7_Phase-One NASA Ames EMO Questions and Answers Log - RFI Log.pdf

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) LOG

Solicitation No: 47PB5426R0014

TOTAL INQUIRIES COMPLETED RESPONSES

36 36

RFI ID Date Received Question Official Response Status

RFI-001 2026-08-31 Does the General Contractor need to possess a CA state license or since this is a federal facility it will not be required?

The solicitation does not specifically require the Offeror to possess a California contractor’s license. The Contractor remains responsible under FAR 52.236-7, Permits and Responsibilities, for obtaining necessary licenses and permits and complying with applicable Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations.

Approved

RFI-002 2026-09-01 Could you please clarify whether the Commissioning Services are expected to be provided as part of the DB scope of work, or whether the Commissioning Authority will be procured separately by the Owner through a separate RFQ/P?

The Commissioning Authority will be procured separately by GSA. The design/builder's commissioning support responsibilities are outlined in Vol. 1 - Statement of Work Page 46 - 48

Approved

RFI-003 2026-09-03 Whether CIO 09-48 and CIO 12-2018 apply to the General Contractor’s scope of work under this contract.

Yes. CIO 09-48 and CIO 12-2018 apply to portions of the Contractor's scope involving GSA information systems, as addressed in Section III.J of the draft Agreement. The Contractor shall comply with the applicable requirements identified in the Agreement and Statement of Work for those systems.

Approved

RFI-004 2026-09-03 Whether receipt of CUI under this contract would trigger compliance with CIO-IT Security-21-112. Receipt of CUI under this contract does not, by itself, automatically trigger compliance with CIO-IT Security-21-112. The Contractor remains responsible for complying with the CUI safeguarding requirements in Section III.H.(6) of the Agreement.

Approved

RFI-005 2026-09-03 Whether the safeguarding requirements identified in Section III.H.(6) represent the full extent of the cybersecurity requirements applicable to this project.

No. Section III.H.(6) specifically addresses safeguarding and dissemination of CUI building information. It must be read together with Section III.J, Requirements for GSA Information Systems, and any other applicable cybersecurity requirements incorporated into the Agreement and Statement of Work. Compliance with Section III.H.(6) does not replace compliance with those other applicable requirements.

Approved

RFI-006 2026-09-09 Does GSA’s Design Excellence Program apply to evaluation of this Phase-One RFQ and the Phase-Two solicitation?

The GSA Design Excellence Program does apply to both Phase 1 & 2 of the solicitation. The design excellence program is outlined in Vol. 1 Scope of Work Section 3A

Approved

RFI-007 2026-09-09 Will the Section 106 historic-district design compatibility guidance remain applicable to this new building?

The N278 site sits within the NASA Ames Wind Tunnel Historic District. This district was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2017 and includes five buildings (N215, N220, N221/B, N226, and N227) for their associations with aeronautical and aerospace research, the development of aircraft and spacecraft, and the evolution of wind tunnel technology in the United States. The historic designation is just for these five (5) buildings and does not impact the architecture and development of the N278 site. NASA has received approval from SHPO. The approval and Section 106 information has been provided in the Appendices.

Approved

RFI-008 2026-09-09 Can you please clarify the current target building size given the discrepancy between earlier planning documentation (55,323 GSF) and the current RFQ (30,292 GSF minimum)?

The minimum building size for this procurement is 30,292 gross square feet (GSF), as stated in the current RFP. Offerors should use the current RFP and any amendments as the basis for their submissions.

Approved

RFI-009 2026-09-09 What level of design detail is expected in the Phase-Two Factor 1 (Design Concept and Technical Approach) submission – a narrative-level concept, or specific deliverables such as Schematic Design drawings, floor plans, renderings, site plans, etc.?

The Phase-Two submission requires a Design Concept package that includes both narrative and graphic materials sufficient to communicate the proposed solution and support evaluation under Factor 1, Design Concept and Technical Approach. The package shall address the proposed technical approach, major design decisions and assumptions, and project risks and mitigation strategies. Offerors shall follow the Phase-Two submission requirements and applicable Design Concept Submission Requirements.

