Request for Qualifications Revision 3.pdf

Forest Service Southern Region Page 1 of 11

Request for Qualifications Revision May 12, 2020

Document #: 1243ZP20R0001

Name: FY2020 Southern Region Facilities Architect/Engineer Multiple Award Contracts

Award Intent: Multiple Award Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity

Shared Contract Ceiling: $6 million

Contract Term: 5 years

FBO Posting Date: April 13, 2020

Qualifications Due: May 27, 2020 at 1400 Eastern

Questions Due: May 11, 2020 at 1400 Eastern

Small Business Set Aside: Total Small Business Set Aside

Contract Specialist: Tiffany Atchison Tiffany.atchison@usda.gov

(404) 347-2970

1.0 GENERAL

1.1 Introduction

The U.S. Forest Service (USFS), Southern Region, anticipates awarding up to four (4) Full- Service Architect–Engineer (AE) Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts. These contracts will provide engineering and architectural support for the construction, repair and alterations of facilities throughout the Southern Region.

The Southern Region includes Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. It is anticipated most, if not all, work will be located within the boundaries of the Southern Region, however, it is possible that work may be required elsewhere within the United States to support the programs or efforts of the Southern Region.

It is the intent to award up to four (4) IDIQ contracts with a shared ceiling of $6,000,000. The guaranteed minimum for each contract awarded is $2,500. The contracts are anticipated to be awarded in August 2020. After contracts are awarded, work will be issued by negotiated firm-fixed-price task orders. Basis for Award of the IDIQ contracts will be on a qualification-based selection process in accordance with Public Law 92-582 (The Brooks Act) and FAR Part 36.

The description, scope of work and location of individual projects will be stated in the Request for Proposal issued by the USFS in accordance with the IDIQ contracts.

The ordering period of the IDIQ contracts will be five (5) years from the effective date or when the shared ceiling of $6,000,000 is reached, whichever comes first. The Government is not obligated to award any task orders beyond the guaranteed minimum of $2,500.

Request for Qualifications: FY2020 Southern Region IDIQ Contracts

1.2 About the Forest Service

Established by Congress in 1905, the mission of the Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. We manage public lands in the form of national forests and grasslands, provide technical and financial assistance to state and private forestry agencies and make up the largest forestry research organization in the world.

1.3 The Forest Service’s Built Environment

The agency’s Built Environment refers to the physical infrastructure of fire, administrative, research, and recreation buildings, landscape structures, site furnishings, structures on roads and trails, and signs installed or operated by the Forest Service, its cooperators, and permittees.

The elements of the built environment constructed on National Forest Lands and Grasslands, or those used for administrative purposes in rural areas, towns, and cities incorporate in a practical manner the principles of sustainability, reflect their place within the natural and cultural landscape, and provide optimal service to our customers and cooperators.

Our infrastructure will:

Be located, planned, and designed with respect for the natural systems in which they reside.

Aesthetically integrate their natural, cultural, and experiential context.

Contain design elements that reinforce a national agency identity.

Emphasize efficiency of energy and materials consumption in construction and operation.

Serve as premier examples to interpret conservation of natural resources and sustainable development.

Create environments for people to enjoy and gain increased appreciation for the natural environment, and in which employees work productively, experiencing the connection to the resources they manage.

Use wood and wood products where appropriate in the construction, alteration, repair and operation of our infrastructure.

1.4 Projects in the Southern Region

The Southern Region manages 13.3 million acres of National Forest System land in the South, hosting more than 32 million visits each year. We have over 11,000 miles of trails, 900 developed recreation areas, and 4,500 total buildings, of which, 1,500 are toilet buildings.

Fire and administrative facilities include:

Ranger District Offices, which house about 30 employees, generally located in small, rural communities. These buildings are about 5,000 to 10,000 square feet.

Work Centers: “back-of-house” compounds containing shops, storage, and staging areas for districts to perform direct forest management work. Typical elements include about 4,000 square feet of heated warehouse and shop, 3,000 square feet of open air covered storage, secure storage for timber marking paint and hazardous materials, seedling coolers, heavy equipment and light truck parking, filling stations for fire engines, and open uncovered storage.

Forest Supervisor Offices, which house about 65 employees, are generally located in small urban communities central to National Forest System lands.

