Questions and Answers - Nationwide IDIQ Blast Structural Engineering Services - 47PB0123R0001_10192022_Updated.pdf

Questions and Answers: Notice ID: 47PB0123R0001 Page 1 of 5

Questions and Answers:

Nationwide IDIQ Blast Structural Engineering Services

(Notice ID: 47PB0123R0001)

Q1. To allow contractors adequate time to submit a thorough, compliant, and comprehensive SF330 response, will the Government consider extending the proposal due date to November 22?

Ans: No, we will not be extending the time to submit SF330 - Architect-Engineer Qualifications.

Q2. Will the Government please confirm that SF330 Part II is not included in the 30-page limit?

Ans: The 30 page limit applies to both parts I & II, exclusive of tabs, or index/table of contents etc..

Q3. Will the Government please confirm that cover page(s) and tabs/divider pages are not included in the

30-page limit?

Ans: Cover pages and/or dividers can be excluded from the 30 page limitation.

Q4. Per the solicitation, contractors are required to submit SF330 responses via email. Since hardcopy submittals are not required, will the Government please consider striking the following statement from the solicitation, and clarify whether contractors may include this information on the cover or title page in lieu of an envelope: “The following information shall be on the outside of the sealed envelope(s): 1) Solicitation Number/Title, 2) Due Date and, 3) Closing Time.”

Ans: Yes, all submission will be sent through email, so there isn't a need for a seal envelope. When your submission is sent the email's subject line should provide the Notice Number: 47PB0123R0001 and Title, this helps us to not miss firm's email.

Q5. Will GSA allow for joint ventures of two small businesses that meet the requirement of combined average annual revenues within the set-aside threshold of $22.5 million or less to compete for an award of this IDIQ contract?

Ans: Formal joint ventures are treated the same as firm teaming arrangements.

Q6. Stemming from the sources sought and in anticipation of this solicitation, our firm has a longstanding strategic partnership that we’ve endeavored to proffer as a formal joint venture to GSA for this IDIQ.

This partnership has been successful and effective in supporting GSA through a nationwide set-aside multidiscipline A/E IDIQ that has been utilized at significant levels of its capacity and inclusive of structural/blast engineering. Would GSA consider relaxing the residency requirement cited in Factor III to allow for a joint venture partnership of two firms that are each located in a different zone, yet are able to fulfill the envisioned role and scope for a potential contract award in one of the three geographic zones?

Ans: The announcement will not be revised. Respond in accordance with the wording in the announcement.

Formal joint ventures are treated the same as firm teaming arrangements.

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Q7. Our office borders near one region that is outside of the geographic zone in which we have our base office operations per your solicitation requirements. That means some of our key personnel technically reside in a region that would be outside of the geographic zone of our pursuit, but they are based out of an office that is within the geographic zone. Will GSA consider lifting the “must physically reside in the geographic zone” requirement cited in Criteria III: Capabilities of Firm?

Ans: The announcement will not be revised. Respond in accordance with the wording in the announcement.

Q8. For PROJECT DESCRIPTION and CRITERIA II, please elaborate why seismic experience and capabilities (ATC-20 and seismic codes/standards/guidelines) are being required for the Blast IDIQ when there is a separate Seismic IDIQ also being sought for responses.

Ans: The statement pertains to the AE team's ability to respond to national disasters and/or emergencies that require this type of knowledge and skill.

Q9. For CRITERIA IV, the RFQ requests “Evidence of previous project management performance, quality control, coordination, scheduling and cost control. “Please clarify if you are seeking copies of actual CPAR/PPQ evaluations, and if so, will providing those be counted within the 30-page limit for our SF 330 response, or will they be allowed and considered as being “any supplemental information necessary to further address the selection criteria?”

Ans: This information should be included within the 30 page limit. No particular format is prescribed.

Q10. For SUBMISSION OF QUALIFICATIONS, the RFQ states “One copy of the SF 330 submission is required.

The SF 330 shall have a page limit of 30 pages. “Please confirm that a cover letter and table of contents are allowed, and if they too will be counted in the 30-page limit. Or is the 30-page limit only applicable to the SF 330 Parts I and II components of our response, with cover letter, table of contents, and other supplemental information being allowed and considered if inclusion of such results in our response totaling more than 30 pages overall?

Ans: The 30 page limit pertains to submittal content and not extraneous information such as table of contents, etc... Information outside of the 30 page limit will not be considered in the evaluation.

Q11. For SUBMISSION OF QUALIFICATIONS, the RFQ states “The following information shall be on the outside of the sealed envelope(s): 1) Solicitation Number/Title, 2) Due Date and, 3) Closing Time.” Understanding that formal responses are due on or before 12:00 p.m. ET on November 7 by email, are we to include all that information in our email subject line and/or attached file naming protocol, or does GSA also want a single hard copy provided to its office? If a physical copy is also required, will GSA allow for it to be submitted after the 12:00 p.m. November 7 close for emailed responses?

Ans: GSA does not want a hardcopy, all submission will be submitted electronically through email. It would be helpful if you put in the email subject line the Notice Number: 47PB0123R0001 and Title, this helps us to not miss firm's email.

Q12. Please confirm that the intent of Criteria III in the RFP is for the work to be performed within the specific geographic region with nationwide capabilities and resources.

Ans: Confirmed

Q13. Please confirm which FAR Small Business Clause would be applied to the contract?

Ans: The anticipated FAR Small Business clauses that would apply to the contract are:

52.219-4 Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small Business Concerns.

52.219-6 Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside.

