RFQ 1240BG21Q0006.pdf

Solicitation Number: 1240BG21Q0006 FIA Plots for state of Utah

(i) This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, FAR Subpart 13 and as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; offers are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.

(ii) This solicitation is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ).

(iii) The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2021-04.

(iv) This procurement is set aside for small business. The NAICS code is 115310 and the Small Business Size Standard is 8.0 Million.

(v) Schedule of Items/Price Schedule

Lands in Utah Unit Unit Price per Plot Number of Plots

Total Amount

USFS Lands Plots 1 $ 58 $

USFS Wilderness Lands Plots 1 $ 20 $

NPS and BLM Lands Plots 1 $ 91 $

NPS and BLM Lands + soils Plots 1 $ 4 $

USFS Lands + soils Plots 1 $ 6 $

USFS Wilderness Lands + soils Plots 1 $ 1 $

Total Item

180* $

* Delivery shall be a minimum of 60 plots per year.

(vi) Description of Requirement (including a list of any attachments)

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS) FOREST INVENTORY PLOTS (FIA

1.0 – Performance Work Statement

Safe Working Conditions. Safety is at all times the first priority. The contractor will be working in remote areas and could be exposed to natural hazards including, but not limited to traveling over uneven and rocky terrain, encounters with bears and other wildlife, hostile people, and inclement weather. The contractor should ensure that all employees are trained and have proper safety equipment prior to commencing work in the project areas. Examples of options for dealing with safety concerns include suspension with contract time, moving to another area until the hazard (as in the case of wildfire) has ceased, etc.

1.1 General Description

Work shall be performed with a two (2) person minimum crew size. The Contractor shall furnish all labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, supplies (except those designated as government-furnished), and incidentals to perform all work necessary on the areas specified. All aspects of the work program shall be performed in an organized, systematic manner to assure services will be performed over the entire unit.

The work of this contract encompasses field-based vegetation sampling of forested and non-forested condition inventory plots across the Rocky Mountain Research Station. It includes, but is not limited to locating, monumenting, and photographing plots and conducting inventories of trees, shrubs, forbs, grass, collecting tree cores, and setting characteristics using a variety of protocols including, but not limited to those in the attached exhibits.

The work performed and the data collected shall be in compliance with the terms, specifications, conditions and provisions of this solicitation and the Interior West Forest Inventory and Analysis P2 Field Procedures (see Attachment 4), or the most current version of this manual prior to data collection. The guide specifies the procedures and definitions for field implementation unless modified by this contract. Plot photos are required to be taken at each location, and consist of 4 digital photographs taken in the cardinal directions from plot center. The following link http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/ogden/data-collection/field-manuals.shtml will go to the Interior West FIA data collection field guide page, where Attachments 4-5 can be found.

1.2 Base-Level FIA Inventory with Forest Sampling:

The Rocky Mountain Research Station’s Base-Level FIA Inventory is a statistically based vegetation sampling program or inventory that supplements the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) National core or Regional FIA program, and requires collection of data on or adjacent to the FIA plot. In addition, several plots in each work area will be classified as “Soils” plots that require the Base-Level data and collection of the P3 soils data (including collecting samples). Also, non-forest sampling (All Condition Inventory or ACI) in this element will supplement the existing FIA forestland inventory by collecting additional vegetation plots and conditions over all non-forest conditions. Collected data shall be recorded in electronic format using the Forest Service MIDAS software. This Base-Level FIA Inventory data will be done on all bid items.

1.3 Confidentiality

All plot locations are dictated by the amended 1985 Food Security Act. All contractors selected for field sampling according to this protocol must sign and adhere to the IWFIA confidentiality agreement http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/ogden/data-collection/field-manuals.shtml

(Attachment 3), the FIA Inventory Policy for Public Lands, and all agreements and conditions established by the IWFIA and the Intermountain Region. Additionally, all records (electronic and hard copy) containing plot location coordinates must be destroyed upon completion of the contract.

1.4 Compliance with Attachments:

In addition to the terms and conditions of the contract, the contractor shall comply with all attachments listed in the “Attachments” The Interior West Forest Inventory and Analysis P2 Field Procedures (see Attachment 4), or the most current versions of these manuals prior to data collection.

1.5 GPS Locations:

All plot locations (regardless of protocols) shall have a GPS position, accuracy of each collection, and metadata regarding data, projection, and coordinate systems recorded. The GPS locations of plots must be submitted with the packet before reimbursement. GPS units collecting this data must be capable of averaging.

2.0 Location and Description

The project area includes all land ownerships in the USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station including: Utah

SEE ATTACHMENT 2: LOCATION OF PLOTS

2.1 Accessibility

The project area may be accessed by designated Forest Service, BLM, State, and County roads during the normal operating season. The Forest Service assumes no obligation to do special maintenance to keep roads open. Road access to each plot is not guaranteed. Individual plots are accessible by some combination of 2 or 4-wheel drive vehicle, horse, or foot travel. Horse and foot travel, as well as camping, in some areas may have seasonal restrictions on access. Additionally, horse access may be restricted to approved outfitters. Some roads or trails may have been closed after the maps were published. Access to the plots may have short or very long walk-ins. Permission to access privately owned land is the responsibility of the Contractor. The cost to access these plots is the total responsibility of the Contractor. All efforts will be made to arrange for Contractor access to private and State lands; however, the Contractor will be responsible for following landowner/leasee access instructions. Crews may be required to attend Forest safety sessions prior to camping/work. The Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) will provide road and trail access maps to the Contractor.

