QUESTIONS WORLDWIDE BAS HVAC - Answered.pdf

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS ON RFP 19AQMM24R0094 WORLDWIDE BAS

& HVAC SUPPORT SERVICES

1) I have a ques�on concerning the clearance requirements for the current solicita�on.

Does my company need to possess a Top Secret Clearance prior to submi�ng a bid?

a. Yes.

2) Could you please clarify if this clearance is required at the time of proposal submission or if it needs to be obtained prior to the award of the contract?

a. Clearance is required at the time of proposal submission

3) I would like to clarify id the below opportunity is an 8a set-aside?

a. Yes, this is an 8(a) set-aside opportunity.

4) Reference: Sec�on L.14.4.1.2, Para. 4. Case Scenario – The Offeror shall submit a sample task order price proposal based on the case scenario in Atachment J.1.3 SAMPLE TASK ORDER PRICE PROPOSAL WORKSHEET. Ques�on: The atachment includes only pricing worksheets; there is no narra�ve scenario included that defines the sample project in any way – requirements, dura�on, loca�on, etc. Could the government provide the informa�on regarding the scenario that will permit an appropriate response?

a. In lieu of providing a narra�ve, the government has provided the hours for the project. Contractor will need to fill in cost for each posi�on based on the hours provided.

5) Please confirm that the contract is set aside for 8(a) firms only.

a. Please see answer to ques�on 3.

6) For an offeror that is a Joint Venture (JV), does the JV itself need to be cleared, or is it sufficient if each individual JV partner holds a clearance?

a. In order to obtain an FCL for it’s own CAGE Code, both en��es have to be cleared.

7) The DD-254 notes that safeguarding will be required to perform this work. Please confirm whether the prime contractor will need to have a current TS FCL with safeguarding in order to receive an award?

a. Yes, in order to be eligible for award the prime contractor must possess and be able to maintain a TS FCL.

8) The key posi�on descrip�ons have elevator maintenance and repair experience as a requirement. However, the SOW does not contain any elevator maintenance work. Is elevator maintenance, repair, and minor construc�on part of the requirements under this contract?

a. Elevator maintenance/repair will not be required as part of this contract.

9) For RFP sec�on C.3.3.9.6, can the Government please elaborate which cyber security standards are applicable here?

a. Security Standards requirements are defined in DOSAM 652.239-800 Cybersecurity Supply Chain Risk Management Requirements.

The full text of this clause has been inserted into the RFP.

Addi�onally, a mandatory evalua�on clause along with a ques�onnaire related to cyber security has been inserted into the RFP (see Sec�on M.3).

10) Sec�on L.14.4.1.2 TAB B – Factor 2: Offeror’s Implementa�on Plan, Item 4 - Case Scenario requests a "Quality Management Plan" and "Health, Safety, and Environment Plan." However, without addi�onal project informa�on (e.g., SOW, loca�on) regarding the Case Scenario we are not able to develop customized Plans.

Can the Government please clarify what type of deliverables are requested?

a. Something along the lines of a general QMP and health/safety plan that the contractor applies to all contracts regardless of complexity. We are not looking for project specific plans.

11) Under L.14.4.1.1, TAB A Factor 1a: – Offeror’s Relevant Past HVAC Experience, the

RFP requests experience with Design Bid Build (DBB) or Design Build (DB) HVAC contracts, and a contract value of more than $500,000. This language and contract value range seems more relevant to a construc�on SOW than the current SOW of repair, replacement, and maintenance tasks. Can the Government please clarify the whether repair, replacement and maintenance projects with a value of more than $250,000 are acceptable?

a. Contracts under $500,000 will not be taken into considera�on.

12) Under L.14.4.1.1, TAB A Factor 1b: – Offeror’s Relevant Past BAS Experience, the RFP requests experience with Design Bid Build (DBB) or Design Build (DB) BAS contracts, and a contract value of more than $500,000. This language and contract value range seems more relevant to a construc�on SOW than the current SOW of repair, replacement, and maintenance tasks. Can the Government please clarify the whether repair, replacement and maintenance projects with a value of more than $250,000 are acceptable?

a. While some smaller repair task orders may be issued as a part of this IDIQ, many our projects consist of replacement of aging HVAC and BAS systems and their associated components to include AHUs, chillers, cooling towers, and full BAS system replacements. These projects generally exceed $500,000 and have the most complexity, so these are the projects we will be evalua�ng.

13) Sec�on: L.14.4.1.5 TAB E Factor 5: Health, Safety and Environment (HS&E) Plan.Page 153 of the RFP states the HS&E is limited to 10 pages, but on page 154 it states the HS&E plan should not exceed 15 pages. Please confirm which is correct.

a. HS&E plan shall not exceed 10 pages.

14) In section B. 12: Workforce Minimum Qualifications for Project Manager, it states that an individual must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher in Electrical Engineering from an accredited university and Project Management Professional (PMP) Certificate from Project Management Institute (PMI). This requirement does not align with the services outlined in the scope of work and is restrictive.

