RFQ_Combined _Synopsis_solicitation_12FPC323Q0017.pdf

12FPC323Q0017

COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION

FOR

NATIONAL RESOURCES INVENTORY

FEDERAL AND NON-FEDERAL ON-SITE GRAZING LAND DATA COLLECTION

USDA-NRCS COLORADO

PLEASE READ THIS NOTICE CAREFULLY AS IT CONSTITUTES THE ONLY NOTICE THAT WILL BE ISSUED

i. This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation;

QUOTES ARE BEING REQUESTED AND A WRITTEN SOLICITATION WILL NOT BE ISSUED.

ii. The solicitation number 12FPC323Q0017 is being issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ). The acquisition procedures at FAR Parts 12 & 13 are being utilized. This requirement will be issued as a Firm-Fixed Price contract with a base period (FY23 measuring season) and two option periods (FY24 and FY25 measuring seasons). The Government anticipates the award of one firm fixed priced contract resulting from this solicitation. Award will be made to the responsible quoter whose quote responds to the terms of this RFQ and is the best value for the Government.

iii. This RFQ documents and incorporates provisions and clauses that are in effect through Federal

Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2023-03 effective May 26, 2023.

iv. This solicitation is being conducted as a 100% small business set aside. The North American Classification System Code (NAICS) is 541620 – Environmental Consulting Services; the size standard is $16.5 million. For more information on size standards visit http://www.sba.gov/size.

Active SAM registration is required in order to be awarded this contract and must remain active throughout the period of performance.

iv. Contract Line Item Numbers (CLINS): See Attachment 2, Quote Sheet.

vi. Description of Services: The Contractor shall furnish the necessary personnel, supplies, materials, and incidentals necessary to provide Natural Resource Inventory services in accordance with the statement of work and current wage determinations hereby made a part of in this solicitation.

vii. Date(s) and Place(s) of Delivery and Acceptance:

The performance period for this award is estimated to be June 16, 2023 – October 18, 2023, with two (2) option year periods. Place of performance will be within the state of Colorado (statewide), according to the attached statement of work.

viii. The provision at 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors Commercial, applies to this acquisition and a tailored version is included here:

http://www.sba.gov/size

52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO QUOTERS-COMMERCIAL ITEMS (MARCH 2023)

(a) North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code and small business size standard.

The NAICS code(s) and small business size standard(s) for this acquisition appear elsewhere in the solicitation. However, the small business size standard for a concern which submits a quote in its own name, but which proposes to furnish an item which it did not itself manufacture, is 500 employees.

(b) Submission of quotes. Submit signed and dated quotes to the office specified in this solicitation at or before the exact time specified in this solicitation. Quotes may be submitted on letterhead stationery, or as otherwise specified in the solicitation. As a minimum, offers must show—

(1) The solicitation number;

(2) The time specified in the solicitation for receipt of quotes;

(3) The name, address, and telephone number of the quoter;

(4) A technical description of the items being quoted in sufficient detail to evaluate compliance with the requirements in the solicitation. This may include product literature, or other documents, if necessary;

(5) Terms of any express warranty;

(6) Price and any discount terms;

(7) "Remit to" address, if different than mailing address;

(8) A completed copy of the representations and certifications at FAR 52.212 3 (see FAR

52.212 3(b) for those representations and certifications that the quoter shall complete electronically);

(9) REMOVED;

(10) Past performance information, when included as an evaluation factor, to include recent and relevant contracts for the same or similar items and other references (including contract numbers, points of contact with telephone numbers and other relevant information); and

(11) REMOVED.

(c) REMOVED.

(d) Product samples. When required by the solicitation, product samples shall be submitted at or prior to the time specified for receipt of quotes. Unless otherwise specified in this solicitation, these samples shall be submitted at no expense to the Government, and returned at the sender’s request and expense, unless they are destroyed during pre award testing.

(e) REMOVED;

(f) Issuance of Purchase Order. Your quotation should contain your best technical and price terms.

The Contracting Officer may reject any or all quotes. The Contracting Officer may issue a purchase order to other than the quoter with the lowest priced quotation. After the evaluation of quotes, the Contracting Officer may negotiate final terms with one or more quoters of the Government’s choice before issuing any purchase order. The Contracting Officer will not negotiate with any quoters other than those of the Government’s choice and will not use the formal source selection procedures described in FAR Part 15.

