19AQMM21R0016 Q and A response to betaSAM.docx

19AQMM21R0016

AMENDMENT NUMBER TWO

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Question One:

I hope this email finds you both well. I am contacting you both regarding the Domestic A&E Services - 19AQMM21R0016 sam.gov notice released on November 10, 2020 to confirm the incumbent contracts. Are the incumbent contracts the following?

Answer: Yes that is correct Question Two:

The notice states that “The assembled content for the Stage 1 portfolio should be no more than 100 single-sided pages or 55 double-faced pages (exclusive of dividers), printed on standard 8.5” x 11” sheets of paper. “ Can the pages be landscape format, or do they have to be portrait?

Answer: No issue using Landscape.

Question Three:

We have a question on format. Will this be a Part I and Part II SF330 submittal with all applicable sections?

Answer: No, per the solicitation Stage 1 is only requesting for PART II only.

The solicitation states the following:

(2) Standard Form 330. Standard Form 330 Architect-Engineer Qualifications, Part II only. For the purposes of this solicitation, Firm as requested in Box 2A is defined as the individual, firm, partnership, corporation, association or other legal entity permitted by law to practice the profession of architecture or engineering that will have contractual responsibility for the project design, should the proposed offeror be selected for the contract. Offerors may find a copy of the SF-330 at the following website: https://www.gsa.gov/forms-library/architect-engineer-qualifications Question Four:

Your solicitation criteria refers to all of the information that is contained in a full SF330. It is not clear that it is and only SF330 Part II is indicated as being required?

Answer: Per the solicitation Stage 1 is only requesting for PART II only.

The solicitation states the following:

(2) Standard Form 330. Standard Form 330 Architect-Engineer Qualifications, Part II only. For the purposes of this solicitation, Firm as requested in Box 2A is defined as the individual, firm, partnership, corporation, association or other legal entity permitted by law to practice the profession of architecture or engineering that will have contractual responsibility for the project design, should the proposed offeror be selected for the contract. Offerors may find a copy of the SF-330 at the following website: https://www.gsa.gov/forms-library/architect-engineer-qualifications Question Five:

We would like to confirm that we can submit up 15+ sample projects as described in criteria 4-7, but that projects may satisfy requirements of multiple criteria?

Answer: Confirmed per the solicitation, which states the following:

(4) Specialized Experience and Technical Competence (20 Points maximum). The prime A/E firm’s specialized experience and technical competence in facility rehabilitation and system replacement projects involving multiple disciplines, e.g. architectural, interior design, mechanical, plumbing, civil/ geotechnical, structural, and electrical in office buildings and other support facilities. The firms' expertise in furniture, furnishings, and equipment management, including GSA federal schedules procurement and relocation planning, along with security and telecommunications systems integration into design documents will also be evaluated. Provide back-up data, including dates completed, for five (5) examples of recent projects which have been construction completed within the five previous years from the proposal submittal date, which demonstrate creative solutions in facility rehabilitation; including adaptive reuse, sustainable design, energy conservation, pollution prevention, waste reduction, the use of recovered materials, and accommodating organizational and technical change. Experience with LEED certification is required. Indicate which projects have LEED certification.

(5) Management Plan (25 Points maximum). Demonstrate experience in providing and coordinating a multi-discipline effort either in house or with consultants. If using consultants, offeror must demonstrate that they have worked successfully as a team with these consultants in providing similar services. This collaboration shall be demonstrated by submitting information for five (5) examples of recent projects which have been construction completed within the five previous years from the proposal submittal date, including the dates completed, performed by the team. Submit a management plan that explains how you propose to manage and coordinate Department of State projects. Provide an Organization Chart that reflects key management functions and managerial authority for prime and subcontractors (name and discipline may be included).

(6) Past Performance (30 Points maximum). The prime A/E firm is to demonstrate previous records of performing work on schedule and of effective cost and quality control. Briefly describe internal quality assurance and cost control procedures and indicate effectiveness by listing the planned and actual design durations, client’s construction budget, design construction estimate, construction award amount, and construction change order rate in tabular form for five (5) recent projects which have been construction completed within the five previous years from the proposal submittal date. Indicate when these projects were completed. For each project identified in the responses to evaluation criterion “Specialized Experience and Technical Competence”, provide the name, address, and current telephone number of a client representative and identify which members of the proposed design team participated in the project. Although previous or ongoing performance of a similar U.S. Government contract is not a requirement for firms responding to this solicitation, if such contracts have been performed, the offeror must have performed at a satisfactory level at a minimum. Indicate which projects have LEED certification.

(7) Previous Government Experience (10 Points maximum). Describe the prime A/E firm’s previous experience with Federal agencies and understanding of GSA and other Federal Property Regulations which has been construction completed within the five previous years from the proposal submittal date.

*NOTE: Project examples can be the same or different projects for each of the criteria as long as they meet the specific criteria requirements.

