19AQMM20R0054 WWD AE Support Srvcs 1st Set Q&A_1-16-2020.docx

Please see below questions (submitted through December 31, 2019) and responses (in red) in reference to the listed solicitation 19AQMMA20R0054, Worldwide AE Support Services IDIQ posted on beta.sam.gov.

FIRST SET OF QUESTIONS – Received through December 31, 2019

· Please define what you mean by "environmental graphic design."

· Environmental Graphic Design (EGD) embraces many design disciplines including graphic, architectural, interior, landscape, and industrial. EGD is concerned with the visual aspects of wayfinding, communicating identity and information, and creating experiences that connect people to place.

· Please define what you mean by "data analytics."

· These services support ongoing BIM efforts which analyze, synthesize de-conflict and connect various forms of building information data and present them in a concise legible manner.

· Page 4 of the solicitation says to "identify lead team members of the ten core disciplines" while page 3 of the solicitation states "the core team is comprised of" twelve disciplines. Can you please clarify the number of disciplines we need to identify?

· Page 4 is in error and should read: identify lead team members of the twelve core disciplines.

· I was wondering if OBO has ever selected a Structural Engineering Lead for this Worldwide IDIQ project? We have Primed numerous ventures on seismic upgrade and rehabilitation projects (we have architectural capabilities in house). Still new to OBO’s design side. Not sure if these projects are mainly remodels/additions or rehabilitation of existing facilities.

· OBO has not, to date, selected a team lead by a structural engineering firm for World-Wide Architecture and Engineering Support Services contract. Teams that qualify will show capabilities in all required areas of the announcement.

· Is an SF330 Part II required for each consultant firm proposed for the contract, such as for each of the 12 disciplines listed on RFQ page 1 of 6, or only for the Prime?

· Only for the Prime

· Please clarify the discipline of data analytics. Can OBO provide examples of specific types of scopes this discipline may be asked to perform and can OBO provide examples of firms they have worked with successfully in the past?

· Data analytics services support ongoing BIM efforts which analyze, synthesize de-conflict and connect various forms of building information data and present them in a concise legible manner.

· Please clarify the discipline of climate security specialist (resiliency). Can OBO provide examples of specific types of scopes this discipline may be asked to perform and can OBO provide examples of firms they have worked with successfully in the past?

· Examples of specific types of scopes this discipline may be asked to perform: Obtaining useful hazard exposure data (based on both historical and/or projected scenarios), quantifying vulnerability for facilities at OBO’s nearly 300 overseas posts (i.e. their susceptibility to the effects of hazards), and/or presenting practical risk mitigation solutions that OBO can incorporate into its life-cycle processes that make facilities resilient against these hazards. These tasks might address natural hazards including, but not limited to:

· Earthquakes

· Tropical Cyclones

· Tsunami

· Floods

· Sea Level Rise

· Geohazards (e.g. landslides, liquefaction potential, etc.)

· Historical and projected scenario-based risk analytics to inform decisions for OBO processes including, but not limited to:

· Site selection comparisons: Considering several financially viable sites in a given city for purchase, prioritize options based on short-term risks (e.g. extreme weather event exposure) and/or long-term risks (sea level inundation in 50 years)

· Risk comparisons among OBO’s building portfolio for prioritizing projects and resource allocation: Identify facilities that most require intervention/mitigation due to risk from natural hazards. These studies might address factors including, but not be limited to:

· Estimates of potential damage

· Risks to personnel safety

· Potential loss of lives

· Estimates of potential mission interruption

· Life cycle cost analyses including cost of maintenance due to chronic hazards

· These studies might also include suggested mitigation strategies where relevant.

· Can OBO clarify the format required for the proposal? Under Stage 1 Submission Requirements, the RFQ page 3 of 6 states, “The Stage 1 submission shall include the following items, divided into tabbed sections in the order listed below” and lists 12 disciplines starting with (1) Site Planning and Landscape Architecture and ending with (12) Data Analytics. However, the middle of the same page in the RFQ states, “ The Stage 1 submission is to include the following items, divided into tabbed section in the order listed below,” and then provides a list starting with (1) Cover Letter and ending with (5) Core Team Lead Discipline Member Profiles. Is the intent to have 5 main sections: (1) Cover letter, (2) Standard Form 330 Part II; (3) Leadership of Multidisciplinary Services; (4) Design and Engineering; and (5) Core Team Lead Discipline, and then to include the 12 subsections for the 12 disciplines under the main tab (5) Core Team Lead Discipline Member Profiles?

