Inactive Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)

SOURCES SOUGHT: This is a SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE. The U.S. Geological Survey is conducting a MARKET SURVEY to determine the interest and capability of small firm eligible to compete under NAICS code 56... SOURCES SOUGHT: This is a SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE. The U.S. Geological Survey is conducting a MARKET SURVEY to determine the interest and capability of small firm eligible to compete under NAICS code 561790 Other Services to Buildings and Dwellings with a Small Business with size standard of $9M for an anticipated upcoming requirement for Support Service USGS Guam Magnetic Observatory, Dededo, Guam. A. BACKGROUND The Geologic Hazards Science Center (GHSC) conducts research and operations in geology, geophysics, seismology, engineering seismology, geomagnetism, and geomechanics to assess seismic hazards and risk, geomagnetic hazards, and ground-failure hazards on regional, national, and international scales. The mission of the USGS Geomagnetism Program is to monitor the Earth's magnetic field. Using ground-based observatories, the program provides continuous records of magnetic field variations covering long timescales; disseminates magnetic data to various governmental, academic, and private institutions; and conducts research into the nature of geomagnetic variations for purposes of scientific understanding and hazard mitigation. The USGS operates a network of fourteen geomagnetic observatories in the continental U.S., Alaska, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and Guam. The purpose of this contract is to have Contractor support available to help operate and maintain the USGS Guam Magnetic Observatory, Dededo, Guam. Services required by the Contractor shall vary from about 20 to 30 hours per month for Subtasks A and B under the performance work statement, depending on the level of troubleshooting and adjustments needed at the observatory. The Contractor's primary responsibilities shall be to perform absolute observations and to assist in keeping the observatory operations equipment running as close to a 24 hours/7 days per week operational schedule as possible. B.PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT The Contractor shall perform the following support tasks for the USGS Guam Magnetic Observatory. Work shall be compliant with established operating procedures available from the USGS Geomagnetism Program and located in documents on site. Independently, and not as an agent of the Government, the Contractor shall: Subtask A: Weekly observatory tasks ¿ approximately 20 hours per month: 1. Check the USGS Geomagnetism Program web-based data plots (Geomag Plots) to verify the operation of the data acquisition system as instructed by the USGS Technical Liaison (TL). 2. Monitor temperature stability of the variations building using temperature plots displayed on the Geomag Plots webpage. 3. Make DI flux Absolute observations (at least four sets per measurement) according to USGS guidelines. 4. If original absolute observations do not appear to be of the quality required by USGS standards, the Contractor shall re-perform those absolute measurements as requested by the USGS TL or other USGS Geomagnetism Program representative. 5. Scan and file the original observation form in the observatory files. Compute Absolute and Baseline measurements within 24 hours. Review Baseline Summary, checking for the quality of observations as instructed. On occasion the observer may be requested to email their absolute data sheets to the Golden office. 6. Check facilities for noticeable damage and report to USGS TL within 24 hours. 7. Report by email and telephone any equipment malfunctions or unusual conditions to USGS TL within 4 hours after malfunction is detected. 8. Ensure that Absolute measurements are made approximately every seven days (between every 6 and 9 days is acceptable). 9. Coordinate with the USGS TL, in advance, if Contractor will be out of town or unavailable (such as vacation) for more than 72 hours. 10. Provide minor support for other projects at the observatory, such as facilitating access to the observatory grounds and buildings, if requested by USGS TL or Facility Manager. 11. Send and receive packages as required by USGS. 12. Check observatory voicemail and USGS email (if applicable) upon each visit to the observatory. 13. Maintain a satisfactory facility condition and ensure the facility presents a clean, neat, and professional appearance. The Contractor shall: - Sweep or vacuum the floors in the Absolutes and Electronics Buildings at least twice per year, or more frequently as needed, to maintain a neat and tidy appearance. - Clean all windows in Absolutes building at least twice per year, so that the views to the azimuth mark from any pier are unobstructed. - Maintain office in a neat and orderly fashion: file or recycle paperwork; keep desktops clean; keep mail and office supplies stored in an orderly fashion. - Periodically clean computer monitors and keyboards as needed. - Report to USGS Facility manager any identified facilities-related issues that are beyond the scope of this task. Subtask B: Unscheduled ¿ as needed, approximately 10 hours per month: 1.Perform minor troubleshooting, repairs, and adjustments to obsRIO system, magnetometers, and related equipment as requested by the USGS TL or other USGS Geomagnetism Program representative. 2. Perform extra Absolute measurements on an ¿as needed¿ basis as requested by the USGS TL or other USGS Geomagnetism Program representative in support of observatory or equipment upgrades/installation or other special cases. 