These buildings are about 10,000 to 20,000 square feet.

Air Tanker Bases at airports, helicopter support bases at airports and work center compounds, equipment caches for fire management and disaster response.

Small laboratories and research buildings supporting Experimental Forests and other natural resource work.

Recreation facilities include:

Major Visitor Centers, such as Brasstown Bald in Georgia, the Cradle of Forestry in America in North Carolina, Blanchard Springs Caverns in Arkansas, and El Portal de El Yunque in Puerto Rico.

Large, highly developed campgrounds and day use areas on lakes and rivers.

Trailheads for hiking, horses, off-highway vehicles, and bikes.

1.5 Procurement Overview

Multiple contracts shall be awarded using a qualifications-based selection process under the Brooks Act and Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) part 36.6. This is a two-step process.

The first step consists of a technical evaluation only. The technical submissions of qualifications (SF 330s) from firms are reviewed and discussions are held with at least three of the most highly ranked firms. After the discussions, the Government establishes a final selection list of the most highly qualified to perform the required services.

The second step consists of the firms on the final selection list receiving a Request for Proposal, submitting the applicable pricing, and negotiations. Upon mutually satisfactory negotiations, up to four (4) contracts will be awarded.

***Do NOT submit pricing in response to this Request for Qualifications***

1.6 Small Business

This procurement is set aside at 100% for small businesses. The NAICS code is 541330 - Engineering Services, with a small business size standard of $16.5 million.

Joint ventures and/or consulting arrangements will be considered and evaluated on the demonstrated interdependency of the team members to provide a cohesive quality design effort.

To be eligible for contract award a firm must be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM) database. For instruction on registering with SAM see the SAM website at https://www.sam.gov/.

2.0 SCOPE OF SERVICES

2.1 IDIQ Contract Scope

The purpose of this Solicitation and subsequent contracts is to engage teams capable of performing planning and design services that are consistent with the guiding principles of

GSA's Design Excellence program for a variety of project types. Assembled teams should be well rounded and clearly identify relevant concentrated areas of expertise, as applicable.

The anticipated scopes of work may include, but are not limited to: site investigation, pre-design and existing conditions studies, design, construction documents, constructability review and evaluation, estimating, technical design reviews, submittal and shop drawing review/approval, record drawings, construction site inspection, and close-out documentation.

Primary disciplines and expertise that may be required on resulting task orders include, but are not limited to: architecture, mechanical (including component/system assessments and design), electrical, plumbing, civil, structural, fire protection, historic preservation, estimating, code compliance, life safety, quality control review, scheduling, space planning, and sustainability. Secondary expertise that may be required includes security, surveying, LEED, vertical transportation, real estate market analysis, master planning, and report writing.

Design and other engineering-related services must be performed by or under the direct supervision of licensed design professionals in each discipline.

2.2 Task Order Scope

Professional services for task orders shall be overseen or performed by contractor individuals licensed in the relevant discipline with a current registration in the state in which the project's construction will occur as required. Task Orders will be negotiated on a firm-fixed basis.

The majority of task orders issued under these IDIQ contracts are anticipated to have an Estimated Cost of Construction at Award (ECCA) of $250,000 or less. These task orders will require limited scope engineering and architectural services with defined deliverables and performance periods of 120 calendar days or less. Some task orders may require a full range of engineering and architectural services with extended budgets or performance periods. It is possible that some task orders will have an ECCA of up to $10 Million. If necessary, the Contracting Officer may decide it is in the Government’s best interest to award a task order to support efforts in excess of $10 Million.

In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 15.404-4(c)(4)(i)(B), fees for design services cannot exceed 6% of the ECCA. For general guidance describing the 6% fee limitation, please reference the attached document, titled, RFQ A-E Fee Limitation.

2.3 Ordering Procedures:

All firms awarded an IDIQ contract will receive consideration based on qualifications for each task order. When deciding which firm will be selected to negotiate an order, the Government may consider the current capacity to accomplish the order in the required time, unique specialized experience, and quality of performance under the other task orders.