· Yes. The intent is to have 5 main sections, and then to include the 12 profiles for the 12 discipline leads under tab #5, Core Team Lead Discipline Member Profiles.

· May we include more than one option for a given discipline?

· No. To provide fair and clear evaluation of submissions, it is required that THE lead for a discipline be submitted.

· RFQ page 3 of 6 states “For the purposes of this evaluation, the core team is comprised of the following twelve disciplines.” However, page 4 of 6 under (5) Core Team Lead Discipline states, “Identify Lead Team members of the ten core disciplines and submit a biographical sketch.” Please clarify if there are 10 or 12 disciplines.

· Ten is an error; the sentence should read twelve. All twelve lead team members require a biographical sketch.

· Given holiday leave schedules, would OBO consider postponing the deadline from January 14 to January 24?

· The deadline was extended to February 4, 2020.

· If an SF330 Part II is required for each sub-consultant working under the Prime, can OBO please confirm the Part II forms do not count towards the 80 page count?

· Stage 1 submission requires a SF330 Part II for the Prime only. The SF330 Part II does NOT count towards the 80 pages.

· The solicitation indicates that the Member Profiles cannot exceed 3 pages maximum. Would OBO consider an exception to that for one of the key member profiles? For example, can the qualifications include a 5 page profile for the Lead designer (or other similar key role)?

· Yes. A five (5) page profile can be submitted only for the Lead Designer, being the key team member. The page count for all other members is three (3) pages to encourage brevity and focus.

· Is the 330 Part II included in the page count?

· No.

· Please confirm the submission should include one (1) copy of the qualifications, one (1) original of the qualifications, and one (1) electronic copy in CD format.

· Yes. The original, one copy of the original, and one copy of the original on compact disc (CD).

· Please confirm the following services are not required for the Stage 1 submission: Cost estimating, Plumbing Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Fire Protection Engineering, climate security specialist, building envelope specialist, building forensics specialist, and facility management

· Confirmed

· Is the 330 Part II included in the page count requirements?

· No

· Will questions be answered as they are submitted or only once the deadline for questions is closed on December 31st?

· All of the questions will be posted and made available in beta.sam.gov.

· Please confirm that the services for the core team required in this Stage 1 submission include the following:

· site planning and landscape architecture

· architecture and master planning

· space planning and interior design

· mechanical engineering

· civil and structural engineering

· electrical engineering

· sustainability

· physical and technical security

· project management

· pre-construction management

· Graphics and

· Analytics

· Confirmed

· Please confirm that the project management role is expected to be filled by the prime consultant.

· The Prime is responsible for providing the services through their selected team. The Prime is not restricted from utilizing one of their subs to fill any task under the contract; including project management.

· Please confirm the submission should include one (1) copy of the qualifications, one (1) original of the qualifications, and one (1) electronic copy in CD format.

· Confirmed

· Please clarify/define team disciplines 11 and 12 “Graphics and Analytics”. What type of professional qualifications and/or professional registrations are desired for these positions?

· Analytics services support ongoing BIM efforts which analyze, synthesize de-conflict and connect various forms of building information data and present them in a concise legible manner.

· Graphic Designers provide Graphics support services. Minimum requirement is a Bachelor’s in Graphic Design with NCIDQ certification, and LEED accreditation.

· Please confirm that firms have the option to provide project examples that feature either program support services and/or design services. Please confirm that program support service projects would not be unfavorably scored if they do not have awards or project photos.

· Confirmed

· Please confirm that there are 12 required disciplines, not 10.

· Confirmed

· Please confirm that design or program support projects that have not won “professional affiliation awards, peer-based professional or industry awards” (such as projects done to support OBO under the recent OBO Support Services contract) will not be scored less favorably than less relevant projects to OBO that have won awards.

· Please note, the evaluation and scoring of submissions will be left to the individual members of the Technical Evaluation Panel (TEP). It is recommended that you simply submit your best work for each category.

· Please confirm that it is permissible to feature an IDIQ contract as an example of program support efforts and that it would not be scored less favorably than a design project with construction completed.

· Confirmed

· Please confirm that only one resume per discipline is desired.

