Sol_140G0326Q0098.pdf

REQUEST FOR QUOTATION

(THIS IS NOT AN ORDER)

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

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IMPORTANT: This is a request for information and quotations furnished are not offers. 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.

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2885 Mission Street

USGS OAG SACRAMENTO ACQUISITION BR.

MODOC HALL, CSUS

3020 STATE UNIVERSITY DRIVE EAST

SACRAMENTO CA 95819-6027

0044035320140G0326Q0098

Joahnne Ongjoco

278-9328 USGS Pacific Coastal & Marine

95060

04/17/2026

04/30/2026 0900 ED

Santa Cruz

CA

Firm, fixed price.

ANTICIPATED AWARD OF PURCHASE ORDER FOR

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STATUS AS A FEDERAL EMPLOYEE.

All interested parties must be actively registered in the System for Award

Management (SAM) at the time of submitting a quote to be considered for an award of a federal contract. For information, review the SAM website at www.SAM.gov.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) requires non-personal services for

Continued...

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CONTINUATION SHEET

REFERENCE NO. OF DOCUMENT BEING CONTINUED PAGES

NAME OF OFFEROR OR CONTRACTOR

SUPPLIES/SERVICES

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(D)

UNIT PRICE

(E)

AMOUNT

(F)

OPTIONAL FORM 336 (4-86)

Sponsored by GSA FAR (48 CFR) 53.110

ITEM NO.

(A)

QUANTITY

(C)

NSN 7540-01-152-8067

140G0326Q0098 radiocarbon subsampling and geotechnical measurements to be conducted on sediment cores that have been collected by USGS researchers and are stored at the USGS PCMSC Sediment Core facility in accordance with the attached statement of work, Section 508, FISMA, provisions, and clauses. Service Contract Act and wage determination apply to this requirement.

Estimated period of performance: May 11, 2026 to September 30, 2027

Evaluation method is Trade-Off. Please see evaluation factors as described in FAR 52.212-2 in the provisions of attachment.

It is the responsibility of all interested parties to check back periodically for any amendments to the solicitation. All amendments must be signed and included when the quote is submitted.

Award will be made in accordance with

Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO), FAR Subpart

12.204, Award. Anticipated award date is May

8, 2026. All responsible sources may submit a quotation which will be jointly considered DOI and USGS.

If interested, please include the following in your quotation:

1. Firm, fixed price

2. Sufficient information to be considered for evaluation factors

3. Signed, standard form (SF) 18

4. SAM UEI#

Please submit your technical quote and price quote as separate attachments.

Questions are due no later than April 24, 2026 at 0900 hours Eastern Time. Quotations are due as indicated under the block 10 in SF 18.

Questions and quotations are accepted only by email to Joahnne_Ongjoco@ios.doi.gov. Hardcopy or submission by other means will not be

Continued...

CONTINUATION SHEET

REFERENCE NO. OF DOCUMENT BEING CONTINUED PAGES

NAME OF OFFEROR OR CONTRACTOR

SUPPLIES/SERVICES

(B)

UNIT

(D)

UNIT PRICE

(E)

AMOUNT

(F)

OPTIONAL FORM 336 (4-86)

Sponsored by GSA FAR (48 CFR) 53.110

ITEM NO.

(A)

QUANTITY

(C)

NSN 7540-01-152-8067

140G0326Q0098 considered.

Period of Performance: 05/11/2026 to

09/30/2027

00010 Non-personal Services for Sediment Core

Subsampling, Processing, and Preparation for

Radiocarbon Analysis in accordance with attached statement of work.

Product/Service Code: R425

Product/Service Description: SUPPORT-

PROFESSIONAL: ENGINEERING/TECHNICAL

Attachment: 32 pages

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

PACIFIC COASTAL & MARINE SCIENCE CENTER

STATEMENT OF WORK

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

A. Introduction The Coastal and Marine Geohazards of the U.S. West Coast and Alaska project at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Pacific Coastal & Marine Science Center (PCMSC) in Santa Cruz, CA has a need for radiocarbon subsampling and geotechnical measurements to be conducted on sediment cores that have been collected by USGS researchers and are stored at the USGS PCMSC Sediment Core facility.

B. Background The USGS Coastal and Marine Geohazards of the U.S. West Coast and Alaska project is engaged in ongoing research into the earthquake, tsunami and landslide hazards in the coastal and marine environments of California, Oregon, Washington and Alaska.

As such, USGS researchers have collected hundreds of marine and lacustrine sediment cores from these locations to develop stratigraphic records of earthquake triggered sediment gravity flows, landslides or other event deposits that record the geologic history of the region. The goal of these sediment archives is to develop a record of earthquake recurrence and landslide susceptibility that will allow us to assess the potential hazards to coastal populations and local infrastructure. Analysis of these sediment cores requires precise radiocarbon dating of intervals above and below the event deposit to develop detailed age models of geologic events. Geotechnical analyses of sediment properties is required to characterize the physical properties of the seafloor as a measure of susceptibility to slope failure.

