A001_1333ND26QNB190164 Attachment 1 - Govt Response.pdf

5/20/2026

Q&A # Document Name / Attachment Number

Section and/or Page Number Offeror's Question NIST's Answer

1 1333ND26QNB190164+AE+M

EP+IDIQ+Solicitation

Page 12, Section I Submission Requirements

We respectfully ask that the submission date be extended by a minimum of three weeks. May 28, 2026, is not a Monday as stated in the solicitation. In addition, the date is only two weeks following the release of the solicitation, with a holiday included in that time. It is not sufficient time to prepare a comprehensive response.

The Solicitation will be corrected to reflect the right day. However, a Presolicitation notice and Sources Sought were issued in reference to this requirementwith a draft SOW creating ample time to be informed and prepared overall. An additional extension to June 10, 2026 by 3:00 PM EDT has been given.

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Page 7, Factor 1 - Specialized Laboratory Design Experience

& Pages 1-2 of TOC

Please confirm that we are to provide up to five projects total, as indicated by the Table of Contents, which demonstrate the subfactor requirements, and not five projects for each subfactor (1, 2 and 3) as stated in the Solicitation, which would result in a possible total of 15 projects.

Confirming that only five projects total should be included. One project may address multiple items.

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Page 8, Paragraph 1-2 Paragraph 1 on Page 8 states "design or project deliverable must have been completed in the past seven

(7) years…" Paragraph 2 states "If past example is before calendar year 2021, the example will be deemed non-responive." Please confirm that project examples from the past seven (7) years, or 2019, are allowed and will be considered responsive.

This was a discrepancy. The year is 2019.

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Page 9, Factor 2, Key Personnel

Can one resume be utilized for more than one key personnel role?

One (1) resume per role must be provided for all the key personnel positions for IDIQ evaluation

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Page 9, Factor 2, Key Personnel

Can we provide additional resumes for disciplines/roles which may be required for this contract?

No. Positions were identifed for resumes to be provided for. Any additional potential positions will be identified at Task Order level.

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Page 7, Factor 1 We recommend one required project example for Factor 1 of experience with 100 psig steam completed as the prime consultant.

Recommendation noted. Original request remains.

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Page 7, Factor 1 We recommend one required project example for Factor 1 demonstrating experience with medium voltage electrical distribution including transformers over 500kVA, network protectors and switchgear completed as the prime consultant.

Recommendation noted. Original request remains.

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Page 2, Tab 13 & 14 Please clarify the difference between the Subcontracting Agreement required in Tab 13 and the Letters of Intent Required in Tab 14.

It should be notated that the TOC states either "as applicable". Therefore, if neither exist or neither/one or the other are not being proposed, then there would be no submission. The difference between the two are depedent on any legal binding documentation established. Some companies may have an estbalished subcontracting agreement for certain components of required work they are currently completing which is why that was mentioned.

Other companies during a proposal stage may not have any estbalished relationships and therefore seek out a preliminary letter of intent which can change and is often not legally binding.

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Page 2, Tab 13 Should a copy of a Joint Venture (JV) agreement, if applicable, be provided for Tab 13 rather than a subcontracting agreement which is typically completed following award of a contract?

A Joint Venture is by technical standard considered an established legal entity. In agreement, a Subcontracting agreement as mentioned, would be completed/required upon award. However, please see the answer to Question 8 along with the TOC that states as applicable.

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Page 2, Tab 11 Do we need to provide a map showing the distance of every subconsultants' office from NIST?

No. However, it should be notated/considered that a Subconsultant who may be utilized for potential requirements that require on site presence must have the capbility to appear onsite in an on call capacity if applicable to the requirement. Travel will not be reimbursed.

11 Solicitation Page 12 Based on the magnitude of the information needed for this IDIQ submission and coordination required with subconsultants, including a Federal Holiday in between -we respectfully request a 2 week minimum extension on the submission due date after receipt of RFI responses

An extension has been provided to June 10, 2026 by 3:00 PM EDT.

12 Solicitation Page 12 Submission due date is listed as Monday, May 28th. May 28th is a Thursday, please confirm correct due date.

This was a discrepancy. However, an extension has been provided to June 10, 2026 by 3:00 PM

EDT.

NIST RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS

NIST FY2026 AE MEP

IDIQ1333ND26QNB190164

Govt Response to Questions

13 Attachment 1 - Table of Contents

Submission Tab Instructions Tab 1 - "Evidence that all proposed firms are permitted by law to practice to professions of architecture or engineering". Does this apply to the prime firm only or all subconsultants?

If a subconsultant is being submitted that will serve as a key component to accomplish work that requires licensure such as drawings for example, then that license should be submitted in addition to proof of the Firm's licensure who is serving as the Prime contractor. Per Maryland State Law, A partnership, corporation, or limited liability company through which architecture or engineering is practiced in Maryland, must hold a permit issued by that governing Board.

14 Attachment 1 - Table of Contents

Submission Tab Instructions Tab 1 - "Evidence that all proposed firms are permitted by law to practice to professions of architecture or engineering". Does this registration requirement apply to the State of Maryland only?

