Questions and Answers_Release to 4 Jan 23.pdf

Questions & Answers Request for Qualifications – AE Services

USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Regions 1 – 11 Questions Submitted: December 28, 2022 to January 4, 2023

Q1. In accordance with the FAR 36.601-4(b), the A-E firm must have at least one Professional Engineer and Professional Land Surveyor registered/licensed in each state of Region 8. The A-E firm must provide proof that the firm is permitted by law to practice the professions of architecture or engineering and surveying in each state (e.g., copy of valid registration or certification certificate). Failure to submit the required proof could result in a firm’s elimination from consideration. Do the PE and PLS have to be part of the contracted firm or can they be members of the overall team?

A1. So long as you have a minimum of one licensed PE and PLS for each state in the region for which you are submitting, there is no requirement that they be employees of the prime and can be a subconsultant.

Q2. A similar question for the section on "permitted by law to practice the professions..."

Does the contracted firm have to be registered with each state at the time of submission for this solicitation or can that be a requirement prior to the award of a task order in that state.

A2. Since having a license is a minimum requirement, yes, this must at time of submission, otherwise, you would not be meeting the minimum requirements.

Q3. I am reading through the solicitations to provide A-E Services for USDA-NRCS Regions 1 through 11. Can you please confirm if these contracts are replacing the former USDA-NRCS National Regionalized A-E Design Contracts which previously only had 4 Regions and were awarded to multiple firms per region (MATOC instead of SATOC)?

A3. The request for qualifications (not solicitations as we are asking for SF330’s and not proposals) on SAM.gov are replacements for the current AE Services contracts that expire in April 2023; however, there are changes to both the AE Services in the SOW as well as the regions as you noted. The eleven AE Contracts awarded (one for each region) will be SATOCs based on the approved acquisition plan.

Q4. We would like to know if there are incumbents for the subject RFQ program and if so, if the NCRS will provide that information. We are small business specialized Construction Management firm and would like to offer our services to the likely proposers. We are interested in the incumbent(s) for Region 11 specifically, but all regions would be useful to know for our outreach.

A4. There are no incumbents. These are replacements for the current AE Services contracts that expire in April 2023; however, there are changes to both the AE Services in the SOW as well as the organization of regions.

Q5. I understand the original solicitation is AG-SPEC-S-17-0033. Please advise if this is not correct. I am unable to see the awarded contracts for that solicitation.

A5. Yes, that was the last solicitation by which we requested qualifications. However, that one was structured differently – there were only 4 regions and several multiple award task contracts (MATOC) issued in each region. This time, we have 11 smaller regions – and a single award task order contract (SATOC) for each region is anticipated.

Q6. Will there be a small business industry day for connecting with prospective primes before the proposal due date?

A6. There is no industry day being planned.

Q7. Where can I review the USDA AE services forecast or capital improvement plan related to the contract? (what work is anticipated and where).

A7. USDA posts procurement forecast at the following website:

https://www.usda.gov/da/osdbu/forecast

Requirements for AE services listed in the Scope of Work will be issued as task orders against contract awarded.

Q8. In regards to SF 330 Part I Section F Example Projects – are they to be no more than 1 page each or is 2 pages per project acceptable (the solicitation indicates 1 page in one location and 2 pages in another location)?

A8. Two pages each – we will be posting and amendment to clarify this discrepancy.

Q9. Can an 11”x17” be used for SF 330 Part I Section D Organization Chart?

A9. Yes this is acceptable for the Organizational Chart – this will be clarified in each posting.

https://www.usda.gov/da/osdbu/forecast

Q10. Can you please confirm that SF330 Part I Section D Organization Chart is to only be included in Section D within the SF 330 Part I and not also as an attachment (not clear from solicitations)?

A10. It is to be included as an attachment, and firms should check the box in Part I, Section D to indicate such.

Q11. In looking at the naming conventions for the files, please confirm that we should include SF 330 Part I Sections A, B, C and E in one file and SF 330 Part I Section D as a separate file (note that under 6. Submission Requirements, file naming Examples, the Solicitation shows Part 1, A-E as a file and Part 1, D as a separate file)?

A11. It doesn’t matter how you split it up – these are provided for example only. You may group parts together as logical, so long as you follow the general guidelines for naming files = Notice number, followed by firm’s name, and a brief file description.

Q12. Can the state licensure requirement/proof (i.e., Professional Engineer, Professional Land Surveyor, and firm certification/registration certificate) be fulfilled by any individual or firm that is a member of our team (i.e., subcontractor)?

A12. Yes, either is acceptable.

Q13. What specific proof documentation is required for the Professional Engineers, Professional Land Surveyors, and firm certifications/registrations?

A13. A copy of the license or certification as listed in Part I, Section E, Item 17 of the Resume, would be adequate.

Q14. In looking at the naming conventions for the files, what should the State Licensure Proof Attachment be labeled as?

A14. Follow the name convention guideline - the Notice number, followed by your firm’s name, and finally a brief file description.

Q15. For professional qualifications, it states that the minimum requirement for Section E is- “Offerors must have a minimum of one (1) professional engineer and one (1) professional land surveyor licensed in each state of Region 8.” However, in the scope of work, there are multiple disciplines outlined. Can you give us a list of what disciplines you would like respondents to include resumes for in Section E?

A15. The Request for Qualifications requires the PE and PLS; otherwise, it is up to your firm to present a team with the necessary disciplines and qualification to best meet requirements under the scope of work provided.

Q16. The response will need to include CPARS, PPQs and/or self-provided performance recognition. If we wish to include a PPQ, can we use an existing PPQ we have from the client, or will we have to resubmit using the PPQ format provided?

A16. Yes you can use a PPQ that has already been completed by the customer/client; but, be sure that the information as required in Section I, Solicitation Information, of our PPQ form, is reflected on your existing PPQ being submitted.

Q17. In the requirements, there are rules for Section F length. In one instance it states- “For each example project / contract listed in the completed SF330, the offeror may submit no more than two (2) 8 ½" x 11" pages containing narrative and/or graphic material,” and towards the end of the requirements it states- “…example projects in Section F shall not exceed one-page each”.

Can we submit one or two pages for Section F Projects?

A17. See amended language to the Request for Qualifications, two pages are allowed.

Q18. Will the Prime (and in combination with other Small Business Subs on the Team) be required to perform a minimum of 51% of the value of the work for each task order? Also, please confirm that other small business subs work can be included in the 51% minimum.

A18. Yes, because this is set-aside for small business, the Limitation on Small Business Subcontract clause does apply. This is discussed in FAR 19.505. The clause that will be included in the contract is 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting (Oct 2022). This would be applicable per order as defined by the FAR.

For a contract or order assigned a North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for services (except construction), the concern will not pay more than 50 percent of the amount paid by the Government for contract performance to subcontractors that are not similarly situated entities. Any work that a similarly situated entity further subcontracts will count towards the concern's 50 percent subcontract amount that cannot be exceeded. When a contract includes both services and supplies, the 50 percent limitation shall apply only to the service portion of the contract.

Q19. Does the Prime have to hold the P.E. and PLS licenses for all of the States, or can subconsultant member(s) of the Team hold some of the licenses to meet this requirement?

A19. The AE must have a licensed PE and PLS in each state of the region they are submitting an SF330. The PE and PLS can be of the Prime or a Subconsultant.