C. Definitions A “sediment core” or “core” as used in this work statement refers to the group of one or more core segments collected from a single site. Therefore, the length of a single core can vary greatly. A “subsample” refers to a unit of sediment extracted from a particular depth interval in a sediment core.

D. Scope Services will include subsampling sediment cores, sieving samples, selecting material for radiocarbon dating, identifying and logging dominant species or plant types, preparing samples for submission to AMS facilities for radiocarbon analyses, making measurements of sediment strength properties, assisting with sediment core splitting and archival curation, and keeping detailed sampling and measurement notes.

II. WORK REQUIREMENTS

A. Technical Requirements.

1. Work requirements/products

• Analysis of marine and lacustrine sediment cores not to exceed a quantity of 400 samples collected by USGS researchers from sites onshore and offshore of California, Oregon, Washington and Alaska. The vendor shall select appropriate

USGS, RFQ 140G0326Q0098 Sediment Core Subsampling, Processing, & Preparation Page 4 of 35 material for radiocarbon analysis, (e.g. calcareous foraminifera from marine sediments; plant material from lacustrine sediments) from sediment cores subsample within intervals defined by USGS researchers. The selected detrital material must be in good condition with no signs of reworking, entrainment, or long-distance sediment transport. Material should be appropriately cleaned and prepared for radiocarbon analyses. An attempt should be made to select sufficient material from each subsampled interval to provide enough carbon for Accelerator Mass Spectrometer (AMS) radiocarbon dating. To provide quality assurance, the vendor shall consult with the USGS technical liaison for material screening prior to preparing the samples for radiocarbon analyses. The USGS will determine the appropriate amount of material required for each sample as this varies among different projects and sample types.

• Vendor shall provide shear strength measurements of up to 10 marine sediment cores and 10 lacustrine sediment cores conducted using both a handheld shear vane and benchtop fall cone penetrometer. Measurements of each instrument type should be conducted at 2cm intervals on pre-identified sediment cores unless otherwise requested by USGS personnel.

• Vendor shall assist with core curation tasks including sectioning and splitting of unsplit sediment core samples and preparing core sections for storage and archival, (e.g., wrapping, labeling, packaging and placing in cold storage).

• The vendor shall prepare and submit samples to an AMS dating facility designated by the USGS technical liaison with USGS personnel approval. Sample submission should be done monthly in batches of ~10 or more samples.

2. Criteria for acceptance

• The vendor shall confer with the USGS technical liaison in bi-monthly meetings to ensure dating material quality prior to preparing for radiocarbon analyses.

• The vendor is expected to analyze up to 400 subsamples for radiocarbon dating over the period of performance (i.e. approximately 12-16 samples per month).

• At least 80% of the subsamples analyzed should be able to yield viable radiocarbon results. To meet these criteria, some intervals may be combined with approval from USGS personnel.

• Shear strength measurements should be completed on a minimum of 12 cores as outlined above.

• All work will comply with guidelines outlined by the USGS Quality Management System (QMS) Instructional Memorandum and supporting manual, linked here:

https://www.usgs.gov/office-of-science-quality-and-integrity/quality-management-system-usgs-laboratories.

• The vendor shall complete standardized QA/QC forms for QMS provided by the USGS technical liaison.

B. Deliverables.

• The vendor shall complete sample analyses within 60 days of receiving samples from the USGS.

• For radiocarbon samples, the vendor shall provide a report to include a digital spreadsheet (MS Excel/.xlsx format) tracking subsampled intervals with sample identification numbers, sampling dates, sample thickness, floral and/or faunal assemblages and subsample weights and data report (MS Word document/.docx)

USGS, RFQ 140G0326Q0098 Sediment Core Subsampling, Processing, & Preparation Page 5 of 35 https://www.usgs.gov/office-of-science-quality-and-integrity/quality-management-system-usgs-laboratories https://www.usgs.gov/office-of-science-quality-and-integrity/quality-management-system-usgs-laboratories describing the number and type of samples processed, date of sample submission for radiocarbon dating (or reason sample was unable to be dated) and photographs of cleaned material from each subsample prepared for radiocarbon analyses.

• For shear strength measurements, the vendor shall provide a digital spreadsheet (MS Excel/.xlsx) of all measurements collected.

Delivery dates: The full scope of work is expected to be completed by September 30, 2027. Quarterly progress updates will be provided to the USGS technical liaison.

III. SUPPORTING INFORMATION

A. Place of Performance.

The sediment cores to be analyzed are stored in the refrigerated space at the USGS PCMSC in Santa Cruz, CA. In order to minimize disturbance to the cores, the contractor may use USGS facilities and equipment to perform non-personal services that are described above. The contractor must coordinate with core lab managers on a monthly basis to schedule lab access.

