Questions_and_Responses-060118.docx

Please see below questions (submitted through June 1, 2018) and responses (in blue) in reference to the listed solicitation 19AQMM18R0071, Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Contracts For Worldwide Design-Build Construction and Construction Projects posted on FBO.gov.

Question 1: Do you know if this project/solicitation will require COMSEC?

COMSEC (Communications Security) is not required at time of IDIQ contract award.

Question 2: If an Offeror is planning on submitting as a Prime under some of the categories, please confirm that they are also permitted to be a subcontractor to another Prime under a different category?

Yes, if an offeror plans to submit as a Prime, they are also permitted to be a subcontractor to another prime in a different category.

Question 3: Given the locations of work world-wide, will companies be required to be registered in each country prior to the award and/or start of a task order?

It varies by country and the project requirements. Some countries may require it and some may not but it really depends on the project and country requirements.

Question 4: Could the Government please confirm whether they are looking for resumes to be submitted as part of the SF330 Section E, or whether they are looking for resumes in a separate document given the requirements, or both? Given the structure there is potential for duplicative information.

Resumes as required in Factor 5 – Qualifications/Experience of Key Personnel and Management Plan do may be submitted in the SF330 Section E format or in an industry standard resume format. Both are acceptable.

Question 5: Could the Government please provide clarification as to whether they are looking for past performances write-ups to be submitted as part of the SF 330 Section F, or whether they are looking for past performances in a separate document, or both? Given the structure there is potential for duplicative information.

For Factor 3 – Past Performance, the required submittal information is in section 3.1 – 3.3 and further information is in section 3.4 of the “FBO - 2018 402 1a DB IDIQ Recompete final A02” document posted on FBO.gov.

Question 6: Under Item 4 – Mandatory Pre-Qualification Requirements, the RFP states “To demonstrate performance of similar construction work for Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986 purposes, the offeror needs to provide information demonstrating that it has successfully completed in the United States or at a U.S. diplomatic or consular mission renovation or construction contract or subcontract involving work or completion of multiple concurrent projects having a value of at least $3,000,000.00.”

Do all five (5) projects have to have a value of at least $3,000,000 or does only one (1) project needs to meet that threshold?

In the x402 a1 2018 Omnibus Cert Pamphlet (second attachment of the FBO notice), Certification #4 it states “List on this page and an attachment if necessary, one or more similar projects completed by the prospective offeror”. The requirements for Section 4. Mandatory Pre-Qualification Requirements does not state five projects are required. Please see attachment “x402 a1 2018 Omnibus Cert Pamphlet” for submission requirements.

Question 7: Will the DOS offer stipends to the unsuccessful bidders on D/B task orders? Stipends would sharply increase the participation of qualified design firms and help small businesses with travel costs to the site visits. Although these are small projects many of the associated costs are relative to larger projects and small businesses do not do the volume to absorb such costs when unsuccessful.

As a general rule, we do not offer stipends. However, in some cases when project locations are remote, stipends may be considered.

Question 8: Is the category “American Native Corporation (ANC)/Tribal” meant to include both Alaskan Native Corporations and Native American Corporations?

"ANC/Tribal is defined as “Alaska Native Corporation (ANC)” and “Indian Tribe” in FAR 19.701. The next amendment will reflect the correct category name as stated in the FAR.

Question 9: Reference Factor 1: Please increase the general contractor look back period for “example projects” to 10 years, similar to the design firms.

Section 1.2 Project Examples may be either on-going or completed within the past Eight (8) years. The next amendment will reflect the change to eight years for this factor.

Question 10: Reference Factor 1 – 1.2 Project Examples: Please publish more detailed information on the estimated dollar value of task orders so we can choose the most relevant example projects.

Relevant project examples should address the type of work described in Scope of Services, “The scope of work (SOW) for task orders will consist of design-build or construction services for renovation of existing facilities, site work, and/or new construction worldwide.” As an IDIQ type of contract, the project scope for design/build or construction services will vary by Task Order. The maximum award amount for task orders is $15 million. Additionally, any task order not estimated to exceed $7 million shall be set aside for exclusive participation of small business and may include any single or multiple category or categories of small business. Small Business offerors should be able to demonstrate experience in completing projects of this scope, complexity, and dollar value size.

