USDA-VT-4-08_rfq.pdf

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

SOLICITATION NUMBER: USDA-VT-4-08

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY SERVICES

For Rock River Watershed, Franklin County, Vermont

Quotation Due Date: May 15, 2008

NOTICE TO OFFEROR

Any proposal submitted for this RFP must be identified with the following information labeled on the outside of the mailing package:

SOL.NO: USDA-VT-4-08

DUE DATE: 15-MAY-2008, 4:30 PM

RECEIVING OFFICE: CONTRACTING

Mail To: AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY FIELD OFFICE

CONTRACTING OFFICER

2222 WEST 2300 SOUTH

SALT LAKE CITY UTAH 84119-2020

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

FARM SERVICE AGENCY

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY FIELD OFFICE

NOTICE TO PROSPECTIVE OFFERORS :

OFFERORS ARE CAUTIONED TO NOTE THE FOLLOWING SPECIAL CONTRACT

REQUIREMENTS:

The following information must be submitted with any price quotation: Aircraft and camera(s) proposed for use, incomplete contracts, technical capability statement, and past performance.

See Section A (Page 3).

This solicitation requires film based acquisition, digital scanning and orthorectification services.

This RFQ is subject to the Availability of Funds Clause (FAR 52.232-18) See Section B-5.9, Page 10.

This solicitation is totally set-aside for small business concerns. See FAR Clause 52.219-06, Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (July 1996).

The complete text of any or all clauses referenced herein may be obtained by submitting a request, identifying this solicitation number, to the Contracting Officer, USDA, FSA, Aerial Photography Field Office, 2222 West 2300 South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84119-2020. Complete copies of the FAR in loose-leaf or CFR form may be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington D.C. 20402.

REQUEST FOR QUOTATION

(THIS IS NOT AN ORDER)

THIS RFQ IS IS NOT A SMALL BUSINESS SET-ASIDE

PAGE OF PAGES

1. REQUEST NO. 2. DATE ISSUED 3. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQUEST NO. 4. CERT. FOR NAT. DEF.

UNDER BDSA REG. 2

AND/OR DMS REG. 1

RATING

5a. ISSUED BY 6. DELIVER BY (Date)

5b. FOR INFORMATION CALL (NO COLLECT CALLS)

NAME TELEPHONE NUMBER

AREA CODE NUMBER

8. TO:

b. COMPANYa. NAME

c. STREET ADDRESS

d. CITY e. STATE f. ZIP CODE

9. DESTINATION

a. NAME OF CONSIGNEE

b. STREET ADDRESS

c. CITY

d. STATE e. ZIP CODE

7. DELIVERY

FOB DESTINATION

OTHER

(See Schedule)

10. PLEASE FURNISH QUOTATIONS TO THE

ISSUING OFICE IN BLOCK 5a ON OR

BEFORE CLOSE OF BUSINESS (Date)

IMPORTANT: This is a request for information, and quotations furnished are not officers. If you are unable to quote, please so indicate on this form and return it to the address in Block 5a. This request does not commit the Government to pay any costs incurred in the preparation of the submission of this quotation or to contract for supplies or service. Supplies are of domestic origin unless otherwise indicated by quoter. Any representations and/or certifications attached to this Request for Quotation must be completed by the quoter.

11. SCHEDULE (Include applicable Federal, State and local taxes)

ITEM NO.

(a)

SUPPLIES/ SERVICES

(b)

QUANTITY

(c)

UNIT

(d)

UNIT PRICE

(e)

AMOUNT

(f)

12. DISCOUNT FOR PROMPT PAYMENT

a. 10 CALENDAR DAYS

b. 20 CALENDAR DAYS

c. 30 CALENDAR DAYS (%) d. CALENDAR DAYS

NUMBER PERCENTAGE

NOTE: Additional provisions and representations are are not attached.

13. NAME AND ADDRESS OF QUOTER

a. NAME OF QUOTER

b. STREET ADDRESS

c. COUNTY

d. CITY e. STATE f. ZIP CODE

14. SIGNATURE OF PERSON AUTHORIZED TO

SIGN QUOTATION

15. DATE OF QUOTATION

16. SIGNER

a. NAME (Type or print)

c. TITLE (Type or print)

b. TELEPHONE

AREA CODE

NUMBER

STANDARD FORM 18 (REV. 6-95)

Prescribed by GSA-FAR (48 CFR) 53.215-1(a)

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

Previous edition not usable

FormFlow/Delrina Inc.

USDA- VT- 4-08 2

NOTE: THIS SECTION MUST ACCOMPANY ANY QUOTATION SUBMITTED.

SECTION A

REQUIRED STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

A-1 AIRCRAFT TO BE USED IN COMPLETION OF ITEM(S) IN THIS CONTRACT:

Make/Model Registration

Number Operating

Ceiling Offeror Owned

(check appropriate block)

[ ] Yes [ ] No

*If the aircraft is/are not offeror owned, a written statement of availability from the owner of the aircraft must be enclosed. See Section C-2.

A-2 CAMERA(S) TO BE USED IN COMPLETION OF ITEM(S) IN THIS CONTRACT

Make/Model

Lens Number

Magazine Number

Offeror Owned (check appropriate box)

Current calibration report(s) must be enclosed or on file at the Aerial Photography Field Office.

*If the camera(s) is/are not offeror owned, a written statement of availability from the owner(s) of the camera(s) must be enclosed. See Section C-2.

A-3 INCOMPLETE CONTRACTS AS OF DATE OF OFFER:

Remaining Linear Miles

Summer

Winter

U.S. Government Contracts:

All Other Contracts:

A-4 TECHNICAL CAPABILITY STATEMENT

A brief statement regarding the offeror’s technical capability to successfully perform this contract must be submitted with offer.

