Questions_and_Answers_5.pdf

No. Question Answer

1 Please advise the point allocation for the SF330 in the evaluation criteria or indicate how it will be used in proposal evaluation.

The government will evaluate offerors' submissions in accordance with Section 2, Selection Criteria. There is no point allocation system (i.e., evaluation rating scale), rather the government will compare offerors' submissions against the selection criteria listed in this section of the synopsis-solicitation.

2 The selection criteria were also struck from SAM. Could you please define the selection criteria and order of importance for this contract?

We're not sure why SAM struck out the majority of the information in the synopsis/solicitation's "Description" section when you click on its "view changes" button, but the information, including the submittal and selection criteria still applies, with the exception of the following changes incorporated via their respective amendments:

Amendment 00001 (posted on SAM on 7 Mar 23 at 3:51 PM EST) - The purpose of this amendment is to post the correct Statement of Work (SOW) titled "B08 Synopsis-Solicitation 140A1623R0013_Attch 1_SOW".

Attachment "B08_Synopsis-Solicitation_1401623R0009_Attch_1_SOW_2" was erroneously attached to 140A1623R0013 synopsis-solicitation and does not apply to 140A1623R0013. All other terms and conditions remain unchanged.

Amendment 00001 (posted on SAM on 8 Mar 23 at 11:18 AM EST -- stated as "Amendment 00001 but should read Amendment 00002) - The purpose of this amendment is to correct the responses due date and change the questions due date. All responses remain due on 4/3/2023 at 3:00 pm EDT. All questions regarding this synopsis must be submitted in writing no later than Friday, March 17, 2023, at 3:00 pm EDT. All other terms and conditions remain unchanged.

3 Evaluation criteria letter b, specialized experience and technical competence states to provide experience as part of Section F of the SF330. Is there a limit on how many projects to feature?

According to Section 3a in the synopsis-solicitation, a maximum of five (5) projects for the proposed team, including JV and teaming partners, shall be shown in Section F.

4 Also, is there a timeframe in which the project’s must have been completed by?

Offerors shall submit completed projects completed within the past five (5) years prior to the issuance date of this synopsis-solicitation

Evaluation criteria letter c, capacity to accomplish the work states to also provide size and scope of projects within past 5 years. Is this in regard to featured projects from section F? Or is this other relevant projects for the entire team in general?

No, the information in Section F is not the only information used to evaluated criteria c. According to Section 2c in the synopsis-solicitation, the basis of the evaluation will be the information in Section H and Part II of the SF

330. We specifically draw your attention to Item 10 of Part II for the project information we may reference for this part of the evaluation, although we aren't limited to this information.

6 Is a CPARS required for past performance? If not, would it be permissible to send the client a past performance questionnaire (PPQ) in lieu of the CPARS?

No, CPARS are not required. According to Section 2d in the synopsis-solicitation, CPARS will be queried by the Government for all firms submitting an SF 330. No submittals are required by the offerors for this criterion. If deemed appropriate by the evaluation board, performance evaluations for any significant team subcontractors may also be considered. The board may seek information on past performance from other sources but is not required to seek other information on the past performance of a firm if none is available from CPARS. When evaluating past performances, the board will determine the relevancy of performance evaluations, and will place greater consideration on recent and relevant performance evaluations.

7 There was a limit of 5 example projects, is this still valid? See Q&A# 3.

8 Can you please clarify the proposal submission requirements? Refer to the synopsis-solicitation, specifically Section 3, Submittal Requirements.

The Synopsis/Solicitation lists the submittal requirements for Section F projects in paragraph 3. a.

Specifically regarding the definition of a project, the government appears to restrict offerors from submitting an AE contract/task order that involved multiple sites. Considering the scope of services and geographic areas for contract performance under the anticipated AE-MAC, would BIA accept and evaluate a Section F project describing a single contract/task order that involved multiple, nationwide locations for scope-relevant AE services delivery? Allowing offerors to submit a Section F project(s) across multiple sites/installations demonstrates specialized experience and technical competence (Selection Criteria 2. b.)

as well as demonstrating the extent of their capabilities to serve projects located throughout the Continental United States and Indian Country (Selection Criteria 2. e.). Please confirm that offerors may submit a Section F project(s) that involved multiple sites/installations under one contract/task order award.

See revised Synopsis/Solicitation Section 3a, submittal requirements noted in this amendment 00003.

The Synopsis/Solicitation lists the submittal requirements for Section F projects in paragraph 3. a.

Regarding the requirement for Section F projects to be 100% complete for consideration, will the government allow and evaluate a project that was awarded as a first task order of a multi-phased contract, and for which the project AE work phase of the contract/task order is 100% complete? With each awarded contract phase a unique scope and completion date are executed irrespective of prior contract phases.

Please confirm that offerors may submit a Section F project(s) that involved a discrete phase under an contract task order.

Project A/E must be 100% complete. Construction does not need to be complete.

11 There is no language requiring an SF330 for the proposal, is BIA still seeking SF330 submissions only?

Yes, we are currently seeking SF330 submissions only. This procurement is in accordance with the Brooks Act and FAR 36.6, Architect-Engineer Services.

Please consider extending the deadline for submittal of SF330s. Any Amendment(s) posted by IA after March 17th (when questions are due) will leave offerors very little time to meet the current deadline of April 3, 2023.

The Government does not intend to extend the proposal due date any further. Mission requirements do not allow for further delay. However, Indian Small Business Economic Enterprises (ISBEEs) that are unprepared to submit an SF330 at this time may be able to compete during future on-ramping opportunities.