For task orders under the Simplified Acquisition Threshold ($250,000), the Government may base its decision on review of existing documentation. For orders over the Simplified Acquisition Threshold ($250,000), the Government will issue a Request for Proposal to all firms awarded an IDIQ contract. The Request for Proposal response will normally be limited to two pages and will only include an update of qualifications relevant to the project and the contractor’s approach to the project. The highest ranked firm will then be requested to provide a price proposal in accordance with the pricing in the firm’s IDIQ contract.

If a mutually satisfactory task order cannot be negotiated, the Contracting Officer will then initiate negotiations with the next highest rated firm. This procedure will continue until a mutually satisfactory task order has been negotiated.

In accordance with FAR 36.606(c), no construction contract may be awarded to a firm that designed a project.

3.0 EVALUATION

3.1 Evaluation Process

Multiple contracts shall be awarded using a qualifications-based selection process under the Brooks Act and Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) 36.6. This is a two-step process.

The first step consists of a technical evaluation only. In the first step, firms will submit SF 330s based on the criteria identified below. The criteria are listed in descending order of importance.

The Government will review each firm's qualifications (SF 330s) and establish a list of the most highly qualified firms. At least three of the most highly qualified firms will be requested to participate in discussions. After the discussions, the Government establishes a final selection list of the most highly qualified firm to perform the required services.

Discussions will be scheduled with at least three of the most highly qualified firms on the final selection list. Firms selected for discussions may be asked to clarify information contained in the SF 330 submittal, provide concepts, and the relative utility of alternative methods of furnishing the required services. Elaborate presentations are not desired. The Government will attempt to provide as much notice to the selected firms about scheduling the discussions.

However, the Government may require that the discussions occur within one week of the notification.

The second step consists of the firms on the final selection list receiving a Request for Proposal. During the second step, up to four (4) firms on the final selection list will be required to submit a proposal with hourly rates for the applicable labor categories. Upon mutually satisfactory negotiations, contracts are awarded to the firms. If a mutually satisfactory contract cannot be negotiated, the contracting officer will notify the firm that negotiations have been terminated. The contracting officer may or may not initiate negotiations with the next firm on the final selection list. The rates established within the contract will be used to negotiate and award task orders.

Please note, a price proposal is not required at this time. A proposal will be requested from the final selection list of the most highly qualified firms.

3.2 Evaluation Criteria

The final selection list will be based on the following five (5) evaluation criteria. The criteria are listed in descending order of importance:

1. Specialized Experience and Technical Competence:

The evaluation will consider the extent of the offeror’s demonstrated specialized experience and technical competence with projects repair and alterations work of similar size as anticipated for the task orders and highlighting concentrated areas of expertise such as:

• Working in occupied buildings, building system upgrades, historical preservation, etc.

• Creatively and innovatively providing high quality architecture and engineering solutions for a variety of complex and routine design issue to achieve results under the constraints of budget and schedule.

• Providing services ranging from pre-design studies through construction completion.

• Projects should demonstrate the team's ability to successful accomplish a range of repair and alterations projects, of varying complexities and budgets.

Consideration will be given to teams with this specialized experience.

Project experience where the Prime was the lead, and projects where the prime and subcontractors/ team members proposed for this IDIQ requirement worked together will be given more consideration.

SF330 requirement: Provide within SF 330, Part I, Section F examples of not more than 10 projects that best demonstrate specialized experience and technical competency with the work described for the future task orders. Each project may be supplemented with photographs, sketches and drawings, or additional information not to exceed 2 double-sided pages. Two out of the ten examples must be directly attributable to the firm submitting the offer (prime).

The majority of projects shall include those that have reached substantial completion and all shall have been designed within the last 5 years. All projects cited shall identify design start/complete dates, as well as the project size (cost and scope). (SF 330, Part I, Section F). Task orders under IDIQ contracts and standalone contracts are considered projects. Do not submit an IDIQ contract as an example project.

2. Management Plan and Team Structure

The evaluation will consider the extent of the offeror’s demonstrated clear and efficient management plan and team structure (which includes sub-consultants) that addresses roles and responsibilities, lines of authority, coordination and communication. Assembled teams should be well rounded and clearly identify relevant concentrated areas of expertise if applicable. The management plan should clearly describe:

• The team's overall design approach.

• The team's ability to staff and manage task orders on an as needed basis accounting for the unpredictable issuance of task orders in terms of number, importance and urgency.

• The team's plan for designing within a negotiated fee in accordance with the 6% fee limitation.