Maps of the sample locations can be provided for individual plots from the COR so that estimated access distance can be calculated.

3.0 Services

At the beginning of the contract, the following will apply:

3.1 At the Contractor’s request, the Government will provide one training session in Utah to address field and MIDAS protocols. Dates and locations will be determined by the Government.

3.2 At the Contractor’s request, the Government will provide one review on the inspection procedures regarding quality assurance. This quality assurance assessment review will be performed on one plot.

3.3 At the Contractor’s request, the Government may accompany the Contractor on one plot to review data collection procedures.

4.0 Technical Specifications

4.1 General

The latest Motor Vehicle Use Map and any other travel restrictions take precedence and give specific road closure dates and locations. Authorization for limited motorized use of these roads may be granted upon request of the Contractor for use during limited parts of the year, and assuming road conditions preclude road surface damage. All requests for motorized travel of closed roads by the Contractor must be submitted in writing to the COR for specific roads and specific periods of time.

Gates in the contract are typically locked yearlong. A double lock system may be provided for those approved. The Contractor will be responsible to ensure that the gates remain closed and locked at all times.

The COR will assess camping behind locked gates on a case-by-case basis. Contractor shall provide camping plans in writing, within 5 calendar days prior to the camping date, specifying exact time and dates of use behind locked gates. No access by Contractors or employees will be allowed behind locked gates after periods of work. Contractor shall adjust work schedule to take the closure time into consideration. Contract time will run during this period. Any misuse of gates may constitute loss of privileges. All efforts will be made to arrange for Contractor access to private and State lands;

however, the Contractor will be responsible for following landowner/leasee access instructions.

4.2 –Not Used-

4.3 Plot Data

The Contractor shall collect plot data in accordance with the technical specifications described in Interior West Forest Inventory and Analysis P2 Field Procedures (see Attachment 4) or the most current version of this manual, and outlined in this proposal. Modifications to each technical specification by the Rocky Mountain Research Station will constitute revisions to these specifications.

Prior to commencing work within gated areas and wilderness or roadless boundaries, a meeting will be held with the Contractor and the COR to determine appropriate restrictions (e.g., access, waste disposal, camping).

4.4 Work Plan and Schedule

The Contractor shall prepare a general work plan and schedule that demonstrates that work will be completed according to specific bid items.

The Contractor shall advise the Contracting Officer or COR of any periods that the Contractor will not be working that is not specified in the accepted work plan.

The Contractor may update the work plan when work is in progress and the Contracting Officer or COR may accept the updated work plan.

4.5 Government Meetings

The Contractor shall be available to meet with the Government as necessary for the execution of this contract (pricing should reflect this commitment). Meetings will be primarily for the furnishing of completed plot packets by the Contractor and exchanging inspection results. Meetings for this purpose are anticipated to be held once every two weeks during normal Government working hours (Monday through Friday, exclusive of holidays), at a National Forest office or other site as designated by the Government. The Government will not be liable for costs incurred because of lost production due to the Contractor attending these meetings.

4.6 Communications

The Contractor shall keep the Contracting Officer and Contracting Officer’s Representative advised as to where the Contractor or Contractor's representative may be reached by phone during periods of work suspension and periods of time without work.

4.7 On-site Representative

The Contractors’ on-site representative shall be fully conversant and literate in the English language and shall be in the work area whenever work is in progress.

5.0 Data Entry

5.1 Data Format The forest inventory data is required in electronic format utilizing the MIDAS program. The electronic data shall be transmitted to the MIDAS server or to the COR if MIDAS server is not accessible by non-Forest Service employees. The COR shall be able to load the data into the MIDAS database without errors. The Contractor shall provide the hardware necessary to collect data utilizing the MIDAS software. MIDAS requirements and supported hardware can be found at:

http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/ogden/data-collection/state_contractors/midas_hardware_requirements.pdf These data recorders are specified because the required data collection software was designed to run on these specific machines. Other makes or models may not perform as intended. It is anticipated that over the life of this contract some changes in data editing software may be made. In the event such changes are required, upgrades will be provided by the Government.

At the Contractor’s request, the Government will provide one training session in Utah to address field and MIDAS protocols. Dates and locations will be determined by the Government.

6 - Standards

6.1. OSHA’s Field Sanitation Standard Fact Sheet No. OSHA 92-25 Available at:

http://www.osha-slc.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=FACT_SHEETS&p_id=137 http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/ogden/data-collection/state_contractors/midas_hardware_requirements.pdf http://www.osha-slc.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=FACT_SHEETS&p_id=137

7 Flagging

Flagging is used to facilitate the relocation of a stake position within a plot in order to check the original measurement. Flagging will be used for marking each stake position center and the end of each sample plane. Orange and blue/white striped flagging will be used. In the case where plots have been reworked due to measurement discrepancies different colored flagging will be used. All flagging will be removed from reserved lands (wilderness and parks).

At all stake position center points, orange flagging will be attached to the stake. At all microplot stakes, blue/white striped flagging will be tied to the stake.

At the end of each down woody sample plane, a nail with flagging will placed in the ground. Coarse Woody Debris pieces tallied on the sample plane will be marked at the intersection with a paint pen or lumber crayon.