Work is being performed in the State of Maryland. Therefore, State Law requirements apply. Page 8 of the Solicitation states "the A-E firm shall be a registered/licensed architectural and/or engineering firm in the designated state the contract to be performed (MD). The firm must provide proof that it is permitted by law to practice the professions of architecture or engineering."

15 Attachment 1 - Table of Contents

Submission Tab Instructions Tab 10 - Section H. Can this section be increased to 2 pages? 1 page is limiting based on the requested information to be provided within this section.

No. Please limit the response to 1 page.

16 Formatting Section D Org Chart Is an 11x17 size acceptable for the Section D Org Chart? Yes, If inforamtion is legable to read.

17 Submission Requirements Small Business Status Proof Please confirm what is required to be submitted as Proof of Small Business Status.

1. If under under a socioeconomic program, a copy of the certification issued and certified by the SBA for that program (see 19.101(a)(2)(i))

2. If not under a socioeconomic program, then a signed memo on company letterhead that the firm meets the small business size standard corresponding to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code identified in the solicitation

18 Solicitation Factor 2 - Professional Qualifications

Please confirm whether key personnel resumes are limited to the (4) roles listed only or if resumes are expected to be provided for all team members (i.e., architect, structural engineer, civil engineer, etc.)

Positions were identifed for resumes to be provided for within the Solicitation. Any additional potential positions will be identified at Task Order level.

19 Solicitation Factor 2 - Professional Qualifications

Please confirm whether key personnel resumes are limited to only 1 resume per role or can multiple resumes be provided for a individual role?

One (1) resume per role must be provided for all the key personnel positions for IDIQ evaluation

20 General Page Limitation Is there an overall page limitation for this submission? Page 2 of Attachment 1 - Table of Contents details the Submission Tab Instructions which lists the page limits. There is no overall page limit for this submission.

21 Attachment 1 - Table of Contents

Submission Tab Instructions Tab 15 - Adverse Actions. Please confirm if this information should be provided for the prime only or does this apply to all subconsultants as well?

Page 2 of Attachment 1 - Table of Contents states any adverse information should be provided for they or sub partners received.

22 Solicitation Factor 4 - Past Performance Please confirm if PPQs should only be sent directly to NIST once completed. If so, please confirm PPQs will not need to be included within the submission.

PPQs once completed by the Offeror's reference should be submitted by the reference only no later than Wednesday, June 10, 2026 by 5:00

PM EDT.

23 Solicitation Factor 1 - Specialized Laboratory Design Experience

"Offerors must provide proof of Firm's Registration licenses" - Please clarify what is required to be submitted for this. A firm license or an individual professional (PE) license? Does this apply to the prime offeror only or all subconsultants?

Offerors must provide proof of the Firm’s Registration Licenses. Per Maryland State Law, A partnership, corporation, or limited liability company through which architecture or engineering is practiced in Maryland, must hold a permit issued by that governing Board.

24 Solicitation Factor 1 - Specialized Laboratory Design Experience

Factor 1, Item 2 - "Renovations, alterations, and/or upgrades to mechanical, plumbing and/or electrical systems for a laboratory building which include: (2.a, 2.b, 2.c, and 2.d)". 2.d is not listed, please clarify.

Factor 1, Item 2 should state 2.a, 2.b, and 2.c.

25 Solicitation Factor 1 - Specialized Laboratory Design Experience

Requirements state a project needs to be completed within the past 7 years but then states any past example before calendar year 2021 will be deemed non-responsive. Please clarify. If a project is allowed within the last 7 years, shouldn't the calendar year be 2019?

This was a discrepancy. The year should have stated 2019 to reflect 7 years.

26 RFP Page 7 Are subfactors inclusive of both numbers and letters (i.e., 3a-d is considered one subfactor), meaning there could be between 9-15 project examples, or is each individual letter a subfactor (i.e., 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d are four individual subfactors), meaning there could be between 21-45 project examples?

Subfactors are inclusive of both letters and numbers. There should only be at least three, but no more than five projects submitted in entirety that addresses the subfactors.

27 RFP Page 8 It was stated on page 7 that each subfactor requires 3-5 examples. Should the requirement from page 7 be revised to read, "Only 3-5 projects will be considered for grading. These projects must include examples of work in the following subfactors."

There should only be at least three, but no more than five projects submitted in entirety that addresses the subfactors.

28 RFP Page 8 On page 8, it's stated that projects must have been completed within the past 7 years (excluding post construction award services). Page 8 then goes on to state that if a past example is before calendar year 2021, it will be deemed non-response. 2021 is 5 years ago, not 7, causing a contradiction. What is the maximum age for projects?

This was a discrepancy. The year should state 2019 to reflect 7 years.

29 RFP Page 8 On page 8, it's explained that the age of a project excludes post construction phase services. Does the 5 (or 7, depending on the answer to question 3) year age limit refer to design and project deliverables?

The solicitation states on page 8 that Post Construction Award Services (PCAS) are excluded from the 7 year limit.