Approved

RFI-010 2026-09-09 Does the draft Agreement cap A/E design liability, or is it uncapped per standard FAR terms? Section III.F(2) requires the Contractor's retained licensed design professionals to maintain professional liability insurance of $5,000,000 per claim. This insurance requirement does not establish a contractual cap on liability for design errors or omissions. Responsibility and liability remain governed by the applicable contract terms and law.

Approved

RFI-011 2026-09-09 How long will the Phase-Two competition run? Specifically, from receipt of the Phase-Two solicitation to the Phase-Two proposal due date.

The Government currently anticipates approximately 94 calendar days between issuance of the Phase-Two RFP and the proposal due date.

Approved

RFI-012 2026-09-09 Does the Government have specific aesthetic design aspirations or reference/precedent projects offerors should look to, or is the primary objective functional/operational performance?

The project design shall be contextually appropriate to the NASA ARC campus and incorporate Executive Order 14344 - Making Federal Architecture Beautiful Again. The design shall at least meet the GSA P100 Baseline requirements.

Approved

RFI-013 2026-09-09 How heavily will the Total Evaluated Price be weighted relative to non-price factors in the formula? All non-price evaluation factors, when combined, are significantly more important than the Total Evaluated Price. Approved

RFI-014 2026-09-09 Are there specific sustainability, energy-performance, or certification targets for this project? The energy and sustainability performance is outlined in the Vol. 1 Statement of Work Section 3F and in the Program of Requirements which states, "The design shall achieve, at a minimum, either LEED Silver certification, meet the Guiding Principles for sustainability, or Green Globes Certification – Two (2) Green Globes. If pursuing LEED, it will be based on current version at time of the Design Phase Submission to USGBC. The Design Builder is responsible to register the project and pay all fees with the accrediting authority, as well as the procurement and installation of a 16 inch diameter glass plaque for the building.

Approved

RFI-015 2026-09-10 Can GSA consider lowering qualifying projects from $40M to $20M? No. GSA is retaining the $40 million minimum construction value under Subfactor 1A's Similar Project definition. This threshold reflects GSA's need to evaluate demonstrated experience performing projects comparable in magnitude to the solicited requirement.

Approved

RFI-016 2026-09-10 Are we to complete the Proprietary Information Agreement and submit with our PH 1 Technical? Yes. The completed and signed Proprietary Information Agreement shall be included with the Phase-One submission as part of the administrative documentation required by Section II.E.

Approved

RFI-017 2026-09-10 The Administrative Compliance Document is not included with RFQP documents, please confirm this is required to complete and include in the technical submittal. If required, please provide the attachment to complete with submittal.

A separate Government-provided Administrative Compliance form is not required. Offerors shall submit the administrative documentation identified in Section II.E with their Phase-One submission, including the applicable representations and certifications/SAM information, evidence of bonding capacity, and completed and signed Proprietary Information Agreement(s).

Approved

RFI-018 2026-09-10 Can projects that are over 80% in construction qualify as an acceptable project? No, unless the project has achieved substantial completion within the period specified in the solicitation. Under Subfactors 1A and 1B, a qualifying project must have achieved substantial completion within the ten years preceding the solicitation issuance date.

Approved

TOTAL INQUIRIES COMPLETED RESPONSES

36 36

RFI ID Date Received Question Official Response Status

RFI-019 2026-09-10 Can GSA respond to RFI’s at least two weeks prior to RFQP due date? To allow time to process PPQ’s. GSA anticipates issuing responses to questions received by the established question deadline more than two weeks before the RFQ due date.

Approved

RFI-020 2026-09-10 Are projects greater than 50,000 SF considered similar if all other attributes align with project’s similar program, delivery method, and complexities?

Yes. Projects exceeding 50,000 SF may qualify, provided they satisfy all elements of the applicable Similar Project definitions under Subfactor 1A or 1B. These definitions do not establish a maximum square footage. The Government will evaluate the extent of similarity in size, scope, complexity, technical requirements, and construction execution or design challenges, as applicable.

