CMO OBSERVER, NEW AWARD
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), under the Department of the Interior, has issued a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for support services at the USGS College Magnetic Observatory in Fairbanks, Alaska. This opportunity seeks a contractor to operate and maintain the observatory, which monitors the Earth's magnetic field. The contract will be a firm-fixed-price purchase order. Quotations are due by March 25, 2026, at 5:00 P.M. Eastern Time.
Scope of Work
The contractor will provide labor, supervision, non-personal services, plant, equipment, and materials for comprehensive support. Key tasks include:
- Weekly Observatory Tasks (approx. 20 hours/month): Checking web-based data plots, monitoring temperature stability, performing DI flux Absolute observations (at least four sets per measurement), re-performing measurements if quality is not met, scanning/filing/computing measurements, checking facilities for damage, reporting equipment malfunctions within 4 hours, coordinating absolute observations, providing minor project support, facilitating access, sending/receiving packages, checking observatory voicemail/email, and maintaining facility cleanliness.
- Unscheduled Tasks (approx. 8-20 hours/month): Performing minor troubleshooting, repairs, adjustments to equipment, conducting extra Absolute measurements as needed, and performing minor maintenance.
- Annual Refresher Visit (approx. 4-8 hours/year): Participating in a specialized review and refresher instruction of observation procedures during an annual site visit.
Contract & Timeline
- Contract Type: Firm-fixed-price purchase order.
- Period of Performance: April 1, 2026, to September 30, 2031 (Base Year plus four Option Years and a 6-month extension).
- Set-Aside: Not explicitly stated as a small business set-aside, but various FAR clauses related to small business concerns are listed.
- Quotation Due Date: March 25, 2026, by 5:00 P.M. Eastern Time.
- Question Cutoff Date: March 17, 2026, by 5:00 P.M. Eastern Time.
- Published Date: March 19, 2026.
Evaluation Factors
Proposals will be evaluated in descending order of importance:
- Past Performance: Quality, timeliness, and business relations (weighed twice that of Technical Performance).
- Technical Performance: Narrative describing capabilities (not to exceed two pages).
- Price.
Additional Notes
Offerors must submit quotations via email to ysornberger@usgs.gov. Compliance with numerous FAR clauses, including those for telecommunications equipment and labor standards, is required. Payment requests must be submitted electronically through the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Invoice Processing Platform (IPP). Offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM).