Responses to RFP Questions 7 June 2022 SHNAS.pdf

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL NO. 12RADA22R0001 RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS DATED 7 JUNE 2022

SINGLE FAMILY HOUSING NATIONWIDE APPRAISAL SERVICES (SHNAS) 10 JUNE 2022

Question No. Name of Document Page Number

Section Number

Paragraph Number Question Response

1 DRAFT Attachment 1_PWS.docx 6 of 9 4.2.2 1

How often can the appraiser utilize limited scope appraisals in the event of rural areas with extreme lack of comparables?

All other options should be exhausted before use of a limited scope appraisal; this may only be utilized with prior written approval from USDA. We anticipate these instances to be rare.

2 DRAFT Attachment 1_PWS.docx 3of 9 4.1.9 2

Is the current COVID pandemic state considered Pandemic event? The current COVID virus has created a pandemic event. Delays caused by the pandemic such as closure of businesses, travel restrictions, etc., due to federal, state or local restrictions put in place that may hinder an appraisal vendor's ability to complete timely delivery, may be excusable under FAR 52.212-4(f).

3 Final Attachment 1_PWS .docx Page 8 of 70 G.3 1 How often can the contractor submit invoices to USDA? Is it by order, bi-monthly or monthly?

G.3 titled Invoice and Payment Provision has been amended to reflect monthly submission of invoices.

Can USDA Clarify how the orders will be distributed per the task orders? What is the expected number of orders per task order? What is the minimum number of orders per task order?

In accordance with RFP Section H.8: The Contracting Officer (CO) will provide each awardee a fair opportunity to be considered for each order exceeding the micro-purchase threshold unless an exception is justified. If the order does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, the CO need not contact each of the multiple awardees under the contract before selecting an order awardee if the CO has information available to ensure that each awardee is provided a fair opportunity to be considered for each order. Request for Proposals (RFP) under this Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) will be issued by a CO in writing, typically via email. The RFPs will require that technical and pricing information be submitted, to allow for the determination of a best value award. The Contractor proposal information must be submitted timely, to be received by the CO by the date and time set forth in the RFP to be considered. The CO shall determine the basis of selecting the awarded offeror under the best value continuum of Trade-Off when issuing the task order's RFP. The Contractor will perform work only if individual task orders are awarded to them and shall proceed with such work until it is completed, even if the work extends beyond the effective period of the contract in accordance with FAR 52.216-22. Also, please refer to FAR 52.216-19 Order Limitations which reference the minimum dollar value of orders per task order, which is $10,000.Current data indicates SFH appraisal requirements for up to 8,000 properties per year nationwide. These will be distributed among the various task orders; the exact number of appraisals and orders to be issued are unknown at this time, thus the issuance of an indefinite delivery indefinite quantity contract. There is no pre-defined distribution of orders between the awardees.

5 Final Attachment 1_PWS .docx Page 5 of 70 Section F.2 52.211- 11 1

Section F.2 52.211-11 states "3. The Contractor will not be charged with liquidated damages when the delay in delivery or performance is beyond the control and without the fault or negligence of the Contractor as defined in the FAR 52.212-4(m) Termination for Cause clause in this contract, define what is categories as beyond the control."

Can USDA states whether delays caused by the independent appraisers out of the contractor's control be considered “beyond the control and without the fault or negligence of the Contractor”?

The prime contractor is responsible for management of its subcontractors (including independent appraisers). Delays caused by the independent appraisers considered by the Contractor beyond their control, fault or negligence will result in liquidated damages (FAR 52.211-11) in accordance with the PWS and QASP. In accordance with FAR 52.212-14(f) Excusable delays: The Contractor shall be liable for default unless nonperformance is caused by an occurrence beyond the reasonable control of the Contractor and without its fault or negligence such as, acts of God or the public enemy, acts of the Government in either its sovereign or contractual capacity, fires, floods, epidemics, quarantine restrictions, strikes, unusually severe weather, and delays of common carriers.