“Under provisions afforded by the SBA to tribally owned companies [reference 13 CFR 121.103(b)(2)] regarding affiliation, please confirm that ISBEE concerns owned by Native American tribes may submit evidence of past performance and experience from subsidiary companies, provided that the other subsidiary(ies) provide meaningful involvement in the successful execution of this AE-MAC.”

Yes, ISBEE concerns owned by Federally-recognized Native American tribes may submit evidence of past performance and experience from subsidiary companies, provided that the other subsidiary(ies) provide meaningful involvement in the successful execution of this AE-MAC

14 Should responses be submitted via email to Michael Conway and Laurie Sherrod?

Yes, responses shall be emailed to both Mr. Michael Conway at michael.conway@bia.gov and Mrs. Laurie Sherrod at laurie.sherrod@bia.gov.

15 Are SF330 due by March 31, 2023 for this notice? SF330s are due by 3 Apr 2023 at 3:00 PM (EDT)

Given the scope of work and amount of sub-contractors needed to cover multiple areas located throughout the United States, is it possible to extend the page limit due to the amount of resumes needed to cover all necessary disciplines? Resumes alone can take up most of that page count.

See revised Synopsis/Solicitation Section 3b, submittal requirements noted in this amendment 00003.

17 There was a 40 page limitation for the SF330, is this still valid? See Q&A #16.

18 Section H was limited to 8 pages, is this still valid? See Q&A #16.

19 Part II was excluded from the page count, assuming there is a page count, is this still valid? All directions that were accidentally lined out are still valid. Part II is excluded from the page count.

20 There was a requirement for font size to be 11 pt, is this still valid? Yes, this requirement is still valid.

21 Are title page, cover letter and tabs omitted from page count?

There's no requirement for a title page, cover letter and tabs. As such, they will count against the page limitations if included in the SF330.

22 If we have a cover page and cover letter, would they both count toward 40 page limit or no? See Q&A #21.

Are there are specific regions covered or not covered in this solicitation and if so, can a map be provided or listing where the majority of the work is expected to be performed so that we can strategically plan the best teaming approach for this requirement?

As stated in the Statement of Work, Section 5, Place of Performance, the place of performance under this contract shall be determined and identified in each Task Order and may be anywhere in the Continental United States and Indian Country. The file size of the map of Indian Country within the Continental United States is too large to upload to SAM.gov, but it's accessible to the Public at https://www.bia.gov/sites/default/files/dup/inline-files/idc1-028635.pdf.

24 What areas are considered “Indian country” and does this include reservations of every recognized tribe in the US, or only reservations/tribal lands in certain areas?

See Q&A #23.

25 Will a professional engineer need to sign off on each project within a task order?

In accordance with the SOW, paragraph 1.3.6, as required by the specific Task Order (TO), engineering services shall be performed by or under the direct technical supervision of a registered professional engineer or architect as outlined in the most current version of FAR Clause 52.236-25, Requirements for Registration of Designers.

26 Is a LEED administrator required to be registered in all considered states? No, LEED administrators aren't required to be registered in all considered states.

27 Does the prime contractor on the Task Order need to have a GC and/or Professional Engineer license in each state where the work is to be performed?

In accordance with Section 2a of the synopsis-solicitation, firms are not required to have an office in each state where an Indian Affairs (IA) facility is located. However, having engineers licensed in each state either by reciprocity arrangements or direct licensing, or the capability to acquire such licenses within a reasonable amount of time for timely contract performance, is a requirement.

28 The NAICS code for this opportunity is for engineering, will you accept architectural NAICS codes as the prime as well?

The NAICS Code for this procurement is 541330. This NAICS code will be used to evaluate whether respondenets meet the size standard for this procurement. Respondents do not need to be registered for the specific NAICS code to be considered.

29 Are we permitted to submit as a Prime as well as be listed as a subconsultant team member on another team?

Yes, offerors are permitted to submit as a Prime as well as be listed as a subconsultant team member on another team.

30 If we are already on a 5-year IDIQ with the BIA, can we also submit for this one?

Yes, offerors under the current IA National Multiple Award Architect-Engineering Contract, may submit under this acquisition as long as they're still an ISBEE.

Other

Evaluation of SF330's

Submission Requirements

Page Limits and Format

Scope Clarifications

Licensing and Certifications

No. Question Answer

31 Is the small business size designation at the time of submission? If so, is the size of the firm at time of submission good for the life of the contract?

In accordance with FAR 19.102(a)(4), when an agency uses a solicitation for a multiple-award contract that does not require offers for the contract to include price, SBA determines size as of the date of initial offer for the multiple-award contract, whether or not the offer includes price or the price is evaluated. (See 13 CFR 121.404(a)(1)(iv)). As such, the size of the firm is good (if it meets the applicable size standard) from the time initial submission (i.e., date SF330s are due for this acquisition) for the life of the contract, if the firms' receive an award (IDIQ) under the AE-MAC.

32 Are you requiring the prime to have a Joint Venture in place with any Subcontractors that they utilize on Task Orders?

In accordance with Section 2a of the synopsis-solicitation, if the offeror is submitting as a Joint Venture (JV), then the SF330 should document the entire team’s qualifications in this area including members of Joint Ventures (JVs), partners, subcontractor’s, etc. It's offerors' responsibilities to ensure their teaming arrangements (e.g., JV, subcontractor, etc.) are submitted and valid in accordance with the governing body's requirements (e.g. Small Business Administration, applicable state, etc.).

33 Can the Subcontractor utilize additional contractors on the Task Order? Yes.

34 On the most recently updated posting on Sam.gov, most of the solicitation has been crossed out. Should we use the previous version of the solicitation (keeping in mind that the deadlines have been updated)?

See Q&A #2.