A-5 PAST PERFORMANCE REFERENCES

If no previous contracts have been held by the offeror with the USDA Aerial Photography Field Office, list at least two (2) references, with which the offeror has held similar contracts. If possible, one reference should be within the Federal government. List company or agency name, address, name of person to contact, and telephone number.

USDA- VT- 4-08 3

SECTION B

PROJECT SERVICES AND REQUIREMENTS

Furnish aerial photographic services and related supplies in accordance with the requirements, specifications, terms, conditions specified herein.

B-1: GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

1.1 Materials To Be Delivered

Original Color Positive Film (cut and sleeved) Pre-Production Sample (Section C-8.1(g))** Uncompressed Digital Orthoimagery Tiles in GeoTIF format* Compressed Digital Orthoimagery Tiles in MrSID* Compressed Project Mosiac (CPM) in MrSID compressed format* (only required for Project Item 1, Paragraph B-2) Photo Center Data File** Metadata Files*

* delivered on external hard drive ** delivered on CD-ROM or DVD

1.2 Delivery Schedule

(a) Original Materials – Delivery Schedule: Film, photo-center file, compressed and uncompressed orthos with metadata files and digital compressed project mosaic are due thirty (30) calendar days after the photographic season end date or any authorized extension thereof.

(b) Corrected Materials – Delivery Schedule: Remake materials shall be shipped as soon as possible after correction is made but no later than 30 days after receipt in the Contractor’s facility of the materials or data required to make the corrections. Only material specifically requested by USDA to be corrected shall be submitted for inspection. Signed delivery receipts will be required to verify date of receipt of such data or materials by the Contractor.

1.3 Intended Use of Product

The primary purpose of this aerial photography is for photo interpretation and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) measurements in support of multiple resource management and inventory activities.

1.4 Project Requirements

(a) Nominal Photographic Scale:

(1) 1:7,920 (See Section B-2)

(2) 1:6,000 (See Section B-3)

(3) 1:4,000 (See Section B-4)

USDA- VT- 4-08 4

(b) Approximate Photographic Period: July 15, 2008 through September 1, 2008.

(c) Minimum Sun Angle: 45 Degrees

(d) Overlap:

(1) Endlap: Optimum 20%, Minimum 12%, Maximum 30%

(2) Sidelap: Optimum 22 %, Minimum 12%, Maximum 30%

(e) Aerial Camera: Lens Focal Length of 6 inch (153mm) and Antivignetting Filter. See Section C-2.1.

(f) Aerial Film: Color Positive Aerial Film. (Brand Names: Kodak Aerochrome III MS

Film 2427, Agfa Aviphot Chrome 200 PEI, or equivalent). See Section C-5.

(g) Film Titling: Every exposure shall be titled in accordance with the format and instructions specified herein and in Section C-6, of the contract. Automatic electronic titling may be permitted upon Contracting Officer’s approval.

(1) Agency Designator: VT-ANR

(2) Project Identification Code: RRWS

(h) Digital Photo-Center Data File: A digital photo-center data file is required and will be prepared by the Contractor in accordance with specifications herein. See Section C-9 for description and instructions.

(i) Government Furnished Materials:

(1) Flight Plan Data:

(i) Exposure Stations: CSV text file of the photo centers to be acquired;

(ii) Project Shapefile: ESRI compatible shapefile of project area; and

(iii) Season Sun Angle Charts

(2) Baseline Orthophoto Control Imagery

(3) Metadata Template: Two (2) ASCII text files will be provided to be used as templates when creating the metadata for the tiles and the CPM. See Section C-

8.2 and 8.3.

(j) Project Map: See Exhibit 1.

1.5 Photographic Operations

(a) Air Space Clearance: These Project Item areas may contain areas of controlled or restricted airspace. It is the responsibility of the Contractor to obtain all approvals necessary to assure that specified altitudes are achieved.

(b) Terrain Conditions: Ground cover is a mix of forest and cropland. Photography must be acquired when neither snow nor flooding obscures the ground. See Section C-4.

USDA- VT- 4-08 5

(c ) Progress Reports: Progress Report is required for each day progress is made in acquiring project photography and shall be transmitted by e-mail following each day of progress. An e-mail address will be provided to the contractor at contract award. See Exhibit 2 for data syntax and format.

1.6 Image Quality

Any imagery submitted to the Government that does not meet the minimum quality requirements may be subject to a price reduction based on the potential diminished use of the product.

B-2: PROJECT ITEM 1: Rock River Watershed, Franklin County, Vermont, Flight Lines 1-11

LINE ITEM IMAGE TILES

1:7,920 Scale 71

2.1 Project Flight Plan Description

(a) Photographic Scale: The project flight plan has been designated to achieve a nominal photographic scale of 1:7,920, with allowable deviations from nominal scale due to terrain changes may range between scales of 1:7,200 to 1:8,500.

(b) Flight Altitudes: The Nominal Flying Height is: 1,207 meters (3,960 feet) above mean ground elevation. Highest Altitude Specified is: 1,372 meters (4,500 feet) above mean sea level.

(c) Flight Lines:

Number of Flight Lines: 11 lines (Flight Lines 1 thru 11, Project Map, Exhibit 1) Number of Datum Breaks: 0 breaks Total Number of Line Segments: 11 segments Direction: North-South In-Line Exposure Spacing: 1,448 meters (4,752 feet) at nominal flying height.

Flight Line Spacing: 1,408 meters (4,618 feet), at 40 degrees 45 minutes north latitude

(1.0 minutes longitude).

