X--2026 REGIONAL WATER DATA TRNG WORKSHOP

Amendment / Modification

This amendment (0001) to solicitation 140G012600039 modifies the original solicitation as follows:

• Provides Attachment 4: Questions & Answers.

• Extends the response date to February 13, 2026, no later than 1700 CST.

• Attachment 4 (Questions & Answers) is added.

• The response deadline has been extended.

• The proposal submission deadline is extended to February 13, 2026, 1700 CST.

• Bidders should review the newly provided Attachment 4 for clarifications.

All other terms and conditions of the original solicitation remain unchanged. For questions regarding this solicitation, contact Kimberly Schneider at krschneider@usgs.gov.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor inquiries regarding the solicitation.

• Incumbent Eligibility: The incumbent contractor is eligible to bid on this opportunity.
• Contract Type: The contract will be a fixed-price contract.
• On-Site Requirements: Contractor presence on-site for the conference is not required, though a point of contact nearby is preferred.
• Event Services: The government will provide its own name tags and registration system; therefore, these services are not required from the contractor.
• Food and Beverage: No food or beverage costs should be tied to the contract.
• Venue Availability: Informal inquiries regarding availability in local hotels and event spaces in Tuscaloosa have been made.
• RFQ Focus: The RFQ is aimed at event/project managers who will manage all outlined services (hotel, training facility, transportation, exhibitor management, etc.) on behalf of the USGS.

These clarifications do not appear to alter any stated requirements, due dates, or submission rules, but bidders should consider these points when preparing their proposals.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for conference space and event planning/facilitation services for the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) National Water Data Training Workshop (NWDTW) in Tuscaloosa, AL. The services include a pre-conference planning event and the main workshop event.

• Pre-Conference Planning Event: Monday-Thursday, timeframe between mid-April and mid-June 2026, for approximately 18 attendees.

• Workshop Event: Saturday-Friday, timeframe between July and August 2026, for approximately 300 attendees.

• Event planning and facilitation services.

• Reference Attachment 1 for the Statement of Work (SOW).

• Period of Performance: July 1, 2026, to September 30, 2026.

• Delivery Date: September 30, 2026.

• NAICS Code: 561920 (Facilities Support Services).

• Solicitation Issue Date: January 29, 2026.

• Offer Due Date: February 12, 2026, 1700 CS.

• Offers must be submitted on SF 1449 or equivalent.

• Evaluation will be based on technical approach/capability and price, with technical acceptability being a key factor.

• For questions, contact Kimberly Schneider at krschneider@usgs.gov.

• This acquisition is unrestricted.

• The solicitation includes numerous FAR clauses and provisions, including those related to System for Award Management (SAM) registration, Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act, and Service Contract Labor Standards.

• Payment will be made via the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP).

• Wage Determination Number 2015-4609 is applicable and incorporated as Attachment 2.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

To procure event coordination services for the 2026 USGS National Water Data Training Workshop.

• Event Coordination: Manage all aspects of the workshop, including venue selection and coordination, accommodation booking, audio-visual setup, signage, and on-site support.

• Logistics: Arrange for attendee accommodation (approximately 300 attendees), including managing room blocks and providing reservation links. Coordinate on-site parking and inner-city shuttle services between hotels and the Bryant Center, as well as to the USGS HIF building.

• Exhibitor Management: Coordinate exhibitor booth setup, manage exhibitor needs, and handle all payments related to exhibitor spaces. This includes providing draped tables, chairs, electricity, and wastebaskets for each booth.

• Shipping: Coordinate the receiving of packages prior to the event and the pickup of marked packages post-event.

• Shuttle Service: Provide shuttle service between Birmingham Airport and Tuscaloosa, with rates depending on need.

• Accommodation: Provide a block of tax-exempt rooms for approximately 300 attendees, with specific room night estimates for pre-workshop planning and the main event.

• Meeting Rooms: Ensure all meeting rooms are ADA compliant and equipped with necessary audio-visual equipment (screens, projectors, sound systems), podiums, tables, chairs, and Wi-Fi access.

• Exhibit Space: Secure a minimum of 5,000 sq. ft. for exhibit space to accommodate approximately 30 easels for poster boards, ensuring comfortable flow for 300 people.

