Worldwide Electrical Power Q-A Part 2.pdf

POWER SYSTEMS WORLDWIDE - SOLICITATION NUMBER 19AQMM22R0332

Department of State (DoS)

Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) OPS/FAC/PS/Utility Management Program

QUESTIONS / ANSWERS (Q/A) – 2nd part.

1. L.14.3(b), Can the government clarify if they mean 12point font, as pitch would only apply to

Courier New?

Ans: Apply to all type of Fonts, Times New Roman, Courier New, Arial font or equivalent.

2. L.14.3(b) There are no instructions present in the RFP regarding font type and size for headers/footers, captions, call-out boxes, figures/drawings/charts/tables, etc. Can the government clarify if 10pt font is acceptable for these items?

Ans: All type of Fonts and size shall be consistence except answer for Question 3.

3. Does this requirement apply to call-out boxes/figures/drawings/charts/tables? Do all graphical elements require the text to be black and on white background?

Ans: Font sizing for Figure captions, out boxes, drawings, charts, tables shall be allowed at 8 pt.

4. L.14.4.1.5 There is conflicting language regarding the size of the HS&E Plan. The RFP states that it shall not exceed 10 pages, but that it's page limitation is 15 pages. Can the government please clarify the maximum page length for the HS&E plan?

Ans: the limit is set at a maximum of 10 pages. The government's intention is to encompass all contractors' proposals within this concise space, hence the page constraint.

5. L.14.4.1.1 Would the Government accept our using CPAR and official US Government project close-out evaluations in lieu of Past Performance Survey since some of our government client won’t complete past performance surveys.

Ans: Yes, past performance is preferred but CPARs are accepted by USG.

6. L.14.2 We understand the window is closed for submitting questions, but will the Government consider questions after this date? Can Offerors expect responses to previously submitted questions? If so, what date can Offerors expect responses?

Ans: We are accepting clarifications for any questions already asked and answered.

7. L.3 The FY2023 Department goals for subcontracting are listed as 28.0% for small business, 21.0% for small, disadvantaged business, 5.0% for woman-owned small business, 3.0% for

HUBZone small business, and 3.0% for service-disabled small business. The FY2023 goals shown on the Department of State website show the DOS subcontracting goals to be 38.0% for small business, 5.0% for small, disadvantaged business, 5.0% for woman-owned small business, 3.0% for HUBZone small business, and 3.0% for service-disabled small business. These are also the same subcontracting goals shown on the SBA’s website for DOS Subcontract goals. The solicitation has used the Department of State prime contract goals rather than the subcontract goals. Please clarify and confirm that the FY2023 subcontract goals shown on the DOS website and the SBA FY2023 webpage are the correct goals to use for this solicitation and the Small

Business Subcontracting Plan.

Ans: Yes that is the most current information.

8. Solicitation Sect 9 SF 33 Can the bid due date be extended to October 13, 2023, due to competing priorities with proposals due under the predecessor contract.

Ans: The Bid due date is October 31, 2023 and already past the requested date.

9. Attachment J.1.3 Case Scenario Sample Task Order; Does the task order require a facility clearance and/or clearances for installing personnel?

Ans: Yes, the task order requires a facility clearance and/or clearances for installing personnel?

10. Solicitation, Section M.5, Evaluation Criteria M.5 discusses the Prices proposed for Section B.

L.14.4.1.2 Section 3 states that pricing for Bill of Materials is not needed.

Please confirm labor pricing/qty for the Case Scenario is not required, and that price evaluation is on the “Section B Tables” rates.

Ans: labor pricing/qty for the Case Scenario is required.

11. Solicitation, Section L.14.3 General Instructions, Can the hard copy/CD submittal be eliminated since it seems there is already a requirement to email zip files of Volume I and II to Ms. Blash on the due date (page 120)? Are there any email constraints such as file size when sending to Ms.

Blash? Files may need to be sent in multiple emails based on size.

Ans: Electronic copies are accepted and preferred.

12. Solicitation, Section L.14.4.1.3 TAB C Factor 3 Key Personnel. Please confirm the only resumes that are required for evaluation of the entire proposal are the Program Manager, QC

Representative, Master Electrician, and Senior Electrical Engineer?