2.2 Digital Orthorectification Requirement

Contractor shall provide rectification services to produce digital orthophoto imagery to achieve a 12 inch ground sample distance (GSD). See Section C-8.

USDA- VT- 4-08 6

B-3 PROJECT ITEM 2: Rock River Watershed, Franklin County, Vermont, Flight Line 12

1:6,000 Scale 9

3.1 Project Flight Plan Description

(a) Photographic Scale: The project flight plan has been designated to achieve a nominal photographic scale of 1:6,000. Deviations from nominal scale due to terrain changes may range between scales of 1:5,600 to 1:6,200.

(b) Flight Altitudes: The Nominal Flying Height is: 914 meters (3,000 feet) above mean ground elevation. Highest Altitude Specified is: 975 meters (3,200 feet) above mean

Number of Flight Lines: 1 lines (Flight Line 12, see Project Map Exhibit 1)

Total Number of Line Segments: 1 segments Direction: North-South In-Line Exposure Spacing: 1,097 meters (3,600 feet) at nominal flying height.

Flight Line Spacing: 1,408 meters (4,618 feet), at 40 degrees 45 minutes north latitude (1.0 minutes longitude).

3.2 Digital Orthorectification Requirement

Contractor shall provide rectification services to produce digital orthophoto imagery to achieve a 9 inch ground sample distance (GSD). See Section C-8.

B-4: PROJECT ITEM 3: Rock River Watershed, Franklin County, Vermont, Flight Line 13

1:4,000 Scale 14

USDA- VT- 4-08 7

4.1 Project Flight Plan Description

(a) Photographic Scale: The project flight plan has been designated to achieve a nominal photographic scale of 1:4,000. Deviations from nominal scale due to terrain changes may range between scales of 1:3,600 to 1:4,200.

(b) Flight Altitudes: The Nominal Flying Height is: 610 meters (2,000 feet) above mean ground elevation. Highest Altitude Specified is: 671 meters (2,200 feet) above mean

Number of Flight Lines: 1 lines (Flight Line 13, see Project Map, Exhibit 1)

Total Number of Line Segments: 1 segments Direction: North-South In-Line Exposure Spacing: 732 meters (2,400 feet) at nominal flying height.

Flight Line Spacing: 1,408 meters (4,618 feet), at 40 degrees 45 minutes north latitude (1.0 minutes longitude).

4.2 Digital Orthorectification Requirement

Contractor shall provide rectification services to produce digital orthophoto imagery to achieve a 6 inch ground sample distance (GSD). See Section C-8.

B-5 ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS

5.1 Evaluation of Offers

(a) Offers shall be evaluated according to the following criteria including all supporting information furnished by the offeror with their quotation. The following evaluation criteria are listed in descending order of importance.

1. Price: Completed SF-18. In the event of a mathematical error, the unit price takes precedence over the extended price.

2. Technical Capability: Completed Section A and brief statements describing the planned technical approach to job, project scheduling and site basing of aircraft, camera and crew availability, company’s quality control system, personnel qualifications, and incomplete contracts.

3. Past Performance: Past performance record of similar projects or references.

Technical capability and past performance, when combined, are more important when compared to price.

(b) The Government reserves the right to make an award to other than the lowest priced offeror, or other than the highest technically rated offeror, when the perceived benefits and tradeoffs provide the Government the greatest value.

USDA- VT- 4-08 8

(c) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to that responsive and responsible offeror whose offer represents the greatest value and is determined to be in the best interest and the most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered.

5.2 Contract Extensions

(a) Photographic Season Extension

The Government reserves the right to extend the photographic season of this contract beyond the approximate photographic period indicated in Section B-1.4(b). A lower minimum sun angle requirement may be necessary to allow the season extension. The Government may extend the season of this contract, at no increase in price, by written notice to the contractor at any time prior to the end of the photographic season.

(b) Extension of the Term of the Contract

IT IS THE EXPRESSED INTENT OF THE GOVERNMENT TO HAVE ALL

PHOTOGRAPHY REQUIRED UNDER THIS CONTRACT COMPLETED WITHIN

THE PHOTOGRAPHIC PERIOD SPECIFIED.

The Government reserves the right to extend the term of the contract if all photography under the contract has not been secured within the photographic period, through no fault of the Contractor. The Government may extend the term of this contract, at no increase in price, by written notice to the Contractor within six (6) months after the photographic season has ended. The Contracting Officer may exercise this option twice.

5.3 Ownership of Photographic Materials

All original photographic materials shall become the property of the Government upon formal acceptance. No reproductions shall be made prior to inspection by the Government unless specified in the contract or authorized by the Contracting Officer.

5.4 Aircraft Regulations and Certifications

All aircraft used in the performance of the work under this contract shall be maintained and operated in accordance with all regulations required by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Aircraft operated in the acquisition of aerial photography under this contract shall be FAA certified to the highest flying altitude specified in the solicitation.

5.5 Wage Determination

The Wage Determination applicable to any contract resulting from this solicitation is determined by the location of the Contractor’s establishment. Wage Determination Number 1995-0222, Revision 23, Dated February 6, 2008, will be applicable for contractors nationwide. (See Exhibit 3)

USDA- VT- 4-08 9

5.6 Industry Small Business Standard

The small business industry size standard for the type of services covered by this procurement, under NAICS code 541922, is the average annual receipts of the concern and its affiliates for the preceding three (3) years not in excess of $6.5 million.

5.7 Invoices

Contractor invoices shall be submitted in an original and two copies to the Contracting Officer designated in this contract or on the delivery order to receive invoices. To constitute a proper invoice, the invoice must include the following information and/or attached documentation:

(a) Name of the business concern and invoice date.

