W912EK-16-R-0012_Amendment_0001.pdf

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

30-105-04EXCEPTION TO SF 30

APPROVED BY OIRM 11-84

STANDARD FORM 30 (Rev. 10-83) Prescribed by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

Biological Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) - Natural Resource Investigations in the Upper Mississippi RIver Basin, Mississippi Valley Division (MVD), and the Chicago District (LRC) of the Great Lakes Division

The reason for this amendment is to include FAR Clause 52.204-8 Annual Representations and Certif ications, to update clause MVR.02 and the Source Selection Plan.

All other terms and conditions have remained the same.

1. CONTRACT ID CODE PAGE OF PAGES

J 1 16

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

16C. DATE SIGNED

BY 10-May-2016

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA15C. DATE SIGNED15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

(Signature of Contracting Officer)(Signature of person authorized to sign)

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., Street, County, State and Zip Code) X W912EK-16-R-0012

X 9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

02-May-2016

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

X The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offer is extended, X is not extended.

Offer must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended by one of the following methods:

(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted;

or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required)

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS.

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE

CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(B).

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority)

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is not, is required to sign this document and return copies to the issuing office.

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

10A. MOD. OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO. 5. PROJECT NO.(If applicable)

6. ISSUED BY

3. EFFECTIVE DATE

10-May-2016

CODE

CONTRACTING DIVISION

US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS

1500 ROCK ISLAND DRIVE

ROCK ISLAND IL 61201

W912EK 7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than item 6)

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO.

CODE

See Item 6

FACILITY CODECODE

EMAIL:TEL:

W912EK-16-R-0012

SECTION I - CONTRACT CLAUSES

MVR.02

QUESTION AND ANSWER

VIA PROJNET

Technical inquiries and questions relating to this solicitation are to be submitted via Bidder Inquiry in ProjNet at (https://www.projnet.org) No Later Than (NLT) May 25th 2016 at 2:00 p.m. To submit and review inquiry items, prospective vendors will need to use the Bidder Inquiry Key presented below and follow the instructions listed below the key for access. A prospective vendor who submits a comment /question will receive an acknowledgement of their comment/question via email. Another email to the same address will notify the prospective vendor once the reply is available for viewing.

The Bidder Inquiry Key is: 9T7PIW-PNPR48 Specific Instructions for ProjNet Bid Inquiry Access:

1. From the ProjNet home page linked above, click on Quick Add on the upper right side of the screen.

2. Identify the Agency. This should be marked as USACE.

3. Key. Enter the Bidder Inquiry Key listed above.

4. Email. Enter the email address you would like to use for communication.

5. Click Continue. A page will then open saying that a user account was not found and will ask you to create one using the provided form.

6. Enter your First Name, Last Name, Company, City, State, Phone, Email, Secret Question, Secret

Answer, and Time Zone. Make sure to remember your Secret Question and Answer as they will be used from this point on to access the ProjNet system.

7. Click Add User. Once this is completed you are now registered within ProjNet and are currently logged into the system.

Specific Instructions for Future ProjNet Bid Inquiry Access:

1. For future access to ProjNet, you will not be provided any type of password. You will utilize your Secret Question and Secret Answer to log in.

2. From the ProjNet home page linked above, click on Quick Add on the upper right side of the screen.

3. Identify the Agency. This should be marked as USACE.

4. Key. Enter the Bidder Inquiry Key listed above.

5. Email. Enter the email address you used to register previously in ProjNet.

6. Click Continue. A page will then open asking you to enter the answer to your Secret Question.

7. Enter your Secret Answer and click Login. Once this is completed you are now logged into the system.

SECTION K - REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

The following have been added by full text:

52.204-8 ANNUAL REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS (APR 2016)

(a)(1) The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 541690.

(2) The small business size standard is $15 million

(3) The small business size standard for a concern which submits an offer in its own name, other than on a construction or service contract, but which proposes to furnish a product which it did not itself manufacture, is 500 employees.

(b)(1) If the provision at 52.204-7, System for Award Management, is included in this solicitation, paragraph (d) of this provision applies.

