2024 WWD Design Services IDIQ_All Q and A through 03.05.24 deadline.pdf

2024 Worldwide AE Design Services IDIQ Recompete Clarifications

Please see below questions (submitted through February 29, 2024) with responses (in Red) and questions (submitted through the March 5, 2024 deadline) with responses (in Blue) in reference to the solicitation 19AQMM24R0034, Worldwide AE Design IDIQ posted on SAM.gov.

1. We request that the criteria for projects submitted by small businesses, both for the firm and the lead designer portfolios, be modified to include projects within 15 years. This is in lieu of the published requirement for projects completed within 10 years.

While the 10-year criteria is appropriate for large firms it will discourage small businesses who are otherwise qualified.

I am principal of, and lead designer for, a small business with extensive experience designing buildings for the federal government. It is my hope that the federal government will provide fair, equitable, and open competition that encourages participation and engagement from small businesses within the AE community. Limiting the competition to projects completed within the past 10 years may unintentionally exclude our firm and others that are well qualified.

A: Only Section (3) A/E Firm Past Experience on Design, paragraph 3.1 will be revised to projects that have been designed and fully constructed in the last fifteen (15) years in the upcoming Amendment A01.

2. We have initiated the process of updating the SAM.gov registration to reflect the updated information. It appears this process may not be complete by March 26, 2024. What additional steps, if any, should we take to assure a “pass” result in response to our U.S.

Person Statement of Qualifications in Stage 1?

A: U.S. Person Statement of Qualifications is a separate Pass/Fail than the SAM.gov

Registration Pass/Fail. Please see the announcement under U.S. Person Statement of

Qualifications (starting on page 6) to see the requirements for U.S. Person Statement of

Qualifications.

For the SAM.gov entity registration, as stated in the announcement and underlined below, the offeror must have an active SAM registration by the time of Stage 1 submission, currently the Stage 1 submittal due date is March 26, 2024. If the offeror is not active in SAM by

March 26, 2024, their Stage 1 submission will not be evaluated. Any questions or assistance relating to SAM.gov entity registration will need to be directly with FSD.gov.

From the Stage 1 announcement: Offerors, including any offeror organized as a joint venture, to include a de facto joint venture must have an active SAM registration at the time of Stage 1 submission and throughout the procurement process.

3. Our leadership is composed of more than 80% U.S. Citizens. That said, we are considering proposing as one of our Lead Designers a Senior Principal who is a foreign-born lawful permanent resident of the U.S. (i.e. a green card holder). May we propose such a person as one of our Lead Designers?

A: The IDIQ contract requires a facility clearance as well as the key personnel (ie. Lead designer(s), will require personnel security clearance in order to access DOS diplomatic facilities. Only U.S. citizens are eligible for security clearances. Therefore, a green card holder will not be able to work on this contract as the lead designer is considered key personnel.

4. For the Worldwide Design IDIQ Stage 1 submission, do we have flexibility on page size (8.5 x

11 vs 11 x 17) and/or layout (portrait vs landscape)? Noted that we are restricted to a max 60 page count.

A: The pages are to be 8.5 x 11 not to exceed 60 pages, layout in portrait or landscape is acceptable.

5. Can you please clarify whether the Stage I electronica submission should be both emailed AND uploaded to a google drive?

A: Yes, Please UPLOAD the Stage 1 submission (with both PDF files) to your Google Drive

(FAN – Foreign Affairs Network or personal) AND share/send the Stage 1 submission from

Google to the FAN.gov email addresses as specified in the announcement. Our FAN.gov emails use the Google Workspace Platform, therefore it needs to be shared with our FAN.gov emails from Gmail/Google Drive.

6. Please confirm that OBO follows the SBA calculation outlined on the sba.gov website which requires “total income” or “gross income” plus “cost of goods sold” to confirm businesses are eligible for a small business contract (i.e. small business status is based on gross revenue and not based on net revenue).

A: DOS will confirm a firm’s business size status in their SAM.gov entity registration under

Reps and Certs (FAR/DFARS). The entity registration must show the firm is a small business under the NAICS code 541310 to be confirmed a small business to be eligible for a small business contract under this IDIQ. No additional information or documentation is to be submitted for small business size confirmation.

Please see the link below “Common Terms” on how Small Business Size Standards are calculated:

https://www.sba.gov/partners/contracting-officials/small-business-procurement/small-business-size-standards#:~:text=Receipts%20are%20averaged%20over%20a,determine%20its%20average

%20annual%20receipts https://www.sba.gov/partners/contracting-officials/small-business-procurement/small-business-size-standards#:~:text=Receipts%20are%20averaged%20over%20a,determine%20its%20average%20annual%20receipts https://www.sba.gov/partners/contracting-officials/small-business-procurement/small-business-size-standards#:~:text=Receipts%20are%20averaged%20over%20a,determine%20its%20average%20annual%20receipts https://www.sba.gov/partners/contracting-officials/small-business-procurement/small-business-size-standards#:~:text=Receipts%20are%20averaged%20over%20a,determine%20its%20average%20annual%20receipts https://www.sba.gov/partners/contracting-officials/small-business-procurement/small-business-size-standards#:~:text=Receipts%20are%20averaged%20over%20a,determine%20its%20average%20annual%20receipts

7. Is it acceptable for a project included within the A/E Firm Past Experience on Design (section

3) to also be included in Lead Designer Portfolio (section 5)? Or is it preferred that the Lead

Designer Portfolio show projects in addition to those already shown in the A/E Firm section?