(g) Contract award (not applicable to Invitation for Bids). The Government intends to evaluate quotes and award a contract without discussions with quoters. Therefore, the quoter’s initial quote should contain the quoter’s best terms from a price and technical standpoint. The Government may reject any or all quotes if such action is in the public interest as well as accept other than the lowest offer.

(h) REMOVED;

(i) REMOVED;

(j) Unique entity identifier.(Applies to all offers that exceed the micro purchase threshold, and offers at or below the micro purchase threshold if the solicitation requires the Contractor to be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM).) The Offeror shall enter, in the block with its name and address on the cover page of its offer, the annotation "Unique Entity Identifier" followed by the unique entity identifier that identifies the Offeror's name and address. The Offeror also shall enter its Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) indicator, if applicable.

The EFT indicator is a four character suffix to the unique entity identifier. The suffix is assigned at the discretion of the Offeror to establish additional SAM records for identifying alternative EFT accounts (see FAR subpart 32.11) for the same entity. If the Offeror does not have a unique entity identifier, it should contact the entity designated at www.sam.gov for unique entity identifier establishment directly to obtain one. The Offeror should indicate that it is an offeror for a Government contract when contacting the entity designated at www.sam.gov for establishing the unique entity identifier.

(End of provision)

ix. FAR provision 52.212-2, Evaluation-Commercial Items applies to this solicitation.

52.212-2 EVALUATION—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES (NOV 2021)

(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:

• Personnel Qualifications/Technical Capability

• Compliance/ Capacity, Management Capability, Previous Experience and Past Performance

• Price

The Evaluation factors are listed in order of importance. Technical and past performance, when combined, are significantly more important than price. Pricing that is unrealistically low may be considered an indication that the offeror does not possess adequate understanding of the requirement or the requisite technical capability to successfully perform the work. The overall evaluation criteria of the Contractor’s technical and business proposals are provided below.

The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers:

FACTOR 1 – Personnel Qualifications/Technical Capability Instructions to Quoter – The quoter shall identify the key personnel to be utilized in completing the grazing land data collection, and how they meet the education and experience qualifications outlined above. Include resumes of the Team Leader(s), and Crew members/recorders. Each resume should address name, responsibilities, special qualifications, education, and certification licenses. The quoter shall also explain the makeup of each team and their approach to successfully accomplish the work required by this solicitation. Identify personnel that will serve as the Team Leader(s), and Crew members/Recorder(s).

Evaluation Criteria - To be considered qualified technically the Quoter must demonstrate a clear understanding of all requirements and demonstrate that as a contractor they have technical expertise in grazing land (rangeland and pastureland) plant identification, grazing land inventory methods, site potential ratings, and describing soil properties and features. The personnel qualifications and technical capability will be evaluated to determine whether the Quoter http://www.sam.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/ possesses the key qualified personnel with the education and experience to provide the technical services required by this solicitation as outlined above. Quoter will receive the highest ranking for related grazing land experience gained from working in Colorado. Quoter with related grazing/pastureland experience gained from working in Wyoming, Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota, Colorado, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Oregon, Arizona, Nevada and/or Washington will also receive a higher ranking than those with no experience working in these states.

Education courses such as but not limited to the following will be used in the evaluation:

FACTOR 2 – Compliance/ Capacity, Management Capability, Previous Experience and Past Performance Instructions to Quoter: The quoter shall submit a well-defined approach to successfully accomplish the work described in the statement of work. The quoter shall include descrip�ons of similar project experience in Colorado and/or surrounding states in the past 5 years. The quoter shall describe how they currently have the capacity and how they plan to meet produc�on deadlines and schedules of the contract. The quoter shall also include a descrip�on of their quality assurance and quality control procedures. A descrip�on should be provided that demonstrates the quoter’s understanding of the site access logis�cs in Colorado, data collec�on protocol, and equipment required to collect data and meet produc�on goals. Addi�onally, the quoter shall describe and support, with examples, the quality and �meliness of performance under previous contracts. Include a minimum of 3 references with the following informa�on: (a) Company/Government Name, (b) complete address, (c) point of contact, (d) telephone/fax number, (e) contract number, (f) contract type, (g) contract amount at award, (h) contract amount at comple�on, (i) brief descrip�on of work provided. The Government will conduct a past performance confidence assessment to assess the offeror’s poten�al for successful performance of the requirements.

