33330226RF0010010 RFI Responses.pdf

333302-26RF-0010010 IDIQ for Construction Services in Washington, DC Metropolitan Area

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

RFI # Drawing/Spec Category Question Response

Section 2: Statement of Work and Section 3: Statement Preparation Instructions: Part III - Experience Performance: Comparable Experience

Section 2: Statement of Work A. and the first paragraph of Part III under Section 3:

Statement Preparation Instructions require Offerors to list comparable projects completed or in progress during the past five (5) years with at least one of them completed. However, the third paragraph under Part III states that for each Comparable Project, the Offeror shall provide “past performance quality metrics reflecting actual project outcomes” to enable the Smithsonian Institution to evaluate the Offeror’s demonstrated ability to control cost, schedule, quality, and claims “on completed projects of similar complexity.” Could the Smithsonian please clarify whether a project that is currently in progress, but otherwise satisfies all requirements for a Comparable Project, may be submitted as one of the three required Comparable Projects?

The requirement is completed or in progress during the past 5 years with one completed.

Projects completed in the last 8 years will be acceptable.

2 Section 2 Statement of Work; Part B

Relevant to Section 2: Statement of Work, Part B, will the Smithsonian please provide a clarifying explanation for this statement: "Projects constructed for the direct use of the company(s) submitting this Statement will not be considered as a comparable project"?

if the bidder built their own office in which the bidder is using that consitues direct use.

SF 1442 Continuation Pages (Announcement) vs. Solicitation pg 4, Section 3 Statement of Preparation Instructions

SF 1442 pg. 22 states "4.5 There will be no cost evaluation associated with this RFP."

However, RFP pg. 4, Section3, para 1 states "Offerors demonstrating the most comparable Past Performance, most competitive Overhead Rates, and Financial Capabilities shall be considered for pre-qualification status." Will the Smithsonian please clarify if the Evaluation Criteria will exclude cost factors based on the SF 1442?

Offerors will be evaluted on Section I

4 SF 1442, Box 13 vs. SF 1442 Section B pg.

Will the Smithsonian please clarify the required format and due date for Qualification Statement submissions? The SF 1442, Box 13 states that a sealed offer with 1 copy should be submitted by 9/22, while Section B on pg. 4 states that 1 Technical PDF should be submitted via Dropbox by Oct 6 at 3 pm.

Technical proposal submitted via PDF via Drop box by 11/09/26

5 Solicitation Part IV - Capabilities Relevant to Part IV-Capabilities, pg. 14 in the solicitation, will the Smithsonian please clarify what Bullet 2 "Location of units" is referring to? What is considered a "unit" in relation to Bullets 2 and 3?

Part IV Capabities - Unit should be replaced with company or division

Solicitation Section 3 Statement Preparation Instructions, pg. 5 vs Part III-Non-Comparable Experience

Relevant to Bullet 3 on pg. 5 of the solicitation under Section 3, it states "Please be advised that Comparable Experience is more desirable than Non-Comparable Experience." However, Part III - Non-Comparable Experience on pg. 13 states "List a minimum of three (3) non-comparable projects". Will the Smithsonian please clarify of Non-Comparable Experience projects are optional rather than required?

The submission of non comparable experience is not optional

7 Number of IDIQ Awards Please confirm the anticipated number, or approximate range, of Small Business IDIQ contracts the Smithsonian Institution intends to award under this solicitation. That information is not available at this time

RFI # Drawing/Spec Category Question Response

8 IDIQ Contract Capacity Please confirm the anticipated maximum ordering capacity or ceiling for each IDIQ contract and whether the ceiling applies individually to each awardee or collectively across all IDIQ contracts awarded.

Individual work orders / task orders will not exceed $8M.

9 Minimum Guarantee Please identify the minimum guaranteed amount, if any, for each contractor receiving an IDIQ award. there is no gauranteed amount

10 Task Order Range

The solicitation notice identifies anticipated construction services between $1 million and $8 million per project. Please confirm whether $8 million represents the maximum value of an individual task order or whether larger task orders may be issued during the IDIQ period.

$8M is maximum the threshold per work order / task order.

11 Bonding Requirements Please clarify the required bid, performance, and payment bonding capacity at the IDIQ proposal stage and at the individual task-order stage. Please also confirm whether evidence of bonding capability is required with the Technical Proposal.

Bid guarantees and performance and payment bonds are not required at the IDIQ proposal stage. Performance and payment bonds may be required at the individual task order level, depending on the applicable dollar threshold.

Offerors shall submit evidence of bonding capacity with the Technical Proposal, as required by the Request for Proposal (RFP).