· Confirmed

· Please define further the “graphics” discipline? What type of professional qualifications are desired for this discipline? Is this meant to fulfill the “graphics and wayfinding” services? Please confirm that professional registrations are not required for this discipline.

· Graphic Designers provide Graphics support services; this would include the “graphics and wayfinding” services. Minimum requirement is a Bachelor’s in Graphic Design with NCIDQ certification, and LEED accreditation.

· Please define further the “analytics” discipline? What type of professional qualifications and/or professional registrations are desired for this discipline?

· Analytics services support ongoing BIM efforts which analyze, synthesize de-conflict and connect various forms of building information data and present them in a concise legible manner.

· Please confirm that it is permissible to include 11x17 pages (counted as 2 8.5x11 pages) for graphics and/or charts.

· Confirmed – with NO information on the backside of the 11x17 pages.

· Please confirm that it is acceptable to include intentionally blank pages in our submission in order to save paper and provide OBO with a double-sided submission. If allowable, please confirm that the blank pages will not count towards the page limit.

· Confirmed

· We understand the small business size standard North American Industry Classification System code is 541330, $16.5 million average for Engineering firms. Is there a similar small business size standard for architectural firms (NAICS code 541310)?

· The Small Business Administration provides size standard guidelines, please see their guide at https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/files/Size_Standards_Table.pdf

· The first paragraph of the RFP notes this is for an indefinite contract: please confirm it would be an open-ended schedule contract, or if there is a year limit.

· The “indefinite contract” terminology in the SAM opportunity announcement is to indicate the contract type as mentioned in 16.504 Indefinite-quantity contracts. The IDIQ contract is for a fixed period. One base year, and four one-year options.

· The first paragraph of the RFP notes that the work pertains to communications facilities and building maintenance projects. Question: Is there potential that the projects covered under this IDIQ could involve significant architectural work such as:

· Adding new wings onto buildings which may or may or may not also include renovations to other areas of existing buildings to create a coherent whole.

· New stand-alone structures with some architectural interest/features (beyond perhaps basic utilitarian structures to house communications equipment.)

· The Support Services contract is used for smaller services and tasks that support construction, like preliminary plans and project development surveys (PDS-2) for mold abatement, mechanical replacements, electrical upgrades, etc. So, while the Support Services will not encompass designing a NEC, it may lead to a facility upgrade, facility fix, or possibly the design of a small out-building.

· Section I notes that the scope shall include but not be limited to a long list of services and disciplines. Is the intent that a submitting entity is able to provide all of these services, or are these simply examples of services that could be covered, depending on the submitting entity’s available services?

· The intent is that a submitting entity will provide All of these services either in-house or with subconsultants/subcontractors.

· Stage 1 Submissions notes that 12 disciplines are required to be submitted. Question: Is it possible to submit for some of the services listed, but not all?

· The prime directly provides many of the listed services, and we have relationships with sub consultants that also work with OBO that can provide a few that we don’t. However, we don’t typically provide, or subcontract to provide Project Management services on behalf of owners, pre-construction management (beyond cost estimating), or Analytics.

· The announcement is structured to request that an entity submit for the 12 disciplines. In turn, the evaluation process is based on an entity’s submission for the 12 disciplines.

· General Question: Is it possible that being awarded this IDIQ would open up opportunities for us to be awarded full A/E scope services for new projects such as PDS-2, Bridging Design, or Design-Bid-Build projects? (Beyond communications facilities and maintenance projects).

· The Support Services contract is used for smaller services and tasks that support construction, like preliminary plans and project development surveys (PDS-2) for mold abatement, mechanical replacements, electrical upgrades, etc. So, while the Support Services will not encompass designing a NEC, it may lead to a facility upgrade, facility fix, or possibly the design of a small out-building.

· Our firm is currently under an IDIQ contract for worldwide A/E support services with OBO. Our reading of the solicitation highlighted below is that OBO is seeking additional designers, etc. for the same contract in which we are already participating. Therefore, we assume we are precluded from the newly-issued IDIQ RFQ. Can you confirm?

· The acquisition process is a long one, current contract DOS holders are eligible to submit a response to this announcement.

· For section (1), if we’re a young firm is there a possibility of teaming with another to get us over the 5-year requirement?

