Attachment_5_Completed_Q_A_Log_3.xlsx
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- Solicitation number
- 140A1623R0018
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This document contains a questions and answers log for a pre-solicitation notice regarding the Division of Water and Power Architect-Engineer Multiple Award Contract. The log details inquiries received from prospective offerors and responses provided by the contracting officer. Key details include that the Bureau of Indian Affairs seeks to award up to 9 IDIQ contracts for dam safety services and 9 for irrigation and power services. The response deadline was extended to November 27, 2023 and award is anticipated in spring 2024. Page limits and formatting requirements are provided for submissions. Clarification is also provided that a firm can submit as a prime and subcontractor, and that completed and substantially completed projects are eligible for consideration depending on the circumstances.
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Sheet1 Questions and Answers Log for Pre-Synopsis/Solicitation # 140A1623R0018
| Number | Contractor | Date Received | Question | Date Sent to COR | Answer | Date Answered |
| 1 | Akana | 10/17/23 | Can an ISBEE prime one or both contracts and also be shown as a subcontractor on another proposal(s) led by a large business? | N/A | Yes | 11/3/23 |
| 2 | Akana | 10/17/23 | Similarly can a large business teaming partner prime one or both contracts and also be shown as a subcontractor for an ISBEE-led proposal? If this is not allowed, it puts the ISBEE’s in an all or nothing situation, especially if at least 3 ISBEE’s don’t propose as primes. | N/A | Yes | 11/3/23 |
| 3 | DOWL | 10/17/23 | Would a cover letter, SF330 cover page, and SF330 section divider pages count towards the page count (40-page limit)? | N/A | No | 11/3/23 |
| 4 | DOWL | 10/17/23 | If we include the org chart or a table as an 11x17 page, would the 11x17 page count as one or two pages? | N/A | No | 11/3/23 |
| 5 | DOWL | 10/17/23 | The solicitation is clear that project A/E work must be 100% complete for consideration. However, we’ve completed the initial scope for several task orders, but the task orders remain active as we’re providing additional services added by contract modifications. For projects in which the original task order scope is complete, would a project description that is limited to the original, completed work scope be considered by the evaluation team? | N/A | Yes | 11/3/23 |
| 6 | DOWL | 10/17/23 | The solicitation requires a listing of all projects our firm has worked on within the past five years. Please confirm that this project list is for all projects our firm worked on, including projects not related to water and power and/or dam safety type projects. For our firm, such an all-inclusive list will include several thousand projects. Is it acceptable to provide this information in a separate file from the SF330 qualifications? | N/A | Yes, you may submit a project list for all projects your firm has worked on, including projects not related to water and power and/or dam safety. | 11/3/23 |
| 7 | AECOM | 10/19/23 | Please confirm that an 11 x 17 page can be used for the organization chart in Section D and that this chart will be counted as one page. | N/A | Yes | 11/3/23 |
| 8 | AECOM | 10/19/23 | The synopsis states that 11-point font is to be used. Please confirm whether a smaller font (e.g. 9- or 10-point) can be used for graphics, charts, captions, and headers/footers. | N/A | No | 11/3/23 |
| 9 | AECOM | 10/19/23 | The synopsis states, “The SF 330 should include all projects worked on within the past five years and include the scope of the work; the value of the project; the schedule of the project (starting date, proposed completion date and actual completion date.); and the status of the project. This listing should also contain any projects that were terminated for any reason and projects that are still in progress.” A large Federal contractor such as firms competing for this contract may execute thousands of projects each year. A complete listing with the information required would run for many pages and would far exceed the 8-page limit of Section H. We respectfully request that the government provide reasonable parameters for this information – for example, projects executed for BIA, or dam safety projects executed; and that the list be excluded from the page limit for Section H. Alternatively, the government could request summary information – e.g. number of Federal contracts per year and total contract value for those projects. | 11/3/23 | Concur-all projects relavent to the scope of work should be submitted, i.e. dam safety work. | 11/3/23 |
