36C25524R0123_1.docx

Modification to a Previous Notice Modification to a Previous Notice

GENERAL INFORMATION

BASE NOTICE TYPE

Network Contracting Office (NCO) 15 3450 S 4th Street Trafficway

Leavenworth KS 66048

POINT OF CONTACT*

Contracting Officer Maria Hoover maria.hoover@va.gov

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

2401 West Main Street

Marion Illinois

COUNTRY

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

AGENCY’S URL

URL DESCRIPTION

EMAIL DESCRIPTION

DESCRIPTION

Pre-Solicitation Notice: Request for Architectural and Engineer 330 submission Solicitation: 36C25524R0123, New Energy Center Construction, Project No. 657A5-21-401.

CONTRACT INFORMATION

This A-E Services requirement is being procured in accordance with the Brooks Act (Public Law (PL0582) and implemented in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 36. Firms will be selected for negotiation based on demonstrated competence and qualifications for the required work.

This procurement is restricted to Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) firms. This requirement is being procured in accordance with the VAAM M836.6 implemented in FAR Subpart 36.6.

This is not a Request for Proposal, and an award will not be made with this announcement. This announcement is a request for SF 330’s from qualified Architectural and Engineer (A&E) contractors that meet the professional requirements.

The selection criteria for this acquisition will be in accordance with FAR 36.602-1. After the evaluation of SF330 submissions in accordance with the evaluation criteria, three or more of the most highly qualified firms will be chosen for interviews to present their approach to the design to arrive at selection of the number one firm for negotiations. The Government will not pay nor reimburse any costs associated with responding to this request. The Government is under no obligation to award a contract as a result of this announcement.

As part of the negotiations process, the most highly rated firm must physically come to the site and review the project before submitting a price proposal and letter of understanding, at no cost to the government.

The contract is anticipated to be awarded no later than November 30,2024.

Award of any resultant contract is contingent upon the availability of funds.

No solicitation document is available and no other information pertaining to project scope, etc. is available at this time. Any request for assistance with submission or other procedural matters shall be submitted via email only to maria.hoover@va.gov.

Personal visits to discuss this announcement will not be allowed.

The NAICS Code for this procurement is 541330, Architectural Services and the small business size standard of $12.5 Million. Award of a Firm Fixed Price contract is anticipated. Anticipated time for completion of design of this project is approximately 333 calendar days including time for VA reviews. The A/E firm shall also be required to perform construction period services if award of a construction project contract is made.

DATABASE REGISTRATION INFORMATION:

Verification of status of apparently successful offeror this acquisition is 100% set-aside for qualified service-disabled veteran owned small business A/E firm’s incompliance with VAAR 852.219-73. Only businesses listed as certified in the SBA certification database at https://veterans.certify.sba.gov/, shall be considered.

SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT (SAM.GOV):

Federal Acquisition Registrations require that federal contractors register in the System for Award Management (SAM.GOV) database at https://sam.gov/content/ and enter all mandatory information into the system. Award cannot be made until the contractor has registered. Offerors are encouraged to ensure that they are registered in SAM.GOV prior to submitting their qualifications package.

THE EXCLUDED PARTIES LIST SYSTEM (EPLS):

To ensure that the individuals providing services under the contract have not engaged in fraud or abuse regarding Sections 1128 and1128A of the Social Security Act regarding federal health care programs, the contractor is required to check the Excluded Parties List System (EPLS) located at https://sam.gov/content/ for each person providing services under this contract. Further the contractor is required to certify that all persons listed in the qualifications package have been compared against the EPLS list and are NOT listed. During the performance of this contract the Contractor is prohibited from using any individual or business listed on the List of Excluded Individuals/Entities.

E-VERIFY SYSTEM:

Companies awarded a contract with the federal government shall be required to enroll in E-Verify within 30 days of the contract award date. They shall also need to begin using the E-Verify system to confirm that all their new hires and their employees directly working on federal contracts are authorized to legally work in the United States. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that allows an employer, using information reported on an employee's Form I-9, to determine the eligibility of that employee to work in the United States. There is no charge to employers to use E-Verify. (FAR 52.222-54)

Qualified A-E firms are required to respond if interested by submitting one (1) original completed Standard Form 330 qualification package Parts I and II to include all consultants (form available on-line at: : http://www.gsa.gov/portal/forms/download/116486). Must include in Part I Section H an organizational chart of the firm (excludes consultants) and a design quality management plan. Submission information incorporated by reference is not allowed. All submissions must be in pdf format and emailed.

Completed package shall be delivered on or before September 24, 2024, by 12:00PM CT to the following email address: maria.hoover@va.gov.

