Amendment_0010_-_Questions_and_Answers_0010.docx

Solicitation 140F0521R0003 Amendment #0010 Questions and Answers

1. Revised Solicitation Terms and Conditions, H.15 Travel, “All travel will be reimbursed completed in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) and per diem rates for each locality visited.” Please clarify whether travel will be reimbursed as part of the overall fixed price task order or will be a cost reimbursable portion of the task order.

USFWS Response The task orders issued under the MATOC will all be fixed price.

2. The Submission Requirements in the Request for Labor Rates letter only requires that the Labor Rates Spreadsheet and Data Entry form be submitted. The Revised Solicitation Terms and Conditions includes Section K – Representations, Certifications, and Other Statements of Bidders. Please clarify whether firms should submit Section K.

USFWS Response A completed section K should be submitted as well.

3. For the Labor Rates, please confirm that labor categories can be added, and labor category levels (ie, junior, mid, senior) can be added.

USFWS Response The pricing for the labor categories we have provided are required. Additional labor categories can be submitted as well.

4. For the Labor Rates, please confirm that a single rate for all states/locations is acceptable (ie, and separate rates for each state are not required).

USFWS Response A single rate sheet can be submitted, given the rates are the same for each state. However, firm must list the state/locations of coverage.

5. Please advise as to the anticipated award date. This is needed to most accurately estimate the labor rates.

USFWS Response Once phase 2 submissions have been received, we anticipate awards being made 6-8 weeks later.

6. Would it be possible to obtain the changes to the two documents, “Revised Solicitation Terms & Conditions” and “Description of Work”?

USFWS Response See the attached document.

7. There are employee classifications on the labor rate form and we noted that we can incorporate additional classifications if necessary. However, there will be some classifications (like Civil Engineer) that might be used by us and a consultant. And those rates might be different. Should we use the higher of the two, create a separate category for consultant, or other? Please advise.

USFWS Response Create a separate category

8. Does U.S. Fish and Wildlife have a requirement that the escalation rate be derived from the published CPI of ECI rate? Some of our federal contracts have had this stipulation.

USFWS Response Use escalation rate derived from the published CPI of ECI rate

9. I’m unclear if all the subconsultants should appear on the same worksheet, or if each sub will have their own worksheet page (per state). Otherwise, it appears that we will all use the same escalation rate shown on the top of the form.

USFWS Response This is acceptable

10. The RFP asks for labor rates and the spreadsheet asks for “Fully Loaded Labor Rates”.

Is the intent for profit/fee to be included in the labor rates submitted, or will that be negotiated on a Task Order basis?

USFWS Response Fully Loaded Labor Rates shall consist of:

· Labor Category hourly rate

· Employee Burden (Employer Cost) hourly rate

· Overhead hourly rate

11. We are the prime consultant and have two subconsultants. If we find that the rates for our firm, and our two subconsultants, are about the same for each labor category, should we propose average category rates to be used by all three partner firms?

USFWS Response No. Provide the actual rates that will be used to provide task order pricing. Subconsultants rates can be added to the spreadsheet but firms must identify them as such.

12. Does the USFWS have a standard pricing template that will be used for the IDIQ task orders and if so, can you please provide this template for review?

USFWS Response We do not.

13. Our firm is in the final stages of the negotiation phase on a separate federal IDIQ solicitation. Our intent is to use those same negotiated fully-burdened labor rates for this solicitation response where applicable. Can the same categories / labor rates negotiated and recently approved by a different DOI agency be accepted without further negotiation for this solicitation?

USFWS Response No. All rates proposed will be reviewed and negotiated if necessary.

14. Given projected economic conditions, will the US FWS accept a 5% annual escalation for Option Years 1-4?

USFWS Response Use your most accurate projection.

15. Our team does not have different labor rates or escalation for the different states selected in our initial RFP response. Do we need to fill out 10 identical forms?

USFWS Response No. However firms must identify which states the labor rates cover and complete the form.

16. If a firm has only one location but is licensed in multiple jurisdictions, is a single rate sheet for all the states that were listed on their geographic location form acceptable.

USFWS Response A single rate sheet can be submitted, given the rates are the same for each state. However, firm must list the state/locations of coverage.