12 Technical Proposal Organization

The notice states that proposals are to be submitted as one PDF for Technical. Please confirm the required Technical Proposal sections, evaluation factors, page limitations, font requirements, and whether resumes, project sheets, licenses, certifications, and other attachments count toward any applicable page limit.

ALL pages count toward the appicable page limit

13 Price Proposal

Please confirm whether a price proposal, coefficient, markup schedule, labor-rate schedule, or other pricing information is required with the October 6, 2026 submission. If pricing is required, please clarify whether it should be included in the Technical PDF or submitted separately.

Price proposals are not being requested. Referece Section I.

14 Relevant Past Performance

Please confirm the minimum number of past-performance projects required and the applicable look-back period. Please also clarify whether projects completed for federal, state, local, institutional, and commercial clients are equally acceptable when demonstrating comparable size, scope, complexity, and construction type.

3 projects at stated on page 3 of 21. As well as Part III of the solcitation.

15 Contractor Experience Please confirm whether the Smithsonian will consider projects performed by the offeror's key personnel under previous employers or organizations in addition to projects performed directly under the offeror's corporate name.

Yes, the Smithsonian will consider projects performed by key personnel under previous employers

16 Key Personnel Please identify any mandatory key personnel positions that must be proposed at the IDIQ level and whether letters of commitment are required for employees, consultants, or subcontractors proposed as key personnel.

Key personnel resumes are not required. However, the Smithsonian will give greater consideration to teams who provide background information for key personnel.

17 Self-Performance Requirements

Please confirm whether there is a minimum percentage of construction work that the prime contractor must self-perform and whether the applicable FAR 52.219-14 limitations on subcontracting will apply to task orders issued under this Small Business IDIQ.

FAR 52.219-14 applies. The Contractor shall perform a minimum of 12% of the work under each task order by the end of the task order's period of performance. I will email this FAR clause to you.

18 Joint Ventures and Subcontractors Please clarify whether offerors may rely upon the qualifications and past performance of proposed subcontractors or joint-venture members to satisfy experience and technical evaluation requirements.

Prime and joint venture are acceptable.

19 Geographic Coverage

Please confirm that the anticipated ordering area includes Washington, DC, Maryland, Virginia, the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia, and the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center in Edgewater, Maryland, and advise whether task orders may be issued for any additional Smithsonian facilities outside these locations.

Confirmed the regions noted are accurate. It is not anticpated that projects under this IDIQ will be outside of the noted regions.

20 Site Visit

The notice states that no site visit has been arranged. Does the Smithsonian anticipate conducting an optional pre-proposal conference or site visit if sufficient interest is received? If so, please provide the procedure and deadline for requesting participation.

No site visits are scheduled. The Muesums are open to the public.

21 Task Order Competition Please clarify the anticipated process for competing individual task orders among IDIQ awardees, including whether task-order awards will generally be based on technical and price proposals, price alone, or another best-value methodology.

There will be competiton among the IDIQ pool with at minimum of three bidders invited to submit a proposal. Criteria for determining the awardee will be provided with the RFP.

22 Contract Duration Please confirm the anticipated base contract period, number and duration of option periods, and total potential ordering period for the IDIQ. 1 year + 9 option years from date of award.

23 Safety and Quality Requirements Please identify any Smithsonian-specific safety, quality-control, security, badging, background investigation, or facility-access requirements that offerors should specifically address in their Technical Proposal.

None

24 Project Management and Local Presence

Please confirm whether maintaining an established office within the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area is an evaluated factor or mandatory requirement and whether the Smithsonian requires a dedicated Project Manager or Superintendent to be located within a specified response distance.

Not required. Active projects do require prime contractor onsite supervision.

25 Multiple Project Capacity

Please clarify whether offerors should demonstrate the capability to manage multiple concurrent task orders and, if so, whether the Smithsonian has an anticipated maximum number or aggregate dollar value of concurrent projects per IDIQ contractor.

This is not required. The Smithsonian will give greater consideaton to teams who demonstrate the ability to successfully perform multiple concurrent task orders.

26 Proposal Submission

Please confirm that the complete Technical Proposal is to be uploaded as one PDF to the Dropbox location identified in the solicitation notice by 3:00 PM ET on October 6, 2026, and advise whether any additional submission through SAM.gov, email, or another Smithsonian procurement system is required.

Refer to question number 4.

Can the Smithsonian Institute please clarify which date is the due date for proposals?

Page 4 of 23 states that Proposals are to be submitted in pdf form, emailed to https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/c3gw28mupqey18s128jye/AJEscQQlrbA4BYJCnfT PVJI?rlkey=1thtkgmv20f6iyl9u4xgwkgye&st+w3wddft6&dl=0

Refer to question number 4.