(b) Contract number, or other authorization for delivery of property or services.

(c) Description, price, and quantity of services actually delivered or rendered.

(d) Shipping and payment terms.

(e) Name (where practicable), title, phone number, and complete mailing address of responsible official to whom payment is to be sent.

Notice of an apparent error, defect, or impropriety in an invoice will be given to the Contractor within 7 days of receipt of an invoice and suitably documented.

5.8 Non-Discrimination Statement

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its program and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of Discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call (800) 795- 3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

5.9 Availability of Funds (FAR 52.232-18, APR 1984)

Funds are not presently available for this contract. The Government’s obligation under this contract is contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds from which payment for contract purposes can be made. No legal liability on the part of the Government for any payment may arise until funds are made available to the Contracting Officer for this contract and until the Contractor receives notice of such availability, to be confirmed in writing by the Contracting Officer.

USDA- VT- 4-08 10

SECTION C

DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/WORK STATEMENT

C-1 SCOPE OF CONTRACT

The general scope of this contract is to procure precise vertical aerial photography for one or more of the following purposes; natural resource inventory, stereomodel compilation, analytical aerotriangulation, orthophotography, and extraction of data by means of photogrammetric measurements. See Section B for the specific intended use of photography and project requirements.

1.1 Introduction

The Contractor is responsible for furnishing aerial photographic services and related supplies and materials in accordance with requirements, specifications, terms and conditions specified herein.

(a) Technical Requirements and Specifications: The technical requirements and specifications of this contract are described in Section C which define the essential elements in securing high quality aerial photography. Any deviation from the specifications stated herein may cause increased time and effort in using the photography as intended.

(b) Delivery and Performance: All contract materials shall be shipped within the time limits and to the place of delivery specified on the resulting delivery/purchase order.

Performance of the contract shall be authorized and monitored by the Contracting Officer and/or the Contracting Officer’s Representative.

(c) Quality Control: Quality control shall be exercised by the Contractor continuously throughout the performance of the contract. Procedures shall be established to assure that all aerial photographic materials are delivered in accordance with the delivery schedule and at the required level of accuracy and quality. The Contractor shall acquire immediate reflights of any photography where coverage or film quality fails to meet minimum requirements of the contract specifications.

(d) Contract Material Inspection: All materials specified in Section B-1.1 will be inspected to determine conformance to all contract requirements and specifications. Inspections shall be performed at the APFO facility in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Government will make every effort to inspect all material specified within 30 calendar days after all materials are received at the APFO facility. Should the inspection procedure be delayed longer than 30 days, the Contractor will be notified on the reason(s) for delay and given the estimated completion date. Contract materials will be inspected in the order of their receipt, unless otherwise prioritized by the Government.

(1) Marginal Deficiences: If the inspection of materials reveal marginal deficiencies, a review by the user agency may be performed to determine if deficiencies may cause increased time and effort in using the photography as intended.

USDA- VT- 4-08 11

(2) Nonconformance with Contract Requirements: If any of the services do not conform with the 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 re-performance, the Government may:

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

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

1.2 Labor and Materials

The Contractor shall furnish all materials, equipment, transportation, superintendence, and labor as required herein. The Contractor shall execute and finish the aerial photographic services for the project specified and shall deliver to the USDA all materials called for in Section B-1.1, Materials to be Delivered.

1.3 References

The following documents referenced in this solicitation document are considered requirements and specifications under the resulting contract(s), as applicable to the Contractor’s technical proposal:

(a) Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) Specification, FGDC-STD-001-1998

(“Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata”)

(b) Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) Title 14 (“Federal Aviation Regulations")

(c) GeoTIFF Revision 1.0 Specification, dated December 28, 2000 (Version 1.8.2)

(d) TIFF Specification Revision 6 dated June 3, 1992 (Adobe Systems Inc.)

C-2 EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS

Any equipment (aircraft and cameras, in addition to those submitted at the time of offer) proposed to be used by the Contractor must be approved for use by the Contracting Officer. If the aircraft and camera proposed for use are not owned by the Contractor, a written statement of availability from the owner of the equipment shall be furnished to the Contracting Officer.

2.1 Aerial Camera and Filter

(a) Tested and calibrated precision aerial cameras for taking aerial photographs are required and must meet USDA Aerial Camera Specifications (see Section C-3 and Attachment

A). Camera systems must be compatible with precision stereoscopic mapping instruments and with analytical mensuration procedures used in photogrammetric surveys and in preparing accurate topographic maps.

(b) Only camera systems which meet the requirements of these specifications, as determined by a current USGS “Report of Calibration” test report, shall be used. Focal length and filter are specified in Section B. A camera system “Report of Calibration”

USDA- VT- 4-08 12

will not be acceptable if more than three (3) years old at the scheduled date for receipt of offers. See Attachment A, Revision 8/10/99, for USDA Aerial Camera Specifications.

(c) Proposed camera systems will be evaluated to determine if they meet the contract specifications, based on a current USGS camera calibration test report. The Contracting

Officer shall have the right to require the removal of a camera from use when deficiencies in photographic imagery attributable to the camera are found to exist. Any camera removed from use by the Contracting Officer shall not be returned to use on USDA projects until the cause of the malfunction is corrected to the satisfaction of USDA. That determination will be based on acceptable samples and/or an additional test by the Optical Science Laboratory of the USGS, if directed by the Contracting Officer.

(d) Camera Accessories

(e) Automatic Exposure Control: An automatic exposure control device is permitted, but a manual override capability is required for some types of terrain to achieve proper exposure.