Email subject line shall clearly identify Solicitation number: 36C25524R0123 and project name, New Energy Center Construction, Project No.657A5-21-401.

The 330 submissions must be a pdf document and must be below 20 MB.

PROJECT INFORMATION

This project will design the construction a new Energy Center on the Marion Campus. The construction work includes installation of new chillers, boilers, and ancillary equipment that are appropriately sized to handle the campus cooling and heating loads along with other items typically found within an Energy Center, Installation of new chilled water, steam and condensate piping to and from the campus buildings.

The campus chiller plant is operating at capacity on several older chillers. The main chilled water distribution piping is undersized at many locations limiting the VAMC ability to cool the facility at peak hours. The addition of air exchange rates associated with COVID-19 response has also taxed the cooling system. The campus boilers are newer, but they are housed in a building where the console level is well below grade and has had previous issues with flooding. The boiler plant itself was constructed in the 1930’s and is seismically deficient as well.

EVALUATION FACTORS:

Selection criteria are in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 36.602-1 and VAAM 836.602-1. Prospective firms are required to address all selection criteria within submitted SF330 packages using additional pages as necessary. SF 330 submissions including any additional pages are not to exceed fifty (50) pages. Each page cannot exceed 81/2 x 11 in size. Prospective firms are required to address all selection criteria within submitted SF330 packages using additional pages as required and SF 330 submissions including any additional pages are not to exceed fifty (50) pages.

Qualifications (SF330) submitted by each firm for Project No. 657A5-21-401, “New Energy Center Construction” will be reviewed and evaluated based on the following evaluation criteria listed below:

Evaluation Criteria:

1) Professional Qualifications: the qualifications of the individuals will be examined for experience and education and their record of working together as a team that are necessary for satisfactory performance of required services. The firm and A-E’s on staff representing the project or signing drawings in each discipline must be licensed to practice in one of the US States. Provide Professional License numbers and/or proof of licensure. The team shall have demonstrable experience in programing, planning and design of complex healthcare projects of a similar nature with experience on projects of similar size and complexity.

2) Specialized Experience and Technical Competence: specific experience and technical skill in the type of work required on this project, including, design of a chilled water system design, seismic structural analysis, VA safety and physical security design, experience in abatement of hazardous construction materials, energy conservation, pollution prevention, waste reduction and the use of recovered materials. Experience and qualification of personnel proposed for assignment and their record of working together as a team. The effectiveness of proposed project team (including management structure, coordination of disciplines, subcontractors, and prior working relationships) will be examined. The qualifications for Architect, Mechanical Engineer and Electrical Engineer shall include a summary of at least five similar projects that demonstrate technical capabilities and how well the proposal addresses technical capabilities in design quality management procedures, Computer-Aided Design and Drafting/Building Information Modeling, equipment resources, and laboratory requirements for the firm.

3) Capacity to Accomplish the Work: The prime contractor will be evaluated to determine if it has the general workload and staffing capacity within its design office which will be responsible for the design to accomplish the work in the required time. In accordance with VAAR 852.219-75 : In the case of a contract for services (except construction), the contractor will not pay more than 50% of the amount paid by the government to it to firms that are not VIP-listed SDVOSBs as set forth in 852.219-73. Any work that a similarly situated VIP-listed subcontractor further subcontracts will count towards the 50% subcontract amount that cannot be exceeded.” Prime contractor must include its certification of compliance with the limitations on subcontracting specified in 852.219-75 with its 330 submissions.

4 Past Performance: The past performance of projects that are complete (design and construction) that the firm has designed relevant in scope to the advertised project that were accomplished with the Department of Veterans Affairs, other Government agencies, and private industry in terms of cost control, quality of work, and compliance with performance schedules will be examined. Project past performances that are older than 5 years will receive a lesser rating than those references for projects accomplished within the past 5 years. Projects that are submitted and not constructed will not be considered.

5 Location of Design Firm: Knowledge of the locality of the project and the geographic proximity of each firm to the location of the VA Medical Center will be evaluated. The mileage consideration is in compliance with FAR 36.602-1. This factor will apply to the office from which the prime contractor’s business office is established. Firms within 450 miles of the medical center will receive a more favorable rating than those more than 450 miles away. Firms may use Google Maps, MapQuest, Yahoo Maps, or Rand McNally to determine and report the distance of the office where the Prime Contractor is established. Prime contractor shall not use a subcontractor office, consultant office, or any office other than Prime Contractor’s physical location established prior to publication of this notice to determine distance to the Marion VA.

6 Reputation in A/E Community: Reputation and standing of the firm and its principal officers within the design community with respect to professional performance, general management and cooperativeness, including awards, merits and recommendations.

