B09_Solicitation_Amendment_Question_and_Answer_Attachment_0001.pdf

Sign Project Phase 2 Solicitation 140F1B24Q0005

Question and Answers 4/18/24

1. Past Performance: Contractor’s past performance will be evaluated using CPARS and

FAPIIS.

Given that this might be my inaugural bid and I lack specific past performance records on Sam.gov, I wanted to ask whether this would automatically disqualify me from eligibility for the project. Would you advise on whether I should proceed with submitting a bid without a Sam.gov past performance record?

Answer: Not having a record of past performance in CPARs or FAPIIS will not automatically disqualify an offeror. It will, however, come into play as a score under Factor 2 – Performance. Please review the Factor 2 - Performance under Section M of the solicitation. Under “Acceptable” it notes:

“Performance meets contractual requirements. The contractual performance of the element or sub-element contains some minor problems for which corrective actions taken by the contractor appear or were satisfactory OR if there is no CPARS data available (neutral).

Point value – 3”

The Government is not in a position to advise firms to submit or not submit offers as the firm itself is in the best position to understand how it may be evaluated and how competitors could be evaluated before expending time and resources to respond.

Nonetheless, the Government would like to obtain as many competitive quotes as practical.

2. We have a few questions that we will need cleared up before we can proceed on your RFQ.

First, what does ‘AA’ stand for? We think it means ‘animal ambassador’. Is this true? If not, then what? Do you have the ‘AA’ images to provide to us?

Answer: AA does mean "Animal Ambassador." This artwork is in production. I can provide samples if helpful.

3. Second. I’m looking at the ‘Pacific NW’ tab of the attachment 3 spreadsheet. For SIGN- 24218, you have listed ‘Attwater's prairie chicken’ under ‘CurrentAAChoice’ and ‘Request new ambassador only’ under ‘AASelectOption’. What does all of that mean? Please explain.

Answer: These fields are being used in our process to produce additional artwork for the project. New ambassador is artwork that is in queue for illustration. All artwork will be ready-to-print in time for fabrication and will be completed by others. All artwork is being produced using a template. Representative examples can be provided if needed.

4. Then there are some signs on that same tab that don’t have anything in the ‘CurrentAAChoice’ column, but ‘Continue with selected ambassador’ in the ‘AASelectOption’ column. For example, SIGN-24320. What is the ‘selected ambassador’ for this sign?

Answer: This spreadsheet was created as an output from a sign builder app. In the case of 24320, the respondent did not complete the form correctly, but placed their answer in the "Current AAJustification" field. This sign will have a cinnamon teal as an animal ambassador. The requiring official or COR will correct oddities like this when they appear.

5. There are other signs that are on that same tab that don’t have anything in the ‘CurrentAAChoice’ column, but ‘Request new ambassador only’ in the ‘AASelectOption’ column. For example, SIGN- 24351. What is the ‘requested new ambassador’?

Answer: Kealia Pond NWR is requesting an animal that was not on the original art production list and FWS is working with them to determine if another species may fulfill their need. The requiring official or COR will provide the final artwork in time for production.

6. Last thing. What are the 8 ‘other’ sign types for Bon Secour all about? Are they just footer signs? Please explain.

Answer: The guidance that was given to field sites for providing this data specified "96x12" as the standard footer size. These are 48x12. Some sites specified 48x12 signs as footers and others used "other."

7. We are performing independent research on the Combined Synopsis/Solicitation (140F1B24Q0005). We would like to know if this is a brand new contract OR if there is (was) an incumbent performing these services. If not brand new, could you please provide the current / previous contract number? Appreciate any insight you can provide.

Answer: The subject effort is Phase 2, following the Phase 1 award under purchase order number 140F1B23P0008.

8. Please confirm that 3/4" HDO and .080 Aluminum signs graphics are printed on 3M reflective vinyl as described in Sign handbook page 83 of 162.

a. Substrates:

i. High Density Overlay 5/8″ Plywood (HDO)

ii. Aluminum .080 gauge

iii. Poly-metal 6mm

b. Specific Vinyl Information:

i. EGP (Engineer Grade Prismatic)

ii. 3M series, 3430

iii. Type I, Reflective

iv. Off-road signage, parking lot, etc.

v. HIP (High Intensity Prismatic)

c. 3M series, 3930

i. Type IV, Reflective

ii. Roads, traffic control signs

Answer: Yes. All graphics are to be printed on reflective vinyl. The sign handbook specifies 3430 series from 3M but proposals may suggest alternative substrates that may provide better readability, better longevity, better representation of graphics, or other benefits identified by the prospective vendor so long as the product is suitable as roadside signage.

9. Can we ship all releases at any time during the contract period? For example if we have completed Release 1 ( regions 1,2,8) and release 2 ( regions 3 and the Hatcheries) before the Region 1 release days of 270. Can we ship both releases?

Answer: The delivery requirements are specified a contract line item numbers 00010, 00020, 00030 as noted in Section F. Each of those have specific delivery requirements, respectively 9 months ARO, 12 months ARO, and 16 months ARO. The contractor is free to ship earlier than the minimum required date for the line items (upon meeting the initial milestones in the SOW), but it must meet the delivery date for each respective line item.

10. If question 1 is true, as the contract is a lump sum per release, can we assume that we can apply for payment on shipped and delivered releases?

Answer: Payment will be IAW all associated payment clauses to include the IPP referenced in Section G as well as FAR 52.212-4. Notwithstanding, as a lumpsum payment by line item, the Government intended on paying after receipt of the signs for each item. Thus, there wouldn’t be partial invoicing for deliveries as they occur. Once item 00010 is completed, the contractor would submit the invoice for payment. Upon completion of item 00020, it would submit the invoice for payment. However, if partial deliveries under 00020 are made, for example, simultaneous to those under 00010, there would be no partial payments for 00020 until the signage has been delivered.

The Phase 1 effort had one line item to accommodate the orders. Phase 2 broke it out into three approximately equal and separate line item/deliverables to provide better streams of funding for contractors, as well as an improved ability of the Government to monitor performance.