Questions and Answers_4 Jan to 6 Jan.pdf

Questions & Answers Request for Qualifications – AE Services

USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Regions 1 – 11 Questions Submitted: January 4-6, 2023

Q20. If we are submitting as a JV entity, do we need to certify the JV to do business in each state in the region or is it sufficient to have one of the JV partner entities certified in each state?

(page 7 in the solicitation)

A20. The Government only requires that you have a PE and PLS that is licensed in the states of the region you are submitting an SF330 for. The Federal Government does not have requirement to show certification to do business in a specific state.

Q21. Do the CPARS, PPQs, or Past Performance documentation count toward the 150-page limit?

A21. Yes

Q22. Our firm has a number of offices and is part of a JV that includes subconsultant partners.

Would the government consider not including the Part IIs in the 150-page limit?

A22. No

Q23. Regarding the statement that a respondent may not submit “more than two projects per service area,” and seeming to refer to the four primary service area previous identified would you clarify this requirement? Is it the intention of the government that you will receive no more than eight (8) Section F projects? Further and theoretically, two example project may both cover each of the four primary services areas and thus only two projects may be submitted. The exact language in the second paragraph under Section A SETC reads “Submittal requirements for this factor must be submitted under Part I, Section F, Example Projects of the SF330 form. Submit at least one project demonstrating expertise in each of the four primary service areas: dam assessment, watershed rehabilitation planning, watershed planning, and engineering design. No more than two projects per service area.”

A24. The Government expectation would be to see four to eight projects submitted with 1-2 projects that highlight projects for dam assessment, watershed rehabilitation planning, watershed planning, and engineering design. If a project provides experience for more that one of these areas, that does not lower the amount of projects that may be submitted.

Q25. Can we use CFEDS certified land surveyors to fulfill the requirement for Professional Land Surveyors in each state of the applicable Region?

A25. No, being a CFedS doesn’t fulfill the requirement for PLS. See FAQ below.

From the CFedS FAQ section –

“Will the CFedS certification allow me to work in States where I am not presently registered?

No. This is not a licensing program. You must have a current license for the State in which you are working.”

Q26. Can we use 11x17 pages for Section G or within Section H?

A26. No, 11x17 may only be used for the organizational chart or anywhere else that explicitly states that you may use it.

Q27. Will the government exclude the JV Agreement from the 150-page limit? If the JV agreement is included in the limit, it restricts Joint Ventures from having equal page count for qualifications.

A27. JV agreements are not counted in the 150 page limit.

Q28. If copies of individuals’ professional licenses are required (as suggested in the answer to Question 13 dated January 4, they will take up a significant number of pages; will these licenses and certifications be exempt from the 150-page limit?

A28. The Licenses will be exempt from the 150 page limit.

Q29. May we show up to 10 projects in section F as long as we show at least one project for each primary service area and no more than 2 projects per service area?

A29. Please refer to paragraph A. Submittal Requirements “Submit at least one project demonstrating expertise in each of the four primary service areas: dam assessment, watershed rehabilitation planning, watershed planning, and engineering design. No more than two projects per service area.” As there are 4 service areas the maximum number of projects submitted would be 8.

Q30. When limiting the projects to 2 per service area, does “service area” include both primary service areas and additional services? Or does the limit of 2 apply only to primary service areas?

A30. Two projects per service area. If additional service areas are included in a project it will still count toward one service area for purposes of limits.

Q31. Could you please tell me the awardee for the previous solicitations 12FPC323R0011 USDA-NRCS- Architect and Engineering Services- REGION 10 – States of California, Nevada, Hawaii, Guam and Federated States of Micronesia?

A31. There was no previous awardee. Please refer to Question Q4 in the previously posted Q&A