7 Claims and Terminations: Record of significant claims against the firm because of improper or incomplete architectural and engineering services.

8 The extent to which potential contractors identify and commit to the use of service-disabled Veteran-owned small businesses (IAW VAAM M836.602-1).

9 Experience in construction period services to include professional field inspections during the construction period, review of construction submittals, support in answering requests for information during the construction period, and support of construction contract changes to include drafting statements of work, and cost estimates shall be included as an evaluation criterion when construction period services is included in the statement of work for A-E services (IAW VAAM M836.602-1).

852.219-75 VA Notice of Limitations on Subcontracting - Certificate of Compliance for Services and Construction.

As prescribed in 819.7011(b), insert the following clause:

VA Notice of Limitations on Subcontracting - Certificate of Compliance for Services and Construction (NOV 2022)

(a) Pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 8127(k)(2), the offeror certifies that -

(1) If awarded a contract (see FAR 2.101 definition), it will comply with the limitations on subcontracting requirement as provided in the solicitation and the resultant contract, as follows: [Contracting Officer check the appropriate box below based on the predominant NAICS code assigned to the instant acquisition as set forth in FAR 19.102.]

(i) X□ Services. In the case of a contract for services (except construction), the contractor will not pay more than 50% of the amount paid by the government to it to firms that are not VIP-listed SDVOSBs as set forth in 852.219-73 or VOSBs as set forth in 852.219-74. Any work that a similarly situated VIP-listed subcontractor further subcontracts will count towards the 50% subcontract amount that cannot be exceeded. Other direct costs may be excluded to the extent they are not the principal purpose of the acquisition and small business concerns do not provide the service as set forth in 13 CFR 125.6.

(ii) □ General construction. In the case of a contract for general construction, the contractor will not pay more than 85% of the amount paid by the government to it to firms that are not VIP-listed SDVOSBs as set forth in 852.219-73or VOSBs as set forth in 852.219-74. Any work that a similarly situated VIP-listed subcontractor further subcontracts will count towards the 85% subcontract amount that cannot be exceeded. Cost of materials are excluded and not considered to be subcontracted.

(iii) □ Special trade construction contractors. In the case of a contract for special trade contractors, the contractor will not pay more than 75% of the amount paid by the government to it to firms that are not VIP-listed SDVOSBs as set forth in 852.219-73 or VOSBs as set forth in 852.219-74. Any work that a similarly situated subcontractor further subcontracts will count towards the 75% subcontract amount that cannot be exceeded. Cost of materials are excluded and not considered to be subcontracted.

(2) The offeror acknowledges that this certification concerns a matter within the jurisdiction of an Agency of the United States. The offeror further acknowledges that this certification is subject to Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001, and, as such, a false, fictitious, or fraudulent certification may render the offeror subject to criminal, civil, or administrative penalties, including prosecution.

(3) If VA determines that an SDVOSB/VOSB awarded a contract pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 8127 did not act in good faith, such SDVOSB/VOSB shall be subject to any or all of the following:

(i) Referral to the VA Suspension and Debarment Committee;

(ii) A fine under section 16(g)(1) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 645(g)(1)); and

(iii) Prosecution for violating section 1001 of title 18.

(b) The offeror represents and understands that by submission of its offer and award of a contract it may be required to provide copies of documents or records to VA that VA may review to determine whether the offeror complied with the limitations on subcontracting requirement specified in the contract. Contracting officers may, at their discretion, require the contractor to demonstrate its compliance with the limitations on subcontracting at any time during performance and upon completion of a contract if the information regarding such compliance is not already available to the contracting officer. Evidence of compliance includes, but is not limited to, invoices, copies of subcontracts, or a list of the value of tasks performed.

(c) The offeror further agrees to cooperate fully and make available any documents or records as may be required to enable VA to determine compliance with the limitations on subcontracting requirement. The offeror understands that failure to provide documents as requested by VA may result in remedial action as the Government deems appropriate.

(d) Offeror completed certification/fill-in required. The formal certification must be completed, signed and returned with the offeror's bid, quotation, or proposal. The Government will not consider offers for award from offerors that do not provide the certification, and all such responses will be deemed ineligible for evaluation and award.

Certification I hereby certify that if awarded the contract, [insert name of offeror] will comply with the limitations on subcontracting specified in this clause and in the resultant contract. I further certify that I am authorized to execute this certification on behalf of [insert name of offeror].

Printed Name of Signee:

Printed Title of Signee:

Signature:

Date:

Company Name and Address:

(End of clause)

Modification to Previous Pre-solicitation Notice-36C25524R0123_1, A/E New Energy Center Construction, P/N 657A5-21-401

Modification to a Previous Notice