| 10 | AECOM | 10/19/23 | What is the e-mail submission file size limit for attachments? | N/A | 150MB | 11/3/23 |
| 11 | Water Resources Solutions | 10/19/23 | What is the maximum number of pages permitted per individual resume in SF330 Section E? | 11/3/23 | Specific resumes do not have a size limit, only the compiled SF330. | 11/3/23 |
| 12 | Water Resources Solutions | 10/19/23 | What is the maximum number of pages permitted per individual project description in SF330 Section F? | 11/3/23 | Specific project descriptions do not have a size limit, only the compiled SF330. | 11/3/23 |
| 13 | Water Resources Solutions | 10/19/23 | What is the maximum number of pages permitted in SF330 Section G? | 11/3/23 | Specific sections do not have a size limit, only the compiled SF330. | 11/3/23 |
| 14 | Water Resources Solutions | 10/19/23 | Will covers be included or excluded in the 40-page maximum limitation specified in paragraph 3.(b.)? | 11/3/23 | Excluded | 11/3/23 |
| 15 | Water Resources Solutions | 10/19/23 | Will the table of contents be included or excluded in the 40-page maximum limitation specified in paragraph 3.(b.)? | 11/3/23 | Excluded | 11/3/23 |
| 16 | Water Resources Solutions | 10/19/23 | Will section dividers be included or excluded in the 40-page maximum limitation specified in paragraph 3.(b.)? | 11/3/23 | Excluded | 11/3/23 |
| 17 | AESI | 10/19/23 | Can a firm be a subconsultant on a proposal team and then also submit a proposal as a prime consultant? | 11/3/23 | Yes | 11/3/23 |
| 18 | Jacobs | 10/20/23 | Will the BIA consider responding to questions on a rolling basis as opposed to collectively after all questions are due? | 11/3/23 | No | 11/3/23 |
| 19 | Jacobs | 10/20/23 | 1.c.iii. States "the total price for all contracts combined will not exceed $100,000,000.00". Please clarify whether "all contracts combined" refers to to the 9 anticipated SOD MAC IDIQ contracts, the 9 anticipated I&P MAC IDIQ contracts, or all 18 IDIQ contracts. | 11/3/23 | The combined total of SOD and I&P contracts are subject to the limit. | 11/3/23 |
| 20 | Jacobs | 10/20/23 | The synopsis currently asks for completed projects. Would BIA consider accepting projects that are substantially complete (i.e., more than approximately 80% and/or with many discreet tasks or phases complete)? As currently written, the Solicitation excludes active, even nearly-complete BIA work that firms are performing under the current IDIQs, as well as similar work for other federal and state agencies. Many such projects are at completion for multiple tasks and stages and offer excellent examples of applicable work experience. | 11/3/23 | No, only completed projects will be considered. | 11/3/23 |
| 21 | Jacobs | 10/20/23 | Given the extent of the number of projects worked on within the past five years by select offerers, we respectfully request that the listing of projects required under the "Capacity to accomplish the work in the required time" section be acceptable as an appendix that does not contribute towards the identified page limitations. | 11/3/23 | See response to inquiry # 9. No change. | 11/3/23 |
| 22 | Jacobs | 10/20/23 | We respectfully request that covers and section tabs be excluded from the 40 page limit. | 11/3/23 | Concur. | 11/3/23 |
| 23 | Jacobs | 10/20/23 | Will smaller, but clearly visible font (i.e., 10pt font) be permitted for use in graphics and tables? | 11/3/23 | No. | 11/3/23 |
| 24 | Jacobs | 10/20/23 | Will the BIA allow 11x17-size pages, and for the sake of the page count, will they count as one page each? | 11/3/23 | A single 11X17 sheet will be acceptable and counted as a single page. | 11/3/23 |
| 25 | Jacobs | 10/20/23 | Please clarify whether a naming nomenclature should be used to indicate distinction between the I&P and SOW MAC submittals. | 11/3/23 | Yes, separate submittals for each program. | 11/3/23 |