(2) If the provision at 52.204-7 is not included in this solicitation, and the offeror is currently registered in System for Award Management (SAM), and has completed the Representations and Certifications section of SAM electronically, the offeror may choose to use paragraph (d) of this provision instead of completing the corresponding individual representations and certifications in the solicitation. The offeror shall indicate which option applies by checking one of the following boxes:

( ) Paragraph (d) applies.

( ) Paragraph (d) does not apply and the offeror has completed the individual representations and certifications in the solicitation.

(c) (1) The following representations or certifications in SAM are applicable to this solicitation as indicated:

(i) 52.203-2, Certificate of Independent Price Determination. This provision applies to solicitations when a firm-fixed-price contract or fixed-price contract with economic price adjustment is contemplated, unless—

(A) The acquisition is to be made under the simplified acquisition procedures in Part 13;

(B) The solicitation is a request for technical proposals under two-step sealed bidding procedures; or

(C) The solicitation is for utility services for which rates are set by law or regulation.

(ii) 52.203-11, Certification and Disclosure Regarding Payments to Influence Certain Federal Transactions. This provision applies to solicitations expected to exceed $150,000.

(iii) 52.204-3, Taxpayer Identification. This provision applies to solicitations that do not include the provision at 52.204-7, System for Award Management.

(iv) 52.204-5, Women-Owned Business (Other Than Small Business). This provision applies to solicitations that—

(A) Are not set aside for small business concerns;

(B) Exceed the simplified acquisition threshold; and

(C) Are for contracts that will be performed in the United States or its outlying areas.

(v) 52.209-2; Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations--Representation.

(vi) 52.209-5; Certification Regarding Responsibility Matters. This provision applies to solicitations where the contract value is expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold.

(vii) 52.209-11, Representation by Corporations Regarding elinquent Tax Liability or a Felony Conviction under any Federal Law. This provision applies to all solicitations.

(viii) 52.214-14, Place of Performance--Sealed Bidding. This provision applies to invitations for bids except those in which the place of performance is specified by the Government.

(ix) 52.215-6, Place of Performance. This provision applies to solicitations unless the place of performance is specified by the Government.

(x) 52.219-1, Small Business Program Representations (Basic & Alternate I). This provision applies to solicitations when the contract will be performed in the United States or its outlying areas.

(A) The basic provision applies when the solicitations are issued by other than DoD, NASA, and the Coast Guard.

(B) The provision with its Alternate I applies to solicitations issued by DoD, NASA, or the Coast Guard.

(xi) 52.219-2, Equal Low Bids. This provision applies to solicitations when contracting by sealed bidding and the contract will be performed in the United States or its outlying areas.

(xii) 52.222-22, Previous Contracts and Compliance Reports. This provision applies to solicitations that include the clause at 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity.

(xiii) 52.222-25, Affirmative Action Compliance. This provision applies to solicitations, other than those for construction, when the solicitation includes the clause at 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity.

(xiv) 52.222-38, Compliance with Veterans' Employment Reporting Requirements. This provision applies to solicitations when it is anticipated the contract award will exceed the simplified acquisition threshold and the contract is not for acquisition of commercial items.

(xv) 52.223-1, Biobased Product Certification. This provision applies to solicitations that require the delivery or specify the use of USDA-designated items; or include the clause at 52.223-2, Affirmative Procurement of Biobased Products Under Service and Construction Contracts.

(xvi) 52.223-4, Recovered Material Certification. This provision applies to solicitations that are for, or specify the use of, EPA- designated items.

(xvii) 52.225-2, Buy American Certificate. This provision applies to solicitations containing the clause at 52.225-1.

(xviii) 52.225-4, Buy American--Free Trade Agreements--Israeli Trade Act Certificate. (Basic, Alternates I, II, and III.) This provision applies to solicitations containing the clause at 52.225- 3.

(A) If the acquisition value is less than $25,000, the basic provision applies.

(B) If the acquisition value is $25,000 or more but is less than $50,000, the provision with its Alternate I applies.

(C) If the acquisition value is $50,000 or more but is less than $77,533, the provision with its Alternate II applies.

(D) If the acquisition value is $77,533 or more but is less than $100,000, the provision with its Alternate III applies.

(xix) 52.225-6, Trade Agreements Certificate. This provision applies to solicitations containing the clause at 52.225- 5.

(xx) 52.225-20, Prohibition on Conducting Restricted Business Operations in Sudan--Certification. This provision applies to all solicitations.

(xxi) 52.225-25, Prohibition on Contracting with Entities Engaging in Certain Activities or Transactions Relating to Iran—Representation and Certification. This provision applies to all solicitations.

(xxii) 52.226-2, Historically Black College or University and Minority Institution Representation. This provision applies to solicitations for research, studies, supplies, or services of the type normally acquired from higher educational institutions.

(2) The following representations or certifications are applicable as indicated by the Contracting Officer:

[Contracting Officer check as appropriate.]

(i) 52.204-17, Ownership or Control of Offeror.

(ii) 52.204-20, Predecessor of Offeror.

(iii) 52.222-18, Certification Regarding Knowledge of Child Labor for Listed End Products.

(iv) 52.222-48, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment--Certification.

(v) 52.222-52 Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Certain Services--Certification.

(vi) 52.223-9, with its Alternate I, Estimate of Percentage of Recovered Material Content for EPA- Designated Products (Alternate I only).

(vii) 52.227-6, Royalty Information.

(A) Basic.

(B) Alternate I.

(viii) 52.227-15, Representation of Limited Rights Data and Restricted Computer Software.

(d) The offeror has completed the annual representations and certifications electronically via the SAM website accessed through https://www.acquisition.gov. After reviewing the SAM database information, the offeror verifies by submission of the offer that the representations and certifications currently posted electronically that apply to this solicitation as indicated in paragraph (c) of this provision have been entered or updated within the last 12 months, are current, accurate, complete, and applicable to this solicitation (including the business size standard applicable to the NAICS code referenced for this solicitation), as of the date of this offer and are incorporated in this offer by reference (see FAR 4.1201); except for the changes identified below [offeror to insert changes, identifying change by clause number, title, date]. These amended representation(s) and/or certification(s) are also incorporated in this offer and are current, accurate, and complete as of the date of this offer.

FAR Clause Title Date Change

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

https://www.acquisition.gov/

(End of provision)

SECTION L - INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS AND NOTICES TO BIDDERS

The following have been modified:

INSTRUCTION TO OFFERORS

SECTION L - PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

Overview

This Source Selection Plan (SSP) defines the criteria, organization, and policies to be used in selecting a contractor to provide Natural Resource Investigations in the Upper Mississippi River Basin Mississippi Valley Division (MVD) and the Chicago District of the Great Lakes and Ohio River Division in support of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Rock Island District.

A. Background and Objectives

The Rock Island District Contracting Office has a requirement to provide a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) professional service contract vehicle for Natural Resource Investigations in the Upper Mississippi River Basin Mississippi Valley Division and the Chicago District of the Great Lakes and Ohio River Division.

B. Acquisition Strategy

This is a competitive acquisition for a single award, professional service Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. Award will be made to the best overall proposal that is determined to be the most advantageous to the Government. The business goal of the contract is to provide Biological Services for Natural Resources Investigations in the Upper Mississippi River Basin, Mississippi River Valley Division (MVD), and the Chicago District (LRC) of the Great Lakes Division (LRD).

1. Introduction

The offeror’s proposal shall be submitted via electronic version to the Contract Specialist as set forth below:

The offeror’s proposal shall consist of four (4) volumes. The Volumes are:

I -Technical II - Past Performance III - Price IV - Solicitation, Offer and Award Documents and Certifications/Representations.

Files shall not contain classified data. The use of hyperlinks in proposals is prohibited.

Offerors are cautioned that “parroting” of the Technical requirements or the Performance Work Statement (PWS) with a statement of intent to perform does not reflect an understanding of the requirement or capability to perform. Proprietary information shall be clearly marked.

2. Proposal Submission Requirements

A. Each volume shall be submitted electronically. Each document within the file shall be clearly labeled with its title. The Contractor shall sign the Standard Form 33.