· The focus of Section 1 is strictly on the abilities of the Lead Offeror. To this end, shared abilities would be acceptable only in the case of a Joint Venture (JV) where there are two – or more- entities comprising the Lead Offeror role. Should your term “teaming” be accepted as an official “joint venture”, the experience would be combined.

· Of the (12) disciplines listed for the core team, could you please elaborate on the qualifications and registrations necessary for (11) graphics & (12) analytics specialists?

· Analytics services support ongoing BIM efforts which analyze, synthesize de-conflict and connect various forms of building information data and present them in a concise legible manner.

· Graphic Designers provide Graphics support services. Minimum requirement is a Bachelor’s in Graphic Design with NCIDQ certification, and LEED accreditation.

· Under item (5) "core team lead discipline member profiles", ten (10) core disciplines are requested, yet twelve (12) are listed on the previous page of the synopsis. Please clarify which disciplines require a biographical sketch.

· Ten is an error; the sentence should read twelve. All twelve lead team members require a biographical sketch.

· It is stated under Stage 1 Submission Requirements and Evaluation Criteria that the core team is comprised of twelve disciplines… “The Stage 1 submission shall include the following items, divided into tabbed sections in the order listed below. For the purposes of this evaluation, the core team is comprised of the following twelve disciplines: (1) site planning and landscape architecture (2) architecture and master planning (3) space planning and interior design (4) mechanical engineering (5) civil and structural engineering (6) electrical engineering (7) sustainability (8) physical and technical security (9) project management (10) pre-construction management (11) Graphics and (12) Analytics.” But, when reading further under (5) Core Team Lead Discipline Member Profiles it states that we need to identify Lead Team members of the ten core disciplines. “Identify Lead Team members of the ten core disciplines and submit a biographical sketch (maximum of three pages per person) including education, professional experience, and recognition for design or engineering efforts inclusive of the portfolio examples. Identify and describe areas of responsibility and commitment to each project. Can you clarify the number/type of disciplines needed?

· Ten is an error; the sentence should read twelve. All twelve lead team members require a biographical sketch.

· In section (4) Design and Engineering Innovation. It states to … “Submit a portfolio representative of the Lead Team members’ abilities to provide design innovation and/or project and program support in problem-solving. Offerors shall submit a portfolio of not more than five examples.” If we go in as a joint venture, do we have to include five examples from each venture, or combine both with no more than examples?

· Should one go in as a joint venture, Offerors shall submit not more than five (5) examples – combined - for the submission.

· Page 3 - core team member (5) Lists both Civil and Structural Engineering, in actual practice these are two different disciplines; should there be a core team member for each discipline?

· Please submit the two roles under the #5 header: Civil and Structural Engineering, and identify which lead is for the Civil discipline and which is for the Structural discipline.

· Page 3 - core team member (8) is defined as Physical and Technical Security these are typically different disciplines; should there be a core team member for each discipline?

· Please submit the two roles under the #8 header: Physical and Technical Security, and identify which lead is for the Physical Security discipline and which is for the Technical Security discipline.

· Page 3 – core team member (12) only uses the word “Analytics” is this the same as “data analytics” found in the second paragraph under “I. Professional Support Services:”?

· Yes

· Page 4 – (5) Core Team Lead Discipline……. This section asks to identify the ten core disciplines; the third paragraph on page 3 identifies twelve disciplines. Please clarify.

· Page 4 is in error. Please identify lead team members for twelve core disciplines.

· Page 3 – under (4) Design and Engineering Innovation, it states that a minimum of two photographs must be included. Please clarify that this is not required if the project example is a program support effort? And that for program support efforts, whatever most effectively conveys the project’s success would be appropriate documentation

· Confirmed

· Please define what is meant by the term “Data Analytics” found in the second paragraph under “I. Professional Support Services:”?

· These services support ongoing BIM efforts which analyze, synthesize de-conflict and connect various forms of building information data and present them in a concise legible manner.

· Can the electronic copy by on a flash drive rather than CD?

· No, flash drives are NOT acceptable but multiple CD/DVD(s) would be acceptable. Please ensure the discs are labelled clearly.

· Please confirm that if we are to submit our entire team, including the 12 disciplines identified, that we do not need to include each team members part II of the SF 330 form.

