Request for Qualifications Ammended.pdf

ARCHITECT & ENGINEERING SERVICES

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

USDA ARS PWA

Availability of Funds (Apr 1984) Funds are not presently available for this contract. The Government’s obligation under this contract is contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds from which payment for contract purposes can be made. No legal liability on the part of the Government for any payment may arise until funds are made available to the Contracting Officer for this contract and until the Contractor receives notice of such availability, to be confirmed in writing by the Contracting Officer.

A. DESCRIPTION

A.1. This is a request for Standard Form (SF) 330, Architect-Engineer (A-E) Qualifications, in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 36.6, Selection of Firms for Architect-Engineer Contracts and the Agricultural Acquisition Regulation (AGAR) Subpart 436.6 Architect-Engineer Services. This requirement is for Multi-discipline A-E Service in support of the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in the Pacific West Area (PWA). The PWA currently consists of over twenty research facilities in nine states (Arizona, California, Idaho, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington) -note that Alaska is part of the PWA but there are no operations in the state at this time. A-E Firms meeting the requirements described in this Request for Qualifications are requested to submit a SF 330 Parts I and II and any additional information requested in this document.

A.2. The Government anticipates awarding a minimum of (2) A-E Indefinite-Delivery Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contracts as a result of this Request for Qualifications to the most highly qualified offerors. Each awarded contract will have a twelve (12) month base year period and four (4) twelve (12) month option periods. Project task orders may range between $1,000.00 and $2,000,000.00. The estimated procurement value (combined value of all task orders from all awarded contracts) is $40M over the life of the IDIQ.

A.3. Work will be issued as firm-fixed price task orders under the A-E multiple award IDIQ contracts. Issuance of task order projects will be among the A-E multiple award IDIQ contract holders. The placement of task orders will be consistent with FAR Subpart 36.6, Architect-Engineer Services.

A.4. In accordance with FAR 36.602-3, Evaluation Board Functions, an A-E Evaluation Board has been established to review responses to the Request for Qualifications, evaluate firms, hold discussions with at least three (3) of the most highly qualified firms and prepare a selection report for the Source Selection Authority. Firms will be ranked according to the numerical scores as evaluated by the Evaluation Board.

Pursuant to FAR 36.602-4, Selection Authority, final selections will be made by the designated selection authority. The final selections shall be a listing, in order of preference, of the firms considered most highly qualified to perform the work. All firms on the final selection list are considered “selected firms” with which the Contracting Officer may negotiate in accordance with FAR 36.606.

If a mutually satisfactory contract cannot be negotiated, the Contracting Officer shall obtain a written final proposal revision from the firm, and notify the firm that negotiations have been terminated. The Contracting Officer shall then initiate negotiations with the next firm on the final selection list. This procedure shall be continued until a mutually satisfactory contract has been negotiated with the optimal number of firms deemed necessary.

A.5. Firms are put on notice that the “selected firms” with which the Contracting Officer may negotiate will receive a Request for Price Proposal and will be required to submit a Fixed-Price Rate Proposal to include hourly fees, overhead and other cost for each year of the 5-year ordering period for negotiation by the Contracting Officer prior to contract award. The resultant negotiated agreement will be incorporated into the contract and used in future pricing of all Firm-Fixed-Price task orders.

A.6. In accordance with FAR 36.209, Construction Contract with Architect-Engineer Firms and FAR 36.606(c), Negotiations, all interested firms are hereby put on notice that no construction contract may be awarded to the firm that designed the project or to its subsidiaries or affiliates.

A.7. All interested firms are required to have current registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) database prior to contract award. Failure to register in the SAM Database shall render your firm ineligible for award. For more information, check the SAM Website.

B. REQUIRED SERVICES

B.1. The professional services required include Principle, Program Manager, Sr.

Architect, Sr. Mechanical Engineer, Sr. Electrical Engineer, Sr. Civil Engineer, Sr.

Structural Engineer and Cost Estimator.

