F--FL-PELICAN ISLAND NWR-BLACK RAIL SURVEYS (bird)

Amendment / Modification

This amendment (0001) to solicitation 140FS326Q0048 serves to:

• Provide answers and clarifications to vendor questions.

• Extend the bid due date to May 19, 2026, at 3:00 PM EST.

• Clarify that surveys will be conducted for the next nesting season, with contract award this year and a start date of 2027.

• Confirm that ATVs can be used for access.

• State that surveys should be conducted during the timeframe outlined in the solicitation's survey protocol.

• Confirm that both Kissimmee Bend and Okeechobee Units are accessible by foot and vehicle (including off-road) via existing roads and trails; no kayak or airboat access is required.

• Questions and Answers section.

• Bid due date.

• Period of performance clarification.

• Access methods clarification.

• The proposal submission deadline has been extended to May 19, 2026, at 3:00 PM EST.

• Bidders should review the provided answers to questions for clarification on requirements and scope.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for commercial services to conduct Eastern Black Rail surveys on the Kissimmee Bend and Okeechobee Units of Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). The services include providing all labor, equipment, materials, and supplies necessary for these surveys.

• Eastern Black Rail surveys on specified NWR units.

• Performance Work Statement (PWS) document details the specific requirements.

• Services are to be performed in accordance with FAR Part 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures.

• Contract Type: Not explicitly stated, but uses "Request for Quote (RFQ)" and "Solicitation Number".

• Period of Performance: 06/01/2026 to 05/31/2027 (1 Year from date of award).

• Estimated Value: Not explicitly stated.

• Submission Method: Email quotes to Merenica Banks (Contracting Officer) at Merenica_Banks@ios.doi.gov.

• Question Due Date: May 7, 2026, 3:00 PM EST.

• Bid Due Date: May 14, 2026, 3:00 PM EST.

• Evaluation Factors (Best Value): Technical Capability, Past Performance, and Price. Technical Capability and Past Performance are considered more important than price.

• Required Documents: SF18 (Quote document with company information and representative signature), SF30 (amendments, past experience/references), and pricing schedule.

• NAICS Code: 541360 (Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services).

• Size Standard: $28.5 Million.

• Set-Aside: 100% Small Business set-aside.

• Other requirements include registration in SAMs, no terminations for fault or default, and proper completion of required documents.

• The document is a Standard Form 1449 (SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES).

• The solicitation incorporates FAR clauses 52.212-1, 52.212-3, and 52.212-4 by reference, with addenda attached. FAR 52.212-5 is also attached.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Wage Determination issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment Standards Administration, Wage and Hour Division, under the Service Contract Act. It establishes the minimum wage rates and fringe benefits required for various occupations performing work on a federal contract in Florida Counties of Glades, Hendry, and Okeechobee.

• Lists specific occupational codes and titles.
• Provides the minimum hourly wage rate for each occupation.
• Indicates that fringe benefits are required and follow the occupational listing.
• Includes notes on Executive Orders related to paid sick leave (EO 13706) and minimum wage (EO 13658), outlining their applicability and requirements.
• Details vacation and holiday pay provisions.
• Explains the process for requesting additional classifications and wage rates (conformance process) if an occupation is not listed.

This document is crucial for bidders to understand the labor costs associated with the opportunity. It specifies the minimum wages and benefits that must be paid to employees performing services under the contract, directly impacting the cost proposal. Bidders must ensure their proposed wages and benefits meet or exceed these requirements.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is Attachment 2 to Solicitation #140FS326Q0048, titled "PAST EXPERIENCE & REFERENCES." It is a mandatory form for all quoters/bidders to complete to receive consideration for this opportunity. The purpose is to gather information on past performance and experience relevant to the requirements outlined in the solicitation's Scope of Work.

• Bidders are instructed to list up to three contracts similar in size and complexity to those stated in the Scope of Work.
• For each experience entry, bidders must provide:
  • Contract/Work type
  • Contract Number (if applicable)
  • Total Contract Value
  • Agency/firm for whom work was performed
  • Contact person at the site, their telephone number, and e-mail address
  • Month/Year work began and ended
  • A brief description of duties performed
• Bidders should also include details of any training that would enable them to better perform the required services.
• If additional space is needed, the form may be duplicated.

Completion and submission of this form are required for consideration. The information provided will be used to assess the bidder's Past Performance, in conjunction with internet searches. The submission deadline is the same as the solicitation's due date and time. The completed form should be submitted via email to Merenica Banks@ios.doi.gov.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is the Price Schedule (Attachment 2) for Solicitation 140FS326Q0048. It requires offerors to provide detailed pricing for the services requested.

• Base Year Pricing: Includes a section for "Black Rail Surveys" with columns for "Per month Total" and "Total Price 12 months".
• Invoicing Note: Specifies that vendors may invoice after half the service is completed, with a final invoice after all services are completed.
• Offeror Information: Requires the following details to be completed:
  • Company Name
  • Unique Entity ID
  • Quote Prepared By
  • Title
  • Signature
  • Address
  • Date
  • Phone Number
  • Email

Offerors MUST complete this Price Schedule accurately and completely. Incomplete Price Schedules will not be considered. This document is critical for proposal preparation and will be used in evaluating the "best value to the government" as stated in the document.

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

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) requires Eastern black rail presence/absence surveys on the Kissimmee Bend and Okeechobee Units of the Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge.

• Conduct annual surveys for Eastern black rail on the Kissimmee Bend Unit.

• Conduct annual surveys for Eastern black rail on the Okeechobee Unit.

• Supply all labor, equipment, materials, and supplies necessary for conducting these surveys.

• Eastern black rail protocols and data requirements are detailed in Attachment 3.

• Performance will be evaluated based on the Performance Requirements Summary (Attachment 1).

• Key tasks include completing PWS Task 1.1 (Kissimmee Bend Unit) and Task 2.1 (Okeechobee Unit) within one year of the contract award date.

• Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) is detailed in Attachment 1, referencing attached data requirements and reporting deliverables.

• Surveillance will be conducted via review of reports with maps, photos, and GIS data.

• Non-compliance with work schedules will result in a negative performance rating.

• Period of Performance: One year from the award date.

• Place of Performance: All monitoring work will be located at the Refuge.

• Contractor must work between sunrise and sundown, seven days a week, except when the Government facility is closed.

• Contractor must maintain an adequate workforce for uninterrupted performance.

• The contractor shall provide a contract manager responsible for the work, with a designated alternate.

• Contractor employees must identify themselves as non-government personnel when appropriate.

• The government will provide access to the Refuge facilities, but no services, utilities, or equipment.

• The contractor shall furnish all labor, supplies, transportation, lodging, and materials.

• The final report is due no later than 12 months after award, submitted electronically in MS Word, shapefiles, and/or Geodatabase ArcMap 10.3 GIS compatible format to Oliver van den Ende.

• The contract will be a Firm Fixed Price Contract with three option years requested.

• Security Requirements: Not Applicable.

• Physical Security: Not Applicable.