B. All documents shall be single spaced. Each paragraph shall be separated by at least one (1) blank line.

A standard, 12-point minimum font size applies. Arial or New Times Roman fonts are required. Tables and illustrations may use a reduced font size no less than 8-point and may be landscape.

C. The following volumes of material shall be submitted:

Digital Copies Max Pages

I

TECHNICAL

• Personnel Qualifications and

Experience

• Regional Expertise

• Organizational Capabilities

150 total

II PAST PERFORMANCE 1 20

III

PRICE

• For Evaluation Only –

Sample Schedule of Prices 1 N/A

IV

SOLICITATION, OFFER, &

AWARD (SF33)

• Schedule of Prices

1 N/A

NOTE: Pages that exceed the page limitations will not be evaluated. Additional pages over the maximum allowed will be removed or not read and will not be evaluated by the Government.

3. Proposal Files

a. Format. The submission shall be clearly indexed and logically assembled. Each volume shall be clearly identified and shall begin at the top of a page. All pages of each volume shall be appropriately numbered and identified by the complete company name, date and RFP number in the header and/or footer. A Table of Contents should be created using the Table of Content feature in MS Word. MS Word (doc) files shall use the following page setup parameters:

Margins – Top, Bottom, Left, Right – 1” Gutter – 0” From Edge – Header, Footer 0.5” Page Size, Width – 8.5” Page Size, Height – 11”

NOTE: 11X17 folded pages are acceptable for tables/graphic representations; however, each 11X17 page counts as two (2) pages.

b. File Packaging. Files shall be searchable in read-only format, using PDF files. **Please note – Self extracting exe files are not acceptable.

c. Content Requirement. All information shall be confined to the appropriate volume. Each volume of the proposal shall consist of a Table of Contents, along with the detailed information provided below:

Volume I – Technical Approach - No technical information shall be contained in any other volume of this proposal. The volume shall be organized into the following sections:

1. Personnel Qualifications and Experience: this section only contains the resumes and certifications of the following:

a. Principal Investigator, Key Personnel, and Consultants or Subcontractors Experience

b. Principal or Co-Principal Investigator Qualifications

2. Regional Expertise: this section contains the offeror’s proposed Regional Expertise of water resource management activities within the Mississippi River Watershed.

3. Organizational Capabilities: this section contains the offeror’s proposed Organizational Capabilities.

Volume II – Past Performance - This section shall contain past performance information regarding similar contracts as the prime contractor.

Offerors shall submit all Government and/or commercial contracts for the prime Offeror and each major subcontractor in performance or awarded during the past three (3) years, from the issue date of this RFP, which are relevant to the efforts required by this solicitation. Data concerning the offeror shall be provided first, followed by each proposed major subcontractor, in alphabetical order. The Offeror shall also submit the written consent of its major subcontractors to allow the disclosure of its subcontractor’s past performance information to the Offeror. No past performance information shall be contained in any other volume of this proposal.

Past Performance Questionnaire. The offeror shall submit up to five (5) Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ) Forms (located in Section J of the SF33) which shall identify if the contract is active or complete, the contract was for the Government (Federal, state, local, etc.) or commercial, if the offeror was the prime contractor, a teaming partner, and/or joint venture.

Clearly link the past performance information to Factor 1 “Technical Approach” factor/sub-factors/elements stated in the solicitation.

* T h i s v o l u m e s h a l l n o t e x c e e d t w e n t y ( 2 0 ) p a g e s , e x c l u d i n g t h e P a s t P e r f o r m a n c e Q u e s t i o n n a i r e F o r m s ( P P Q )

Additionally, as applicable, offerors are to include a discussion of efforts to resolve problems encountered as well as efforts to identify and manage project risk. Where problems existed, clearly demonstrate management actions employed in overcoming these problems and the effects of those actions, in terms of improvements achieved or problems rectified. Contracts shall be at least six (6) months old to be considered. Contracts with expiration dates prior to ten (10) years ago shall not be considered.