8.0 Government Furnished Property

The Government will provide the following item(s) of Government property to the Contractor for use in the performance of this contract. This property shall be used and maintained by the Contractor in accordance with the provisions of the "Government Property" FAR clause contained elsewhere in the contract.

8.1 Field Instruction Manuals - One copy per certified contract crew member up to a maximum of 10 manuals per bid Area.

8.2 Plot packets containing past data (if it exists), aerial photographs or other imagery, a map of the area (generally a USGS Quad or portion of), and data forms.

8.3 Tree tags

8.4 Square reference tags

8.5 Flagging

8.6 Aluminum and steel nails

8.7 Steel plot stakes

8.8 Plot forms

8.9 Maps - One set of plot location maps per field crew, to a maximum of five.

8.10 Keys and descriptions of plant associations, one copy per certified crew.

8.11 MIDAS software for collecting field data for all plots.

8.12 A set of soil sampling equipment per crew, to a maximum of 2.

8.13 All Government furnished manuals, keys, and plant indicator books and soil equipment shall be returned together with any unused nails, tags, stakes, etc., at the completion of the Contract.

9.0 Certification of Crews

All work shall be performed by personnel who have demonstrated the ability to read, interpret, and apply information contained in Field Instructions. Each crew must have a crew leader with undergraduate courses* in mensuration, tree identification, plant identification, silviculture, and ecology and three months prior experience collecting data for Forest inventory, including stand exams, or vegetation classification. Other crew members must have undergraduate courses* in mensuration and tree identification.

*Specific technical experience may be substituted for a given educational requirement.

The process is not intended to train crews, but only to evaluate their competency for use on this contract. The Contractor will be paid for certification plots when those plots are also part of the contract.

9.1 Certification by the Forest Service - The Government will furnish a crew certification process as follows:

9.1.1 All Contractor's personnel shall demonstrate the ability to read, interpret, and apply information contained in the Field Instructions by recording, estimating, and editing plot data during the measurement of one acceptable certification plot.

9.1.2 The Government will provide certification of contract crews. For certification purposes, the maximum number of 6 crews per contract item will be provided by the government.

9.2 If the Contractor desires more than the specified number of crews per contract item to be certified, the Government may approve the request. Requests for additional certifications shall be submitted to the Government in writing and must state the number of additional certifications requested and the dates. If request(s) are approved, the Government will select the plots to be used for additional certification within five (5) Government working days from the date the certification request is received.

9.3 The Contractor shall begin work on certification plots in accordance with Section F, F-2, Period of Performance. Contractor crews listed in approved Resource Plan shall be certified within 30 calendar days of the effective start work date, or the Government may take action in accordance with the Default clause. The initial certification will consist of the first field plot satisfactorily completed. In the event a crew fails one of these plots, a second certification plot shall be included as part of that crew's initial certification. For a certification plot to be acceptable, the inspected Plot quality shall be passing in a pass/fail grading system. Failed quality in the inspection results will not be acceptable.

9.4 The Contractor's Representative shall complete certification as either: 1) the second or third person of an established crew, or 2) as an additional crew. The plots required to certify the Contractor's Representative shall be included as part of the initial certification.

9.5 During the initial certification of crews, sessions may be held each work day at times and locations designated by the Government. The Government may use these sessions to return plot inspection results, address specific contract questions, or accept certification plots for field inspection.

Failure of two certification plots will be cause to notify the Contractor and request that one or both crew members be replaced.

INSPECTION-ACCEPTANCE-PAYMENTS

1.0 Inspection of Services—Fixed-Price (Aug 1996)

(a) Definition. “Services,” as used in this clause, includes services performed, workmanship, and material furnished or utilized in the performance of services.

(b) The Contractor shall provide and maintain an inspection system acceptable to the Government covering the services under this contract. Complete records of all inspection work performed by the Contractor shall be maintained and made available to the Government during contract performance and for as long afterwards as the contract requires.

(c) The Government has the right to inspect and test all services called for by the contract, to the extent practicable at all times and places during the term of the contract. The Government shall perform inspections and tests in a manner that will not unduly delay the work.

(d) If the Government performs inspections or tests on the premises of the Contractor or a subcontractor, the Contractor shall furnish, and shall require subcontractors to furnish, at no increase in contract price, all reasonable facilities and assistance for the safe and convenient performance of these duties.

(e) If any of the services do not conform with contract requirements, the Government may require the Contractor to perform the services again in conformity with contract requirements, at no increase in contract amount. When the defects in services cannot be corrected by reperformance, the Government may—

(1) Require the Contractor to take necessary action to ensure that future performance conforms to contract requirements; and

(2) Reduce the contract price to reflect the reduced value of the services performed.

(f) If the Contractor fails to promptly perform the services again or to take the necessary action to ensure future performance in conformity with contract requirements, the Government may—

(1) By contract or otherwise, perform the services and charge to the Contractor any cost incurred by the Government that is directly related to the performance of such service; or

(2) Terminate the contract for default.

(End of clause)

2.0 -Not Used-

3.0 Inspection of Work

The COR, or designated inspector, will inspect completed packets to evaluate field measurements, field classifications, legibility, completeness, and correct coding of all submitted forms, electronic files and documentation. A completed packet consists of 10 plots.

4.0 Completed Work.

A packet is considered complete when all field and electronic data has been inspected and accepted for payment.