Evaluation Criteria: Quoters will be evaluated on the ability to comply with the terms and condi�ons of the contract, experience in conduc�ng na�onal resources inventory data collec�ons in Colorado, the complexity of experience, and ability to meet data collec�on schedules and deadlines rela�ve to produc�on quan�ty. The quoter will also be evaluated on their ability to provide quality data through effec�ve quality assurance and quality control protocols. Areas of considera�on include: having qualified personnel with previous experience working as a team on similar projects, managerial exper�se required to meet the contract requirements, a demonstrated understanding of access logis�cs in Colorado, understanding of the data collec�on protocols, and vehicles and other necessary equipment. The quoter will also be evaluated on past performance and the quoter’s demonstrated commitment to customer sa�sfac�on and �mely delivery of quality services at fair and reasonable prices. The Government may 1) assess feedback from the three references provided, 2) u�lize past performance data from the Past Performance Informa�on Retrieval System (PPIRS), Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Informa�on

Range Science Range Management Soil Science Range Plants Range Ecology Soil Morphology Range Inventories Plant Taxonomy Soil Classification and Studies Plant Ecology Soil Genesis Plant Physiology Animal Nutrition Pedology Ranch/Rangeland Earth Science Biology Plant Science Forestry Soil Fertility Crop Science Soil Physics Soil Chemistry

System, and/or 3) u�lize any other sources to obtain contractor past performance informa�on.

Recent and relevant past performance will have a greater impact on the Government’s evalua�on than less recent or relevant performance. Lack of recent or relevant past performance will result in neither a favorable or unfavorable ra�ng, but a strong record of recent or relevant past performance will be considered more advantageous to the Government.

FACTOR 3: Price Instructions to Quoter: Quoter should complete prices on Attachment 1, Quote Sheet.

Evaluation Criteria: To evaluate quotes for award purposes, the Government will apply the quoted fixed prices/rates to the estimated quantities included in the solicitation. These prices will be evaluated to determine reasonableness of the price. A comparison of the quoted prices, government estimate, and/or market values will be used. Quoters are put on notice that any quotes that are unrealistic in terms of technical commitment or unrealistically low in price will be deemed reflective of an inherent lack of technical competence or indicative of failure to comprehend the complexity of contract requirements and may be grounds for rejection of the quote.

(b) Options. The Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. The Government may determine that an offer is unacceptable if the option prices are significantly unbalanced. Evaluation of options shall not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s).

(c) 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.

The Government intends to make award based on the initial proposal submissions without exchanges or negotiations with offerors. Therefore, offerors are advised to submit initial proposals that are fully and clearly acceptable without additional information. However, the Government reserves the right to hold exchanges or to negotiate with one, some, or all offerors if it is determined to be in the best interest of the Government.

x. Quoters are required to complete the provision at 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and

Certifications - Commercial Products and Commercial Services. This must be completed at SAM.gov and the registration in an “active” status and be designated as a small business.

xi. The clause at 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition and addenda not attached.

xii. The clause at 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders— Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Mar 2023), applies to this acquisition and the following additional FAR clauses cited in the clause are applicable to this acquisition.

(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 products and commercial services:

(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 (Nov 2021) (Section 1634 of Pub. L. 115-91).

(3) 52.204-25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment. (Nov 2021) (Section 889(a)(1)(A) of Pub. L. 115-232).

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

(5) 52.232-40, Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (Mar 2023) (31 U.S.C. 3903 and 10 U.S.C. 3801).

(6) 52.233-3, Protest After Award (Aug 1996) (31 U.S.C. 3553).

(7) 52.233-4, Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (Oct 2004) (Public Laws

108-77 and 108-78 (19 U.S.C. 3805 note)).

(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 products and commercial services:

_X_ (1) 52.203-6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (Jun 2020), with Alternate I (Nov 2021) (41 U.S.C. 4704 and 10 U.S.C. 4655).

__ (2) 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (Nov 2021) (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.)

_X_ (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).

