S01 12FPC321Q0092 AZ Cultural Resources RFQ.pdf

12FPC321Q0092

COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICTITATION

For Cultural Resource Survey and Report Writing Services

USDA – NRCS Arizona

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 12FPC321Q0092 is being issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ). The acquisition procedures at FAR Parts 12 & 13 are being utilized. The Government anticipates the award of two (2) firm fixed priced Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity contracts 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) 2021-06 effective July 12, 2021.

iv. This solicitation is being conducted as a 100% small business set-aside. The North American Classification System Code (NAICS) is 541620; 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.

v. Contract Line Item Numbers (CLINS): See Attachment 2, Pricing Schedule

vi. Description of Services: The Contractor shall furnish the necessary personnel, supplies, materials, and incidentals necessary to provide cultural resource survey and report writing services in accordance with the performance work statement and wage determinations attached and 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 October 1, 2021 – September 30, 2026. Place of performance will be throughout the state of Arizona and occasionally within western New Mexico, according to the attached performance work statement.

viii. The provision at 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial, applies to this acquisition.

Offerors must read and follow the additional instructions contained within this solicitation to receive consideration.

http://www.sba.gov/size http://www.sba.gov/size

52.212-1 Instructions to Quoters-Commercial Items (Jul 2021)

(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;

https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_212_3 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_212_3

(i) Availability of requirements documents cited in the solicitation.

(1) (i) The GSA Index of Federal Specifications, Standards and Commercial Item Descriptions, FPMR Part 101-29, and copies of specifications, standards, and commercial item descriptions cited in this solicitation may be obtained for a fee by submitting a request to-

GSA Federal Supply Service Specifications Section Suite 8100 470 East L’Enfant Plaza, SW Washington, DC 20407 Telephone (202) 619-8925 Facsimile (202) 619-8978.

(ii) If the General Services Administration, Department of Agriculture, or Department of Veterans Affairs issued this solicitation, a single copy of specifications, standards, and commercial item descriptions cited in this solicitation may be obtained free of charge by submitting a request to the addressee in paragraph (i)(1)(i) of this provision. Additional copies will be issued for a fee.

(2) Most unclassified Defense specifications and standards may be downloaded from the following ASSIST websites:

(i) ASSIST ( https://assist.dla.mil/online/start/).

(ii) Quick Search ( http://quicksearch.dla.mil/).

(3) Documents not available from ASSIST may be ordered from the Department of Defense

Single Stock Point (DoDSSP) by-

(i) Using the ASSIST Shopping Wizard (https://assist.dla.mil/wizard/index.cfm);

(ii) Phoning the DoDSSP Customer Service Desk (215) 697-2179, Mon-Fri, 0730 to 1600 EST; or

(iii) Ordering from DoDSSP, Building 4, Section D, 700 Robbins Avenue, Philadelphia, PA

19111-5094, Telephone (215) 697-2667/2179, Facsimile (215) 697-1462.

(4) Nongovernment (voluntary) standards must be obtained from the organization responsible for their preparation, publication, or maintenance.

(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.

(k) [Reserved]

(l) REMOVED.

http://uscode.house.gov/browse.xhtml;jsessionid=114A3287C7B3359E597506A31FC855B3 http://uscode.house.gov/browse.xhtml;jsessionid=114A3287C7B3359E597506A31FC855B3 https://assist.dla.mil/wizard/index.cfm https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-32#FAR_Subpart_32_11 http://www.sam.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/

ix. 52.212-2, Evaluation - Commercial Items (Oct 2014) applies to this solicitation:

(a) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible quoter whose quote 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:

(i) Personnel Qualifications/Technical Capability: Technical capability includes key personnel, qualifications, experience, capacity, and strategy for executing the work.

(ii) Compliance/Capacity, Management Capability, Previous Experience and Past Performance

(iii) Price

(b) The Evaluation factors are listed in order of importance and all factors other than price when combined are significantly more important than price. The overall evaluation criteria are provided below.