A: Projects submitted for Section (3) AE Firm Past Experience on Design may be the same projects submitted for Section (5) as long as the requirements for each section is met and clearly stated in that section.

8. OBO has offered that up to 5 people can be proposed as Lead Designer (section 4). I’m wondering if OBO would like to see multiple lead designers with varying expertise or if this is to allow for firms that may have lead design teams (multiple lead designers) who work concurrently on the same projects. Can you offer some clarification on the intent for the provision to allow up to 5 lead designers?

A: The allowance for up to 5 Lead Designer(s) is to allow for firms which have a team approach to design leadership. This following revisions in red text will be incorporated into the Stage 1 announcement Amendment A01:

(4) Lead Designer(s) Profile(s) and approach (20 points maximum).

Format: SF 330 Section E or alternate format is acceptable as long as required information below is presented. Page Limit: 20 pages

4.1 The prime A/E shall:

a. Submit a biographical sketch of the Lead Designer(s) including education, professional experience, and recognition for design efforts inclusive of the portfolio examples submitted in Section 3. (maximum of 5 people, two pages max per person)

b. Identify and describe areas of responsibility and commitment to each project from section (3) for each lead designer submitted and describe the overall approach to design team composition and leadership. If multiple Lead Designers are proposed, clearly describe how multiple lead designers would work on the design of a single project and describe the working relationship.

c. Include the following for each lead designer: Describe the parameters of their overall design philosophy; the applicability of that philosophy in creating an overseas diplomatic presence; their approach to the challenge of public architecture; their commitment to integrated and sustainable design; their approach to design development, project delivery and completion through the entire design and construction cycle. (maximum of 4 pages)

9. If more than one Lead Designer is submitted, can each Lead Designer submit 3 projects? Or, is the total number of projects allowed in Lead Designer portfolio (section 5) limited to 3 projects no matter how many lead designers are outlined in Section 4?

A: The total number of projects allowed in Section 5 is limited to 3 projects regardless of the number of Lead Designer(s).

10. Section 2 states that firms have the option to submit SF 330 Part I Sections A through H, but it is not required. From past experience preparing these sections, the page count for sections

A through H can easily exceed 40 pages with key personnel resumes from multiple firms and example projects. If firms elect to submit these sections, will OBO increase the allowable page count to accommodate this information? Or, would OBO consider limiting the optional additional information to just sections C and D which outlines proposed consultant firms and an organizational chart?

A: Firms may use SF 330 or any alternative format is acceptable as long as required information in Sections (3) A/E Firm Past Experience on Design, (4) Lead Designer(s) Profile(s) and approach, and (5) Lead Designer(s) Portfolio is presented. The maximum page count of

60 pages for the whole submission will not be increased whether the in the SF 330 format or any alternate format is utilized. Organizational chart is not a requirement in Stage 1. For

Section 2 with a page limit of 1, only the SF 330 Part II is required.

11. I have few question, 1. - We are Italian, and we do not have address in US or person in US, what should I put in U.S. Person Statement of Qualifications?

A: As stated in the Stage 1 announcement under U.S. Person Statement of Qualifications (see highlighted language below); The Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of

1986, only firms that meet the definition of a “United States Person” as defined below may be eligible to participate in this acquisition. This contract requires the offeror to either already have a Facility Security Clearance or be able to obtain a Facility Security clearance.

Firms not meeting the “United States persons” requirement and not eligible to obtain a Secret

Facility will not be considered.

The Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986. Firms being considered for award under this acquisition are limited to "United States Person" offerors, as defined in the Act. The offeror(s) must complete and submit one soft copy as part of its qualification package the pamphlet

(in a separate PDF file – not subject/considered in page count limit mentioned in above section), Certifications Relevant to Public Law 99-399, Statement of Qualifications for Purpose of Section 402 of

The Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986. (See Attachment 1 in announcement for pamphlet) A firm being considered for award must meet the definition of a “United States person” of P.L. 99-399, Section 402 thereof, as follows: (1) be legally organized in the United States more than five years prior to the issuance of a request for proposal; (2) have its principal place of business in the

United States; (3) have performed within the U.S. administrative, technical or professional services similar in complexity, type of construction, and value of the project being solicited; (4) employ U.S.

citizens in a least 80 percent of principal management positions in the U.S.; and (5) have existing technical and financial resources in the U.S. to perform the contract. Firms not meeting the “United

States persons” requirement will not be considered.

Offerors must be determined eligible as United States Person as defined in the Act, in order to participate, if short-listed, in the next Stages of the acquisition (Stages 2 and 3). NOTE: If the required qualification package is not submitted with the offeror’s Stage 1 Submission, offeror will not be eligible for further participation in this procurement.

