W912QR23Q0056 Questions.pdf

Solicitation W912QR23Q0056 LRL Water Quality Data & Sample Collection

Question: Does the price breakout schedule reflect rates which will be invoiced on a T&M basis, or a firm fixed price?

Answer. The IDIQ will be a Firm Fixed Price Contract.

Question: Will an exact budget based on individual Task Orders be required each year?

Answer: No each task order will have a cost based on the firm fixed prices.

Question: In previous years, samples needed to be collected by either August or September depending on location to ensure samples reflected stratified lake conditions. Is this a requirement for FY23.

a. If so, since the contract will be awarded in June, we expect costs for FY23 to be greater than that of future years due to the short timeframe for logistics and mobilization. Please advise.

Answer: It is the intent that FY23 will have all lakes sampled by the end of September and all lakes in Indiana by end of August.

Question: I noticed that the GSA rates are specified for lodging and per diem meals, but not mileage. Since this project requires hauling a boat loaded with equipment and samples, the IRS mileage reimbursement rate is not reflective of costs. For example, it is estimated that there is a 30% drop in fuel efficiency towing a boat, although the number may vary greatly. Would it be acceptable to propose a mileage rate reflective of actual costs?

Answer: Yes, that is acceptable.

Question: Mileage is based on travel to/from Louisville. Our office is located in ______________ and thus mileage will vary depending on the site. Which mileage cost should be used for the price breakdown? This question maybe subjective since it has a location from and to.

Answer: Use the mileage rate that applies to your costs, i.e., your location.

Question: How should we capture mileage and labor hours between the stream sites? For example, many sites are remote and located a good distance from each other. Please clarify if “stream site-multiple collection types” (C-2.4, C-2.5, C-2.6) include these costs.

Answer: Mileage and labor associated with traveling between sites is included in the cost for each site type. For simplicity, an average value of mileage and travel time must be applied (e.g., 10 miles on average to travel to a site).

Question: In previous years Algal were not required for stream sites. Please confirm as this will greatly affect labor hours per stream site.

Answer: See Amendment 0001

Question: How should we capture mileage and labor hours between reservoir sites? This also varies greatly depending on the reservoir and specific sample points selected for that reservoir. Please clarify if “reservoir site-multiple collection types” (C-2.1, C-2.2, C-2.3) include these costs.

Answer: Same as above, these costs are included with the reservoir site types. Provide an average value.

Question: Please clarify how supply costs for the sampling should be calculated. For example, there are several fixed costs such as calibration fluids, boat and equipment rental, and one-time overhead purchases (ropes, safety gear, etc.) which get spread out amongst the sites and thus will be less expensive per site as the number of sample points increase.

Answer: Supplies (e.g., calibration fluids, DI water, etc.) are reflected as an average price per site. Equipment (e.g., ropes, safety gear, meters, etc.) are not included in the IGE.

Question: Our biologist/project manager travels from _____________ for this project. Please advise how his travel and airfare costs should be captured.

Answer: Recommend including that as part of the “Roundtrip travel (mileage and labor) per sampling event” cost.

The intent of that is to account for costs for each sampling event (i.e., a sampling of the whole lake during a single visit, usually within a week’s time).

Question: In previous years, the QC manager has been responsible for QC and PMP implementation with tasks such as data QAQC, sample schedule management and liaison with ERDC for bottle orders. Please advise if these hours should be included in the sample collection numbers or listed separately.

Answer: This should be included with the “per site” costs.

Question: Is this a set aside for strictly WOSB or is it open to say minority owned business.

Answer: This is set aside for WOSB.

Question: Does this require a boat, or will you be providing one because in your line item I didn't see boat rental fee or price for fuel for boat

Answer: A boat will be needed to make collections on the reservoir. Cost for equipment, such as a boat, is not included in the price. Cost for supplies, such as fuel, is included in the “per site” line items.

Question: What are the dates of sampling season?

Answer: It is the intent that FY23 will have all lakes sampled by the end of September and all lakes in Indiana by end of August. This only reflects our intentions for 2023.