B.2. The A-E firm shall be capable of performing design analysis, planning, development, computer-aided design and drafting (CADD), pre-design site-assessment, feasibility and value engineering studies, environmental investigation, studies and reports, abatement and sampling, construction documentation, cost estimates, value engineering, life cycle costing, and post-design services and surveying.

B.3. The A-E firm shall comply with the SOW (Attachment 1), which defines the general scope of work to be performed by the A-E, Architect-Engineer Title I Design Services, Title II Services, Other Services, Administration of the Contract and Government Furnished Information.

B.4. All work shall be performed by or under the direct supervision of the applicable licensed professional architects and engineers.

B.5. A-E firms shall have the capacity to provide all the personnel to perform all the work identified.

B.6. The types of projects anticipated under the resultant contracts are listed in Attachment 1, Section 3.1 Scope of Work General.

B.7 Projects shall incorporate the energy-saving and sustainable features into the design, as shown by the use of the requirements of ASHRAE 90.1, EPACT 2005, Executive Order No. 13693 and LEED.

C. EVALUATION

C.1. Selection Criteria

Each firm’s SF 330 submittal package will be evaluated in accordance with FAR Subpart

36.6 procedures.

The selection criteria and points of each criterion is as follows:

a. Professional Qualifications – 30 Points

b. Recent Specialized/Technical Competence – 25 Points

c. Past Performance – 15 Points

d. Capacity – 15 Points

e. Location – 15 Points

Total possible points – 100

C.2. Selection Criteria Descriptions The Selection criteria descriptions and the points described in C.1 are provided below:

1. Professional Qualifications

Professional Qualification necessary for satisfactory performance of required services (Use only the SF 330); based on education, training, registration, professional licensure in PWA state and length of service of key personnel. The following are considered “key personnel”: Principle, Program Manager, Sr.

Architect, Sr. Mechanical Engineer, Sr. Electrical Engineer, Sr. Civil Engineer, Sr.

Structural Engineer and Cost Estimator.

• The Government will assign 21-30 points for “highly qualified staff”

• The Government will assign 11-20 points for “qualified staff”

• The Government will assign 1-10 points for “staff with limited qualifications”

2. Specialized Experience and Technical Competence

Specialized Experience and Technical Competence in the type of work required, including, where appropriate, experience in scientific research facilities, agricultural facilities, energy conservation, pollution prevention, waste reduction and the use of recovered materials.

Firms shall substantiate the extent of their capabilities and experience with their responses in SF 330 Section F, “Example Projects Which Best Illustrate Proposed Team’s Qualification for This Contract”.

Offerors will be evaluated on the extent of their capabilities and experience.

Offerors shall provide up to ten (10) example projects that the firms have accomplished within the last five (5) years, demonstrating their experience and technical competence in (a) construction of new whole buildings requiring all disciplines, (b) minor construction (addition/remodel) and maintenance (repair/alteration) of existing real property requiring various combination of disciplines.

The above example projects shall be firm’s recent and relevant (Ref. Section C, paragraphs 3.1 and 3.2 for the definitions of recent and relevant) specialized experience and technical competence in the type of multi-discipline work required.

• The Government will assign 17-25 points for firms with seven or more projects that required USDA ARS and/or other government related design criteria; in addition projects included more than three complicating factors (i.e., expedited schedule, limited/no as-built information, facility/utility over 40 years old, more than two disciplines employed by the Prime, etc.)

• The Government will assign 9-16 points for firms with four to six projects that required USDA ARS, and/or other government related design criteria; in addition projects included more than three complicating factors (i.e., expedited schedule, limited/no as-built information, facility/utility over 40 years old, more than two disciplines employed by the Prime, etc.)

• The Government will assign 1-8 points for firms with three or less projects that required USDA ARS, and/or other government related design criteria; in addition projects including less than three complicating factors (i.e., expedited schedule, limited/no as-built information, facility/utility over 40 years old, more than two disciplines employed by the prime, etc.)

