R -- Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) for Real Estate Appraisals/Technical Reviews throughout the State of Alabama

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested. Solicitation AG-4101-S-07-0002 is issued as a request for quotes (RFQ). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-16. The Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Alabama State Office intends to award a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) to small business sources capable of providing real estate appraisals/technical reviews throughout the State of Alabama. Services are being sought for a base period of one year with two,one-year option periods. A BPA does not obligate the Government to order or the vendor to furnish any articles of any quantity except to the extent that may be agreed upon in connection with individual transactions. Obligation is made at the time that an actual order is issued by a Contracting Officer. Appraisers shall be an Alabama State Certified General Real Property Appraiser or obtain a temporary practice permit in Alabama and be in good standing with the licensing authority where the credential is issued. The appraisals being reviewed for this program shall comply with USPAP, Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions (UASFLA a/k/a Yellow Book) and Supplemental Standards as issued by NRCS. Completion Certificates of appraisal education courses attended, such as eminent domain or conservation easements and UASFLA course, and at least 40 hours of documented certified training in conducting appraisals/technical reviews shall be provided by the appraiser to the Contracting Officer. This is a 100% set-aside for small business. The associated NAICS code is 531320 and the small business size standard of $2 million will be used. The provisions at FAR 52.212-1 and 52.212-2 apply to this solicitation. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers: 1.) Technical Capability: the offeror's technical capability to meet the Government?s requirement and demonstrated competency in compliance with Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) in conducting appraisals/technical reviews of agricultural properties with and without conservation easements; and 2.) Past Performance: the offeror?s performance on similar previous projects. Technical and past performance factors, when combined, are equal in importance to price. The price to perform one appraisal and one technical review for 180 acres in Alabama will reviewed. This price will only be used to determine price reasonableness. An oral or written quote will be obtained for each requirement and the requirement may be competed among two or more awarded BPAs. Multiple awards will be considered and are anticipated. Specific due dates will be set once orders are issued against the BPA. Technical reviews will be conducted on the first appraisal submitted by an individual appraiser, and on approximately 10 percent of all subsequent appraisals completed. For planning purposes, the Government estimates between 7 and 10 appraisals for the base year and each option year. A price must be submitted to be considered for award of each BPA. Interested vendors should reply in writing to the Contracting Officer listed below no later than May 24, 2007, 2:00 p.m. Central Time. Submissions in response to this solicitation must include: 1) Copy of Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions (UASFLA a/k/a Yellow Book) certificate; 2) Completion Certificates for appraisal education courses attended such as eminent domain, conservation easements, etc.; 3) Copy of Alabama State Certification as a General Real Property Appraiser or temporary practice permit for the State of Alabama; 4) Narrative of the offeror?s technical capability to meet the Government requirement such as, number of personnel, number of years in business, appraisal expertise, descriptions of similar work completed in Alabama, etc.; 5) The price to perform one appraisal and one technical review for 180 acres in Alabama; 6) A minimum of three completed past performance references on similar projects. Incomplete submissions will not be evaluated. Offers should be addressed to the following: USDA NRCS Alabama State Office, ATTN: Cortez Brundage, 3381 Skyway Drive, P.O. Box 311 Auburn, AL 36830. Place the solicitation number in the lower left corner of the envelope. Complete and provide the provision at FAR 52.212-3 (Offeror Representations and Certifications ? Commercial Items) with your offer. Telephone and fax inquiries will not be honored. Email all questions to the Contracting Officer, Cortez Brundage, at [email protected]. All Contractors must register in the Central Contractor's Registration database at www.ccr.gov. The CCR Customer Assistance Center can be contacted toll free at 1-888-227-2423. The first step to registering is to obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number, which is a unique nine-character identification number provided by the commercial company Dun and Bradstreet (D&B). To request a DUNS number call D&B at the toll free number 1-866-705-5711 or register online at http://www.dnb.com/ccr/register.html. Obtaining a DUNS number through this process is free of charge. It is advised that you begin this process as soon as possible since it can take several days to complete. Failure to register by close of business on the third day after notification of possible award by the Contracting Officer may cause rejection of your offer. Prospective contractors must also complete electronic annual representations and certifications at http://orca.bpn.gov in conjunction with required registration in the CCR database (FAR 4.1102). Prospective contractors shall update the representations and certifications submitted to ORCA as necessary, but at least annually, to ensure they are kept current, accurate and complete.