30 RFP Page 9 It's stated that grading will follow the outline on "Table J -

- Adjectival Ratings," which does not exist. Is this ruling instead refering to "Table K -- Adjectival Ratings?"

Yes. It should instead state the tables located in Section K - Adjectival Ratings.

31 RFP Page 9 It's stated that projects used to demonstrate experience on resumes can not be earlier than 2019. This (potentially) differs from rules regarding which projects may be used as examples in 330-F. Could you confirm the maximum age of contracts on resumes?

The solicitation states on page 9 for Item 1.

under Factor 2- Professional Qualification, "If the experience is earlier than calendar year 2019 for personnel that experience will not be considered."

32 RFP Page 9 Project examples' ages specifically exclude post-construction award services. Do resume project examples have the same limitation?

For consistemcy of the solicitation requirements, yes, resumes that list (PCAS) are excluded from the 7 year limit only in relation to PCAS experience.

33 RFP Page 9 It's stated that, "The Government will review SF 330 Sections C and D for key personnel proposed by the Offeror." Personnel information is not, by default, on SF- 330 C. Does this requirement instead refer to SF-330 sections D and E ?

The Government will review SF 330 Sections C & D for proposed team and organizational chart of proposed team and Section E for key personnel proposed by the Offeror.

34 SOW Page 4 It's stated that, "The AE Contractor shall appoint a project coordinator or manager and alternate to serve as a single POC." Please confirm whether the project coordinator or manager will serve as the single POC, or if a secondary (i.e., "alternate") POC is required. Or does this rule require that a secondary POC is provided in addition to the project manager/coordinator?

The appointed Project Manager (PM) or Coordinator serves as the primary single point of contact (POC) for the contract. The request of an alternate in addition is to only serve as the alternate single POC if the assigned POC for PM services is unavailable which therefore establises a backup liaison if needed. It is up to the firm in how to manage and utilize that alternate for communication and awareness purposes of PM services.

35 SOW Page 4 It's stated that the POC is in charge of ensuring quality control. Please confirm whether the POC is in charge of enforcing quality control, instead of any other position (such as project manager or a proposed quality control manager).

Section VII (B)(5) - General Requirements in the Statement of Work (SOW) states "Quality Assurance - The AE Contractor designated POC shall document and track all quality control feedback from NIST and coordinate responses to these items.

a. Quality control and assurance reporting shall be coordinated through the AE POC."

36 RFP Page 10 Are PPQ/CPARS submissions limited to the projects from SF-330 F, or may additional PPQ/CPARS be submitted for projects not included as examples in that section?

Please review Factor 1 criteria for min/maxium project submission. In addition, page 10 states a completed CPARS/PPQ is to be provided for each project provided within the SF330.

37 RFP Page 10 Will the grade for this section be lowered if page 1 of a PPQ is included, but the contact listed does not send the remainder of the PPQ in by the deadline?

Page 1 of the PPQ does not have the evaluation.

Therefore a reference only submitting page 1 did not complete the PPQ and follow instructions.

Offerors are responsible for ensuring a reference completed the PPQ. How a firm communicates a reference doing so is up to said firm. Page 3 is what's requested. However, there will be no lowered rating for a reference submitting all pages (1-3) of the PPQ.

38 RFP Page 10 What is the deadline for firm contacts to submit their portion of their respective PPQ?

PPQs once completed by the Offeror's reference should be submitted by the reference only no later than June 10, 2026 by 5:00 PM EDT, 2026

EDT.

39 Attachment 1 - Table of Contents NIST AE MEP and Attachment 3 - Past Performance Questionnaire

NIST AE MEP

Page 2, tab 5-9

Please confirm if PPQs are to only be emailed per the instructions on Attachment 3 or are they to be included within the RFP Attachment 1?

PPQs once completed by the Offeror's reference should be submitted by the reference. CPARS shall be submitted with the submission.

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MEP IDIQ Solicitation

Page 11 Please confirm if there is a CPAR record, that a PPQ does not need to be submitted.

No PPQ is needed if there is a CPARS record.

However, the CPAR record if available must be provided with the submission of the RFP.

41 Attachment 3 - Past Performance Questionnaire

NIST AE MEP

Page 2, tab 5-9 Can we submit the PPQs in leiu of our clients submitting them?

Is it okay if they are a different federally approved version - NASA?

No. PPQs must be submitted by the reference.

NIST is ameniable to accepting a different PPQ version as long as it correlates to the submission and evaluating performance requirements.

42 Attachment 1 - Table of Contents NIST AE MEP

Page 2, tab 11 Can the map be included in Section H rather than the as part of the Part 2 form?

No. The map should be provided as a printout and included with Part 2 of the SF 330 as instructed in the solicitaiton.

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MEP IDIQ Solicitation

Page 11, Section B. Contract Information

Can we take exception to the NO JV Clause an submit as a Mentor-Protege?

No.

44 Is there a MB size limit? Files shall not be larger than twenty-five (25) Megabytes (MB).

Attachment 5