AMENDMENT_0001_QUESTIONS_AND_ANSWERS_0001.pdf

AMENDMENT 0001 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q: Federal NEPA efforts often include in-person data gathering and remote document preparation. Would BIA expect that NEPA requirements under this solicitation be performed primarily by local support staff (either on-site or remotely), or would remote work by experienced key personnel be acceptable?

A: For SCIP Irrigation & Power Projects, there is site investigation and monitoring field work. Documentation work processes work can be done at the SCIP office or at a remote site. However, the preference is to work from SCIP to answer questions and to attend meetings.

Q: Section 4, Place of Performance, states “Tasks related to office work are expected to be divided between the SCIP office in Coolidge, Arizona, and the Contractor’s office.

Depending on workload, we anticipate two individuals will work 2-5 days a week in the SCIP office. We expect a comparable number of hours will be spent working on related projects at the Contractor’s office, with the workload spread out among various technical specialists.” To ensure we provide a proper mix of local staff, can the BIA please provide a list of labor categories that are likely to be required to work in the SCIP office? Section 4 also states that “In some instances, SCIP may request the Contractor’s presence within an hour’s notice. Can the BIA please describe the type of request or work that would require a Contractor staff to mobilize to the SCIP office within the 1-hour notice?

A: SCIP is an electrical utility and irrigation water provider. When power outages occur due to damaged facilities, we need to know whether pole change outs are clear to be changed. Irrigation systems have canal breaches and need to be assessed quickly in order for the agency to make canal repairs. Mobilization isn't necessary if the contractor has the resources to review their systems for culturally sensitive hot spots that are contained within the SCIP services area.

Q: The RFP includes Section B, Supplies or Services and Prices, on page 5 of the RFP as well as the List of Personnel and Technical Positions on page 9 of the RFP. However, Section

b. of the instructions (RFP page 48) requires the bidder to “provide price quote” and does not instruct bidders to complete and submit the List of Personnel and Technical Positions table. Can the BIA please clarify whether bidders need to submit a completed List of Personnel and Technical Positions table, and if so, will the BIA accept additional labor categories and associated rates that are not provided in the table?

A: SCIP Irrigation & Power Project require NEPA and Cultural clearances for new and rehab construction projects including emergency work. The bidder will be required to submit a complete list of personnel needed to provide NEPA and Cultural clearances for SCIP projects.

Q: For Section B, Supplies or Services and Prices, can the BIA please provide a detailed list of deliverables under Requirements 1-4 to assist with preparing a budget that meets the BIA expectations for these requirements?

A: Deliverables are clearances to conduct construction projects for the agency's Irrigation and Power divisions. Average project clearances for the last three years are 50 projects per year; this is mix of Irrigation and Power projects. Each review and clearance are different and may result in the contractor providing a CX, EA, or EIS. 99.9 of agency projects are cleared with a CX.

Q: Can the Government provide an estimate of the anticipated number of NEPA and NHPA-related projects expected annually under this contract?

A: Average projects are about 50 per year. However, the SCIP agency service area is booming. Projects might increase significantly the next few years.

Q: Are there any currently known projects anticipated for early task order issuance under the base year?

A: The contractor will commence work following date of award. There will be several projects pending reviews following date of award.

Q: Are any of the anticipated projects considered large-scale, high-impact, or politically sensitive?

A: Not currently. However, there could be since we provide services that cover over 2,400 square miles in rural central Arizona.

Q: Since price will not receive a score, what is the evaluation weighting for the non-price factors?

A: Past performance and CPARS ratings.

Q: Are there any page limits, font size requirements, or formatting instructions for the technical proposal volume?

A: No.

Q: Is there an incumbent contractor currently performing this work? If so, can the Government provide the incumbent’s name and contract number?

A: No incumbent contractor.

Q: Will the Government accept CPARS for past performance in lieu of completing the past performance questionnaire?

A: No. We require CPARS and the bidders past performance questionnaire.

Q: What is expected for the ethnographic fieldwork and what would be the resulting deliverable?

A: The SCIP service area contains several culturally sensitive areas that might require in depth documentation.

Q: Is addressing NAGPRA discoveries part of the contract?

A: Yes, if any grave sites are encountered during construction projects.

Q: What are the pricing elements to be submitted other than the rates for the labor categories listed in the Listed Personal and Technical Positions table?

A: Any labor categories proposed by offeror may be added to pricing schedule.

Q: Can the BIA please describe the type of request or work that would require a Contractor staff to mobilize to the SCIP office within the 1-hour notice?

A: The SCIP Agency provides electrical utilities and irrigation waters to state and tribal water districts. When emergencies occur, the agency will need immediate clearances to restore, repair, or replace facilities. Field work analysis will have to be conducted to allow for emergency repairs.

Q: Can the BIA please clarify whether bidders need to submit a completed List of Personnel and Technical Positions table, and if so, will the BIA accept additional labor categories and associated rates that are not provided in the table?

A: The SCIP Agency needs a complete list of personnel that will be involved with contract activities.

Q: Can the BIA please provide a detailed list of deliverables under Requirements 1-4 to assist with preparing a budget that meets the BIA expectations for these requirements?

A: The SCIP Agency service area, especially in the immediate Coolidge/Casa Grande area is booming. The agency NEPA and Cultural clearances usually are cleared by SHPO, Tribal consultations, and some THPO clearances. CX documents usually provide clearance for agency projects to move forward. There is no average. However, during one of our busier years, there were over 100 clearances needed. Most of the clearances will be for power line construction projects.