12. In the solicitation for the IDIQ, Section 3, Firm Past Experience on Design, up to 5 projects can be included. In Section 4, the Lead Designers are required to describe their role on the projects selected in Section 3.

For Section 5, the Lead Designers are required to submit a portfolio of up to 3 projects.

Must the 3 projects shown in Section 5 be different projects than those shown in Section 3?

A: Projects submitted for Section (3) AE Firm Past Experience on Design may be the same projects submitted for Section (5) as long as the requirements for each section is met and clearly stated in that section.

13. Other than registration with SAM.gov, are applicants required to be officially registered as a small business with a government agency or does meeting the NAICS guideline of “$12.5 million in annual receipts on average” (referenced on Page 1 of the RFQ) sufficient to claim the small business classification for this application?

A: As stated in the Stage 1 announcement under (1) Cover Letter, “Clearly identify the firm’s

Unique Identity ID (UEI – 12-character alphanumeric ID assigned to an entity by SAM.gov) and Business Size Status (Large, Small, 8(a), Women-Owned, etc.)”. DOS will confirm a firm’s business size status in their SAM.gov entity registration under Reps and Certs (FAR/DFARS).

The entity registration must show the firm is a small business under the NAICS code 541310 to be confirmed a small business to be eligible for a small business contract under this IDIQ.

No additional information or documentation is to be submitted for small business size confirmation.

14. Can projects that were designed but did not start construction be included in Part 5? The note in section 5.1 indicates “Projects do not need to be fully constructed.”

A: As stated in the Stage 1 announcement for section (5) – Projects do not need to be fully constructed (see highlighted language below), which includes projects that did not start construction.

(5) Lead Designer(s) Portfolio (30 points maximum).

Format: SF 330 Section F or alternate format is acceptable as long as required information below is presented. Page Limit: 4 pages per project

5.1 Submit a portfolio representative of the Lead Designer(s) ability to deliver exemplary, thoughtful, and technically comprehensive projects.

The portfolio must comprise no more than three (3) projects designed in the last ten (10) years. A maximum of one of these examples may be an OBO project. Projects do not need to be fully constructed.

15. In the Stage 1 Submission Requirements and Evaluation Criteria, Section (5) Lead Designer(s)

Portfolio, the RFP page 5 states “Portfolio must comprise no more than three (3) projects designed in the last ten (10) years”. May we please clarify if “three (3) projects” applies to each Lead Designer or if the limitation is “three (3) total projects for the entire Section (5)?

A: The total number of projects required in Section 5 is 3 projects regardless of the number of Lead Designer(s).

16. This question is for Lead Designer Portfolio Section 5.1: Submit a portfolio representative of the Lead Designer(s) ability to deliver exemplary, thoughtful, and technically comprehensive projects. The portfolio must comprise no more than three (3) projects designed in the last ten (10) years. A maximum of one of these examples may be an OBO project. Projects do not need to be fully constructed. If we are featuring multiple lead designers, do we highlight three projects per lead designer portfolio, or only three projects total in Section 5, regardless of the number of lead designers?

A: The total number of projects required in Section 5 is 3 projects regardless of the number of Lead Designer(s).

17. On Page 1 of the RFQ, the State Department identifies that project types under the IDIQ may include "master planning" and "technical due diligence." On the same page it goes on to say that the desired competency for professional services includes "long range planning, master planning . . . space planning . . . [and] site utilization studies." However, Page 4, Section 3.4 requires that work used for A/E firm experience must be "designed and fully constructed," but then it says that the work should demonstrate a "broad range of project experience displaying the offerors’ ability to execute a wide range of project types." Are we correct that a master plan study designed and fully completed by the firm in the past ten years, as evidence of our experience and to provide a broad range of project types within the maximum five projects allowed, would meet the requirements of Section 3 of the Submission

Requirements?

A: A Master Planning study which was designed and fully implemented/constructed would meet the requirements for submission in Section 3. Section 3 requires projects that have been designed and fully constructed.

18. For the "Certifications Relevant to Public Law 99-399," is there an agency pre-review that can be requested to determine if the documentation attachments meet the requirements? Or if additional documentation is required, is that requested at a later date without disqualifying offerors? Specifically we want to confirm that Tab A materials submitted would be satisfactory to determine that although our firm has been continuously operating since the late 1960s, we recently (on 12/19/2022) created a new legal entity (a California S-

Corporation) as a successor in interest to an older corporate entity formed in 1979, that is in the process of being retired. Officers have transferred over and all other aspects of the firm

(such as employees, contracts, all insurance, office space, equipment, IT, etc.) remaining continuous and unchanged. The firm name remains unchanged. We would submit materials demonstrating this in Certification #3, Tab A.

A: No, there is no pre-review of any firm’s documents required for the Stage 1 submission.

Please complete Certifications Relevant to Public Law 99-399 Pamphlet as required, what information is to be filled out and documents/attachments required is stated in the pamphlet.