· Confirmed

· Please clarify that we are responding with our entire team that includes the 12 disciplines under Stage 1 Submission Requirements and Evaluation Criteria, on page 3 of 6 of the Solicitation? There is a reference that in phase 2 short listed offerors will assemble the technical team with detailed information. It is inferred that we will not submit the subconsultants in phase 1, but then the request asks for the core lead team resumes for each of the 12 disciplines to be submitted in item 5. Please clarify if we are to submit an entire team, including the 12 disciplines and their lead person?

· Under Stage 1 Submission requirements, you are to include the profile of the lead person for each of the 12 disciplines. The detailed information submission for the technical team(s) is part of the Stage 2.

· Please confirm that if we are not required to respond to this solicitation in a SF 330 format. But are to include the Part II of the SF 330 form for the lead consultant?

· Confirmed

· For Item 4. Design and Engineering Innovation, are you looking for 5 examples of projects that speak to design innovation and/or project and program support in problem solving or 10 projects?

· We are looking for five (5) examples in total.

· Please expand on the types of services you are looking for Graphics? And Analytics

· Graphics support services would include graphics and wayfinding services. Minimum requirement is a Bachelor’s in Graphic Design with NCIDQ certification, and LEED accreditation.

· Analytics services support ongoing BIM efforts which analyze, synthesize de-conflict and connect various forms of building information data and present them in a concise legible manner.

· On page three, Stage 1 third paragraph can we divide the (5) civil and structural engineering discipline into two positions?

· Please submit the two roles under the #5 header: Civil and Structural Engineering, and identify which lead is for the Civil discipline and which is for the Structural discipline.

· Can you clarify how many hard copies you would like, on page three it states “one original plus one copy” and on page six it states “one hard copy.”

· Yes. The original, one copy of the original, and one copy of the original on compact disc (CD).

· May we show a completed study as one of our five projects?

· Yes

· Design and Engineering Innovation Portfolio: This section requires 5 example project to be submitted representing the Lead Team’s ability to design innovation and/or project and program support in problem solving. The examples notes that the projects need to be designed and fully constructed in the last ten years. Our question has to do with the projects being “fully constructed”. Can detailed studies, analyses and other detailed program efforts that were not designed or constructed be considered as representative projects?

· Yes

· Tab 5 – Core Team Lead Discipline Member Profiles requires bios on Lead Team members of the 10 core disciplines. On Page 3 of 6, the solicitation presents 12 disciplines where the core team resides. Our question is do you only want 10 core team member bios? It is confusing since the core team of civil and structural actually has 2 distinct professionals representing civil engineering and structural engineering. If a submitting firm is an architectural practice that does not provide the full range of engineering and support services described in the solicitation, does DOS/OBO require the inclusion of subconsultant team members at the Stage 1 submittal? Or should we just submit information on the Prime firm at Stage 1, and then submit the full subconsultant team at Stage 2?

· Please note, the announcement is structured to request that an entity submit for the 12 disciplines. In turn, the evaluation process is based on an entity’s submission for the 12 disciplines. The evaluation and scoring of submissions will be left to the individual members of the Technical Evaluation Panel (TEP). It is recommended that you simply submit your best work for each category.

· If Stage 1 submittal is only for the Prime firm and we do not provide all services in-house, how should we address the specific items requested in the 12 tabbed sections that we do not provide in-house?

· Please note, the announcement is structured to request that an entity submit for the 12 disciplines. In turn, the twelve (12) tabbed sections/ specialties that are not provide for in-house may be performed by the designated subcontractors.

· Please confirm that we need to identify and provide resumes for the team leads for each of the core disciplines, even if they will be subcontracted.

· Confirmed

· Should the 5 projects in the portfolio section (“Design and Engineering Innovation”) demonstrate design innovation and problem solving of the just the Prime/Lead Design firm, or as many team leads as possible? Or are we allowed to submit 5 projects for each team lead of the core disciplines?

· Just the Prime/Lead Design firm.

· Is the core team comprised of 10 or 12 disciplines? (On page 3, middle of the page, references 12 disciplines; on page 4, under “Core Team Lead Disciplines Member Profiles,” it references 10 core disciplines.)

· Ten is an error; the sentence should read twelve. All twelve lead team members require a biographical sketch.

· If we put an image/photograph on the tab will it count as a page?

· No. However, it is strongly requested that you please consider the page limit when including images/ photographs in the submission.

· Due to the down time over the holidays, would it be possible to get an extension of submission date to Tuesday, January 21, 2020?

