Mod 01 - Responses to Tech Questions - 9-11-24.pdf

Responses to Technical Questions

Boise Minor Design - Create Ambulatory Surgery Center 531-327

Question 1:

It appears that a great deal of the work required for this contract will be engineering-related.

Would the government consider changing the NAICS Code for this project to 541330 to reflect who will be doing the work under this contract?

Based on the significant Engineering Services required for this project this appears fair and appropriate. Here is a list of some of the Engineering Services required for this project:

• Electrical

• RCDD

• Civil

• Structural

• Mechanical

• Plumbing

• Environmental

• Fire Protection

• Security

• Commissioning

As you can see there are a significant number of Engineering Services required to complete this project with the support of an Architectural team.

All commercial, industrial and institutional construction design projects require both Architectural and Engineering Support. This is why the Engineering NAICS 541330 is most commonly used and has a higher small business threshold. The Architectural Services NAICS 541310 has a lower small business threshold because it is used for more simple projects that do not require Engineering services. Architectural NACIS should only be used for projects such as non-commercial residential, wayfinding, interiors (painting, flooring, etc) and light renovations which an Architect can design and stamp independently. This project is much more complex as it requires multiple engineering services which cannot be provided by a single Architectural discipline. The majority of the costs for this project will also be allocated to engineering services.

As the proposed project requires many more engineering disciplines and costs then architectural the NAICS should be changed to NAICS 541330 Engineering Services. We appreciate your support with this request!

VA Response:

The VA has carefully considered this request and determined that 541310 Architectural Services is the appropriate NAICS code for this procurement. This project has a larger architectural design piece than engineering, with a heavy focus on space allocation and architectural requirements to meet design guides, as well as end user function. Therefore, the NAICS code for this procurement will not be changed.

Question 2:

Formally, we would like to make a NAICS code change request for the SF330 Solicitation of #36C77624R0129; Create Ambulatory Surgery Center Minor Design - Boise 531-327. The NAICS code specified for the Solicitation is currently 541310 (Architectural Services), but considering the scope and the engineering services required, we would like to request a NAICS code change to 541330 (Engineering Services).

VA Response:

See response to question 1.

Question 3:

On page 3, under the criteria for Professional Qualifications, the RFQ asks offerors to provide an org chart with the 16 listed key positions and to provide resumes for the lead architect, lead structural engineer, lead mechanical engineer, lead electrical engineer, and lead plumber engineer. Could the VA please confirm that they only want these five resumes presented in Section E?

Correct. Section E should only include the five requested resumes.

Question 4:

In reference to the above, could the VA also please confirm whether the requirement to provide professional license numbers and jurisdiction of issue (or proof of licensure) applies to the 16 key positions on the org chart or only to the five resumes?

Proof of licensure is to be provided for all applicable personnel identified on the org chart.

Question 5:

On page 6, the Submission Requirements state that other than the title page, the SF330 must not include photographs. Just to be clear, are graphics, charts, and tables permitted?

VA Response:

Yes, the use of graphics, charts, and tables is permitted where such use will contribute to the compactness and clarity of the submission.

Question 6:

Can you please tell me what the scope will be for the RCDD and Physical Security Specialist on the Boise Ambulatory Minor Design Project?

VA Response:

The RCDD is being removed from the required disciplines (see modification 01).

The scope for the Physical Security Specialist is to work with the design team to ensure we comply with the VA Physical Security Design Manual. The primary objective of this manual is to provide the design team with the criteria and standards for the full range of strategies available for existing and new buildings to provide unobtrusive protection for VA facilities while safeguarding the Veterans, staff, visitors, and continued operation of the mission critical facilities during a national emergency or a natural or manmade extreme event. The physical security standards account for VA operations and policies and must be cost effective when implemented. An objective of this manual is to provide cost effective design criteria that will, when constructed and implemented, provide the appropriate level of physical security to VA’s mission critical facilities. The physical security of facilities requires the use of concentric levels of control and protection to provide progressively enhanced levels of security to deter, prevent, detect, delay, and respond to threats in the protection of assets as well as Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (elements of natural surveillance, natural access control, and natural territorial reinforcement).

Question 7:

Paragraph 3. A-E Selection Process, second bullet – Will all firms get the same questions to answer?

Yes, all selected firms will be asked the same set of questions during discussions.