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

The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers:

FACTOR 1 – Personnel Qualifications/Technical Capability

Instructions to Quoter – Quoters will illustrate that key project personnel, collectively, have the ability, through application of professional knowledge and experience, to interpret the local history and prehistory of project areas throughout Arizona. Submit resumes of all supervisory personnel and personnel who will be project leaders/crew chiefs for this contract. Offerors should demonstrate they have the personnel to satisfactorily complete the work. Include documentation that demonstrates that the Principal Investigator(s) is listed on the Arizona State Museum blanket permit and is thereby permitted to survey Arizona State Trust lands, is permitted to survey on Tribal lands in Arizona (if applicable), and meets the Secretary of Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Archaeology.

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 conducting cultural resources fieldwork following the Arizona State Museum survey requirements and in conducting cultural resources reporting following the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office survey report standards. The quoter shall also demonstrate that they have technical expertise in conducting cultural resources fieldwork on Tribal lands within Arizona. The quoter must demonstrate expertise in the local prehistory and history of project areas throughout Arizona. The quoter must provide a Principal Investigator that is listed as such in the current Arizona State Museum blanket permit, meets the Secretary of the Interior Standards for Archaeologists, and who have the necessary equipment and personnel to furnish service in the volume required under this Contract.

FACTOR 2 – Compliance/ Capacity, Management Capability, Previous Experience and Past Performance

Instructions to Quoter: The quoter shall submit a well-defined general plan of work to successfully accomplish, as a team, the work described in the performance work statement. The general plan of work shall include a strategy for managing all elements of the work, including an organizational outline; the relation of the contract to the overall company structure; and a strategy for adhering to project schedules.

The quoter shall include descriptions of similar project experience in Arizona in the past 3 years. This shall also include a sample of maps produced for similar projects.

The quoter shall describe how they currently have the capacity and how they plan to meet production deadlines and schedules of the contract.

The quoter shall also include a description of their quality assurance and quality control procedures. A description should be provided that demonstrates the quoter’s understanding of logistics for conducting cultural resources surveys on private land and state land, and field equipment required to collect cultural resource data and meet production goals.

Additionally, the quoter shall describe and support, with examples, the quality and timeliness of performance under previous contracts. Include a minimum of 3 references with the following information: (a) Company/Government Name, (b) complete address, (c) point of contact, (d) telephone/email address, (e) contract number, (f) contract type, (g) contract amount at award, (h) contract amount at completion, (i) brief description of work provided, (j) any special problems encountered and actions taken to adapt to customer’s needs.

Evaluation Criteria: Quoters will be evaluated on the ability to comply with the terms and conditions of the contract and experience in conducting cultural resource field investigations in Arizona, the complexity of experience, and experience in documenting findings in survey reports according to the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office guidelines. The quoter will also be evaluated in their ability to meet schedules and deadlines relative to production quantity, and they will be evaluated on their ability to provide quality data through effective quality assurance and quality control protocols.

Areas of consideration will include: having qualified personnel with previous experience working as a team on similar projects, managerial expertise required to meet the contract requirements, a demonstrated understanding of logistics for conducting cultural resources surveys on private, state, and tribal land, and necessary field equipment and vehicles. The quoter will also be evaluated on past performance and the quoter’s demonstrated commitment to customer satisfaction and timely delivery of quality services at fair and reasonable prices.

FACTOR 3 - Price

Instructions to Quoter: Quoter should complete Attachment 2, Pricing Schedule.

Evaluation Criteria: To evaluate quotes for award purposes, the Government will evaluate to determine reasonableness of the price. A comparison of the proposed 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 result in a non-responsive quote.

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

Certifications-Commercial Items. This must be completed at SAM.gov and the registration in an “active” status.