Question Six:

We would like to confirm that we are not required to show any subconsultants in Stage I?

Answer: Confirmed, Stage 1 is only for the (Prime) A/E firm who would have contractual responsibility for the project design.

The following is stated in the solicitation:

(2) Standard Form 330. Standard Form 330 Architect-Engineer Qualifications, Part II only. For the purposes of this solicitation, Firm as requested in Box 2A is defined as the individual, firm, partnership, corporation, association or other legal entity permitted by law to practice the profession of architecture or engineering that will have contractual responsibility for the project design, should the proposed offeror be selected for the contract. Offerors may find a copy of the SF-330 at the following website: https://www.gsa.gov/forms-library/architect-engineer-qualifications

Question Seven:

And that Stage II will be where we provide more detail on subconsultants?, Answer: More details of subconsultants is not a requirement for Stage 1. Stage 2 requirements will only be provided to the short-listed offeror(s).

Solicitation states:

In Stage 2, upon notification the short-listed offeror(s) will assemble their technical teams and submit detailed information as to their proposed team, management plan, and past performance on construction documents. The Stage 2 evaluation criteria will only be provided to the short-listed offeror(s) and will be reviewed by the Technical Evaluation Panel (or Pre-Selection Board). The short-listed offeror(s) may also be required to make virtual presentations to the Technical Evaluation Panel. The Technical Evaluation Panel will make a determination of the most highly qualified team consistent with the announced Technical Evaluation Panel criteria and will recommend the offeror(s) for award.

Question Eight:

But, that we are permitted to show subconsultants in Stage I submittal?

Answer: Correct

Question Nine:

We intend to show our core subconsultant(s) in Stage I unless advised against it.

Answer: OK. The focus of Stage 1 is the Prime A/E firm. Subconsultants may be briefly mentioned/listed if relevant.

Question Ten:

Is there a website or server with background information for the RFP as we prepare our response for this IDIQ.

Answer: There is no other website or server with background information for the RFP. The solicitation posted on beta.sam.gov on November 10, 2020 and updated on November 23, 2020 which includes the background information related to this requirement.

Question Eleven:

Under Criteria #2, are you requesting a complete SF330 or only the Part II portions for the prime and our subcontractors?

Answer: Per the solicitation Stage 1 is only requesting for PART II only for the Prime AE. The focus of Stage 1 is the Prime A/E firm. Subcontractors may briefly be mentioned/listed if relevant.

The solicitation states the following:

(2) Standard Form 330. Standard Form 330 Architect-Engineer Qualifications, Part II only. For the purposes of this solicitation, Firm as requested in Box 2A is defined as the individual, firm, partnership, corporation, association or other legal entity permitted by law to practice the profession of architecture or engineering that will have contractual responsibility for the project design, should the proposed offeror be selected for the contract. Offerors may find a copy of the SF-330 at the following website: https://www.gsa.gov/forms-library/architect-engineer-qualifications

Question Twelve:

Under Criteria #3, are you looking for SF330 Section E resumes?

Answer: The requirements for criteria #3 is stated in the solicitation, there is not a specific format the required information is to be presented as long as the required information is provided.

Question Thirteen:

Under Criteria #4, #5 and #6 – are you looking for only 5 projects each to address each individual criteria, where some of the projects can be repeated if we see fit?

Answer: Please see the following Note after criteria #7 in the solicitation:

*NOTE: Project examples can be the same or different projects for each of the criteria as long as they meet the specific criteria requirements.

Question Fourteen:

In reference to the Stage 1 submission requirements, section 4-specialized experience & technical competence, for the five (5) examples of recent projects, can we submit 1-2 examples that are design complete within the five previous years?

Answer: Section 4 requires 5 project examples that have been construction completed within the past 5 years, per the solicitation:

(4) Specialized Experience and Technical Competence (20 Points maximum). The prime A/E firm’s specialized experience and technical competence in facility rehabilitation and system replacement projects involving multiple disciplines, e.g. architectural, interior design, mechanical, plumbing, civil/ geotechnical, structural, and electrical in office buildings and other support facilities. The firms' expertise in furniture, furnishings, and equipment management, including GSA federal schedules procurement and relocation planning, along with security and telecommunications systems integration into design documents will also be evaluated. Provide back-up data, including dates completed, for five (5) examples of recent projects which have been construction completed within the five previous years from the proposal submittal date, which demonstrate creative solutions in facility rehabilitation; including adaptive reuse, sustainable design, energy conservation, pollution prevention, waste reduction, the use of recovered materials, and accommodating organizational and technical change. Experience with LEED certification is required. Indicate which projects have LEED certification.

