Description
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Biotechnology Regulatory Services, Regulatory Operations Program, Western Compliance Assurance Branch in Ft. Collins, CO is in need of a firm fixed priced Blanket Purchase Agreement for purchasing archival and new collection of satellite imagery for a firm fixed price. The Biotechnology Regulatory Services (BRS) operates out of a headquarters location in Riverdale, MD, and hubs located in Fort Collins, CO, and Raleigh, NC. There are field staff located in Puerto Rico, Iowa, Florida, Hawaii, and Washington. The Remote Sensing for Compliance Oversight Program (RSCOP) is evaluating remote sensing tools to enhance compliance oversight. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Regulatory Operations Program (ROP) is unable to conduct in person inspections and needs to verify compliance of regulated field trials. Even without the COVID-19 pandemic, remote sensing imagery (RSI) was demonstrated to enhance compliance oversight. In-person inspections provides a view of the regulated site on the day of inspection but the status of the site and management practices before and after inspection are unknown The expansion of capability to assess and evaluate trial maintenance practices through satellite imagery enhances our compliance assurance methods. This tool allows Biotechnology Regulatory Services (BRS) to assess the validity of submitted reports, regarding the location of regulated field trials, identify potential issues related to field trials, and support remote inspections; where no inspector is physically at the field site. This tool allows APHIS to identify any potential concerns that may necessitate an on-site inspection, and or confirm information provided to APHIS by regulated entities. The Remote Sensing for Compliance Oversight Program (RSCOP) recommends a three-tiered workflow, which first takes advantage of 1) free imagery software, 2) free imagery resources, followed by 3) purchasing additional imagery from third-party suppliers when free imagery does not fully support compliance needs. Third-party suppliers offer one-stop search and purchase options for many different high resolution satellite venders with pricing equal or better than primary satellite providers. Every time the Regulatory Operations Program (ROP) needs a Remote Sensing Imagery (RSI), searching multiple sites becomes too inefficient and cumbersome, and most often, the primary venders require a subscription to search their database for archive RSI. Accessing available historic RSI and the ability to custom order new collections of RSI substantially improves compliance oversight. The objective of this project is to access RSI to enhance and modernize BRS oversight of regulated Genetically Engineered environmental releases. RSI is available from many different types of providers and services, which include RSI from both archived third party suppliers and new collections. Having access to all high resolution satellites ensures that ROP is able to locate and purchase any available RSI of a particular geographic region during a specific period of time. Third-party suppliers offer a one-stop search and purchase options for many different satellite venders. For archived RSI, third-party pricing is equal or less than pricing from primary satellite venders. Search each of the primary providers every time RSI is purchased is too inefficient and cumbersome, and most often, the primary venders require a subscription to search their database. For new collections, we plan to assess multiple primary venders from the same third-party provider to evaluate the availability of satellites, response time, quality (resolution – 1.5m and below, cloudiness, and nadir), efficiency (ease of access and processing), content (availability of critical times in growing season/ IR Bands), storage space burden and cost-effectiveness. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code is 541370 (Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Services). The Small Business Standard Size is $16.5 Mil. The solicitation will be issued as a 100% Small Business Set Aside. The Government intends to provide the full package for solicitation number 12639520R0056 and all amendments via this web site. The Federal Government is not responsible for notifications to interested parties regarding the issuance of the solicitation nor any of its amendments. It is the responsibility of interested parties to check this website periodically for updates. Telephone and email requests will not be accepted Anyone interested in doing business with the USDA must first obtain a Dunn and Bradstreet number. If your company does not have a DUNS number, you may contact Dun and Bradstreet directly to obtain one by calling 1- 866-705-5711or via the following website: http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform Anyone interested in doing business with the USDA must also first be listed in the government’s System for Award Management known as SAM.gov. You may register on line with SAM.gov. A prospective awardee shall be registered in the SAM database prior to award, during performance and through final payment of any contract resulting from this solicitation. Interested persons may obtain information on registration and annual confirmation requirements via the Beta SAM database accessed through http://sam.gov or by calling 1-866-606-8220 ***REGISTRATION IS FREE***