Archaeological / Cultural Heritage Services

This is a COMBINED SYNOPSIS / SOLICITATION for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Part 12, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation issued as Request for Proposal (RFP) 12444221R0032. FAR clauses and provisions enclosed within this RFP are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2021-07 and are available in full text via Internet access at http://www.acquisition.gov/far. The United States Forest Service encourages the participation of small, disadvantaged, service-disabled veteran, and woman owned business enterprises. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541720 and the small business size standard is $22 million. The proposed agreement is 100% set-aside for small business concerns. Responsible small business concerns may submit an offer which will be considered by the Forest Service. The Government requires performance of the work described in these documents to provide archaeological / cultural heritage services for the National Forests in Mississippi, the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas, the Kisatchie National Forest (in Louisiana) and the Ouachita and Ozark-St. Francis National Forests (in Arkansas) as further described in the performance work statement. Quotes are due for this combined synopsis/solicitation on October 25, 2021 at 2:00PM Central Time and shall be delivered by the specified time electronically to jay.g.tobin@usda.gov. All questions regarding this solicitation shall be submitted via e-mail. The Forest Service anticipates awarding multiple Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPA) for these services as a result of this solicitation. Offerors must be registered at the System for Award Management (www.sam.gov) to be eligible for award. RESPONSE TO QUESTION RECEIVED 10/13/21: UNIT PRICES (NOT TOTAL PRICES) SHOULD BE ENTERED IN THE SCHEDULE OF ITEMS. NEW FAR CLAUSE ADDED TO SOLICITATION (10/13/21). The following FAR clause is added to the solicitation and will be incorporated in any subsequent awards. FAR 52.223-99 Ensuring Adequate COVID-19 Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors. (OCT 2021) (DEVIATION) (a) Definition. As used in this clause - United States or its outlying areas means (1) The fifty States; (2) The District of Columbia; (3) The commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands; (4) The territories of American Samoa, Guam, and the United States Virgin Islands; and (5) The minor outlying islands of Baker Island, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Navassa Island, Palmyra Atoll, and Wake Atoll. (b) Authority. This clause implements Executive Order 14042, Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors, dated September 9, 2021 (published in the Federal Register on September 14, 2021, 86 FR 50985). (c) Compliance. The Contractor shall comply with all guidance, including guidance conveyed through Frequently Asked Questions, as amended during the performance of this contract, for contractor or subcontractor workplace locations published by the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force (Task Force Guidance) at https:/www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/contractors/. (d) Subcontracts. The Contractor shall include the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (d), in subcontracts at any tier that exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, as defined in Federal Acquisition Regulation 2.101 on the date of subcontract award, and are for services, including construction, performed in whole or in part within the United States or its outlying areas. (End of clause)