| 26 | Tepa Enginering | 10/20/23 | If we are selected for the AE MAC would that impact the ability of our sister construction company (same parent company) to bid on construction of the same projects later, if we are the designer of that project? | 11/3/23 | A potential conflict of interest could exist. However, it could be resolved by a mitagation plan. | 11/3/23 |
| 27 | Tepa Enginering | 10/20/23 | If we are selected for the AE MAC would that impact the ability of our sister construction company (same parent company) to bid on construction of the same projects later, if we are NOT the designer of that project? | 11/3/23 | There is less risk of a conflict of interest in this case. However, it could exist if the firm was in any way involed in the design and possibly be resolved by a mitagation plan. | 11/3/23 |
| 28 | Wood | 10/20/23 | Reference: Paragraph 2. Selection Criteria, a. SOD MAC, iv Capacity: The requirement for a listing of “all projects worked on within the past five years and including the scope of the work; the value of the project; the schedule of the project (starting date, proposed completion date and actual completion date.); and the status of the project” could be extensive for large businesses who are bidding for the unrestricted contracts. Typically, large firms will have worked thousands projects a year.For example our records indicate we performed 48,788 projects in the last five years. Secondly many of our commerical clients do not allow us to share any project information via nondisclosure agreements. We request a revision of this requirement to be only "Federal government directly relevant projects and within the past two years. This will be an extensive list and therefore, we request the table excluded from the page count. | 11/3/23 | See response to inquiry # 9. No change to page limits. | 11/3/23 |
| 29 | Wood | 10/20/23 | Reference: Paragraph 2. Selection Criteria, a. SOD MAC, v: Past Performance: What if anything are the offerors to provide for past performance? The paragraph provides how the evaluators will evaluate our firm without providing guidance as to what offerors are expected to provide. If offerors are to provide CPARS or PPQs are these excluded from the page count? | 11/3/23 | Demonstration of past performance is at the discretion of the Firm. | 11/3/23 |
| 30 | Wood | 10/20/23 | Reference: Paragraph 3. Submittal Requirements. If offerors want to provide a cover letter is this included in the 40-page limit? | 11/3/23 | No. | 11/3/23 |
| 31 | Great West Engineering | 10/23/23 | We are reaching out for clarification regarding selection of potential socioeconomic small business A/E firms: |
Referencing Sections 1.c.i & 1.c.ii of the solicitation, we have the following question:
| • | Is there any specific set aside target for small business firms within this contract or are small businesses competing with large businesses in a full and open solicitation (outside of the ISBEE target of four IDIQS) ? | 11/3/23 | Depending on the size and scope of the project, different firms can be chosen depending on agency need. | 11/3/23 | |||
| 32 | DOWL | 10/26/23 | Would a cover letter, SF330 cover page, and SF330 section divider pages count towards the page count (40-page limit)? | 11/3/23 | No. | 11/3/23 | |
| 33 | DOWL | 10/26/23 | If we include the org chart or a table as an 11x17 page, would the 11x17 page count as one or two pages? | 11/3/23 | See response to inquiry # 24. No change to page limits. | 11/3/23 | |
| 34 | DOWL | 10/26/23 | The solicitation is clear that project A/E work must be 100% complete for consideration as a past project. However, we’ve completed the initial scope for several task orders, but the task orders remain active as we’re providing additional services added by contract modifications. For projects in which the original task order scope is complete, would a project description that is limited to the original, completed work scope be considered by the evaluation team? | 11/3/23 | Yes. | 11/3/23 | |
| 35 | DOWL | 10/26/23 | The solicitation requires a listing of all projects our firm has worked on within the past five years. Please confirm that this project list is for all projects our firm worked on, including projects not related to water and power and/or dam safety type projects. For our firm, such an all-inclusive list will include several thousand projects. Is it acceptable to provide this information in a separate file from the SF330 qualifications? | 11/3/23 | See response to inquiry # 9. No change to page limits. | 11/3/23 | |