Consideration will be given to teams that demonstrate a wide range of experience levels, in multiple disciplines, proving the ability to flexibly staff projects based on complexity and budget constraints. More consideration will be given to offerors, primes and sub-consultants/joint ventures that have demonstrated previous work experience on the same projects.

SF330 requirement: Provide management plan/structure within Part I, Section H (Additional Information). Limit the Management Plan and Team Structure to six pages. Do not modify the form by providing more than six proposed team members in Section C. Prioritize team members, providing those that are most important to creating a well-rounded team demonstrating the concentrated areas of expertise.

3. Quality Control Plan

The evaluation will consider the extent of the offeror’s processes for quality control to ascertain its effectiveness in producing quality deliverables and commitment to quality control standards while designing within the project's budget and schedule limitations. The plan should specifically address coordinating efforts with sub-consultants.

SF330 requirement: Provide quality control procedures within Part I, Section H (Additional Information). Limit the Quality Control Plan to four pages.

4. Past Performance

The evaluation will consider the extent the offeror demonstrates successful past performance on similar repair and alterations projects from the point of view of the client and professional peers. Firms will be evaluated on past performance for quality of products or services, cost control, compliance to project schedules, effectiveness of management/business relations, and regulatory compliance. Performance evaluations for any sub-consultants may also be considered. Demonstrated success of collaborative teaming relationships will be positively considered. The Government has the right to use corporate knowledge when evaluating this factor.

The relevancy of past performance information will be considered. The more relevant the information, the more weight it carries. NOTE: if no relevant past performance information is available to evaluate or if the record is so sparse such that no meaningful rating can be reasonably assigned, the offeror will be assigned a rating of neutral and shall not be evaluated favorably or unfavorably.

SF330 requirement: Past performance data for projects presented under Part I, Section F of the SF330 will be considered. The Submission shall include an evaluation published in the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS). If a CPARS Assessment Report is not available, the firm shall submit a completed Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ).

Any credible, documented information on past performance may be submitted, but the Government is not required to seek other information on past performance if none is submitted. (Note: Past Performance Questionnaires (PPQ) can be submitted to provide or supplement a firms past performance with other than U.S. Government clients. A PPQ is attached to this announcement).

Performance evaluations may be queried for all firms. As such, the evaluation team may consider past performance from other sources. Offerors are cautioned that in conducting the performance risk assessment, the Government may use data provided in the offeror’s proposal and data obtained from other sources, such as the Federal Award Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS) or similar systems and State Department Watch Lists.

5. Professional Qualifications

The evaluation team will consider the extent to which key personnel demonstrate they possess the education, qualifications, and project experience that will provide the best opportunity for the successful completion of task orders under this contract. Identified key personnel will be more highly evaluated if he or she participated in the firm's projects submitted in the SF 330 Section F. Teams must be able to provide services ranging from pre-design studies through post occupancy.

SF330 requirement: Provide a minimum of one (1) individual / up to a maximum of two (2) individuals per discipline for each of the key personnel disciplines identified below. Firms will not be evaluated more favorably for identifying additional Key Personnel beyond those identified here. Use a separate Section E for each individual. Do not generalize professional registrations or certifications, but provide specific details. The lead architect or engineer in each discipline must be registered in the appropriate professional field. For purposes of selection criteria, the use of the term "registered" means a Registered Architect or Professional Engineer registered to practice in the particular discipline in a State, the District of Columbia, or an outlying area of the United States. Key personnel are as follows:

• PROJECT MANAGERS (U.S. Registered Architect or Engineer)

• Civil Engineers

• Architects

• Landscape Architects

• Structural Engineers

• Mechanical Engineers

• Electrical Engineers

Teams will have to prioritize and provide those that best represent the firm’s ability to accomplish the requirements of this contract. Executive personnel should not be submitted unless they will have direct responsibility for accomplishing the task orders under this contract. It is required that you include the Primary Point of Contact that will be responsible for managing this contract and assigning task orders.

3.3 Discussions

Discussions will be scheduled with at least three firms selected as the most highly qualified.

Firms selected to participate in discussions may be asked to clarify information contained in the SF 330 submittal. Elaborate presentations are not desired.

Instructions regarding the discussions will be provided in writing to those selected to participate.

