LBL Questions and Answers.docx

Land Between the Lakes Questions Vendor 1

1.) There were very few bidders at the site visit which was mandatory according to the solicitation for potential bidders. Was any market research compiled to change the set-aside from Total Small Business to Hub-Zone? I.E. Was there a sources sought for this contract that we did not see? Please reference FAR Part 19.1305.

2.) How many official bids from Hub-Zone Contractors will need to be received for a competitive bid allowing for an official award? Please reference FAR Part 19.1305.

3.) Due to the extremely low amount of bidders, two at most, would the USFS consider changing to a small business set aside to increase potential bidders, increase competitiveness and thus give the Government increased potential for cost savings? Please reference FAR Part 19.1305. Bids are not due till November 4, 2022 @2359, thus we cannot determine how many will submit a quote.

4.) When was the woods to woods mowing last completed and will it be completed this fall by the incumbent contractor? The mowing was completed last year, the incumbent will complete Woods to Woods IAW the contract and the Work Order assigned.

5.) Thank you both for your timely responses. I realize our questions will be answered with the official Q&A posted on SAM at a later date. The root of my questions revolve around the market research (Sources Sought) that was completed and whether we missed the Sources Sought on SAM and how the Government came to conclude that were an ample number of HubZone contractors interested to make this a competitive bid. Based on historical data, market research with SBA and SAM.gov. After the solicitation came out, there were 8 inquiries from qualified vendors, which is more than the previous 3 times this contract/s were solicited. At the site visit, there were 3 qualified vendors who registered at that time.

6.) Having Land Between the Lakes solicited as a Total Small Business as far back as I was able to research, the timing to a set-aside that the incumbent contractor carries seems an obvious advantage with no market research having been done. As a qualified WOSB with outstanding ratings and ample past performance on several O&M contracts, EnviroSmart would have obviously responded to a sources sought with an interest as such. Please see below for verbiage pertaining to a sources sought and market research.

This was solicited as a HUBZone set-a-side, please refer to FAR part 19.

7.) Also, EnviroSmart would like to submit a question and clarification regarding the selection of 561210 Facility Support Services for the Grounds Maintenance solicitation requirement.

IAW FAR Part 19.103 (a) (1)

(a) The contracting officer’s determination is final unless appealed as follows:

1. An appeal of a contracting officer’s NAICS code designation and the applicable size standard shall be served and filed within 10 calendar days after the issuance of the initial solicitation or any amendment affecting the NAICS code or size standard…… Vendor 2 1.) Can we provide the Quality Control Plan as an Attachment to the Technical, but still be included in the page count? Yes 2.) What section should PPQs be included in the proposal? As an attachment to section 1, Past Performance.

3.) If bidding on all three RFQs, do we need to submit three separate PPQs for each set of RFQs, or will one PPQ per reference that encompasses all services suffice for all three (included in each Proposal but same PPQ)? Submit to each proposal.

4.) Section E Instructions to Offerors states “Offeror’s proposal shall be segmented into three individual sections.

0. Section 1: Past Performance

0. Section 2: Technical Approach

0. Section 3: Pricing Schedule However, in the same section, Addenda to Provision 52.212-1, Item 3) states “Offer should contain 3 separate attachments (Technical Proposal, Price Proposal, and Representations and Certifications).” Please clarify if Past Performance should be included in Technical Proposal, or should there be 4 attachments? See above

5.) Technical Proposal is limited to 100 pages. Can Safety Plan be submitted as an Attachment and not included in the page count? Yes 6.) We did not see a Bid Schedule or SOW for Facilities Maintenance? Should this be included in one of the RFQs? Yes