52.219-8 Utilization of Small Business Concerns.

Questions and Answers: Notice ID: 47PB0123R0001 Page 3 of 5

52.219-9 Small Business Subcontracting Plan.

52.219-9_Alternate II 52.219-13 Notice of Set-Aside of Orders.

52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting.

52.219-16 Liquidated Damages-Subcontracting Plan.

52.219-28 Post-Award Small Business Program Representation.

52.219-33 Nonmanufacturer Rule.

Q14. For Criteria III, we understand that only one zone will be allowed per prime, however, can prime contractor specify multiple zones for capabilities if key personnel and qualified offices are provided for each zone? This will allow the GSA to consider them for the most suitable zone.

Ans: Yes

Q15. If a prime is allowed to pursue multiple zones, can each zone be submitted as a separate package specific to the zone’s capabilities, or a prime firm is limited to a single qualification package?

Ans: Each team should only submit a single SF330.

Q16. For the Submission of Qualifications please confirm if hard-copy submissions are required. The section notes submissions are to be by email, but also provides requirements for marking the submission envelope. If hard copy submissions are required, please confirm address (i.e. solicitation address at 10

CAUSEWAY STREET BOSTON, MA 02222).

Ans: GSA does not want a hardcopy; all submission will be submitted electronically through email. It would be helpful if you put in the email subject line the Notice Number: 47PB0123R0001 and Title, this helps us to not miss firm's email.

Q17. Is an Affiliate office of its Small Business parent company regarded similarly to a branch office of a

Small Business company?

Q18. Seeing as how GSA is soliciting for a 100% set-aside small business for this IDIQ, will GSA also release an unrestricted solicitation for structural/blast services, especially to secure teams who can demonstrate and possess “direct expertise/experience” versus “familiarity with” as a benchmark for the prescribed services? In addition, would GSA consider soliciting such an unrestricted contract vehicle as wholly nationwide and not based on award by geographical zones?

Ans: No, there is currently no intention for another SAM.gov announcement for unrestricted structural/blast services. GSA is only performing this announcement for 100% Small Business set-aside.

Q19. How old can the projects in section F and E be?

Ans: Project age is not limited however more recent experience that can be directly associated with proposed staffing will be regarded as more appropriate to the team's qualifications.

Q20. If we would like to submit for more than one zone, do we need to submit a separate proposal for each zone or just one proposal and indicate within which zones we are submitting for?

Ans: Each team should only submit a single SF330.

Questions and Answers: Notice ID: 47PB0123R0001 Page 4 of 5

Q21. The solicitation lists “Blast Testing” as a Specialized Experience requirement. Please clarify if the team needs to have the capability to construct test mockups and perform blast testing, or just be experienced with evaluating the results of testing.

Ans: Testing is not typically required except to understand existing conditions. Technical studies may involve recommendations that include testing. The SF330 should provide the extent of testing capability. This could include both the capability to perform testing and to develop testing programs.

Q22. The solicitation lists “ATC-20 Post disaster assessment experience” as a Specialized Experience requirement. ATC-20 is titled “Procedures for Post-earthquake Safety Evaluation of Buildings”. Please confirm that ATC-20 experience is required for this solicitation.

Ans: The statement pertains to the AE team's ability to respond to national disasters and/or emergencies that require this type of knowledge and skill.

Q23. The Description mentions “General Structural Engineering” and “Structural Engineering” in the Project Description and Required Skill/Qualifications, respectively, in addition to Blast Resistant Design. Is it expected that the teams must include conventional Structural Engineering capabilities, in addition to Blast Resistant Design?

Q24. For purposes of meeting Criteria III, what is the definition of a “branch office”. For example, does a remote worker in a different geographic zone than the firm’s headquarters qualify as a “branch office”.

Ans: There are multiple goals for the selection of AE teams as it pertains to geographic zones. The intent in requiring local/branch offices is for the direct benefit of the GSA Regional customers. Accomplishing this goal includes multiple factors.

Q25. Can the same firm apply as the Prime for more than one zone (assuming that the firm meets the

Criteria III, with different branch offices and key personnel for each geographic zone)?

Ans: Yes. Each team should only submit a single SF330.

Q26. Do all team members (e.g., Blast Consulting firm as Prime, and Cost Estimating firm and Structural Engineering firm as supporting team members) must meet the geographic zone requirements per Criteria III? Or are these geographic zone requirements only applicable for the Prime firm?

Ans: There are multiple goals for the selection of AE teams as it pertains to geographic zones. The intent in requiring local/branch offices is for the direct benefit of the GSA Regional customers. Accomplishing

Q27. Do all team members (e.g., Blast Consulting firm as Prime, and Cost Estimating firm and Structural

Engineering firm as supporting team members) must meet the Small Business requirement? Or is the Small Business classification only required for the Prime firm?

Ans: There are multiple goals for the selection of AE teams as it pertains to geographic zones. The intent in requiring local/branch offices is for the direct benefit of the GSA Regional customers. Accomplishing

Q28. Can the key personnel for the firm that is applying as Prime for one region also participate as supporting role (team member) for another firm applying as Prime for another region?

Questions and Answers: Notice ID: 47PB0123R0001 Page 5 of 5

Ans: There are multiple goals for the selection of AE teams as it pertains to geographic zones. The intent in requiring local/branch offices is for the direct benefit of the GSA Regional customers. Accomplishing

Q29. If a SB teams up with a large firm, what percentage of the work must be performed by the SB?

Ans: At least 51% of the work must be perform by the Small Business Firm.