4.1 Submission of Packets

Prior to submission to the COR, packets shall meet the following criteria:

4.1.1 Data shall be submitted in accordance Interior West Forest Inventory and Analysis P2

Field Procedures (see Attachment 4), or the most current version of this manual.

4.1.2 The installation information (crew, plot establishment date, field edit date) and all agency provided data (e.g., sample type, plot number, etc.) shall be completed on every form, where applicable, and for all plots.

4.1.3 Route to Location Center and Route to plot diagram, travel notes and information pertinent to stake position of location center shall be provided as described in Interior West Forest Inventory and Analysis P2 Field Procedures (see Attachment 4), or the most current version of this manual.

4.1.4 For IWFIA protocol-based plot collection, a plot diagram shall be completed as described in Interior West Forest Inventory and Analysis P2 Field Procedures (see Attachment 4), or the most current version of this manual.

4.1.4 All associated plot photos, vegetation samples, and soil samples are turned in.

4.2 Inspection of Plots

The COR will determine work quality by inspection of each completed packet. An inspection will consist of:

4.2.1 Selected Plots

Inspection of selected plot(s) will be completed for compliance with the specifications and individual tolerance requirements specified in the Interior West Forest Inventory and Analysis P2 Field Procedures (see Attachment 4), or the most current version of this manual.

Minimum number of plots to be inspected is calculated as follows:

Number of Plots in payment packet Minimum Number to be Inspected

10 1

4.2.2 Plot Location

In the event a plot cannot be located using the instructions prescribed in the specific field guides, the entire packet will be charged a fatal error and returned to the Contractor for rework. The COR will record the global position of the plot in accordance with the appropriate field guides specified in specific task orders during the field inspection. The Lat/Long coordinate will consist of a minimum of 180 recorded three dimensional positions. This coordinate will be used to evaluate the field inspected plot using the tolerance specified in the Interior West Forest Inventory and Analysis P2 Field Procedures (see Attachment 4), or the most current version of this manual.

4.2.3 Field Inspection

The COR will select the minimum number of plots required from each packet to be field inspected.

Additional inspections may be made as the COR deems appropriate. Field inspections will be performed from the electronic data submitted. This field inspection will check the selected plot for accuracy, correctness, and completeness of submitted data. Each measurement, observation or other work as specified by the appropriate field guides shall be verified and the correct value recorded. Plot data will be evaluated by use of the tolerances specified in the Interior West Forest Inventory and Analysis P2 Field Procedures (see Attachment 4), or the most current version of this manual.

4.2.4 Inspection Items

The following shall be checked on each inspection:

A. Verify documented measured distances and written directions from main road to locate plot;

B. RP data C. X and Y-tree data D. Aerial photos; for PC and RP pinprick locations, and labeled correctly;

E. GPS data; where the field crew collected it;

F. Plot Level and Condition Class Attributes;

G. Site Tree measurements and tree selection;

H. Habitat Type assigned to the plot;

I. Subplot 1 measured in its entirety;

A minimum of 2 subplots are fully inspected (all measurements are taken).

A minimum of 20 trees are measured unless the plot has low tally or is non-forest. If there are not enough trees available on the two fully inspected subplots, additional subplots are fully inspected to meet the 20 tree minimum.

On all four subplots, the following will be checked:

A. Plot layout; including both subplot and microplot center locations;

B. Condition Class presence/absence;

C. Subplot Attributes;

D. Microplot seedling count;

E. Boundary mapping;

F. Missed/added Tree Tally (including saplings on the microplot), also checking for trees in or out near the different plot radius boundaries.

G. Collect tree cores

Inspectors will record all measurements as they are at the time of inspection. The items listed below will present unique challenges when scoring the plot because the natural environment may have changed significantly over a short period of time due to seasonality, fast decadence rates or susceptibility to ground disturbance. Additional notes will be necessary for the QA inspector to know when there were real errors or just on-the-ground changes:

A. Vegetation Profile – species, heights and cover;

B. DWM- Transects are lined up with the production crew’s as best as possible to check all measurements. If the production crew did not leave flagging, the transect can be placed at the QA inspector’s azimuth (although effort is made to line up CWD pieces if possible).

C. Soil sampling data (when required).

Plot Photographs – During office edit each photograph will be checked to see that it is clear, sharp, not blurred or taken into the sun. Photos taken during rain or snow storms or after dark using a flash are not acceptable. Additionally, the photo placard must be visible and not obscuring more than 15% of the photo. Missing or unacceptable photos shall incur a fee of $25/photo.

5.0 Discrepancy Trend in Plot Data

5.1 Plot Data and Electronic Data

If during inspection of selected plot(s) or review of submitted data, the COR determines a similar discrepancy is occurring in the information being recorded by the Contractor, the COR shall notify the Contractor of the findings. If the same trend continues in future inspection and payment packets, the packet(s) will be returned for rework. In addition, if the COR notices a discrepancy trend developing while inspecting plots, they may visit plots not selected in the sample, to inspect the field(s) in question. These plots will be used to determine if a discrepancy trend does exist, not for payment purposes. The COR will notify the Contractor of the findings. If the same trend continues in future inspections and payment packets, the packet(s) will be returned for rework.

