R--External Review Support Services
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is seeking External Review Support Services for its Midwest Climate Adaptation Science Center (MW CASC). This Request for Quotation (RFQ) aims to procure a contractor to manage and conduct an external review of the MW CASC's structure and operations. The acquisition is a Total Small Business Set-Aside, with quotations due by May 22, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET.
Scope of Work
The selected contractor will be responsible for designing, improving, and managing an external review process for the MW CASC. Key tasks include:
- Providing input on existing RCASC external review criteria and metrics.
- Assembling an Expert Review Team (ERT) of 3-4 non-CASC affiliated professionals and one federal senior staff member.
- Planning and conducting a site visit (virtual or in-person) to the MW CASC, including interview coordination and ERT travel logistics.
- Conducting preparation work, record-keeping, and document management for the review.
- Managing post-site review follow-up and report writing.
- Submitting a concise, clear, and informative report (not exceeding 35 pages) within 45 days of the site visit.
Contract & Timeline
- Contract Type: Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) Purchase Order.
- Period of Performance: 12-month base period with one (1) 12-month option period.
- Place of Performance: Activities will occur via telephone, email, at MW CASC locations, or in a virtual meeting space.
- Response Due: May 22, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET.
- Published Date: April 24, 2026.
Submission & Evaluation
Quotations must be submitted via email to trhardy@usgs.gov. Technical and pricing information must be provided as separate files (Volume I and Volume II). Evaluation will utilize Trade-Off procedures, where non-price factors (Technical Approach, Key Personnel, Experience, Past Performance) are collectively more important than price.
Key Submission Requirements:
- Cover page, table of contents, acknowledgement page, and section cover pages.
- Experience: Submit a minimum of three (3) and a maximum of five (5) relevant projects completed within the past five years, using the provided "Experience Project Data Sheet" (Attachment A).
- Past Performance: Provide Contractor Performance Appraisal Reports (CPARs) or have clients complete the "Past Performance Questionnaire" (Attachment B) for each project listed under Factor 3. Offerors must complete Blocks 1-4 of the PPQ before sending to clients.
Eligibility
This acquisition is a Total Small Business Set-Aside. The applicable NAICS Code is 541690 (Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services), with a Small Business Size Standard of $19,000,000.
Important Notes
Offerors are cautioned against contacting Government technical personnel prior to award; all communications must be directed to the Contracting Officer, Terrence Hardy (trhardy@usgs.gov). Questions regarding the solicitation must be submitted by email by May 10, 2026, at 12:00 PM EST. Offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database, and quotations must remain valid for 90 days.