_X_ (8) 52.209-6, Protecting the Government’s Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment. (Nov 2021) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

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

__ (10) [Reserved].

__ (11) 52.219-3, Notice of HUBZone Set-Aside or Sole-Source Award (Oct 2022) (15 U.S.C. 657a).

__ (12) 52.219-4, Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small Business Concerns (Oct 2022) (if the offeror elects to waive the preference, it shall so indicate in its offer) (15 U.S.C. 657a).

__ (13) [Reserved] _X_ (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.

_X_ (16) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (Oct 2022) (15 U.S.C.

637(d)(2) and (3)).

__ (17) (i) 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan (Oct 2022) (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 (Sep 2021) 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.

_X_ (19) 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting (Oct 2022) (15 U.S.C. 637s).

__ (20) 52.219-16, Liquidated Damages—Subcontracting Plan (Sep 2021) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(4)(F)(i)).

__ (21) 52.219-27, Notice of Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set- Aside (Oct 2022) (15 U.S.C. 657f).

_X_ (22) (i) 52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Rerepresentation (Mat 2023)(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 (Oct 2022) (15 U.S.C.

637(m)).

__ (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 (Oct 2022) (15 U.S.C. 637(m)).

__ (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 (Sep 2021) (15U.S.C. 637(a)(17)).

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

__ (28) 52.222-19, Child Labor-Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies (Dec 2022) (E.O.13126).

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

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

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

_X_ (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.

_X_ (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.

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

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

_X_ (35) (i) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (Nov 2021) (22 U.S.C.

chapter 78 and E.O. 13627).

__ (ii) Alternate I (Mar 2015) of 52.222-50 (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O.

13627).

_X_ (36) 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification (May 2022) (Executive Order 12989). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items or certain other types of commercial products or commercial services as prescribed in FAR 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 (Jun2014) 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.

_X_ (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 (Jun2016) (E.O. 13693).

_X_ (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) (i) 52.225-1, Buy American-Supplies (Oct 2022) (41 U.S.C. chapter 83).

__ (ii) Alternate I (Oct 2022) of 52.225-1.

__ (49) (i) 52.225-3, Buy American-Free Trade Agreements-Israeli Trade Act (Dec 2022) (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), Public Law 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 [Reserved].

__ (iii) Alternate II (Dec 2022) of 52.225-3.

__ (iv) Alternate III (Jan 2021) of 52.225-3.

__ (v) Alternate IV (Oct 2022) of 52.225-3.

__ (50) 52.225-5, Trade Agreements (Dec 2022) (19 U.S.C. 2501, et seq., 19 U.S.C.

3301 note).

_X_ (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. Subtitle A, Part V, Subpart G 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 (Nov2007) (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 Products and Commercial Services (Nov 2021) (41 U.S.C. 4505, 10 U.S.C. 3805).

__ (57) 52.232-30, Installment Payments for Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov 2021) (41 U.S.C. 4505, 10 U.S.C. 3805).

_X_ (58) 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-System for Award Management (Oct2018) (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 (Nov 2021) (46 U.S.C. 55305 and 10 U.S.C. 2631).

__ (ii) Alternate I (Apr 2003) of 52.247-64.

__ (iii) Alternate II (Nov 2021) of 52.247-64.

(c) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (c), applicable to commercial services, 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 products and commercial services:

_X_ (1) 52.222-41, Service Contract Labor Standards (Aug 2018) (41 U.S.C.

chapter67).

_X_ (2) 52.222-42, Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires (May 2014) (29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

This Statement is for Information Only: It is not a Wage Determination.

Employee Class Monetary Wage-Fringe Benefits 01420 Survey Worker $22.75 99660 Surveying Aide $16.61

29090 Environmental Technician $28.18 _X_ (3) 52.222-43, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Labor Standards- Price Adjustment (Multiple Year and Option Contracts) (Aug 2018) (29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

__ (4) 52.222-44, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Labor Standards- Price Adjustment (May 2014) ( 29U.S.C.206 and 41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

__ (5) 52.222-51, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment-Requirements (May 2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

__ (6) 52.222-53, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Certain Services-Requirements (May 2014) (41 U.S.C.

chapter 67).

_X_ (7) 52.222-55, Minimum Wages for Contractor Workers Under Executive Order 14026 (Jan 2022).