C. Period of Performance

Date of Award to September 30, 2027

D. Government Furnished Property (GFP):

A government furnished laptop computer will be provided to allow for access to shared documents on OneDrive

D. Special Considerations.

1. Key personnel qualifications

The contractor must have documented experience working with marine and lacustrine sediment cores, particularly experience with sieving samples and using a microscope to pick calcareous microfossils and organic material for radiocarbon dating. The contractor also must have knowledge of common foraminiferal species and detrital plant assemblages commonly found in coastal and marine regions of California, Oregon, Washington and Alaska. Experience should include working with both a benchtop fall cone penetrometer and a handheld shear vane.

2. Data Rights, Safety, Environment.

All data produced will be the property of the USGS. Personal protective equipment (PPE; e.g., hearing protection, safety glasses, gloves, etc.) will be provided as needed.

3. Security/Privacy issues Work may be performed at the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center. The contractor is responsible for all costs of transportation to and from the USGS. A door entry access fob will be provided upon completion of a background check.

Additionally, the contractor will need to complete basic IT security clearance to be provided with a PIV card for access to government computing systems.

USGS, RFQ 140G0326Q0098 Sediment Core Subsampling, Processing, & Preparation Page 6 of 35

Accessibility Requirements Tool

ICT Accessibility Requirements Statement per Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act

Core Lab services

E205 Electronic Content

E205.1 General. Electronic content shall comply with E205.

E205.2 Public Facing. Electronic content that is public facing shall conform to the accessibility requirements specified in E205.4.

E205.3 Agency Official Communication. Electronic content that is not public facing shall conform to the accessibility requirements specified in E205.4 when such content constitutes official business and is communicated by an agency through one or more of the following:

● A. An emergency notification;

● B. An initial or final decision adjudicating an administrative claim or proceeding;

● C. An internal or external program or policy announcement;

● D. A notice of benefits, program eligibility, employment opportunity, or personnel action;

● E. A formal acknowledgement of receipt;

● F. A survey questionnaire;

● G. A template or form;

USGS, RFQ 140G0326Q0098 Sediment Core Subsampling, Processing, & Preparation Page 7 of 35

● H. Educational or training materials; or

● I. Intranet content designed as a Web page.

E205.4 Accessibility Standard (WCAG 2.0). Electronic content shall conform to Level A and Level AA Success Criteria and Conformance Requirements in WCAG

2.0 (Incorporated by reference, see 702.10.1).

E205.4.1 Word Substitution when Applying WCAG to Non-Web Documents.

For non-Web documents, wherever the term "Web page" or "page" appears in WCAG 2.0 Level A and AA Success Criteria and Conformance Requirements, the term "document" shall be substituted for the terms "Web page" and "page". In addition, in Success Criterion in 1.4.2, the phrase "in a document" shall be substituted for the phrase "on a Web page".

E206 Hardware

E206.1 General. Where components of ICT are hardware and transmit information or have a user interface, such components shall conform to the requirements in Chapter 4.

E207 Software

E207.1 General. Where components of ICT are software and transmit information or have a user interface, such components shall conform to E207 and the requirements in Chapter 5

Exception from E207.1 General: Software that is assistive technology and that supports the accessibility services of the platform shall not be required to conform to the requirements in Chapter 5.

E208 Support Documentation and Services

E208.1 General. Where an agency provides support documentation or services for ICT, such documentation and services shall conform to the requirements in Chapter 6.

USGS, RFQ 140G0326Q0098 Sediment Core Subsampling, Processing, & Preparation Page 8 of 35

E301 General

E301.1 Scope. The requirements of Chapter 3 shall apply to ICT where required by 508 Chapter 2 (Scoping Requirements), 255 Chapter 2 (Scoping Requirements), and where otherwise referenced in any other chapter of the Revised 508 Standards or Revised 255 Guidelines.

E302 Functional Performance Criteria

302.1 Without Vision. Where a visual mode of operation is provided, ICT shall provide at least one mode of operation that does not require user vision.

302.2 With Limited Vision. Where a visual mode of operation is provided, ICT shall provide at least one mode of operation that enables users to make use of limited vision.

302.3 Without Perception of Color. Where a visual mode of operation is provided, ICT shall provide at least one visual mode of operation that does not require user perception of color.

302.4 Without Hearing. Where an audible mode of operation is provided, ICT shall provide at least one mode of operation that does not require user hearing.

302.5 With Limited Hearing. Where an audible mode of operation is provided, ICT shall provide at least one mode of operation that enables users to make use of limited hearing.

302.6 Without Speech. Where speech is used for input, control, or operation, ICT shall provide at least one mode of operation that does not require user speech.

302.7 With Limited Manipulation. Where a manual mode of operation is provided, ICT shall provide at least one mode of operation that does not require fine motor control or simultaneous manual operations.

USGS, RFQ 140G0326Q0098 Sediment Core Subsampling, Processing, & Preparation Page 9 of 35

302.8 With Limited Reach and Strength. Where a manual mode of operation is provided, ICT shall provide at least one mode of operation that is operable with limited reach and limited strength.

302.9 With Limited Language, Cognitive, and Learning Abilities. ICT shall provide features making its use by individuals with limited cognitive, language, and learning abilities simpler and easier.

