47PC0219R0010_Solicitation_Amendment_0002__Exhibit_15_-_Questions_&_Answers.pdf

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

Public Buildings Service (PBS) Acquisitions Management Division

Solicitation No.: 47PC0219R0010

Multiple Award Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ)

General Construction & Design-Build Construction Services

Zone 1: Metropolitan New York City Area

Zone 2: Upstate New York

Questions and Answers

(Amendment 0002; 08/06/2019)

1. Could you please tell me if this is a new requirement, or if there is a current or previous contractor who has performed similar services? If available, can you please send along the incumbent contract or task order number?

Response: The incumbent Contractors for the Zone 1 New York locations are listed below with their IDIQ contract numbers. The current IDIQs have an expiration date of December 31, 2019 and Task Order numbers can be retrieved through a Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) search, by the Offeror’s name or contract number. Zone 2 is considered a new acquisition and does not have incumbent contractors.

❖ Contract No. GS02P14PCD0012/GS02P15PCD7000

Benchmark Construction Services, Inc.

801 Corporate Circle – Suite 1A Toms River, NJ 08755

❖ Contract No. GS02P14PCD0013/GS02P15PCD7001

Integrated Construction Enterprises, Inc.

259 Stephens Street Belleville, NJ 07109

❖ Contract No. GS02P14PCD0014/GS02P15PCD7005

Trio General Contracting Associates 14-20 129 Street College Point, NY 11356

❖ Contract No. GS02P14PCD0015/GS02P15PCD7002

Synthesis, Inc.

5321 Second Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11220

❖ Contract No. GS02P14PCD0016/GS02P15PCD7003

Pro-Con Group 520 Industrial Loop Staten Island, NY 10309

❖ Contract No. GS02P14PCD0017/GS02P15PCD7004

GMT

7206 Tonnelle Avenue North Bergen, NJ 07047

2. I am wondering if an incumbent exists for the potential requirement: GSA REGION 2

REGIONAL CONSTRUCTION IDIQ OVER 150K outlined under 47PC0219R0010. If so, could you please provide the following information?:

· Vendor name

· Contract number

· Value

· Date of award

· Expiration date

Response: Reference question 1 response for the incumbent information and current IDIQ expiration dates. Reference FPDS records to retrieve the overall value of the awarded Task Orders obligated against the incumbent IDIQ Contracts.

Note: The solicitation title is General Construction and Design Build Construction Services.

This acquisition is not restricted to procurements that are over 150K only. This acquisition has been revised to include award of task orders ranging from $0 - $20M.

3. The solicitation is addressed as a Set Aside for Total Small Business in the FBO, however the Solicitation issued States “ This Solicitation is set-aside for Small Businesses/HUBZone Small Businesses/Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses/Women-Owned Small Business Concerns Eligible Under the Women-Owned Small Business Program, in accordance with FAR 19 . Please clarify if this is a set aside for Women- Owned Small Business or Total Small Business Set Aside?

Response:

❖ The solicitation is a total Small Business set-aside under NAICS Code 236220;

❖ There will be up to a total of seven (7) IDIQ awards for each Zone, with a total of fourteen (14) IDIQ awards for the entire requirement;

❖ There will be up to one (1) IDIQ award reserved for HUBZone for each Zone, with a total of up to two (2) IDIQ awards reserved for HUBZones for the entire requirement;

❖ There will be up to one (1) IDIQ award reserved for SDVOSB for each Zone, with a total of up to two (2) IDIQ awards reserved for SDVOSBs for the entire requirement;

❖ There will be up to one (1) IDIQ award reserved for WOSB for each Zone, with a total of up to two (2) IDIQ awards reserved for WOSBs for the entire requirement;

❖ Each Offeror’s socioeconomic status will be checking in SAM at the time of proposal submission and at award for validation purposes. An offer will not be evaluated or considered for award if it fails to meet the socioeconomic status requirements. At a minimum each Offeror shall be considered 100% Small Business under NAICS Code 236220;

❖ An Offeror can submit a proposal for each Zone for award consideration;

❖ In the event that there is an insufficient number of acceptable Offers with fair and reasonable price from a particular socioeconomic category, then the remaining numbers of IDIQ awards shall go to a Small Business company.

4. The purpose of this letter is to ask you to approve Eddy Current Drives (ECD’s) for AC motor speed control in place of Variable Frequency Drives (VFD’s) and to reconsider submersible pump installations.

Response: Individual task order requirements will be specified in task order RFPs, and substitution requests considered at that time. The intent of the IDIQ pricing proposal is to establish unit pricing for common work items.

5. You posted a few forms that said was for similar experience on similar projects or past performances. Where are those forms posted?

Response: All exhibits/forms are located in FBO (www.fbo.gov). Search for the solicitation and all documentation/amendments are attached to the notice.

