36C26122R0011 and 36C26122R0012 RFIs to post.docx

36C26122R0011 and 36C26122R0012 Request for Information Question and Answers

RFI 1 - Looking for information for both the AE DESIGN IDIQ (36C26122R0011) and MASTER PLANNING/ STUDY AE IDIQ (36C26122R0012) Are you able to provide me with the current incumbent contract holders?

Answer 1 - All of the previous awardees are listed in SAM. Select inactive files under solicitations VA26117R0134 and VA26117R0135.

RFI 2 - As for the project submissions, can the 3-6 projects include projects that are currently in progress? Or do they specifically have to have been completed by the due date?

Answer 2 - The preference is completed projects so as to ascertain constructability. However, if you have a project that is 50-75 percent complete it may be considered.

RFI 3 - Question: As a master planning on-call contract, would the VA consider the addition of AICP planners and SME in roles such as Stakeholder outreach, Strategic Communications, Project Development, Economist/Financial Alternatives, Strategic Planning and Master Planner as Key Personnel?

Answer 3 – American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is the American Planning Association’s professional institute which certifies professionals in the field of urban planning (aka regional planning, city planning, land use planning) -- which is a technical and political process focused on the development and design of land use and the built environment . Such planning efforts (e.g., General Plan, District Plan, etc. ) would involve a multi-disciplinary team of urban or land use planner, architect, engineers, economist, community outreach consultant, traffic planner, environmental planner, cost estimator, etc. This is not applicable to meet the needs of our master planning assignments. We are typically space and programs master planning. AICP is way over the top for our needs.

RFI 4 - Can we Prime a team and also be a subconsultant on another Primed team? What are the requirements for this?

Answer 4 - Yes, this is a standard practice RFI 5 - What is the overall page limit for the SF330 submission?

Answer - 85 pages. We originally did not have an overall limitation, however, after discussions with board members and in consideration of their time we have set the limit at 85 pages.

RFI 6 - Do PPQ’s and CPARS documents count in the overall page limit?

Answer 6 – No RFI 7 - Does a cover page, tabs, cover letter, and table of contents count in the overall page limit?

Answer 7 – No.

RFI 8 - For Criterion 1 – Specialized experience, the requested project types appear to be the same as for Solicitation 36C26122R0011 for VISN 21 AE Design Services.

Answer 8 - For basic Master Planning efforts to be undertaken by the IDIQ firms, the disciplines are similar to those required for design and construction, but the key is their experience in, understanding of and success in master planning – their process and results: responds to costumers’ requirements, offer creative and practical options for consideration, and address program, space and infrastructure at a conceptual or schematic level (depending on the scope).

· Architecture – Typically, this is the lead “master planner”

· Engineering – Civil, Electrical, Mechanical are the typical, depending on the scope some disciplines may be more critical than others.

· Landscape Architecture - discipline will have an important role if the scope involves a site / campus

· Cost Estimator

· Optional SME’s for specialties, e.g., OR’s, wet labs, etc. – may not be critical for the general SF 330 and can be included depending on the scope. However, their inclusion will provide an insight of the firm’s understanding of the VA planning needs.

RFI 9 -In Criterion 2 - Professional Qualifications, one of the requirements asks firms to indicate whether the key personnel hold a security clearance, and if so, at what level. Does this contract include a facility that requires a clearance? Will firms be rated lower if key personnel do not hold a security clearance? We respectfully ask the VA to consider if holding a security clearance is necessary for this solicitation.

Answer 9 – Security clearance has been removed, however, please note that individuals who visit any VA Campus may have to pass a security screening to be badged for access.

RFI 10 – What is the question cutoff date?

Answer 10 – The question cut-off date is February 3, 2022. The new SF 330 due date is February 10, 2022 at 3:00 PM Pacific Time.

RFI 11 - On Page 5 Criteria 5 it states: 3. Provide the location of the office(s) that will be performing the work, including main offices, branch offices, and offices of team members. Evaluation of firms will include consideration of their location within the primary geographic area of the anticipated projects, primarily in the Hampton Roads region of Southeastern Virginia. Provide examples demonstrating team’s knowledge of the primary geographic areas in which projects could be located.

Was the area of Hampton Roads and Southeastern VA a typo or is this correct? If not, what are the areas of focus?

Answer 11 – Area of Focus is NCO 21 The contract(s) will support the following VISN 21, VA Medical Facilities: VA Medical Center San Francisco, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, VA Northern California Health Care System, VA Central California Health Care System, VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System, VA Southern Nevada Health Care System, VA Pacific Islands Health Care System, VA Regional Office and Outpatient Clinic (Philippines) and all of their remote facilities.