(ii) Data Strip/Data Chamber: Aerial camera is required to be able to produce a Data strip contains both date and time on each exposure captured.

(iii) Camera Mount: The camera mount shall be regularly serviced and maintained and shall be insulated against aircraft vibration.

(e) Camera Operation: The camera and its mount shall be checked for proper installation prior to each mission. Particular attention shall be given to electrical circuits which control fiducial and camera data box lights and to the vacuum supply. In conformance with conventional photogrammetric practice, it is the preference of the Government that the Contractor use camera configurations, that when installed in the aircraft, advance film parallel to the line of flight.

2.2 Aircraft

(a) All aircraft used in the performance of the work under this contract shall be maintained and operated in accordance with all regulations required by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Aircraft operated in the acquisition of aerial photography under this contract shall be FAA certified to a service ceiling with operating load (crew, camera, film, oxygen, and other required equipment) of not less than the highest altitude specified in Section C-4.

(b) When the flight plan and location of any item in the proposed coverage fall within positive-control airspace, the aircraft must contain the appropriate equipment to operate in such positive-control areas within the purview of the Federal Aviation Regulations.

(c) The design of the aircraft shall be such that when the camera is mounted with all its parts within the outer structure, an unobstructed field of view is obtained. The field of view shall be shielded from the exhaust gases, oil, effluence, and air turbulence. Glass, plastic, or other window material shall not be interposed between the camera and the ground to be photographed unless authorized by the Contracting Officer.

USDA- VT- 4-08 13

2.3 Laboratory

The Contractor’s laboratory shall be adequately equipped and staffed to facilitate the production of the specified photographic materials and other required products, or the Contractor shall have access to such facilities.

C-3 FLIGHT PLAN REQUIREMENTS

3.1 Project Area(s) to be Photographed

The boundaries and exact coverage of any specified area(s) described in Section B are determined by the Official Flight Plan Data. For a general representation of project area(s) coverage and flight plan see Exhibit 1, Project Map.

3.2 Flight Plan Data

The Contractor will be furnished the Official Flight Data Plan as indicated in Section B. The Official Flight Plan Data will determine project location, flight direction, datum breaks, and the flight altitude of each line above mean sea level. The Contractor will be furnished the latitude and longitude coordinates, expressed in degrees, minutes, seconds, and decimal seconds, of all beginning and ending terminal points of project flight lines. Data shall be in ASCII text format and may be provided on computer diskette or electronically.

C-4 ACQUISITION REQUIREMENTS

4.1 Photographic Conditions

Photography shall be undertaken when skies are clear, free from smoke, clouds, cloud shadows, excessive haze, and well-defined images can be resolved. The ground shall be free from snow below timberline, standing water (other than natural or man-made ponds and lakes), flood waters from streams which have overflowed their banks, and wet ground which obscures field, soil or crop lines.

4.2 Photographic Periods

Photography shall be undertaken only during that portion of the day when the sun angle exceeds the minimum specified in Section B. Photographic operations shall be limited to the dates specified in Section B or as otherwise authorized in writing by the Contracting Officer.

4.3 Coverage Requirements

Physical coverage of successive and adjacent overlaps of photographs shall be obtained by the Contractor as indicated in Section B.

USDA- VT- 4-08 14

(a) Project Area Coverage: Complete physical photographic coverage of the project area shall be obtained by the Contractor. The image shall be acquired directly over the specified latitude/longitude coordinate of the exposure station centroid.

(b) Flight Breaks: Uninterrupted physical coverage is required at all flight breaks.

(c) Reflight Photography: Reflights for aerial photography shall be centered over the plotted flight line and shall meet the horizontal deviation in paragraph (e).

(d) Deviation From Specified Flight Altitudes: Deviation from specified flight altitudes shall not exceed 2% low or 3% high of the flight height above mean ground elevation.

See the table below.

Deviation from Specified Flight Altitudes Scale 2% Low 3% High

1:4,000 12 m (40 feet) 18 m (60 feet) 1:6,000 18 m (60 feet) 27 m (90 feet) 1:7,920 24 m (79 feet) 36 m (119 feet)

(e) Horizontal Deviation: Deviation from the plotted position of the flight line shall not exceed values in the tables below. Deviation may cause rejection of any or all of the flight line.

Scale Horizontal Deviation from Specified Flight Lines (6%)

1:4,000 55m (180 feet) 1:6,000 82 m (270 feet) 1:7,920 109 m (356 feet)

(f) Overlap: Endlap (overlap in the line of flight) and sidelap (overlap between adjacent flights) shall be expressed in percentages of total print area stated in Section B.

Percentages shall specify minimum, optimum, and maximum values for this spacing.

(g) Crab: Any series of two or more photographs crabbed in excess of five degrees (5°) as measured between photographs in line and between adjoining lines may cause rejection of any or all of that particular flight line.

(h) Tilt: Exposure made with optical axis of the camera in a vertical position is desired.

Tilt (departure from the vertical of any exposure exceeding four degrees (4°) or relative tilt between any two successive exposures exceeding six degrees (6°) may be cause for rejection of any or all of the flight line.

4.4 Priorities for Photographing Project Areas

The Contracting Officer may direct by written order certain projects or areas listed under an item to be photographed in a priority order, weather and ground conditions permitting. All

USDA- VT- 4-08 15

reasonable effort will be directed toward providing a schedule of operations favorable to both the Government and Contractor.