5.2 Unacceptable Data

If an individual or crew repeatedly installs plots in wrong locations or makes inaccurate measurements or observations (e.g., missed heights, diameters, vascular plant identification, etc.)

over two inspections, the Contracting Officer's Representative may notify the Contractor and require the Contractor to replace the individual or crew or recommend termination for default to the Contracting Officer.

5.3 Unacceptable Errors for Plots

If one of the following unacceptable errors occurs and the packet is determined to be unacceptable it will be returned to the Contractor for rework if any one of the following conditions occurs:

5.3.1 Any plot where the stake(s) for subplot/microplot centers, or end of sample planes, cannot be located because of improper installation, or for any other reason attributable to noncompliance with the appropriate field guide as identified in the task order.

5.3.2 Any location stake or sample plane stake located outside of tolerance identified in appropriate field guide.

5.3.3 Any plot with a discrepancy in plot number.

5.3.4 Any plot payment packet with an overall inspection failure.

5.3.5 Any plot packet in which the earliest data collected is more than fifteen (15) days earlier than the latest plot data collected in that packet (allowances can be made by the COR due to remote access issues).

5.3.6 Any group of plot packets that is submitted more than fifteen (15) days beyond the latest plot data collected in that group.

6.0 Re-inspection Upon Contractor Request

6.1 If the Contracting Officer's Representative’s original inspection results are unacceptable to the Contractor, the Contractor has the option to request, in writing, a re-inspection.

Requests for re-inspection shall be made within five calendar days after receipt of initial inspection results. A complete re-inspection of the original inspected plot(s) will be made.

6.2 The Contractor may accompany the Contracting Officer's Representative during the re-inspection.

6.3 If re-inspection does not result in an additional payment for the Contractor, the Contractor must pay for the re-inspection. Re-inspection for resubmitted units will be done in accordance with the original inspection procedures.

6.4 Results of this re-inspection will supersede the original inspection for determining acceptability and payment.

7.0 Rework and Re-Inspection after Rework

7.1 All plots in a packet will be returned to the Contractor when the packet is determined to be unacceptable. The contractor is required to rework all of the plots in the payment packet.

7.2 At the Governments option, on those packets reworked by the Contractor, different colored flagging shall be tied at location center. The Contracting Officer’s Representative shall specify the color of the ribbon. Each time the packet is reworked a different colored ribbon shall be used.

7.3 The Government is not required to provide more than 1 re-inspection on any single packet.

7.4 The Government shall charge a fee of $1000.00 for each failed re-inspection.

8.0 Right to Re-performance

In accordance with the Inspection of Services Clause in this section, the Government reserves the right to have any failed plot accomplished by other Contractor or the Government itself and appropriately charge the cost to the contractors invoice.

9.0 Final Cleanup

Before final acceptance, all areas occupied by the Contractor in connection with the work shall be cleaned of all Contractor's rubbish, excess materials, temporary structures, and equipment, and all parts of the work area shall be left in a neat and presentable condition.

ATTACHMENTS-SUBMITTALS LIST

Attachment 1 Camping Provisions Attachment 2 Utah Plot Map Attachment 3 IWFIA Nondisclosure Agreement (complete yellow highlighted areas and sign) Attachment 4 Interior West Forest Inventory and Analysis P2 Field Procedures http://fs.fed.us/rm/ogden/data-collection/field-manuals.shtml Attachment 5 MIDAS Hardware requirements http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/ogden/data-collection/state_contractors/midas_hardware_requirements.pdf Attachment 6 Wage Determination: Utah Attachment 7 Fire Protection and Suppression

(vii) Date(s) and Place(s) of Delivery and Acceptance/Location

Period of performance is from time award until 12/01/2023.

(viii) 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items (JUN 2020) (Provision) http://fs.fed.us/rm/ogden/data-collection/field-manuals.shtml http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/ogden/data-collection/state_contractors/midas_hardware_requirements.pdf

Addenda to provision 52.212-1:

Addenda to paragraph 52.212-1(b) Submission of Offers:

1) Offerors must have an active entity registration in the System for Award Management in order to submit an offer. https://www.sam.gov/SAM/

2) Representations and Certifications – Fill in the check boxes for provisions 52.204-24, 52.209-7, 52.212- 3, and Employment of Eligible Workers-Workforce Certification found in this solicitation. Copy and paste the completed provisions onto your company letterhead and include your DUNS number.

3) Submit offer by email to Sandra.dueck@usda.gov so that it is delivered into this inbox by the due date and time. Emails should contain four separate attachments (Schedule of items, experience, Representations and Certifications, and the completed Nondisclosure Agreement) in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format. Be aware that large attachments may increase the time required to deliver an email.

It is the offerors responsibility to confirm receipt of the offer from Sandra.dueck@usda.gov.

4) Address questions about this solicitation to Sandra.dueck@usd.gov

(ix) 52.212-2 Evaluation – Commercial Items (OCT 2014) (Provision)

(a) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers:

(b) Price

(c) Technical Capability

(d) Quality Assurance System

(e) Past Performance

(f) Experience

(g) All evaluation factors other than cost or price, when combined, are approximately equal to cost or price.

(h)

(i) 1. PRICE: Price shall be evaluated on reasonable cost comparisons to market and other bidders, combined with the Technical factors to determine “Best Value”. All evaluation factors other than cost or price, when combined, are approximately equal to cost or price.

