RFI Log 4-19-2021.pdf

Revised 4/19/2021

RFI LOG

36C10F21R0013 A/E SERVICES IDIQ, NATIONAL REGION

RFI # Question VA Response 23 Can you confirm if a registered

SDVOSB can submit both as a prime and subcontractor?

Yes.

24 Reading through the modification I see NAICS code 541330 is applicable but Is NAICS code 541320 still applicable to this procurement?

The NAICS code applicable in the Sources Sought Notice is 541330.

25 I did not see that the key personnel definition changed for the Project Management professionals. Would a “Project Management Professional - PMP” certification be accepted in lieu of a Professional Engineer or Registered Architect certification?

The Project Manager definition is not changed.

See VA Response to No. 22 above.

26 Please confirm this is a nationwide opportunity. The description on the Beta Sam website indicated “Eastern Region” in first line of the description i.e., “REQUEST FOR SF330s, FOR

RFP 36C10F21R0013 EASTERN

REGION A/E IDIQ SDVOSB SET-

ASIDE” and in a later part of the description indicates “This VA office administers major projects for the VA in the Western Region.”

Yes, Nationwide.

27 Does the SOW include projects for VA National Cemeteries?

Yes

28 Please provide some example projects and projects in the pipeline that might be performed on this contract.

See Modification to a Previous Notice dated 4/03/2021.

29 How will task orders (TO) be awarded under the contract once contracts are awarded i.e., will TO’s be competed?

Task orders will be competed.

30 Is there a formal questions due date? See VA Response to No. 4.

31 Please confirm that the VA will accept an emailed response.

See VA Response to No. 2.

32 On Attachment A, multiple personnel are indicated for some of the disciplines listed – are we to submit one resume for each key discipline, or how many resumes are wanted for each

Follow the requirements identified in Attachment 1.

discipline?

33 Can an individual fill more than one role if they are qualified for multiple disciplines?

See VA Response to No. 32 above.

34 The submission requirements in the SAM.GOV posting and the attached Request For SF330 appear to conflict.

The Request for SF 330 does not indicate that hard copies and a CD are required and instead indicates that “The submittal packages to be sent by email to: Athena,jackson.va.gov.”

However, the SAM.GOV posting does say that hard copies are required. In addition, both the online posting and the RFP say “Emailed or faxed submittals will not be accepted.” Are we only required to submit an electronic copy to Athena Jackson or do we also need to submit hard copies?

If electronic copy only, then should we submit a pdf version?

SF330s submissions must be sent by email.

35 Attachment 1 identifies the “Minimum In House Primary Key Personnel and Consultant Qualifications” but under “Factor 1 – Professional Qualifications (See Attachment 1)” there are labor categories that are not included in Attachment 1 (i.e., geotechnical engineer, land surveyor and scheduler).

Do we need to provide resumes for everyone in Attachment 1 only or do we also need to provide resumes for everyone else that is listed under Factor 1 – Professional Qualifications?

See Modification to a Previous Notice dated 4/03/2021.

36 Under Factor 1, we are required to submit a matrix in Section H that includes “percent of time to be spent on this team” for each design team member. Since this is a Nationwide IDIQ that is uncertain on the number or type of task orders to be issued and the location of the VA facility, the amount of time for each design discipline and the specific resource to

Estimate the teams composition which may include the prime contractor, subcontractors, teaming agreements, etc.

be assigned for each task order (i.e., based on geographic proximity to the work) is uncertain as well. Are there certain assumptions we should make for this matrix?

37 Factor 3 – Past Performance indicates that we shall provide “a minimum of five examples” in Section H. Are these 5 example projects in addition to the projects to be provided in Part I, Section F of the SF 330?

It is the firms’ decision which projects to provide to meet the requirements for Factor 3 which represent those projects that best illustrate past performance for the task groups listed.

38 If we have a recent CPARS for a project provided in Section F of the SF 330, can we provide that in lieu of the PPQ provided as Attachment 2?

