External Review Support Services

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Office of Acquisitions and Grants has issued a Special Notice for External Review Support Services solicitation 140G0126Q0118. This Request for Quotation seeks a qualified manager or group to conduct a comprehensive structural and operational evaluation of the Midwest U.S. Geological Survey Climate Adaptation Science Center and its associated academic consortium. The evaluation will assess the host university's effectiveness in meeting established goals, scientific achievements, stakeholder collaboration, and administrative competencies. The solicitation is designated as a Total Small Business Set Aside, meaning only small businesses are eligible to submit proposals. The evaluation findings and recommendations will inform future re-competition decisions for university hosting agreements.

Contractors must submit quotations electronically to terrence.hardy@ios.doi.gov by May 22, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET. The contract will be awarded as a Firm-Fixed-Price Purchase Order for a 12-month base period (July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027) with one optional 12-month extension, with performance conducted at USGS facilities in Reston, VA and potentially Midwest Climate Adaptation Science Center locations. Eligible contractors must be small businesses under NAICS Code 541690 (Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services) with a size standard of $19,000,000 in revenue. Proposals must include a technical approach (10 pages maximum), key personnel information (15 pages maximum), relevant project experience documented on mandatory Experience Project Data Sheets (3-5 projects, 2 pages each), and past performance documentation using either Contractor Performance Appraisal Reports or Past Performance Questionnaires. Evaluation will use trade-off procedures to select the single awardee, and the government anticipates making the award without discussions.