6. Should we go more indepts compared to the form? As it did not seem to give enough detail.

Response: The forms included allow for descriptive language. Include the necessary language within the forms. If the Offeror desires to include pictures related to similar projects or past performance, separately include the corresponding pictures with the evaluation factor.

7. What is the different between similar experiences on past projects and past performance?

Response: Similar experiences evaluations reflect the type of work performed by the Offeror and how comparable in terms of scope, magnitude and complexity these experiences are to the acquisition. Past performance evaluations reflect the quality of work performed on the similar experiences referenced.

8. Sub-Factor 2.2 where it talks about giving specific examples, so would it be like A1 dangerous example and A2 and so on?

Response: The requirements of this sub-factor are clearly described in the Solicitation, Section VI.F Non-Price Factors.

9. Will Contractor Team Arrangements (CTA) be accepted?

Response: No.

10. How will the Government evaluate Joint Venture past performance?

Response: Due to the award constraints/limitations set in the 3 in 2 Rule, specified in 13 CFR 121.103(h) where a specific joint venture entity may not be awarded more than three contracts over a two year period starting from the date of the award of the first contract, Joint Venture entities shall not be accepted for this acquisition. All referenced Joint Venture references shall be removed from the Solicitation (Amendment 0002)

11. We are asking contracting officers for consideration to include FAR Clause 52.208-9, Contractor Use of Mandatory Sources of Supply or Services for construction projects, with the “specific text language” for door hardware in your current and future acquisition purchases, to be in compliance for your, R2 General Construction & Design-Build Construction Services, Project.

Response: The specified clause will not be included at the IDIQ level. The clause may be incorporated on the Task Order level, if items within the AbilityOne Procurement List are determined applicable and required per the Task Order requirements/specifications.

12. I’ve attached the Key Personnel Qualifications Resume Form which was posted on FBO.

However when I go to either convert or print, it splits the form. Can you please re-issue this form?

Response: No, the Offeror can ensure that the print settings and page layout are set to include all the columns on one page. An Offeror may include as much language as deemed necessary within each row to respond to the evaluation factor; however, a resume shall not be no more than two (2) pages for each identified position.

13. We only allowed to Submit 4 projects per Zone for the IDIQ? The Past Performance References Offeror Form in which we are to use only goes to #4 under the Reference Submission Number. Please clarify.

Response: In accordance with Amendment 0002, only a total of four (4) past performance references will be accepted for each Zone.

14. Can you submit a project if you were the Construction Management for that project? Or are you required to submit only projects you were the G.C. on?

Response: The Offeror must have performed as the prime contractor, as specified in section

VI.F.(1).

15. Experience on Similar Projects Offeror Form-Fact Sheet and Past Performance References Offeror Form is the same exact form requiring the same exact information just different Titles. Are we to Submit both forms even though they are asking for the same exact information?

Response: Yes. Note: Completed Past Performance Questionnaires will also need to be submitted with Factor 4 response.

16. In Section 3.2. of Exhibit 9 (referring to Task Order competitions), it states that offers in response to Task Order RFPs “shall” be in a “lump sum” and that resulting Task Orders will be issued as Firm Fixed Price. However, it also states that an offeror must provide a “detailed price proposal breakdown” with its proposal. Will the price breakdown be used after award of the Task Order (such as in administering the Task Order)?

Response: The price breakdown shall be used throughout the life of the Task Order, as a reference and a means to assist in Task Order administration, change order modifications, and close-out procedures. Reference section 3.5.2. within Exhibit 12 for additional details.

17. If it is determined during or after performance on an awarded Task Order, that the actual quantities varied (up or down) from those shown on the proposed price breakdown, would that then mean there would be change orders issued based on the difference of proposed quantities and actual quantities performed?

Response: The approval of an equitable adjustment change order may depend on the circumstances of the change. If the Government initiates a change in quantity, then a change order will be required prior to performance of such work. If the Offeror submitted incorrect quantities at proposal submission, those amounts should be addressed and negotiated prior to Task Order award.

18. In an effort for each contractor to be bidding the same quantities, Will the tasks and quantities be provided in the statement SOW?

Response:

IDIQ Level:

All Offerors shall submit their price proposal with the same quantities as specified in Exhibit 4, Price Proposal Sheet.

Task Order Level:

All requirements shall be outlined and specified in the project Task Order Statement of Work, Design Intent Drawing, and/or any other associated Task Order Solicitation documentation. The Contractor shall interpret the requirements and submit a detailed Task Order Price Proposal based on the project requirements.

19. If the quantities are not going to be provided in the SOW, will GSA confirm that each contractor is bidding the identical quantities?

Response: The unit price breakdown for each Task Order proposal will be reviewed by GSA to confirm a general understanding of the project scope and fair and reasonable pricing. The Contractor is ultimately responsible for identifying the items of work required for each Task Order and the corresponding quantities.