In addition to the above, the Government may review any other sources of information for evaluating past performance. Other sources may include, but are not limited to, past performance information retrieved through the Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS), including Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS), using all CAGE/DUNS numbers of team members (partnership, joint venture, teaming arrangement, or parent company/subsidiary/affiliate) identified in the Offeror’s proposal, inquiries of owner representative(s), Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS), Electronic Subcontract Reporting System (eSRS), and any other known sources not provided by the Offeror. While the Government may elect to consider data from other sources, the burden of providing detailed, current, accurate and complete past performance information rests with the Offeror.

Offerors should follow-up with clients/references to ensure timely submittal of questionnaires. If the client requests, questionnaires may be submitted directly to the Government’s point of contact, Justine Womboldt via email at justine.a.womboldt@usace.army.mil prior to proposal to the closing date.

Volume III – Price: F o r Evaluation Only – Sample Schedule of Prices (located in Section J of the SF33) must be completed and returned. Failure to provide may result in your proposal not being considered for award.

Certified cost and pricing data are not currently required; however, the Government reserves the right to request such data prior to award. No pricing information shall be contained in any other volume of this proposal.

Volume IV – Solicitations, Offer And Award Documents And Certifications/Representations:

Certifications and Representations – Each offeror shall complete (fill-ins and signatures) the solicitation sections indicated below:

Standard Form 33 (SF 33), Solicitation, Schedule of Prices (located in Section B of the SF33) Offer and Award and all amendments, Representations, Certification and Other Statements of Offerors

E. DISCUSSIONS

1. GENERAL INFORMATION In accordance with FAR 15.306(d), discussion sessions with each offeror may be held. Should discussions take place, all offerors in the competitive range will be allowed a minimum of seven (7) calendar days to submit Final Proposal Revisions.

2. DISCUSSION SCHEDULING If discussions are conducted, the Contracting Officer will schedule the discussion sessions, and each offeror will be notified of the time and place at least three (3) business days prior to their discussion session. Appropriate security clearances should be provided by the offerors in sufficient time to process the requests. The Contracting Officer will provide additional instructions with the notification. The discussion sessions will take place by the method of the Government’s choosing and provided to the contractor in writing.

mailto:justine.a.womboldt@usace.army.mil

SECTION M - EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

The following have been modified:

EVALUATION CRITERIA

SECTION M - BASIS FOR AWARD

The award will be made based on the best overall (i.e., best value) proposal that is determined to be the most advantageous to the Government, with appropriate consideration given to three (3) evaluation factors: Technical Approach, Past Performance, and Price.

The evaluation factors are listed in descending order of importance: technical approach, past performance, and price. The non-price factors - technical approach and past performance, when combined are significantly more important than price. Technical approach is the most important factor.

Past performance is more important than price.

Proposed prices will be evaluated but not scored or otherwise combined with the other aspects of the proposal evaluation. To receive consideration for award, a rating of no less than “Acceptable” must be achieved for the Technical factor (to include all sub-factors). Offerors are cautioned award may not necessarily be made to the lowest price offered.

NOTE: ALL EVALUATION FACTORS OTHER THAN COST OR PRICE, WHEN COMBINED, are significantly more important than cost or price (FAR 15.101-1(b) (2))

A. FACTORS AND SUB-FACTORS TO BE EVALUATED

The following evaluation factors and sub-factors will be used to evaluate each proposal: Award will be made to the offeror whose proposal is most advantageous to the Government based upon an integrated assessment of the evaluation factors and sub-factors described below.

Factor 1: The Technical Approach consists of three (3) equally important sub-factors rolling up into an overall rating:

a. Sub-factor 1: Personnel Qualifications and Experience

b. Sub-factor 2: Regional Expertise

c. Sub-factor 3: Organizational Capabilities

Factor 2: Past Performance: Each offeror’s past performance will be reviewed to determine recency, relevancy (including context of data) and quality (including general trends in contractor performance and source of information).

Factor 3: Price: The resulting award will be a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. Price reasonableness will be utilized in the evaluation of this effort in accordance with FAR Part 15 procedures.

B. EVALUATION APPROACH

All proposals shall be subject to evaluation by the Source Selection Team (SST).