(j)

(k) 2. TECHNICAL CAPABILITY:

(l)

(m) - Provide your available resources or ability to obtain them to perform all contract requirements.

(n) (o)

(p) Not to exceed 5 pages.

(q) https://www.sam.gov/SAM/

(r) 3. QUALITY ASSURANCE SYSTEM: Evaluation on contractor’s Quality Assurance System will be based on information provided that ensures adequate risk associated with the level of quality assurance.

(s) - Describe your Quality Assurance to successfully monitor and complete work.

(t)

(u) Not to exceed 5 pages.

(v)

(w) 4. PAST PERFORMANCE

(x) Provide no more than 5 references.

(y) Evaluation of the offeror’s past performance will be completed using references provided by the offeror. The Government may contact references other than those identified by the offeror and the information received may be used in the evaluation of the offeror’s past performance.

(z)

(aa) Complete the following past performance information for three Government customers. If your company has not provided this service to the Government include information for four customers.

(bb)

(cc) 1. Customer Name:

(dd) Point of Contact: E-mail _______________________

(ee) Phone Number: Fax Number__________________________

(ff) Service:

(gg)

(hh) The government may contact each reference to provide the following information:

(ii)

(jj) - Overall customer satisfaction.

(kk) - Timely meeting Schedule

(ll) - Any deficiencies/non-compliance and how they were corrected.

(mm) - Verify the scope of the work compared to this solicitation requirement.

(nn)

(oo) Evaluation is based on relevant past history and evaluation of your customer information.

(pp)

(qq) --Reference letters from customers may be submitted and/or use the attached customer evaluation form to send to customer to complete and sent to the Contracting Officer prior to quote open date.

(rr) (ss)

(tt) 5. EXPERIENCE: Evaluation on contractor’s experience will be based on information provided that ensures adequate risk associated with the level of experience. Relevant work shall include three or more years of prior timber survey experience for the Key Personnel

(uu)

(vv) Not to exceed 5 pages.

(ww) (a) A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offer’s specified expiration time, the Government may accept an offer (or part of an offer), whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award.

(xx)

(x) 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications – Commercial Items (FEB 2021) (DEVIATION JUL 2020) (Provision)

If Offeror Representations and Certifications are not complete in SAM the offeror shall submit a completed copy of the provision at 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications- Commercial Items, with your offer. The full provision is available from http://www.acquisition.gov/far/.

If Offeror Representations and Certifications are complete in SAM, the offeror shall complete the following:

(b)(1) Annual Representations and Certifications. Any changes provided by the Offeror in paragraph (b)(2) of this provision do not automatically change the representations and certifications in SAM.

(2)The offeror has completed the annual representations and certifications electronically in SAM accessed through http://www.sam.gov. After reviewing SAM information, the Offeror verifies by submission of this offer that the representations and certifications currently posted electronically at FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items, have been entered or updated in the last 12 months, are current, accurate, complete, and applicable to this solicitation (including the business size standard(s) applicable to the NAICS code(s) referenced for this solicitation), at the time this offer is submitted and are incorporated in this offer by reference (see FAR 4.1201), except for paragraphs

[Offeror to identify the applicable paragraphs at (c) through (v) of this provision that the offeror has completed for the purposes of this solicitation only, if any. Write “None” if there are no changes needed to your online reps and certs.

These amended representation(s) and/or certification(s) are also incorporated in this offer and are current, accurate, and complete as of the date of this offer.

Any changes provided by the offeror are applicable to this solicitation only, and do not result in an update to the representations and certifications posted electronically on SAM.]

(xi) 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Items (OCT 2018)

Addenda to 52.212-4:

Replace paragraph (r) of clause 52.212-4 with the following as specified in DEVIATION 2017-1

(AUG 2017):

(r) Compliance with laws unique to Government contracts. The Contractor agrees to comply with 31 U.S.C. 1352 relating to limitations on the use of appropriated funds to influence certain Federal contracts;

18 U.S.C 431 relating to officials not to benefit; 40 U.S.C. chapter 37, Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards; 41 U.S.C. chapter 87, Kickbacks; 10 U.S.C. 2409 relating to whistleblower protections; 49 U.S.C. 40118, Fly American; and 41 U.S.C chapter 21 relating to procurement integrity.

http://www.acquisition.gov/far/ http://www.sam.gov/ https://www.acquisition.gov/content/part-52-solicitation-provisions-and-contract-clauses#i1060550 https://www.acquisition.gov/content/part-4-administrative-and-information-matters#i1121876

(xii) 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders

– Commercial Items (JAN 2021) (DEVIATION JUL 2020)

(a) The Contractor shall comply with the following Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses, which are incorporated in this contract by reference, to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items:

(1) 52.203-19, Prohibition on Requiring Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements (Jan 2017) (section 743 of Division E, Title VII, of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (Pub. L. 113-235) and its successor provisions in subsequent appropriations acts (and as extended in continuing resolutions)).

(2) 52.204-23, Prohibition on Contracting for Hardware, Software, and Services Developed or Provided by Kaspersky Lab and Other Covered Entities (Jul 2018) (Section 1634 of Pub. L. 115-91).

(3) 52.204-25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment. (Aug 2020) (Section 889(a)(1)(A) of Pub. L. 115-232).

(4) 52.209-10, Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations (Nov 2015)

(5) 52.233-3, Protest After Award (Aug 1996) (31 U.S.C. 3553).

