IDAHO PANHANDLE NF and NEZ PERCE-CLEARWATER NF, Vegetative Material Collection 2019

SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION 12034319Q0027
This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for a commercial item service prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation. This solicitation is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ) and the documents incorporate provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2019-01.

This procurement is set aside for Total Small Business. The NAICS code is 113210 Gathering of Forest Products, and the Small Business Size Standard is $11.0 million average annual receipts of a firm over three years.

CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

Effective Period of Contract: The effective period of this contract is from the date of Award through October 31, 2019. The estimated start date is May 15, 2019.

Pre-work Conference: Prior to commencement of work, the Contracting Officer (CO) will arrange a meeting with the Contractor to discuss the contract terms and work performance requirements. It will be scheduled at a time and place to be determined.

Approval of Subcontracting: The Contractor shall request approval from the CO prior to entering into any subcontract arrangement. The subcontractor shall have the experience and be equipped for such work. The written notification shall include as a minimum: 1) the name, address and telephone number of the subcontractor; and 2) the date upon which the subcontract was entered into and its duration.

Invoice/Billing Procedures:

(a) Invoice Processing Platform (IPP): The Invoice Processing Platform (IPP) is a secure, Web-based service that more efficiently manages Government invoicing from purchase order through payment notification at no charge to federal agencies and their vendors. The Forest Service is utilizing IPP for the electronic submission and tracking of contracts/purchase orders, invoices, and payment information. Payment through IPP is an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) into the Contractor's bank account.

If the Contractor chooses billing through IPP, the Contractor must enroll at www.ipp.gov/vendors/enrollment-vendors.htm in order to submit all invoices electronically and upload as an attachment a hard copy of the invoice or statement on billhead and Contractor sales slip showing the total amount being billed.

(b) Credit Card: The Contractor may choose payment by credit card to the extent the Contractor agrees to accept that method of payment. Any credit card fees shall be included in the quoted price. Hard copy invoices shall be submitted to the CO. Upon approval/acceptance of the invoice, the CO will provide Government VISA card information to the Contractor over the phone.

SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

Incidental Payment Items: The intent of the contract is to provide for the completion of the project described in the contract. Unless otherwise provided, the Contractor shall furnish all labor, materials, equipment, tools, transportation, and supplies and perform all work required to complete the project in accordance with the specifications and provisions of the contract. Payment for contract work will be made only for and under those pay items included in the Schedule of Items. All other work and materials will be considered as incidental to and included in the payment for items shown.

SAFETY AND WORKSITE CONDITIONS

Tree Climbing Standards:
(a) The Contractor shall take all precautions necessary to prevent excessive damage to trees. The Contractor shall provide all personal protection and tree climbing equipment, and a collapsible pole or branch hook for pulling the branches toward them to reach the material. Living branches shall not be deliberately broken, barked, or cut nor shall tree trunks be skinned or peeled to cause excessive damage to the cambium. If the COR determines that excessive damage is occurring, the Contractor's right to proceed will be suspended until the proper corrections have been made. Rappelling out of the crown is allowed.

(b) Contractor assumes all risks of loss or damage to his/her equipment and injury to self or employees, and will hold and save the Government and its employees harmless from liability of any nature or kind resulting from performance of this contract, except for negligent acts of Government employees.

Crew Safety: The Contractor shall comply with the safety requirements of the Forest Service Safety and Health Program Handbook (FSH 6709.12), the National Tree Climbing Guide and, FSH 6709.11 (See Section J, Exhibit C), Health and Safety Code Handbook, section 22.49. At the request of the Contractor, alternate procedures may be approved by the Contracting Officer that meet the intent of Forest Service safety requirements, but differ in actual practice. The Forest Service National Tree Climbing Guide (Technical Report 0567-2819-MTDC, March, 2015, may be found at:
https://www.fs.fed.us/rm/pubs_journals/2015/rmrs_2015_berdeen_j001.pdf
(a) The Contractor shall follow all Federal, State, and local safety laws and regulations applicable to the contract work to be performed.
(b) The Contractor shall:
(1) Provide a statement of technical capability and the number of years the Contractor has performed tree climbing work.
(2) Document the qualifications or skill level of individual personnel who will execute the provisions of the contract.
(3) Specify the techniques and safety practices planned and/or equipment to be used for the contract.
(4) Utilize safety practices for safe climbing, rescue, and emergency communications.

