NWHC_modernization_AE_QA_0001.docx

Questions and Answers - A&E services in support of the phased modernization of the USGS National Wildlife Health Center in Madison, WI Q1: Can we arrange a site visit?

A1: We are not offering site visits at this stage of the source selection. We may offer site visits to the short-listed contractors, if we think it would be helpful in making a final ranking. We will definitely hold a site visit with the selected contractor prior to entering the price negotiation phase.

Q2: What is the selection process? What will be the metrics for which the submissions will be evaluated? Is there a point or score system as part of the evaluation? Will there be a shortlist and interview?

A2: Evaluation criteria are on pages 8 and 9 of the terms and conditions document. Regarding the process, we are following the standard FAR 36.602 (selection of firms for architect-engineer contracts) process, which can be summarized as follows: Evaluate, short-list, interview, rank, select, negotiate.

Q3: What is the budget for the project?

A3: No comment.

Q4: Are there any minority participation requirements?

A4: There are no socioeconomic constraints, other than that the successful contractor (if a large business) will have to enter into a subcontracting plan with us which will become part of the contract.

Q5: Regarding the SF330, are there any requirements for limits on page count or minimum number of projects completed within a certain time frame?

A5: No.

Q6: Is it the intention of the SOW that there be a single commissioning agent covering both the design a construction phase services?

A6: Yes.

Q7: Please provide more detail on the period of performance including the anticipated schedule for the design and construction phase services.

A7: Unknown. The redacted master plan we have made available discusses several different phasing options. How we proceed is going to depend on several variables, including the results of environmental review, programming, conceptual planning, project budget, and timing of appropriations.

Q8: Will MEP commissioning be contracted directly through the AE?

Q9: Will the owner contract directly for material testing? Is the AE to provide material testing consultant recommendations as part of this RFQ process?

A8 and A9: Commissioning and special inspections (such as material testing) is included in the A&E’s scope. Per the SOW: “The commissioning scope and the special inspections scope must be subcontracted to third-party contractors and cannot be performed with in-house resources.” You should identify the proposed subcontractors as part of your submission.

Q10: Please clarify if hazardous abatement will be in the AE scope?

A10: Yes, as required for decommissioning and demolition.

Q11: Please Clarify if air quality is needed or desired?

A11: Yes.

Q12: Phasing of the design – Do firms submitting a response present three concepts as part of this RFQ process?

A12: No, this is not relevant to the selection process. We will discuss further with the selected firm at the negotiation phase.

Q13: Does the response require CPARS/PPQs accompanying the relevant projects?

A13: Not required but is a common practice. One of the evaluation criteria is: “Past performance/references on recent/relevant projects (including CPARS review).” We reserve the right to check reference and will review CPARS for (at minimum) overall trends and any negative reports, but if there’s something in your past performance record you’d like to highlight, don’t assume we will be able to find it on our own.

Q14: We assume that building envelope commissioning will be performed as it relates to the envelope’s water/air/vapor control, thermal layer, constructability, and durability. Please comment or clarify.

A14: Correct.

Q15: In addition to the tasks listed for envelope commissioning on pages 2 and 3, we’d like to verify if the following scope items are also desired based on referenced ASHRAE and NIBS guidelines:

a. Review OPR and BOD

b. Develop BECx specification section with testing matrix

c. Review DD (65%) and CD (95%) documents

d. Perform periodic construction administration site visits and observe testing with documentation

e. Provide close-out report and manual A15: Yes to all of the above.

Q16: We assume that the following items under “Section I Scope of Work” are not applicable to enclosure commissioning: Item B, Items D.f through D.h, and Item E. Please comment or clarify.

A16: Correct.

Q17: Section I, Item H identifies qualifications for the enclosure commissioning authority to include ASHRAE Building Commissioning Professional (BCxP). Will certification through the University of Wisconsin as a Building Enclosure Commissioning Process Provider (BECxP) and Accredited Commissioning Authority + Building Enclosure (CxA+BE) also be considered acceptable qualifications?

A17: Yes. We assume you are referring to Section II, paragraph H, “quality control” in Attachment 2, Exhibit A.

Q18: For BECx, we assume that Contractor QA checklists will be reviewed by the CxA (as opposed to developed by the CxA). Please clarify A18: Correct.

Q19: Are there plans for an off-site laboratory performance mock-up testing effort?

A19: TBD.

Q20: If there’s a third-party testing agency for onsite envelope tests, who will they be contracted with?

A20: All commissioning and special inspections/materials testing scope belongs to the A&E through subcontractors. Envelope testing could fall under either depending on the exterior design and what we are testing, e.g., concrete, masonry, window wall, metal panel systems, etc.

Q21: For the SF330 Part 1 Section A, which number should be inserted into “3. Solicitation or Project Number,” the request number (140G0322R0001) or the Requisition/Purchase Request Number (0040553810)?

A21: 140G0322R0001.

Q22: The Terms and Conditions Document provided has specific information requested from the bidding firm, specifically:

· Page 2, 52.209.7 (2) (b)

· Page 3, 52.209.13 (b) (1) or (2)

· Pages 6 – 7, 52.204.24 (2) (d) (1) and (2) Is this information required as part of the SF330 response or is it incorporated into the final contracting process? If required along with the SF330, should the Terms and Conditions document be included as part of the SF330 package? If so, should it be located as an appendix, after the SF330 Part IIs?

A22: This information is required as part of your initial response, yes. We suggest you reduce pages 2-7 to pdf, complete the appropriate check boxes, and return the file with your SF330 package. An appendix is fine, and so is just a separate attachment to your transmittal email.

Q23: The Cx SOW under item A. lists “HVAC&R systems, as they relate to energy, water, indoor environmental quality, and durability” and under item B. specifically “a. HVAC components and equipment. b. HVAC system: interaction of cooling, heating, and comfort delivery systems. c. Building Automation System (BAS): control hardware and software, sequence of operations, and integration of factory controls with BAS. d. Lighting Control System and interface with daylighting. e. Domestic hot water systems.”. Our understanding is that laboratory and/or vivarium equipment is not included in the Cx scope. Can you please confirm or clarify in case such equipment is included?

A23: Correct.

Q24: What are the specific percentage requirements that must be met for SBE/MBE/WBE/VBE/SDVOSB and HUB Zone participation? To follow up on that question, are these requirements measured as a percentage of the TOTAL professional services fee (Prime A/E plus all consultants) or just the PORTION of the total professional services fee that is paid to SBE/MBE/WBE/VBE/SDVOSB and HUB Zone consultants? There is reference in the RFP documents to requirements for SBE/MBE/WBE/VBE/SDVOSB and HUB Zone participation, and reference to DOI guidelines that describe the nature of these types of businesses, but we can find no information stating specific percentage requirements that must be met or exceeded.

A24: See #4.

END OF DOCUMENT

NWHC modernization A&E Q&A - Page 2 of 2 (Attachment 3)