No.

39 Under Factor 4 – Capacity, do you want us to identify all task orders that are currently underway or should we include all IDIQ contracts that we currently have (i.e., what is the definition of “current work”)?

Refer to Factor 4 of the Sources Sought Notice.

All current work.

40 • When is construction expected to begin?

• What stage of design is this project in?

• Who is the design firm (architect and engineers)?

• What City and State the design firms located?

• How and when is a general contractor going to be selected?

• Who is the general contractor?

• What city and state the general contractor located?

• Are there electronic bid documents and plans/specs available?

• What is the project scope?

• What is the project budget or firm value?

• What is the address?

This is not a construction solicitation. The RFIs submitted are not applicable to the Sources Sought Notice.

41 For this project, you are requesting that the historic preservation specialist have a bachelor’s degree in architecture as well be licensed. We work with a highly experienced historic preservation specialist who has advanced degrees in history and extensive experience in working with the

No

Veterans Administration. Would you consider changing the education and licensure requirements for this discipline?

42 In reference to the Modification Document, the definition for “recent” requires projects within the past five years, 2015 – 2020. “Well underway” means at least 50% completed by the submission date of SF 330.

Is a 50% completed project considered recent?

Yes

43 Reference page 4 of 11. Factor 2 states, “Using the A/E IDIQ Tasks included in this request for SF330s, provide a description of five relevant, recent projects, with clients, for which the team members provided a significant technical contribution.”

Contradicts with Factor 3 which states, “in Part I, Section H, provide relevant and recent (the past five years, 2015 - 2020) Past Performance information for a minimum five examples for work related to the A/E IDIQ tasks listed in this request for SF330s. Are these two factors in addition to Part I, Section F or inclusive of the 10 projects normally found in Section F?

Refer to the Factors. Factor 2 and Factor 3 requires different information.

See VA Response to No. 37 above.

44 the type of transportation engineer suggested in the sources sought is one that appears to be more of an industrial engineer dealing with logistics/ health care. Please confirm in more detail the type of transportation engineer or traffic engineer that might be needed for this project. In the alternative , please advise if a roadway traffic engineer or transportation planner is the type of person that this project will require ?

Refer to the tasks included in the Sources Sought Notice, Attachment A, and the types of projects identified.

Design shall include but not be limited to, new construction, repair, alteration, and renovation of buildings, systems and infrastructure and may include civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, fire protection, global positioning and communication systems. Types of facilities include administrative, industrial, maintenance, warehouses, communications, dormitory, medical, honor guard, committal shelter, site civil and utility infrastructure, traditional and cremain gravesite development in support of CFM and key customers, such as the National Cemetery Administration and Veterans Health Administration, throughout the US and its’ territories.

45 Please define when a project is considered complete; for example: Is it acceptable to include a project where the design is 100% complete but construction is not complete? In this situation, we would identify the design being complete yet awaiting to complete the construction portion.

Recent: projects within the past five years, 2015 – 2020. “Well underway” means at least 50% completed by the submission date of SF 330. As long as the project was completed within the time period specified in the definition for “Recent”.

46 For Factor 3 Please clarify the following: Include project name, location, initial design dollar funding limitation, final construction cost, and project point of contact with telephone number and email address. Projects shall have started design in 2015 to present; include current client contact information, design due date, actual design completion date and final cost estimate, the construction contract award amount (note whether bid or negotiated). These two statements seem to be in direct conflict. Are you stating that we can only provide projects that have completed construction only or that we can provide projects with construction award amounts and where construction is ongoing?

No.

If construction contract has been awarded provide construction contract award amount.

If construction has been completed provide final construction costs.

If no construction contract has been awarded provide the estimated cost of construction.

47 Please clarify Factor 4 – Capacity a.

We are the prime for this solicitation do you want all projects we are designing whether as a sub or a prime?

The prime and subconsultants must demonstrate capacity to accomplish the work.