Question Fifteen:

The solicitation makes a few references to project types and project delivery types but the solicitation criteria only indicates that DBB (with construction completed) projects are to be used to satisfy the evaluation criteria. With so many potential projects that can be used we would request that you expand project types to be able to show the breadth of experience you are presumably looking for. For instance we have multiple POR/Programming projects for a variety of Federal clients (NOAA, FEMA, Navy, Army, Air Force, USMC) that do not have CDs or completed construction, we also have a multitude of the “alternative documentation methods”; D/B projects, and D/B RFP development projects for Federal clients. The solicitation also indicates “other” services in which we also have multiple projects to show that breadth of experience.

Basically we have several federal IDIQ/MATOC contracts with the same general scope and we’d like to illustrate the types of projects we performed, which were not all DBB. There were many studies, programming, D/B RFP development/Bridging documents.

Our program manager with many years of experience supporting DOS Domestic, described that DOS frequently combines POR with final design then CA, whereas our experience with other federal clients .

(we almost exclusively support Federal/DOD) is that they do not typically deliver this way. For firms that do not yet have a lot of DOS experience we will need to piece together this experience to tell our story.

Answer: If you intended to ask if different construction documentation delivery methods are OK to illustrate their experience, the overall answer is yes. We are looking for examples that illustrate the A/E’s prior success in solving their customer’s design and construction needs. The best examples regardless of delivery method will demonstrate successful construction completion.

Most of our projects are design, bid, build, so we focus on that in the solicitation. Success in DBB indicates the A/E has experience not only in writing POR’s, reports and studies, but that they successfully get their designs built, which is the real property management/design and construction division mission. We know from experience that A/E’s successful in DBB can also provide D/B packages, feasibility studies, design studies, request for proposal packages and other design services.

Question Sixteen:

The solicitation page 2, notes “The majority of projects usually require the A/E to develop a program of requirements (POR).”

Stage 1 Submission Requirements and Evaluation Criteria, Item (4) Specialized Experience and Technical Competence (20 Points maximum) partially notes: “Provide back-up data, including dates completed, for five (5) examples of recent projects which have been construction completed within the five previous years from the proposal submittal date, which demonstrate creative solutions in facility rehabilitation; including adaptive reuse, sustainable design, energy conservation, pollution prevention, waste reduction, the use of recovered materials, and accommodating organizational and technical change. Experience with LEED certification is required. Indicate which projects have LEED certification.”

Many projects where extensive PORs are provided by an A/E firm do not allow the same A/E firm to compete for the documentation and construction administration phases. For that reason, may we submit under this category:

Projects where we have completed the PORs but not provided the documentation or construction administration services, and Projects where we have completed the documentation and construction administration services but not the PORs?

Should we submit as suggested under (1) a and (1) b, would we lose any points in the evaluation?

Answer:

The reference to the POR is for background information and not a requirement for criteria (4) Specialized Experience and Technical Competence. Please provide 5 examples of Construction Completed projects within the past 5 years that meet the requirements of criteria (4). Please see the highlighted text of the solicitation requirements below:

(4) Specialized Experience and Technical Competence (20 Points maximum). The prime A/E firm’s specialized experience and technical competence in facility rehabilitation and system replacement projects involving multiple disciplines, e.g. architectural, interior design, mechanical, plumbing, civil/ geotechnical, structural, and electrical in office buildings and other support facilities. The firms' expertise in furniture, furnishings, and equipment management, including GSA federal schedules procurement and relocation planning, along with security and telecommunications systems integration into design documents will also be evaluated. Provide back-up data, including dates completed, for five (5) examples of recent projects which have been construction completed within the five previous years from the proposal submittal date, which demonstrate creative solutions in facility rehabilitation; including adaptive reuse, sustainable design, energy conservation, pollution prevention, waste reduction, the use of recovered materials, and accommodating organizational and technical change. Experience with LEED certification is required. Indicate which projects have LEED certification.

Question Seventeen:

Stage 1 Submission Requirements and Evaluation Criteria, Items (4) Specialized Experience and Technical Competence, (5) Management Plan, and (6) Past Performance, each note that the (5) example projects to be submitted must have construction completed within the five previous years from the proposal submittal date. In consideration of the potential delay to project completion due to the on-going pandemic may we submit:

Projects completed in 2015 (starting January 1, 2015) Answer: Yes

Question Eighteen:

Projects that are currently on-going and slated for completion in 2021?

Should we submit as suggested under (2) a and (2) b, would we lose any points in the evaluation?