19. As we are preparing our Lead Designer profiles and portfolios, we need some clarification on

1. the Prohibited Countries List, and 2. if designers are ineligible to be lead designers if they are not U.S. Citizens, but have Green Cards or the appropriate work visas in good standing.

facilities. Only U.S. citizens are eligible for security clearances. Therefore, a green card holder will not be able to work on this contract as the lead designer is considered key personnel.

20. If the offeror opts to include the optional A-H sections from SF330 can those be included within Section (2) after the Part II?

A: As stated in the Stage 1 announcement section/requirement (2) Standard Form 330 (see highlighted language below); The language referring to Sections A through H is in regard to the form utilized for sections 3, 4, and 5 requirements. Each section also states SF 330

Section _ or alternate format is acceptable. SF 330 Section Part I, Sections A through H is Not required for Section (2) Standard Form 330. For Section (2) Standard Form 330, Submit SF

Part II Only for the Prime AE only.

(2) Standard Form 330

Submit Standard Form 330 Architect-Engineer Qualifications, Part II only for the Prime AE only. For the purposes of this solicitation, the 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(s), should the proposed offeror be selected for the contract. Proposed team information (requirements

3, 4, and 5) may be documented in this stage using Standard Form 330, Part I, Sections A through H, but it is not required.

21. Is the offeror able to select to only additionally provide H or if H is provided, must the other sections A-H be included?

A: As stated in the Stage 1 announcement section/requirement (2) Standard Form 330 (see highlighted language below); The language referring to Sections A through H is in regard to the form utilized for sections 3, 4, and 5 requirements. Each section also states SF 330

Section _ or alternate format is acceptable. SF 330 Section Part I, Sections A through H is Not required for Section (2) Standard Form 330.

(2) Standard Form 330

Submit Standard Form 330 Architect-Engineer Qualifications, Part II only for the Prime AE only. For the purposes of this solicitation, the 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(s), should the proposed offeror be selected for the contract. Proposed team information (requirements

22. Can you confirm if Cover Letter and SF330 Part II form count each as one page, and, additionally, if the offeror opts to include other optional sections from SF 330, are those to be included in the page count as well.

A: Section (1) Cover Letter page limit is 2-pages and Section (2) Standard Form 330 page limit is 1-page. No other SF 330 Sections is to be submitted for Section (2) Standard Form 330 the only requirement for Section (2) Standard Form 330, is Part II Only for the Prime AE only.

23. Is there any limit to submission format (i.e.: 8.5x11 or 11x17)?

24. How will DoS determine task order awards on this design contract? Will each task order be competed between the large and small awardees? Or will DoS select awardee based on experience and negotiate task order fee?

A: Contractors shall be given a fair opportunity to receive task orders under the contract.

When a requirement has been identified by the program office, a selection panel shall review/evaluate all of the IDIQ contract holder’s qualifications, to determine which contractor is the most qualified for that project. Factors considered in the technical review include but are not limited to: Experience related to the required services; unique or specialized experience; demonstration understanding OBO requirements/delivering products in accordance with OBO standards; ability to conduct work in the required timeframes;

scheduling considerations - contractor's workload/capacity/availability, and whether the proposed requirement is a follow-on requirement.

25. How many firms do you intend to down select for Stage 2?

A: This is to be determined. It will be dependent on how many firms submit in Stage 1.

26. Will you be evaluating small business firms against other small business firms only?

A: No, selection shall be completed in accordance with the Brooks Act, P.L. 92-582 (40 U.S.C.

1101-1104). All offerors will be ranked, and the highest technically qualified offerors

(including the highest technically qualified small businesses) will be selected for the short-list.

27. In Stage 1, does DoS want only the prime’s past performance, firm profile and design approach, and portfolio? Or shall the Prime also include their intended teammates/sub-contractors into their Stage 1 submission?

A: As stated in the Stage 1 announcement Solicitation Process, in Stage 1, offerors are to submit detailed information of the Prime A/E’s design past performance, firm profile and design approach, and portfolio. Then in Stage 2, the short-listed offeror(s) will assemble their technical teams including sub-consultants and submit detailed information in response to the criteria and relative to their proposed team, management plan, and past performance (see relevant highlighted language from the Stage 1 announcement below);

Solicitation Process:

In Stage 1, offerors are to submit detailed information of the Prime A/E’s design past performance, firm profile and design approach, and portfolio. Offerors will also submit the required U.S. Person

Qualifications (Omnibus certification) as a separate file. Stage 1 submissions will be reviewed by the

Technical Evaluation Panel. Offerors will be ranked, and the highest technically qualified offerors will be the selected for the short-list. Offerors must also be determined eligible as an Omnibus U.S Person, in order to participate, if short-listed, in the next Stage 2 of the solicitation. Rankings from Stage 1 will not transfer to Stage 2.