Approved

RFI-021 2026-09-10 Please confirm that there is no separate Administrative Compliance form required for the Phase-One submission, and that compliance with Section II.E is satisfied by providing the applicable Representations and Certifications/SAM information, Evidence of Bonding Capacity, and Proprietary Information Agreement(s).

Confirmed. No separate Administrative Compliance form is required. Offerors shall provide all applicable documentation required by Section II.E, including representations and certifications/SAM information, evidence of bonding capacity, and completed and signed Proprietary Information Agreement(s). See also the response to RFI-017.

Approved

RFI-022 2026-09-10 Due to the collaborative nature of design when submitting Lead Designer's portfolio, can the narrative for the Lead Designer for the completed project be described as a team effort or does individual highlight task need to be broken out and delegated to a specific person?

Yes. The narrative may describe the project as a collaborative team effort. However, consistent with Factor 3, it must also describe the proposed Lead Designer’s specific role, responsibilities, and level of involvement in the project. If multiple individuals are proposed as the Lead Designer, describe each individual’s role on the applicable submitted projects.

Approved

RFI-023 2026-09-10 Can GSA reuse PPQs received from 2023 submittal if the Design-Build Team elects to reuse qualifying projects from that submission?

No. PPQs submitted for the 2023 procurement will not be accepted in lieu of PPQs submitted for this solicitation. Offerors relying on PPQs shall have their customer references complete and submit them using the link provided in the current solicitation by the specified deadline. CPARS evaluations may be submitted in accordance with the solicitation past performance submission requirements.

Approved

RFI-024 2026-09-10 Can GSA extend the RFQ due date? No. The Government is retaining the response due date established in the solicitation. Approved

RFI-025 2026-09-11 Would the Government consider extending the similar project past experience substantial completion date from within the past 10 years to within the past 12 years from the solicitation issuance date for the General Contractor (Subfactor 1A)?

No. The Government is retaining the requirement under Subfactor 1A, Past Experience of the General Contractor, that similar projects have achieved substantial completion within the ten (10) years preceding the solicitation issuance date.

Approved

RFI-026 2026-09-11 Solicitation Pages 11-12, Subfactor 1B – Past Experience of the A/E Firm: Please confirm that "substantial completion," as it relates to the A/E firm, means the design was substantially complete within the last ten (10) years.

No. Under Subfactor 1B, substantial completion refers to substantial completion of construction of the submitted project, rather than completion of the A/E firm's design services. The project must have achieved substantial completion within the ten (10) years preceding the solicitation issuance date.

Approved

RFI-027 2026-09-11 Section II.D, Subfactor 1A (Page 11) and Subfactor 1B (Page 13) request a list of the "Project Team (including major trade partners)." Could GSA clarify what specific trades are considered "major trade partners" for purposes of these past experience project submissions?

The solicitation requests identification of the ‘Project Team (including major subcontractors)’ “Major subcontractors” means subcontractors or specialty firms responsible for significant portions of the work on the submitted project.

Examples may include structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, building controls, and specialty systems contractors, as applicable. Offerors should identify the principal firms and their roles based on the project’s scope and complexity; an exhaustive list of all subcontractors is not required. For A/E submissions, identify the principal design disciplines and consultants as part of the project team.

Approved

RFI-028 2026-09-11 Solicitation Pages 11-12, Subfactor 1B – Past Experience of the A/E Firm: Please confirm whether the Architect-Engineer may submit projects delivered under a Design-Build contract where the design services were substantially complete within the last ten (10) years, even if the overall project reached construction substantial completion outside of the ten-year window.

No. The ten-year period under Subfactor 1B is measured using the project’s construction substantial completion date, not the completion date of design services. A project that achieved construction substantial completion outside that period does not satisfy the Similar Project definition, regardless of its delivery method.

Approved

RFI-029 2026-09-11 If firms are submitting CPARS evaluations for Past Performance, please confirm that it is acceptable to include the CPARS reports within the Phase One technical submission.

Yes. CPARS evaluations may be included in the Phase-One technical submission under the applicable Past Performance subfactor. Each evaluation should clearly identify the corresponding Similar Project submitted under Subfactor 1A or 1B.