| 36 | GUY + Kenall | 10/25/23 | Can the submission deadline be extended at least 2 weeks to 29 November 2023 or beyond? Due to the wide range and specialized list of requirements, we need additional time to complete our teaming agreements to meet the requirements. It is taking longer to identify ISBEE teaming partners that can support the technical requirements listed in the solicitation. | 11/3/23 | Deadline will be extended till November 27, 2023. | 11/3/23 | |
| 37 | GUY + Kenall | 10/25/23 | Resumes - a list or required number of resumes is not identified in the solicitation. Are there positions or specialties that must be captured in the resumes? | 11/3/23 | The number of resumes submitted is at the discretion of the Firm and should demonstrate all required Qualifications and Experience. | 11/3/23 | |
| 38 | GEI | 10/26/23 | Please confirm that the BIA wishes to obtain a full listing of every project a company has worked on in the last 5 years, including scope. Would it be acceptable to BIA to submit a listing of projects similar in scope instead? Also, would it be acceptable to the BIA to submit the list under an appendix and will it be counted to the page limit? (If so, we will not have any pages remaining for our response) | 11/3/23 | See response to inquiry # 9. No change to page limits. | 11/3/23 | |
| 39 | GEI | 10/26/23 | Will an 11x17 org chart or matrix count as one page or two pages toward the overall 40-page limit? | 11/3/23 | See response to inquiry # 24. No change to page limits. | 11/3/23 | |
| 40 | GEI | 10/26/23 | Will a cover letter count against the 40-page limit? | 11/3/23 | No. | 11/3/23 | |
| 41 | RJH | 10/31/23 | For selection criteria 2.a.iv., the RFP is requesting a list of completed projects within the last 5 years. Is this list only for the prime firm or all subconsultants as well? | 11/3/23 | Prime only. | 11/3/23 | |
| 42 | DOWL | 11/1/23 | For the I&P MAC, the requested qualifications involve the two largely distinct service lines of irrigation and power. Demonstrating qualifications and experience in both service lines is challenging within the limitations of 5 example projects and the page restrictions. Would BIA consider increasing the number of example projects? We request allowing up to 7 projects in Section F, 10 pages in Section H, and the total number of pages increased from 40 to 50. | 11/3/23 | No change. | 11/3/23 | |
| 43 | Stantec (SCSI) | 11/1/23 | Request confirmation that the front cover, transmission cover letter, and SF330 section dividers are excluded from page count. | 11/3/23 | Concur. | 11/3/23 | |
| 44 | Stantec (SCSI) | 11/1/23 | B08_Synopsis-Solicitation_140A1623R0018_V4 , Section 2.a.i and 2.b.i “The Government shall evaluate the Firm’s professional qualifications and education, including Professional Engineer registrations with documented dam safety engineering and professional emergency management certifications.” Please clarify if the BIA's evaluation of the SF330 will include licence or certification numbers and if the request is limited to identified Key Personnel. | 11/3/23 | All resumes submitted will be reviewed and must demonstrate required qualifications and experience. There is no specified minimum number or individuals. | 11/3/23 | |
| 45 | Stantec (SCSI) | 11/1/23 | B08_Synopsis-Solicitation_140A1623R0018_V4 , Section 2.a.iv and 2.b.iv “Projects completed within the last 5 years should be included. …..This listing should also include any projects……that are still in progress.” and Section 3 “Project A/E work must be 100% complete for consideration.” Please clarify if projects that are in progress, such as ongoing tasks or task orders (often involving multi-year project schedules), are fully-qualified to include. If only completed projects are allowed, please clarify the requirements necessary to demonstrate 100% complete for a federal project and for a non-federal project. | 11/3/23 | Contracts for which release of claims have been submitted by the firm are considered completed. In the instance this is not a requirement, projects are considered complete once 100% invoiced. | 11/3/23 | |