_X_ (8) 52.222-62, Paid Sick Leave Under Executive Order 13706 (Jan 2022) (E.O.

13706).

__ (9) 52.226-6, Promoting Excess Food Donation to Nonprofit Organizations (Jun 2020) (42 U.S.C. 1792).

(d) Comptroller General Examination of Record. The Contractor shall comply with the provisions of this paragraph (d) if this contract was awarded using other than sealed bid, is in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold, as defined in FAR 2.101, on the date of award of this contract, and does not contain the clause at 52.215-2, Audit and Records-Negotiation.

(1) The Comptroller General of the United States, or an authorized representative of the Comptroller General, shall have access to and right to examine any of the Contractor’s directly pertinent records involving transactions related to this contract.

(2) The Contractor shall make available at its offices at all reasonable times the records, materials, and other evidence for examination, audit, or reproduction, until 3 years after final payment under this contract or for any shorter period specified in FAR subpart 4.7, Contractor Records Retention, of the other clauses of this contract.

If this contract is completely or partially terminated, the records relating to the work terminated shall be made available for 3 years after any resulting final termination settlement. Records relating to appeals under the disputes clause or to litigation or the settlement of claims arising under or relating to this contract shall be made available until such appeals, litigation, or claims are finally resolved.

(3) As used in this clause, records include books, documents, accounting procedures and practices, and other data, regardless of type and regardless of form. This does not require the Contractor to create or maintain any record that the Contractor does not maintain in the ordinary course of business or pursuant to a provision of law.

(e)

(1) Notwithstanding the requirements of the clauses in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and

(d) of this clause, the Contractor is not required to flow down any FAR clause, other than those in this paragraph (e)(1), in a subcontract for commercial products or commercial services. Unless otherwise indicated below, the extent of the flow down shall be as required by the clause-

(i) 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (Nov 2021) (41 U.S.C. 3509).

(ii) 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)).

(iii) 52.204-23, Prohibition on Contracting for Hardware, Software, and Services Developed or Provided by Kaspersky Lab and Other Covered Entities (Nov 2021) (Section 1634 of Pub. L. 115-91).

(iv) 52.204-25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment. (Nov 2021) (Section 889(a)(1)(A) of Pub. L. 115-232).

(v) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (Oct 2022) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3)), in all subcontracts that offer further subcontracting opportunities. If the subcontract (except subcontracts to small business concerns) exceeds the applicable threshold specified in FAR 19.702(a) on the date of subcontract award, the subcontractor must include 52.219-8 in lower tier subcontracts that offer subcontracting opportunities.

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

(vii) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Sep 2015) (E.O.11246).

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

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

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

(xi) 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (Dec 2010) (E.O. 13496). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (f) of FAR clause 52.222-40.

(xii) 52.222-41, Service Contract Labor Standards (Aug 2018) (41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

(xiii)

(A) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (Nov 2021) (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O 13627).

(B) Alternate I (Mar 2015) of 52.222-50 (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O. 13627).

(xiv) 52.222-51, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment-Requirements (May 2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

(xv) 52.222-53, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Certain Services-Requirements (May 2014) (41 U.S.C.

chapter 67).

(xvi) 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification (May 2022) (E.O. 12989).

(xvii) 52.222-55, Minimum Wages for Contractor Workers Under Executive Order 14026 (Jan 2022).

(xviii) 52.222-62, Paid Sick Leave Under Executive Order 13706 (Jan 2022) (E.O.

13706).

(xix) (A) 52.224-3, Privacy Training (Jan 2017) (5 U.S.C. 552a).

(B) Alternate I (Jan 2017) of 52.224-3.

(xx) 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. Subtitle A, Part V, Subpart G Note).

(xxi) 52.226-6, Promoting Excess Food Donation to Nonprofit Organizations (Jun 2020) (42 U.S.C. 1792). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (e) of FAR clause 52.226-6.

(xxii) 52.232-40, Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (Mar 2023) (31 U.S.C. 3903 and 10 U.S.C. 3801). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (c) of 52.232-40.

(xxiii) 52.247-64, Preference for Privately Owned U.S.-Flag Commercial Vessels (Nov 2021) (46 U.S.C. 55305 and 10 U.S.C. 2631). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (d) of FAR clause 52.247-64.

