UMESC LOON STUDY A

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for a "Loon Study A" to assess common loon reproduction in select territories in Minnesota. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) requires a contractor to provide data on loon presence/absence, nest tracking, and chick survival. The acquisition is being conducted under FAR Part 12 (Commercial Products and Services) and FAR Part 13 (Simplified Acquisition Procedures).

• Conduct weekly surveys of lakes in Minnesota counties (Aitkin, Beltrami, Becker, Cass, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Itasca) from approximately May 20, 2026, to August 19, 2026.

• Collect data on breeding common loons, including presence/absence, nest status (active, failed, or successful), and chick presence/absence.

• Provide information on water conditions, cloud cover, visibility, and watercraft on the lake for each survey.

• Vendor must provide all labor, tools, materials, transportation, and equipment.

• A reduced survey effort is required for the weeks of July 19 - August 1, 2026, for a small number of territories (1-5).

• The vendor will update the USGS technical representative weekly and deliver data in an agreed-upon format.

• Contract Type: Firm-Fixed Price

• Period of Performance: Approximately May 20, 2026, to August 19, 2026.

• Estimated Value: Not explicitly stated, but the solicitation references a size standard of $19.0 Million in average annual receipts for the NAICS code.

• Submission Deadline: Quotes and questions due by 1:00 PM (ES) on May 18, 2026.

• Submission Method: Electronically via email to beth.wilson@ios.doi.gov.

• Evaluation Criteria: Offers will be evaluated based on four factors of equal importance, which are more important than price:

  1. Personnel Qualifications and Staffing Plan
  2. Data Management, Quality Assurance, and Reporting
  3. Availability, Equipment, and Logistics
  4. Past Performance

• Price will be the determining factor between proposals judged to be essentially equal in technical merit.

• Set-Aside: Small Businesses.

• NAICS Code: 541620 - Environmental Consulting Services.

• Size Standard: $19.0 Million in average annual receipts.

• Offerors must include their Unique Entity ID (UEI) and be current and active in the System for Award Management (SAM) at the time of award.

• The solicitation is supplemented with additional information and constitutes the only solicitation.

• Specific delivery dates, place of performance, and acceptance details are provided in the attached solicitation (Statement of Work).

• Personnel qualifications require over 10 years of experience conducting wildlife surveys.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a U.S. Department of Labor Wage Determination (No. 2015-4959, Revision No. 29) for the Service Contract Act. It establishes the minimum wage rates and fringe benefits required for various occupations in specific areas of Minnesota.

• Area Covered: Minnesota Counties of Aitkin, Cook, Itasca, Kanabec, Koochiching, Lake, and Pine.
• Occupational Listings: Provides a comprehensive list of job titles, their corresponding occupational codes, and the minimum hourly wage rate.
• Fringe Benefits: Indicates that fringe benefits are required and follow the occupational listing. Specific benefits mentioned include:
  • Health & Welfare: $5.55 per hour (or $222.00/week or $962.00/month).
  • Health & Welfare (EO 13706): $5.09 per hour (or $203.60/week or $882.27/month) for contracts covered by EO 13706.
  • Vacation: 2 weeks after 1 year, 3 weeks after 5 years, 4 weeks after 15 years.
  • Holidays: A minimum of twelve paid holidays per year.
• Executive Orders: Notes applicability of Executive Order 13706 (Paid Sick Leave) and Executive Order 13658 (minimum wage adjustments).
• Hazardous Pay: Details an 8% differential for high hazard work and a 4% differential for lower hazard work involving ordnance and explosives.
• Conformance Process: Outlines the process for requesting authorization of additional classifications and wage rates if a required job classification is not listed.

This wage determination is crucial for bidders responding to solicitations that fall under the Service Contract Act within the specified Minnesota counties. Bidders must ensure their proposed wages and fringe benefits meet or exceed these minimum requirements for all covered service employees. Failure to comply can lead to non-compliance issues. The document also provides guidance on how to handle unlisted job classifications through the conformance process.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a U.S. Department of Labor Wage Determination (No. 2015-4955, Revision No. 31) for the Service Contract Act, dated May 11, 2026. It establishes minimum wage rates and fringe benefits for various occupations in specific areas of Minnesota.

• Area: Minnesota Counties of Becker, Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Kittson, Lake of The Woo, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Otter Tail, Pennington, Red Lake, Roseau, Wadena and Wilkin.
• Occupational Listings: Provides a comprehensive list of job titles, corresponding occupational codes, and their minimum hourly wage rates.
• Fringe Benefits: Indicates that fringe benefits are required and follow the occupational listing. Specific benefits mentioned include Health & Welfare ($5.55/hour or $222.00/week) and Health & Welfare EO 13706 ($5.09/hour or $203.60/week).
• Vacation: 2 weeks after 1 year, 3 weeks after 5 years, 4 weeks after 15 years.
• Holidays: A minimum of twelve paid holidays per year.
• Executive Orders: Notes applicability of Executive Order 13706 (Paid Sick Leave) and Executive Order 13658 (Minimum Wage) with specific rates and conditions.
• Footnotes: Explains specific conditions for computer employees, air traffic controllers, weather observers (night/Sunday pay), and hazardous pay differentials.

This wage determination is crucial for bidders to understand the minimum labor costs associated with performing services under the Service Contract Act in the specified geographic area. It directly impacts the pricing of proposals and ensures compliance with federal labor laws. Bidders must ensure their proposed wages and benefits meet or exceed these minimums for all covered employees.