Answer:

The Five project examples required for each of the Criteria’s (4), (5), AND (6) all need to have been Construction Completed within the five previous years from the proposal submittal date, which is currently due February 25, 2021. Any submitted projects that are not construction completed, would not meet the requirements of Criteria’s (4), (5), AND (6). Please see the highlighted text from the solicitation below:

(4) Specialized Experience and Technical Competence (20 Points maximum). The prime A/E firm’s specialized experience and technical competence in facility rehabilitation and system replacement projects involving multiple disciplines, e.g. architectural, interior design, mechanical, plumbing, civil/ geotechnical, structural, and electrical in office buildings and other support facilities. The firms' expertise in furniture, furnishings, and equipment management, including GSA federal schedules procurement and relocation planning, along with security and telecommunications systems integration into design documents will also be evaluated. Provide back-up data, including dates completed, for five (5) examples of recent projects which have been construction completed within the five previous years from the proposal submittal date, which demonstrate creative solutions in facility rehabilitation; including adaptive reuse, sustainable design, energy conservation, pollution prevention, waste reduction, the use of recovered materials, and accommodating organizational and technical change. Experience with LEED certification is required. Indicate which projects have LEED certification.

(5) Management Plan (25 Points maximum). Demonstrate experience in providing and coordinating a multi-discipline effort either in house or with consultants. If using consultants, offeror must demonstrate that they have worked successfully as a team with these consultants in providing similar services. This collaboration shall be demonstrated by submitting information for five (5) examples of recent projects which have been construction completed within the five previous years from the proposal submittal date, including the dates completed, performed by the team. Submit a management plan that explains how you propose to manage and coordinate Department of State projects. Provide an Organization Chart that reflects key management functions and managerial authority for prime and subcontractors (name and discipline may be included).

(6) Past Performance (30 Points maximum). The prime A/E firm is to demonstrate previous records of performing work on schedule and of effective cost and quality control. Briefly describe internal quality assurance and cost control procedures and indicate effectiveness by listing the planned and actual design durations, client’s construction budget, design construction estimate, construction award amount, and construction change order rate in tabular form for five (5) recent projects which have been construction completed within the five previous years from the proposal submittal date. Indicate when these projects were completed. For each project identified in the responses to evaluation criterion “Specialized Experience and Technical Competence”, provide the name, address, and current telephone number of a client representative and identify which members of the proposed design team participated in the project. Although previous or ongoing performance of a similar U.S. Government contract is not a requirement for firms responding to this solicitation, if such contracts have been performed, the offeror must have performed at a satisfactory level at a minimum. Indicate which projects have LEED certification.

Question Nineteen:

The solicitation page 1, notes: “Large business firms responding to this solicitation will be required to submit a small business subcontracting plan.”

Under what item of the Stage 1 Submission Requirements and Evaluation Criteria may we submit the small business subcontracting plan?

Answer:

The small business subcontracting plan is not required in the Stage 1 Submission Requirements and Evaluation Criteria. The requirements for the Stage 1 proposal submittal are items (1) – (7) under Stage 1 Submission Requirements and Evaluation Criteria in the solicitation.

Question Twenty:

For the Small Business Subcontracting Plan, the solicitation says 39% SBE, 5% SDB, 5% SWBE, 3% HUBZone, and 3% SDVB. Is the total for the small business 55% or 39% with the other four percentages being a part of the goal?

Answer:

The total for Small Business is 39% which includes the other percentages as part of that goal.

Question Twenty One:

Other than the SF330 listing there is no specific information on the types of projects that will be included in this IDIQ. Can you clarify the types of projects and the range of cost that you anticipate?

Answer: The types of services and projects under this IDIQ are listed in the solicitation starting on paragraph 3 (provided below). The range of cost depends on the requirements of each specific project.

The contract will be for professional services to include, but not limited to, facility assessments, strategic facility planning, data collection, engineering/building systems (mechanical/electrical/plumbing), communication and information technology infrastructure, structural surveys, space situation summaries, space requirements reports, performance specifications and cost estimates, block and stack plans, space plans/layouts, interior design: finishes and color selection, architectural design: construction drawings and specifications, construction review and punch lists, furniture review and punch lists, design of system upgrade and replacement projects, design of physical security and surveillance systems, special forced entry, and ballistic resistant construction, hazardous material abatement and removal design/specification, and existing condition documentation. Additionally, relocation planning and management/oversight services, and furniture procurement, construction supervision and installation management/oversight services are required.

Contract services shall include the following: architectural, including space planning and interior design; master planning; treatment of historic/cultural resources; facilities programming; electrical engineering; mechanical engineering; structural engineering; blast; civil engineering; security systems engineering; lighting system design, acoustical engineering, chem-bio [Nuclear, Biological, Chemical (NBC)] engineering; cost estimating; scheduling; phasing value engineering; landscape architecture, commissioning, communications information and audiovisual technology, Energy Analysis and Environmental Assessment; other specialties when needed; administrative and technical coordination of the various disciplines involved; working within the U.S. Government’s requirements, and with the applicable laws, codes, and standards at the each project site. Familiarity with sustainable design through an integrated design approach is required; experience with LEED certification is required.

The majority of projects usually require the A/E to develop a program of requirements (POR). Most all of the work will be in occupied spaces and some work will be done in historically significant facilities such as the Harry S Truman building (HST). The existing tenant would move into swing space and then their current space would be renovated. Projects can vary in size from as little as 1,000 square feet to over 100,000 square feet. The majority of work will be building interiors but may include some exterior building envelope work. Finally, some projects may involve complete renovation of existing buildings, the design of new buildings, civil engineering, storm-water management, landscape architecture, master planning, strategic facility planning and NEPA compliance.