(2) While not required, the Contractor may include in its subcontracts for commercial products and commercial services a minimal number of additional clauses necessary to satisfy its contractual obligations.

(End of clause)

xiii. Additional contract requirement(s) or terms and conditions determined by the Contracting Officer to be necessary for this acquisition and consistent with customary commercial practices:

52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available.

Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this address: www.acquisition.gov

52.245-1 Government Property 52.245-9 Use and Charges

The following clauses are incorporated by Full Text

52.204-21 Basic Safeguarding of Covered Contractor Information Systems. (Nov 2021)

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause— Covered contractor information system means an information system that is owned or operated by a contractor that processes, stores, or transmits Federal contract information .

Federal contract information means information , not intended for public release, that is provided by or generated for the Government under a contract to develop or deliver a product or service to the Government, but not including information provided by the Government to the public (such as on public websites) or simple transactional information , such as necessary to process payments.

Information means any communication or representation of knowledge such as facts, data , or opinions, in any medium or form, including textual, numerical, graphic, cartographic, narrative, or audiovisual (Committee on National Security Systems Instruction (CNSSI) 4009).

Information system means a discrete set of information resources organized for the collection, processing, maintenance, use, sharing, dissemination, or disposition of information ( 44 U.S.C. 3502).

Safeguarding means measures or controls that are prescribed to protect information systems .

http://www.acquisition.gov/ http://uscode.house.gov/browse.xhtml;jsessionid=114A3287C7B3359E597506A31FC855B3 http://uscode.house.gov/browse.xhtml;jsessionid=114A3287C7B3359E597506A31FC855B3 http://uscode.house.gov/browse.xhtml;jsessionid=114A3287C7B3359E597506A31FC855B3 http://uscode.house.gov/browse.xhtml;jsessionid=114A3287C7B3359E597506A31FC855B3

(b) Safeguarding requirements and procedures.

(1) The Contractor shall apply the following basic safeguarding requirements and procedures to protect covered contractor information systems . Requirements and procedures for basic safeguarding of covered contractor information systems shall include, at a minimum, the following security controls:

(i) Limit information system access to authorized users, processes acting on behalf of authorized users, or devices (including other information systems ).

(ii) Limit information system access to the types of transactions and functions that authorized users are permitted to execute.

(iii) Verify and control/limit connections to and use of external information systems .

(iv) Control information posted or processed on publicly accessible information systems .

(v) Identify information system users, processes acting on behalf of users, or devices.

(vi) Authenticate (or verify) the identities of those users, processes, or devices, as a prerequisite to allowing access to organizational information systems.

(vii) Sanitize or destroy information system media containing Federal Contract Information before disposal or release for reuse.

(viii) Limit physical access to organizational information systems , equipment , and the respective operating environments to authorized individuals .

(ix) Escort visitors and monitor visitor activity; maintain audit logs of physical access; and control and manage physical access devices.

(x) Monitor, control, and protect organizational communications (i.e., information transmitted or received by organizational information systems ) at the external boundaries and key internal boundaries of the information systems .

(xi) Implement subnetworks for publicly accessible system components that are physically or logically separated from internal networks.

(xii) Identify, report, and correct information and information system flaws in a timely manner.

(xiii) Provide protection from malicious code at appropriate locations within organizational information systems .

(xiv) Update malicious code protection mechanisms when new releases are available.

(xv) Perform periodic scans of the information system and real-time scans of files from external sources as files are downloaded, opened, or executed.

(2) Other requirements. This clause does not relieve the Contractor of any other specific safeguarding requirements specified by Federal agencies and departments relating to covered contractor information systems generally or other Federal safeguarding requirements for controlled unclassified information (CUI) as established by Executive Order 13556.

Subcontracts . The Contractor shall include the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (c), in subcontracts under this contract (including subcontracts for the acquisition of commercial products or commercial services , other than commercially available off-the-shelf items), in which the subcontractor may have Federal contract information residing in or transiting through its information system.

52.216-1 Type of Contract (Apr 1984) The Government contemplates award of one firm fixed-priced contract resulting from this solicitation.

52.217-5 Evaluation of Options (July 1990) Except when it is determined in accordance with FAR 17.206(b) not to be in the Government’s best interests, the Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. Evaluation of options will not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s).