Do bidders need to request a key to upload a proposal to the above mentioned drop box. If so, is there a due date by which bidders must request the key?

No.

Solicitation requires that audited financial statements be submitted.

Would reviewed financial statements be acceptable? These statements are still prepared by an independent, licensed CPA firm and include the balance sheet, statement of income, statement of cash flows, and notes.

Audited financial statements are required in accordance with the solicitation. Reviewed financial statements will not be accepted as a substitute.

30 Under Part III - Experience/Performance

Under PART III – EXPERIENCE/PERFORMANCE, will the Smithsonian Institute consider relevant past performance of affiliated sister companies where the prime offeror demonstrates that such affiliates will have meaningful involvement in contract performance? We respectfully request an expedited response to this question, as our decision to participate in this opportunity is contingent on the response.

NO, the INSTITUTION will not consider affiliated sister company past performance

31 What is the anticipated contract capacity? See question #8

32 Would the Smithsonian institute consider extending the question period to September 22, 2026 to allow additional time to review the solicitation documents? See amendment

33 Please confirm that the current deadline for submission is Tuesday, October 6, 2026, 3:00 PM EST. see amendment

Please extend the deadline for submission to no earlier than three weeks after the Smithsonian Institute has responded to 100% of submitted questions and requests for clarification. This will provide Offerors sufficient time to review the responses and appropriately incorporate any resulting information into their proposals.

see amendment

Would the Smithsonian Institute consider expanding the timeframe for comparable projects from projects ongoing or completed within the last five years to projects ongoing or completed within the last 10 years?

Projects completed in the last 8 years will be acceptable.

36 Would the Smithsonian Institute remove the page limitations for responses to Section G? No, page limitation remains.

37 Please clarify where in the proposal response the information required under Sections G-J should be provided. Section G shall be Tab 13 Section H Tab 14 Section I Tab 15 Section J Tab 16

Please clarify how to complete the table included under Comparable Projects. It's unclear, for example, how to fill out the column "Value of Scope" for the row "Work in Occupied Buildings During Business Hours."

Offerors can disregard the columns titled "Value of Scope" and "Type of Work" in the table in Section 3 Comparable Experience.

Non-Comparable Experience section states, "List a minimum of three (3) non-comparable projects completed or in progress during the past five (5) years that best demonstrate your experience in construction and modernization (renovation) of historic structures." Please clarify if that means that ALL non-comparable projects need to be historic structures.

The non-comparable projects section is provided for contractors to showcase projects where they have excelled in quality, craftsmanship, technical competence, etc. that may not fit inside the parameters of the comparable projects section.

These projects shall have been completed in the last 10 years but have no other disqualifying parameters.

40 Please clarify what information is required under Part I - General Information. No submission under Part 1 - General Information.

Please confirm that the submitted Qualifications Statement is one electronic file that is internally indexed and tabbed, not multiple, separate electronic files consisting of Parts I-IV.

One TABBED electronic PDF file shall be submitted

Would the government consider reducing the value of comparable construction projects to $2.5 million? Lowering this ceiling removes unnecessary barriers, strengthening the local economic impact of this contract without compromising highly qualified contractors capable of delivering exceptional quality.

submit as cited in the solciation.

43 Is there a requirement to provide a proposal for all projects solicited in this IDIQ? Is there a formal cap on the number of projects we can pass on? there is no requirement to submit a proposal when invited via an RFP.

For comparable projects, may we include RMACC, IDIQ, MATOC, etc. ceiling contracts as consideration instead of individual task orders for past performance projects? Projects would be an appropriate comparison similar in overall magnitude.

No.

Please confirm whether the Government will accept CPA-reviewed financial statements in lieu of audited financial statements for purposes of satisfying the solicitation requirement.

See Response to RFI Question #29 above.

46 How many firms does Smithsonian intend to prequalify/award under this IDIQ? See # 7 question / response 47 What is the ordering period / base term and any option periods for the IDIQ? See # 8 question / response

Since submitted overhead/fee percentages are stated as "non-binding," can you please confirm whether omitting specific percentage ranges (vs. providing only a narrative) affects evaluation scoring?

Yes scoring will be impacted as the proposal will not meet the requirement

49 SF 1442, Block 13a; Announcement p.

4; RFQ p. 20

The SF 1442 at Block 13a states that offers are due 09/22/2026 at 1500 local time.

