NRCS - Southern California National Resources Inventory (NRI) Data Collection Services

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items to acquire National Resources Inventory (NRI) data collection services for NRCS-Southern California. The objective is to collect specified inventory data on one or two data collection points within selected sample segments in Southern California, in accordance with the National Resources Inventory Grazing Land On-Site Data Collection, Handbook of Instructions. The contractor will furnish personnel, supplies, materials, and incidentals for this data collection.

Required data includes:

• Landscape information

• Soil determinations

• Ecological site determinations

• Rangeland health assessments

• Plant identification and census

• Disturbance indicators

• Sagebrush shape and identification

• Identification of resource concerns

• Occurrence of conservation practices and conservation needs

• Plant species composition and production

• Plant cover, density, and height. Data will be collected using hand-held computers with NRCS-approved software and submitted to an ISU server.

• Contract Type: Firm-Fixed-Price

• Period of Performance: Base period April 15, 2026 – January 31, 2027; four (4) one-year option periods from February 1, 2027 - January 31, 2031. Total duration not to exceed five (5) years.

• Estimated Value: Not explicitly stated, but NAICS code 541620 (Environmental Consulting Services) has a small business size standard of $19.0M.

• Offers are due: April 10, 2026, 5:00pm ET.

• Submission Method: Emailed quotes on company letterhead, signed, and dated to blake.boyer@usda.gov.

• Evaluation Criteria: Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA). Quotes will be evaluated on: i. Technical Factor 1: Personnel Qualifications/Technical Capability ii. Technical Factor 2: Compliance/Capacity, Management Capability iii. Technical Factor 3: Past Experience iv. Factor 4: Price

• Questions Due: April 6, 2026, 5:00pm ET via email to blake.boyer@usda.gov.

• Set-Aside: Total Small Business Services.

• NAICS Code: 541620, Environmental Consulting Services.

• Small Business Size Standard: $19.0M.

• Active SAM registration is required.

• This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; a separate written solicitation will not be issued.

• The Government intends to make one award.

• Offerors must submit pricing for all items and utilize Attachment 2 (Quote Sheet).

• Required submission items include: Technical Capability Narrative, Completed Quote Sheet, Completed Vendor Information Sheet, and active SAM registration.

• Service Contract Labor Standards apply, with wage determinations listed for various California locations.

Statement of Work (SOW)

To acquire specified inventory data at data collection points within selected sample segment boundaries on Federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands in Southern California for the 2026 National Resources Inventory (NRI) Grazing Land On-Site Data Collection.

• Collect rangeland resources data on selected sample sites (points).

• Data collection will adhere to the standards outlined in the most current and applicable NRCS National Resources Inventory Grazing Land On-Site Data Collection Handbook of Instructions (2026).

• Access to segments may require 4-wheel drive vehicles and hiking over rough terrain.

• Data collection will be conducted on public land managed by BLM. NRCS will clear points with BLM prior to release to the contractor. Contractor is responsible for coordinating with local BLM/NRCS offices and securing landowner permission if private land access is necessary.

• Data will be entered into hand-held computers using NRCS-approved software (CASI).

• Base period: FY26 measuring season.

• Four option periods: FY27 - FY30 measuring seasons.

• Field Data Collection: March 15 to July 31 annually.

• CASI data transmission: No later than 15 days after commencing field data collection.

• Segment data submission: No later than August 15 annually.

• Final Invoice: No later than August 30th annually.

• Contractor personnel must attend NRCS sponsored training and calibration exercises.

• Data collection teams must consist of at least two members, including a Team Leader and at least one crew member.

• Specific education and experience requirements for Team Leaders and crew members are detailed in the SOW.

• Contractor must furnish necessary materials and transportation.

• Government Furnished Property (GFP) and Materials (GFM) will be provided and must be returned.

• Quality Assurance (QA) reviews will be conducted by the COR.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a "Vendor Information Sheet" (Attachment #3) for the solicitation. It is designed to collect essential information from potential offerors.

• Offeror Name
• Business Name
• Business Address
• Business Phone
• Offer POC Email
• UEI (Unique Entity Identifier)
• GSA Contract # (if applicable)
• System for Award Management (SAM) Verification status (registered or not registered)
• Confirmation of whether a copy of the SAM record is included with the quote.
• Printed name of Authorized Representative
• Signature
• Date

Bidders must complete and submit this form as part of their proposal preparation. It ensures the government has accurate contact and registration information for potential awardees.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is Attachment 2, a Pricing Schedule for the Southern California NRI (Natural Resources Inventory) opportunity. It provides the structure for bidders to submit their pricing for various CLINs (Contract Line Item Numbers) across multiple performance periods.

• CLINs: Includes CLINs for "FEDERAL Points" and "Training/Calibration" for the Base Year and four Option Years (2026-2031).
• Pricing Structure: Requires unit prices and quantities for each CLIN. Extended prices are to be calculated.
• Performance Periods: Clearly defines the period of performance for the Base Year (April 15, 2026 - January 31, 2027) and Option Years (February 1, 2027 - January 31, 2031).
• Special Pricing Notes:
  • For "FEDERAL Points," the unit price shall not exceed 50% of the proposed Federal Points price if deemed inaccessible in the field.
  • Quantities for option periods are estimated and may fluctuate.
  • CLINs 1001 through 4002 are for price evaluation purposes only.
  • Payment is for quantities delivered and accepted by the Government.
  • Payment for inaccessible points is limited to a maximum of two points per segment.
• Historical Data: Includes historical data for the 2024 California NRI Program (SoCal) as a reference, noting percentages of BLM Federal Land Points and those deemed inaccessible. This data does not constitute a government need or guarantee availability.
• Wage Determinations: References Department of Labor Wage determinations available on beta.sam.gov, which will be incorporated into awarded contracts.

Bidders must complete and submit pricing for every CLIN in this schedule. Failure to do so will result in a non-responsive proposal. The structure of this sheet dictates how pricing should be presented and evaluated. Understanding the estimated quantities, unit price limitations, and the distinction between evaluation pricing and actual payment is crucial for accurate proposal submission.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a "Register of Wage Determinations" issued under the Service Contract Act. It provides the minimum wage rates and fringe benefits required for various occupations in specific geographic areas. This document is crucial for contractors to understand their labor cost obligations when bidding on or performing federal service contracts.

• Wage Determination Number and Revision: Identifies the specific wage determination and its revision status.
• State and Area: Specifies the geographic region to which the wage rates apply (e.g., California Counties of Riverside, San Bernardino).
• Occupational Listing: A comprehensive list of job titles, their corresponding "Occupation Code," and the required "Rate" (minimum wage).
• Fringe Benefits: Indicates that fringe benefits are required and follow the occupational listing, though specific fringe benefit amounts are detailed separately in the document.
• Executive Orders: Notes the applicability of Executive Orders 13706 (Paid Sick Leave) and 13658 (Minimum Wage) and outlines their requirements and benefits.
• Conformance Process: Details the procedure for classifying and determining wage rates for occupations not explicitly listed in the wage determination.

This document is essential for bidders to accurately calculate labor costs for their proposals. It dictates the minimum wages and benefits that must be paid to employees performing work under a federal service contract in the specified geographic areas. Failure to comply with these wage determinations can lead to contract violations and penalties.