Non Personal Service Spraying of deer/rabbit repellent on planted Pine seedlings

(i) This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. (ii) The solicitation number is AG-569R-S-13-0024. This solicitation is issued as a request for quotations (RFQ) for a Firm Fixed Price contract. Simplified procurement procedures will be used for this acquisition per Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13. (iii) This solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular FAC 2005-66. Provisions and clause incorporated by reference have the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. The full text of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Agriculture Acquisition Regulations (AGAR) can be accessed at http://farsite.hill.af.mil/ OR http://www.acquisition.gov/far/ and http://www.usda.gov/procurement/policy/agar.html (iv) This is a total small-business set-aside. The associated NAICS code is 115310 and the small business size standard is $7M. (v) Spraying of deer/rabbit repellent on planted White Pine, Red Pine, and Jack Pine seedlings on the Washburn District of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest; Four (4) zones with a combined total of 26 areas at 984.2 acres overall. Line item 0001; Zone 1 with 5 areas at a total of 185 acres. Line item 0002; Zone 2 with 12 areas at a total of 447.7 acres. Line item 0003; Zone 3 with 6 areas at a total of 280 acres. Line item 0004; Zone 4 with 3 areas at a total of 71.5 acres. (vi) Description of requirements for the items to be acquired: Firm-fixed price, non-personal services to provide all personnel, equipment, tools, supervision and other items necessary to perform spraying of deer/rabbit repellent on planted White Pine, Red Pine, and Jack Pine seedlings on the Washburn District of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in accordance with all applicable laws, regulations, standards, instructions, commercial practices and as described in Performance Work Statements (PWS) and Specification documents. The district is located in Bayfield County Wisconsin. ***** The government will provide the dry powder deer repellent (Plantskydd). SCOPE Spraying will consist of wetting the first four (4) inches of the terminal bud and its needles with Plantskydd, deer repellent, in accordance with the technical specification outlined below. The treated seedlings shall be noticeable discolored. Notification of Work-The contractor will notify the designated Forest Service Official of spray times, and locations, so that inspections may be done while the seedlings are still discolored from the spray solution. The spraying must be completed in by NOV 1st 2013. Treatment of the seedlings will only be done 24 hours before or after rain, or at the discretion of the Forest Service. Plantskydd will only be applied to dry seedlings. Other factors that will delay the application of Plantskydd are frost, dew, fog. If these conditions are present communication between the contractor and assigned forest service inspector are required. DESCRIPTION AND LOCATIONS There are 4 items and 26 work areas in this contract. For a description of the work areas please see the attached vicinity and work map. Access to the work areas varies between paved roads and logging trails. Potential bidders are encouraged to look at the work areas. Some work areas may have to be accessed by walking. Work areas vary in stocking levels. CONTRACTOR-FURNISHED PROPERTY The contractor will be required to furnish all equipment necessary to complete this contract. Contractor shall assume all risk of loss or damage of equipment for the duration of this contract. Equipment will include sprayer(s), water carriers, water, mixing containers, and mixing/stirring tools to make and maintain the proper suspension of soluble powder deer repellent according to specifications outlined below. Maintenance - During progress of work, the Contractor shall maintain his/her equipment by repair or replacement to such standard that will assure maximum hours of use. Necessary repairs shall be made with the least possible delay to the work program. Personnel - The Contractor shall provide all personnel needed to spray the deer repellent in accordance with the specifications herein. Transportation - The Contractor shall be required to furnish transportation for his/her personnel, materials, and equipment to and from the spray site, pickup points, etc., except as otherwise indicated herein. Record--The Contractor shall keep a written log of the repellent application. The log shall include the date and hours of the day of the spray application. Mixing-The contract will mix the Plantskydd in a manner that does not leave pools Plantskydd visible to the public GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY The government will provide the dry powder deer repellent (Plantskydd). Product will be in 2.2lb packages. The contractor will be required to return all packages empty or full to the government. Upon receiving the Plantskydd the contractor shall transport and store the product in a secure location. Any lost or stolen Plantskydd is the responsibility of contractor. The contractor is responsible to replace any lost or stolen Plantskydd. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Mixing Requirements - Refer to Appendix A Technical Specifications sheets Page 1 and 2 for instructions on mixing. (vii) The start date will be on/or about Oct 1, 2013. All work must be completed no later than Nov 1, 2013. Place of performance is located in the Washburn District of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. The district is located in Bayfield County Wisconsin. (viii) Provision at 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors -- Commercial, applies to this acquisition. (ix) Evaluation of quotes will be based on the Best Value to the Government as determined by price and technical data in accordance with Schedule B Schedule of Items and the Evaluation Factors defined below. Evaluation Factors below shall be evaluated as all being of equal importance to the Government. (1) Qualifications and experience of the crew(s) and any proposed subcontractors. (a) Experience with the knowledge of the flora of the area (b) Experience in conducting repellant applications (c) Experience in successfully and safely locating the appropriate saplings (2) Capacity of accomplishing the project in the required time. Identify resources to be dedicated to the project (3) Past performance on three (3) contracts with Government agencies and private clients in terms of cost control, quality of work and delivery schedules (4) Price Evaluation/Fair and reasonable Contractors shall submit a detailed technical proposal addressing all items above along with their detailed price quote in accordance with Schedule B Schedule of Items of the subject solicitation. The detailed price quote should contain a breakdown of how each price was arrived at. Contractors that fail to respond accordingly shall be considered non-responsive and will not be considered for award. (x) Offerors shall include a completed copy of the provision at 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications -- Commercial Items (attachment available in uploaded document package), with its quote. An offeror shall complete only paragraphs (b) of this provision if the offeror has completed the annual representations and certificates electronically via the System for Award Management (SAM) online at www.sam.gov. If an offeror has not completed the annual representations and certifications electronically at the online, the offeror shall complete only paragraphs (c) through (o) of this provision. SAM replaces CCR/FedReg, ORCA, and EPLS. (xi) The clause at 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions -- Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. (xii) The clause at 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes Or Executive Orders -- Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. The following additional FAR clauses cited in the clause are applicable to the acquisition: 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (APR 2006) 52.233-3, Protest After Award (AUG 1996) 52.233-4, Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (OCT 2004) Also applicable to acquisitions of commercial items: 52.204-10, Reporting Executive compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (Aug 2012) (Pub. L. 109-282) 52.209-6, Protecting the Government' Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment (Dec 2010) 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Aside (Nov 2011) 52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Rerepresentation (Apr 2012) 52.222-3, Convict Labor (June 2003) 52.222-17, Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers (Jan 2013) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (Feb 1999). 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Mar 2007) 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities (Oct 2010) 52.222-41, Service Contract Act of 1965 (Nov 2007) 52.222-42, Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires (May 1989) 08130 FORESTRY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR 21.89 - 29.83 08250 GENERAL FORESTRY LABORER 16.98 - 23.14 99410 PEST CONTROLLER (Exterminator) 23.10 - 31.47 52.223-18, Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging while Driving (Aug 2011). 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-Central Contractor Registration (Oct. 2003). [[SAM.GOV has replaced CCR.GOV.]] (xiii) Additional contract requirement(s) or terms and conditions: All responsible sources may submit a response which, if timely received, must be considered by the agency. Vendors must be registered in Systems for Award Management prior to receiving a government contract (formerly Central Contractors Registration or CCR). See www.sam.gov for details - this may take up to 2 weeks and requires a DUNS number, so it is highly recommended that interested parties register immediately in order to avoid any delays in award. Current Department of Labor Wage Determination applicable to this requirement is: WD 81-1253 (Rev.