In Stage 2, the short-listed offeror(s) will assemble their technical teams including sub-consultants and submit detailed information in response to the criteria and relative to their proposed team, management plan, and past performance. Stage 2 submissions will be reviewed by the Technical

Evaluation Panel. The short-listed offeror(s) will also be required to make presentations to the

Technical Evaluation Panel. The Technical Evaluation Panel will make a determination of the most highly qualified teams consistent with the announced Stage 2 criteria and will recommend the offeror(s) for final selection of Stage 3 participation and award.

28. Past Performance – If an A/E’s past experience project is a design-build project that is still in construction, will DoS allow this project to be submitted?

A: As stated in the Stage 1 announcement section/requirement (3) A/E Firm Past Experience on Design (see highlighted language below); project examples that have been designed and fully constructed.

3.1 The prime A/E firm shall submit a portfolio of not more than five (5) projects that have been designed and fully constructed in the last ten (10) years. Projects should represent a broad range of project experience displaying the offerors’ ability to execute a wide range of project types. A maximum of two of these examples may be previously completed OBO projects.

29. Security Clearance – The RFP states, Offeror’s already possessing the necessary FCL should submit their CAGE code with their Stage 2 submission. Should Offeror’s submit their CAGE code info in Stage 1 for evaluation and consideration?

A: As stated in the Stage 1 announcement in the Security Clearance section (see highlighted language below), the CAGE code should be submitted in the Stage 2 submission.

Security Clearance. 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 (DCSA) Secret

Facility Clearance (FCL), with Secret safeguarding capability, issued in accordance with the National

Industrial Security Program Operating Manual, DOD 5220.22-M. All entities comprising a joint venture for this effort must possess or obtain an FCL, as well as the joint venture. Personnel requiring access to classified information or Controlled Access Areas at DOS locations must possess a Secret personnel security clearance issued by DCSA. Additionally, the successful offeror(s) selected for contract award must possess, or immediately obtain an Information System (IS) or standalone computer, approved by DCSA, for processing classified information, and prior to deployment of

ProjNet-C to the facility. Certain design team subcontractors/consultants may also require FCLs and personnel security clearances. Offerors already possessing the necessary FCL should submit their appropriate Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code with their Stage 2 submissions.

30. Will the DoS provide the list of companies that make the down select to Stage 2 to all companies that submit on Stage 1?

A: Yes, all successful and unsuccessful offerors will be notified, and the list of offerors selected for short-list to participate in Stage 2 will also be posted on SAM.gov.

31. Does DoS expect the A/E Firm’s Past Experience on Design (3) and Lead Designer(s) Portfolio

(5) to include different projects for each section?

A: Projects submitted for Section (3) AE Firm Past Experience on Design may be the same projects submitted for Section (5) as long as the requirements for each section is met and clearly stated in that section.

32. Does the 60 page limit for submission include these page types - Submission cover, Table of contents, Section divider pages, Pages intentionally left blank?

A: The Submission cover, Table of contents, Section divider pages, Pages intentionally left blank are not included in the 60-page limit.

33. Section 3 (A/E Firm Past Experience on Design) notes, "Only submit drawings with markings removed." Can you please explain in more detail what types of markings are not permissible?

A: This note refers to classification markings on drawings. The drawings provided should be sanitized with any sensitive information and/or markings removed. Do Not submit any sensitive drawings, pictures, or other information that is Sensitive or Classified.

34. Is there a required page size and orientation?

35. Is there a minimum font size?

A: The minimum font size is 10 pt.

36. I am renewing our organization’s profile in SAM.gov as we prepare to submit for this solicitation. There is a proceedings question that asks: Is your business or organization, as represented by the Unique Entity ID on this entity registration, responding to a Federal procurement opportunity that contains the provision at FAR 52.209-7, subject to the clause in FAR 52.209-9 in a current Federal contract, or applying for a Federal grant opportunity which contains the award term and condition described in 2 C.F.R. 200 Appendix XII? As far as

I can tell, this procurement opportunity does not contain that FAR provision. However, I wanted to make sure that this is correct. Please can you confirm that the Worldwide A/E

Design Services IDIQ does not contain the FAR 52.209-7 provision and does not trigger the requirement to report proceedings information?

A: This Worldwide A/E Design services IDIQ solicitation WILL include both the FAR clauses

52.209-7 and 52.209-9. You will need to certify to the condition in 52.209-7 and depending on the selection, it may or may not require further reporting.

37. The Worldwide AE Design IDIQ references the possibility that a Design Anthropologist may be needed. Does the Department of State maintain a list of prequalified Design Anthropologists, and if so how can my firm apply to be on this list?

A: The Department of State, OBO (Overseas Building Operations) does not maintain a list of prequalified design Anthropologists.

38. However, we have a rather important specific question about a highly sensitive project that that we are hoping to include as a project reference in our submittal. We’re hoping to get a little more information about your process so we can communicate in detail with our client.

The project we are working on is a highly sensitive, highly secure, mission driven project. For example, will these submittals be seen outside of a restricted group at OBO or would they be subject, for example, to a FOIA request and therefore visible to the public? So sorry to burden you with this and for the long email. And if there’s somebody specifically that we should be talking to about this, please do let us know.