3. Perform minor maintenance items as directed by USGS TL to include, but not limited to reconnecting cables, adjusting the theodolite, and sending equipment to the Golden, CO, office for repair. Subtask C: Annual refresher visit ¿ annually, approximately 4 to 8 hours per year: 1. On an annual basis (unless extraordinary circumstances do not allow), a specialized review and refresher instruction of the observation procedures will be provided to the Contractor by a government employee during an annual site visit to the observatory. Contractor shall be available for 4-8 hours during the government employee visit. Absolute Observations Guidelines and Optimum Schedule: Ensure that absolute measurements are made by vendor approximately every seven days for a total of 52 observations each year. If circumstances do not permit observations on a scheduled day, the schedule should be adjusted, so that observations are made either one to three days prior to the scheduled day, or as soon as possible after the scheduled day. The subsequent observations should then be made on the day that would maintain the original seven-day schedule. Normal observations should not be made more frequently than every five days unless instructed by the USGS TL. Vacation and/or other time away from the observatory that is coordinated in advance with the USGS TL may allow the total number of observations to be adjusted to less than 52 per year by the Contractor. The following procedures are important for quality absolute measurements: - Special attention must be given to removing all ferrous metal from the observer¿s body, clothing, and footwear and keeping the Absolute building free of ferrous metals. The Contractor shall self-test for magnetic influences on their person prior to beginning each measurement session. - The theodolite must be leveled. - Focus the telescope and the cross hairs prior to sighting on the correct point of the azimuth mark. - Declination measurements: The Vertical circle must be set at exactly 90 or 270 degrees (level) before nulling. The instrument shall be nulled to 0.0 nT and the time of the null shall be noted to the second. - The Magnetic Meridian must be computed properly. - The theodolite circle locks should be left in an unlocked position when the instrument is not being used. - The theodolite and magnetometer should be handled gently. No changes or modifications should be made to the theodolite and/or magnetometer unless instructed by the USGS TL. Care should be taken not to twist the cable or damage the cable connectors. The Contractor shall notify the USGS Geomagnetism group by email, IN ADVANCE whenever possible, with a list of times when anyone is working near any of our sensor buildings. The Contractor assumes the risk of, and shall be responsible for, any loss, damage, destruction, or theft of Government property upon its delivery to the Contractor as Government-furnished property. However, the Contractor is not responsible for reasonable wear and tear to Government property or for Government property properly consumed in performing this contract. C. PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS Work is primarily performed in a laboratory or office setting; however, there may be times when outside repairs will expose the vendor to inclement weather. Work also requires delicate use of tools, meters, recording devices, and computers to maintain, repair, adjust, and calibrate the equipment. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION. ALL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH PROVIDING INFORMATION AS REQUESTED BY THIS SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE SHALL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CONTRACTOR. Submission is voluntary. A scope of work will be provided with any solicitation that may be issued. The Government is not required to issue a solicitation. Responses to this announcement are requested from (A) SBA certified Small Business HubZone firms; (B) Small Business firms certified by a Small Business Administration (SBA) district or regional office for participation in the 8(a) program; (C) Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned small Business firms; (D) Small Businesses; (E) Women Owned Small Businesses; and (F) Large Businesses. In response to this announcement, please indicate your firm's socioeconomic status (e.g. small business, service-disabled veteran-owned, women owned, HUBZone, etc.) This information will assist the Government in determining how small businesses can fit into the acquisition strategy. Any information submitted is voluntary. If sufficient interest and capability is not received from firms in categories (A) through (E) above, any solicitation may be issued as unrestricted without further consideration. Interested business firms shall submit (1) NAME, ADDRESS, and PHONE NUMBER OF THE FIRM (including an active SAM Registration); (2) a CAPABILITY STATEMENT including (a) RECENT (within the last three fiscal years) RELEVANT (similar projects to this requirement) performance history (identify the name of the owner and their point(s) of contact with telephone and fax numbers, e-mail addresses; and (b) in what capacity (e.g., prime, subcontractor etc.) they performed the work; and (3) their SIZE STATUS, (4) Active SAM Registration. All responses must be submitted NLT June 20, 2023, at 12:00 PM ED Time via e-mail to: isuryaty@usgs.gov This is NOT a Request for Proposal (RFP) or Invitation for Bid (IFB) and does not constitute any commitment by the Government. Responses to this sources sought notice will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions. All interested sources must respond to future solicitation announcements separately from responses to this market survey. Any solicitation that may be issued will be posted on the Federal Business Opportunities website and no paper copies will be provided. If a solicitation is released, in order to receive an award your company must have an active Unique Entity ID at the System for Award Management (SAM). You will also be required to provide your small business status information either via the RFP or the On-line Representations and Certifications (ORCA) also located at the SAM website before an award to your company can be made. Your on-line ORCA registration will cover any/all of your offers to the Federal Government, and only needs updated annually.