(End of clause)

52.217-8 Option to Extend Services (Nov 1999) The Government may require continued performance of any services within the limits and at the rates specified in the contract. These rates may be adjusted only as a result of revisions to prevailing labor rates provided by the Secretary of Labor. The option provision may be exercised more than once, but the total extension of performance hereunder shall not exceed 6 months. The Contracting Officer may exercise the option by written notice to the Contractor within 60 calendar days.

(End of clause)

52.217-9 Option to Extend The Term Of The Contract (Mar 2000)

(a) The Government may extend the term of this contract by written notice to the Contractor within 30 calendar days; provided that the Government gives the Contractor a preliminary written notice of its intent to extend at least 60 calendar days before the contract expires.

The preliminary notice does not commit the Government to an extension.

(b) If the Government exercises this option, the extended contract shall be considered to include this option clause.

(c) The total duration of this contract, including the exercise of any options under this clause, shall not exceed 3 (years).

(End of clause)

52.232-70, Electronic Invoicing and Payment Requirements – Invoice Processing Platform

(IPP)

(a) Invoices must be submitted electronically through the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Invoice Processing Platform System (IPP). The Contractor must use the IPP website (https://www.ipp.gov) for submitting invoices. Invoices submitted by means other than IPP will not be accepted unless the Contracting Officer authorizes alternate procedures in writing.

52.233-2 Service of Protest (Sept 2006)

(a) Protests, as defined in section 33.101 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation, that are filed directly with an agency, and copies of any protests that are filed with the Government Accountability Office (GAO), shall be served on the Contracting Officer (addressed as follows) by obtaining written and dated acknowledgment of receipt from:

Ryan Lorimer, Contracting Officer Phone: 907 761 7744 Email: ryan.lorimer@usda.gov

(b) The copy of any protest shall be received in the office designated above within one day of filing a protest with the GAO.

(End of clause)

AGRICULTURE ACQUISITION REGULATION (AGAR) and FARM PRODUCTION AND CONSERVATION

ACQUISITION PROVISIONS AND CLAUSES

452.204-70 Inquiries (Feb 1988) mailto:ryan.lorimer@usda.gov

Inquiries and all correspondence concerning this solicitation should be submitted in writing to the Contracting Officer. Offerors should contact only the Contracting Officer issuing the solicitation about any aspect of this requirement prior to contract award.

(End of clause)

452.211-72 Statement of Work/Specifications (Feb 1988) The Contractor shall furnish the necessary personnel, material, equipment, services, and facilities (except as otherwise specified), to perform the Statement of Work/Specifications.

(End of clause)

452.211-73 Attachments to Statements Of Work/Specifications. (Feb 1988) The attachments to the Statement of Work/Specifications are hereby made part of this solicitation and any resultant contract.

(End of clause)

452.211-74 Period of Performance (Feb 1988) The estimated period of performance is June 12, 2023 – September 30, 2023 with two (2) option year periods.

(End of clause)

452.211-75 Effective Period Of The Contract. (Feb 1988) The effective period of this contract is from date of award through the base period ending 03/31/2024 and will include any subsequent option periods exercised beyond that date.

(End of clause)

452.224-70 Confidentiality Of Information (Feb 1988)

(a) Confidential information, as used in this clause, means - (1) Information or data of a personal nature, proprietary about an individual, or (2) information or data submitted by or pertaining to an organization.

(b) In addition to the types of confidential information described in (a)(1) and (2) above, information which might require special consideration with regard to the timing of its disclosure may derive from studies or research, during which public disclosure of primarily invalidated findings could create an erroneous conclusion which might threaten public health or safety if acted upon.

(c) The Contracting Officer and the Contractor may, by mutual consent, identify elsewhere in this contract specific information and/or categories of information which the Government will furnish to the Contractor or that the Contractor is expected to generate which is confidential.

Similarly, the contracting Officer and the Contractor may, by mutual consent, identify such confidential information from time to time during the performance of the contract. Failure to agree will be settled pursuant to the "Disputes" clause.

(d) If it is established that information to be utilized under this contract is subject to the Privacy

Act, the Contractor will follow the rules and procedures of disclosure set forth in the Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. 552a, and implementing regulations and policies, with respect to systems of records determined to be subject to the Privacy Act.

