B01_-_Synopsis_of_Proposed_contract_Activity_(AE_Synopsis_Amended)_3.pdf

SYNOPSIS FOR ARCHITECT-ENGINEER SEVICES (A-E),

Design Replacement of the Charivari Creek Bridge at Felsenthal NWR

And River Road Bridge at the Pond Creek NWR Bridge Architect-Engineer Design

I. CONTRACT INFORMATION

A. General

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) requires professional architect-engineer services to complete the design for replacement of the Charivari Creek Bridge at the Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge and the River Road Bridge at the Pond Creek National Wildlife Refuge.

The work will also include an option for Construction Administrative (Title III) Services for each bridge construction phase. The Government anticipates procuring construction services in Fiscal Year 2028 or Fiscal Year 2029.

This A/E contract is being procured in accordance with the Selection of Architects and Engineers statute as implemented in Part 36 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). Firms will be selected for negotiation based on demonstrated competence and qualifications for the required work.

B. Type of Contract (AE) A firm-fixed-price Architect-Engineer (A/E) contract will be negotiated. The estimated construction budget for the project is approximately $4,100,000, consisting of approximately $1,100,000 for the Charivari Creek Bridge replacement and approximately $3,000,000 for the Pond Creek River Road Bridge replacement. The A/E contract is anticipated to be awarded in September 2026, with design completed within 456 calendar days after Notice to Proceed. Service Contract Labor Standards may apply to the resultant contract depending on the labor categories required to perform.

C. Competition One (1) firm will be selected for negotiation based on demonstrated competence and qualifications for the required work. The North American Industry Classification System code is 541330, which has a size standard of $25.5M. This announcement is open to all small businesses under the size standard.

D. System for Award Management SAM registration must be current at time of offer submission and must remain valid through award. If SAM registration lapses during the solicitation and evaluation period, the offer will no longer be eligible for award. For instructions on registering with SAM see the SAM website at https://www.sam.gov/.

https://www.sam.gov/

II. SELECTION PROCESS

A. Selection for Negotiation In accordance with FAR Subpart 36.6, the USFWS will select firms using the procedure set forth in:

(1) In accordance with FAR 36.602-3(a), USFWS will review the Standard Form (SF) 330’s submitted in response to this synopsis. USFWS will also review the past performance questionnaire and any available data from the Contractor Performance Assessment Report System. Past Performance Questionnaires must be completed in their entirety by the interested firm’s clients and sent directly to the government POC.

(2) In accordance with FAR 36.6 specifically FAR 36.602-1 Selection Criteria, the Government will make the selection decision based on all the Primary Selection Criteria as set forth in greater detail in this synopsis. By performing this evaluation, USFWS will determine at least three (3) firms determined to be the most highly qualified.

(3) In accordance with FAR 36.602-3(c), USFWS will hold discussions with at least three (3) of the most highly qualified firms regarding concepts and the relative utility of alternative methods of furnishing the required services described in this synopsis. Those three (3) firms will be interviewed by the same method (telephone, video teleconference). Firms will be asked similar questions about their experience, capabilities, capacity, organization, management, quality control procedures, and/or approach for the project, as appropriate.

(4) Based on the above, in accordance with FAR 36.602-3(d), USFWS will determine the most highly qualified to perform the required services described in this synopsis.

III. PROJECT INFORMATION

See the scope of work.

IV. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

A. General Instructions Interested firms having the capabilities to perform this work must submit one (1) electronic copy of SF 330 Part 1, and one (1) electronic copy of SF 330 Part II for the prime firm and all consultants, to the email address below by no later than October 2, 2026 by 5:00 p.m.

(EDT) unless changed by amendment. Qualifications shall be submitted via email to Ian Young at Ian_Young@ios.doi.gov.

(1) Acceptable electronic formats are Adobe Portable Document format (.pdf); or Microsoft

Word Document version 2007 or later (.docx).

