B--Ecological Footprint Analysis of California

AMENDMENT NOTICE: The purpose of this amendment is to: (a) extend the quote due date from 4:00pm PST, Monday, April 4, 2011 to 4:00pm PST, Monday, April 11, 2011. (b) provide answers to questions submitted. Please see below. Questions and Answers for Ecological Footprint analysis for California sustainability indicators suite. Question 1: Does scope of the RFQ represents follow on work for an existing contract, or does this RFQ represent a new scope? Answer 1: The RFQ does not represent follow on work for an existing contract. This RFQ is for completely new work. Question 2: The solicitation asks that respondents document three previously conducted footprint analysis they have conducted. What if a vendor lacks formal prior contract experience in footprint analysis but has other formal training (e.g. in ecosystem functions, carbon budgeting, etc.) that provide a foundation for footprint analysis? What guidance would you give the vendor if they were interested in responding to your request? Answer 2: A vendor may submit a response and include any experience or information that they deem relevant. However, EPA will still review all responses based on the criteria outlined in the RFQ. Question 3: Is EPA aware of which vendors shall be submitting responses? Are there a good number of potential respondents with prior experience in footprint analysis? Answer 3: This RFQ has been posted publicly for full and open competition, and therefore any interested vendor may submit a response. EPA is aware of vendors interested in this requirement, but does not disclose information pertaining to an ongoing solicitation. However, a public listing of interested vendors is located directly on the FedBizOpps (FBO) posting page. You may access this list by going to the FBO posting (https://www.fbo.gov/spg/EPA/OAM/RegIX/RFQ-CA-11-00017/listing.html) and clicking on the "Interested Vendors List" tab. Question 4: Will the Ecological Footprint analysis include the Ecological Footprint of consumption (what is generally presented as the "Ecological Footprint") as well as the Ecological Footprint of production for the state, and its Biocapacity? Answer 4: Yes, the Ecological Footprint analysis will include both consumption and biocapacity calculations. Question 5: There are multiple methods to perform calculations for the Ecological Footprint analysis. Each method of calculation may require different sets of data. Furthermore, data availability may also vary. What sets of data would be used and what is the availability? Answer 5: EPA does not intend to furnish any specific data (for biocapacity or other calculations) at this time. Task 2 of the project specification in the Background and Statement of Work (attachment A to the RFQ) involves working with EPA to identify and acquire necessary data. Prospective contractors should base their methodology, work plan outline, and quote on data sources they know is or is likely to be available from international, national, or state agencies. Question 6: The solicitation mentions wanting the Ecological Footprint for specific sub-areas of California. Have you already determined what these would be? Answer 6: No, EPA has not already determined these areas. Respondents should propose analyses of up to three subareas (counties or regions within California) to demonstrate a range of ecological conditions. Question 7: The solicitation mentions that the Ecological Footprint will be one indicator amongst a suite of other indicators. What other indicators have been identified for inclusion, or are under assessment? Answer 7: Indicators included in the overall project are: Ecological Footprint, water footprint, plant growth index based on satellite-derived data, groundwater flux indicator based on satellite-derived data. EPA does not require that the Ecological Footprint analysis incorporate data from the other indicators.