(e) Confidential information, as defined in (a)(1) and (2) above, shall not be disclosed without the prior written consent of the individual, institution, or organization.

(f) Written advance notice of at least 45 days will be provided to the Contracting Officer of the Contractor's intent to release findings of studies or research, which have the possibility of adverse effects on the public or the Federal agency, as described in (b) above. If the Contracting Officer does not pose any objections in writing within the 45-day period, the contractor may proceed with disclosure. Disagreements not resolved by the Contractor and Contracting Officer will be settled pursuant to the "Disputes" clause.

(g) Whenever the Contractor is uncertain with regard to the proper handling of material under the contract, or if the material in question is subject to the Privacy Act or is confidential information subject to the provisions of this clause, the Contractor shall obtain a written determination from the Contracting Officer prior to any release, disclosure, dissemination, or publication.

(h) The provisions of paragraph (e) of this clause shall not apply when the information is subject to conflicting or overlapping provisions in other Federal, State or local laws.

(i) Confidentiality Agreement: The NRI program is based upon scientific and rigorous sample survey and statistical protocols. These protocols include maintaining and protecting the integrity and confidentiality of data collection sites. USDA and NRCS policy states that: “The geographic locations of data collection sites used for USDA’s NRI are not public information and are to be used only for purposes of official NRI data collection activities or for such purposes approved by the Secretary.” All contract staff shall sign a Confidentiality Statement under United States Code (USC), Title 18, Section 1905; USC, Title7, Section 2276 and USC, Title 7, Section 2240 for non-disclosure of confidential information relative to data site locations and/or private/corporate non-use of composite data. The Confidentiality Statement shall be signed prior to starting data collection. The NRI data that identifies owners, operators, or data collection site locations are not to be released to the public.

(End of clause)

452.237-74 Key Personnel (Feb 1988)

(a) The Contractor shall assign to this contract the following key personnel:

Team Leader, Team Soil Scientist, and Data Collector (if Contractor is planning on hiring a Data Collector)

(b) During the contract performance, the Contractor shall make no substitutions of key personnel unless the substitution is necessitated by illness, death, or termination of employment. The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer within 15 calendar days after the occurrence of any of these events and provide the information required by paragraph (c) below. The Contractor shall submit the information required by paragraph (c) to the Contracting Officer at least 15 days prior to making any permanent substitutions.

(c) The Contractor shall provide a detailed explanation of the circumstances necessitating the proposed substitutions, complete resumes for the proposed substitutes, and any additional information requested by the Contracting Officer. Proposed substitutes should have comparable qualifications to those of the persons being replaced. The Contracting Officer will notify the Contractor within 15 calendar days after receipt of all required information of the decision on substitutions. The contract will be modified to reflect any approved changes of key personnel.

452.237-75 Restrictions against Disclosure (Feb 1988)

(a) The Contractor agrees, in the performance of this contract, to keep all information contained in source documents or other media furnished by the Government in the strictest confidence. The Contractor also agrees not to publish or otherwise divulge such information in whole or in part in any manner or form, or to authorize or permit others to do so, taking such reasonable measures as are necessary to restrict access to such information while in the Contractor's possession, to those employees needing such information to perform the work provided herein, i.e., on a "need to know" basis. The Contractor agrees to immediately notify in writing, the Contracting Officer, named herein, in the event that the Contractor determines or has reason to suspect a breach of this requirement.

(b) The Contractor agrees not to disclose any information concerning the work under this contract to any persons or individual unless prior written approval is obtained from the Contracting Officer. The Contractor agrees to insert the substance of this clause in any consultant agreement or subcontract hereunder.

(End of clause)

452.246-70 Inspection and Acceptance (Feb 1988) The Contracting Officer or the Contracting Officer's duly authorized representative will inspect and accept the supplies and/or services to be provided under this contract. Work that, in the opinion of the CO, does not meet data quality standards will be returned to the Contractor for correction.

Inconsistencies/edits may be reviewed, resolved and approved via communications.

Segment Quantities vary each year and are not known prior to January of each calendar year. The final quantity will be definitized after the exercise of the option period.

(End of clause)

Service Contract Labor Standards Wage Determinations

The following Department of Labor wage determinations are incorporated into…