602 Support Documentation

602.1 General. Documentation that supports the use of ICT shall conform to 602.

603 Support Services

603.1 General. ICT support services including, but not limited to, help desks, call centers, training services, and automated self-service technical support, shall conform to 603.

Instructions to Offerors

1 Provide an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR) for each commercially available Information and Communication Technology (ICT) item offered through this contract. Create the ACR using the Voluntary Product Accessibility Template Version 2.1 or later, located at https://www.itic.org/policy/accessibility/vpat. Complete each ACR in accordance with the instructions provided in the VPAT template. Each ACR must address the applicable Section 508 requirements referenced in the Work Statement. Each ACR shall state exactly how the ICT meets the applicable standards in the remarks/explanations column, or through additional narrative.

All "Not Applicable" (N/A) responses must be explained in the remarks/explanations column or through additional narrative. Address each standard individually and with specificity, and clarify whether conformance is achieved throughout the entire ICT Item (for example - user functionality, administrator functionality, and reporting), or only in limited areas of the ICT Item. Provide a description of the evaluation methods used to support Section

USGS, RFQ 140G0326Q0098 Sediment Core Subsampling, Processing, & Preparation Page 10 of 35 https://www.itic.org/policy/accessibility/vpat

508 conformance claims. The agency reserves the right, prior to making an award decision, to perform testing on some or all of the Offeror’s proposed ICT items to validate Section 508 conformance claims made in the ACR.

2 Describe your approach to incorporating universal design principles to ensure ICT products or services are designed to support disabled users.

3 Describe plans for features that do not fully conform to the Section 508 Standards.

4 Describe "typical" user scenarios and tasks, including individuals with disabilities, to ensure fair and accurate accessibility testing of the ICT product or service being offered.

Acceptance Criteria

1 Prior to acceptance, the government reserves the right to perform testing on required ICT items to validate the offeror’s Section 508 conformance claims. If the government determines that Section 508 conformance claims provided by the offeror represent an inaccurate level of conformance than what is actually delivered to the agency, the government shall, at its option, require the offeror to remediate the delivered item to align with the required Section 508 conformance claims prior to acceptance.

USGS, RFQ 140G0326Q0098 Sediment Core Subsampling, Processing, & Preparation Page 11 of 35

FISMA 18-Point Checklist – IT Security Guidelines

U.S. Geological Survey Office of Acquisition and Grants Questions to askoag@usgs.gov

December 14, 2022 Page 1 of 6

COTS

Hardware or Software

Development or

Maintenance of

Custom

Applications

Outsourced IT Services or On-site Support

Requirements herein are incorporated as part the Statement of Work/ Performance Work Statement:

1 N/A Background Investigations. The Contractor shall perform in accordance with clause “Security Requirements: Facility Access and Information Technology.”

2 N/A Non-disclosure Agreement. Prior to receiving access to USGS computers, contractor employees shall be required to sign nondisclosure or other system security agreements, depending on the systems to be used and level of access granted.

Applies whenever any contractor employee has unsupervised access to a

USGS system (even if only basic network, internet or email or will develop custom applications) such as:

• User Access to USGS IT Systems known to contain sensitive or proprietary data

Contractor will have • IT Support services (greater than user access) access to Privacy • Development or Maintenance of Custom Applications

Act System of

Records - Work

• On-site contractor support and management of IT system

• Off-site contractor Oversight and Management of IT System under this contract will involve design,

• IT Security Services development or Privacy Act System: [Identify covered system(s) to which the contractor operation of (access

to) system(s) of records containing may have access] personal information protected by the

Work to be performed: [Summarize nature of the contractor's use of such records, such as]

Privacy Act (5 U.S.C.

Section 552a).

• User-level access to system containing protected records

• Operation or maintenance of Privacy Act System of records or computers hosting such system

• Design or modification of a Privacy Act system of records]

The contractor is not required or permitted to respond to requests for Privacy Act data or to make decisions about releases of data under the

Act. Contractor shall ensure its employees are instructed to safeguard against improper use or release of such data and advise them that violation of the Act may involve criminal penalties. The contractor will comply with FAR clause 52.224-2, Privacy Act, incorporated herein by reference and with DOI Privacy Act regulations at 43 CFR 2, Subpart D

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Questions to askoag@usgs.gov

December 14, 2022 Page 2 of 6

COTS

Hardware or Software

Development or

Maintenance of

Custom

Applications

Outsourced IT

Services or On-site Support

Requirements herein are incorporated as part the Statement of Work/

Performance Work Statement:

3 N/A Training. The Contractor shall perform in accordance with clause

“Security Requirements: Facility Access and Information Technology” -

Contractor employees must successfully complete DOI’s end-user computer security awareness training prior to being granted access to

DOI data or being issued a user account. Training must be renewed annually. Additionally, the contract employees must sign a Statement of

Responsibility (SOR) that states they have read the appropriate Rules of

Behavior and other applicable Information security policies.

4 N/A Personnel Changes. The Contractor shall perform in accordance with clause “Security Requirements: Facility Access and Information

Technology” - The contractor must notify the COR immediately when an employee working on a DOI system is reassigned or leaves the contractor’s employ.