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

xii. The clause at 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition and the following additional FAR clauses cited in the clause are applicable to this acquisition:

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

52.203-6 Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (Jun2020) 52.204-10 Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (Jun 2020) 52.204-15 Service Contract Reporting Requirements for Indefinite-Delivery Contracts (Oct 2016) 52.209-6 Protecting the Government’s Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors

Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment (Jun 2020) 52.209-9 Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding Responsibility Matters (Oct 2018) 52.219-6 Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (Nov 2020) 52.219-8 Utilization of Small Business Concerns (Oct 2018) 52.219-9 Small Business Subcontracting Plan (Jun 2020) 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting (Mar 2020) 52.219-28 Post Award Small Business Program Rerepresentation (Nov 2020) 52.222-3 Convict Labor (June 2003) 52.222-21 Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (April 2015)

52.222-26 Equal Opportunity (Sept 2016) 52.222-35 Equal Opportunity for Veterans (Jun 2020) 52.222-36 Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (Jun 2020) 52.222-37 Employment Reports on Veterans (Jun 2020)

52.222.40 Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (Dec 2010) 52.222-50 Combatting Trafficking in Persons (Oct 2020) 52.223-18 Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving (Jun 2020) 52.225-13 Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (Feb 2021) 52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer – System for Award Management (Oct 2018) 52.239-1 Privacy or Security Safeguards (Aug 1996)

(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 the contract by reference to implement provisions of law or Executive Orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items:

52.222-41 Service Contract Labor Standards (Aug 2018) 52.222-42 Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires (May 2014) 52.222-43 Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Labor Standards-Price

Adjustment (Multiple Year and Option Contracts) (Aug 2018) 52.222-55 Minimum Wages Under Executive Order 13685 (Nov 2020) 52.222-62 Paid Sick Leave Under Executive Order 13706 (Jan 2017)

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:

52.204-21 Basic Safeguarding of Covered Contractor Information Systems. (Jun 2016)

(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.

(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.

(c) 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 items, 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 two (2) firm fixed priced Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity contracts resulting from this solicitation.

52.216-18 Ordering (Aug 2020)

(a) Any supplies and services to be furnished under this contract shall be ordered by issuance of delivery orders or task orders by the individuals or activities designated in the Schedule. Such orders may be issued from October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2026.

(b) All delivery orders or task orders are subject to the terms and conditions of this contract. In the event of conflict between a delivery order or task order and this contract, the contract shall control.

(c) A delivery order or task order is considered "issued" when—

(1) If sent by mail (includes transmittal by U.S. mail or private delivery service), the Government deposits the order in the mail;

(2) If sent by fax, the Government transmits the order to the Contractor's fax number; or

(3) If sent electronically, the Government either—

(i) Posts a copy of the delivery order or task order to a Government document access system, and notice is sent to the Contractor; or

(ii) Distributes the delivery order or task order via email to the Contractor's email address.

(d) Orders may be issued by methods other than those enumerated in this clause only if authorized in the contract.

52.216-19 Order Limitations (Oct 1995)

(a) Minimum order. When the Government requires supplies or services covered by this contract in an amount of less than $2,500.00, the Government is not obligated to purchase, nor is the Contractor obligated to furnish, those supplies or services under the contract.

(b) Maximum order. The Contractor is not obligated to honor-

(1) Any order for a single item in excess of $2,000,000.00;

(2) Any order for a combination of items in excess of $2,000,000.00; or

(3) A series of orders from the same ordering office within 60 days that together call for quantities exceeding the limitation in paragraph (b)(1) or (2) of this section.

(c) If this is a requirements contract (i.e., includes the Requirements clause at subsection 52.216-

21 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)), the Government is not required to order a part of any one requirement from the Contractor if that requirement exceeds the maximum-order limitations in paragraph (b) of this section.