A: Proposal submissions and its contents are procurement sensitive and will not be available to the public or from a FOIA request. However, we advise not to include any information that is Sensitive or Classified, or ensure the sensitive information is redacted, sanitized, or markings removed prior to including with the proposal submittal.

39. Maximum page size: 8.5” x 11” or can we export the PDF as 11”x17” spreads?

40. If we include section divider pages, will they count against our max page count of 60 pages?

41. For pagination purposes, we would like to include “intentionally left blank” pages. Will these count against our max page count of 60 pages?

42. Does the Technical Evaluation Panel prefer the document to be oriented as a two-page spread, or a single-continuous format?

A: A single-continuous format is preferred for digital viewing.

43. We understand that submissions are to be bookmarked by section for ease of navigation. Are tab dividers desired? If so, do they, as well as a cover page, count toward the established page limit?

44. Is it desired for the response to 4.1.b to be replicated for each lead designer, or by representative project listed in section 3 listing multiple designers where applicable?

A: Yes, 4.1.b is to be replicated for each lead designer. For further clarification the following revisions in red text will be incorporated into the Stage 1 announcement Amendment A01:

(4) Lead Designer(s) Profile(s) and approach (20 points maximum).

Format: SF 330 Section E or alternate format is acceptable as long as required information below is presented. Page Limit: 20 pages

4.1 The prime A/E shall:

a. Submit a biographical sketch of the Lead Designer(s) including education, professional experience, and recognition for design efforts inclusive of the portfolio examples submitted in Section 3. (maximum of 5 people, two pages max per person)

b. Identify and describe areas of responsibility and commitment to each project from section (3) for each lead designer submitted and describe the overall approach to design team composition and leadership. If multiple Lead Designers are proposed, clearly describe how multiple lead designers would work on the design of a single project and describe the working relationship.

c. Include the following for each lead designer: Describe the parameters of their overall design philosophy; the applicability of that philosophy in creating an overseas diplomatic presence; their approach to the challenge of public architecture; their commitment to integrated and sustainable

45. We understand section 4.1.c (overall design philosophy, etc.) is to reflect that of the submitting firm (represented by our lead designers), as a narrative firm overview and design philosophy is not explicitly requested. Please confirm that this request is for the firm and not to be answered for each lead designer individually.

A: All of Section 4.1.c is for each lead designer. For further clarification the following revisions in red text will be incorporated into the Stage 1 announcement Amendment A01:

(4) Lead Designer(s) Profile(s) and approach (20 points maximum).

Format: SF 330 Section E or alternate format is acceptable as long as required information below is presented. Page Limit: 20 pages

4.1 The prime A/E shall:

a. Submit a biographical sketch of the Lead Designer(s) including education, professional experience, and recognition for design efforts inclusive of the portfolio examples submitted in Section 3. (maximum of 5 people, two pages max per person)

b. Identify and describe areas of responsibility and commitment to each project from section (3) for each lead designer submitted and describe the overall approach to design team composition and leadership. If multiple Lead Designers are proposed, clearly describe how multiple lead designers would work on the design of a single project and describe the working relationship.

c. Include the following for each lead designer: Describe the parameters of their overall design philosophy; the applicability of that philosophy in creating an overseas diplomatic presence; their approach to the challenge of public architecture; their commitment to integrated and sustainable

46. Please confirm that the Lead Designer Portfolio is to contain three projects in total and not three projects per designer.

A: For The total number of projects required in Section 5 is 3 projects regardless of the number of Lead Designer(s).

47. In the solicitation document for the OBO Worldwide A/E Design Services IDIQ, in section 3 we are asked to “only submit drawings with markings removed”. Please could you clarify what is meant by this? Should we remove e.g. clarifying labels that describe the use of spaces; a scale and/or north arrow; or any text at all? Or is this just asking for cleaned-up drawings without detailed client information and construction documentation call-outs/annotations?

48. In the Stage 1 Submission Requirements and Evaluation Criteria, the RFP page 5 Section (4)

Lead Designer(s) Portfolio and approach states “Identify and describe areas of responsibility and commitment to each project from section (3) and describe the overall approach to design team composition and leadership”. May we please clarify if the: Lead Designer(s)

Portfolio and approach should Identify and describe areas of responsibility and commitment to each project from section (3) (Firm Past Experience); OR Lead Designer(s) Portfolio and approach should Identify and describe areas of responsibility and commitment to each project from section (5) (Lead Designer Portfolio

A: The requirements for each section are stated within that section. Do not mix/add/apply requirements from one section to another section unless specifically stated. For further clarification to Section (4) the following revisions in red text will be incorporated into the

Stage 1 announcement Amendment A01:

presented. Page Limit: 20 pages

4.1 The prime A/E shall:

a. Submit a biographical sketch of the Lead Designer(s) including education, professional experience, and recognition for design efforts inclusive of the portfolio examples submitted in Section 3. (maximum of 5 people, two pages max per person)

b. Identify and describe areas of responsibility and commitment to each project from section (3) for each lead designer submitted and describe the overall approach to design team composition and leadership. If multiple Lead Designers are proposed, clearly describe how multiple lead designers would work on the design of a single project and describe the working relationship.

c. Include the following for each lead designer: Describe the parameters of their overall design philosophy; the applicability of that philosophy in creating an overseas diplomatic presence; their approach to the challenge of public architecture; their commitment to integrated and sustainable

49. Stage 1, Section 3: Will the Gov. accept past experience projects led by a subconsultant or should all projects provided be led by the Prime offeror?