| 46 | Stantec (SCSI) | 11/1/23 | B08_Synopsis-Solicitation_140A1623R0018_V4, Section 2.a.iv and 2.b.iv "The SF 330 should include all projects worked on within the past five years and include the scope of the work; the value of the project; the schedule of the project (starting date, proposed completion date and actual completion date.); and the status of the project." Our firm has completed thousands of federal/non-federal projects in the last 5 years and the information cannot be reasonably included in the limited pages of the SF330. There are no separate SF330 pages in Section H allocated to this requirement and we request that the requirement be further defined to include only relevant projects up to a maximum of 20 projects that are relative to the scope. Also, if the project list remains as a requirement, we request the eight page limit for Section H be increased as necessary to accomodate the project list. | 11/3/23 | See response to inquiry # 9. No change to page limits. | 11/3/23 | |
| 47 | Stantec (SCSI) | 11/1/23 | B08_Synopsis-Solicitation_140A1623R0018_V4, Section 2.a.iii and 2.b.iii, states "The Government shall evaluate the participation of ISBEEs and IEEs as Prime Contractors; and in Partnerships; Joint Ventures and other Teaming arrangements and in previously established Subcontractors." We request confirmation that you do not need large businesses to include a small business subcontracting plan. If a small business subcontracting plan is required, we request the eight page limit for Section H be increased as necessary to accommodate the plan. | 11/3/23 | We do not require small business subcontracting plans at this time. The small business subcontracting plan will be negotiated with large firms selected for award. | 11/3/23 | |
| 48 | Stantec (SCSI) | 11/1/23 | B08_Synopsis-Solicitation_140A1623R0018_V4 , Section 3 states "Submisssions must include one (1) electronic copy…consultants." What is the maximum file size that can be accepted by the Government e-mail system used for this submission? | 11/3/23 | 150MB | 11/3/23 | |
| 49 | WBK | 11/1/23 | Is an 11’ x 17’ page acceptable as the one-page Section D Organization Chart? If so, will it be counted as one page or two? | 11/3/23 | See response to inquiry # 24. No change to page limits. | 11/3/23 | |
| 50 | WBK | 11/1/23 | Are the cover page and dividers included in the 40 page limit? | 11/3/23 | No | 11/3/23 | |
| 51 | WBK | 11/1/23 | Does the cover letter count towards the 40 page limit? | 11/3/23 | No | 11/3/23 | |
| 52 | WBK | 11/1/23 | Can the requirement that at least 3 ISBEE be awarded before the ISBEE reservation be “dissolved” be removed, or at a minimum reduced to two? | 11/3/23 | No | 11/3/23 | |
| 53 | Jacobs | 11/1/23 | Recognizing that answers to questions won't be released until Friday, November 3, 2023 or Monday, Novemnber 6, 2023, we respectfully request an extension to Friday, December 1, 2023 so that we may incorporate all potential revisions needed for our submittals. | 11/3/23 | Deadline will be extended till November 27, 2023. | 11/3/23 | |
| 54 | HDR | 11/1/23 | Pg. 4, Item iv - Capacity – The solicitation states that the consultant shall list all projects worked on within the past five (5) years. For large firms, this will require listing thousands of projects. Will the Government accept a list of projects completed within the past five (5) years that are relevant to the type of work expected under this contract? Also, please advise if this may be included as an Appendix, outside of the 40-pg limit. | 11/3/23 | See response to inquiry # 9. No change to page limits. | 11/3/23 | |
| 55 | HDR | 11/1/23 | Pg. 2 of the solicitation instructions states that the contract will be awarded no earlier than April 2023. Please clarify the anticipated award date. | 11/3/23 | Award date is tentativly set for Spring of 2024. | 11/3/23 | |
| 56 | HDR | 11/1/23 | Pg 7., Item 3.b. submittal requirements states the total page limit of the SF330 is 40 pages. Please advise if the Section D Organization Chart may be 11”x17” and whether that will be counted as a single page or two pages. In addition, are covers and dividers excluded from the 40-pg limit? | 11/3/23 | See response to inquiry # 24. No change to page limits. | 11/3/23 | |
| 57 | Morrison-Maierle | 11/1/23 | Can a firm submit the SOQ as a prime consultant under the ISBEE provisions and also service as a subconsultant under the non-ISBEE provisions? | 11/3/23 | Yes | 11/3/23 |
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