• The Government will assign zero (0) points for firms that have never had a Government project.

a) Program Manager:

i. Firms shall include, in SF 330 Section E, “Resumes of Key Personnel Proposed for This Contract”, the name(s) of the person(s) responsible for program management. (SF 330, Section E, block 12)

ii. For projects the program manager shall be identified as “PRM”, in parentheses, behind the title of the project. (SF 330, Section F, block 21)

iii. Identify if your firm was a prime contractor or subcontractor and include the percentage of work performed. (SF 330, Section F, block 24)

iv. For each project, provide names and roles of each program manager that worked on the project (SF 330, Section G).

v. For each program manager service provide a brief description of three (3) example projects (ref. C.2 paragraph 2) and relevance to this contract.

Include the size, cost of construction, building features and the firm that built the project. (SF 330, Section F, block 24)

vi. For projects utilizing general architectural services include the size, cost of construction, building features and the construction firm that built the project. (SF 330, Section F, block 24)

b) General Architectural Services:

vii. Firms shall include, in SF 330 Section E, “Resumes of Key Personnel heading the project design team for general architectural services. (SF 330, Section E, block 12)

viii. For projects that are or have general architectural services; they shall be identified as “GAS”, in parentheses, behind the title of the project. (SF 330, Section F, block 21)

ix. Identify if your firm was a prime contractor or subcontractor and include

x. For each general architectural service, provide names and roles of each architectural professional that worked on the project (SF 330, Section G).

xi. For each general architectural service provide a brief description of three

(3) example projects (ref. C.2 paragraph 2) and relevance to this contract.

(SF 330, Section F, block 24)

xii. For projects utilizing general architectural services include the size, cost of

c) Mechanical Engineering:

heading the project design team for mechanical engineering. (SF 330,

ii. For projects that are or have mechanical engineering services; they shall be identified as “MES”, in parentheses, behind the title of the project. (SF

iv. For each mechanical engineering service, provide names and roles of each structural engineer that worked on the project. (SF 330, Section G)

v. For each mechanical engineering service provide a brief description of three (3) example projects (ref. C2 paragraph 2) and relevance to this contract. (SF 330, Section F, block 24)

vi. For projects utilizing mechanical engineering services include the size, cost of construction, building features and the construction firm that built the project. (SF 330, Section F, block 24)

d) Electrical Engineering:

heading the project design team for electrical engineering. (SF 330,

ii. For projects that are or have electrical engineering services; they shall be identified as “EES”, in parentheses, behind the title of the project. (SF

iv. For each electrical engineering service, provide names and roles of each electrical engineer that worked on the project (SF 330, Section G).

v. For each electrical engineering service provide a brief description of three

(3) example projects (ref. C2 paragraph 2) and relevance to this contract.

vi. For projects utilizing electrical engineering services include the size, cost of construction, building features and the construction firm that built the

e) Civil Engineering:

heading the project design team for civil engineering. (SF 330, Section E, block 12)

ii. For projects that are or have civil engineering services; they shall be identified as “CES”, in parentheses, behind the title of the project. (SF

iv. For each civil engineering service, provide names and roles of each civil engineer that worked on the project (SF 330, Section G).

v. For each civil engineering service provide a brief description of three (3) example projects (ref. C2 paragraph 2) and relevance to this contract. (SF 330, Section F, block 24)

vi. For projects utilizing civil engineering services include the size, cost of

f) Structural Engineering:

heading the project design team for structural engineering. (SF 330,

ii. For projects that are or have structural engineering services; they shall be identified as “SES”, in parentheses, behind the title of the project. (SF 330, Section F, block 21)

iv. For each structural engineering service, provide names and roles of each structural engineer that worked on the project. (SF 330, Section G)

v. For each structural engineering service provide a brief description of three

(3) example projects (ref. C2 paragraph 2) and relevance to this contract.

vi. For projects utilizing structural engineering services include the size, cost of construction, building features and the construction firm that built the

g) Cost Estimator performing Cost Estimation. (SF 330, Section E, block 12)

3. Past Performance – (Confidence Rating)

The Government will evaluate Past Performance to assess how well recently performed work, relevant to the types of projects anticipated under the resultant contract, was performed on a confidence rating basis, with Government agencies and private industry. The Government will assess the evaluation from information obtained from Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS), Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS), Past Performance Questionnaires (PPQs) and may use any additional sources of information available to it regarding the firm’s recent, relevant experience and past performance, and consider that information in evaluating that firm’s past performance.