A: As stated in the Stage 1 announcement Solicitation Process, in Stage 1, offerors are to submit detailed information of the Prime A/E’s design past performance, firm profile and design approach, and portfolio. Then in Stage 2, the short-listed offeror(s) will assemble their technical teams including sub-consultants and submit detailed information in response to the criteria and relative to their proposed team, management plan, and past performance (see relevant highlighted language from the Stage 1 announcement below);

Solicitation Process:

In Stage 1, offerors are to submit detailed information of the Prime A/E’s design past performance, firm profile and design approach, and portfolio. Offerors will also submit the required U.S. Person

Qualifications (Omnibus certification) as a separate file. Stage 1 submissions will be reviewed by the

Technical Evaluation Panel. Offerors will be ranked, and the highest technically qualified offerors will be the selected for the short-list. Offerors must also be determined eligible as an Omnibus U.S Person, in order to participate, if short-listed, in the next Stage 2 of the solicitation. Rankings from Stage 1 will not transfer to Stage 2.

In Stage 2, the short-listed offeror(s) will assemble their technical teams including sub-consultants and submit detailed information in response to the criteria and relative to their proposed team, management plan, and past performance. Stage 2 submissions will be reviewed by the Technical

Evaluation Panel. The short-listed offeror(s) will also be required to make presentations to the

Technical Evaluation Panel. The Technical Evaluation Panel will make a determination of the most highly qualified teams consistent with the announced Stage 2 criteria and will recommend the offeror(s) for final selection of Stage 3 participation and award.

50. Can you please provide a list of the incumbents for this contract?

A: The below contractors are the current incumbents:

1100 Architect, P.C.

Allied Works Architecture, Inc.

Annum Architects, Inc.

D+S International

Ennead Architects LLP

Kieran Timberlake, LLC

Krueck & Sexton Architects, P.C.

Machado and Silvetti Associates

Mark Cavagnero Associates

Marlon Blackwell Architects

Miller Hull Partnership

Morphosis Architects

Richard + Kennedy Architecture

Robert A.M. Stern Architects

SHoP Architects

Studio MA, Inc.

51. Regarding 4.1.b., please confirm that the reference to Section 3 (A/E Firm Past Experience on

Design) is a typo and should read Section 5 (Lead Designer Portfolio) since this is under Lead

Designer Profile and Approach rather than Firm Portfolio.

A: For 4.1.b, the reference to Section 3 projects is not a typo. The Lead Designer’s involvement in projects submitted in Section 3 should be outlined in Section 4.1.b. This provides the government the opportunity to understand the relationship between the submitted Lead Designer(s) in section (4) and the firm’s Past Experience in section (3).

For further clarification to Section (4) the following revisions in red text will be incorporated into the Stage 1 announcement Amendment A01:

presented. Page Limit: 20 pages

4.1 The prime A/E shall:

a. Submit a biographical sketch of the Lead Designer(s) including education, professional experience, and recognition for design efforts inclusive of the portfolio examples submitted in Section 3. (maximum of 5 people, two pages max per person)

b. Identify and describe areas of responsibility and commitment to each project from section (3) for each lead designer submitted and describe the overall approach to design team composition and leadership. If multiple Lead Designers are proposed, clearly describe how multiple lead designers would work on the design of a single project and describe the working relationship.

c. Include the following for each lead designer: Describe the parameters of their overall design philosophy; the applicability of that philosophy in creating an overseas diplomatic presence; their approach to the challenge of public architecture; their commitment to integrated and sustainable

52. Regarding Section 3, Firm Past Experience, there is no reference to the Lead Designer's involvement. Please confirm that it is not required for the Lead Designer to have designed projects included in the Firm's Past Experience.

A: The Lead Designer’s involvement in projects submitted in Section 3 should be outlined in

Section 4. For further clarification to Section (4) the following revisions in red text will be incorporated into the Stage 1 announcement Amendment A01:

presented. Page Limit: 20 pages

4.1 The prime A/E shall:

a. Submit a biographical sketch of the Lead Designer(s) including education, professional experience, and recognition for design efforts inclusive of the portfolio examples submitted in Section 3. (maximum of 5 people, two pages max per person)

b. Identify and describe areas of responsibility and commitment to each project from section (3) for each lead designer submitted and describe the overall approach to design team composition and leadership. If multiple Lead Designers are proposed, clearly describe how multiple lead designers would work on the design of a single project and describe the working relationship.

c. Include the following for each lead designer: Describe the parameters of their overall design philosophy; the applicability of that philosophy in creating an overseas diplomatic presence; their approach to the challenge of public architecture; their commitment to integrated and sustainable

53. How should primes present the subcontractors on the team? Should we include their project experience in our proposal, or is listing them on the organizational chart and in our write-ups enough?