4.0 SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

4.1 General

Interested firms that have the qualifications to meet the requirements identified above are invited to submit the Standard Form 330 (which can be found at www.gsa.gov/forms) along with one single sided page letter of interest for your team by the Response Date and Time.

Please provide only the information requested. Supplemental information will not be evaluated.

The response to this Request for Qualifications shall be emailed to the Contract Specialist as a PDF. It is requested that the submissions conform to the following:

Separate 11x17 pages into a second file.

Separate PPQs and CPARS into a third file.

Bookmark the PDF for each section, and each project. Additional bookmarks are acceptable.

File naming o Solicitation number, underscore, firm short name, underscore, file number, dash, number of files o Example using the Smokey Bear + Woodsy Owl Coöperative Atelier as the full firm name and submitting the first of two files, the file name would be 1243ZP20R0001_SmokeyWoodsy_1-2.pdf

Note: The Government may print the SF-330s in black and white only.

4.2 SF-330 Format Requirements

The cover shall contain the following information:

Firm name

Firm primary and secondary point of contact

Firm contact information (physical address, mailing address, voice and fax numbers, e-mail address, web address)

The solicitation number, including any and all amendments

DUNS+4 Number

Limit the package to 64 single sided letter pages. Up to four (4) 11”x17” sheets z-folded to letter size may be included in the package. These sheets count towards the page limitations above. Use a 12 point type size for body text and a 10 point type size for tables and charts.

Use either coil or comb binding for packages. Number all pages sequentially in the form “Page M of N.”

The Government will exclude PPQs and CPARS from the page limit.

On each blank page, include the following language: “This page is intentionally left blank.”

Blank pages count towards the overall page limit. Do not use tabs or other dividers. Use only wire coil or plastic comb binding to bind the Qualifications packages.

4.3 Supplemental Standard Form 330 Information / Instructions:

Part II of SF 330: Include a Part II for each firm listed in Part I, Section C. Submit data that the firm feels adequately demonstrates experience and qualifications to perform the required work.

4.4 Other Procurement Information

All responsive offers will be considered. This is not a request for proposal. The prime contractor must be registered in the System for Award Management (www.sam.gov) at the time of submission. SAM registration includes Contractor Representations and Certifications (Reps & Certs). To be considered, the prime contractor must be certified as a business with NAICS code 541330, Engineering Services, under 52.219-1, Small Business Program Representations.

Firms who submit offers as a joint venture should include with their submission a copy of the joint venture agreement. Failure to include the joint venture agreement may result in the firm's elimination from further evaluation.

4.5 Questions and Clarifications

All questions and requests for clarifications regarding this RFQ shall be submitted to the Contract Specialist by email.

No requests for additional information, clarification or any other communication should be directed to any other individual. NO ORAL REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION WILL BE

ACCEPTED.

5.0 CONTRACT INFORMATION

5.1 Travel

Travel shall be determined on each task order.

5.2 Organizational conflicts of interest

The A-E firm shall not disclose information pertaining to the services performed under this contract to anyone other than the Government or other personnel authorized by the Contracting Officer. Cost estimates will be used in preparing Government estimates for evaluating offers and are considered confidential material for official use only. The Government shall not grant approval of construction contractors or subcontractors, or any employee of the same, unless assurances are submitted that the contracting firm will keep the construction estimate confidential and will not later submit an offer or serve as a subcontractor to an offeror on the construction contract.

Award of a task order for A-E services for a particular project under this contract and the award of a contract for related construction work to the same firm, a parent firm, or its sub consultants is prohibited. The A-E firm shall decline to enter into negotiations for any contract, if the firm, its parent firm, or sub consultants intend to compete for the related construction contract.

The cost estimates shall remain the sole property of the Government and shall not be made available to others for any purpose.

5.3 Data Rights

The Government shall have unlimited rights, in all drawings, designs, specifications, pictures, notes and other works developed in the performance of this contract, including the right to use the same on any other Government document, design, or construction without additional compensation to the Contractor.

5.4 Subcontracting

The resulting contracts will be subject to FAR Clause 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting. This requires that at least 50 percent of the cost of contract performance incurred for personnel shall be expended for employees of the contractor awarded the contract. Compliance with the limitations on subcontracting is required at the contract level.