(d) Notwithstanding paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, the Contractor shall honor any order exceeding the maximum order limitations in paragraph (b), unless that order (or orders) is returned to the ordering office within 30 days after issuance, with written notice stating the Contractor’s intent not to ship the item (or items) called for and the reasons. Upon receiving this notice, the Government may acquire the supplies or services from another source.

52.216-22 Indefinite Quantity (Oct 1995)

(a) This is an indefinite-quantity contract for the supplies or services specified, and effective for the period stated, in the Schedule. The quantities of supplies and services specified in the Schedule are estimates only and are not purchased by this contract.

(b) Delivery or performance shall be made only as authorized by orders issued in accordance with the Ordering clause. The Contractor shall furnish to the Government, when and if ordered, the supplies or services specified in the Schedule up to and including the quantity designated in the Schedule as the https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_216_21 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_216_21

"maximum." The Government shall order at least the quantity of supplies or services designated in the Schedule as the "minimum."

(c) Except for any limitations on quantities in the Order Limitations clause or in the Schedule, there is no limit on the number of orders that may be issued. The Government may issue orders requiring delivery to multiple destinations or performance at multiple locations.

(d) Any order issued during the effective period of this contract and not completed within that period shall be completed by the Contractor within the time specified in the order. The contract shall govern the Contractor’s and Government’s rights and obligations with respect to that order to the same extent as if the order were completed during the contract’s effective period; provided, that the Contractor shall not be required to make any deliveries under this contract after December 31, 2026.

52.216-27 Single or Multiple Awards (Oct 1995) The Government may elect to award a single delivery order contract or task order contract or to award multiple delivery order contracts or task order contracts for the same or similar supplies or services to two or more sources under this solicitation.

52.216-32 Task-Order and Delivery-Order Ombudsman (Sept 2019)

(a) In accordance with 41 U.S.C. 4106(g), the Agency has designated the following task-order and delivery-order Ombudsman for this contract. The Ombudsman must review complaints from the Contractor concerning all task-order and delivery-order actions for this contract and ensure the Contractor is afforded a fair opportunity for consideration in the award of orders, consistent with the procedures in the contract.

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

(b) Consulting an ombudsman does not alter or postpone the timeline for any other process (e.g., protests).

(c) Before consulting with the Ombudsman, the Contractor is encouraged to first address complaints with the Contracting Officer for resolution. When requested by the Contractor, the Ombudsman may keep the identity of the concerned party or entity confidential, unless prohibited by law or agency procedure.

52.222-42 Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires (May 2014) In compliance with the Service Contract Labor Standards statute and the regulations of the Secretary of Labor (29 CFR part 4), this clause identifies the classes of service employees expected to be employed under the contract and states the wages and fringe benefits payable to each if they were employed by the contracting agency subject to the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 5341 or 5332.

This Statement is for Information Only:

Employee Class Monetary Wage Fringe Benefits 30021-Archeological Technician I $18.86/hour $4.23/hour

30022-Archeological Technician II $21.09/hour $4.23/hour 30023-Archeological Technician III $26.12/hour $4.23/hour https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2017-title41/html/USCODE-2017-title41-subtitleI-divsnC-chap41-sec4106.htm

Service Contract Labor Standards Wage Determinations The following Department of Labor wage determinations are incorporated into this contract. Wage determinations may be found at: https://beta.sam.gov/search?index=wd Wage Determinations 2015-5471; 2015-5467; 2015-5719; 2015-5477; 2015-5475; 2015-5479; 2015-5465; 2015-5473;

2015-5481; 2015-5469

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.

CONTRACTING OFFICER’S AUTHORITY

The Contracting Officer (CO) is the only person authorized to approve changes in any of the requirements of this contract. This authority remains solely with the CO. In the event that the Contractor effects any change at the direction of any person other than the CO, the change will be considered to have been made without authority and NO adjustment will be made in the contract price to cover any INCREASE in costs incurred as a result thereof.

CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTATIVE

The Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) is an individual designated in writing by the Contracting Officer (CO) to act as an authorized representative of the CO to perform specific contract administrative functions within the scope and limitations as defined by the CO in the COR’s appointment letter. This letter specifies the extent of the COR’s authority to act on behalf of the CO. The COR is not authorized to make any commitments or changes that will affect price, quality, quantity, delivery or any other term or condition of the contract. Any subsequent change to the COR or COR responsibilities will be confirmed, in writing, by the CO. A COR does not have the authority to and may never –

1. award, agree to, or execute any contract, contract modification, or notice of intent;

2. obligate, in any way, the payment of money by the Government;

3. make a final decision on any contract matter which is subject to the clause at FAR 52.233-1, Disputes; or

4. terminate, for any cause, the contractor’s right to proceed.

If the contractor does not receive a copy of the COR appointment letter, the contractor is required to request a copy of it from the CO prior to commencing work. Individuals not designated in writing as a COR by the CO are not considered a COR and do not have the authority delegated to the COR. If the contractor considers any action or inaction by a COR, any other government employee (such as an https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-33#FAR_33_101 inspector), or representative or agent of the government as a change to the contract terms and conditions they must notify the contracting officer immediately and not proceed with any such change until approved by the contracting officer

ELECTRONIC INVOICING AND PAYMENT REQUIREMENTS – INVOICE PAYMENT PLATFORM (IPP)

Invoices must be submitted electronically through the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Invoice Payment Platform System (IPP) or the Contractor must be willing to accept payment by Government purchase card.

The Contractor must use the IPP website (https://www.ipp.gov) to register, access, and use IPP for submitting invoices. Contractor assistance with enrollment can be obtained by calling (866) 973-3131.

Invoices submitted by means other than IPP will not be accepted unless the Contracting Officer authorizes alternate procedures in writing.

TASK ORDER AWARDS

Firm fixed-price (FFP) task orders shall be awarded under this contract using the fully burdened rates established in Attachment 2 – Pricing Schedule. Quotes shall include the level of effort, labor mix, and other direct costs (ODCs) for the work requirements of each task order.

Requirements for task orders may originate from any USDA office (SO states, U.S. possessions and territories). When requirements occur, Contracting Officers or their authorized representatives will notify the Contractor(s), of an existing requirement. A Request for Proposal (RFP) will be issued to IDIQ contractor with a task specific scope of work and any attachments; and the date/time and location that proposals are due. Task Order awards will be made to the responsive, responsible firm whose offer will be most advantageous to the Government.

Contracting Officers shall provide a copy of the award to the Contracting Officer for proper tracking of expenditures under the master contracts. All award information can be provided to the following individual:

Ryan Lorimer, Contracting Officer Section 3, Operations Branch, Acquisition Division Farm Production and Conservation Business Center U.S. Department of Agriculture ryan.lorimer@usda.gov

Failure of any IDIQ Contractor to actively participate when requested to propose on a task order, may result in the Government determining not to award additional task orders to that contractor.

Task orders shall be made in writing by any authorized Contracting Officer of any USDA agency. Task orders shall be made on an Optional Form 347 - Order for supplies or Services, and contain the following information:

• Date of order

• Contract Number and Task Order Number https://www.ipp.gov/ https://www.ipp.gov/

• Project Description (to include specifications and drawings)

• A Department of Labor Wage Determination

• Quantities and Unit Prices of all Tasks Ordered

• Performance Schedule

• Place of Performance

• Task Order Amount

The Contracting Officer may amend tasks in the same manner in which they were issued. In the event of a conflict between the task order and the contract, the contract shall prevail.

The Government may unilaterally increase the maximum order amount specified for each ordering period (see Clause 452.216-720), not to exceed the stated maximum value of the contract. The Contracting Officer may exercise this option at any time prior to the end of the ordering period by written notice to the Contractor. All other contract terms shall remain unchanged.