• “Substantial Confidence” Based on the offeror’s performance record, the government has a high expectation that the offeror will successfully perform the required effort. (15 points).

• “Satisfactory Confidence” Based on the offeror’s performance record, the government has an expectation that the offeror will successfully perform the required effort. (10 points).

• “Limited Confidence” Based on the offeror’s performance record, the government has a low expectation that the offeror will successfully perform the required effort. (5 points)

• "No or Unknown Confidence” Based on the offeror’s performance record, the government has no expectation that the offeror will be able to successfully perform the required effort or the offeror’s performance record is so sparse that no confidence assessment rating can be reasonably assigned. (0 points)

3.1 Recent Screening: Recent is defined as performance occurring within five (5) years of the date of this Request for Qualification, except that ongoing projects must have begun no less than one (1) year prior to the issuance of this Request for Qualification.

3.2 Relevancy Screening: Relevancy is defined as performance of work on projects that are similar in scope to the types of project anticipated under the resultant contracts (Ref. Attachment 1, Section 3.1 Scope of Work General).

3.3 The Government will evaluate recent and relevant past performance on contracts with Government agencies and private industry in terms of management, quality of work, cost control, compliance with performance schedules and responsiveness during follow-on construction services.

3.5 Past Performance Questionnaires (PPQ) (Attachment 2 to this Request for Qualification): Firms shall complete Section 1 (Contract and Program Identification) and 2 (Rater Information) of the PPQ and submit it as part of the SF 330 submittal package.

The Government will evaluate the quality and extent of the offeror's performance deemed relevant to the requirements of this Request for Qualification. As soon as practicable, offerors shall complete Section 1 of the PPQ and email it to all POC(s) the offeror has identified in the SF 330, Section F, “Example Projects Which Best Illustrate Proposed Team’s Qualifications for this Contract”. The POC(s) will then complete the PPQ and send them directly to the Government representative identified in the PPQ by email no later than the proposal due date stated in Section F.2 of this Request for Qualification. Offerors shall follow-up with respondents to ensure they have completed the PPQ and the PPQ was sent to Michael Sherlock:

Michael.Sherlock@usda.gov. Once submitted, the information contained therein shall be considered sensitive and shall not be released to the offeror.

3.6 Client Authorization Letter: If applicable, offerors must also include Client Authorization Letters (Attachment 3) for each identified effort performed for a commercial (i.e. non-Governmental) customer, authorizing release of requested information on the offeror’s performance to the Government.

4. Capacity

The offeror shall demonstrate capacity by providing their average annual architect and engineering services capacity in terms of revenue over the past three (3) years.

• The Government will assign 11-15 points for average annual A&E revenue of

> $2M for the past three years.

• The Government will assign 6-10 points for average annual A&E revenue of

< $2M for the past three years.

• The Government will assign 1-5 points for average annual A&E revenue of

• < $1M for the past three years.

5. Location

Location in the Pacific West Area (PWA) and knowledge of the localities of the research facilities and ability to perform in multiple locations.

• The Government will assign 10-15 points if all key personnel are located within

PWA.

• The Government will assign 5-9 points if some key personnel are located within

PWA.

• The Government will assign 1-4 points if the majority of key personnel are located outside of the PWA.

D. SF 330 SUBMITTAL PACKAGE PAGE LIMITATIONS

D.1. The following page limitations are established for each portion of the package submitted in response to this Request for Qualifications.

SF330, Part I, Section F – Limit 30 pages SF 330, Part I, Section H – Limit 30 pages See Request for Qualification Section D.3 for items no included in these page limits

D.2. The use of the SF330 in Attachment 4 and the associated default formatting is required. For pages that don’t have a SF 330 sheet, a page is defined as one side of a sheet, 8 ½” x 11”, with at least one inch margins on all sides, using non-compressed Times Roman with single-spaced 12 point text. The metric standard format most closely approximating the described standard 8 ½” x 11” size may also be used. Tables, captions and graphics shall be formatted in a font no less than 12 point type.