Please advise if alternative and more relevant engineering principals such as mechanical, systems, or industrial, as well as comparable industry certifications like a Professional Engineer (PE), Certified Energy Manager (CEM), and/or LEED, would be acceptable for this role.

a. Any relevant bachelor’s degree in engineering, in addi�on to an ac�ve Professional Engineer (PE) or Project Management Professional (PMP) cer�fica�on will be acceptable for the Project Manager role.

15) Many companies are structured with multiple divisions or multiple legal entities that individually perform Prime Contracts but fall under a broader corporate umbrella.

Recognizing such corporate structures exist across the industry, the procurement rules and numerous GAO decisions have made clear that procuring agencies may evaluate and credit an offeror with the past performance and corporate experience of sister subsidiary companies where the offeror’s proposal demonstrates that the resources of the sister subsidiary (e.g., workforce, management, facilities, or other resources) will be meaningfully contributed to contract performance. See GM–Bulltrack, B- 414591.6 (Comp. Gen. Oct. 30, 2018; holding that an agency may properly attribute the experience or past performance of an affiliated company), and Iyabak Construction, LLC, B409196 (Comp. Gen. Feb.6, 2014; holding that the agency failed to articulate a rational basis for solicitation’s refusal to consider experience and past performance of affiliates).

Due to the nature of how sister subsidiaries are structured, please update the RFQ instructions to attribute contracts for work performed by a sister subsidiary of an Offeror to the Prime offeror's past performance.

a. Sister subsidiaries’ past performances may be used and will be evaluated per Section L.14.4.1.1 as part of our response to the subject RFP.

16) Will the Government please provide the Attachment J10: Resume Template?

(Section M.3., Page 157)

a. Please use the SF330 template (a copy is attached/provided) attachment J.1.6

17) Would the government please confirm that 10pt font is allowable for tables, graphics, and diagrams? (Section L.11.3. Page 147)

a. Yes, 10pt font will be allowable.

18) Would the government please clarify the page limit for Health, Safety and Environment Plan? Page 153 requires 10 pages while page 154 requires 15 pages?

(Section L.14.4.1.5 TAB E Factor 5, Page 153)

a. Please see answer to Question 13.

19) The requirement M.3.3. Technical Factor 3: Key Personnel (3) states “If using subcontractor, state “the Key Personnel and all others relevant experience and authority” Also Section L.14.4.1.3 TAB C – Factor 3: Key Personnel. Resume Guidance (2) states “The Offeror shall state whether the proposed Project Manager and Key Staff are each current employees or (as evidenced by submission of a signed employment agreement or letter of intent) prospective employees of the Offeror and not subcontractors, independent consultants, or an individual with any relationship to the Offeror other than that of a full- time, direct hire employee.” Would the government please confirm that subcontractor employees are allowed to be key personnel? (Section M.3.3 Technical Factor 3, Key Personnel, Page 157)

a. Yes. Please keep in muind signed letters of intent are required for the subcontractor will be required prior to subcontractors performing as key personnel.

20) Project Manager (PM) requirements are to have a bachelor’s degree or higher in Electrical Engineering. Would the government allow PM to hold a degree in other related field (For example, Mechanical Engineering or Associates in electrical/mechanical and a bachelors in Project Management )? (Section B12, Page 8)

a. Please see answer to question 14.

21) Project Manager (PM) requirements are to have a Project Management Professional (PMP) Certificate. Would the government allow an Operations and Performance Management Professional Certification (OPMP) in lieu of the PMP certificate? (Section B12, Page 8)

a. No, acceptable certifications are a bachelor’s degree in engineering and either a PE or PMP certification.

22) Section L.14.4.2.2 states “- The Proposal Form (Standard Form 33), is to be executed fully and used as the cover sheet (or first page) of Volume II.” Will the Government please confirm that Offerors may include this form after the Proposal Title/Cover Page?

(Section L.14.4.2.2, Page 154)

a. No. Proposals shall use Standard Form 33 as the cover sheet for all proposals.

23) Section L.14.4.1.3 states “Offeror shall provide its own one-page summary describing how each proposed individual’s qualifications including prior experience, special training, and accomplishments are sufficiently similar or relevant to the tasks and responsibilities to be performed under the contract.”

Will the Government please confirm that offerors are to submit a single one (1) page summary that is inclusive of all KPs?

a. Contractors shall be allowed to submit one page summary of qualifica�ons for EACH member of the Key Personnel.

24) Sec�on L.14.1.1 - Experience. If a project has both HVAC and BAS experience can we use the project as an example for each Tab A Factor 1a and Tab Factor 1b?

a. Yes, the same project can be submited for tab factor 1a and 1b if the project has both HVAC and BAS components.

25) Sec�on L.14.1.1 - Experience. Would you expand the period for considering experience from 3 years to 10 years?

a. Experience from the last 5 years will be considered acceptable experience for evalua�on.