AUTHORIZED ORDERING OFFICIALS

Any warranted USDA agency Contracting Officer that possesses sufficient warrant authority, may award firm fixed-price task orders against this contract.

Task orders shall be issued in writing on the Optional Form 347 - Order for Supplies or Services (OF 347).

Task orders may be administered by a Contracting Officer other than the awarding Contracting Officer.

COMMENCEMENT OF TASK ORDER WORK

Work shall commence under each task order, as specified by the task order requirements.

TRAVEL COSTS

All travel-related costs associated with a task order will be paid in accordance with FAR 31.205-45 and the Federal Travel Regulations (FTR).

LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING

The Task Order Contracting Officer shall ensure each task order award is in compliance with FAR 52.219- 14 Limitations on Subcontracting. Each proposal shall be reviewed to ensure compliance with this requirement of the contract and report any issues to the MATOC Contracting Officer of a firm’s failure to meet this requirement.

CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT REPORTING (CPARS)

The task order Contracting Officer and Contracting Officer Representative shall complete all CPARS reporting upon task order completion for any orders as applicable, and for each services task order that is terminated for default regardless of contract value.

CONSERVATION COOPERATOR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

7 U.S.C. 8791 (Pub. L. 110-246, Sec. 1619) prohibits the disclosure of certain information by the USDA and its cooperators (including contractors) as it relates to Farm Bill programs. This includes:

(a) Information provided by an agricultural producer or owner of agricultural land concerning the agricultural operation, farming or conservation practices, or the land itself, in order to participate in programs of the Department; or

(b) Geospatial information otherwise maintained by the Secretary about agricultural land or operations for which information described in subparagraph (a) is provided.

FPAC conservation cooperators are contractors, individuals, or organizations (governmental or nongovernmental) that assist FPAC with providing conservation program related services. This includes any service where a contractor may have access to the information described above that has been provided either 1) directly from an FPAC mission area agency; 2) directly from the producer or owner as part of the process required to enable a producer or owner to participate in a USDA program; or 3) in another manner with the producer’s permission.

The acknowledgement must be completed by the contractor upon award of a contract in support of Farm Bill programs where the contractor may have access to the type of information described above.

Contractors need not sign the document as part of the solicitation process, but the awardee must do so prior to award of a contract.

452.204-70 Inquiries (Feb 1988) 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.

452.211-74 Period of Performance (Feb 1988) The estimated period of performance is October 1, 2021 – September 30, 2026.

452.216-74 Ceiling Price (Feb 1988) The ceiling price of this contract is $2,000,000.00. The Contractor shall not make expenditures or incur obligations in the performance of this contract which exceed the ceiling price specified herein, except at the Contractor's own risk.

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.

452.236-73 Archaeological or Historic Sites (Feb 1988) If a previously unidentified archaeological or historic site(s) is encountered, the Contractor shall discontinue work in the general area of the site(s) and notify the Contracting Officer immediately.

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.

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.

xiv. Please refer to the following documents which are hereby incorporated and made a part of this solicitation:

• Attachment 1 – Performance Work Statement (22 pages)

• Attachment 2 – Pricing Schedule (1 page)

• Attachment 3 – Vendor Information Sheet (1 page)

xv. Quotes are due no later than September 8, 2021, 5:00pm ET.

xvi. Quotes will be directed to the following:

Emailed quotes will be accepted. Quotes shall be submitted on company letterhead, signed, dated and sent via email to Amy Smith, Contract Specialist at amy.smith2@usda.gov no later than September 8, 2021, 5:00pm ET.

a. Pricing and Certifications Quoters may utilize Attachment 2 to this solicitation to submit pricing quotations.

xvii. The Government intends to make an award based on the best value to the Government. In order to be considered, a contractor must submit the following in response to this RFQ (failure to provide this information will result in a non-responsive quote):

