology – (1) The description of rocks [or sediments], especially in hand specimen and in outcrop, on the basis of such characteristics as color, mineralogic composition, and grain size. (2) The physical character of a rock [or sediment]. [footnoteRef:2] [2: Paraphrased from the Dictionary of Geological Terms, Third Edition, 1984, Robert L. Bates and Julia A. Jackson, Eds., American Geologic Institute, p. 299.]

Mean Low Water (MLW) – The average height of all the low water heights observed over the National Tidal Datum Epoch (NTDE).

Munsell Color System – A color space, adopted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as the official color system for soil research, that specifies colors based on three (3) color dimensions: hue, value (lightness), and chroma (color purity).

National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) – The association of electrical equipment and medical imaging manufacturers.

North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NGVD 88) – The vertical control datum of orthometric height established for vertical control surveying in the United States of America.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) – An administration aimed at understanding and predicting changes in climate, weather, oceans and coasts, sharing that knowledge and information with others, and conserving and managing coastal and marine ecosystems and resources.

National Ocean Service – An office within the U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that is responsible for preserving and enhancing the nation’s coastal resources and ecosystems along 95,000 miles (153,000 km) of shoreline bordering 3,500,000 square miles (9,100,000 km2) of coastal, Great Lakes, and ocean waters.

National Tidal Datum Epoch (NTDE) – The specific 19-year period adopted by the National Ocean Service as the official time segment over which tide observations are taken and reduced to obtain mean values for tidal datums.

Nautical Miles Per Hour (Nm/h) – A unit of speed equal to one (1) nautical mile (1.852 kilometer) per hour, approximately 1.151 mile per hour.

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) – The department in New Jersey that is responsible for issues related to the outdoor environment and its impact on public health and welfare.

New Jersey Geological and Water Survey (NJGWS) – A public service and research agency within the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

New Jersey State Plane Coordinate System, NAD83 - A statewide plane coordinate system in United States Survey Feet with perpendicular North-South and East-West grid lines.

New Jersey Office of Information Technology (NJOIT) – The exclusive technology services provider of the State of New Jersey. Responsibilities include managing enterprise infrastructure, developing statewide applications, and establishing policies and standards governing State agencies' use of technology.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) – The federal administration tasked with assuring safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, providing training, outreach, education, and assistance. The agency is also charged with enforcing a variety of whistleblower statutes and regulations.

Phi Grade Scale (PHI) – A logarithmic transformation of the Wentworth sediment size grade scale, in which the negative logarithm to the base two (2) of the particle diameter (in millimeters) is substituted for the diameter value. The scale was developed specifically as a statistical device to permit the direct application of conventional statistical practices to sedimentary data. [footnoteRef:3] [3: Paraphrased from the Dictionary of Geological Terms, Third Edition, 1984, Robert L. Bates and Julia A. Jackson, Eds., American Geologic Institute, p. 381.]

Penetrometer - An instrument for determining the consistency or hardness of a substance by measuring the depth or rate of penetration of a rod or needle driven into it by a known force.

Pounds Per Square Inch (PSI) – A unit of pressure or of stress based on avoirdupois units. It is the pressure resulting from a force of one (1) pound-force applied to an area of one (1) square inch.

Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) – The combination of quality assurance, the process or set of processes used to measure and assure the quality of a product, and quality control, the process of ensuring products and services meet consumer expectations.

Reference Month –The twelfth (12th) month after the baseline month.

RS 232 Serial Port - A standard for serial communication transmission of data through which information transfers in or out one bit at a time.

Tagged Image File Format (TIFF) – A computer file format for storing raster graphics images.

Uniform Resource Locator (URL) – The generic term for all types of names and addresses that refer to objects on the World Wide Web.

United States Coast Guard (USCG) – One (1) of the five (5) armed forces of the United States and the only military organization within the Department of Homeland Security. The USCG is tasked with safe guarding our maritime interests and environment around the world.

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) – A United States department that provides leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition, and related issues based on public policy, the best available science, and effective management.

Vibracoring – A technology and a technique for collecting core samples of underwater sediments and wetland soils.

SCOPE OF WORK

The Scope of Work demonstrates three (3) distinct services (vibracore sediment sample acquisition; vibracore processing; and offshore sediment sample grain size analysis), located in Bid Solicitation {RFP} Sections 3.1, 3.2, and 3.3, respectively. Note: that the estimated quantities indentified is for the initial round of work. NJDEP anticipates that over the course of the Blanket P.O {Contract} period, it may require additional rounds of these activities. This will be at the discretion of NJDEP and be completed at the price provided in the Price Schedule/Sheet.

VIBRACORE SEDIMENT CORE ACQUISITION

GENERAL

The Vendor {Contractor} shall ensure at a minimum:

a. The work under this section of the Blanket P.O {Contract} includes collecting vibracores. It is anticipated that 20 to 30 vibracores will be collected for the initial round of work, with an NJDEP option for additional vibracores. If requested, additional cores shall be collected during the same period of performance and at the discretion of the NJDEP. Additionally, at the option of the NJDEP, multiple separate vibracore collection activities may be required for purposes of collecting additional vibracores during the Blanket P.O {Contract} period;

b. All work shall be performed in the Atlantic Ocean, within twelve (12) nautical miles of the coastline, Delaware and/or Raritan Bay, and the Delaware and/or Hudson Rivers. Water depths in the survey area can extend to 80 feet Mean Low Water (MLW); and

c. The Vendor {Contractor} shall be knowledgeable regarding potential hazards and/or restrictions in the coring areas. These potential hazards/restrictions include, but are not limited to, submarine cables, potential unexploded ordnance, and the location of major shipping channels. The Vendor {Contractor} shall immediately bring any potential conflicts with vibracoring as a result of such hazards/restrictions to the attention of the State Contract Manager (SCM) verbally.

LOCATION OF VIBRACORING SITES

The area of investigation will be provided to the vibracore Vendor {Contractor} at least 20 business days prior to mobilization. Exact vibracore locations will be provided in Latitude/Longitude Coordinates (ddmm.mmm) at least five (5) business days before the first day of vibracore operations. Any changes to the locations of the vibracore sites must have NJDEP approval prior to the acquisition of vibracore.

MOBILIZATION AND DEMOBILIZATION

The Vendor {Contractor} shall mobilize at the project site. Mobilization shall consist of the delivery to the project site of all equipment, materials, and supplies to be furnished by the Vendor {Contractor}; the complete assembly in satisfactory working order of all such equipment on the job; and the satisfactory storage at the project site of all materials and supplies.

Subsequently, the Vendor {Contractor} shall demobilize at the project site after completion of the work. Demobilization shall consist of the removal from the project site of all plant, equipment, materials and supplies furnished by the Vendor {Contractor} after completion of the work.

ORDER OF WORK

The order in which the vibracores are drilled shall be at the Vendor’s {Contractor’s} discretion, unless otherwise stated by the SCM.

SEDIMENT SAMPLE COLLECTION SPECIFICATIONS

a. Positioning:

1. The vibracores shall be collected from locations furnished by the SCM. These locations will be designated by Latitude/Longitude Coordinates (ddmm.mmm);

2. The positioning of the vessel relative to the sample site locations shall meet standards outlined in Chapter 7 of the Corps of Engineers Hydrographic Surveying Manual, EM 1110-2-1003, dated 30 November 2013 for class 1 surveys (http://www.publications.usace.army.mil/USACE-Publications/Engineer-Manuals/udt_43544_param_page/4/);