The preparation of construction documents via alternative documentation methods (e.g. design-bid-build plans, specifications, and design-build) is required. The successful offeror will be required to provide all construction documents that are produced in or compatible be prepared with the current version of AutoCAD. REVIT documentation may be required for Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Construction-Operation Building information exchange (COBie) submittals. Written documents shall be prepared with MS Office (Word, Excel, MS Project, etc.) and the current version of Adobe software. Transmission of Sensitive But Unclassified (SBU) files, document, drawings and comments shall be handled by using ProjNet. MS Teams and WebEx will be used for virtual meetings.

Question Twenty Two:

As this is an electronic only submission, please confirm the total number of pages permitted and please confirm that double-sided printing is no longer applicable.

Answer: The solicitation states the Stage 1 submission should be no more than 100 single-sided pages OR 55 double-faced pages. The number of pages permitted has not changed from the original solicitation requirements. The maximum number of pages remains at 100 single-sided pages.

The page limit for Stage 1 is as stated in the solicitation below:

Stage 1 Submission Requirements and Evaluation Criteria The assembled content for the Stage 1 portfolio should be no more than 100 single-sided pages or 55 double-faced pages (exclusive of dividers), printed on standard 8.5” x 11” sheets of paper. Submissions shall be double-sided, where feasible.

Question Twenty Three:

Can we feature a series of associated projects delivered under one program as a project if it was completed in the past 5 years?

Answer: Associated construction projects within a single construction program are acceptable as a project example.

Question Twenty Four:

Of the up to eight IDIQ contracts to be awarded, will any be set aside for small/disadvantaged businesses?

Answer: That will be determined at the conclusion of Stage 1.

Question Twenty Five:

If so, how many contracts will be small business set-aside?

Answer: This will be determined at the conclusion of Stage 1.

Question Twenty Six:

Please confirm that in response to Stage 1 we are only to submit qualifications for the prime firm submitting for the contract and no subconsultants?

Answer: Per the solicitation Stage 1 is only requesting for PART II only for the Prime AE. The focus of Stage 1 is the Prime A/E firm. Subcontractors may briefly be mentioned/listed if relevant.

The solicitation states the following:

(2) Standard Form 330. Standard Form 330 Architect-Engineer Qualifications, Part II only. For the purposes of this solicitation, Firm as requested in Box 2A is defined as the individual, firm, partnership, corporation, association or other legal entity permitted by law to practice the profession of architecture or engineering that will have contractual responsibility for the project design, should the proposed offeror be selected for the contract. Offerors may find a copy of the SF-330 at the following website: https://www.gsa.gov/forms-library/architect-engineer-qualifications

Question Twenty-Seven:

Please confirm that the only information required for subconsultants is to identify our team using an organizational chart and a narrative and five projects demonstrating how we have successfully worked together?

Answer: The focus of Stage 1 is the Prime A/E firm. Subcontractors may briefly be mentioned/listed if relevant. The requirements for the each one of the Stage 1 criteria is stated in each of the criteria requirements.

Question Twenty-Eight:

Under contract services on Page one of the RFP Chem-bio [Nuclear, Biological, Chemical (NBC) engineering is listed. Are you in fact looking for us to cover just chem-bio or is full nuclear/chem bio required for this contract?

Answer: Capacity for all three is required under the IDIQ contract.

Question Twenty-Nine:

Is the small business engagement plan to be included as part of this Stage I submission? If so, should this be included in Section 5 “Management Plan?”

Answer: The small business subcontracting plan is not required in the Stage 1 Submission Requirements and Evaluation Criteria. The requirements for the Stage 1 proposal submittal are items (1) – (7) under Stage 1 Submission Requirements and Evaluation Criteria in the solicitation.

Question Thirty:

Is it required for our team to match the DOS’ Fiscal Year 2021 subcontracting Goals, or are these targets?

Answer: The subcontracting goals are DOS’ goals. However, The small business subcontracting plan is not required in the Stage 1 Submission Requirements and Evaluation Criteria. The requirements for the Stage 1 proposal submittal are items (1) – (7) under Stage 1 Submission Requirements and Evaluation Criteria in the solicitation.

Question Thirty-One:

Should we submit our full subconsultant team as part of our Stage I submission? Will it be required in Stage II?

Answer: The focus of Stage 1 is the Prime A/E firm. Subcontractors may briefly be mentioned/listed if relevant. The requirements for the each one of the Stage 1 criteria is stated in each of the criteria requirements.

Question Thirty-Two:

Are SF 330 Part II forms required for each subconsultant?