20. When submitting a proposal as a joint venture, is it a requirement for each firm in the joint venture to submit 4 comparable projects, totaling a minimum of 8 comparable projects?

Response: Reference response to question 10.

21. The RS means pricing sheet does not include a spot for equipment in Exhibit 4. Should equipment be excluded for all items as Labor and material are the only columns provided?

Would equipment be a non pre-priced item for each task order?

Response: The use of common tools, equipment, and expendables typical to the installation of a given item shall be included in the material and/or labor cost of that line item. If installation requires the use of heavy equipment, such as a lift or crane, not typical to an item of work, the cost of the atypical equipment will be negotiated on a Task Order basis.

22. Section II.E.(3)(a) – page 11 of 55 from the Solicitation document requires documentation proving our ability to obtain P&P bonds of $10M single / $20M aggregate. Does the attached letter sufficiently meet the requirements of II.E.(3)(a) – page 11 of 55 from the Solicitation document?

Response: A letter confirming the bonding requirements may be accepted. The letter must be from and endorsed by any of the list of certified bonding companies on the Treasury Department website. The Bureau of the Fiscal Service - Surety Bonds provides the list of certified companies on https://www.fiscal.treasury.gov/surety-bonds/list-certified-companies.html.

23. Item # 2337 1330 1000 – What is the size of the grille or should we price this item per SF in lieu of EA.

Response: Base price on a 24” x 24” return grille.

24. Item # 2337 1360 1010 - What is the size or should we price this item per SF in lieu of EA.

Response: Base prices on a 24” x 24” register.

25. Item # 2205 0510 2212 to # 2205 0510 2220 – Should these line items be input as a negative to effectively reduce the total price?

Response: These line items will be removed from the pricing sheet (Amendment 0002).

26. Item # 0871 2030 5000 - Should these line items be input as a negative to effectively reduce the total price?

27. Are we required to submit A-E Company qualifications?

Response: A-E Company qualifications are not a requirement on the IDIQ solicitation level.

However, an Offeror is required to include all subcontractors and the proposed type of work that will be performing, in accordance with sub-factor 3.2. - Staffing Plan.

Note: Sub-contractor qualifications, including A-E companies, may be required at the Task Order RFP level submission.

28. Explain the security requirements required as part of this solicitation.

Response: Reference sections V.E. Security Requirements in the Solicitation and III.H.(5) Security Clearances within the Agreement for detailed information.

29. Factor 1 Past Experience – the RFP indicates a minimum of 4 projects to be submitted. Is there a maximum number?

Response: Reference response to question 13.

30. Are there page limitations for the narrative portions (tech approach, QAP etc)?

https://www.fiscal.treasury.gov/surety-bonds/list-certified-companies.html https://www.fiscal.treasury.gov/surety-bonds/list-certified-companies.html

Response: In accordance with section II.B.(2), the Technical offer does not have a page limit. However there are Government provided forms that an Offeror must use in response to the solicitation evaluation factors. Note: The Key Personnel Qualifications Resume form has a maximum page limit of two (2) pages.

31. Can the response be submitted electronically?

Response: In accordance with I.J.(2) Receipt of Offers, only electronic copies shall be accepted.

32. Will references be required for projects performed for Federal Govt. for which there are

CPARS/APARS ?

Response: Yes. An Offeror may submit either government or commercial similar experience for past performance in their response to the solicitation evaluation factors. The government will evaluate the referenced projects submitted within the proposal. However, the government reserves the right to retrieve other past performance references, as specified in sections III.H., Contractor Performance Information and VI.F.(4), Factor 4: Past Performance.

33. Considering the expense and time to prepare a certified financial statement would the GSA consider and internally prepared statement in addition to the GSA 527 form?

Response: No, internally prepared statements will not be considered. However, the offeror may provide other acceptable evidence that shows the offeror has adequate financial resources to perform the contract, or the ability to obtain them such as a bank/financial institution commitment line of credit, supplier agreements/line of credit, Dun & Bradstreet Financial Report, etc.

34. Are there currently undisclosed quantities that the GSA intends to place in Column C of each tab in the Exhibit 4 – Price Proposal Sheet for use in evaluating each price proposal? If so, can these be shared?

Response: No. The purpose of this pricing sheet is to establish unit pricing for common items of work which the Government anticipates Task Orders issued under this IDIQ contract will include. Actual quantities will be determined at the individual Task Order level.

35. In an effort to save each bidder of going through the exercise of entering 24,000 line items

(3,000 Labor + 3,000 material x 4 option years) would GSA consider modifying proposal sheet and utilizing a Multiplier for each option year?

Response: GSA will not issue a multiplier or escalation factor. The offeror can modify the sheet accordingly to make it easier to enter the prices.

