Questions and Answers.docx

Solicitation Number: 124444522R0003 Page 1 of 2 Historic Preservation Services US Forest Service, Region 9

Questions and Answers

Q1: In regards to section 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors – 1-f) Personnel Qualifications “Educational training – List their college degrees and pertinent classes/training and certifications. Include transcripts.” Would the Government consider waiving the requirement for transcripts, as many personnel have been in the workforce for many years, if not decades and do not have easy access to transcripts. Many if not all personnel to be proposed have established careers with a considerable amount of work experience and certifications as indication of education and skill level? (reference page: 30) A1: The government is waiving the requirement for transcripts, but requires all pertinent information be provided that would assist in the evaluation of candidates for SOI qualifications.

Q2: In regards to section 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors – 1) Personnel Qualifications - Offeror will supply the names, resumes, educational background, and field experience for each person who would be working on this contract. Would the Government consider the contractor providing resumes of Full Time / Fully dedicated personnel and/or a single or several resumes from each key support area as an indication of the level of experience we have amongst the team. Listing ALL possible personnel would require an large amount of resumes. Our full staffing numbers will be presented in #3 Capacity to Perform Work. (reference page: 30) A2: The government is requesting the personnel qualifications of the permanent full time staff that would be working under this contract. When additional staff or specialties are required, the contract requires notification and approval for substitution or additional staff, at the time of this request the government representative will review the supporting documentation of that individual provided by the contractor and await approval/disapproval.

Q3: In regards to In regards to section 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors – i) Past Performance – Past Work Record and Performance on projects in the area of expertise required for the contract – Specify the number of years this specific business entity has been doing this type of work. Provide a list of all contracts completed or begun during the past 3 years for similar types of projects. Is it the Government’s intent for every single contract and/or task order performed to be listed, regardless of the agency, size, etc? Our team has hundreds of active efforts that would need to be listed. Would the Government consider those contract similar in size and complexity, and perhaps within just the AOR with a reference to the number of active contracts, without having to list all supporting information? Does the Government only want those contracts that we play a PRIME role, or all contracts/tasks we are supporting (ie as a subcontractor) (reference page: 29 ) A3: The government is requesting this information to evaluate whether or not the contractor in question has the capacity and resources to fulfill the work. A table of the projects, geographic locations, type of project- DOE/FOE/ NRHP Nom, etc. and the expected completion date is all information that informs the evaluation process.

Q4a. Does the Forest Service accept firms that may have one specialty service activity? Or, is it preferred that respondents are able to cover all listed service specialties in house?

A4a. Yes, you can select the service you are interested in providing. See the chart on page 3 of solicitation document 12444522R0003, where you mark an “X” that aligns with the specialty. And also see the section where the corresponding pricing would be listed on page 2 of the same document.

Q4b. Related to the previous question, within the Statement of Work, our team has experience with 2-3 of the scope items listed. If we were to respond to the solicitation, is there an expectation that we would add consultants to fulfill the other work items?

A4b: The expectation is to identify those work items that you have permanent staff to complete and there can be a note that you have available staff to complete the other work items. Contractors may, at ay time request additional staff to assist in other work items, they will need to seek approval from the government on those new staff and provide resumes to illustrate those individuals are qualified to perform the work.

Q5. Or, is it acceptable to respond stating clearly that those 2-3 scope items are what our qualifications and response materials support?

A5: Yes, this is acceptable.

Q6. Is a BPA similar to creating a toolbox of architects from which you can negotiate projects as they arise? If so, how many firms are typically selected?

A6. The intent is to create agreements and compete these type projects amongst the agreement holders. There is not a typical amount of BPA agreements pre-set. The amount will may be limited by the responses received, the geographical areas, administrative burden, sufficient competition, etc.

Q7. On page 2, the table has only one slot per position, which would suggest that the offeror can submit only one professional per position. Yet, if archaeological fieldwork is involved, that would necessitate people having different rates. Similarly with several of the other positions listed.

A7: You can submit more than one professional per position.

Q8. On page 2, in the table, a "Historic Preservation Specialist" is one of the positions named. However, in the Key Personnel section (pp. 26-29), the latter position is not defined.

A8. We realized we forgot to add the qualification for HP Specialist, here is the definition:

The minimum professional qualifications in historic preservation are a graduate degree in history or closely related field; or a bachelor's degree in history or closely related field, and one of the following:

1. At least two years of full-time experience in research, writing, teaching, interpretation, or other demonstrable professional activity with an academic institution, historic organization or agency, museum, or other professional institution; or

1. At least two years in full time experience in the construction, restoration and preservation of historic structures.

1. Experience and familiarity with Ohio River Valley, Appalachia, New England and Great Lakes history and construction techniques.

Q9. Statement of Work -- Historic Preservation Services (pages 5-6): for the tasks "Cultural Resources Surveys, Monitoring, and Report Preparation", :"National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) Recommendations of Eligibility for Precontact and Historic Resources...", and "Preparation of of Draft NRHP Nominations..." The professional services called out for these three tasks do not include an archaeologist. Should that be taken to mean that there is no archaeological fieldwork involved for this BPA? Yet, "Potential pedestrian survey (reconnaissance and intensive and testing...)" is called out. Even if no fieldwork is involved in the preparation of draft NRHP nominations, an archaeologist is usually required for "interpreting archaeological survey and testing results..." as specified.

A9: The majority of work under this BPA focuses largely on built environment resources. The archeologists position remained in the schedule of items due to the fact that with collections management, there might be a body of work where a professional archeologist is needed.

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