Ans: confirmed. The Offeror must submit with its Technical Proposal, the résumés of the individuals that it will employ as the Project Manager and Key Staff in performing engineering and technical services which would include Quality Control Representative, Master Electrician and Senior Electrical Engineer.

13. Solicitation, Section L.14.4.1.1 TAB A Factor 1: Offeror’s Relevant Past Performance. Are past performance surveys due by the proposal due date of October 31, 2023?

Ans: Please follow what’s acceptable in the solicitation.

14. Solicitation, Section L.14.4.4.1.4 TAB D Factor 4 Quality Management Plan (CQMP). Does the

CQMP have a page limitation?

Ans: No. UM program recommends being limited because the CQMP is included in the 85-page limitation.

15. Solicitation Section L.14, CQMP and HS&E Plans. Please verify that the government is requiring one CQMP and HS&E Plan for the sample task order only in Volume I Technical.

Ans: CQMP and HS&E Plans are not required for the case study.

16. Section L.14.4.2 Price Proposal, Section B. Section B pricing for CLINS 4002, 4003, 4004, 4005 and 4006 (Survey, Shipping, Travel, Construction, and Indirect) are widely variable with the actual task. Is it the government’s desire that for this proposal these CLINs are to be proposed based on the task award, with the understanding that future tasks may have different values?

For instance, the design of a simple task order will be less than that of a comprehensive power replacement project. Or, because these CLINs are project specific, are they not evaluated with this proposal?

Ans: All Contract Line-Item Numbers (CLINs) are applicable to all projects. The bidder has the discretion to set prices for individual items within each CLIN, as deemed suitable by the contractor.

17. Solicitation, Section L, Case Scenario. Please define the requirement for an “Itemized Proposal”.

ANS: The contractor is required to submit two distinct proposals:

1. Technical Proposal - This proposal should be structured as follows:

a. Project Management:

i. Demonstrate a clear understanding of the Statement of Work (SOW).

b. Project Execution:

i. Develop a comprehensive work plan.

ii. Conduct a preliminary design site survey.

iii. Provide design services.

iv. Detail the process for equipment and material procurement.

v. Describe the shipping arrangements.

vi. Explain the mobilization strategy.

vii. Outline pre-planning activities.

viii. Detail equipment staging procedures.

ix. Present a temporary power plan.

x. Specify demolition activities.

xi. Describe the installation process.

xii. Explain the testing procedures.

xiii. Outline documentation practices.

xiv. Provide information on training programs.

c. Subcontractor Plan: Describe subcontractor engagement strategy.

d. Past Performance: Provide relevant past performance information related to the SOW for acceptance.

e. Preliminary Project Schedule: Present a realistic preliminary project schedule for acceptance.

f. Site Specific Safety Plan: Outline the safety measures specific to the project site.

g. Key Personnel: Share details of personnel qualifications, resumes, and valid licenses. All staff must meet the minimum qualifications specified in Section B.

h. Manufacturer Equipment Data Sheets: Include relevant data sheets for equipment from manufacturers.

2. Cost Proposal: Utilize the Bill of Quantities (BOQ) spreadsheet to provide all necessary equipment and materials, labor, shipping, travel, and design based on the provided case study. The Government will use this case study to assess the contractor's capabilities.

18. Will the USG consider alternative personnel qualifications (i.e. current experience, years of experience or certifications/degrees) to adequately satisfy the requirements for the PM position?

Ans: requirement has been addressed, and The Contractor will have 180 days from the date of award to hire a qualified PM as require in section B.1.

Project Manager (PM): shall possess skill and ability to plan and oversee the building process of various construction projects from start to finish and to successfully achieve the project objectives. Support day-to-day operations and be hands-on in problem solving, equipment troubleshooting, process development, and issue resolution. Maintains a culture that prioritizes safety and quality through communication, action, and accountability. Manage project scope, schedule, cost, and resources to ensure goals are achieved consistently on time during construction. References all work-related communication with base contract, technical.

specification, Statement of Work when needed and maintain good relationship with Utility

Management (UM) staff. Collaborate with Engineers, Technicians, and other workers in the same project to provide real time data work progress report to the COR on a weekly basis. Choose subcontractors and delegate their responsibilities. Response in a professional manner to any delays, emergencies and problems that can arise and report it to UM. Comply with safety, Quality control, Quality assurance, and building codes as well as legal requirements.