17. If a firm has offices in multiple states that were listed on their geographic location form but not all the states, would a blended rate sheet be acceptable for those states where they do not have a physical office.

USFWS Response Provide the rates your that your firm will use to provide task order pricing.

18. The Request for Proposal document indicates that firms are required to submit the Data Entry Form. Can you clarify whether this form is required for just the Prime firm or do you want completed forms for all of the sub-firms on the team as well?

USFWS Response The form is required so the government has a main point of contact during the lifetime of the contract. Please provide information that ensures the primary point of contact can be communicated with.

19. We’ve been asked to submit labor rates for this solicitation. The spreadsheet with labor categories did not include surveyors. Should we include rates for a professional land surveyor or field survey crews?

USFWS Response We are only requiring labor rates for the positions stated.

20. Will there be a kickoff meeting for this contract?

USFWS Response There will be a kick off meeting and that information will be provided at the appropriate time.

21. Regarding the RFP Labor Rates spreadsheet, a note at the bottom states the above categories are required. Not all of these categories match up with what we typically provide. For example, “Data Entry” is a category that we have never used, but we assume is similar to “Specification Writer”. Are we able to rename categories? Can we put N/A on one, then add a category separately?

USFWS Response If a labor category name does not line up with what your firm uses, please add your applicable labor category naming convention with ours. For example, “Data Entry/Specification Writer.”

22. Please provide clarification on the contract capacity for awardees per state/area. I’ve read the statement that the “total contract amount is estimated at $50 million over 5 years.” And I’ve read the Q&A documents, with Q1’s answer stating, “Each contract awarded will have a ceiling of $50 million.” However, with SLA+Cyntergy JV having indicated the states of Texas and Oklahoma, does that mean we potentially can have one contract up to $50M over 5 years for projects in Texas and Oklahoma? Or potentially a contract up to $50M over 5 years for projects in Texas, and also a contract up to $50M over 5 years for projects in Oklahoma?

USFWS Response Firms selected will receive one contract award inclusive of all states they were selected for with a ceiling limit of $50 million over 5 years. The $50 million over 5 years is not for each states it is for each individual contract.

23. Item H.3 in the Revised Solicitation Terms and Conditions states, “Typical task orders may range between (estimated) $3,500 to $1,000,000.” Pretty sure that means the task order design fees may range from $3,500 to $1,000,00 and not construction values. Please confirm.

USFWS Response That is correct. The values represent the design fees, not construction values.

24. If one of the firms that we are using as a subcontractor does not have a Cage code yet, do we not qualify for further consideration during this Phase II process? Or if they start the process of getting a Cage Code now can we say this on their form to show that they have the “ability to obtain all professional qualifications…” in accordance with L.2 “Required Requirements” of the revised Solicitation Terms and Conditions.

USFWS Response The final contract award will be with the Prime Firm and not with your subconsultants. The Prime Firm must have a cage code. Your firm still qualifies for further consideration under these circumstances.

25. Does the government intend to use the full capacity of all the contracts under this award?

USFWS Response We intend to award as many task order under this MATOC as necessary to fulfill the mission.

26. The rate spreadsheet has tabs for ten states. Is it the government looking for one set of team rates applicable across all states or are we to set rates individually for different states if there’s a reason to do so? We generally work with one set of rates no matter what state on other federal contracts.

USFWS Response A single rate sheet can be submitted, if your firms’ rates are the same for each state. However, firm must list the state/locations of coverage.

27. Our marketing team selected states (Appendix B of our proposal) apparently based on where our team members have offices. We actually work in many states not selected. Are we able to expand that and be considered in additional states?

USFWS Response No.

28. As we have proposed multiple consulting firms, each with differing rates for labor categories including Project Principal, Project Manager, CADD Technician, Data Entry and others, do you want these individual rates for each consultant or an average, highest rate or something else? Please clarify.

USFWS Response Provide the actual rates that would be used to provide task order pricing. Offerors can add subconsultant rates to the spreadsheet.

29. What is the allowable profit margin, percentage range?

USFWS Response FAR 15.404-4 (c)(4)(B) For architect-engineer services for public works or utilities, the contract price or the estimated cost and fee for production and delivery of designs, plans, drawings, and specifications shall not exceed 6 percent of the estimated cost of construction of the public work or utility, excluding fees.