Offerors shall follow the solicitation requirements regarding acceptable CPARS evaluations.

Approved

RFI-030 2026-09-11 Section II.E.(4) states that Offerors are responsible for submitting the administrative information required by the solicitation.

Please confirm whether the administrative requirements for Phase One are limited to the items identified in Section II.E.(1)-(3) (Representations and Certifications, Evidence of Bonding Capacity, and Proprietary Information Agreements), or if any additional administrative forms, certifications, or supporting documentation are required with the Phase One proposal.

Yes. The administrative requirements under Section II.E are limited to the items identified in paragraphs (1)–(3). Offerors submitting as a joint venture must also provide the joint venture documentation required elsewhere in the solicitation.

Section II.E(4) does not require any additional administrative form or certification.

Approved

RFI-031 2026-09-11 The solicitation identifies an estimated design and construction value of approximately $46 million to $56 million. Please clarify whether the Government intends to establish a target design-build budget for Phase Two and, if so, whether offerors should develop their technical concepts assuming the upper end of the stated range or another prescribed budget amount?

Yes. The Government will disclose the prescribed build-to-budget ceiling in the Phase-Two solicitation. Offerors shall develop their Phase-Two technical concepts and price proposals using that ceiling rather than the estimated range provided in Phase-One.

Approved

RFI-032 2026-09-11 Will the Government conduct a site visit, industry day, or facility tour during Phase One? If not, does the Government intend to provide site photographs, existing conditions documentation, utility information, or other reconnaissance materials for offeror use prior to Phase Two?

An industry day was previously conducted. Most of the requested site information and supporting materials are included in the appendices to the Program of Requirements (POR).

TOTAL INQUIRIES COMPLETED RESPONSES

36 36

RFI ID Date Received Question Official Response Status

RFI-033 2026-09-11 If the procurement proceeds as a budget-constrained design-build acquisition, will Phase-Two offerors be permitted to propose value-added enhancements or scope betterments that exceed minimum requirements, provided the proposal remains within the Government-established budget?

Alternatively, will evaluation focus solely on meeting stated requirements within the prescribed budget and scope?

Yes. Under Phase-Two Factor 1, Design Concept and Technical Approach, offerors may propose Desired Program Objectives and Value-Enhancing Features that provide additional benefit beyond the Required Program Elements. All proposed enhancements must be included in the proposed design and applicable price within the build-to-budget ceiling.

They may not depend on additional Government funding or the deletion, reduction, or deferral of required scope. The Government will evaluate their benefit in accordance with the stated evaluation criteria; evaluation is not limited to meeting minimum requirements.

Approved

RFI-034 2026-09-11 Please provide the Government's anticipated Phase-Two solicitation issuance date, contract award date, and target facility occupancy or beneficial occupancy milestone

The Government anticipates issuing the Phase-Two solicitation on or around February 2027, with contract award targeted for August 2027 and a period of performance of 730 calendar days. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.

Approved

RFI-035 2026-09-11 Please clarify whether the project is required to achieve a specific sustainability certification or performance standard (e.g., LEED Silver, LEED Gold, Net Zero Ready, Federal High Performance Sustainable Building requirements, etc.)

The energy and sustainability performance is outlined in the Vol. 1 Statement of Work Section 3F and in the Program of Requirements which states, "The design shall achieve, at a minimum, either LEED Silver certification, meet the Guiding Principles for sustainability, or Green Globes Certification – Two (2) Green Globes. If pursuing LEED, it will be based on current version at time of the Design Phase Submission to USGBC. The Design Builder is responsible to register the project and pay all fees with the accrediting authority, as well as the procurement and installation of a 16 inch diameter glass plaque for the building.

Approved

RFI-036 2026-09-11 "Please clarify whether operational restrictions, mission-critical activities, occupied facilities, security requirements, or work-hour limitations are anticipated that could materially affect demolition, utility outage planning, or construction sequencing?

We do not anticipate any restrictions, activities, or limitations that will impact the demo, utility outage planning, or sequencing. Work Restrictions are clearly outlined in Vol. 2 Section 011400 - Work Restrictions.