1. Technical Capability Narrative;

2. Completed Pricing Schedule (Attachment 2);

3. Completed Vendor Information Sheet (Attachment 3);

4. Active/complete registration in SAM.

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

Cultural Resources Services

Revision 9

12/23/2020

Table of Contents

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Mission

1.2 Background

1.3 Scope

2 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

2.1 Non-Personal Services

2.2 Business Relations

2.3 Contract Administration and Management

2.4 Subcontract Management

2.5 Contractor Personnel, Disciplines, and Specialties

2.6 Location and Hours of Work

2.7 Travel

2.8 Invoicing

2.9 Government Quality Assurance

3 PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES

3.1 Provide Cultural Resources Services to NRCS

3.2 Deliverable/Schedule:

The following shall be adhered to during the project

4 SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

4.1 Applicable Directives

1. INTRODUCTION

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) requires cultural resources survey and report writing services within various areas of Arizona and occasionally within western New Mexico.

1.1 Mission

The NRCS is committed to “helping people help the land” – our mission is to provide America’s farmers and ranchers with financial and technical assistance to voluntarily put conservation on the ground, not only helping the environment but agricultural operations, too. For more information regarding the agency and its programs visit http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/.

1.2 Background

Arizona NRCS’s Cultural Resources Specialists (CRSs) anticipate a growing list of unfinished projects requiring compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) including project area records reviews, intensive pedestrian survey, and report production. Over the next five years the number of cultural resources projects needing Section 106 review is expected to be over three hundred.

Based on data from the Arizona NRCS Programs staff, the number of new conservation contracts has increased in nearly every one of the past several fiscal years as shown in the following table:

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) contracts obligated by Arizona NRCS since FY2013

FY2013 FY1014 FY2015 FY2016 FY2017 FY2018 FY2019

118 128 119 141 170 241 172

% increase over previous year 8.47 -7.03 18.48 20.56 41.76 -28.63

% increase over

FY2013 8.47 0.84 19.49 44.06 104.23 45.76

1.3 Scope

With each task order the contractor shall receive shapefiles from NRCS that show the project area of potential effects (APE). The Contractor shall conduct class I records reviews for specified project areas.

Each review shall include project files maintained by the AZSITE Cultural Resources Database (AZSITE), General Land Office survey plats, National Register of Historic Places (NRHP)-listed properties, U.S.

Geological Survey (USGS) historical topographic maps, and/or other applicable cultural resources files designated by NRCS depending on land jurisdiction (i.e. Navajo Nation TCP and project files; the Arizona State Museum Archaeological Records Office if the project is on state, county, or municipal lands; or New Mexico Cultural Resources Information System [NMCRIS] if in New Mexico), to identify any previously recorded cultural resources and cultural resources investigations located within a one-mile radius of the APE or within a half-mile radius for linear projects.

Prior to fieldwork, the Contractor shall obtain all necessary permits for those APEs that occur on state, county, municipal, or tribal land. The Contractor will also be required to obtain an accession number from the Arizona State Museum for each project area on state, county, or municipal land. NRCS will also provide the contractor with the Prototype Programmatic Agreement (PPA), any amendments, and NRCS-specific forms or report templates to assist the contractor with successfully implementing the individual projects to NRCS standards.

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/

The Contractor shall conduct Class III pedestrian surveys of each project APE. All cultural resources identified within the APEs as a result of the inventory shall be documented and reported on according to professional standards and conform to those standards regulating the specific land jurisdiction on which the project takes place (i.e. the Navajo Nation for those projects located on Navajo Nation Tribal Trust land or the Arizona State Museum and the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office [SHPO] for those projects located on Arizona State Trust land). All cultural resources shall be evaluated for listing on the NRHP and the Arizona Register of Historic Places (as applicable).

The Contractor shall prepare a single report following agency or SHPO guidelines detailing the methods and results of each inventory to be used for Section 106 consultation. Each report shall be completed to professional standards and conform to NRCS standards and those standards regulating the specific land jurisdiction on which the project takes place (i.e.