A: As stated in the Stage 1 announcement Solicitation Process, in Stage 1, offerors are to submit detailed information of the Prime A/E’s design past performance, firm profile and design approach, and portfolio. Then in Stage 2, the short-listed offeror(s) will assemble their technical teams including sub-consultants and submit detailed information in response to the criteria and relative to their proposed team, management plan, and past performance

Organizational chart is not a requirement in Stage 1, for Section (2) SF 330 it states SF 330

Section Part I, Sections A through H is Not required for Section (2) Standard Form 330.

Submit SF Part II Only for the Prime AE only.

the SF 330 Part II only for the Prime AE is required. (see relevant highlighted language from the Stage 1 announcement below);

Solicitation Process:

In Stage 1, offerors are to submit detailed information of the Prime A/E’s design past performance, firm profile and design approach, and portfolio. Offerors will also submit the required U.S. Person

Qualifications (Omnibus certification) as a separate file. Stage 1 submissions will be reviewed by the

Technical Evaluation Panel. Offerors will be ranked, and the highest technically qualified offerors will be the selected for the short-list. Offerors must also be determined eligible as an Omnibus U.S Person, in order to participate, if short-listed, in the next Stage 2 of the solicitation. Rankings from Stage 1 will not transfer to Stage 2.

In Stage 2, the short-listed offeror(s) will assemble their technical teams including sub-consultants and submit detailed information in response to the criteria and relative to their proposed team, management plan, and past performance. Stage 2 submissions will be reviewed by the Technical

Evaluation Panel. The short-listed offeror(s) will also be required to make presentations to the

Technical Evaluation Panel. The Technical Evaluation Panel will make a determination of the most highly qualified teams consistent with the announced Stage 2 criteria and will recommend the offeror(s) for final selection of Stage 3 participation and award.

(2) Standard Form 330

Submit Standard Form 330 Architect-Engineer Qualifications, Part II only for the Prime AE only. For the purposes of this solicitation, the 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(s), should the proposed offeror be selected for the contract. Proposed team information (requirements

54. According to part 4, a maximum of five people must be shown. Is this limit only for designers, or should engineers also be included in this count?

A: If an engineer functions as a Lead Designer they may be included.

55. Shall we include a Table of Contents? If so, will it be included in the 60pp?

A: The Submission cover, Table of contents, Section divider pages, Pages intentionally left blank are not included in the 60-page limit.

56. For Past Experience on Design examples, if our work was complete at CDs (in case where we were Design Architect), does the project have to be fully constructed to cite the example?

A: As stated in the Stage 1 announcement section/requirement (3) A/E Firm Past Experience on Design (see highlighted language below); project examples that have been designed and fully constructed.

3.1 The prime A/E firm shall submit a portfolio of not more than five (5) projects that have been designed and fully constructed in the last ten (10) years. Projects should represent a broad range of project experience displaying the offerors’ ability to execute a wide range of project types. A maximum of two of these examples may be previously completed OBO projects.

57. We are directed to only submit drawings with the markings removed. By “markings,” do you mean room labels, client names, notes? Please elaborate.

58. Is a cover allowed and does it count toward the 60pp limit?

blank are not included in the 60-page limit.

59. If our services were for design only on a project and those services are complete, may we use that as a firm project example if construction is not yet completed?

A: The requirements for each section are stated within that section. (see relevant highlighted language from the Stage 1 announcement below)

(3) A/E Firm Past Experience on Design (50 points maximum)

Format: SF 330 Section F or alternate format is acceptable as long as required information below is presented. Page Limit: 5 pages per project

3.1 The prime A/E firm shall submit a portfolio of not more than five (5) projects that have been designed and fully constructed in the last ten (10) years. Projects should represent a broad range of project experience displaying the offerors’ ability to execute a wide range of project types. A maximum of two of these examples may be previously completed OBO projects.

(5) Lead Designer(s) Portfolio (30 points maximum).

Format: SF 330 Section F or alternate format is acceptable as long as required information below is presented. Page Limit: 4 pages per project

5.1 Submit a portfolio representative of the Lead Designer(s) ability to deliver exemplary, thoughtful, and technically comprehensive projects.

The portfolio must comprise no more than three (3) projects designed in the last ten (10) years. A maximum of one of these examples may be an OBO project. Projects do not need to be fully constructed.

60. In the Certifications Relevant to Public Law 99-399 document for the OBO Worldwide A/E

Design Services IDIQ, for Certification #6, some examples are given of evidence of technical and financial resources, but they are quite broad. We want to make sure that the documents we provide are acceptable, so I have 3 questions

• For the financial resources evidence, would either of the following be acceptable?

o Most recent federal income tax return o Audited financial statements

A: The Certifications Relevant to Relevant to Public Law 99-399 #6 states: Section 402 (c) (2)

(G): “The term ‘United States person’ means a person which has the existing technical and…