Question No. Name of Document Page Number

Section Number

Paragraph Number Question Response

5 Final Attachment 1_PWS .docx Page 5 of 70 Section F.2 52.211- 11 1

Section F.2 52.211-11 states "3. The Contractor will not be charged with liquidated damages when the delay in delivery or performance is beyond the control and without the fault or negligence of the Contractor as defined in the FAR 52.212-4(m) Termination for Cause clause in this contract, define what is categories as beyond the control."

Can USDA states whether delays caused by the independent appraisers out of the contractor's control be considered “beyond the control and without the fault or negligence of the Contractor”?

The prime contractor is responsible for management of its subcontractors (including independent appraisers). Delays caused by the independent appraisers considered by the Contractor beyond their control, fault or negligence will result in liquidated damages (FAR 52.211-11) in accordance with the PWS and QASP. In accordance with FAR 52.212-14(f) Excusable delays: The Contractor shall be liable for default unless nonperformance is caused by an occurrence beyond the reasonable control of the Contractor and without its fault or negligence such as, acts of God or the public enemy, acts of the Government in either its sovereign or contractual capacity, fires, floods, epidemics, quarantine restrictions, strikes, unusually severe weather, and delays of common carriers.

6 Final Attachment 1_PWS .docx Page 58 of 70 c.ELECTRONIC

FORMAT 9

Section number 9 states "Documents shall also contain a table of contents with hyperlinks that facilitates the ease of navigation within the selected volume or appendix.

The features that are native to Microsoft Office 2016 applications should be used to accomplish this navigation feature" Is table of contents with hyperlinks in pdf format acceptable?

There is no page 58 in the PWS. Assuming the reference belongs to the RFP. RFP, section L.10 has been amended to allow for PDF (searchable not scanned) format.

7 Final+Attachment+1_PWS+ (1).docx Page 8 of 9 6.1 Monthly Status

Reports (D001) 5th bullet Is there a limit to how many days an order can stay on hold? No. During days on hold, these days do not count towards the required delivery timeframe. The agency will make a good faith effort to resolve all holds within 30 days.

8 Responses_to_Draft_SHNAS_R FP_Questions_5_26 2 Question 20 N/A

In regards to question 20 in the responses, we are required to assign an appraiser within 3 business days. Does this mean to just assign or have an appraiser actually accept the file? Also, if we do not have an appraiser accept within in 3 business days should that be the case, are we assessed any penalties or is the order taken away from us?

In accordance with 4.3.1 of the PWS, the contractor shall update their online platform and acknowledge the required documents have been received and are acceptable and have been assigned to an appraiser within three (3) business days after receipt of an appraisal order. No liquidated damages are assessed related to the three business days. Liquidated damages are tied to the delivery of the completed appraisal report. It is the vendor's responsibility to ensure the assigned appraiser performs the assignment by the appraisal report delivery due date whether this is via acceptance or some other process or liquidated damages will be assessed in accordance with FAR 52.211-11.

9 Responses_to_Draft_SHNAS_R FP_Questions_5_26 2 Question 18 N/A

We always try to find an appraiser based on the fees we have however there are sometimes situations where an appraiser will not pick up a file on a more complicated property for the regular fee. Per question 18 and to confirm, we are not allowed to deviate from our fee schedule and request a fee increase so we can secure an appraiser in order to meet our deadlines? In other words, we have to incur the costs to try to secure an appraiser should we not be able to find one to complete the assignment at our regular pricing within the guidelines of the 30 day requirement?

Correct, you are not allowed to deviate from your contracted fee schedule with USDA. You will be required to perform to the fixed price and timeframe issued in the task order. If the vendor incurs additional cost, this additional cost is the responsibility of the vendor.

10 Final_Attachment_1_PWS 4 4.1.6 135 - 141 Will the USDA be providing any kind of exclusion list or are we free to use any appraiser on our panel?

USDA has no exclusion list. The awardee is free to use any appraiser in their panel as long as the appraiser meets the requirement set forth in the PWS, specifically Section 4.1.4.