1. The overarching evaluation approach for all factors and sub-factors is as follows:

a. Adequacy of Response. The proposal will be evaluated to determine whether the offeror’s methods and approach have adequately and completely considered, defined, and satisfied the requirements specified in the Request for Proposal (RFP). The proposal will be evaluated to determine the extent to which each requirement has been addressed in the proposal in accordance with the proposal submission section of the RFP.

b. Feasibility of Approach. The proposal will be evaluated to determine the extent in which the offeror is expected to successfully complete the proposal tasks and technical requirements within the required schedule.

2. Factor 1 – Technical Approach: The Technical Approach is divided into the following sub-factors:

A. Sub-factor 1 Personnel Qualifications and Experience: This sub-factor evaluates the offeror’s proposed qualifications and experience of the Principal Investigator(s) and Key Personnel as well as consultants or subcontractors for the basic contract period and all option years. The following are sub-factor 1 elements on which the offeror’s proposal will be evaluated. All elements are of equal importance rolling up into an overall rating for Factor 1 Technical Approach:

The evaluation will focus on the offeror’s:

• Principal Investigator, Key Personnel, and Consultants or Subcontractors Experience: Proposals shall provide a resume for each individual of previous experience on projects of similar complexity. The Government will evaluate the quality and extent of related experience and determine if the offeror has the required experience, education, training, and ability to manage simultaneous multi-disciplined, professional service projects, comparable to the work required in this solicitation.

o Principal or Co-Principal Investigator Qualifications: Proposals shall provide a resume of qualifications for the Principal or Co-Principal Investigator. They shall possess both of the following qualifications: Biologist/Ecologist with a Ph.D. or M.S.; and minimum of five (5) years professional experience within the last ten (10) years relating directly to the fields of biology or ecology. Experience prior to last the ten (10) years will not be given consideration.

o Resumes should clearly display proposed job title, current employer, education, special qualifications and experience record showing title, specific duties, responsibilities and assignment within at least the last five (5) years. The purpose of this submittal is to identify the level of expertise available for this contract.

o After contract award, the Contracting Officer shall approve replacement of any key management personnel after verifying that they meet or exceed the requirements of the solicitation.

B. Sub-factor 2 Regional Expertise: This sub-factor evaluates the offeror’s Regional Expertise.

• Demonstrated Experience: conducting species surveys, environmental resource inventories, habitat valuation and assessment methodologies, environmental restoration and rehabilitation, and wetland delineation within the Mississippi River Watershed.

• The proposal shall include at a minimum five (5) regional expertise projects in conducting species surveys that have been executed by the offeror and its team members as either a prime contractor or a subcontractors. Additionally – offerors may include projects in environmental resource inventories, habitat valuation, assessment methodologies, environmental restoration and rehabilitation, and wetland delineation within the Mississippi River Watershed.

o Each project should include project name and location.

o Include a narrative overview of the project site including project description and use of innovation and major accomplishments.

C. Sub-factor 3 Organizational Capabilities: This sub-factor evaluates the offeror’s management and organizational team (all subcontractors should be included in this organizational structure), for this contract shall be outlined through a narrative and diagrammed organizational chart.

• The relationships of the offeror’s proposed team should be described, i.e. owned, sub-contracted effort, joint venture, member of consortium, etc.

• The corporate/organizational narrative shall include a brief list of the projects, which have been executed under this organizational structure and the length of time the sub-organization(s) not owned by the offeror has been part of the organizational structure (or the team).

• Clearly define the organizational roles/responsibilities and the contractual/legal responsibilities of the team or joint venture units and demonstrated capabilities to provide: GIS, field, and standard equipment sufficient to undertake the work relative to the requirements in the Scope of Work and to the Performance Standards found in this solicitation (Part I -Section C – Description/Specifications/Work Statement).

• The Offeror shall have office/field/laboratory facilities and standard equipment sufficient to undertake the work relative to the requirements in the Scope of Work and to the Performance Standards found in this solicitation.

Technical/Risk Rating, which reflects the Government's confidence in each offeror's ability, as demonstrated in its proposal, to perform the requirements stated in the RFP, shall be evaluated and assigned a rating based on the following:

COMBINED TECHNICAL/RISK A P P R O A C H RATINGS

Rating Description

Outstanding Proposal indicates an exceptional approach and understanding of the requirements and contains multiple strengths, and risk of unsuccessful performance is low.