Question 11: Reference Factor 1 – 1.2 Project Examples: Is there a minimum dollar value for an example project as in many RFPs?

Relevant project examples should address the type of work described in Scope of Services, “The scope of work (SOW) for task orders will consist of design-build or construction services for renovation of existing facilities, site work, and/or new construction worldwide.” As an IDIQ type of contract, the project scope for design/build or construction services will vary by Task Order. The maximum award amount for task orders is $15 million. Additionally, any task order not estimated to exceed $7 million shall be set aside for exclusive participation of small business and may include any single or multiple category or categories of small business. Small Business offerors should be able to demonstrate experience in completing projects of this scope, complexity, and dollar value size.

Question 12: Reference Factor 3 Past Performance - 3.2 Quality: Are questions 3.2.1 – 3.2.8 to be addressed for ALL projects with in the last 5 years or only for the 5 “example projects” named in Factor 1?

In the FBO for Section 3.2 Quality, it states “For the past five years on any project (with a maximum of 5 projects) the Offeror was involved with, identify whether the Offeror has had any of the following problems….

Question 13: Please provide a breakout of page limits for each section, the provided page specifications are unclear and contain discrepancies. Page limits provided for each section do not appear to total the overall maximum limit provided of 204 single sided pages.

Page limitations are identified for each Factor.

Question 14: On FBO, the project has been reissued as a Presolicitation/Sources Sought. Does this reclassification affect any of the requirements in the solicitation, other than changes made by amendment 1?

The previous version (solicitation 19AQMM18R0071-8A-HZ-SDV-WOB-SB-FO-ANC) of the FBO notice was cancelled and the new version (solicitation 19AQMM18R0071) was posted. All solicitation submission requirements are posted in the solicitation 19AQMM18R0071 FBO posting.

Question 15: For FACTOR 1: TECHNICAL PROJECT EXPERIENCE, Section 1.2: Project Examples: Should project examples be provided using the SF330 format?

There is no specific format required for the project examples submission. The SF330 format would be acceptable.

Question 16: For FACTOR 1: TECHNICAL PROJECT EXPERIENCE, Section 1.2: Project Examples: Can we utilize a Task Order issued under a Larger Contract, or are we required to utilize the overall Contract?

You may submit task order or contract examples.

Question 17: For FACTOR 2: TECHNICAL APPROACH – DESIGN: 2.1.2 Portfolio of no more than three projects: Should we use the SF330 format for these project descriptions?

There is no specific format required for the project examples submission. The SF330 format would be acceptable.

Question 18: For FACTOR 2: TECHNICAL APPROACH – DESIGN: 2.2.2 Portfolio of no more than three projects: Should we utilize the SF330 format for these project descriptions?

There is no specific format required for the project examples submission. The SF330 format would be acceptable.

Question 19: For FACTOR 4: THE OFFEROR’S ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT: 4.4.2: Use the SF330, Part I, Sections A, B, C, D & F, and Part II: In additional to SF330, Part I, Section F, we are required to submit Project Examples under Factor 1, Section 1.2; Would the Government consider revising the Factor 4 requirement not to include SF330, Part I, Section F?

SF330, Part I, Section F is only required for Factor 4, Section 4.4 Design Team. There is no specific form requirement for the Factor 1, Section 1.2. Project Examples. Offerors are to provide the information as specified in the solicitation 19AQMM18R0071 FBO posting.

Question 20: For FACTOR 4: THE OFFEROR’S ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT: 4.4.2: Use the SF330, Part I, Sections A, B, C, D & F, and Part II: In additional to SF330, Part I, Section D, we are required to submit an Organizational Chart under Factor 5, Section 5.1; Would the Government consider revising the Factor 4 requirement not to include SF330, Part I, Section D?

SF330, Part I, Section D is only required for Factor 4, Section 4.4 Design Team. There is no specific form requirement for the Factor 5, Section 5.1 Design Build team chart. Offerors are to provide the information as specified in the solicitation 19AQMM18R0071 FBO posting.