· The deadline was extended to February 4, 2020.

· The RFP describes the core team of twelve disciplines, including 5) civil and structural engineering. In our experience, this involves two separate areas of expertise and is generally separated into two roles on a team. We request that this discipline be changed into two separate disciplines, one for civil engineering and the second for structural engineering for a core team total of thirteen disciplines.

· Please submit the two roles under the #5 header: Civil and Structural Engineering, and identify which lead is for the Civil discipline and which is for the Structural discipline.

· Would it be acceptable to split core team #5 - civil and structural engineering, as these will have different leads?

· Yes. Please submit the two leads under the #5 header: Civil and Structural Engineering, and identify which lead is for the Civil discipline and which is for the Structural discipline.

· Would it be acceptable to split core team #8 – physical and technical engineering, as these will have different leads?

· Yes. Please submit under the #8 header: Physical and Technical Security, and identify which lead is for which discipline.

· Can you please elaborate what the scope of work to be performed by core team member #12 - Analytics? This appears to be a new discipline, and no one appears to know who can perform this work.

· These services support ongoing BIM efforts which analyze, synthesize de-conflict and connect various forms of building information data and present them in a concise legible manner.

· Item (4) Design and Engineering Innovation: Do all five examples need to be the prime consultants project examples?

· Yes

· Item (5) Core Team Lead Discipline Member Profiles states we are to “identify Lead Team members of the ten disciplines and submit a biographical sketch” Should this state twelve (12)? Please advise.

· Yes. The ten is an error; it should read twelve.

· To clarify, we are only to fill out Standard Form 330 Part 2.

· Confirmed

· To clarify, resumes are to be include in section 5: Core team Lead Discipline Member Profiles?

· Confirmed

· There’s a discrepancy in the number of core disciplines identified for Stage 1. On page 3 of the RFP, it’s stated:

· “For the purposes of this evaluation, the core team is comprised of the following twelve disciplines: (1) site planning and landscape architecture (2) architecture and master planning (3) space planning and interior design (4) mechanical engineering (5) civil and structural engineering (6) electrical engineering (7) sustainability (8) physical and technical security (9) project management (10) pre-construction management (11) Graphics and (12) Analytics.”

· On page 4, it’s stated: “(5) Core Team Lead Discipline Member Profiles (50 points maximum). Identify Lead Team members of the ten core disciplines and submit a biographical sketch (maximum of three pages per person) including education, professional experience, and recognition for design or engineering efforts inclusive of the portfolio examples. Identify and describe areas of responsibility and commitment to each project.”How many core disciplines are there?

· There are twelve (12) core disciplines. Page 4 is in error and should read: identify lead team members of the twelve core disciplines

· Further, multiple core discipline groupings identified on page 3 above are often distinct in the profession. Can they be separated out as individual core disciplines; e.g. civil and structural, or architecture and master planning?

· In such cases, please submit the lead for the two roles under the proper header; e.g. Civil and Structural Engineering, and state which lead is for each specific discipline (Civil lead and Structural lead).

· In the Stage 1 submission, is an SF 330 Part II required for every sub-consultant on the team or just from the prime contractor?

· Only for the Prime

· We understand that there is a page limit of 40 double-sided pages exclusive of the tabbed divider sheets and cover letter. Are the proposal cover and table of contents excluded from the page limit as well?

· No

· The solicitation identifies twelve (12) discipline categories for the core team. However, 5 of the 12 categories identify two disciplines/services:

· Site Planning and Landscape Architecture

· Architecture and Master Planning

· Space Planning and Interior Design

· Civil and Structural Engineering

· Physical and Technical Security

· Can we submit resumes for each identified discipline/service for a total of 17 biographical sketches (maximum of three pages per person)?

· Yes. In such cases, please submit the lead for the two roles under the one proper header; e.g. Civil and Structural Engineering, and state which lead is for each specific discipline (Civil lead and Structural lead).

· Are offerors allowed to show entire IDIQ contracts as project examples for (4) Design and Engineering Innovation?

· Yes. However, it is strongly requested that you please consider the page limit when including an entire IDIQ contract in the submission.

· In Section 4 of our response is it permissible to use tabbed pages (using normal-weight paper as opposed to a traditionally heavier tab stock) to demarcate the initial page of each of our five project examples?

· Yes. It is strongly recommended that you ensure the normal-weight paper demarcation of projects is clear.

