(I) This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial services prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice and in accordance with the simplified acquisition procedures authorized in FAR Part 13. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. (II) This solicitation is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ). Submit written quotes referencing RFQ Number AG-569R-S-12-0025. Simplified procurement procedures will be used for this acquisition per Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13. (III) This requirement is for the United State Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. (IV) The provisions and clauses incorporated into this solicitation are those in effect at the time of publication. 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 on the Internet at: http://www.arnet.gov/far/ and http://www.usda.gov/procurement/policy/agar.html. (V) This solicitation is being issued as a total small business set-aside. The associated NAICS code is 115310, Support Activities for Forestry. The small business size standard is $7 million. This combined synopsis/solicitation is to survey specified areas of the Ottawa National Forest for the presence of Regional Forester's Sensitive plants, State of Michigan listed plants, other plants of potential viability concern, and priority non-native invasive plants. Surveys of the selected areas will be conducted two to three times during the 2012 growing season*, depending on assigned cover type. The Contractor shall progressively accomplish the work at a rate that will result in completion of the contract within the time specified. The Contractor shall furnish all labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, supplies, and incidentals. (VI) No additional description is provided. (VII) The Government is requesting quotes for survey of approximately 16,560 acres. Maps and survey instructions are attached. (VIII) FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors -- Commercial Items (Feb 2012), applies to this acquisition. ADDENDUM: Period for acceptance of offers. The offeror agrees to hold its offer firm for 60 calendar days from the date specified for receipt of offers. (IX) FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation-Commercial Items (Jan. 1999), applies to this acquisition. Offers will be evaluated on price and technical factors listed in Attachment 1. The Government may have a single award or multiple awards as a result of this solicitation to the responsible offerors whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government and presents the best value, price and other factors considered. (X) Offerors shall complete at 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items and submit a copy of the representation with its offer. Please note that certifications can be Completed online at https://orca.bpn.gov/. A copy of the complete Clause can be found online at http://www.arnet.gov/far/current/htm/52_212_213.html#wp1179194 (XI) The clause at FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items (FEB 2012), applies to this acquisition. (XII) Clause at 52.212-5, Contract terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders - Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. The following FAR clauses identified in FAR 52.212-5 are considered checked and are applicable to this acquisition: 52.219-6 Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside; 52.19-8 Utilization of Small Business Concerns; 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting; 52-222-3 Convict Labor; 52.222-19 Child Labor - Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies; 52-222-26 Equal Opportunity; 52.222-35 Equal Opportunity for Special Disabled Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans; 52.222-25 Affirmative Action Compliance; 52.222-36 Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities; 52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer Central Contractor Registration (CCR). To be awarded this contract, the offeror must be registered in the CCR. CCR information may be found at http://www.ccr.gov. (XIII) Additional contract requirement(s) or terms and conditions: see Attachment 1. (XIV) The Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) does not apply to this acquisition. (XV) Quotes are required to be received in the contracting office no later than 4:00 P.M. eastern time, May 14, 2012. Quotes may be emailed to the attention of Tamie Thompson, trthompson@fs.fed.us, faxed to (231)723-8642 or mailed to the following address: USDA Forest Service Attention: AG-569R-S-12-0025 412 Red Apple Road Manistee, MI 49660 (XVI) Any questions regarding this solicitation should be directed to Tamie Thompson, trthompson@fs.fed.us, or (231)723-2211 ext. 3134. (XVII) A COMPLETE QUOTE SHALL CONSIST OF THE FOLLOWING: 1) Pricing for line items Page 1 of Attachment 1 pertaining to the botany surveys 2) Signature of the offeror on the page 2 as well as other information requested 3) Completed copy of the provisions at FAR 52.213-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items or confirmations that this has been completed on-line. 4) Submittal of Technical proposal addressing the evaluation criteria listed on Page 18 (Preparation of Technical Proposals) of Attachment 1. If an offerors quote does not contain all of the items listed above, the quote may be considered incomplete for evaluation purposes and no further consideration will be given to the offerors quotes, thereby making an offeror ineligible for award.