The continuation sheet at page 4 and the Request for Qualifications, Submission Requirements, at page 20 both state that the proposal is due Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 3:00 PM EST. Please confirm which date and time govern.

see amendment

RFQ Section 3, p. 5; RFQ Part I, p. 6;

Announcement Section M, para. 4.3,

p. 22

Section 3 of the Request for Qualifications (page 5) and Section M, paragraph 4.3 (Announcement page 22) state that the Qualification Statement consists of four (4) Parts, including Part I – General Information. Part I (page 6) describes the procedure and the Tab No. 1 through Tab No. 12 structure, but does not include a form or identify information to be submitted, and states that Statements will be evaluated on the information described in Parts III and IV. Please confirm whether Offerors are expected to submit any content for Part I – General Information. If so, please identify the required content and the tab or location where it should be placed.

Refer to question number 40.

51 RFQ Section 3, Part I, para. A, p. 6;

RFQ Part IV, paras. G–J, pp. 16–18

Section 3, Part I lists 12 tabs (Tab No. 1 – Entity’s Background through Tab No. 12 – Banking Reference), but Part IV – Capabilities includes four additional narrative requirements — G. Approach to Phasing and Construction in Occupied, Secure, and Public Environments; H. Subcontractor Bench Strength and Delivery Strategy; I.

Proposed Overhead, General Conditions, and Fee Structure; and J. Project Closeout, Turnover, and Training Management — that are not assigned to any of the 12 listed tabs. Please advise under which tab(s) these four narratives should be submitted (e.g., new Tabs 13–16, or combined under Tab No. 7 – Organizational Statement).

Section G shall be Tab 13 Section H Tab 14 Section I Tab 15 Section J Tab 16

SF 1442, Block 1; RFQ p. 1;

Announcement p. 4; Announcement

pp. 21–23 (Sections L and M, paras.

4.5 and M.3)

Section L and Section M (Announcement pages 21–23) carry the footer “Solicitation 333302-23RF-0010033 IDIQ for Consulting Services,” while the SF 1442 (Block 1) and the Request for Qualifications package reference Solicitation No.

33330226RF0010010 for ID/IQ Contracts for Small Business Construction Services in Washington, DC Metropolitan Area. Please confirm the correct solicitation number and confirm that all Section A–M clauses apply to this Construction IDIQ and are not carried over from an unrelated Consulting Services solicitation. In addition, please clarify the following related inconsistencies: (a) Section M, paragraph M.3 (Announcement page 23) references a “combined cost and technical proposal,” while paragraph 4.5 (Announcement page 22) states “There will be no cost evaluation associated with this RFP”; and (b) the Section L and Section M footers read “Page 21 of 37” through “Page 23 of 37,” the SF 1442 indicates 21 pages, and the continuation sheet (page 4) references “Sections A-M, p. 1-66.” Please confirm the complete and correct solicitation document.

Revised announcement will be issued.

53 SF 1442, Block 3; Announcement p. 5 The continuation sheet (page 5) lists a Period of Performance of 08/04/2026 to 08/04/2036, which predates the solicitation issue date of 08/17/2026 (SF 1442, Block 3). Please confirm the intended start and end dates of the Period of Performance.

Period of Performance will begin from the date of award.

54 Announcement p. 4; Announcement p.

17 (Section J)

The continuation sheet (page 4) references “the Specifications and Drawings attached hereto as Appendix” and “All other documents and attachments listed in Section J of this RFP,” but the Section J – List of Documents, Exhibits and Other Attachments table (page 17) is blank. Please confirm whether any specifications, drawings, or other appendices exist for this RFQ and, if so, provide them or advise how to obtain them.

No specs/drawings are included in the solicitation.

55 Announcement p. 4; RFQ p. 20;

Announcement p. 23 (Section M)

The continuation sheet (page 4) instructs that proposals be submitted “in pdf form (1 pdf for Technical), emailed to” a Dropbox folder link, while the Request for Qualifications, Submission Requirements (page 20) and Section M (page 23) state that proposals are to be submitted to the Dropbox link. Please confirm whether Offerors should upload directly to the Dropbox link (rather than transmit by email), and whether the Government will provide confirmation of receipt.

Refer to question number 4.

56 Announcement p. 4; RFQ Part IV, para. I, pp. 17–18

The continuation sheet (Announcement page 4) states that proposals are to be submitted as “1 pdf for Technical” and that “If any pricing information is on the Technical Proposal, Offeror will be disqualified.” Part IV, paragraph I. Proposed Overhead, General Conditions, and Fee Structure (RFQ pages 17–18) requests typical General Conditions, home office overhead, and contractor fee/profit percentages or ranges. Please clarify whether the paragraph I overhead, general conditions, and fee narrative is permitted within the Technical PDF, or whether it must be omitted or submitted under separate cover. If submitted under separate cover, please provide the submission instructions.