Question 21: For Factor 4: Identify, by position only, how the Offeror would typically staff a comprehensive renovation project of the-size described: Can the government provide details on the size and scope of a typical project?

Relevant project examples should address the type of work described in Scope of Services, “The scope of work (SOW) for task orders will consist of design-build or construction services for renovation of existing facilities, site work, and/or new construction worldwide.” Construction services to be provided may include, but not be limited to, the following: construction labor and materials to execute the OBO approved design, on-site organization with management of lines of authority to ensure overall project coordination, and overall control throughout the life of the project. Services include required documentation submittals and institution of controlling programs such as a quality control program, construction scheduling, cost control, and projects closeout services.

As an IDIQ type of contract, the project scope for design/build or construction services will vary by Task Order. The maximum award amount for task orders is $15 million. Additionally, any task order not estimated to exceed $7 million shall be set aside for exclusive participation of small business and may include any single or multiple category or categories of small business. Small Business offerors should be able to demonstrate experience in completing projects of this scope, complexity, and dollar value size.

Question 22: For FACTOR 5: QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE of KEY PERSONNEL and MANAGEMENT PLAN: 5.1 Provide a project Design Build team chart: Should this be provided as SF330 PART 1, D. ORGANIZATIONAL CHART OF PROPOSED TEAM? If so, should this chart also be provided in FACTOR 4: THE OFFEROR’S ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT: 4.4.2: Use the SF330, Part I, Sections A, B, C, D & F, and Part II?

SF330, Part I, Section D is only required for Factor 4, Section 4.4 Design Team. There is no specific form requirement for the Factor 5, Section 5.1 Design Build team chart. Offerors are to provide the information as specified in the solicitation 19AQMM18R0071 FBO posting.

Question 23: For projects involving drawings that are classified as SBU, can copies of the drawing be submitted via a CD only?

Offerors are to provide the information as specified in the solicitation 19AQMM18R0071 FBO posting. Per Section 2. Solicitation Requirements, Phase I Proposal Submission Requirements, third paragraph “Submissions must be provided in original and one copy, plus one electronic copy on compact disk, and formatted according to evaluation factors. Electronic copy shall be one pdf file, indexed identical to the printed version. DOS may review either the electronic or the printed submittal; therefore both formats shall be complete and identical to each other.”

The drawings submitted with proposal submission must be in PDF format.

Question 24: The page count for the offeror's project is set at 5 pages per project. Please increase the page count to 5 pages for 2.1.2 the Architectural Design Firm Projects and 2.2.2 Lead Architectural Designer Projects since the information required is similar.

The page limitations have been reviewed and they are as stated in the solicitation.

Question 25: Sections 4.2 and 4.3 reference "a comprehensive renovation project of the size described". In the solicitation documentation no renovation project is described. Please provide information on the renovation project or at a minimum the project construction value range, project title, and brief scope of work.

Relevant project examples should address the type of work described in Scope of Services, “The scope of work (SOW) for task orders will consist of design-build or construction services for renovation of existing facilities, site work, and/or new construction worldwide.” Construction services to be provided may include, but not be limited to, the following: construction labor and materials to execute the OBO approved design, on-site organization with management of lines of authority to ensure overall project coordination, and overall control throughout the life of the project. Services include required documentation submittals and institution of controlling programs such as a quality control program, construction scheduling, cost control, and projects closeout services.

As an IDIQ type of contract, the project scope for design/build or construction services will vary by Task Order. The maximum award amount for task orders is $15 million. Additionally, any task order not estimated to exceed $7 million shall be set aside for exclusive participation of small business and may include any single or multiple category or categories of small business. Small Business offerors should be able to demonstrate experience in completing projects of this scope, complexity, and dollar value size.

Question 26: For Tabs/Table of Contents: Would the Government consider allowing the use of a table of Contents and tabs to separate proposal sections? If so, please confirm that they will be excluded from page count.

The use of a table of contents and tabs are permissible. The table of contents will count towards the page count. Blank Tabs will not be included in the page count.

Question 27: Proposal Format: Will the Government allow for the use of a smaller font (10 pt.) for tables and graphics?