Answer: Per the solicitation Stage 1 is only requesting for PART II only for the Prime AE. The focus of Stage 1 is the Prime A/E firm. Subcontractors may briefly be mentioned/listed if relevant.

The solicitation states the following:

(2) Standard Form 330. Standard Form 330 Architect-Engineer Qualifications, Part II only. For the purposes of this solicitation, Firm as requested in Box 2A is defined as the individual, firm, partnership, corporation, association or other legal entity permitted by law to practice the profession of architecture or engineering that will have contractual responsibility for the project design, should the proposed offeror be selected for the contract. Offerors may find a copy of the SF-330 at the following website: https://www.gsa.gov/forms-library/architect-engineer-qualifications

Question Thirty-Three:

Please confirm SF330 Part I is not required for Stage 1.

Answer: Please see the highlighted section of the solicitation below:

(2) Standard Form 330. Standard Form 330 Architect-Engineer Qualifications, Part II only. For the purposes of this solicitation, Firm as requested in Box 2A is defined as the individual, firm, partnership, corporation, association or other legal entity permitted by law to practice the profession of architecture or engineering that will have contractual responsibility for the project design, should the proposed offeror be selected for the contract. Offerors may find a copy of the SF-330 at the following website: https://www.gsa.gov/forms-library/architect-engineer-qualifications

Question Thirty-Four:

Please confirm that SF 330 Part II is only required for the primary contract holder(s), as part of Stage 1.

Answer: Yes

Question Thirty-Five:

Does the 3rd section of the Stage 1 proposal require full resumes?

Answer: Please see the Stage 1 solicitation requirements below. The changes highlighted in yellow will be included in an amendment.

(3) Professional Qualifications (15 Points maximum).

Format: SF 330 Section E or alternate format is acceptable as long as required information below is presented.

The prime A/E firm’s Professional qualifications necessary for excellence in the performance of the required services as listed above. Document the qualifications of personnel with an emphasis on those in key roles, which may include consultants. Demonstrate applicable licenses, registrations and certifications as well as other indicators of high quality professional performance. Note which team members are LEED Accredited Professionals.

Question Thirty-Six:

What is the maximum file size that can be accepted?

Answer: 10MB per email. Please make sure the file names are easily identifiable (ie. Part 1, Part 2, etc.) for us to combine back into one single file in the correct order.

If the file(s) are too big, you may send us separate e-mails with the submission broken up into separate files, the subject e-mail shall say [AE firm name] Stage 1 submission to 19AQMM21R0016 1 of 2, 2 of 2, etc.

Question Thirty-Seven:

Do you require the Part II’s from the entire team (subs), or just the prime contractor?

Answer: Please see the Stage 1 solicitation requirements below. The changes highlighted in yellow will be included in an amendment.

(2) Standard Form 330. Standard Form 330 Architect-Engineer Qualifications, Part II only for the Prime AE only. For the purposes of this solicitation, Firm as requested in Box 2A is defined as the individual, firm, partnership, corporation, association or other legal entity permitted by law to practice the profession of architecture or engineering that will have contractual responsibility for the project design, should the proposed offeror be selected for the contract. Offerors may find a copy of the SF-330 at the following website: https://www.gsa.gov/forms-library/architect-engineer-qualifications

Question Thirty-Nine:

Part 2 of Stage 1 (Submission Requirements and Evaluation Criteria) specifies to only submit Part 2 of the Standard Form 330 Architect-Engineer Qualifications. Please confirm that it is acceptable to use our own format for the other sections.

Answer: For Criteria (2) Standard Form 330, it states the SF 330, Part II only is required for the Prime AE only.

Question Forty:

Please confirm that qualifications are only required for the prime architectural firm, and that the consultant team qualifications would only be provided in Stage 2 of the selection process.

Answer: Please see the Stage 1 solicitation requirements below. The requirements for Stage 2 will be provided to the offerors shortlisted to participate in Stage 2.

The changes highlighted in yellow will be included in an amendment.

(2) Standard Form 330. Standard Form 330 Architect-Engineer Qualifications, Part II only for the Prime AE only. For the purposes of this solicitation, Firm as requested in Box 2A is defined as the individual, firm, partnership, corporation, association or other legal entity permitted by law to practice the profession of architecture or engineering that will have contractual responsibility for the project design, should the proposed offeror be selected for the contract. Offerors may find a copy of the SF-330 at the following website: https://www.gsa.gov/forms-library/architect-engineer-qualifications

Question Forty-One:

Can the State Department elaborate more specifically on the scope of the Nuclear, Biological, Chemical engineer?

Answer: Design of building systems to mitigate Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological threat.

Question Forty-Two:

Are we able to use text editing software such as InDesign to use custom graphics (text color, etc.) for our SF330 sheets, or is only the basic, black-and-white GSA SF330 template allowed? The information included on the SF330 would remain unchanged.

Answer: The SF 330 Part II format for criteria (2) shall not be changed.

