Questions and Answers 1.docx

United States Department of Agriculture

Research, Education and Economics Agricultural Research Service

April 12, 2021

IN REPLY

REFER TO: Solicitation: 12305B21R0007 A&E IDIQ Northeast Area

Questions and Answers #1

1) Section M.1 (1) states that the evaluation process will include specialized experience and technical competence of the Offeror. We would appreciate guidance in Section L about USDA’s requirements. For example, may Offerors submit an unlimited number of projects and pages?

A: Submit past performance for projects within the last five years

2) Section M.1 (2) states that the evaluation process will include the capacity of an Offeror to fulfill the contract’s objectives. There is no guidance in Section L or elsewhere about USDA’s specific requirements. We would appreciate guidance in Section L about how to provide the information USDA requires to evaluation this requirement.

A: The Offeror can provide a narrative describing what professional disciplines they have in house to perform investigative, design, commissioning and construction management services for institutional, research, educational and agricultural related projects; their capacity to complete work on a timely basis; their access to and affiliation with outside consultants to supplement their technical expertise when required; and a discussion on how their organization is set up to integrate internal and external resources to bring a project to completion including their quality assurance plan.

3) Section M.1 (2) states that the evaluation process will include the capacity of an Offeror to fulfill the contract’s objectives, including a preference for licensed architects and engineers. Please confirm there is a preference for licensed professions in the states covered by this contract.

A: See revised section M.

4) Section M.1 (5) states the evaluation process will include an assessment of past performance. We would appreciate guidance in Section L about the format for prosing past performance information. For example:

A: 1. Five projects no more than 20 sheets (40 pages double-sided) for past performance

5) Is there a page limit for the SF 330 package?

A: 50 sheets, double sided (100 pages) and 'not less than' size 12 Times New Roman

6) Please confirm our proposal should include only resumes for key personnel listed in Section H.

A: Include key personnel resumes for both the prime contractor and subconsultants.

7) Is the completed SF 330 the only item required for submission?

A: Submit a complete SF330 and past performance.

8) What format should qualifications be submitted – hard copy or electronic? If hard copy, how many copies? If electronic, what is the maximum file size attachment that can be sent via email? If we cannot meet that attachment size, would the government accept a link to download the submission from a secure ftp site?

A: Electronic. As necessary, files shall be submitted in parts in order to stay within the 30MB limit. Each submission must include solicitation number, title, offeror’s name, and submission number. Example; Part 1, Part 2.

9) Are hourly rates required at this stage, or only following a successful technical proposal?

A: Hourly rates will not be required for phase 1. Selected firms will be notified to provide hourly rates in phase 2.

10) I noticed that the NAICS Code for this is Engineering, could this be led by an Architectural Firm with an Engineering Subconsultant?

A: Yes

11) Are there incumbent contracts?

A: This requirement is unique to the northeast area. However, nationwide contracts expired February 2021.

12) How would you like us to show that we have completed the annual Representations and Certifications of SAM within our proposal?

A: This is not a request for price proposals, this is a request for technical qualifications. Representations and certifications will be required for firms selected in phase 2.

13) Would you like us to provide copies of established rate agreements with other Federal agencies for all of our current Federal contracts or will one agreement suffice?

A: No. This is a request for qualifications.

14) Is Financial data information required for sub-consultants or just the Prime Offeror?

A: No financial data is not required in phase 1. Financial data will be required in phase 2 for prime and sub-consultants.

15) Please confirm our proposal should include only resumes for key personnel listed in Section H.

A: Include key personnel resumes for both the prime contractor and subconsultants in Section E of the SF330.

16) Is it acceptable to provide information to answer Selection Criteria #3 Professional Qualifications in both Section E and Section H?

A: Submission of any additional supporting material is acceptable, but only to the extent that it provides relevant supplemental information provided in Sections A-G of the SF330.

17) Is an SF 330 Part II required for the Prime offeror and all sub-consultants?

A: Yes

18) Does the Gov. have an anticipated award date for this contract?

A: We anticipate an adjusted award date of July 1, 2021

19) It was mentioned the Gov. anticipates award of multiple contracts, is there an estimated number of contracts?

A: We estimate between five and ten.

20) While there are numerous disciplines listed, is it the intent to have resumes provided for all positions, or just the key personnel identified in Section H.1?

A: Key Personnel in section H.1

21) Please confirm the relevance of Attachments 2 through 16 as it relates to our proposal.

A: The attachments apart from the SF330, are applicable to phase 2 after the selection of firms.

Northeast Area Director’s Office 10300 Baltimore Avenue Building 003, Room 223 Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350 USDA is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer image1.png