One TABBED electronic PDF file shall be submitted

57 RFQ Part IV, para. A, p. 14; para. G,

p. 16; paras. H–J, pp. 17–18

Part IV, paragraph G. Approach to Phasing and Construction in Occupied, Secure, and Public Environments (RFQ page 16) is the only requirement in the Request for Qualifications that states a page limit (“maximum 2 pages”). Please confirm whether page limits also apply to paragraph H. Subcontractor Bench Strength and Delivery Strategy; paragraph I. Proposed Overhead, General Conditions, and Fee Structure;

paragraph J. Project Closeout, Turnover, and Training Management; and paragraph A. Organization (Tab No. 7), including the resumes of key personnel and the “brief resumes” to be attached to the employment profile (RFQ page 14).

There are no other page limits unless otherwise stated.

58 Announcement, p. 4; RFQ Section 3,

pp. 4–5; Part IV.I, pp. 17–18

The Announcement states that an Offeror will be disqualified if the Technical Proposal contains any pricing information. However, Part IV.I requires the Offeror to provide its typical General Conditions, home office overhead, and fee/profit percentage ranges, and Section 3 states that competitive overhead rates will be considered during prequalification. Please clarify whether the information required by Part IV.I should be included in the Technical Proposal or submitted in a separate file.

One TABBED electronic PDF file shall be submitted

Standard Form 1442, Block 13a, p. 1;

Announcement, pp. 4 and 23; RFQ Submission Requirements, p. 20

Standard Form 1442, Block 13a, identifies the proposal due date as September 22, 2026, at 3:00 PM, while the Announcement and RFQ Submission Requirements identify the proposal due date as October 6, 2026, at 3:00 PM. Please confirm the applicable proposal due date see amendment

60 Standard Form 1442, pp. 1–2;

Announcement, p. 4; RFQ Part I, p. 6

The Announccement Instructs Offerors to submit one Technical Proposal PDF, while Standard Form 1442 states that the Offer section must be fully completed and the RFQ requires a Qualification Statement organized under Tabs 1 through 12.

Please confirm whether the completed and signed Standard Form 1442, applicable Section K representations, and all materials required under Tabs 1 through 12 should be consolidated into the single Technical Proposal PDF, except for any information the Smithsonian directs Offerors to submit separately.

One TABBED electronic PDF file shall be submitted

61 RFQ Section 3, pp. 4–5; Part III, pp.

11–12

Section 3 states that projects must meet all portions of the RFQ criteria to be considered comparable. Part III identifies several Comparable Project characteristics, including work involving live research environments, occupied buildings, historic buildings, campus settings, public access or security requirements, and technically complex or specialized work.

Refer to question number 62.

Please clarify whether each Comparable Project must individually demonstrate all listed characteristics or whether the three projects may demonstrate these characteristics collectively.

Collectively is acceptable. The Smithsonian will give greater consideration to projects that demonstrate multiple characteristics.

63 RFQ Section 3, p. 5; Part III, p. 13

Part III requires Offerors to submit three to five Non-Comparable Experience projects that demonstrate construction and modernization of historic structures.

Section 3 also states that additional Comparable Experience exceeding the maximum number of Comparable Projects will be counted toward Non-Comparable Experience points.

The non-comparable projects section is provided for contractors to showcase projects where they have excelled in quality, craftsmanship, technical competence, etc. that may not fit inside the parameters of the comparable projects section.

These projects shall have been completed in the last 10 years but have no other disqualifying parameters.

Please clarify whether otherwise comparable historic projects may be submitted under Tab 6 to satisfy the Non-Comparable Experience requirement. The same project should not be submitted in each category.

64 RFQ – Section I – Contract Clauses The solicitation does not appear to identify the construction contract clauses that will govern the resulting IDIQ contract and subsequent task orders.

Please provide the clause set applicable to the base IDIQ contract and identify which construction-specific clauses will be incorporated at the task-order level.

65 Tab 6 historic-project standard

For the Non-Comparable Experience projects submitted under Tab 6, must each structure have a formal local, state, National Register, or National Historic Landmark designation, or may an offeror submit work performed on a structure that is documented as historic or determined eligible for the National Register?

The non-comparable projects section is provided for contractors to showcase projects where they have excelled in quality, craftsmanship, technical competence, etc. that may not fit inside the parameters of the comparable projects section.

These projects shall have been completed in the last 10 years but have no other disqualifying parameters.

66 Reusing projects between Tabs 5 and

May a project submitted as one of the three Comparable Experience projects under Tab 5 also be presented under Tab 6 if it demonstrates substantial construction or modernization experience involving a historic structure, or must Tabs 5 and 6 contain entirely different projects?