(6) 52.233-4, Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (Oct 2004) (Public Laws 108-77 and 108-78 (19 U.S.C. 3805note)).

(b) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (b) that the Contracting Officer has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items:

[Contracting Officer check as appropriate.] ☐ (1) 52.203-6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (June 2020), with Alternate I (Oct 1995) (41 U.S.C. 4704 and 10 U.S.C. 2402).

☐ (2) 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (Jun 2020) (41 U.S.C. 3509)).

☐ (3) 52.203-15, Whistleblower Protections under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Jun 2010) (Section 1553 of Pub. L. 111-5). (Applies to contracts funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.)

☒ (4) 52.204-10, Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (Jun 2020) (Pub.

L. 109-282) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

☐ (5) [Reserved].

☐ (6) 52.204-14, Service Contract Reporting Requirements (Oct 2016) (Pub. L. 111-117, section 743 of Div. C).

☐ (7) 52.204-15, Service Contract Reporting Requirements for Indefinite-Delivery Contracts (Oct 2016) (Pub. L. 111-117, section 743 of Div. C).

☒ (8) 52.209-6, Protecting the Government’s Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment. (Jun 2020) (31 U.S.C. 6101note).

☐ (9) 52.209-9, Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding Responsibility Matters (Oct 2018) (41 U.S.C. 2313).

☐ (10) [Reserved].

☐ (11) (i) 52.219-3, Notice of HUBZone Set-Aside or Sole-Source Award (Mar 2020) (15 U.S.C.657a).

[Contracting Officer check as appropriate.]

☐By the end of the base term of the contract and then by the end of each subsequent option period; or ☐By the end of the performance period for each order issued under the contract.

☐ (11)(ii) 52.219-3 Alternate I (Mar 2020) of 52.219-3.

☒ (12) (i) 52.219-4, Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small Business Concerns (Mar 2020) (if the offeror elects to waive the preference, it shall so indicate in its offer) (15 U.S.C. 657a).

☐ (ii) Alternate I (Mar 2020) of 52.219-4.

☐ (13) [Reserved] ☒ (14) (i) 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (Nov 2020) (15 U.S.C.644).

☐ (ii) Alternate I (Mar 2020) of 52.219-6.

☐ (15) (i) 52.219-7, Notice of Partial Small Business Set-Aside (Nov 2020) (15 U.S.C. 644).

☐ (ii) Alternate I (Mar 2020) of 52.219-7.

☐ (16) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (Oct 2018) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3)).

☐ (17) (i) 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan (Jun 2020) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(4)).

☐ (ii) Alternate I (Nov 2016) of 52.219-9.

☐ (iii) Alternate II (Nov 2016) of 52.219-9.

☐ (iv) Alternate III (Jun 2020) of 52.219-9.

☐ (v) Alternate IV (Jun 2020) of 52.219-9.

☐ (18) (i) 52.219-13, Notice of Set-Aside of Orders (Mar 2020) (15 U.S.C. 644(r)).

☐ (ii) Alternate I (MAR 2020) of 52.219-13 ☐ (19) 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting (Mar 2020) (15 U.S.C.637(a)(14)).

[Contracting Officer check as appropriate.] ☐ By the end of the base term of the contract and then by the end of each subsequent option period; or ☐ By the end of the performance period for each order issued under the contract.

☐ (20) 52.219-16, Liquidated Damages-Subcontracting Plan (Jan 1999) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(4)(F)(i)).

☐ (21) 52.219-27, Notice of Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside (Mar 2020) (15 U.S.C. 657f).

[Contracting Officer check as appropriate.] ☐ By the end of the base term of the contract and then by the end of each subsequent option period; or ☐ By the end of the performance period for each order issued under the contract.

☒ (22) (i) 52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Rerepresentation (Nov 2020) (15 U.S.C.

632(a)(2)).

☐ (ii) Alternate I (MAR 2020) of 52.219-28.

☐ (23) 52.219-29, Notice of Set-Aside for, or Sole Source Award to, Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business Concerns (Mar 2020) (15 U.S.C. 637(m)).

[Contracting Officer check as appropriate.] ☐ By the end of the base term of the contract and then by the end of each subsequent option period; or ☐ By the end of the performance period for each order issued under the contract.

☐ (24) 52.219-30, Notice of Set-Aside for, or Sole Source Award to, Women-Owned Small Business Concerns Eligible Under the Women-Owned Small Business Program (Mar 2020) (15 U.S.C. 637(m)).

[Contracting Officer check as appropriate.]

☐ By the end of the base term of the contract and then by the end of each subsequent option period; or ☐ By the end of the performance period for each order issued under the contract.

☐ (25) 52.219-32, Orders Issued Directly Under Small Business Reserves (Mar 2020) (15 U.S.C. 644(r)).

☒ (26) 52.219-33, Nonmanufacturer Rule (Mar 2020) (15 U.S.C. 637(a)(17)).

☒ (27) 52.222-3, Convict Labor (Jun 2003) (E.O.11755).

☒ (28) 52.222-19, Child Labor-Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies (Jan 2020) (DEVIATION

JUL 2020) (E.O.13126).

☒ (29) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (Apr 2015).

☒ (30) (i) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Sep 2016) (E.O.11246).

☐ (ii) Alternate I (Feb 1999) of 52.222-26.

