Request for Information (RFI) – Standardization of Service Contract Act (SCA) Price Adjustment Templates & Methodology (FAR 52.222-43) for the FCDAS O&M Contract
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 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is conducting market research through a Request for Information (RFI) to standardize Service Contract Act (SCA) Price Adjustment Templates and Methodology under FAR 52.222-43 for the Fairbanks Command and Data Acquisition Station (FCDAS) O&M Contract. This RFI seeks industry feedback on calculating price adjustments and handling government-directed overtime. This is a Total Small Business Set-Aside opportunity. Responses are due April 6, 2026.
Purpose & Problem
NOAA aims to refine its methodology for calculating price adjustments under FAR 52.222-43, specifically for firm fixed-price contracts. The goal is to develop a standardized pricing template for Independent Government Cost Estimates (IGCEs), contractor proposals, and contract modifications. The current challenge is that standard templates often obscure the "Actual Rate Paid" versus "Minimum Required" under Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) and Wage Determinations (WDs), potentially leading to incorrect reimbursements for voluntary benefits. NOAA also seeks input on segregating government-directed overtime from standard operations.
Requested Information
NOAA requests feedback, methodologies, and sample redacted templates on:
- Template Structure & Visualization: Best layout to differentiate "Minimum Required" vs. "Actual Paid," "Voluntary Variance" vs. "Statutory Increase," and handling lump-sum benefits.
- Calculation Logic: Use of formulas (e.g., "Max" formula) to zero-out non-recoverable costs, granularity (labor category vs. individual employee), and recommended corrections to the draft template.
- Verification: Linking "Actuals Paid" to payroll records and streamlining audit trails.
- Company Practices: Accounting system capabilities for segregating mandatory vs. voluntary fringe benefits, methodology for converting fixed costs to hourly equivalents, and impact of statutory burdens (FICA, FUTA, SUTA, WCI) on recoverable increases.
- Government-Directed Overtime: Mechanisms to isolate these hours, pricing the premium separately, and ensuring Health & Welfare (H&W) benefits are not double-counted.
- Staffing Baselines: Input on whether to fix the minimum 18 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) headcount for O&M Technicians in the pricing template for future periods or allow industry flexibility after the mandated base period.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Request for Information (RFI) / Sources Sought
- Set-Aside: Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)
- Place of Performance: Fairbanks, AK
- Response Due: April 6, 2026, 3:00 PM Eastern Time
- Published: March 19, 2026
Attachments
Key attachments include a draft pricing template and two Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs):
- NetCentric Technology LLC CBA (Teamsters Local 959): Covers terms, conditions, wages, and benefits for employees at FCDAS (June 2023 - May 2026).
- NOAA FJCC CBA (Fairbanks Joint Crafts Council): Covers terms, conditions, wages, and benefits for employees at Gilmore Creek NOAA Tracking Station (June 2023 - May 2026). These CBAs are crucial for understanding labor costs and compliance requirements.
Submission Instructions
Responses should be submitted via email to jame.chang@noaa.gov and andrea.chiodi@noaa.gov. Submissions are limited to 2 pages (excluding Excel attachments) in PDF or Word format, with a minimum 12-point Times New Roman font. Sample Excel templates demonstrating recommended calculation structures are highly encouraged.