C-5 AERIAL FILM

All aerial film used on all project items shall be purchased by the Contractor from a single manufacturer and from the same emulsion batch. Extreme care shall be exercised to insure proper exposure and processing of film to minimize vignetting due to differential exposure. This differential shall not exceed that which would result from a basic ¼ stop difference in exposure. All pertinent exposure information shall be supplied to the processing laboratory. The film shall be processed as soon as possible after exposure to avoid undesirable changes in the latent image.

5.1 Salient Film Characteristics

Only unexpired, medium or fine grained, unexpired, polyester base film of the type specified in Section B-1.4(e) shall be used. The film base shall have a nominal thickness of 4 mils and be 24.1cm (9.5 inches) wide.

5.2 Film Densities – Natural Color Positive Films

The natural color positive film will have a diffuse rms granularity value of 13 or lower (read at a net green diffuse density of 1.0 with a 48-micron aperture). Color emulsions shall be balanced for daylight exposure and the spectral sensitivity will cover the entire visible spectrum to 700 nanometers or greater.

5.3 Image Quality

All film shall be properly exposed and processed according to the manufacturers’s specifications. Modified or non-standard processing is not permitted on this contract without prior approval from the Contracting Officer. The film shall be processed in continuous roller transport processor to achieve consistent and uniform development throughout the roll.

The color film positives shall be such quality to produce sharp, natural color images that provide maximum image detail. All film imagery shall be inspected and evaluated according to the established industry standards for general film quality and property exposure and processing of film.

5.4 Processing

All aerial film shall be processed under controlled sensitometric conditions, to achieve consistent and even development. Processing development gamma shall not vary more than

0.10 density units throughout the roll. All film shall be processed according to manufacturer’s instructions. Prior to processing, a 21-step sensitometric wedge (in 0.15 density increments) shall be exposed on one end of each roll of film.

USDA- VT- 4-08 16

5.5 Storage and Handling

(a) Aerial Film: Storage, exposure, and handling of all photographic materials shall be in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendation. The film shall not be rolled tightly on spools or in any way stretched, buckled, distorted, or exposed to excessive heat.

(1) Color film shall be kept refrigerated in a waterproof container until one day before being exposed and returned to cold storage after exposure until processed.

(2) Cold storage temperature shall not be higher than 4° Celsius (40° Fahrenheit).

The film shall be processed as quickly as possible after exposure.

(b) Transparency Containers: Transparencies shall be cut and sleeved, in accordance with paragraph C-5.8, and placed shipped in sturdy container to prevent damage.

5.6 Dimensional Stability

The dimensional change in any direction across a 23cm (9 inch) distance shall not exceed 0.13mm (-0.005 inch) at 18-24° Celsius (65-75° Fahrenheit) and 45-55% relative humidity.

5.7 Physical Quality

All aerial film shall be free from chemicals, stains, tears, scratches, abrasions, water marks, finger marks, lint, dirt, and other physical defects. The imagery shall be clear and sharp in detail and uniform in density. It shall be free from light streaks, static marks, and other defects that would interfere with the intended purpose.

All film shall be thoroughly fixed and washed to insure freedom from chemicals and shall be of archival quality. Film or prints found to contain an excess of residual chemicals, by testing in accordance with manufacturer’s procedures, may be rejected or returned to the Contractor for refixing and rewashing.

5.8 Film Sleeves

Every film transparency shall be protected and submitted in clear, sturdy archival quality polypropylene film sleeves so that the data strip is fully visible and unimpaired on each cut exposure and in accordance with the following requirements:

(a) Aerial film sleeve nominal dimensions: 25.4 cm (10 inches) by 24.1 cm (9.5 inches);

long side open; 3.0 mil thickness.

(b) Brand names for aerial sleeve: Picture Pocket® Corporation, FilmGuard Corporation, or equivalent.

(c) Film sleeves must have a fold-over lip seal located on the short side (9.5”) of the sleeve.

(d) Original aerial film and film sleeves shall be free of any marks or labels which would obstruct any part of the film transparency.

USDA- VT- 4-08 17

C-6 TITLING OF AERIAL FILM

6.1 Required Titling

Each exposure shall be clearly titled in accordance with the following format example sketch and required project data:

+ MM-DD-YY 12:00 VT-ANR + 08 RRWS 1-25 +

Date: Month-Day-Year in standard numeric notation (MM-DD-YY).

Time: The local standard time of exposure shall be titled only on the first and last used Exposure in each strip and at each break in flight line, including breaks due to reflights.

Agency Designator: Government agency acronym as specified: VT-ANR.

Scale: Nominal photographic scale represented by two digits to nearest thousand. (8 = 1:7,920)

Code: Project identification code as specified: RRWS.

Flight Line/Exposure Number: Flight Line Number combined with the exposure station number. (Flight Line 1: 1-1, 1-2 . . .13-94)

6.2 Type and Size of Characters and Application

The characters used in titling shall be standard block lettering 6.35mm (1/4 inch) high. They shall be sharp, legible, and uniformly applied with non-flaking black ink. The titling shall be placed on the non-emulsion side of the film and may be applied by use of an ink drawing pen or stamp. No smears or transfer of marking ink to other parts of the film roll will be permitted.

Heat transfer lettering devices may only be used if prior consent is obtained from the ontracting Officer.

6.3 Location of Titling Characters

Identifying data shall be placed in line along the most northerly edge of the image. Titling shall be positioned so that the characters are 2.5mm (1/10 inch) from the image edge and no closer than 2.5mm (1/10 inch) from the corner fiducials.

6.4 Automatic Titling Option

The Government may approve the use of automatic labeling/titling systems as a replacement of the standard ink titling. Contractors are required to submit color positive film samples of “auto-labeling” with similar data indicated above including any additional data such as symbol indicating north and latitude and longitude coordinates. The Contracting Officer shall evaluate the proposed titling and notify the contractor of decision to accept or reject.

USDA- VT- 4-08 18

C-7 FILM SCANNING REQUIREMENTS

The scans shall be clear and sharp in detail with uniform density, and free from dirt and other defects in the digital imagery in accordance with the following requirements:

7.1 Minimum Scanning Resolution

The contractor shall scan the film at a resolution such that the imagery does not need to be upsampled to create the final product.

7.2 Histogram.

The histogram of scanned images shall represent all the pixels with the digital image without clipping highlight or shadow detail from the image.

7.3 Bit Depth

Imagery shall be scanned and saved at the maximum bit depth allowed by the scanner in order to ensure that information is not lost in the tonal and color balance steps due to quantization.

C-8 DIGITAL IMAGERY

8.1 Uncompressed Digital Orthoimagery Tiles

The Contractor shall provide color digital orthorectified imagery at the Ground Sample Distance specified in Sections B-2, B-3, and B-4. The ortho tile shall cover the entire usable exposure area, and shall not include any non-imagery artifacts, such as fiducials and data strips.

(a) Image Quality: All tiles shall have proper histograms and tone balance. Color imagery shall also have proper color balance and saturation.

(i) Clipping: The tiles shall have a tonal range that prevents the clipping of highlight or shadow detail from the image. When calculated against the luminosity histogram, the cumulative pixel count between the first and last five histogram bin values (5 and 250 respectively for 8-bit depth) shall not be less than 98%, with a preferred value greater than 99%.

(ii) Contrast: When calculated against the luminosity histogram, the difference between the histogram bin value that contains 99% of the cumulative pixel count and the value that contains 1.0% shall be greater than 140 but less than 160 (aim point of 150). If the cumulative pixel count percentage falls between two histogram bin values, the closest value shall be used. For example, if the luminosity value 222 contains 99% of the cumulative pixel count and value 44 contains 1% count, then the difference is 178.

(iii) Histogram Peak: All tiles shall have a pixel count peak within ±15% of the middle digital value allowed for the bit depth. For example, an 8-bit depth image must have the histogram peak between 108 and 148.

USDA- VT- 4-08 19

(iv) Color Balance: All tiles should have a neutral tonal range without the dominance of any individual color. The difference between the minimum and maximum value in a RBG triplet of any nearly neutral objects within the image shall be less than 5.

(b) Coordinate System and Projection: Full resolution tiles shall be projected in NAD

1983 State Plane Vermont (meters).

(c) Horizontal Accuracy: All tiles shall have 95% of all well defined points tested fall within 5 meters (16.4 feet) of the same location identified on government furnished baseline orthophoto control imagery.

(d) File Format: All tiles shall be uncompressed, georeferenced tagged image file format

(GeoTIFF) saved in accordance with the Baseline TIFF 6.0 file format as defined in the TIFF 6.0 and GeoTIFF Specifications. All baseline TIFF 6.0 files shall store data as uncompressed RGB full-color images as defined in the specification using the “little-endian” byte order and shall only contain one image file directory (IFD). All TIFF files submitted shall be readable by older applications that assume TIFF 5.0 or an earlier version of the specification. TIFFs that use designated "Extended TIFF 6.0 file" features shall not be acceptable. Features designated as "not recommended for general data interchange" are considered extensions to the Baseline TIFF 6.0 specification, and will not be acceptable. This includes TIFFs that use one of the major new extensions such as "tiled images". In the TIFF 6.0 specification, the term "tag" refers only to the identifying number, the term "field" refers to the entire field, including the value. Tags that are defined by the TIFF specification are called public tags and shall not be modified outside of the parameters given in the latest TIFF specification. Tags numbered 32768 or higher, sometimes called private tags, are reserved and shall not be acceptable. Enumeration constants numbered 32768 or higher are reserved and will not be acceptable. Do not choose your own tag numbers, use only those specified in the Baseline TIFF 6.0 Specification for RGB full-color. Tags numbered in the "reusable" 65000-65535 range will not be acceptable. Tile shall be delivered on an external hard drive. See Section C-8.4(a).

(e) Tile Naming Convention: The naming convention shall use the following template:

<n>_<r>_<fffeee>_<yyyymmdd>.tif. Where n is the film type, (use “n” for natural color), r is the resolution (in centimeters), f is the flight line number, s is the station number and yyyyymmdd is the acquisition date.

Example: n_30_002010_20080615.tif

(f) FGDC Compliant Metadata: The Contractor shall create a FGDC compliant, per the

FGDC-STD-001-1998 specification, metadata file using the Government provided template for each tile generated. The metadata must parse cleanly through the USGS metadata parser “mp” version 2.8.10 without any errors. The metadata file shall have the same file name as the tile but with a “.met” extension.

(g) Preproduction Sample: The Contractor shall submit a single radiometric corrected image within 21 days of the first image acquisition for Government review. The sample shall be a TIFF (Geo TIFF preferred) and submitted on a standard CD or DVD (labeling requirements in Section 8.4 not required). The Government will evaluate and provide approval or disapproval letter with comments no later than 3 business days with a goal of 24 hours.

USDA- VT- 4-08 20

8.2 Compressed Digital Orthoimagery Tiles

The Contractor shall deliver a complete duplicate set of digital orthoimagery tiles according to the requirements specified in Section C-8.1, but in LizardTech MrSID compressed file format.