Applies whenever any contractor employee has unsupervised access to a USGS system (even if only basic network, internet or email or will develop custom applications) such as:

• User Access to USGS IT Systems known to contain sensitive or proprietary data

• IT Support services (greater than user access)

• Development or Maintenance of Custom Applications *

• On-site contractor support and management of IT system

• Off-site contractor Oversight and Management of IT System

• IT Security Services *

*May not be applicable for off-site performance.

5 N/A Contractor Location. The Contractor shall perform in accordance with clause “Security Requirements: Facility Access and Information Technology.”

Applies whenever any contractor employee has unsupervised access to a USGS system (even if only basic network, internet or email or will develop custom applications) such as:

• User Access to USGS IT Systems known to contain sensitive or proprietary data

• IT Support services (greater than user access)

• Development or Maintenance of Custom Applications

• On-site contractor support and management of IT system

• Off-site contractor Oversight and Management of IT System

• IT Security Services

No portion of the services to be performed hereunder may be performed outside the United States without the express written permission of the Contracting Officer.

USGS, RFQ 140G0326Q0098 Sediment Core Subsampling, Processing, & Preparation Page 13 of 35

Questions to askoag@usgs.gov

December 14, 2022 Page 3 of 6

T

COTS

Hardware or Software

Development or

Maintenance of

Custom

Applications

Outsourced IT

Services or On-site Support

Requirements herein are incorporated as part the Statement of Work/

Performance Work Statement:

If services are proposed to be performed abroad, the Contractor shall provide an acceptable security plan that addresses mitigation of problems related to communication, control, and protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of IT systems and information.

A Security Plan Template is available upon request from the Contracting Officer.

6 N/A N/A Applicable Standards. The Contractor shall perform in accordance with clause “Security Requirements: Facility Access and Information

Technology” - Contractor must follow the DOI System Development Life Cycle (SDLC), NIST SP 800-64 and the DOI SDLC Security Integration Guide.

7 N/A Asset Valuation-Security Categorization: The Contractor shall perform in accordance with clause “Security Requirements: Facility Access and Information Technology.”

User Access to USGS IT Systems – The Government is responsible for security categorization on USGS systems to which the Contractor may have access under this contract.

IT Support Services greater than User-Level Services Choose one:

➔ The Government is responsible for security categorization on USGS systems to which the Contractor may have access under this contract.

-➔ he Government has defined the [insert name of system to be developed, operated or maintained by the contractor] to be a [Major Application], [Minor Application] or [General support system] as defined in OMB Circular A-130, Appendix III and NIST SP800-53. The following risk and sensitivity levels have been assigned based on the FIPS 199 and the NIST SP 800-60.

Mission impact:

Data sensitivity:

Risk level:

Bureau/departmental/national criticality:

Off-Site Oversight and Management of IT System- The Contractor shall use the FIPS 199 and the NIST SP 800- 60 to determine information types and security categorization based on mission impact, data sensitivity, risk level, and bureau / departmental / national criticality for Contractor-owned and operated systems used to provide services under this contract. Solicitations must include either the complete publication or a reference to public facilities, such as a website or office, where it may be accessed.

IT Security Services - Applies only if the purpose of the contract includes obtaining asset valuation services.

The Contractor shall use the FIPS 199 and the NIST SP 800- 60 to determine information types and security categorization based on mission impact, data sensitivity, risk level, and bureau / departmental / national criticality for Contractor-owned and operated systems used to provide services under this contract. Solicitations must include either the complete publication or a reference to public facilities, such as a website or office, where it may be accessed.

USGS, RFQ 140G0326Q0098 Sediment Core Subsampling, Processing, & Preparation Page 14 of 35 https://doimspp.sharepoint.com/sites/usgs-OAG/AOP/guidefordevelopingsecurityplans.pdf

Questions to askoag@usgs.gov

May 11, 2021 Page 4 of 6

COTS

Hardware or Software

Development or

Maintenance of

Custom

Applications

Outsourced IT

Services or On-site Support

Requirements herein are incorporated as part the Statement of Work/

Performance Work Statement:

8 Property Rights.

1. For Federal Supply Schedule orders or orders under an existing contract, rights to software acquired hereunder are set forth in the basic contract.

2. For open market contracts, the Government's rights in software delivered hereunder shall be as described in software developer's commercial software license agreement or the clause FAR 52.227-

19, Commercial Computer Software-Restricted Rights, whichever is greater.

The Government Select either shall be granted COTS or custom unlimited rights in software software or data language as produced applicable. If hereunder as both apply, described in FAR identify clause 52.227- software/data

17, Rights in deliverables

Data—Special governed by

Works, each clause.

incorporated by reference herein.

9 N/A Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V). The

Government is responsible for independent software verification and validation prior to being moved into production.

On-Site Contractor Support and Management of IT System Choose one:

➔ Software will be independently verified and validated by the Government or another selected contractor prior to being moved into production.