However, please see the Stage 1 solicitation below. The changes highlighted in yellow will be included in an amendment.

(3) Professional Qualifications (15 Points maximum).

Format: SF 330 Section E or alternate format is acceptable as long as required information below is presented.

The prime A/E firm’s Professional qualifications necessary for excellence in the performance of the required services as listed above. Document the qualifications of personnel with an emphasis on those in key roles, which may include consultants. Demonstrate applicable licenses, registrations and certifications as well as other indicators of high quality professional performance. Note which team members are LEED Accredited Professionals.

(4) Specialized Experience and Technical Competence (20 Points maximum).

Format: SF 330 Section F or alternate format is acceptable as long as required information below is presented.

The prime A/E firm’s specialized experience and technical competence in facility rehabilitation and system replacement projects involving multiple disciplines, e.g. architectural, interior design, mechanical, plumbing, civil/ geotechnical, structural, and electrical in office buildings and other support facilities. The firms' expertise in furniture, furnishings, and equipment management, including GSA federal schedules procurement and relocation planning, along with security and telecommunications systems integration into design documents will also be evaluated. Provide back-up data, including dates completed, for five (5) examples of recent projects which have been construction completed within the five previous years from the proposal submittal date, which demonstrate creative solutions in facility rehabilitation; including adaptive reuse, sustainable design, energy conservation, pollution prevention, waste reduction, the use of recovered materials, and accommodating organizational and technical change. Experience with LEED certification is required. Indicate which projects have LEED certification.

(5) Management Plan (25 Points maximum).

Format: SF 330 Section F (for project examples) and SF 330 Sec D (for Org chart) or alternate format(s) are acceptable as long as required information below is presented.

The prime A/E firm is to Demonstrate experience in providing and coordinating a multi-discipline effort either in house or with consultants. If using consultants, offeror must demonstrate that they have worked successfully as a team with these consultants in providing similar services. This collaboration shall be demonstrated by submitting information for five (5) examples of recent projects which have been construction completed within the five previous years from the proposal submittal date, including the dates completed, performed by the team. Submit a management plan that explains how you propose to manage and coordinate Department of State projects. Provide an Organization Chart that reflects key management functions and managerial authority for prime and subcontractors (name and discipline may be included).

(6) Past Performance (30 Points maximum).

Format: SF 330 Section F or alternate format is acceptable as long as required information below is presented.

The prime A/E firm is to demonstrate previous records of performing work on schedule and of effective cost and quality control. Briefly describe internal quality assurance and cost control procedures and indicate effectiveness by listing the planned and actual design durations, client’s construction budget, design construction estimate, construction award amount, and construction change order rate in tabular form for five (5) recent projects which have been construction completed within the five previous years from the proposal submittal date. Indicate when these projects were completed. For each project identified in the responses to evaluation criterion “Specialized Experience and Technical Competence”, provide the name, address, and current telephone number of a client representative and identify which members of the proposed design team participated in the project. Although previous or ongoing performance of a similar U.S. Government contract is not a requirement for firms responding to this solicitation, if such contracts have been performed, the offeror must have performed at a satisfactory level at a minimum. Indicate which projects have LEED certification.

(7) Previous Government Experience (10 Points maximum).

Format: Any format is acceptable as long as the required information below is presented.

Describe the prime A/E firm’s previous experience with Federal agencies and understanding of GSA and other Federal Property Regulations which has been construction completed within the five previous years from the proposal submittal date.

Question Forty-Three:

Is Section 3 of the technical proposal limited to SF330 Section E sheets?

Answer: Please see the Stage 1 solicitation below. The changes highlighted in yellow will be included in an amendment.

(3) Professional Qualifications (15 Points maximum).

Format: SF 330 Section E or alternate format is acceptable as long as required information below is presented.

The prime A/E firm’s Professional qualifications necessary for excellence in the performance of the required services as listed above. Document the qualifications of personnel with an emphasis on those in key roles, which may include consultants. Demonstrate applicable licenses, registrations and certifications as well as other indicators of high quality professional performance. Note which team members are LEED Accredited Professionals.

Question Forty-Four:

Are sub consultants required to submit project examples for Section 4 of the technical proposal, or are just project examples from the prime required?

Answer: Please see the text highlighted in yellow of the criteria (4) in the Stage 1 solicitation below.

(4) Specialized Experience and Technical Competence (20 Points maximum).

The prime A/E firm’s specialized experience and technical competence in facility rehabilitation and system replacement projects involving multiple disciplines, e.g. architectural, interior design, mechanical, plumbing, civil/ geotechnical, structural, and electrical in office buildings and other support facilities. The firms' expertise in furniture, furnishings, and equipment management, including GSA federal schedules procurement and relocation planning, along with security and telecommunications systems integration into design documents will also be evaluated. Provide back-up data, including dates completed, for five (5) examples of recent projects which have been construction completed within the five previous years from the proposal submittal date, which demonstrate creative solutions in facility rehabilitation; including adaptive reuse, sustainable design, energy conservation, pollution prevention, waste reduction, the use of recovered materials, and accommodating organizational and technical change. Experience with LEED certification is required. Indicate which projects have LEED certification.