The same project should not be submitted in each category.

67 Tab 6 project value Is there a minimum contract value for projects submitted under Tab 6? The $3 million minimum appears to apply to Tab 5 Comparable Experience, but no minimum value is stated for Tab 6.

The non-comparable projects section is provided for contractors to showcase projects where they have excelled in quality, craftsmanship, technical competence, etc. that may not fit inside the parameters of the comparable projects section.

These projects shall have been completed in the last 10 years but have no other disqualifying parameters.

Additional clauses will be included in the revised announcement.

68 IDIQ task orders as individual projects

May individual task orders performed under an IDIQ, JOC, SABER, or similar contract be submitted as separate projects under Tabs 5 or 6 when each task order has its own scope, price, schedule, and government reference?

Yes

69 Nature of work required under Tab 6

Must a Tab 6 project include restoration or direct alteration of historic fabric, or may it involve modernization—such as HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, accessibility, roofing, or interior renovations—performed within a historic structure while protecting the structure’s historic characteristics?

The non-comparable projects section is provided for contractors to showcase projects where they have excelled in quality, craftsmanship, technical competence, etc. that may not fit inside the parameters of the comparable projects section.

These projects shall have been completed in the last 10 years but have no other disqualifying parameters.

Solicitation Section 3, "Statement Preparation Instructions"; Part I, Procedure

Please provide the evaluation criteria and relative importance of each factor/subfactor that will be used to establish the pre-qualified pool.

Will all factors be evaluated equally, or will certain factors be more heavily weighted?

Solicitation Section 3; Part IV(I) Proposed Overhead, General Conditions, and Fee Structure

Section 3 of the RFQ states that firms demonstrating the most competitive overhead rates will be considered for prequalification, while Section M states there will be no cost evaluation associated with this procurement.

Please clarify whether overhead, fee, and general conditions information will be evaluated and, if so, how it will be considered in the award decision

72 Solicitation Section 1 Administrative Information

How many IDIQ contracts does the Smithsonian currently anticipate awarding under this solicitation, and is there a minimum or maximum number of awards contemplated?

That information is not available at this time

73 Solicitation Section 3 Instructions;

Part III Experience/Performance

Will task orders be competed among all IDIQ holders? Will task order evaluations consider factors other than price? How will contractor availability be measured and evaluated?

There will be competiton among the IDIQ pool with at minimum of three bidders invited to submit a proposal. Criteria for determining the awardee will be provided with the RFP.

74 Announcement Section M

Section M references a separate solicitation titled "IDIQ for Consulting Services".

Please confirm that the evaluation criteria contained in Section M are applicable to Solicitation 33330226RF0010010 and provide any missing evaluation factors or weights intended for this procurement.

Please see the revised announcement.

75 Reference: RFP, Page 16 G.

For the four narratives required (Phasing and Construction, Subcontractor Strategy, Proposed Overhead, and Project Closeout), please clarify how these should be organized in the proposal. Should each narrative have a separate tab, for example?

Section G shall be Tab 13 Section H Tab 14 Section I Tab 15 Section J Tab 16

76 Reference: RFP, Page 11, Part III – Comparable Experience

Would offerors be able to submit projects that were performed under a Joint Venture? Prime and joint venture are acceptable.

77 Reference: RFP, Page 3, Administrative Information What is the anticipated number of awardees for this IDIQ? That information is not available at this time

Reference: RFP Page 3, “Include projects of similar size (up to $8 million) and scope where the Offeror was the Prime Contractor.”

Would offerors be able to submit comparable projects greater than $8 Million? Offerors may submit comparable projects between $3M - $9M.

79 Reference: RFP, Page 12 Comparable Experience

Please clarify the table column "Value of Scope". Does this refer to the price of part of the project?

Offerors can disregard the columns titled "Value of Scope" and "Type of Work" in the table in Section 3 Comparable Experience.

80 Please clarify if all four parts are to be submitted in one PDF file (if within size limitations) or if each part should be its own volume. One TABBED electronic PDF file shall be submitted

Please see the revised announcement.

There is no cost associated with this solicitation. Please see the revised announcement.

81 Please confirm a project less than $1M is acceptable to submit for Part III – Experience/Performance. Offerors may submit comparable projects between $3M - $9M.

82 Please confirm a project greater than $8M is acceptable to submit for Part III – Experience/Performance. Offerors may submit comparable projects between $3M - $9M.

Please further clarify the difference between comparable and non-comparable experience. The RFP states that for comparable experience, at least one project must be historic. For non-comparable experience, the RFP states that all projects must be historic.