➔ Contractor will ensure that independent verification and validation is performed on software deployed on contractor managed systems containing USGS data, in accordance with DOI SDLC Security Integration Guide

Off-Site Contractor Operation and Management of IT System-Contractor will ensure that independent verification and validation is performed on software deployed on contractor managed systems containing USGS data, in accordance with DOI SDLC Security Integration Guide

IT Security Service - Applies only if the purpose of the contract includes obtaining IV&V services.

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Questions to askoag@usgs.gov

December 14, 2022 Page 5 of 6

COTS

Hardware or Software

Development or

Maintenance of

Custom

Applications

Outsourced IT

Services or On-site Support

Requirements herein are incorporated as part the Statement of Work/

Performance Work Statement:

10 N/A Certification & Accreditation.

User Access to USGS IT Systems or IT Supports Services (Greater than User Access Certification and Accreditation on USGS systems to which the Contractor may have access under this contract will be conducted by the Government or another of its contractors.

Development or Maintenance of Custom Applications The contractor will perform Certification and Accreditation (C&A) services on the application developed or maintained hereunder prior to going into production. The application must be re-accredited every three years or whenever there is a major change that affects security.

C&A documents will be provided to the COR in both hard copy and electronic forms. The contractor must follow NIST SP 800-37, 800-18, 800-30, 800-60, 800-53A, Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 199 and 200, the associated DOI guides/templates, the DOI Security Test & Evaluation (ST&E) Guide, and the DOI Privacy Impact Assessment.

NIST documents are available on the internet at http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/nistpubs/ FIPS documents are available on the internet at http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/nistpubs/.

The contractor may request copies of DOI documents by contacting the Contracting Officer.

The government reserves the right to conduct the ST&E using either Government personnel or an independent contractor. The contractor will take immediate and timely action to correct or mitigate any weaknesses discovered as necessary to bring the application or system into compliance with the above requirement.

On-Site Contractor Support and Management of IT System or Off-Site Contractor Operation and Management of IT System The Contractor must maintain systems that are compliant with NIST SP 800-18, 800-30, 800-37, 800-53A, 800-60, Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 199 and 200, the associated DOI guides/templates, the DOI Security Test & Evaluation (ST&E) Guide, and the DOI Privacy Impact Assessment. As required by the above, Major Applications and General Support Systems shall be certified and accredited (C&A) prior to going into production and re-accredited every three years or whenever there is a major change that affects security. C&A documents will be provided to the COR in both hard copy and electronic forms. NIST documents are available on the internet at http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/nistpubs/. The contractor may request copies of DOI documents by contacting the Contracting Officer. The government will reserve the right to conduct the ST&E, using either Government personnel or an independent contractor. The contractor will take immediate and timely action to correct or mitigate any weaknesses discovered as necessary to bring the application or system into compliance with the above requirement.

Applies if the purpose of the contract includes obtaining C&A services.

11 N/A for COTS

HW & SW, User Access to USGS IT Systems (other than IT services), IT Support Services (User Level or greater access)

N/A Internet Logon Banner. The Contractor shall perform in accordance with clause “Security Requirements: Facility Access and Information

Technology.”

Development or Maintenance of Custom Applications OR On-Site Contractor Support and Management of IT System OR Off-site Contractor Oversight and Management of IT

System- Web-based applications developed or maintained under this contract must contain a USGS approved logon banner:

https://portal.doi.net/CIO/ITPMgmt/Documents/IT Standards/IT Security/DOI Security Control Standards (based on NIST SP 800-53 Revision 3)/Access Control v1.4.pdf

12 N/A Incident Reporting. The Contractor shall perform in accordance with contract clause “Security Requirements: Facility Access and

Information Technology” - The contractor must report computer security incidents affecting DOI data or systems in accordance with the DOI Computer Incident Response Guide.

USGS, RFQ 140G0326Q0098 Sediment Core Subsampling, Processing, & Preparation Page 16 of 35 mailto:askoag@usgs.gov http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/nistpubs/ http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/nistpubs/ http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/nistpubs/ https://portal.doi.net/CIO/ITPMgmt/Documents/IT%20Standards/IT%20Security/DOI%20Security%20Control%20Standards%20(based%20on%20NIST%20SP%20800-53%20Revision%203)/Access%20Control%20v1.4.pdf https://portal.doi.net/CIO/ITPMgmt/Documents/IT%20Standards/IT%20Security/DOI%20Security%20Control%20Standards%20(based%20on%20NIST%20SP%20800-53%20Revision%203)/Access%20Control%20v1.4.pdf

Questions to askoag@usgs.gov

December 14, 2022 Page 6 of 6

COTS

Hardware or Software

Development or

Maintenance of

Custom

Applications

Outsourced IT

Services or On-site Support

Requirements herein are incorporated as part the Statement of Work/

Performance Work Statement:

13 Quality Control. All software or hardware purchased must be free of malicious code such as viruses, Trojan horse programs, worms, spyware, etc. Validation of this must be written into the contract.

14 N/A N/A Self-Assessment. The Contractor shall perform in accordance with contract clause “Security Requirements: Facility Access and Information

Technology” - The contractor must conduct an annual self-assessment in accordance with annual DOI guidance on all information systems in production.