Question Forty-Five:

Should SF330 Section F sheets be used for project examples in Section 5?

Answer: Please see the Stage 1 solicitation below. The changes highlighted in yellow will be included in an amendment.

(5) Management Plan (25 Points maximum).

Format: SF 330 Section F (for project examples) and SF 330 Sec D (for Org chart) or alternate format(s) are acceptable as long as required information below is presented.

The prime A/E firm is to Demonstrate experience in providing and coordinating a multi-discipline effort either in house or with consultants. If using consultants, offeror must demonstrate that they have worked successfully as a team with these consultants in providing similar services. This collaboration shall be demonstrated by submitting information for five (5) examples of recent projects which have been construction completed within the five previous years from the proposal submittal date, including the dates completed, performed by the team. Submit a management plan that explains how you propose to manage and coordinate Department of State projects. Provide an Organization Chart that reflects key management functions and managerial authority for prime and subcontractors (name and discipline may be included).

Question Forty-Six:

What types of example projects would be acceptable for this proposal?

Answer: The requirements for the project examples are stated in each of the criteria’s (4), (5), (6), and (7).

Question Forty-Seven:

Is this solicitation under the Bureau of Overseas Building Operations?

Answer: No, please see the first paragraph of the solicitation. This solicitation is for Domestic (within the U.S.) AE services. Overseas Building Operations does not do any AE or Construction work within the U.S.

The Department of State (DOS), Office of the Procurement Executive, on behalf of the Office of Real Property Management anticipates awarding up to eight (8) Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts to qualified firms or teams to provide Architectural and Engineering (A/E) services for studies, new construction, and renovation projects at various locations in the United States. Most projects will be in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area; with some work at other Department of State facilities nationwide (e.g. U.S. Passport Agencies, Charleston Regional Center, etc.).

Question Forty-Nine:

Will firms be given time to obtain the proper security clearance after the short list is published?

Answer: Only firms selected for an IDIQ contract at the conclusion of Stage 2 that do not have a facility clearance, will be sponsored for a facility clearance.

As stated in the solicitation:

If a selected offeror does not possess an interim or Final Secret FCL, the Department of State will sponsor the uncleared firm for a FCL. Sponsorship does not guarantee that the firm will receive the clearance. A period of 120 days from the date of selection for award will be allowed for the uncleared firm to obtain the necessary FCL. After this period, the Government may, at its discretion, consider awarding the contract to another firm or awarding fewer contracts. No contract can be awarded until at least an Interim Secret FCL has been granted. Due to time constraints, the Government will not delay award of contracts to selected firms already in possession of Secret FCLs.

Question Fifty:

Does each A/E firm submitting a proposal need to meet each of the DOS’ Fiscal Year 2021 subcontracting goals identified in the RFP?

Answer: The small business subcontracting plan is not required in the Stage 1 Submission Requirements and Evaluation Criteria. The requirements for the Stage 1 proposal submittal are items (1) – (7) under Stage 1 Submission Requirements and Evaluation Criteria in the solicitation.

Question Fifty-One:

What level of CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) will be required, if any, for this contract?

Answer: The contract requires a DSCA Secret Facility Clearance with Secret Safeguarding.

As stated in the solicitation:

In order to be eligible for award of this contract, the successful offeror(s) must possess, or be eligible to obtain, a Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DSCA) Secret Facility Clearance (FCL), with Secret safeguarding capability, issued in accordance with the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM), DOD 5220.22-M. All personnel requiring access to classified information or Controlled Access Areas at DOS locations must possess a Secret personnel security clearance issued by DSCA. Specifically, designated personnel assigned to this contract must also possess a Secret personnel security clearance issued by the Defense Industrial Security Clearance Office (DISCO). Subcontractors who will require access to classified information must also possess a DSCA Secret FCL. All Offerors will be required to comply with security requirements as detailed in the NISPOM. All entities comprising a joint venture for this effort must possess or obtain an FCL, as well as the joint venture. Offerors already possessing the necessary FCL should submit their appropriate Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code with their Stage 2 submissions.

Question Fifty-Two:

Please confirm that the only required SF330 forms for Stage One will be Part II only. Does this mean the remainder of the requirements do not have to be submitted in SF330 format, i.e.—resumes, projects, etc?

Answer: Please see the yellow text highlighted below for criteria (2) Standard Form 330.

(2) Standard Form 330. Standard Form 330 Architect-Engineer Qualifications, Part II only for the Prime AE only. For the purposes of this solicitation, Firm as requested in Box 2A is defined as the individual, firm, partnership,…