48 Please clarify Factor 4 – Capacity a.

Given the statement in the intro for this Factor “ Prime firm and sub consultants must demonstrate capacity to accomplish the work in the required time and the ability to adhere to schedules.” Do you require current projects being designed from our subs as well?

Yes

49 Please clarify Factor 4 – Capacity c. Please refer to Factor 4 for the requirements.

Please clarify what you mean by “details” of all current work (public/private)….

50 Does this announcement require the Prime and all subcontractors to be SDVOSB or, can the Prime SDVOSB (in our case GPI-Renaissance JV), have other small businesses and maybe a large business for nationwide coverage as part of their team? Can we employ a EDWOSB for example. Can we submit with other than a SDVOSB small business.

The prime has to be an SDVOSB.

The prime firms will be required to comply with Veteran Affairs Acquisition Regulation 852.219-10, VA Notice of Total Service- Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set- Aside. Firms must also be registered in Veterans Information Page (VIP) database (https://www.vip.vetbiz.gov/) at the time of award.

Yes.

51 Will there be expectation for selected firms to perform anywhere in the US including Hawaii and Alaska and the US Territories or will selections be made for regional preferences, ie NE, SE, SW, NW, Mid Atlantic, Central North, Mid West, Mountain Region etc.

This is a Nationwide contract. This is not regional contract.

52 Are firms eligible to submit as a JV prime and be on a different prime team as a subconsultant?

Yes

53 Regarding 36C10F21R0013 – National Region AE IDIQ, FAR 9.5 Organizational and Consultant Conflicts of Interest and 36.209 Construction Contracts with Architect- Engineer Firms: If a firm pursues this opportunity as a Joint Venture (JV) prime, does that prohibit the firms making up the JV from offering subconsultant services to another firm pursing this. In other words, can a firm be pursing this as a prime under a JV and then pursing this same opportunity as a subconsultant, but not under the

JV?

Yes

54 I have a question about a requirement on page 4, where it lists the categories that should be in the matrix. The language states: “Also, for project managers and team leaders, identify

Please refer to the notice which states: “Also, for project managers and team leaders, identify the number of teams (design, consultants and joint venture partners) they have managed over the past five years.”

the number of teams…they have managed over the past five years.”

Does this mean the teams managed for each project, or does this team count as 1 with multiple projects, because our people work together all the time?

55 Reference is made on page 11 that submissions must be 8 ½” X 11” (letter size) pages of text. Request that the Section D Org Chart and Section G Matrix be presented on 11” X 17” size pages.

Yes, Org Chart and Matrix may be presented on 11” X 17”

56 Please clarify the role for Transportation Engineer – Is this role to be filled by someone with experience in elevator transport or something much larger such as mail order automation?

See VA Response to No. 44 above.

57 Will the government allow an IDIQ to be used as a project for Section F

No. Provide specific projects.

58 Is there a size limit on the submission?

If so, will the government allow multiple emails for the submission?

A single email including attachments cannot exceed 40 mb.

59 Will the government allow utilization of smaller than 12 pt. font size for tables or captions?

No.

60 Is there a preference for where the CPARS should be included in the submission?

See Factor 3, Past Performance.

61 What is the anticipated date for the RFI Q&A response to be posted?

Modification 2 to the Sources Sought Notice.

62 Our firm is a registered SDVOSB in SAM.GOV for NAICS Code 541330.

We are in the process of completing the VIP database registration per the instructions outlined in solicitation 36C10F21R0013 National Region A/E

IDIQ.

The Request for SF330s states that firms be registered in the Veterans Information Page (VIP) database (https://www.vip.vetbiz.gov/) at the

Firms must also be registered in Veterans Information Page (VIP) database (https://www.vip.vetbiz.gov/) at the time of award.

time of SF330 submission, the time of award, and at the time of task order issuance.

If we are unable to finalize our VIP registration by the time of the SF330 submission but do so prior to time of award would that be acceptable?