Fire Control:

(a) Contractor's Responsibility for Contractor-Caused Fires. The Contractor, whether or not directed by the Forest Service, shall immediately extinguish, without expense to the Government, all fires on or in the vicinity of the project which are caused by Contractor's employees, whether set directly or indirectly as a result of Contractor operations. The Contractor may be held liable for all damages and costs of additional labor, subsistence, equipment, supplies, and transportation resulting from fires set or caused by the Contractor's employees or resulting from contract operations.

(b) Fire Protection Requirements - Fire Plan. At all times during closed fire season period, as specified by State law, the Contractor shall comply with each of the following provisions to the extent applicable to the Contractor's operation under the contract.

(1) Fire Tools. The Contractor will provide for each employee in the contract area at least one approved handtool of a type appropriate in the contract area, such as shovel, pulaski, or ax. Tools required and furnished under (2) and (4) below, shall count toward fulfillment of the above requirement. Where additional tools, beyond those required under (2) and (4) below, are to be provided, the Contractor shall seal such tools in one or more boxes painted red and marked "Tools for Fire Only." All tools required herein shall be kept sharp and in good serviceable condition and maintained at locations to be designated by the Forest Service.

(2) Fire Extinguishers and Tools on Mobile or Stationary Equipment. Each unit of powered equipment used in connection with this contract, including automobiles, trucks, tractors, etc., shall be equipped with serviceable tools and fire extinguishers as follows:
One - fire extinguisher, dry chemical type of not less than 2-1/2 pound capacity with 4 BC or higher rating.
One - shovel, round point #0 lady or equal.
One - ax, 2 pounds or over, 26-inch minimum length, or one pulaski.
One - water container (at least 1-gallon capacity), not required with stationary equipment.

(3) Spark Arresters. Each internal combustion engine shall be provided with a spark arrester or spark arresting device approved by the Forest Service. Exceptions where the Forest Service may approve mufflers, or other equipment in lieu of spark arresters qualified and rated under Forest Service Standard 5100-1a are: (a) small multiposition engines, such as chain saws, shall meet Society of Automotive Engineers J335b standards; (b) passenger-carrying vehicles and light trucks may have baffle-type mufflers with tail pipe; (c) heavy-duty trucks may have a vertical stack exhaust system and muffler, provided the exhaust stack extends above the cab of the vehicle. An exhaust-driven turbocharger is considered to be a satisfactory spark arrester. Internal combustion engine exhaust systems, arresters, and other devices must be properly installed and maintained.

(4) Smoking. Smoking shall not be permitted within the contract area except on surfaced or dirt roads, at landings, within closed vehicles, in camps, or at other posted places, and shall never be allowed while working or traveling on foot.

(5) Storage of Petroleum and Other Highly Flammable Products. Gasoline, oil, grease, or other highly flammable material will be stored either in a separate building used exclusively for such storage, or at a site where all combustible debris and vegetation is cleared away within a radius of 25 feet. F ire extinguishers and/or sand barrels may be required at such locations specified by the Forest Service when unusually hazardous conditions exist.

(6) Debris Burning and Warming Fires. Burning permits will be required for all debris burning fires. Lunch and warming fires may be allowed in fireproofed areas during periods of low fire danger if and as specified in the fire plan. Such fires must not be left burning unattended.

(7) Precautions for Stoves. Stovepipes on all temporary buildings, trailers, and tents using wood burning stoves, will be equipped with roof jacks and serviceable spark arresters of mesh with openings no larger than 5/8 inch.

All stovepipes, inside and out, will not be closer than 2 feet from any wood or other flammable material or 1 foot if the combustible material is protected by a metal or asbestos shield.

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR Chapter 1 CLAUSES) APPLICABLE TO THIS ACQUISITION
52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items (JAN 2017)
Addenda to FAR 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items
52.232-40 Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (DEC 2013)
52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes or
Executive Orders-Commercial Items (NOV 2017)
52.204-10 Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards
(OCT 2018)
52.209-6 Protecting the Government's Interest When Subcontracting with
Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment (OCT 2015)
(31 U.S.C. 6101 note)
52.219-6 Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (NOV 2011) (15 U.S.C. 644)
52.219-13 Notice of Set-Aside Orders (NOV 2011) (15 U.S.C. 644(r))
52.219-28 Post Award Small Business Program Re-representation (JUL 2013)
(15 U.S.C. 632(a)(2))
52.222-3 Convict Labor (JUNE 2003) (E.O. 11755)
52.222-21 Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (APR 2015)
52.222-26 Equal Opportunity (SEPT 2016) (E.O. 11246)
52.222-36 Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (JUL 2014)
(29 U.S.C. 793)
52.222-41 Service Contract Labor Standards (AUG 2018) (41 U.S.C. chapter 67)
52.222-42 Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires (May 2014) (29 U.S.C.
206 and 41 U.S.C. chapter 67)
52.222-50 Combating Trafficking in Persons (JAN 2019) (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and
E.O. 13627)
52.222-55 Minimum Wages under Executive Order 13658 (DEC 2015)
52.222-62 Paid Sick Leave under Executive Order 13706 (JAN 2017) (E.O. 13706)
52.223-18 Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving
(AUG 2011) (E.O. 13513)
52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer - System for Award Management
(OCT 2018) (31 U.S.C. 3332)
52.232-36 Payment by Third Party (May 2014) (31 U.S.C. 3332)