The non-comparable projects section is provided for contractors to showcase projects where they have excelled in quality, craftsmanship, technical competence, etc. that may not fit inside the parameters of the comparable projects section.

These projects shall have been completed in the last 10 years but have no other disqualifying parameters.

84 Please confirm that there are no page limitations unless otherwise stated in the RFP. There are no page limitations unless otherwise stated in the solicitation documents.

85 Please confirm 11” x 17” format is acceptable for our organization chart. Yes 11 x 17 for the organization chart is acceptable.

Please clarify what resumes are to be submitted for key personnel. Is one Project Manager, one Superintendent, one Quality Control Manager, and one Site Safety and Health Officer resume sufficient?

Key personnel resumes are not required. However, the Smithsonian will give greater consideration to teams who provide background information for key personnel.

Part IV – Capabilities, “Provide an employment profile for the construction company showing total employees, total permanent employees, and total professionals in each major category. Brief resumes of these individuals shall be attached”. Please clarify if a resume is to be provided for each staff member.

Categories can be defined by the Offeror, brief resumes shall be provided.

88 If a resume is required to be submitted for each staff member, please confirm that a summarized, half-page resume for each is acceptable. see answer to # 87

For Part IV Approach to Phasing and Construction in Occupied, Secure, and Public Environments narrative, will the government consider increasing the page limit to three or four pages?

Section G 2 page limit

90 For Part III; will the Contractor be graded negatively if the non-comparable projects are too similar in nature to the ones used for comparable projects?

The non-comparable projects section is provided for contractors to showcase projects where they have excelled in quality, craftsmanship, technical competence, etc. that may not fit inside the parameters of the comparable projects section.

These projects shall have been completed in the last 10 years but have no other disqualifying parameters.

91 EXPERIENCE/PERFORMANCE

Will the Smithsonian Institute consider relevant past performance of affiliated sister companies where the prime offeror demonstrates that such affiliates will have meaningful involvement in contract performance? We respectfully request an expedited response to this question, as our decision to participate in this opportunity is contingent on the response.

The Institution will accept past performance as a Prime or joint venture only. Similar to # 76 & 30 & 18

92 What is the anticipated contract capacity? See # 8 question / response

93 Would the Smithsonian institute consider extending the question period to September 22, 2026 to allow additional time to review the solicitation documents? see amendment

94 Please confirm that the current deadline for submission is Tuesday, October 6, 2026, 3:00 PM EST. see amendment

Please extend the deadline for submission to no earlier than three weeks after the Smithsonian Institute has responded to 100% of submitted questions and requests for clarification. This will provide Offerors sufficient time to review the responses and appropriately incorporate any resulting information into their proposals.

see amendment

Would the Smithsonian Institute consider expanding the timeframe for comparable projects from projects ongoing or completed within the last five years to projects ongoing or completed within the last 10 years?

Projects completed in the last 8 years will be acceptable.

97 Would the Smithsonian Institute remove the page limitations for responses to Section G? Section G 2 page limit

98 Please clarify where in the proposal response the information required under Sections G-J should be provided. Section G shall be Tab 13 Section H Tab 14 Section I Tab 15 Section J Tab 16

Please clarify how to complete the table included under Comparable Projects. It's unclear, for example, how to fill out the column "Value of Scope" for the row "Work in Occupied Buildings During Business Hours."

Offerors can disregard the columns titled "Value of Scope" and "Type of Work" in the table in Section 3 Comparable Experience.

Non-Comparable Experience section states, "List a minimum of three (3) non-comparable projects completed or in progress during the past five (5) years that best demonstrate your experience in construction and modernization (renovation) of historic structures." Please clarify if that means that ALL non-comparable projects need to be historic structures.

The non-comparable projects section is provided for contractors to showcase projects where they have excelled in quality, craftsmanship, technical competence, etc. that may not fit inside the parameters of the comparable projects section.

These projects shall have been completed in the last 10 years but have no other disqualifying parameters.

101 Please clarify what information is required under Part I - General Information. See question number 40.

Please confirm that the submitted Qualifications Statement is one electronic file that is internally indexed and tabbed, not multiple, separate electronic files consisting of Parts I-IV.

One TABBED electronic PDF file shall be submitted

103 Pricing Information / Part IV.I

The Announcement states that if any pricing information is included in the Technical Proposal, the Offeror will be disqualified. However, Part IV.I of the Qualification Statement requires Offerors to provide typical General Conditions, overhead, and fee/profit percentages or ranges. Please clarify whether the information required under Part IV.I should be included in the Technical Proposal, submitted separately, or omitted from the initial submission.