• Signage: Ensure venues provide electronic signage for meeting room locations and specific presentation details.

• Potential Dates: July - August 2026

• Location: Tuscaloosa, Alabama (Bryant Conference Center and Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility - HIF)

• Pre-Workshop Planning Event: April through mid-June 2026

• Attendees: Approximately 300 Hydrologists, Hydrologic Technicians, and Database Administrators.

• Staffing: Event Coordinator must be approved by FEMA and SAM.

• Room Rate: Current Federal Government Per Diem at the time of training, tax-exempt on reimbursable government charges.

• USGS Provided Equipment: USGS will provide laptops for breakout rooms and may provide their own printers and other equipment.

• Concessions: The vendor should consider special concessions based on 70% guest room pick-up, such as reduced parking rates, extended group rates, complimentary internet, room upgrades, and waived attrition.

Wage Determination

This document provides the official wage determination for various occupations under the Service Contract Act for the counties of Hale, Pickens, and Tuscaloosa in Alabama. It outlines the minimum wage rates and fringe benefits required for contractors performing services on federal contracts in this area.

• Applicability: This wage determination applies to contracts covered by the Service Contract Act awarded in the specified counties.
• Occupational Listings: A comprehensive list of occupations is provided, each with a corresponding wage rate and, where applicable, footnotes indicating specific requirements or conditions.
• Fringe Benefits: Required fringe benefits follow the occupational listing. Specific benefits mentioned include:
  • Health & Welfare: $5.55 per hour, up to 40 hours per week, or $222.00 per week or $962.00 per month.
  • Health & Welfare (EO 13706): $5.09 per hour, up to 40 hours per week, or $203.60 per week, or $882.27 per month (this rate is used only when compensating employees for performance on an SCA-covered contract also covered by EO 13706).
• Executive Orders:
  • EO 13706 (Paid Sick Leave): Federal contractors must provide employees with 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, up to 56 hours annually. This leave can be used for various health-related reasons, including domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
  • EO 13658 (Minimum Wage): For contracts awarded between January 1, 2015, and January 29, 2022 (and not renewed or extended after January 30, 2022), covered workers must be paid at least $13.30 per hour (or the applicable wage rate if higher) in 2025. This rate is adjusted annually.
• Vacation:
  • 1 year of service: 2 weeks paid vacation.
  • 8 years of service: 3 weeks paid vacation.
  • 20 years of service: 4 weeks paid vacation.
• Holidays: A minimum of eleven paid holidays per year are required.
• Hazardous Pay Differentials: An 8% differential applies to positions with high hazard (ordnance, explosives), and a 4% differential applies to positions with low hazard.
• Uniform Allowance: If uniforms are required, the contractor must provide them at no cost or reimburse employees for the actual cost, including maintenance ($3.35 per week for cleaning, unless "wash and wear" materials are used).
• Conformance Process: Procedures are outlined for contractors to request additional classifications and wage rates if an occupation is not listed in the determination.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, FAR 52.212-3, provides Offeror Representations and Certifications for Commercial Products and Commercial Services. It requires offerors to complete specific sections based on whether they have already submitted annual representations and certifications electronically in the System for Award Management (SAM) or if they need to complete them within this provision.

• Annual Representations and Certifications: Offerors who have completed these electronically in SAM must verify their accuracy and currency for this solicitation. Any changes made here apply only to this solicitation.
• Specific Representations (Paragraphs c-v): Offerors must complete various representations related to business size (small business, veteran-owned, SDVOSB, small disadvantaged, women-owned, EDWOSB, HUBZone), place of manufacture, and compliance with specific regulations (e.g., Buy American, Trade Agreements, Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations, Iran sanctions).
• Certifications: Includes certifications regarding payments to influence Federal transactions, Buy American compliance, responsibility matters (debarment, suspension), knowledge of child labor, and restricted business operations in Sudan.
• Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN): Required for debt collection and reporting purposes, unless an exception applies.

This provision is critical for bidders to accurately represent their business status and compliance with various Federal acquisition regulations. Completing these representations correctly is essential for determining eligibility for certain contract types, set-asides, and for overall compliance with Federal procurement laws. Failure to provide accurate information may impact the evaluation of the offer or the ability to be awarded a contract.