A01_Questions and Responses - Adana NCC_121619.docx

ADANA NCC

CLARIFICATION QUESTIONS & RESPONSES

Please see below questions (submitted through December 16, 2019) and responses (in BLUE) in reference to the listed solicitation 19AQMM20R0047, Adana New Consulate Compound (NCC) Design-Build Construction Contract posted on beta.Sam.gov.

1. Question: For Phase-1, the Offeror (i.e. the design-build contractor) must submit Certifications Relevant to Public Law 99-399 Statement of Qualifications for Purpose of Section 402(A)(1), AND the Offeror must also include in the submission the pamphlet Certifications Relevant to Public Law 99-399 Statement of Qualifications for Purpose of Section 402(A)(2) completed by the designer. In other words, please confirm that Phase-1 is a design-build “team” submission, and confirm that the Offeror’s Phase-1 submission will include both the Contractor’s Omnibus Certification, and the Omnibus Certification from their selected design firm.

Yes, Phase 1 is a Design-Build Team submission. Offeror/design-build contractor shall submit both the Contractor/Constructor’s 402(a)(1) AND the AE/Lead Designer’s 402(a)(2) U.S. Person Omnibus certifications. Please ensure it is easily identifiable which pamphlet is being submitted for which design-build Team member.

2. Question: Please confirm it will be possible for Offerors (i.e. the design-build contractor) to submit multiple Phase-1 submissions. In other words, can Contractor A submit a Phase-1 prequalification package using Designer A; and also simultaneously submit a separate Phase-1 prequalification package using Designer B.

Yes, Phase 1 it will be possible for Offerors to submit multiple Phase 1 submissions with different Designers. In the upcoming Amendment A01, it will state each Offeror/Contractor A may submit no more than Three (3) separate submissions with Three (3) different Designers.

3. Question: The announcement provides for no ‘official’ process or timeline for submitting RFIs, viewing other RFIs, or receiving responses from OBO – will such a process be defined and announced?

REQUESTS FOR CLARIFICATIONS must be submitted in writing to Jennifer Leung AND Alt David Vivian by email LeungJB@state.gov AND Viviandw@state.gov. Requests may be submitted until the closing date for submission. The date will not be extended due to late submission of requests for clarification.

4. Question: Part of Phase 2 submission requires “Project Program” and “Project Budget and Schedule”….Please clarify what this means? Does it mean for THIS Project? Or other projects from the team submitting?

The posted announcement is for Adana NCC. All information contained in the announcement is for Adana NCC. More information about Phase 2 requirements will be provided in the upcoming Amendment.

5. Question: States that Phase 3 will require a ‘design submission’ but does not provide ANY detail as to scope/complexity/effort – please provide clarification of what the ultimate deliverables will be at Phase

Draft Phase 3 requirements will be provided in a future Amendment After the completion of Phase 2. Phase 3 will requires the submission of price and technical proposals. The technical proposals will include the design developed to the stated level.

6. Question: States that Phase 3 will provide for a ‘stipend’ but does not indicate what the stipend will be – please provide dollar amount/value of the anticipated stipend.

A final stipend amount has currently not been decided yet. A stipend would only be offered to the unsuccessful offerors that submit responsible proposals in Phase 3. Stipends will not be offered to offerors in Phases 1 or 2 of this procurement. OBO will provide a stipend comparable to the level of effort to develop the required design.

7. Question: States that Phase 3 will require ‘an approved local design consultant’…. How is approval achieved? By when? Should the local consultant be submitted as part of phase 2? With phase 3? After winning?

Final Phase 3 requirements will be provided to the 4 most highly technically qualified selected to participate in Phase 3. Offerors may determine when to submit the identity of the local design consultant at any time the team feels it will enhance their proposal submission.

8. Question: Submission requirements state to ‘submit sufficient documentation’ for evaluation against ‘qualification criteria listed’…. However there is no definition of ‘sufficient’ nor is there a list of ‘qualification criteria’ – please provide response available to all potential teams submitting.

Per the announcement the ‘submit sufficient documentation’ for evaluation against ‘qualification criteria listed’ is in reference to Submission Requirements for Phase I, Pre-Qualification of Offerors…see highlighted text below (taken directly from the announcement)….