One TABBED electronic PDF file shall be submitted

104 Applicable Evaluation Criteria / Section M

The Announcement includes Section M language referencing Solicitation 333302- 23RF-0010033, IDIQ for Consulting Services, rather than the current Construction IDIQ solicitation, and states that there will be no cost evaluation. Please confirm whether this Section M language applies to Solicitation No. 33330226RF0010010 and provide the applicable evaluation criteria and relative importance of the factors for this procurement.

Please see question number 52.

105 Proposal Due Date

SF 1442 identifies a proposal due date of September 22, 2026, while the Qualification Statement and SAM.gov posting identify October 6, 2026, at 3:00 PM.

Please confirm that October 6, 2026, at 3:00 PM ET is the current proposal due date and supersedes the date shown on SF 1442.

see amendment

106 Organization of Parts IV.G through

IV.J

The Statement Preparation Instructions identify Tabs 1 through 12, ending with Banking Reference under Tab 12. Part IV subsequently includes additional requirements for: (G) Approach to Phasing and Construction, (H) Subcontractor Bench Strength, (I) Proposed Overhead, General Conditions, and Fee Structure, and

(J) Project Closeout, Turnover, and Training Management. Please clarify where these four sections should be placed within the Qualification Statement and whether additional tabs should be created.

Section G shall be Tab 13 Section H Tab 14 Section I Tab 15 Section J Tab 16

107 Comparable Project Requirements

Section 2 states that comparable projects must include the identified Statement of Work elements, including complex systems and specifications, concrete and masonry, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, fire alarm, and skilled finishes. Please clarify whether each of the three comparable projects must individually contain all of these elements, or whether the three projects may collectively demonstrate experience across these required scope characteristics.

Collectively is acceptable. The Smithsonian will give greater consideration to projects that demonstrate multiple characteristics.

108 Historic Project Requirement

Part III requires at least one Comparable Project to have been completed in a designated historic landmark or listed historic property. Please confirm whether the historic project must also independently meet all other Comparable Project criteria, including the minimum $3 million value and the applicable scope characteristics.

Collectively is acceptable. The Smithsonian will give greater consideration to projects that demonstrate multiple characteristics.

109 Non-Comparable Experience

Part III requires a minimum of three Non-Comparable projects that best demonstrate experience in the construction and modernization of historic structures. Please confirm whether all Non-Comparable projects submitted under Tab 6 must involve historic structures, or whether other institutional construction projects may be submitted as Non-Comparable Experience.

The non-comparable projects section is provided for contractors to showcase projects where they have excelled in quality, craftsmanship, technical competence, etc. that may not fit inside the parameters of the comparable projects section.

These projects shall have been completed in the last 10 years but have no other disqualifying parameters.

110 Bonding Capacity Requirement

Part IV.E requires submission of a bonding-company letter documenting bonding capability and outstanding bonding, but no minimum bonding threshold is identified.

Please confirm whether the Smithsonian has a required minimum single-project and aggregate bonding capacity for prequalification under this IDIQ

The RFP does not establish a specific minimum bonding capacity. Offerors shall submit the bonding-company letter required under Section E, Bonding, identifying their bonding capability, current outstanding bonding obligations, and the length of time the bonding company has provided bonds to the Offeror.

111 Safety Information on Insurance Carrier Letterhead

Part IV.B states that safety information shall be furnished on the insurance carrier's letterhead and then requests the Offeror's three-year EMR, OSHA recordable incidents, safety leadership, and training frequency. Please clarify whether only the EMR verification must be provided on the insurance carrier's letterhead, or whether all information required under Part IV.B must be included on the carrier's letterhead.

EMR shall be on carrier's letterhead.

112 Comparable Project Contract Value

The solicitation states that Offerors should provide three projects of similar size, “up to $8 million,” while Section 2 defines Comparable Projects as construction projects valued at $3 million or greater and does not identify a maximum project value. Please confirm whether projects with contract values exceeding $8 million may be submitted as Comparable Projects, provided they otherwise demonstrate work of similar scope, complexity, building type, and performance characteristics to the projects anticipated under this IDIQ.

Offerors may submit comparable projects between $3M - $9M.

113 Can the Smithsonian Institute please state how many prequalification awards they intend to make? See # 7 question / response

114 Can the Smithsonian Institute please clarify what the total value of the contract (for all awardees) is? See # 8 question / response

Part IV – Capabilities, A.

Organization, 11th bullet Page14 “Provide an employment profile for the construction company showing total employees, total permanent employees, and total professionals in each major category.

Can the Smithsonian Institute please identify what categories they are referring to with this request? Categories can be defined by the Offeror.