63 What file size is the limit that the government can accept?

A single email including attachments cannot exceed 40 mb.

64 Since it is an electronic submission, are you requesting a Tab page before each section and a front and back cover? If so, do these Tabs and page covers count in the page count? If so, do they count as one or two pages each (front and back sides)?

Read Page 11 of the Notice which state: “The 120 pages includes the cover letter, SF330 letter, tabs, dividers, letter of transmission, front and back covers, appendices, attachments, enclosures, index, table of contents, pictures, reference letters, charts, graphs, maps, flowcharts, schedules, models, additional information, text, graphics, etc.”

65 You state: The A/E shall provide details of all its current work (public/private) including the duration of the contracts, and how it anticipates on taking on additional work required by CFM. Is this only contracts, such as IDIQ task orders?

All current work. See Factor 4, Capacity.

66 In the qualifications of Key Personnel, can you please provide additional information describing the duties and responsibilities of the Transportation Engineer (l09).

See VA Response to No. 44 above.

67 Does the font restriction of minimum 12 points apply to the Part II documents

Yes.

68 Are the Part II documents included in the 120 page limit

Yes.

69 Does the 1/2 inch margin apply to the Part II documents

Part II is a form. You cannot change the size of the form.

70 For Factor 3, is there a required level of completion for including a project?

i.e. design completion or construction completion?

Recent: projects within the past five years, 2015 – 2020. Well underway means at least 50% completed by the submission date of SF 330.

71 Minimum in house primary key personnel: Is a Masters in Interior

No.

Architecture acceptable for the I.04 Architects?

72 Factor 3 PPQs. The RFI log item 5 states that firms must provide a customer-signed PPQ (or CPARS), but the Factor 3 states that the PPQs are to be emailed to you. Please clarify.

Yes, The Offeror shall notify their client that the PPQ shall be submitted via email to the Government’s point of contact Athena Jackson via email at Athena.jackson@va.gov.

73 Referencing RFI 19 and 21, please provide instructions for Section F.

Section F is only indicated as a requirement on page 10 under ‘SF330 Submission Requirements’. All other references to Technical Evaluation Factors, indicates to show the information in Section H.

Section F is part of the SF 330. 10 Project requirement.

Section F. Example Projects Which Best Illustrate Proposed Team's Qualifications for this Contract. Select projects where multiple team members worked together, if possible, that demonstrate the team's capability to perform work similar to that required for this contract. Complete one Section F for each project. Present ten projects.

74 Regarding SF330, Section D and Submission Requirements - Tab 2: Is it acceptable to use 11x17 for the Organization Chart? Currently, only 8.5x11 format is acceptable for this submission.

Yes, 11x17 for the Organization Chart is acceptable.

75 Page 4 of 11, Factor 1, item a), paragraph 3: Please confirm each Key Personnel resume is to have five (5) Relevant Projects detailed, no more, no less.

Yes. See SF 330. Section E. 19, Relevant Projects. a – e.

76 There are a potential of 13 awards for this National Contract. Request information on the means and methods that the DVA will use to select the appropriate firm to perform specific tasks for individual task orders.

Task orders will be competed.

77 One of the key personnel positions is listed as a Transportation Engineer.

However the position description states “minimum of 10 years experience as an automatic transport designer”. The title would indicate related to roads and/or other transportation networks.

However, automatic transport could be an automated conveyance system (e.g.

automated cart trolley to transport items internal to a hospital).

See VA Response to No. 44 above.

Can the VA elaborate on exactly what is being requested?

78 Would it be permissible to utilize an 11X17 page size format for Section D Organizational Chart in the SF330 submission to accommodate the personnel needed and font requirement?

Yes. See VA Response to No. 74 above.

79 Will the Agency consider excluding the Part IIs from the 120-page allowance?

Part II is part of the 120 pages.

80 Will the Agency allow the Section D Organization Chart of the Team to be formatted as an 11” by 17”?

Yes. See VA Response to No. 74 above.