Questions and Answers_May 12 - 17 2023.pdf

Questions & Answers Request for Qualifications – A&E Services

USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Louisiana Solicitation and Notice ID: 12FPC323R0027

Questions Submitted: May 12 - 17, 2023

Q12. We have a coastal Louisiana project that applies to all three categories: coastal geotechnical investigation and analysis; coastal engineering design; and coastal construction inspection/support. Will it be viewed more favorably to repeat this project in each category, using the two pages allotted to highlight the project’s relevance to the category (a total of 6 pages describing the project), or would you prefer to consider 15 separate projects?

A12. The more relevant and recent examples demonstrating experience in the three primary services, coastal geotechnical investigation and analysis; coastal engineering design; and coastal construction inspection/support, the higher the offeror shall be rated. The larger the number of examples which are of work by prime and prime key personnel, the higher the rating.

Q13. Please clarify the required limit on project sheets described under 5.A Technical Experience and Technical Competence. The RFQ states “Submit up to five (5) projects demonstrating expertise in each of the three (3) primary service areas…No less than three (3) projects shall be submitted for each of the primary service areas…”. Does this mean 3 to 5 projects total to demonstrate experience across the three (3) primary service areas or does it mean 9 to 15 projects total?

A13. Please reference the response provided for A3 that was posted to SAM.gov on May 12, 2023 under the document labeled as Questions and Answers_May 5 - 11 2023.

Q14. As a follow up to the previous question, if the answer is for a total of 9 to 15 projects, how will projects be counted that include two (2) or all three (3) of the primary service areas?

A14. Please reference the response provided for A3 and A13.

Q15. Please clarify the page limit for project descriptions. On the 3rd page of the RFQ under A.

Technical Experience and Technical Competency, Submittal requirements, it states that offerors “may submit no more than two (2) 8 ½” x 11” pages containing narrative and/or graphic material” but on the 10th page of the RFQ the end of the first paragraph states “Resumes in Section E and example projects in Section F shall not exceed one-page each.”

A15. Please reference the response provided for A1, A2 and the updated SAM.gov posting for Solicitation and Notice ID: 12FPC323R0027.

Q16. Please clarify the page limit of personnel resumes. On the 4th page of the RFQ under B.

Professional Qualifications, Submittal requirements, it states “Resumes shall not exceed two (2) 8

½” x 11” page for each individual.”, but on the 10th page of the RFQ the end of the first paragraph states “Resumes in Section E and example projects in Section F shall not exceed one-page each.”

A16. Please reference the response provided for A15.

Q17. Under Section 5.B Professional Qualifications, the very last bulleted item #6 states “…with a minimum of five (5) years’ experience in the states represented…”. Please confirm that Louisiana is the only intended state for this, not multiple states.

A17. Yes, that is correct. Louisiana is the only state to be supported under this solicitation and notice.

Q18. Similarly, under Section 7. Mandatory Requirements, the 3rd bullet states in part, “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…”. Please confirm that Louisiana is the only intended state for this requirement, not multiple states. Also, does this need to be provided only for the prime firm or for all proposed subcontractors as well?

A18. Yes, that is correct. Louisiana is the only state to be supported under this solicitation and notice.

The respective Prime Contractor would be responsible for managing its subcontracts and their proposed Team to include subconsultants. Your team may consist of any subcontractor or subconsultants that you deem appropriate to accomplish the work required in the Statement of Work. The Prime must provide proof that it and it’s subcontractors or subconsultants are permitted by law to practice the professions of architecture or engineering and surveying in the state (e.g., copy of valid registration or certification certificate). Failure to submit the required proof could result in a A&E Firm’s elimination from further consideration.

Q19. Regarding Section 5.E Past Performance, Submittal requirements, if an included project has one or more annual CPARS evaluations existing, do we need to include a hard copy of all said evaluations in our submittal or can we simply indicate projects that have evaluations in the CPARS which USDA-NRCS staff can access and view if they choose to? In consideration of the stated page limitations for the entire submittal including all attachments, attaching hard copies of all relevant CPARS could become extensive.

A19. Submittal requirements for this factor shall be submitted as attachments to the SF 330 and shall include either the Past Performance Questionnaires (PPQs), Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) evaluations, or self-provided performance recognition.

Q20. Also regarding Section 5.E Past Performance, Submittal requirements, if we have existing Past Performance Questionnaires (PPQs) from other recent Federal submittals, could those be utilized here or would we need to get new ones completed on the form provided with this solicitation, given that the forms appear to be the same and would just have a different agency name on them?

A20. Yes, that would be acceptable. In addition to those references provided directly by the Offeror, the Government may identify and analyze the past performance of the Offeror on any other relevant contract of which the Contracting Officer obtains knowledge, including but not limited to projects listed in CPARS. Because of the wide variety of past performance history of individual Offerors, the Government is not required to ensure that an equal number of references be obtained for each Offeror.

Q21. We did not see a page size exception for graphs/charts. Please confirm if we can include a page size larger than 8 ½” x 11” for at least the org chart? Due to the size of teams/proposed staff that must be shown, an 11” x 17” sheet is more appropriate for the org chart to be legible.

A21. Yes, this is acceptable for only the Organizational Chart.

Q22. Given the extent of this submittal and the need to review and incorporate all Q&A once issued by USDA-NRCS, we respectfully request a minimum two (2)-week extension to the due date, also considering that the 2023 State of the Coast Conference for Louisiana is occurring during the active solicitation period. Many of our team’s key personnel will be preparing for and actively participating in this conference.

A22. At this time, a time extension is not contemplated. We understand that, the referenced Coastal Conference (May 31 – June 2) is 2.5 days starting on Wednesday and ending on Friday (½ day on Wednesday and full days on Thursday and Friday).

Q23. If a larger firm is part of a SBA Mentor/Protege program, and the SBA Mentor/Protege firms form a Joint Venture for this RFQ, may the larger firm in the Joint Venture join a different team as a subcontractor?

A23. Your team may consist of any subcontractor or subconsultants that you deem appropriate to accomplish the work required in the Statement of Work.

Q24. Regarding Item 7. Mandatory Requirements, bullet three states:

“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 state of Louisiana. 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.”

Does the A-E firm need one Professional Engineer and one Professional Land Surveyor as stated?

Or does this apply to the Team – the prime and subcontractors?

A24. The A-E firm must have at least one Professional Engineer (PE) and one Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) registered/licensed in the state of Louisiana. The requirement is a licensed PE and PLS for Louisiana that you are submitting an SF 330 for, the licensed PE and PLS may be from the Prime A&E or a named subconsultant.

-- End of Questions Submitted: May 12 - 17, 2023 --