Question 8:

Paragraph 4. Selection Criteria; introduction; - What do you intend with “…how it is formatted to coincide with the selection criteria.”? We could interpret that to mean just in the numerical sequence of 4.1, 4.2, etc. Or the SF330 format? Or do you have some other specific format that you are intending, which would help all firms to submit in the same format?

VA Response:

The VA does not have any implicit intentions behind this phrase. The submission must be formatted as specified in the presolicitation notice and, except where inconsistent with the presolicitation notice, the instructions provided on the SF 330 at https://www.gsa.gov/reference/forms/architectengineer-qualifications. The submission is to be logically assembled and all information provided in the correct section.

https://www.gsa.gov/reference/forms/architectengineer-qualifications

Question 9:

Paragraph 4.1, Professional Qualifications; Second paragraph; - You are requesting an organizational chart, which we are assuming is Section D of the SF330? Please confirm that is correct?

Yes, the organizational chart being requested is section D of the SF 330.

Question 10:

Paragraph 4.1, Professional Qualifications; Second paragraph; - You are requesting PE numbers and proof of licensure, two questions:

First, will the PE number in Block 17 suffice as proof of licensure?

Second, if not, then do you want a copy of the certificate? If yes, please exclude the “proof of licensure” from the page count?

VA Response:

The VA is requesting “professional license numbers and jurisdiction of issue or proof of licensure.” The license number and jurisdiction alone will suffice. Do not submit copies of certificates. However, this information is to be included on the org chart as it is required for all applicable proposed personnel – not just the positions required to submit a resume.

Question 11:

Paragraph 4.1, Professional Qualifications; 2nd & 3rd paragraphs; - Please clarify if the Lead Architect (and four others listed) are to be the same person as shown in the listing of 16 disciplines? Or are you looking at different personnel the 16 than in those five lead positions?

VA Response:

Resumes are to be provided for the five personnel identified for those positions on the org chart.

Question 12:

Paragraph 4.3, Capacity; - The first sentence states “… team’s plan and overall ability to meet the schedule of the project..”. Please clarify exactly what you want to see for the “team’s plan”, since that could be a schedule or narrative. Likewise, do you expect to see a schedule of the design that meets the scheduled timeline?

This can be presented in whatever way the submitting firm decides. A schedule can be provided but is not required.

Question 13:

Paragraph 4.3, Capacity; - The second paragraph requests “…workload percentages for each of the key personnel…” Please clarify if you intend just the five “lead” positions or all 16 positions? If all 16 positions, then please expand the page count, since a quarter page per position would be four pages alone.

VA Response:

Workload percentages are to be provided for all key personnel identified on the org chart. The VA is unsure why a quarter page per position would be needed. This information can be provided in a table or list.

Question 14:

Paragraph 5. Submission Requirements; 7th bullet on font size; - Will you allow a smaller font size for tables and figures, for example 8 or 9 font size?

VA Response:

Yes, a smaller font size or fonts other than Arial are permitted in the presentation of graphic material, as long as the information is legible to the human eye. Additionally, page numbers, company logos, and headers and footers are not bound by the font requirements.

Question 15:

Award Date The RFQ lists Feb. 2024 as the expected award date. What is the current anticipated Award date?

This was a typo and has been corrected with mod 01. Award is expected by February 2025.

Question 16:

Part II’s Should a SF330 Part II be submitted for each firm shown on the org chart that coordinates with a key discipline listed on page 3 of the solicitation, or only for firms involved in the 5 roles in which resumes are required for? (Lead Architect, Lead Structural Engineer, Lead Mechanical Engineer, Lead Electrical Engineer, and Lead Plumber Engineer)

A Part II must be provided for each firm and (if applicable) branch office proposed for this project.

Question 17:

SF330 Section G Should all required key disciplines be listed on Section G, or just the 5 roles in which resumes are required for? (Lead Architect, Lead Structural Engineer, Lead Mechanical Engineer, Lead Electrical Engineer, and Lead Plumber Engineer)

Section G is to include all key personnel identified on the org chart.

Question 18:

Professional Qualifications Will license numbers suffice when the license does not apply to a specific jurisdiction? (ie.

RCDD)

Yes.

Question 19:

Submission Requirements Can Block H of the SF330 still contain other graphics or tables, provided that no photographs are included?

See response to question 5.

Question 20:

Would a 11x17 org chart be allowed in the submission?

Yes, this is acceptable for the org chart.