· Considering the timing and complexity of the Stage I submission requirements, would you consider extending the deadline beyond January 14?

· The deadline was extended to February 4, 2020.

· RFP Page 4 (3) Leadership of Multi-Disciplinary Services (20 points maximum). Provide a narrative describing the offeror’s philosophy of design, project and program support, challenge of public and international architecture, integrated design leadership, and their commitment to integrated, sustainable, and high-performance projects. Can we include the offeror’s sub-consultant team’s narrative under the above requirements?

· No. The focus here is strictly on philosophy of the Lead Offeror. To this end, a shared narrative would be acceptable only in the case of a Joint Venture (JV) where there are two – or more- entities comprising the Lead Offeror role.

· (4) Design and Engineering Innovation (30 points maximum). Submit a portfolio representative of the Lead Team members’ abilities to provide design innovation and/or project and program support in problem-solving. Offerors shall submit a portfolio of not more than five examples. Question: Can we include sub-consultant’s team members’ abilities as a part of the Lead Team members under the above requirements?

· No. The focus of Section 1 is on the abilities of the Lead Offeror. To this end, shared abilities would be acceptable only in the case of a Joint Venture (JV) where there are two – or more- entities comprising the Lead Offeror role.

· Question: Do the subconsultants firms on the teams need to have current, and/or immediate past, State Department OBO experience?

· No.

· Question: Is it a requirement that the prime teams have current, and/or immediate past, State Department OBO experience?

· No.

· Question: What percentage is past international, and State Department OBO, experience weighted in the deciding which companies will be shortlisted?

· Please reference Stage 1 Submission Requirements and Evaluation Criteria; Item #3. The Leadership of Multi-Disciplined Services is weighted at 20 points maximum. A portion of the narrative score is allocated to the Lead Offeror’s philosophy on international architecture.

· None of the three scoring categories are weighed towards past State Department OBO experience.

· Are a maximum of five project examples expected, for each of the twelve disciples listed in this solicitation?

· No. Examples are required from the Prime only.

· Will the submission date be extended, due to the short turnaround time from when the questions are answered, and when the response is due?

· No.

· Do the subconsultants firms on the teams need to have current, and/or immediate past, State Department OBO experience?

· No.

· Is it a requirement that the prime teams have current, and/or immediate past, State Department OBO experience?

· No.

· What percentage is past international, and State Department OBO, experience weighted in the deciding which companies will be shortlisted?

· Please reference Stage 1 Submission Requirements and Evaluation Criteria; Item #3. The Leadership of Multi-Disciplined Services is weighted at 20 points maximum. A portion of the narrative score is allocated to the Lead Offeror’s philosophy on international architecture.

· None of the three scoring categories are weighed towards past State Department OBO experience.

· Are a maximum of five project examples expected for each of the twelve disciples listed in this solicitation?

· No. Examples are required from the Prime only.

· Will teams be considered if they have only submitted a proposal with five disciplines, versus for all twelve disciplines listed?

· Please note, the announcement is structured to request that an entity submit for the 12 disciplines. In turn, the evaluation process is based on an entity’s submission for the 12 disciplines. The evaluation and scoring of submissions will be left to the individual members of the Technical Evaluation Panel (TEP). It is recommended that you simply submit your best work for each category.

· Will the submission date be extended, due to the short turnaround time from when the questions are answered, and when the response is due?

· No.

· How many teams will be selected from this IDIQ solicitation?

· The evaluation and scoring of submissions will be left to the individual members of the Technical Evaluation Panel (TEP). The number of teams selected from this IDIQ solicitation will be dependent on the recommendations of the TEP.

· What are the licensing requirements for the Space Planning and Interior Design discipline?

· The Space Planning and Interior Design discipline both have the following certification requirements opposed to licensing requirements:

· NCIDQ certification

· LEED AP certification

· Can we submit our team as a two-tier approach with one team for large projects and one for small?

· How a successful bidder structures their in-house team(s) is not mandated by OBO. OBO’s focus is that the bidder has the ability, and capacity to manage projects ranging in size and complexity.

· Can you further define the scope of the requested Analytical services (RFQ page 6, Stage 1 Submission Requirements)?

· Analytics services support ongoing BIM efforts which analyze, synthesize de-conflict and connect various forms of building information data and present them in a concise legible manner.