-33) dated 09/07/2012 and WD 05-2285 (Rev.-11) dated 06/13/2012. If a DOL WD changes prior to award, the newest wage determination will be utilized. The following additional FAR provisions and/or clauses in their most current version are applicable to the acquisition: 52.204-6 Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number 52.204-99 System for Award Management Registration (DEVIATION) 52.215-5 Facsimile Proposals 52.215-8 Order of Precedence--Uniform Contract Format 52.219-1 Small Business Program Representations 52.219-8 Utilization of Small Business Concerns 52.222-22 Previous Contracts and Compliance Reports 52.222-25 Affirmative Action Compliance 52.223-6 Drug-Free Workplace 52.225-13 Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases 52.232-1 Payments 52.232-8 Discounts for Prompt Payment 52.232-11 Extras 52.232-23 Assignment of Claims 52.232-99 Providing Accelerated Payment to Small Business Subcontractors (DEVIATION) 52.233-1 Disputes 52.237-1 Site Visit 52.237-2 Protection of Government Buildings, Equipment, and Vegetation 52.242-13 Bankruptcy 52.245-1 Property Records 52.245-4 Government-Furnished Property 52.246-20 Warranty of Services 52.252-1 Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference www.arnet.gov/far/ www.usda.gov/procurement/policy/agar.html 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference www.arnet.gov/far/ www.usda.gov/procurement/policy/agar.html 52.252-6 Authorized Deviations in Clauses (b) The use in this solicitation or contract of any Agriculture Federal Acquisition Regulation (48 CFR) clause with an authorized deviation is indicated by the addition of "(DEVIATION)" after the name of the regulation. The following Agriculture Acquisition Regulations (AGAR) clauses and provisions in their most current version are applicable to this acquisition: 452.204-70 Inquiries 452.211-72 Statement of Work/Specifications 452.211-73 Attachments to Statement of Work/Specifications 452.211-74 Period of Performance Approx start 1 October 2013, through not later than 1 November 2013, may be able to start sooner if Contracting Officer approves under COR advisement 452.211-75 Effective Period of the Contract Approx start 1 October 2013, through not later than 1 November 2013, may be able to start sooner if Contracting Officer approves under COR advisement 452.215-71 Instructions for the Preparation of Technical and Business Proposals 452.215-73 Postaward Conference 452.219-70 Size Standard and NAICS Code Information Contract line item(s): 0001-0004 --NAICS Code 115310 --Size Standard $7 million 452.236-72 Use of Premises 452.236-73 Archaeological or Historic Sites 452.236-74 Control of Erosion, Sedimentation, and Pollution 452.236-76 Samples and Certificates 452.237-75 Restrictions Against Disclosure To be completed and submitted with quote (attachment available in uploaded document package): 452.209-70 Representation By Corporations Regarding An Unpaid Delinquent Tax Liability Or A Felony Conviction 452.209-71 Assurance Regarding Felony Conviction Or Tax Delinquent Status For Corporate Applicants Alternate 1 The following Forest Service Acquisition Regulations (FSAR) supplemental clauses and provisions in their most current version are applicable to this acquisition: 4G52.222-701 Employment of Eligible Workers 4G52.222-702 Labor Standards for Contracts Involving Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Workers 4G52.222-703 Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act Registration 4G52.222-704 Personal Protective Equipment 4G52.222-705 Camping Provisions for Labor Intensive Contracts (xiv) N/A. (xv) INFORMATION REQUIRED IN QUOTE: ? SF-18 with contractor information ? Price Sheet, plus detailed breakdown ? Past performance ? Technical approach ? Completed 52.212-3 ? Completed 452.209-70 ? Completed 452.209-71 The date, time and place quotes are due: If submitting hard copies, please submit two (2) complete copies of the above information to: USDA Forest Service, Debra Brinn, LSAT Contracting Officer, 5761 N Skeel Ave, Oscoda, MI 48750. Quotes are due 18 June 2013, not later than 2 p.m. EST. If sending via email to contact@example.gov or via facsimile only one copy is required. (xvi) ALL QUESTIONS MUST BE IN WRITING. Please submit all questions to Debra Brinn at contact@example.gov. Questions and answers will be posted to FBO so please check back often as it is the contractor's responsibility to remain up to date on all available Q&A's as well as any potential resulting modifications. All questions must be received NLT three (3) days prior to solicitation close date, otherwise the government is under no obligation to review and/or address the questions. ****AMENDMENT 0001 REMOVES THE FOLLOWING FROM THE ORIGINAL POSTED WORK AREAS: Item/Zone Work Area 1 4 1 5 1 7 1 8 1 10 2 10 2 14 3 1 3 4 3 7 4 1 4 2 PLEASE REVIEW CORRECTED MAPS PROVIDED FOR EACH AREA.