15 N/A Vulnerability Analysis. Vulnerability Analysis on USGS systems to which the Contractor may have access under this contract will be conducted by the Government or another of its contractors.

16 N/A Logon Banner. Contractor employees who access DOI information systems must acknowledge a government-approved legal warning banner prior to logging on to the system. This includes contractor owned information systems hosting DOI data.

17 N/A Security Controls.

The Contractor shall perform in accordance with contract clause “Security

Requirements: Facility Access and Information Technology” – The

Contractor shall ensure compliance with the security control requirements of the current version of NIST SP 800-53, Rev.1, which are applicable to the security categorization of the data or system. FIPS 199 and the NIST

SP 800-60 will be used to determine information types and security categorizations.

18 N/A N/A Contingency Plan.

The Contractor shall perform in accordance with contract clause “Security Requirements: Facility Access and Information Technology.”

For IT Support Services: The Contractor shall submit a contingency plan in accordance with NIST SP 800-34 and DOI IT Systems Contingency Plan

Guide.

USGS, RFQ 140G0326Q0098 Sediment Core Subsampling, Processing, & Preparation Page 17 of 35

52.252-1 Solicitation Provisions Incorporated By Reference (FEB 1998)

This solicitation incorporates one or more solicitation provisions by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. The offeror is cautioned that the listed provisions may include blocks that must be completed by the offeror and submitted with its quotation or offer. In lieu of submitting the full text of those provisions, the offeror may identify the provision by paragraph identifier and provide the appropriate information with its quotation or offer. Also, the full text of a solicitation provision may be accessed electronically at https://www.acquisition.gov/far/.

The following provisions are incorporated by reference, with fill-ins noted as appropriate:

52.203-18 – Prohibition on Contracting with Entities that Require Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements-Representation (JAN 2017) 52.204-7 – System for Award Management (NOV 2024)(Deviation MAR 2026) 52.212-1 – Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items (SEP 2023)(Deviation MAR 2026) 52.219-1 – Small Business Program Representations (FEB 2026)(Deviation JAN 2026, Updated FEB 2026) 52.222-41 – Service Contract Labor Standards (AUG 2018) 52.222-48 – Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment–Certification

(MAY 2014)

52.222-52 – Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards for Certain Services-Certification (MAY 2014) 52.240-90 – Security Prohibitions and Exclusions Representations and Certifications (Deviation MAR 2026)

52.212-2 – Evaluation-Commercial Product and Commercial Services (NOV 2021)(Deviation MAR 2026)

(a) Evaluation factors. The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible Offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The Offeror must submit sufficient information for evaluation of the factors included herein; failure to do so may result in removal from further consideration. The following factors will be used to evaluate offers:

• Price

• Technical Capability – demonstrates understanding of the requirement as well as the technical capability and capacity to fully meet it in the required time.

• Past performance – informs how well the Offeror has performed similar work before.

Recent and relevant past performance is preferred; to include references with contact information.

• Experience – indicates the degree to and frequency with which you have performed similar work before. Recent and relevant experience is preferred; to include references with contact information.

USGS, RFQ 140G0326Q0098 Sediment Core Subsampling, Processing, & Preparation Page 18 of 35 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/

When providing information for the evaluation factors above, the Offeror should demonstrate:

a. experience/expertise in using a microscope to identify and select both calcareous nanofossils and detrital plant material for radiocarbon dating, with an emphasis on species common the marine and lacustrine environments of northern California, Oregon, Washington and Alaska,

b. ability to maintain detailed laboratory notes and follow QA/QC procedures, and

c. ability to complete work in a timely manner and meet deadlines.

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

52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference (FEB 1998) This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es):

http://www.acquisition.gov/far/ The following clauses are incorporated by reference:

52.203-17 – Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights (NOV 2023) 52.203-19 – Prohibition on Requiring Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements (JAN 2017) 52.204-9 – Personal Identity Verification of Contractor Personnel (JAN 2011)(MAR 2026) 52.204-13 – System for Award Management-Maintenance (OCT 2018)(Deviation MAR 2026) 52.204-19 – Incorporation by Reference of Representations and Certifications (DEC

2014)(MAR 2026)

52.209-6 – Protecting the Government’s Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, Proposed for Debarment, or Voluntarily Excluded (JAN 2025) 52.209-10 – Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations (NOV 2015) 52.212-4 – Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Products and Commercial Services (NOV 2023)(Deviation MAR 2026) 52.219-6 – Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (NOV 2020)(Deviation JAN 2026) (Updated FEB 2026) 52.219-28 – Postaward Small Business Program Rerepresentation (JAN 2025)(Deviation JAN 2026)(Updated FEB 2026) 52.222-3 – Convict Labor (JUN 2003) 52.222-36 – Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (JUN 2020) 52.222-41 – Service Contract Labor Standards (AUG 2018) 52.222-50 – Combatting Trafficking in Persons (OCT 2025)

USGS, RFQ 140G0326Q0098 Sediment Core Subsampling, Processing, & Preparation Page 19 of 35 http://www.acquisition.gov/far/

52.222-51 – Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contract for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment – Requirements (MAY 2014) 52.222-53 – Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Certain Services – Requirements (MAY 2014) 52.222-62 – Paid Sick Leave Under Executive Order 13706 (JAN 2022) 52.226-8 – Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving (MAY 2024)(Deviation MAR 2026) 52.232-33 – Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-System for Award Management (OCT 2018) 52.232-40 – Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (MAR 2023) 52.233-3 – Protest After Award (AUG 1996) 52.233-4 – Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (OCT 2004)

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 5 332.