☒ (31) (i) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (Jun 2020) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

☐ (ii) Alternate I (Jul 2014) of 52.222-35.

☒ (32) (i) 52.222-36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (Jun 2020) (29 U.S.C.793).

☐ (ii) Alternate I (Jul 2014) of 52.222-36.

☒ (33) 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Veterans (Jun 2020) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

☒ (34) 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (Dec 2010) (E.O. 13496).

☒ (35) (i) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (Oct 2020) (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O.

13627).

☐ (ii) Alternate I (Mar 2015) of 52.222-50 (22 U.S.C. chapter78 and E.O. 13627).

☒ (36) 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification (Oct 2015). (Executive Order 12989). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items or certain other types of commercial items as prescribed in 22.1803.)

☐ (37) (i) 52.223-9, Estimate of Percentage of Recovered Material Content for EPA–Designated Items (May 2008) (42 U.S.C. 6962(c)(3)(A)(ii)). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items.)

☐ (ii) Alternate I (May 2008) of 52.223-9 (42 U.S.C. 6962(i)(2)(C)). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items.)

☐ (38) 52.223-11, Ozone-Depleting Substances and High Global Warming Potential Hydrofluorocarbons (Jun 2016) (E.O. 13693).

☐ (39) 52.223-12, Maintenance, Service, Repair, or Disposal of Refrigeration Equipment and Air Conditioners (Jun 2016) (E.O. 13693).

☐ (40) (i) 52.223-13, Acquisition of EPEAT®-Registered Imaging Equipment (Jun 2014) (E.O.s 13423 and 13514).

☐ (ii) Alternate I (Oct 2015) of 52.223-13.

☐ (41) (i) 52.223-14, Acquisition of EPEAT®-Registered Televisions (Jun 2014) (E.O.s 13423 and 13514).

☐ (ii) Alternate I (Jun 2014) of 52.223-14.

☐ (42) 52.223-15, Energy Efficiency in Energy-Consuming Products (May 2020) (42 U.S.C. 8259b).

☐ (43) (i) 52.223-16, Acquisition of EPEAT®-Registered Personal Computer Products (Oct 2015) (E.O.s 13423 and 13514).

☐ (ii) Alternate I (Jun 2014) of 52.223-16.

☒ (44) 52.223-18, Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving (Jun 2020) (E.O. 13513).

☐ (45) 52.223-20, Aerosols (Jun 2016) (E.O. 13693).

☐ (46) 52.223-21, Foams (Jun 2016) (E.O. 13693).

☐ (47) (i) 52.224-3 Privacy Training (Jan 2017) (5 U.S.C. 552 a).

☐ (ii) Alternate I (Jan 2017) of 52.224-3.

☐ (48) 52.225-1, Buy American-Supplies (Jan 2021) (41 U.S.C. chapter 83).

☐ (49) (i) 52.225-3, Buy American-Free Trade Agreements-Israeli Trade Act (Jan 2021) (DEVIATION JUL 2020) (41 U.S.C. chapter 83, 19 U.S.C. 3301 note, 19 U.S.C. 2112 note, 19 U.S.C. 3805 note, 19 U.S.C. 4001 note, 19 U.S.C. chapter 29 (sections 4501-4732), Pub. L. 103-182, 108-77, 108-78, 108- 286, 108-302, 109-53, 109-169, 109-283, 110-138, 112-41, 112-42, and 112-43.

__ (ii) Alternate I (May 2014) of 52.225-3.

☐ (iii) (ii) Alternate II (May 2014) (DEVIATION JUL 2020) of 52.225-3.

☐ (iv) (iii) Alternate III (May 2014) of 52.225-3.

☐ (50) 52.225-5, Trade Agreements (Oct 2019) (DEVIATION JUL 2020) (19 U.S.C. 2501, et seq., 19 U.S.C. 3301 note).

☐ (51) 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (FEB 2021) (E.O.’s, proclamations, and statutes administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury).

☐ (52) 52.225-26, Contractors Performing Private Security Functions Outside the United States (Oct 2016) (Section 862, as amended, of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008; 10 U.S.C. 2302 Note).

☐ (53) 52.226-4, Notice of Disaster or Emergency Area Set-Aside (Nov 2007) (42 U.S.C. 5150).

☐ (54) 52.226-5, Restrictions on Subcontracting Outside Disaster or Emergency Area (Nov 2007) (42 U.S.C. 5150).

☐ (55) 52.229-12, Tax on Certain Foreign Procurements (FEB 2021).

☐ (56) 52.232-29, Terms for Financing of Purchases of Commercial Items (Feb 2002) (41 U.S.C.4505, 10 U.S.C.2307(f)).

☐ (57) 52.232-30, Installment Payments for Commercial Items (Jan 2017) (41 U.S.C.4505, 10 U.S.C.2307(f)).

☒ (58) 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-System for Award Management (Oct 2018) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

☐ (59) 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-Other than System for Award Management (Jul 2013) (31 U.S.C.3332).

☐ (60) 52.232-36, Payment by Third Party (May 2014) (31 U.S.C.3332).

☐ (61) 52.239-1, Privacy or Security Safeguards (Aug 1996) (5 U.S.C. 552a).

☐ (62) 52.242-5, Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (Jan 2017) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(13)).

☐ (63) (i) 52.247-64, Preference for Privately Owned U.S.-Flag Commercial Vessels…