Question_and_Answers_0001.docx

OMDP Interpretive Exhibit Design & Development 140L2222Q0013 Question and Answers

The solicitation asks for offerors to include a signed SF 1449 with their submission. Can you confirm that the signed SF 1449 is to be included in the PRICE volume of the submission and – if included in the PRICE volume – does not need to be included in the NON-PRICE (Technical) volume? May be submitted a s separate document of Volume One and Two.

You may submit as a separate document of Volume One and Two.

Solicitation section 52.212-3 (Page 29 of 46) indicates that offerors should complete only paragraph (b)…if the Offeror has completed the annual representations and certification…in SAM. Can you confirm that the completed paragraph (b) can be included in both the PRICE and NON-PRICE (Technical) volumes, or do you want us to include it only in one or the other (and, if so, which one)

You may submit as a separate document of Volume One and Two.

Solicitation section 52.212-1(b) (Page 23 of 46) says that “As a minimum, offers must show…” and the list includes item (8) “A completed copy of the representations and certifications at Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 62.212-3….” Can you confirm that if the offeror is up to date with their SAM registration and has included paragraph (b) referenced in solicitation section 52.212-3 and included that paragraph (b) in their proposal, they DO NOT need to include a full printout of the representations and certifications at FAR 52.212-3? If you do still want us to include a full and completed copy of the entire FAR 52.212-3, should we include it in the PRICE or the NON-PRICE (Technical) volume?

Yes, if SAM registration is up to date, the Contracting Officer will review in SAM.

The deadline for questions regarding this procurement is 7/19/22 and proposals are due 7/25/22. This is a very short time to accommodate any new aspects of the solicitation the Q&A might reveal. Can the proposal due date be extended by a week?

The solicitation time to provide a response is 15 days and the Q&A period is normally set to provide the end-user time to respond to the answer and time to prepare the amendment.

Is the July 14 site visit mandatory? It there an option for participating remotely? In the past year, some institutions have offered non-mandatory site visits where potential vendors can log on remotely via Zoom, TEAMS or another online platform and can participate in the site visit and also see the site. If this was possible for the July 14 site visit, that would be outstanding.

Site Visit is not mandatory and we will not be offering a virtual site meeting.

On the page labeled “Page 28 of 46” under “Qualifications of Personnel (20%)” you list key staff including: Project Manager, Fabrication Manager, Graphic Manager, Installation Manager, but it it our understanding that fabrication and installation are specifically NOT part of the scope of work. Can you provide an updated list of key staff? We would expect that Project Manager and Graphic Designer, Exhibit Designer, Content Developer and/or Exhibit Writer/Researcher would likely be key personnel. Is that a correct assumption?

The assumption is correct, the Fabrication and Installation Manager do not need to be part of the list of key staff.

How set is the exhibit floor plan shown in the RFP. Is this something that we should consider set in stone or are you open to other approaches?

The exhibit floor plan and layout in the public space area can be open for discussion.

Can you confirm the square footage for the interpretive exhibit space? There is mention of 4,500 SF of space “to accommodate interpretive exhibits, educational activity space, visitor services space and public areas.” How much of this space is allocated for the interpretive exhibits covered in the project scope of work?

The 4500 square feet is in reference to the building size but the interpretive displays would be focused to the public space and reception areas illustrated in Figure 2 of the SOW. Estimated square footage of 2,400+ square feet.

There is mention of an activity space. Is this mainly for programming or will the selected vendor be designing exhibits for this space?

Activity space is in reference to interpretive programming (presentations) that can be held inside the building for the proposed exhibits. The vendor will design exhibits for all public use space areas.

Other than the floorplan, has any work been done envisioning or conceptualizing the exhibit and thematic areas? If so, can you share these materials.

No other work has been done for interpretive concepts or themes.

Has an architect firm been selected for the new construction? Where in the design/build process is the construction work and will we be able to coordinate with the architect during the building design phase?

A firm has not been selected for the new remodel. The plan is to have both the building remodel and new exhibit layout plan completed to move forward to another phase of building and interpretive exhibit construction.

The RFP states: “Content of the exhibit will be created through collaboration between BLM representatives and the contractor.” Who is responsible for developing and writing the exhibit script and label copy text for interpretive graphics and media pieces? Who is responsible for researching and sourcing image assets?

The contractor will be responsible for all those tasks. The BLM staff may participate in answering questions for specific subject matter or coordination with other agencies for collections or photos, etc.

Does BLM have an archive of images, illustrations, photographs, and video assets that it owns the rights to that the exhibit/graphic design can utilize? Do you expect that the designer needs to create original artwork such as maps or illustrations during the design process?