Employee Class Monetary Wage – Fringe Benefits Physical Science Technician (1311) $22.35 – $33.86 per hour

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

GS1440 Wage Determination Applicable (JUL 2001) In the performance of this contract, the contractor shall comply with the requirements of U.S.

Department of Labor Wage Determination Number 2015-5649dated 12/03/2025. The wage determination is incorporated into this contract as https://sam.gov/wage-determination/2015- 5649/25.

52.223-23 Sustainable Products and Services (MAY 2024) (Deviation FEB 2025)

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause—

Biobased product means a product determined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to be a commercial product or industrial product (other than food or feed) that is composed, in whole or in significant part, of biological products, including renewable domestic agricultural materials and forestry materials, or that is an intermediate ingredient or feedstock. The term includes, with respect to forestry materials, forest products that meet biobased content requirements, notwithstanding the market share the product holds, the age of the product, or whether the market for the product is new or emerging. (7 U.S.C. 8101)(7 CFR part 4270.2).

USGS, RFQ 140G0326Q0098 Sediment Core Subsampling, Processing, & Preparation Page 20 of 35 http://uscode.house.gov/browse.xhtml;jsessionid=114A3287C7B3359E597506A31FC855B3 http://uscode.house.gov/browse.xhtml;jsessionid=114A3287C7B3359E597506A31FC855B3 http://uscode.house.gov/browse.xhtml;jsessionid=114A3287C7B3359E597506A31FC855B3 https://sam.gov/wage-determination/2015-5649/25 https://sam.gov/wage-determination/2015-5649/25

Recovered material means waste materials and by-products recovered or diverted from solid waste, but the term does not include those materials and by-products generated from, and commonly reused within, an original manufacturing process. (42 U.S.C. 6903).

Sustainable products and services means:

(1) Products containing recovered material designated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (42 U.S.C. 6962) (40 CFR part 247) (https://www.epa.gov/smm/comprehensive-procurement-guideline-cpg-program#products).

(2) Energy- and water-efficient products that are ENERGY STAR® certified or Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP)-designated products (42 U.S.C. 8259b) (10 CFR part 436, subpart C) (https://www.energy.gov/eere/femp/search-energy-efficient-products and https://www.energystar.gov/products?s=mega).

(3) Biobased products meeting the content requirement of the USDA under the BioPreferred® program (7 U.S.C. 8102) (7 CFR part 4270) (https://www.biopreferred.gov).

(4) Acceptable chemicals, products, and manufacturing processes listed under EPA’s Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program, which ensures a safe and smooth transition away from substances that contribute to the depletion of stratospheric ozone (42 U.S.C. 7671l) (40 CFR part 82, subpart G) (https://www.epa.gov/snap).

(b) Requirements.

(1) The sustainable products and services, including the purchasing program and type of product or service, that are applicable to this contract, and any products or services that are not subject to this clause, will be set forth in the statement of work or elsewhere in the contract.

(2) The Contractor shall ensure that the sustainable products and services required by this contract are—

(i) Delivered to the Government;

(ii) Furnished for use by the Government;

(iii) Incorporated into the construction of a public building or public work; and Page 28 of

(iv) Furnished for use in performing services under this contract, where the cost of the products is a direct cost to this contract (versus costs which are normally applied to the Contractor’s general and administrative expenses or indirect costs). This includes services performed by contractors performing management and operation of Government-owned facilities to the same extent that, at the time of award, an agency would be required to comply if an agency operated or supported the facility.

USGS, RFQ 140G0326Q0098 Sediment Core Subsampling, Processing, & Preparation Page 21 of 35

(c) Resource. The Green Procurement Compilation (GPC) available at https://sftool.gov/greenprocurement provides a comprehensive list of sustainable products and services and sustainable acquisition guidance. The Contractor should review the GPC when determining which statutory purchasing programs apply to a specific product or service.

52.240-91 - Security Prohibitions and Exclusions (MAR 2026)

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause—

American Security Drone Act-covered foreign entity means an entity included on a list that the Federal Acquisition Security Council (FASC) develops and maintains and publishes in the System for Award Management (SAM) at https://www.sam.gov (section 1822 of Pub. L. 118-31, 41 U.S.C. 3901 note prec.).

Backhaul means intermediate links between the core network, or backbone network, and the small subnetworks at the edge of the network (e.g., connecting cell phones/towers to the core telephone network).