Yes, the use of 10 pt. font is only allowed for tables and graphics but shall not be less than 10 pt.

Question 28: For Section 1.2: Project Examples: Due to the secure nature of some projects, would the Government allow the offeror to make a statement to that effect in-lieu of submitting plans, drawings and photographs in the project description of those programs that are classified?

Yes, should a submitted project not be eligible for industry recognition due to security requirements of the client, the offeror shall make a statement to that effect.

Question 29: For Section 2.2.2: For each project the narrative shall describe the contributions of the lead designer, address construction challenges with salient features…;Would the Government please clarify if we should discuss the Lead Designer’s construction challenges or design challenges?

Discuss the Lead Designer’s design challenges.

Question 30: For Section 5.3.1: Resumes - To ensure we have a clear understanding of “Principal-in-charge”, are you looking for us to identify a principal (officer) of the company who will have high-level oversight of the entire program or are you looking for the “Principal-in-charge” to be the highest position dedicated to the WWDB program that could also, possibly be identified as a Program Manager?

A resume (as requested in section 5.3) is required for the Principal-in-charge of the company who will have the high-level oversight of the entire program.

Question 31: For Factor 6: Joint Venture - Would the Government confirm that the signed agreement is excluded from page count?

As stated in the solicitation: section “6.1 Page limit - 3. The JV agreement or Statement of Intent to form a JV does not count against the page limit for this factor.”

Question 32: For Factor 2: Section 2.1.2 Portfolio - Due to the secure nature of some projects, would the Government allow the offeror to make a statement to that effect in-lieu of submitting plans, drawings and photographs in the project description of those programs that are classified?

As stated in the solicitation section 2.1.2: “Should a submitted project not be eligible for industry recognition due to security requirements of the client, the offeror shall make a statement to that effect.”

Question 33: From the “Scope of Services” section on page 2 of the subject solicitation, we understand that OBO may provide bridging documents on some of the task orders under this program.

With that in mind, please advise whether the following requirement (from another recent OBO solicitation) will apply to this solicitation:

H.56 Conflict of Interest An architect or engineer in any discipline who contributed to the design or development of the design documents for this Contract is not eligible to render services that involve the review, verification, or construction based upon these design documents or to serve as part of contractor ’s A/E team in any capacity.

This is solicitation is for Phase I – Pre-Qualification of Offerors. The conflict of interest language will be incorporated into the RFP, which will be issued for Phase II - Requests for Proposals from Pre-Qualified Offerors.

Question 34: Will the Government allow 9 point font in graphics?

The use of 10 pt. font is only allowed for tables and graphics but shall not be less than 10 pt.

Question 35: Will the Government allow 9 point font in tables?

The use of 10 pt. font is only allowed for tables and graphics but shall not be less than 10 pt.

Question 36: Does the 12 point font requirement apply to the headers and footers?

No, the 12 point font requirement does not apply to the headers and footers.

Question 37: For Factor 2: Technical Approach – Design, paragraph 2.1.2 and Factor 4 – The Offeror’s Organization and Management, paragraph 4.4.2 - In addition to the Designer’s projects profiles required in 2.1.2, does the Government require an additional 10 projects in Section F of the SF 330?

No, the Government does not require an additional 10 projects in Section F of the SF 330. In Factor 4, paragraph 4.4.3 will be added in the next amendment for five (5) projects to be submitted using the SF330, Section F form. There is no specific form requirement for the Factor 2, Section 2.1.2. Architectural Design Firm Portfolio.

Question 38: For Factor 4 – The Offeror’s Organization and Management, paragraph 4.4.2 – For Section F of the SF 330, what are the Government’s requirements for the additional requested projects?

In Factor 4, paragraph 4.4.3 will be added in the next amendment for five (5) projects to be submitted using the SF330, Section F form.

Question 39: For Factor 4 – The Offeror’s Organization and Management, paragraph 4.4.2 – Can the Offeror provide Section H as long as the entire response is within the 50 page limit for section 4.4 of the RFP?

Use the SF330, Part I, Sections A, B, C, D & F, and Part II are required for Section 4.4.2. Use of SF330 Section H is optional. The page limit for Section 4.4 is 50 pages.