C02 Attachment 5 - Questions and Answers_3.docx

Notice ID: 140R2021R0002 Questions and Answers Question 1: In the solicitation under selection criteria there is a heavy focus on geotechnical expertise (“geotechnical design,” “subsurface explorations,” “inspection services”). Yet in the PWS, geotechnical work is only referenced in Task 4.1. How will Reclamation choose the right contractor to provide hydraulics, channel design, NEPA, permitting, fisheries, etc. which seem to be the bulk of the work if the selection criteria do not include these specialty areas?

Answer: Section 4 Selection Criteria of the notice description has been modified to read as follows:

“(1) Professional Qualifications: The evaluation will consider experience, registration, overall relevant environmental, hydraulic, channel design, NEPA, and engineering experience as well as experience working in the California Bay-Delta with relevant projects, and longevity with the firm.

(2) Specialized Experience: The evaluation will consider specialized experience in performing:

(i) Hydraulics work.

(ii) Channel design.

(iii) Compliance with NEPA requirements and permitting.

(iv) Familiarity with fish and river habitats and fisheries.”

Please refer to amended notice posting for more information. All changes are highlighted in yellow.

Question 2: The “Description of Work” heading under 9.0 Tasks in the PWS describes 30, 60, 90, Final engineering designs. Yet the PWS does not include an engineering task nor any deliverables for designs. Was there intended to be an engineering task or are those design deliverables meant to fall under one of the existing tasks?

Answer: The attached most current version of the PWS answers this question by removing the 30, 60 90, final design requirement and replacing those with requirements for several contractor created appraisal designs and costs estimates, and three Reclamation chosen feasibility level designs and cost estimates. See attached revised draft PWS for further details.

Question 3: The checklist references a maximum number of example projects three different times – three different maxima.

SF 330 Part I Section F specifies 3 max for prime and 3 max for subs = 6 projects.

SF 330 Part I Section G Block 28 specifies “up to 8” projects.

SF 330 Part I Section G Block 29 specifies “limit 10 projects.”

Can you confirm what is the actual maximum number of projects we may include?

Answer: Maximum number of projects is listed on the revised “Submission Requirements Checklist” attachment. Maximum for prime contractor is 7 projects and maximum for subcontractor(s) is 3 projects for a total maximum of 10 projects. Please refer to revised submission requirements checklist document for more details.

Question 4: Can you please explain the term "Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)" as it pertains to teaming arrangements? Does it mean that every member of a team needs to be a small business, or perform a majority of the work? Are there certain percentages that need to be maintained?

Answer: As it relates to teaming arrangements/subcontracting, I would say pay particular attention to the section of the announcement which states:

"The selected and successful firm will be required to comply with the subcontracting limitations as set forth in FAR 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting, “Services (except construction). At least 50 percent of the cost of contract performance incurred for personnel shall be expended for employees of the concern."

This directly relates to the teaming arrangement on which you might propose for the project. During the solicitation portion of this procurement, the FAR clause will be incorporated into the solicitation and a "Subcontracting Percentage Worksheet" will be required to be filled out. That is how we will ensure this 50% requirement has been met. If you were planning on responding to this announcement as a prime contractor, your company would have to be a small business per the NAICS and $ threshold stated. If you were to incorporate subcontracting of any sort, you would want to look at all of the labor involved in the contract performance and ensure that at least 50% of all labor is being done by personnel of the concern. FAR 19.505(a)(1) states: "To be awarded a set-aside contract, an order under a set-aside, or an order in accordance with 19.504(c)(1)(ii), the small business concern is required to perform as follows: For services (except construction), at least 50 percent of the cost incurred for personnel with its own employees." Please note that there is also a CAAC Deviation to this. Refer to FAR 52.219-14 LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING (DEVIATION 2019-01) which states: "(e) Agreement. By submission of an offer and execution of a contract, the Offeror/Contractor agrees in performance of the contract in the case of a contract for—

(1) Services (except construction), it will not pay more than 50 percent of the amount paid by the Government for contract performance to subcontractors that are not similarly situated entities. Any work that a similarly situated entity further subcontracts will count toward the 50 percent subcontract amount that cannot be exceeded". “Similarly situated entity” means a first-tier subcontractor, including an independent contractor, that has the same small business program status as that which qualified the prime contractor for the award, and that is considered small for the NAICS code the prime contractor assigned to the subcontract the subcontractor will perform. Please refer to full text FAR clauses (52.219-14 and its deviation) for more information.

Question 5: Regarding the Past Performance Worksheet/Questionnaire: Is this optional or required? If required, is there a minimum limit? Or is this optional/additional if we do not provide anything in the Section VI "Additional Information. Comments for any CPARS/ACASS ratings, if applicable." or "4. Letters of Commendation or awards"?

Answer: You will submit the Attachment 2 – Past Performance Questionnaires, as applicable. If you have example project information and are filling out the SF 330 Part 1, Section F, then you are to submit a past performance questionnaire for each project you list on the SF 330. One attachment 2 per project listed is the maximum. The number of questionnaires you submit shall correspond to how many projects you list in the SF 330. Refer to submission requirements checklist for more details.

Question 6: It appears the checklist is to be turned in with the proposal. Does this count towards the total page count of 50?

Answer: The submission requirements checklist is to be submitted along with all SF 330 information. Section 5 Phase I Submission Criteria/Requirements of the notice description has been revised to replace the 50-page limit wording to read as follows:

“See Attachment 1 for exact page limitations, formatting and more details on submission requirements.” Please follow the page limitations as they pertain to each section of the SF 330.

Question 7: As these are digital copies now, will we meet the requirement below if we submit a pdf with bookmarks in the place of tabs (this info was found on the checklist)?

"Include TOC and “separate” each Section with a tab, e.g., I, II, III, etc. Tabs may cover folder labels. Prefer “Company Name” visible, if possible."

Answer: Yes.