Good Proposal indicates a thorough approach and understanding of the requirements and contains at least one strength, and risk of unsuccessful performance is low to moderate.

Acceptable Proposal meets requirements and indicates an adequate approach and understanding of the requirements and risk of unsuccessful performance is no worse than moderate.

Marginal Proposal has not demonstrated an adequate approach and understanding of the requirements, and/or risk of unsuccessful performance is high.

Unacceptable Proposal does not meet requirements of the solicitation, and thus, contains one or more deficiencies, and/or risk of unsuccessful performance is unacceptable.

Proposal is un-awardable.

3. Factor 2 – Past Performance: There are two aspects to the past performance evaluation. The Government will first evaluate the offeror’s past performance to determine how relevant a recent effort is as it relates to the requirements outlined in Section C of this solicitation. In establishing relevancy for this solicitation, consideration will be given to those aspects of an offeror’s contract history that would give the greatest ability to measure whether the offeror will satisfy the current procurement. Common aspects of relevancy include similarity of service/support, complexity, dollar value, contract type, and degree of subcontract/teaming.

Each project submitted for past performance purposes will receive a Past Performance Relevancy Rating as defined in Table 2 below.

PAST PERFORMANCE RELEVANCY RATING

Relevancy Description

Very Relevant Present/past performance effort involved essentially the same scope and magnitude of effort and complexities this solicitation requires.

Relevant Present/past performance effort involved similar scope and magnitude of effort and complexities this solicitation requires.

Somewhat Relevant Present/past performance effort involved some of the scope and magnitude of effort and complexities this solicitation requires.

Not Relevant Present/past performance effort involved little or none of the scope and magnitude of effort and complexities this solicitation requires.

The second aspect of the past performance evaluation is to determine the overall quality of the offeror’s past performance. The past performance evaluation performed in support of a current source selection does not establish, create, or change the existing record and history of the offeror’s past performance on past contracts; rather, the past performance evaluation process gathers information from customers on how well the offeror performed those past contracts.

Sources of Past Performance: While the Government may elect to consider data from other sources, the burden of providing detailed, current accurate and complete past performance information rests with the offeror. The Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) is a required system and the preferred source of past performance information, when available. The project shall be completed within the last five (5) years. The proposal shall include up to five (5), Past Performance Questionnaires (PPQ) Forms. Sources of Past Performance Information for Evaluation are as follows:

• Past performance information may be provided by the offeror, as solicited.

• The Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ) included in the solicitation (Section J) is provided for the offeror to submit to the client for each project the offeror includes in it proposal for determining the overall quality of the offeror’s past performance. Completed PPQs should be submitted with your proposal. Ensure correct phone numbers and email addresses are provided for the client point of contact. Completed Past Performance Questionnaires should be submitted with your proposal. If the offeror is unable to obtain a completed PPQ from a client for a project(s) before proposal closing date, the offeror should complete and submit with the proposal the first page of the PPQ, which will provide contract and client information for the respective project(s). Offerors should follow-up with clients/references to ensure timely submittal of questionnaires. If the client requests, questionnaires may be submitted directly to the Government’s point of contact, Ms. Justine Womboldt via email at Justine.a.womboldt@usace.army.mil prior to proposal closing date.

Offerors shall not incorporate by reference into their proposal PPQs previously submitted for other RFPs. However, this does not preclude the Government from utilizing previously submitted PPQ information in the past performance evaluation.

• Past performance information may be obtained from any other sources available to the

Government, to include, but not limited to, the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS), the Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS), Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS), Electronic Subcontract Reporting System (ESRS), or other databases.

PERFORMANCE CONFIDENCE ASSESSMENT: A performance confidence assessment rating will be assigned for each offeror after evaluating the offeror's recent past performance, focusing on performance that is relevant to the current procurement. Past performance information in conjunction with the performance relevancy rating will be reviewed and evaluated to determine the quality and usefulness as it applies to performance confidence assessment.

PERFORMANCE CONFIDENCE ASSESSMENTS RATING

Assessment Description Substantial Confidence Based on the offeror’s recent/relevant performance record, the

Government has a high expectation that the offeror will successfully perform the required effort.