26) The RFP men�ons a Resume Template (J.10), but it is not atached on the SAM.gov, nor is it men�oned in the list of atachments. Is there a resume template we must follow, or do we create our own? (Sec�on M.3.3, page 157)

a. Please see answer to Ques�on 16.

27) If the offeror has adequate past performance experience, are we s�ll required to submit a narra�ve? (Sec�on L.14.4.1.1, page 148)

a. Yes, a narra�ve will be required for evalua�on.

28) Sec�on M of the RFP states that individuals proposed as key personnel are Project Manager, Quality Control Representa�ve, Master HVAC Technician and Senior Mechanical Engineer, or Senior BAS Technician and BAS Engineer. In event we want to be considered for both HVAC and BAS services, should we submit 6 resumes in total.

(Sec�on M.3.3, page 157)

a. Yes. The six resume submissions should be specifically curated to highlight HVAC specific Experience for the HVAC roles and BAS experience for the BAS roles.

29) If licenses and manufacturer training cer�fica�ons are to be submited with resumes, do they count toward the page limit? (Sec�on L.14.1.2, page 151)

a. No, copies of licenses will not be counted towards the page limit.

30) Can tables/figures be presented on 11x17 pages if they are counted as 2 pages? (Sec�on L.11.3, page 147)

a. Yes, this would be acceptable.

31) The RFP states that the HS&E plan shall not exceed 10 pages, but it also states that the plan's page limita�on is 15 pages. What is the page limit for this plan? (Sec�on L.14.4.1.5, pages 153 and 154)

a. Please see answer to ques�on 13.

32) The RFP men�ons a one-page summary for each proposed key personnel individual. Is this one page for each individual or should one page contain all this informa�on?

(Sec�on L.14.4.1.3, page 152)

a. Please see answer to Ques�on 23.

33) The RFP states that the proposal must be typed using 12 pitch type font. What is the preferred font size for graphs and tables? May we use a font size of 10-point for graphs/tables?

a. Please see answer to Ques�on 17.

34) The RFP asks us to provide a list of relevant past projects and customer points of contact.

Would this list be part of the past performance surveys or count towards the 85-page limit of the proposal? (Sec�on M.3.1, pages 155 and 156)

a. No, this will not count towards the page limit of the proposal.

35) Sec�on C.16 on page 46 is misnumbered. If it follows the numbering in place, this sec�on should be C.12

a. Thanks. This typo will be revised in thel RFP.

36) The numbering of the Administra�ve Documents does not match the numbering of the atachments provided in the solicita�on. (Sec�on J.1, page 122)

a. Please see answer to Ques�on 35.

37) Will the Task Order Technical Specs (Atachment J.5) be provided upon TO award?

(Sec�on J.5, page 124)

a. Yes. Task Order Technical Specifica�ons will be provided upon each individual Task Order award.

38) Sec�on L.14.4.1.1 is misnumbered. If it follows the numbering in place, this sec�on should be C.14 Instruc�ons/Requirements; Followed by C.14.1 Technical; followed by L.14.1.1 Offeror's Past Experience followed by L.14.1.1.1 TAB A - Factor 1a; and L.14.1.1.2 TAB A - Factor 1b; L.14.2 TAB B - Offeror's Implementa�on Plan; etc. (page 148)

39) The Past Performance Survey referenced in this sec�on matches the atachment but does not match the number provided in J.1 (page 122). (Sec�on L.14.4.1.1, page 148)

40) The subsec�ons of M.6 are misnumbered and the sec�ons following subsec�on M.6 should be M.7, M.8, M.9 and M.10 (page 159)

a. Please see answer to Ques�on 35

41) Please confirm that this procurement is set up as a Small Business Set-Aside. In the Classifica�on sec�on of SAM.gov, this opportunity is presented as a Small Business Set- Aside. However, in the Descrip�on sec�on of the same webpage, there is the following sentence: "This acquisition is being solicited as 100% set-aside for small business for 8(a) entities only". Also, we were unable to locate text in the solicita�on providing clarifica�on.

a. Please see answer to ques�on 3.

42) Please clarify if “12 pitch type” should be “12 point type” (Sec�on L.11.3, b, page 147)

a. Yes. 12 point type is the intent.

43) Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, oversees contract work was either limited or postponed on many contracts. Could the government please extend the Past Performance �me frame from the past 3 years to 5 years (Sec�on L.14.4.1.1, Tab A part 1 and Tab B part 1, pages 148 and 149)

a. The maximum �me frame for Past Performance evalua�on shall be 5 years.

44) Many task orders associated with oversees BAS work have scopes which are applicable to the services described in the RFP. However, many of these task orders do not meet the $500,000 contract value threshold in the RFP. Can the government please consider reducing the contract value to $100,000 per contract? (Sec�on L.14.4.1.1, Tab A part 3 and Tab B part 3, pages 148 and 149)

a. Please see answer to Ques�on 11.