Report project progress and update project schedule accordingly. The assigned project manager shall possess interpersonal skills (e.g., leadership, team building, communication, decision making, etc.) and capabilities to accomplish work through the project team and other stakeholders. PM shall have minimum 5 years’ experience in Construction Project Management and hold a bachelor’s degree or higher in Electrical Engineering from accredited university. The

PM is the Point of Contact (POC) with the CO and COR. The PM shall be subject to acceptance by the Contracting Officer.

19. Will the USG allow a certified Master electrician with fewer than 10 years of experience to satisfy that KP position?

Ans: the labor shall meet the minimum requirement in section B. with that been said, Technical

Evaluation Panel (TEP) will evaluate and provide recommendation for acceptance/rejection to the Contracting Officer.

20. Can a single individual hold multiple positions, i.e., perform the role of both PM and Sr Eng, or

Master Electrician and QC?

Ans: No, there are conflicts in the objectives of each role, and different roles require different objectives.

21. Should we assume that the Bid Validity is 60 days since Item 12 on the SF33 is left blank?

Ans: Yes

22. Reference: L.14.3 General Instructions, the submittal instructions state that hard copy delivery is required as well as electronic submittal to blasha@state.gov. Can you please confirm that on the due date we must deliver hard copies of our proposals as well as the electronic submittals? Or is electronic submittal only acceptable?

Ans: Electronic copies are acceptable and preferred.

23. Reference: L.14.4.1.1 TAB A Factor 1: – Offeror’s Relevant Past Experience, Item (5) states: “In this regard, the Offeror shall submit a concise narrative (not to exceed ten (10) 8½” X 11” pages, with single line spacing and 12-point, Times New Roman, Courier New, Arial font or equivalent) describing its experience and explaining how it is directly relevant to the requirements of

Section B.1 Supplies and Services.” Can you please confirm that this narrative is only required if we do not have 7 completed past performance surveys? OR do you want this narrative IN

ADDITION TO the 7 completed past performance surveys?

Ans: The narrative is required including 7 completed past performance surveys.

24. Reference: L.14.4.1.2 TAB B – Factor 2: Offeror’s Implementation Plan Reference: Attachment

J.1.3, Case Scenario, Sample Task Order. The list of what we must provide for Item (3) Case

Scenario, is different in Section L from what is listed for us to provide in Attachment J.1.3. Can you please confirm which list we should use for our proposal?

Ans: refer to Answer of Q17.

25. Reference: L.14.4.1.2 TAB B – Factor 2: Offeror’s Implementation Plan in Item (3) Case Scenario, we are asked to provide “Itemized Proposals” as part of our sample task order proposal. Can you please clarify what is being asked for? Please confirm that no pricing shall be provided in the

Technical Proposal.

Ans: refer to Answer of Q17. Pricing is required.

26. Reference: L.14.4.1.5 TAB E Factor 6: Small Business Subcontracting Plan Typically, the Small

Business Subcontracting Plan (SBSP) is provided in the Commercial Proposal. Please confirm that you want the SBSP in the Technical Proposal. If it is to be provided in the technical proposal, please confirm that no dollar values shall be provided in the Technical Proposal. Reference:

L.14.4.2 VOLUME II ENTITLED – “PRICE PROPOSAL ”Reference: L.14.4.1.5 TAB E Factor 6: Small

Business Subcontracting Plan we are asked to provide the Small Business Subcontracting Plan in the Price Proposal as well as in Factor 6 of the Technical Proposal. Please confirm in which volume you would like for us to provide the Small Business Subcontracting Plan.

Ans: Refer to Answer of Q17- Plan shall go under (1.k.)Subcontractor Plan: Describe subcontractor engagement strategy.

27. In the Government's response to Question 28 regarding a "smaller, legible font size...for graphics, diagrams, and charts," they allow 8 pt font size for figure captions. Please confirm that

8-point font applies to text within graphics, diagrams, and charts as well.

Ans: Font sizing for Figure captions, out boxes, drawings, charts, tables shall be allowed at 8 pt.

28. Please confirm that we are supposed to submit our proposal in accordance with sections

L.14.4.1 VOLUME I - ENTITLED "TECHNICAL PROPOSAL" and L.14.4.2 VOLUME II ENTITLED -

"PRICE PROPOSAL" rather than according to the outline given in Question 39.

Ans: Either one is okay.