(a) LizardTech's MrSID® Compression. The tiles shall be compressed and saved in

LizardTech's MrSID® Generation Three (MG3) format. When encoding the CPM, the following settings shall be applied: compression block size of 64; both the transparency and background values set to an RGB value of 0,0,0 (black); and use the “maximum zoom level” applicable to the input image, for example: checking the “Use Maximum Zoom Levels for Image” button in the encoding options menu. Compression ratio shall be 15:1. All standard MrSID® MG3 files generated by the LizardTech software (i.e., .sid, .sdw, and .txt) shall be included. MrSID Log File. The Contractor shall provide the “text” file created when generating the tile. The file shall use the same naming convention as the tile but with a “.txt” extension.

(b) Naming Convention: Contractor shall use the same naming convention as in Section C-

8.1(e), except with the file extension “sid”.

Example: n_30_002010_20080615.sid

(c) FGDC Compliant Metadata: The Contractor is not required to duplicate or create a new version of the metadata required in Section C-8.1(f).

8.3 Compressed Project Mosaic

The Contractor shall produce a compressed project mosaic (CPM) file using the 30cm orthorectified photos created in Section C-8.1, Uncompressed Digital Orthoimagery Tiles.

(a) Image Quality. The Contractor shall tone balance the composite tiles to give the CPM a consistent and uniform image quality appearance that eliminates a checkerboard effect.

The resulting CPM should maintain as much of the original color and appearance of the color corrected tiles as practical.

(b) Coordinate System and Projection: The CPM shall be projected in NAD 1983 State

Plane Vermont (meters).

(c) Horizontal Accuracy. The CPM must meet the accuracy requirement specified in

Section C-8.1(c).

(d) File Format. The CPM shall be compressed using LizardTech MrSID compression file format specified in Section C-8.2(a).

(e) Tile Naming Convention: The naming convention shall use the following template:

<p>_<n>_<r>_<yyyy>_<v>.sid. Where p is the project identification code, n is the film type, (use “n” for natural color), r is the resolution (in centimeters), yyyy is the project year, and v is the version number.

Example: rwws_n_30_2008_1.sid

USDA- VT- 4-08 21

(f) FGDC Metadata Compliant Metatdata: The Contractor shall create a FGDC compliant, per the FGDC-STD-001-1998 specification, metadata file using the Government provided template for each tile generated. The metadata must parse cleanly through the USGS metadata parser “mp” version 2.8.10 without any errors. The metadata file shall have the same file name as the tile but with a “.met” extension.

(g) Auxiliary File: The Contractor shall provide an ESRI Projection compatible “aux” file for each orthophoto. The file shall use the same naming convention as the CPM but with an “.aux” extension.

8.4 Media Requirements

(a) External Hard Drives: The delivery media for the image and metadata files shall be external combo USB2.0/IEEE1394 (Firewire) hard drives. All external hard drives shall be “Combo” style drives, capable of both USB2.0 and IEEE-1394 (Firewire) connections. The drives shall be formatted using Microsoft’s NTFS file system. The drives shall become property of the Government and will not be returned to the Contractor. Each drive shall have a label attached directly to the drive identifying the project contained on the drive in accordance with Exhibit 4, Figure 4(b), External Hard Drive Label.

(b) Compact Disks (CD-ROMs): All compact disks (CDs) shall be delivered on archival media, 700 Megabytes (80-minute) per disk CD-R, ISO 9660 Mode 1 format using level 2 interchange. The contractor must insure that each and every copy session has been properly closed. No multi-session enabled CDs shall be acceptable. The CD media shall have a label attached identifying the digital contents of the CD in accordance with Exhibit 4, Figure 4(a), C-ROM or DVD Label. (thermal printed CD are acceptable). All CD media shall be packaged in standard single CD jewel cases (5- 5/8” x 4-15/16” x 3/8”) with a clear front cover. The CD label should be readable without opening the case or removing the CD from the case. “Slim” or other non-standard sized jewel cases will not be accepted.

(c) Digital Versatile Disks (DVDs): Digital Versatile Disk. All digital versatile disks

(DVDs) shall be delivered on archival media, single-sided, 4.7 Gigabyte (120-minutes) DVD-R discs. Other DVD formats, such as DVD-R(A), DVD-RW, DVD+R, or DVD+RW, will not be accepted. DVDs shall meet all other requirements, except for the media type, as specified for CDs (see paragraph above).

C-9 DIGITAL PHOTO-CENTER DATA FILE

9.1 Photo-Center Data File Description

Contractor shall prepare a digital photo-center data file for all aerial photography acquired under this solicitation. The file shall be provided in ASCII comma delimited text format. A comma delimited header line shall precede the data in each file as shown in the example below.

The latitude/longitude coordinates shall be expressed in decimal degrees with five (5) decimal places of precision (44.71936, -116.41498), formatted to NAD83 datum, and be accurate within 30 meters (100 feet) of the true photo center location. Longitude must be expressed as negative

USDA- VT- 4-08 22

space for western hemisphere. Higher accuracies obtain through use of GPS technology are desirable but not required. The photo-center data shall include the following attributes:

DESCRIPTION MAXIMUM NUMBER OF

CHARACTERS IN FIELD

Project Identification Code 7 Flight Line Number 3* Station/Exposure Number 3 Date of Exposure (YYYYMMDD) 8 Camera Lens Serial Number 10 Calibrated Focal Length in millimeters (mm) 7 Latitude Coordinate (DD.DDDDD) 8 Longitude Coordinate (-DD.DDDDD) 10 Flight Altitude in meters at camera (MMMMM.MM;MSL) 8

*Flight line number should be padded with leading zeros as necessary.

Example:

code,flight,exp,date,lens,cfl,lat,long,alt

RWWS,001,1,20080820,12345678,153.002,44.71936,-116.41498,1048.63

RW…