Modification to Previous Pre-Sol Notice - Q and A 6-24.pdf

1 I am reviewing the selection criteria for this solicitation and I am surprised that the Certified Industrial Hygienist is not even listed in the required disciplines although that is a very important position and plays a major role for this type of work. Would you please consider adding a Certified Industrial Hygienist as one of the required disciplines for this solicitation.

A Certified Industrial Hygienist position is not required to be provided for this requirement. However, firms must "provide a balanced licensed workforce to include, but is not limited to, required disciplines to complete general design work.

Disciplines other than the below can also be submitted if the firm anticipates that these personnel may be needed during task order performance."

2 Can one individual satisfy more than one position such as an Environmental Engineer acting as Design Engineer and Quality Assurance Engineer (example)

Yes, provided the individual has the requisite qualifications as defined in the Position Definitions.

3 The Questions and Answers number 7 made available on 6‐17‐2022 states that the CEO/President must be a licensed architect or engineer. This appears to suggest that a CEO/Owner of a verified SDVOSB cannot qualify because they are not a licensed architect or engineer. This seems to be response that could be protested. In other words, does a verifiable SDVOSB prime contractor’s CEO/Owner must be a licensed engineer?

The requirement for the CEO/President to be a licensed architect or engineer as listed in the "position definitions" was changed. A licensed architect or engineer is preferred but not required.

4 In the Positions and Definitions, it states that all levels of engineers with a minimum of 5 years of experience must be licensed. There are a great number of excellent engineers with 5+ years of experience that have not taken the exam to become a licensed engineer, or do not wish to become a licensed engineer, or have served in the military as an engineer but cannot qualify to become licensed engineer. Will the VA accept non‐licensed engineers in positions that will not be in the lead engineering role?

Non‐licensed engineers in positions that will not be in the lead engineering role will be acceped. Offerors will be evaluated in terms of the qualifications, competence and experience of the key personnel and technical team proposed to accomplish this work and their record of working together as a team.

5 The answers presented appear to suggest that this IDIQ is tailored for SDVOSB Joint Ventures with large businesses which would unfairly disqualify many experienced, successful, and verifiable SDVOSB A‐E firms. How will the VA enforce compliance with Limitations on Subcontracting?

Per VAAR 852.219‐77 VA Notice of Limitations on Subcontracting—Certificate of Compliance for Services and Construction, the Limitations on Subcontracting is verified at the order level.

6 I would like to request amending the mileage restriction for this solicitation from 500 to 550 miles to accommodate SDVOSB firms from xxxx.

The mileage restriction remains as posted.

7 Seems very odd that the SDVSOB CEO/owner must be a licensed engineer The requirement for the CEO/President to be a licensed architect or engineer as listed in the "position definitions" was changed. A licensed architect or engineer is preferred but not required.

8 During the VISN 8 Industry Day held on 18 May 2022 I specifically asked if there would a requirement to have an office in the VISN 8 area or a mileage restriction for this solicitation and it was not indicated that there would be. Regardless, we are executing numerous projects in Florida the farthest being in Miami in support of EHRM infrastructure upgrades.

We will be utilizing subconsultants from Florida and do not see any challenges managing projects. Our closest office is xxx which is a major hub for transportation. A firm who just falls under the mileage restriction would not get to Miami any faster than we would. I understand the concern about risk but there are AE firms such as our who work nationally and have organized ourselves in a manner to execute projects efficiently and comply with scope, schedule and budget.

Please reconsider the mileage restriction and perhaps put more weight on knowledge of the area and past performance. Waiving the restriction would also give you more competition.

The mileage restriction remains as posted.

9 Our previous RFI regarding FY22 VISN 8 Architect Engineering MATOC ‐ Factor 3 is attached. We are concerned that Factor 3 as written may be unnecessarily restrictive, unperformable (at this time) and unnecessarily burdensome with easier and higher efficacy remedies for you. We fully recognize that the government requires “A firm’s location must be in the general geographical area of the projects and its staff must have knowledge of the locality of the facilities within the region.” as good business and necessary for engineering support. Factor 3 indicates that “Prime SDVOSB firms desiring consideration for the North Region must have a working office (corporate HQ or branch office as identified by active entity search in https:\\SAM.gov at time of qualification submission) located within 500 miles of 13800 Veterans Way, Orlando, FL 32827. Prime SDVOSB firms desiring consideration for the South Region must have a working office (corporate HQ or branch office as identified by active entity search in https:\\SAM.gov at time of qualification submission) located within the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.”

GSA/SAM reported as recently as May 2022 that any updates on SAM are significantly delayed. We are experiencing SAM delays up to 3 months for changes online.

The verification for the corporate HQ or branch office as identified by active entity search in https:\\SAM.gov at time of qualification submission as listed in evaluation Factor 3 is changed. Verification of corporate HQ or branch office location will be verified by the submission of a google map of the firm's location and a picture of the office. A SAM.gov verification of address is not required.

10 Would you also consider extending out the due date 2 weeks pending your responses? The due date and time for qualifications remains as posted.

Questions and Answers