Questions and Answers_May 5 - 11 2023.pdf

Questions & Answers Request for Qualifications – A&E Services

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

Questions Submitted: May 5 - 11, 2023

Q1. Under Section B – Submittal requirements it states that “Resumes shall not exceed two (2) 8 ½" x 11" page for each individual.” Under Section 6 – Submission Requirements it states that “Resumes in Section E and example projects in Section F shall not exceed one-page each.” Please clarify the resume page limit per person.

A1. The page limit shall not exceed two (2) pages per individual under Section B and Section E.

Q2. Under Section A - Technical Experience and Technical Competence it states that “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.” Under Section 6 – Submission Requirements it states that “Resumes in Section E and example projects in Section F shall not exceed one-page each.” Please confirm 2 pages per Project Description will be allowed.

A2. The page limit shall not exceed two (2) pages per Project Description in Section F.

Q3. Under Section A – Technical Experience and Technical Competence it states that “Submit up to five (5) projects demonstrating expertise in each of the three (3) primary service areas: Coastal geotechnical investigation and analysis, coastal engineering design, and coastal construction inspection/support. No less than three (3) projects shall be submitted for each of the primary service areas within the last 7 years.” Please confirm the maximum total number of projects descriptions allowed is five (5).

A3. A maximum of 15 projects encompassing all three (3) primary service areas within the last 7-years, or a minimum of 9 projects encompassing all three (3) primary service areas within the last 7-years.

For Example:

1) Primary Service Area: Coastal Geotechnical Investigation and Analysis Project Submission: Five (5) projects within the last 7-years; e.g. 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023

2) Primary Service Area: Coastal Engineering Design Project Submission: Five (5) projects within the last 7-years; e.g. 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023

3) Primary Service Area: Coastal Construction Inspection/Support Project Submission: Five (5) projects within the last 7-years; e.g. 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023

Example Total Number: 15

Q4. Would a Modeler with a Ph.D. in hydrologic or coastal modeling with a minimum of five (5) years' experience in hydrological analysis or modeling in Coastal Louisiana be held in equal regard as a licensed Louisiana Professional Engineer with a minimum of five (5) years' experience in hydrological analysis or modeling?

A4. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) would not regard this as equivalent to a licensed Louisiana Professional Engineer with the same five (5) years of experience in hydrological analysis or modeling.

Q5. Would the NRCS consider an extension since the State of the Coast Conference, Louisiana’s flagship coastal conference, is being held the same week that the submittal is due?

A5. 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).

Q6. On page 3 of the solicitation regarding Section E and F, it states “Resumes shall not exceed two (2) 8 ½" x 11" page for each individual” and “the offeror may submit no more than two (2) 8 ½" x 11" pages containing narrative and/or graphic material”.

On page 7 under “File Size Limitations” it states “Resumes in Section E and example projects in Section F shall not exceed one-page each”

Can you please verify which is correct?

A6. Please reference the response to Answer 1 (A1) and Answer 2 (A2).

Q7. On page 2 within Technical Experience and Technical Competence, the submittal requirement states “Submit up to five (5) projects demonstrating expertise in each of the three (3) primary service areas: coastal geotechnical investigation and analysis, coastal engineering design, and coastal construction/inspection support. No less than three (3) projects shall be submitted for each of the primary service areas within the last 7 years.” Our question is: does this mean that submissions must include 15 projects presenting the 3 services identified, and of those 15 projects, 3 projects per service must have occurred within the last 7 years?

A7. Please reference the response to Answer 3 (A3).

Q8. On page 3 within Technical Experience and Technical Competence, the submittal requirement 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.” On page 7 within File Size Limitations, the last sentence states, “Resumes in Section E and example projects in Section F shall not exceed one-page each.” Our question is: For each example project in Section F, is the page limit one page or two pages?

A8. Please reference A1 and A2.

Q9. On page 4 within “Knowledge of Locality,” it states that “Offerors with one or more offices within the geographic area of Coastal Louisiana will receive a higher rating.” Our question is: Is the term “Offerors” as mentioned in the previous statement and throughout the RFQ defined to be both the prime contractor and the sub-consultants who will support this contract?

A9. The term “Offeror” is the respective Prime Contractor who would be responsible for managing its subcontracts and their proposed Team to include subconsultants. Your team may consist of any subconsultants you deem appropriate to accomplish the work required in the Scope of Work.

Q10. Does the Joint Venture (JV) legal agreement count towards the 150-page limit?

A10. JV legal agreements are not counted in the 150-page limit.

Q11. Per Section A potential offerors should demonstrate “expertise in each of the three (3) primary service areas: Coastal geotechnical investigations and analysis, coastal engineering and design, and coastal construction inspection/support.” The Statement of Work also lists projects such as “hurricane protection work, deep and shallow foundations, reinforced concrete structure, pump stations, and road stabilization.” Would an Offeror receive higher marks for demonstrating projects with the three primary service areas or by detailing more diverse experiences such as the projects listed above?

A11. As set forth within Solicitation and Notice ID: 12FPC323R0027, A. Technical Experience and Technical Competence, evaluation will be based on demonstration of the ability to provide a coastal geotechnical investigation and analysis and coastal engineering and design services by the prime firm and any subcontractors or partners and their key personnel necessary to accomplish the requirements as outlined.

The more relevant and recent examples demonstrating experience in the three primary services as identified above, 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.

Coastal geotechnical, engineering and design experience along the gulf coast shall be rate higher than other experiences noncoastal experience. Demonstrating geotechnical, engineering and design experience in Coastal Louisiana, the higher the rating.

-- End of Questions Submitted: May 5 - 11, 2023 --