Submission Requirements for Phase I, Pre-Qualification of Offerors: The Offeror shall submit sufficient documentation to allow DOS to evaluate its capabilities with the qualification criteria listed. Submissions that are missing the required information or otherwise do not comply with the submission requirements may be eliminated from consideration at the Contracting Officer’s determination.

Copies. Provide one original plus one copy in printed form, and one electronic copy in PDF format on compact disc. PDF shall be identical to the printed version and book marked by section, if applicable. DOS may review either the electronic or the printed submittal; therefore, both formats shall be complete and identical to each other.

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 a construction contract or subcontract involving work of the same general type and complexity as the solicited project and having a contract or subcontract value of at least $116,250,000. The value of the construction contract or subcontract offered to demonstrate performance will not be adjusted for inflation, currency fluctuation, or any other market forces.

3.A. Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986. Firms being considered for award under this acquisition are limited to “United States Person” bidders as defined for purposes of Section 401(a)(1) of the Act. Additionally, the Architectural & Engineering Firm performing the design under this acquisition are limited to “United States Person” bidders as defined for purposes of Section 401(a)(2) of the Act. The offeror and the design firm must each complete and submit as part of their pre-qualification package the pamphlets "Certifications Relevant to Public Law 99-399, Statement of Qualifications for Purpose of Section 402 of The Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986."

The offeror must complete and Submit the pamphlet Certifications Relevant to Public Law 99-399 Statement of Qualifications for Purpose of Section 402(A)(1). The offeror must include in the submission the pamphlet Certifications Relevant to Public Law 99-399 Statement of Qualifications for Purpose of Section 402(A)(2) completed by the designer. (The pamphlets are attached to this FEDBIZOPPS announcement and may be obtained from the DOS Contract Specialist listed at the end of this notice).

9. Question: The announcement also allows for ‘resubmission’ by either member of a design-build team to submit a new package of qualifications if they “should fail to qualify” … it seems unusual to allow any entity to be provided an opportunity to resubmit if they fail to qualify….who will make this determination? OBO or the Submitter? Will all parties be made aware of which entities were allowed to resubmit? Please clarify.

Yes, the allowance for resubmission by the qualified team member is unusual to the prequalification process. However the project and it’s requirements are unusual for Department of State and we are allowing resubmissions. The Contracting Officer will make the determination. All offerors will be made aware of all successfully qualified offerors. A record of all the unsuccessful offerors, discussions during the evaluation process and any allowed resubmissions will not be shared.

10. Question: The announcement also provides for a design-build team to be afforded the ‘opportunity to provide additional data to support its submission for qualification’?? It seems highly unusual to allow any entity to be provided the opportunity to supDplement their submission with ‘additional data to support its submission’ after the stated deadline. Who will make this determination? OBO or the Submitter? Will all parties submitting be afforded the same opportunity? Will all parties be made aware of which entities were contacted? Please clarify

The Contracting Officer opening discussions and allowing for submission of clarifications or additional information during the evaluation process is a normal acquisition process. The decision will be made by the Contracting Officer. If a team is determined qualified, there will be no need to allow for clarifications or additional information. Discussions with offerors during the evaluation process is not released.

11. Question: What level of design will be required in the Phase 3 proposal?

The Phase 3 Request For Proposal (RFP) criteria is in development, and the Phase 3 level of design has not been selected. The Government is considering a minimum concept level for the level of design. The Government encourages feedback from the contracting community.

12. Question: Is there more detail on the schedule for the solicitation? Specifically the time that will be allowed for the Phase 3 proposal?

The Phase 3 Request For Proposal (RFP) criteria is in development, and the Phase 3 schedule has not been finalized. The Government is considering a pre-proposal conference in Adana 2-4 weeks after Phase 3’s public posting, and contractor’s Phase 3 proposals due 4-9 weeks after the last day of the conference. The Government encourages feedback from the contracting community.

13. Question: Will there be any proprietary meetings during Phase 3 to solicit input on the developing designs?

The Phase 3 criteria is in development, and the criteria for meetings between each bidder and the Government during Phase 3 proposal development is uncertain. The Government is considering a proprietary meeting between each bidder and the Government during Phase 3 proposal development. The Government encourages feedback from the contracting community.