C--OMB Circular A-76 Commercial Activities Study of Soil Conservation Technician

This is a Reannouncement of an acquisition previously announced under Category R in Sources Sought Notice as NRCS-98-CA-03 with anticipated release in May 2003. The purpose of this Reannouncement is twofold, First, offerors are notified that this acquisition, which is being conducted in accordance with OMB Circular A-76, is being transitioned to a Streamlined Competition under the procedures of the Revised OMB Circular A-76, dated May 29, 2003. Certain deviations may be incorporated, as approved by OMB, for retention of the previous cost rules or procedures. Second, a determination has been made that the studied services are subject to the Brooks Act, and the procedure for procurement of Architect-Engineer Services will be employed. The United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is seeking qualified A&E firms to provide soil conservation technician services for NRCS offices in Salinas, Petaluma, Modesto (2 positions), Tulelake, Redding, Lakeport, and Yreka, California. In accordance with OMB Circular A-76 and the Brooks Act, the most qualified firm as determined by the ranking of the A&E Evaluation Board will be asked to provide a cost proposal based on the performance of these functions. This cost proposal will be compared with the Government's costs to perform the above services. Government personnel are currently performing these services. This proposal will not result in a contract if Government performance is determined to be more cost advantageous. Major components of this work include: preparing conservation plans in accordance with the National Planning Procedures Handbook, the Field Office Technical Guide, and all associated manuals and handbooks to meet landowner objectives and address natural resource concerns; help landowners apply for USDA and other federal, state and local cost-share programs and process those applications; work cooperatively with local NRCS field office staff, local Resource Conservation District staff, tribes and other federal, state and local partner agencies; work with landowners to perform field investigations, survey, design, layout, and inspection construction of conservation practices; provide follow-up of existing contracts with landowners; and document practice application according to NRCS policies and procedures. Duties include assisting with conducting public education and information activities such as tours, public speaking, and writing news releases as necessary. Any contract resulting from this solicitation will have a one-year base period and four one-year options. This solicitation is being solicited unrestricted. NAICS Code: 541330, Engineering Services; size standard $4.0 million. The formal notice requesting interested parties to submit their SF-254s and SF255s will be posted on or about July 23, 2003, available solely through the Federal Business Opportunities website at http://www.fedbizopps.gov. The selection criteria for this acquisition are: (1) Professional Qualifications, (2) Specialized experience and technical competence, (3) Capacity to accomplish work, (4) Past Performance, (5) knowledge of natural resources and resource concerns in California. Instructions for downloading the solicitation are available at this website. Hard copies of the solicitation document will not be available. All questions must be directed to the contracting officer in writing by e-mail at contact@example.gov, by facsimile to +1 (555) 000-0000, or by letter to Ray Miller, Contracting Officer, USDA, NRCS, 430 G St. # 4164, Davis, CA 95616-4164. No questions will be accepted by telephone. The anticipated date for receipt of SF-254s and SF-255s is on or about August 22, 2003. The U.S. Government reserves the right to retain the work in-house and make no contract award.