30. Are reimbursables included in the Fully Loaded Rates?

USFWS Response No.

31. For the requested one spreadsheet, are you looking for each of team member to map their rates to common labor categories? For instance, Civil Engineer – if we expand to Senior Civil, Mid Civil, and Junior Civil and include rates, that lets say “Prime Firm A” and “Subconsultant B” staff fit into then we essentially have a blended rate for each of the 3 labor categories. This is an easy enough approach but if you request backup documentation for these rates in the future that would be problematic to provide since multiple team members are using the same blended rate. This is basically the method we used for a previous USFWS AE IDIQ, though we fit our rates to a prescribes set of labor categories without modification. To clarify, we can provide backup and justification (if required) for any blended rates proposed, it just becomes a little tricky when more than one team member is mapped to the same proposed labor category rate. Also, as per rates spreadsheet provided by FWS it is assumed that all provided labor categories are to be included and expanded upon, as necessary.

USFWS Response Provide the actual rates that would be used to provide task order pricing. Offerors can add subconsultant rates to the spreadsheet if needed.

32. Alternatively, we could provide the same 3 Civil Engineer categories – Senior, Mid and Junior, for example, that “Prime Firm A” and “Subconsultant B” map their rates to separately. This would allow for providing backup from each team member using those labor categories should it be requested. This can be combined into a single spreadsheet but would be repeating some labor categories in instances where team members are each providing separate rates for the same labor category, such as Civil Engineering. This is the method that NPS uses but the rate spreadsheet would have tabs for each consultant (vs. combined into single spreadsheet) for each contract year.

Provide the actual rates that would be used to provide task order pricing. Offerors can add subconsultant rates to the spreadsheet if needed.

33. Solicitation Terms & Conditions, Pages 19 of 36 and 24 of 36 have some checkboxes to fill in. Are we to check these boxes and return these T&C’s with our rate schedule?

USFWS Response If a Firms SAM registration is complete and up to date then these items should already be completed in your SAM reports and need not be submitted again.

34. SF330 Updates: Is it possible to update the SF330 from time to time (periodically) with updated or supplemental information, since over the five-year term contract, additional or new information may be available for the firm?

USFWS Response Yes. For each Option Year, the Government will request any updates to each awardee’s SF 330 and will be kept in the Governments contract file.

35. We have some overlapping functions with our subconsultants. Should we submit a separate rate schedule for each of our subconsultants or would the Government prefer a single rate for each discipline?

USFWS Response Provide the actual rates that would be used to provide task order pricing. Offerors can add subconsultant rates to the spreadsheet if needed.

36. Would the Government like us to provide rates for the senior, mid-level, and junior personnel for select disciplines or should we provide a single rate for each professionally licensed person?

USFWS Response Provide the actual rates that would be used to provide task order pricing.

37. Some of our subconsultants operate nationwide and thus only have one rate per labor category. Will one rate across each of our ten proposed states be acceptable?

USFWS Response Yes. Provide the actual rates that would be used to provide task order pricing. Offerors can add subconsultant rates to the spreadsheet if needed.

38. Our contractors are submitting different rates for various categories. We would like to submit different rates for both the prime and each of our subconsultants, is this acceptable to FWS?

USFWS Response Yes. Provide the actual rates that would be used to provide task order pricing. Offerors can add subconsultant rates to the spreadsheet if needed.

39. Will phase 2 negotiations and potential subsequent task order contracts be evaluated based on the rates of the prime firm or their subconsultants?

USFWS Response All rates submitted will be evaluated to determine mutually satisfactory rates.

40. What are the next steps in the negotiation process after our phase 2 rate submittals?

USFWS Response We will review your rates to determine if further negotiation is required.

41. Our team includes several types of inspectors, each project type specific and at different rates. Please clarify the job description of the required category "project inspector" (Cell A25 on the Request for Proposed Labor Rates.xlsx)

If a labor category name does not line up with what your firm uses, please add your applicable labor category naming convention with ours. For example, “Data Entry/Specification Writer.”