36. We are an architectural/engineering firm that currently has a GSA ID/IQ design term contract, and we will also be pursuing future GSA ID/IQ design term contracts within Region 2. Is our firm holding this/these GSA ID/IQ design contracts create a conflict of interest, preventing us from participating in this General Construction & Design-Build Construction Services contract (47PC0219R0010)?

Response: Your firm can submit proposals for this IDIQ solicitation, 47PC0219R0010, for General Construction & Design-Build Construction Services while pursuing other GSA IDIQ solicitation for A-E services. If you are awarded a Task Order under any of your A-E IDIQ contracts, your firm may not be able to participate in the separate construction procurement if awarded this construction IDIQ contract per FAR Subpart 36.209, Construction contracts with architect-engineer firms, which states that “No contract for the construction of a project shall be awarded to the firm that designed the project or its subsidiaries or affiliates, except with the approval of the head of the agency or authorized representative.”

37. As work will be performed in multiple areas, with multiple prevailing wage rates are we to use the highest rates in our proposal?

Response: The government shall not determine how an Offeror formulates its labor rates for each particular Zone. It is the offeror’s responsibility to ensure that offered prices comply with all applicable prevailing wage rates.

38. We ask that the Government reconsider providing quantities for the tasks, or at least minimum quantities for the purpose of pricing. While we understand that exact quantities of work are unknown at this time, previous IDIQ contracts provided quantities strictly for the purpose of pricing. This allows all contractors to bid on a level playing field. Material and labor costs rise drastically based on a quantity of one. For example, ordering two yards of concrete delivered to Manhattan on a Saturday could be $2,000 compared to the unit pricing of a truckload.

Response: Quantities of work will be determined at a Task Order level. Each Task Order will have a unique set of requirements. Any quantities provided at this time would be inaccurate.

39. With regard to the masonry line items, should we assume one or two stories above ground?

Ten or twenty? This affects productivity and cost.

Response: Assume the IDIQ unit price masonry line items apply to masonry work three stories above ground and less. Additional costs for masonry work above this height will be negotiated on a Task Order basis.

40. Do the masonry items include the cost of scaffolds and sidewalk sheds?

Response: No. Costs associated with scaffolding and sidewalk sheds will be negotiated separately at the Task Order level if applicable unit price line items do not exist.

41. Lines 976 – 988 refer to decorator, hand carved wood doors. What kind and how intricate are the carvings? This could vary by thousands of dollars.

42. We ask that the government consider an extension to the RFP due date.

Response: The RFP closing date shall be extended from August 15, 2019 2:00 PM EST to August 22, 2019 2:00 PM EST (Amendment 0002).

43. The solicitation states on Page 44 to provide:

"- Two (2)similar projects shall have an award threshold of $150,000 to $1, 000,000;

- Two (2) similar project shall have an award threshold of $1,000,000 to $3,000,000;"

followed by:

"∗ The Government shall consider the following characteristics more favorable:

- IT, Data and Specialty Security Component installation services;

- HVAC, MEP Systems such as: Emergency Generators, Chillers, Cooling Towers, etc.

installation services;

-One (1) or two (2) similar projects that have an award threshold of more than $3,000,000."

Does this mean that up to two of the four similar projects we provide can exceed the threshold of $150,000-$1m and $1-3m as stated in the first paragraph?

Response: Yes.

44. I would like to be on the Windows and Doors for the projects in Richmond, Brooklyn and the Bronx. I am having trouble finding the specs or plans, please let me know where I can find them.

Response: This is a General Construction Design-Build Construction Services IDIQ requirement, no windows or door specifications will be determined at this level. If interested in this acquisition, respond to the solicitation requirements and submit a proposal or subcontract with a company that will submit a proposal to the acquisition.

45. On page 46 of the solicitation (Subfactor 2.4), you ask us to include our “generic project management plan” but you also ask for a written narrative describing our “approach to managing and delivering a project of the size and complexity of this project within budget and on time.” In contrast, on Page 47, you request a “generic construction schedule” but give two examples which we may base this schedule on. Would you like us to use one of those two schedule examples for our technical approach? Or is there another example you would like us to use for the technical approach?

Response: An Offeror may utilize the project examples in the Schedule section to respond to the Technical Approach requirement, but it is not mandatory.

46. Just to confirm at the pre-proposal conference GSA stated they can handle a file size of 25MB for the submission of our Bid Proposal. Please confirm? Multiple Emails may be Required.

Response: This is a confirmation that a file size up to 25MB may be accepted per e-mail submission. Multiple emails may be submitted to submit the entire proposal package.

47. Please provide the sign in sheet and meeting minutes from the pre-proposal conference for Zone 1 and Zone 2

Response: Amendment 0002 will incorporate the sign-in sheets for Zone 1 and Zone 2. The presentation will be incorporated in the solicitation for information purposes only. Meeting Minutes will not be provided.