The BLM will be able to create/provide maps and can provide a large number of photographs. Illustrations and/or specific graphic design elements aside from BLM specific symbology/graphics should be created by the contractor.

Do you have a catalog or database of your collection? Can you share it?

There is no online/accessible database or catalog for any collections that is share ready.

Budget parameters:

What is the design-to or Exhibit Fabrication Budget?

Budget information cannot be provided.

Is this solicitation/project fully funded?

Only the design portion for exhibit concept/design is funded. Once interpretive exhibit design is completed, the BLM will seek funding for all construction aspects of the project.

Section 52.212-2 (Evaluation) makes clear that the Evaluation Factors apply to the Non-Pricing (Technical) volume of our proposal. In the evaluation factor of “Understanding the Scope of Work and Technical Approach” can you confirm that the direction that “Vendors are encouraged to submit different price ranges and quality ranges to provide BLM an idea of the different types of renderings with varying design elements and layouts and the different price ranges associated with these” means that in an “Approach” section of our Non-Price (Technical) proposal volume, we should submit examples of design packages that align with the three design phases identified in Task 3 of the DSNA Interpretive Design SOW (to be completed days 120 - 426 of the period of performance):

* Spatial Layout and Concept Design;

* Intermediate Spatial Layout, Concept, and Content Design; and

* Final Design and that BLM would prefer us to submit samples representing multiple projects such that the samples demonstrate the type of work completed for a specific phase for a particular price range.

For example, we might include an initial phase design sample that represents a project at the lower end of a budget range; an intermediate phase design sample that represents a project at the middle of a budget range; and a final design sample that represents a project at the higher end of the budget range. Is that a correct interpretation of this reference?

Whether or not I’ve correctly interpreted the price range request, can you clarify what BLM means by different “quality ranges”?

An example would be: if taxidermy displays are not an option, a cutout in shape and size of that animal/object could be produced in place for an exhibit.

Finally, if we’re showing design samples reflecting a range of design elements and components and representing different budget ranges, but submitting a firm-fixed price in our PRICE proposal, how is it going to work that “At time of award the Government will select one of the quoted price ranges and quality ranges for contract award. The proposed technical approach for fulfilling the statement of work must demonstrate familiarity and high level proficiency in understanding exhibit design needs”?

To further simplify, are you requesting that we submit multiple price ranges in our PRICE proposal that are reflective of multiple design samples in our TECHNICAL (Non-Price) proposal and are connected to multiple approach narratives (one for each price range)? If so, we would request that instead of asking us to provide a range of hypothetical design budgets and multiple samples of different design styles and approaches, that the BLM provide us with a build-to budget (or a build-to budget range) that reflects the actual project fabrication/production/installation budget. That way, the BLM will be better served by getting “apples to apples” proposals from the offerors and the offerors will be doing a proposal focused on the actual project parameters.

-We are asking that the proposed price ranges be included in the final products for whoever is selected, it is not necessary for this proposal at this time. The BLM would like to have a high, mid, and low cost option for the final fabrication and installation phase.

1) Do you have an overall budget, including fabrication, for the project?

Budget information cannot be provided.

2) You ask for qualifications for specific personnel including the Fabrication manager and the Installation manager. Are these roles required for a design-only contract?

Those two positions are not required at this time.

3) You mention that the new exhibit should be "interactive". Can you describe your vision for the new visitor experience? Do you expect electronic/computer-based interactives or other more mechanical interactives?

Electronic components such as touchscreen exhibits over a specific topic, relief map of the monument with interactive buttons to light up areas, peaks, landmarks, etc.

Will the remodeled building's infrastructure support power and data connections often required for these "high tech" interactives, or would you like the design contractor to suggest building upgrades as part of the design process?

Building upgrades for the anticipated interpretive exhibits have been identified/outlined in the blueprints for the proposed interior remodel of the building.

Does the 4500 square feet area of the remodeled building include the office, restroom and utility areas? Or, what portion of the 4500 SQ will the design contractor be focused on?

The 4500 square feet is in reference to the building size but the interpretive displays would be focused to the public space and reception areas illustrated in Figure 2 of the SOW. Estimated square footage of 2,400+ square feet.

Will the design contractor be responsible for preparing any bid package documents beyond the final design,? for example, production-ready graphics or CAD/construction documentation drawings?

Yes. The idea is to have all final design documents including things such as interpretive panels, signs, displays, etc. in production-ready files to follow with a build and install contract.

7) Will the design include any outdoor signage or trailside graphics. for example, at La Cueva/the Cave?

No, the design is only for the interior of the visitor center building.