CONTRACT DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS, OR ATTACHMENTS

The following attachments are part of this solicitation and any resulting contract (see separate documents).

1. Schedule of Items, 3 pages

2. Statement of Work/Technical Specifications, 7 pages

3. Wage Determination WD 95-0228, Revision No. 43, Date of Revision 12/26/2018, 3 pages

4. IPNF & Nez Perce-Clearwater NF Collection Assignments, spreadsheet with 3 tabs

The following attachments are a part of this solicitation, but will not be part of the resulting contract (see separate documents).

5. Experience Questionnaire, 2 pages

6. Past Performance Survey (optional form), 2 pages

7. F ood Storage Order, 2 pages

SOLICITATION PROVISIONS

52.237-1 Site Visit. (APR 1984)
Quoters are urged and expected to inspect the site where services are to be performed and to satisfy themselves regarding all general and local conditions that may affect the cost of contract performance, to the extent that the information is reasonably obtainable. In no event shall failure to inspect the site constitute grounds for a claim after contract award.

There is not a scheduled site visit. If you need more information, contact Kim Munson at 208-839-2112 kmunson@usda.gov or Greg Dronen at 208-875-1733 gsdronen@fs.fed.us on the Nez Perce-Clearwater NF, and Marie McLaughlin at 208-457-8553 mmclaughlin01@fs.fed.us on the Idaho Panhandle NF.

INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO QUOTERS

System for Award Management (SAM): In order to be eligible for a contract award under this solicitation, quoters must have an active registration in the System for Award Management via www.sam.gov.

The System for Award Management (SAM) is an official website of the U.S. Government. There is no cost to use SAM.

Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC): For questions concerning SAM registration, certifications, or assistance with preparing quotes, contact the PTAC office in your area. Services are FREE.

In Idaho contact the Boise office:

Lee Velten
Idaho PTAC Program Analyst
(208) 426-1742
leevelten@boisestate.edu

Gary Moore
Program Manager
(208) 426-1741
garymoore@boisestate.edu

In Montana contact the Kalispell office:

Doug Bolender (406) 257-7711 x5 or doug@dobusinessinmontana.com.

Idaho Workers Compensation Law:
(a) Prior to award of any contract subject to Idaho Workers' Compensation Laws, the Contractor must provide a completed State of Idaho Certificate of Verification of Workers' Compensation Insurance form to the Government. This form will be submitted to the Idaho Industrial Commission by the Government in order to assure that the Contractor in line for award has the required worker's compensation coverage or is exempt from the requirement for coverage.

(b) This certificate of verification shall be fully executed by the Contractor and signed by the Industrial Commission Compliance Officer prior to award of the contract.

Submission of Quotes: Request for Quotations will be accepted NO LATER THAN 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time on March 11, 2019. For information regarding this solicitation, please contact Contracting Officer Marion Daniel at 208-765-7282 or mpdaniel@fs.fed.us.

Submit the following as your Quote:
1. Schedule of Items with pricing and contractor contact information;
2. Experience Questionnaire; and
3. Past Performance Survey (optional form)

Submission Methods:
Email: mpdaniel@fs.fed.us (preferred method)
Fax: 208-765-7229 (confirm receipt)
Mail: USDA Forest Service
ATTN: Marion Daniel, Contracting Officer
3815 Schreiber Way
Coeur d'Alene, ID 83815

EVALUATION OF QUOTATIONS

One or multiple awards will be made. Award will be made to the Quoter whose quote, as determined by the Contracting Officer, provides the best value to the Government, considering but not limited to, such factors as experience, past performance, and price. The Experience Questionnaire will be used as part of the evaluation.

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