D.3. Title pages and tables of content, if applicable, are excluded from the page counts specified in Section D.1. Information that can be construed as belonging in one of the other Sections of the proposal will be so construed and counted against that Section’s page limitation.

D.4. Pages and Projects submitted in excess of the limitations specified in this Request for Qualifications will not be considered or evaluated by the Government.

E. COMMUNICATIONS REGARDING SOLICITATION

E.1. Questions and comments regarding this Request for Qualification must be submitted in writing, using the Questions & Answers (Q&A) form (Attachment 5) via email and directed to the Government representative indicated below no later than 10 days prior to this Request for Qualification closing date at 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time (PT). All questions or comments must cite the following “Subject: Architect-Engineer Request for Qualification USDA ARS PWA.” All timely questions will be answered officially through posting on Sam.Gov in a consolidated Q&A document.

Oral questions will not be answered.

The written questions or comments should be directed to:

Primary POC:

Michael Sherlock, Contract Specialist Email: Michael.Sherlock@usda.gov

Questions regarding this solicitation are due to the POC listed above no later than 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time (PT) 10 days prior to the closing date, see Section F.1.

E.2. Questions or comments should be submitted by the date above to allow for analysis and dissemination of responses. Late questions or comments are not guaranteed a response prior to the SF 330 submittal package due date.

F. SUBMISSION OF SF 330 SUBMITTAL PACKAGE

F.1. The SF 330 submittal packages shall consist of a completed SF 330 parts I and II, specific information addressing each of the five (5) selection criteria (Ref. Request for Qualification Section C) described in this Request for Qualification, any additional information required by this Request for Qualifications and PPQ’s with only section 1 filled out. Firms are required to meet all Request for Qualification requirements in addition to those identified as selection criteria (note: completed PPQ’s must be submitted directly to the Government by your clients).

SF 330 submittal packages not consistent with the requirements and selection criteria of this request may be determined unacceptable and removed from consideration.

F.2. SF 330 submittal packages, including the PPQ, shall be submitted not later than 1:00 p.m.

Pacific Time on November 2, 2023. Firms are responsible for ensuring SF 330 submittal packages, and revision and modifications are submitted so as to reach the Government office designated in this request by the time specified in the Request for Qualification. Late SF 330 submittals will be processed in accordance with FAR 15.208, Submission, Modification, Revision and Withdrawal of Proposals.

F.3. SF 330 Submittal packages must be marked and delivered in accordance with the Request for Qualification Section H, “SF 330 Submittal Package Marking and Delivery.”

G. SF 330 SUBMITTAL PACKAGE PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS

G.1. Firms shall submit their copy of the SF 330 Parts I and II, questionnaire Section A and the additional information requested by this Request. Firms shall submit:

1. One (1) electronic copy – SF 330 parts I and II, questionnaire Section 1 and information request by this request in pdf format.

G.2. SF 330 submittal packages shall be consistent with the following structure and sectioned accordingly:

I. SF 330 Part I – CONTRACT – SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS

a. Sections A through D

b. Section E

c. Section F

d. Section G

e. Sections H and I

f. Questionnaire Section 1 only

g. Other additional information and attachments (Note: Firms shall clearly label additional information and attachments)

II. SF 330 PART II – GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS

H. SF 330 SUBMITTAL PACKAGE MARKING AND DELIVERY

H.1. Methods of SF 330 Submittal Package and Delivery

SF 330 submittal packages must be completed and received prior to the time specified Section F.2 of this request. Packages shall be emailed to Michael.Sherlock@usda.gov.

I. ATTACHMENTS TO THE REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATION

Attachment 1 – A&E Statement of Work Attachment 2 – Past Performance Questionnaire Attachment 3 – Client Authorization Sample Letter Attachment 4 – Standard Form 330 (SF330) Attachment 5 – Questions & Answers Form Attachment 6 – PWA Map Attachment 7 – Terms and Conditions Attachment 8 – Lobbying Disclosure

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