Satisfactory Confidence Based on the offeror’s recent/relevant performance record, the Government has a reasonable expectation that the offeror will successfully perform the required effort.

Neutral Confidence No recent/relevant performance record is available or the offeror’s performance record is so sparse that no meaningful confidence assessment rating can be reasonably assigned. The offeror may not be evaluated favorably or unfavorably on the factor of Past Performance.

Limited Confidence Based on the offeror’s recent/relevant performance record, the Government has a low expectation that the offeror will successfully perform the required effort.

No Confidence Based on the offeror’s recent/relevant performance record, the Government has no expectation that the offeror will be able to successfully perform the required effort.

Offerors for which no relevant past performance record is available will not have that factor considered, either positively or negatively, in the evaluation of the proposal package. An “unknown confidence/neutral” rating shall be assigned when an offeror provides no past performance data and/or where none can be readily obtained. When arriving at a consensus rating for past performance, evaluators shall consider a “neutral” rating as one that neither helps nor harms an offeror’s chances of being awarded a contract.

4. Factor 3 – Price: Price will be evaluated for reasonableness in accordance with FAR Part 15.

Contract Line Item prices will be evaluated to determine whether the estimated proposed prices are reasonable for the work to be performed; reflect a clear understanding of the requirements; and are consistent with the offeror’s technical proposal.

1) The offeror shall ensure the information submitted in this volume is consistent with and fully supports the dollar values set forth in the For Evaluation Only – Sample Schedule of Prices and SF33 Schedule of Prices.

2) In accordance with FAR 15.304(e), all evaluation factors other than cost or price, when combined, are significantly more important than cost or price (10 U.S.C. 2305 (a)(3)(A)(iii) and 41 U.S.C.

253a(c)(1)(C)). However, the Government will not make an award to significantly higher overall price to achieve slightly superior technical features.

3) The Government may reject any proposal that is evaluated and determined to be unrealistic in terms of project commitments, including contract terms and conditions, or unreasonably high or low in cost when compared to the Government Estimate, such that the proposal is deemed to reflect an inherent lack of competence or failure to comprehend the complexity and risks of the project.

AWARD WITHOUT DISCUSSIONS

The Government intends to award without discussions IAW FAR 52.215-1; however, the Government reserves the right to open and conduct discussions if it deems them to be necessary. Therefore, offerors are advised to submit proposals that are fully and clearly acceptable without additional information. If award will be made without conducting discussions, offerors may only be given the opportunity to clarify certain aspects of proposals (e.g., the relevance of an offeror’s past performance information and adverse past performance information to which the offeror has not previously had an opportunity to respond) or to resolve minor or clerical errors. Adverse past performance includes past performance information that supports a less than satisfactory rating on any evaluation element of any unfavorable comments received from sources without a formal rating system.

COMPETITIVE RANGE/DISCUSSIONS

If discussions are deemed necessary, they will be held only with those offeror’s determined to be in the competitive range. The Contracting Officer may establish a competitive range comprised of the most highly rated proposals based on the rating of each evaluation factor against the evaluation criteria. The competitive range may be further reduced for proposes of efficiency pursuant to FAR 15.306(c)(2). If the Government elects to open discussions, it has sole discretion as to whether an offeror is in the competitive range, and may include proposals rated “unacceptable” under the Technical Factor. Offerors whose proposals are not included in the competitive range will be notified as soon as possible.

Discussions will include issuance of evaluation notices. An offeror initially included in the competitive range may be eliminated from consideration for award during discussions. At the conclusion of discussions, each offeror still within the competitive range shall be given an opportunity to submit a Final Proposal Revision.

DEBRIEFING

The debriefing of all offerors, successful or unsuccessful, will be conducted in accordance with FAR

15.505 – Pre-award Debriefing of Offerors or FAR 15.506 – Post-award Debriefing Offerors, “Day” for the purposes of debriefing means calendar days, except that the period will run until a day which is not a Saturday, Sunday or Legal Holiday. A summary of the debriefing shall be included in the official contract file. Offerors shall be permitted only one (1) debriefing.

(End of Summary of Changes)