(2) No single file may exceed 13 Megabytes (MB) in size. Files which exceed this limit must be separated using the following naming convention:

a. Firm Name, SF-330 Part {I or II, Volume {x of n}.

b. Example: “Wayne Enterprises, SF-330 Part I, Volume 1 of 3”

(3) The SF330 Part 1 shall not exceed 50 pages (8.5 inches by 11 inches), including no more than 5 pages for Section H. Each side of a sheet of paper is a page.

mailto:Ian_Young@ios.doi.gov Ian Young Highlight

(4) Use no smaller than 12 font type. Include the firm’s Unique Entity Identifier number in SF 330, Part I, Section H.

(5) Information required to be submitted in the SF-330 may not be incorporated by reference.

(6) Submit all documents to the primary point of contact listed in this notice.

(7) No hyperlinks should be provided. All documents should be provided with your submission.

B. Supplemental Instructions Facsimile transmissions will not be accepted. Solicitation packages are not provided, and no additional project information will be given to firms during the announcement period.

This notice is a Request for Qualifications; it is not a request for Proposal (RFP).

Notice to Offeror(s): The Government reserves the right to cancel this public announcement, either before or after the closing date. In the event the Government cancels this public announcement, the Government has no obligation to reimburse an offeror for any costs.

C. Attachments (All attachments can be found using the following link: https://fws-fileshare.box.com/s/t2ltg24xrc1t02lnvheqwu2exn6l62re

(1) Past Performance Questionnaire

(2) SF330 – Architect-Engineer (A-E) Qualifications Form

(3) Scope of Work

(4) Charivari Creek Bridge Inspection and Appraisal Report

(5) River Road Bridge Inspection and Appraisal Report

(6) Price Schedule

(7) General Requirements

(8) Survey Existing Geotech

(9) Deliverables

V. SELECTION CRITERIA

The selection criteria for this project are listed below. Each of the listed criterion are of equal importance. Criteria A through E are the primary criterion.

A. Professional Qualifications The United States Fish and Wildlife Service will consider any information which may be pertinent to this criterion, including but not limited to the following:

(1) Proposed key personnel (reference primary discipline list below), professional registration, certifications, training, overall and relevant experience, education, longevity with the company.

(2) Project team shall be led by a firm with various key engineering consultants and other professional services as required.

https://fws-fileshare.box.com/s/t2ltg24xrc1t02lnvheqwu2exn6l62re https://fws-fileshare.box.com/s/t2ltg24xrc1t02lnvheqwu2exn6l62re

(3) Key personnel shall be permanent employees of their respective firm/team rather than temporary “contract” employee arrangements. Failure to provide a balanced workforce in the disciplines listed could result in the firm being considered unqualified.

(4) The combined qualifications of the proposed staff will be evaluated for their ability to deliver a complete, constructible, and technically sound bridge design package.

(5) The combination of criteria below will be used to determine the ability of the staff to contribute to the successful completion of project work.

(6) Positions requiring licensure must hold active registration in the State of Arkansas. The following disciplines are required for this project:

a. Civil engineering

b. Cost estimating

c. Geotechnical engineering

d. Structural engineering

e. Environmental Engineer

f. Hydrology and Hydraulics

g. Cost Estimator

h. Project Manager

B. Specialized Experience and Technical Competence

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service will consider any information which may be pertinent to this criterion, including the following:

(1) Specialized experience and technical competence in the performance of services similar to those anticipated under this contract.

(2) Civil engineering design and planning experience with bridges and culverts.

(3) Design Experience in various disciplines, including:

a. Civil

b. Geotechnical

c. Hydrologist

d. Life/safety

e. Structural

f. Utility systems (If applicable)

C. Capacity to Perform

(1) Demonstrate how the firm(s) will manage, coordinate, and administer the work within the prime and among any teaming partners.

(2) Teaming partners to be included by the prime firm in their response should be clearly identified as such, for evaluation purposes, and will later be agreed to during negotiations of any resultant contract.

(3) The United States Fish and Wildlife Service will consider any information which may be pertinent to this criterion, including the following:

a. Capacity to perform work in-house and with teaming members.

b. Demonstrate active, on-going Federal and non-Federal work (address current dollar value of work, number of current projects, management approach to your on-going work, and how the team will support the work requirements outlined in this synopsis in addition to current work).

c. Greater consideration will be given to Offerors who provide quantitative data to support an assertion of sufficient work-load capacity.

D. Past Performance

(1) Provide example projects for past performance. In addition to past performance project information provided, the Government’s evaluation may include information available within the USFWS, Federal, state, private industry, or other sources.

(2) Responses will be evaluated to determine firms’ ability to maintain cost, schedule, quality, and customer satisfaction.

a. Example Projects: Submit example design projects in narrative format that highlight the experience factors listed above. Narratives shall be supported with illustrations or photographs of completed projects. Each design project example narrative shall not exceed five (5) pages.

Note: The attached Past Performance Questionnaire Template must be used.

b. All experience factors do not have to be included in a single project. The offeror may submit multiple projects to demonstrate experience in all relevant types of work, however, do not submit less than four (4) projects, and no more than eight (8) projects total. For submittal purposes, if a completed ID/IQ task order is submitted, the completed task order would be considered a “project”. DO NOT list an ID/IQ contract as an example of a completed “project”. Instead list the relevant completed task order(s) or single/stand-alone contract.

c. The narratives of example projects must show contract number, issuing agency, project name, a current point of contact (including telephone and email information); project scope, size, and location; design fees, total number of modifications or change orders issued during performance of project; date of project completion, construction cost estimate, principle design elements and features;

complexity of the job, challenges faced and actions taken; and the resolution and results of any challenges faced.

d. If known, list the construction contract award price, and the total number of construction contract modifications/change orders and their total value.

e. Example projects may be from the private or public sector; however, USWFS/DOI projects may be rated higher. Projects completed more recently will be evaluated more advantageously. The design of all example projects must have been completed within the past four (4) years, each having a construction value between $1,000,000 to $4,000,000.

f. The evaluation will consider the relevancy (design and construction scope, magnitude, and location) of example projects submitted, and give greater weigh to those projects deemed most like the project for which the design team is being rated. Relevancy will be determined against the criteria described in this section of the Evaluation Criteria.

Examples of work submitted that do not meet requirements specified here will not be evaluated.

g. Failure to provide requested data, accessible points of contact or valid phone numbers could result in a firm being considered less qualified and eliminated from further consideration. Identify any key personnel that worked on the projects and their role.

Specialized experience and technical competency will be evaluated for ability to support the range of work required for this contract, as demonstrated by firm’s submitted projects.

E. Knowledge of the Location In single page narrative, demonstrate the Architectural firm and respective team of consultants’ familiarity with local conditions, to include knowledge of and experience dealing with the regulatory agencies; geological features; logistics; climate conditions; and local design and construction methods.

F. Selection Ratings

Outstanding Submittal meets requirements and indicates an exceptional approach and understanding of the requirements. Submittal contains multiple strengths and no weaknesses or deficiencies.

Very Good Submittal meets requirements and indicates a thorough approach and understanding of the requirements. Submittal contains at least one strength, may have a few weaknesses, but has no deficiencies.

Acceptable Submittal meets requirements and indicates an adequate approach and understanding of the requirements. Submittal has no strengths, does have weaknesses, but has no deficiencies.

Unacceptable Submittal does not clearly meet requirements and has multiple or significant weaknesses and deficiencies

VI. QUESTIONS AND INQUIRIES ABOUT THIS SYNOPSIS

All inquiries regarding this synopsis are to be submitted via email to Ian Young at Ian_Young@ios.doi.gov. Any questions, whether technical or contractual in nature, shall be submitted in writing by 2:00 p.m. (EDT) on August 14, 2026.

Responses to inquiries will be posted to https://www.sam.gov by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, August 17, 2026. All respondents will be held to have reviewed the questions and responses in www.sam.gov prior to qualification submission. Nothing in the request for qualifications is changed unless and amendment is posted to www.sam.gov mailto:Ian_Young@ios.doi.gov https://sam.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/