PreProposal_Minutes_2019_04_09.pdf

PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE

Request for Proposals (RFP) 47PF0019R0056

ELEVATOR MAINTENANCE AND RELATED SERVICES

At 3 Locations in Michigan:

Location 1: Theodore Levin U.S. Courthouse 231 W. Lafayette Blvd.

Detroit, Michigan

Location 2: Rosa Parks Federal Building 333 Mount Elliott Detroit, Michigan

Location 3: Port Huron Federal Building &

U.S. Courthouse 526 Water Street

Port Huron, Michigan

Conference Date/Time: Tuesday, April 9, 2019 at 8:00am Eastern Time - starting at Location 1

Agenda Items are typed in black font, and Meeting Minutes are Typed in Blue Font

NOTE: Please be advised that anything discussed at the conference shall not be interpreted as binding, as only the contents of the Request for Proposal (RFP), and all subsequent amendments, posted to FedBizOpps (www.fbo.gov) are binding. If there are any inconsistencies between the pre-proposal briefing and the contract solicitation, the contract solicitation governs.

The meeting will begin by confirming who is in attendance. Agendas shall be distributed to those in attendance.

Kaye Wierzbicki, Contract Specialist (CS), shall chair the meeting

INTRODUCTION

This is a pre-proposal conference for Solicitation RFP 47PF0019R0056 for Elevator Maintenance and Related Services at the Levin Courthouse, Rosa Parks Federal Building, and Port Huron Federal Building

Offerors’ participation is encouraged. The scheduling of this Pre-Proposal Conference was issued in the Request For Proposal (RFP) posted on FedBizOpps (www.fbo.gov) on March 21, 2019.

The agenda for the conference shall be as follows:

1. Conference attendance and handouts

2. Introduction of the Government Team and their roles and responsibilities

3. Administrative matters

4. Discussion of important requirements of the solicitation

5. Instructions on submission of offers http://www.fbo.gov/

6. Evaluation and method of award

7. Questions from potential offerors (contractors are asked to hold all questions until this question-and-answer period)

8. A site visit/walkthrough immediately following the question-and-answer period. We will walk through Location 1, followed by Location 2. There will be a break for lunch and to allow for travel time to Location 3 (which is about a one-hour drive from Detroit).

CONFERENCE ATTENDANCE AND HAND-OUTS

● All attendees should have received a copy of this agenda.

● There is a sign-in sheet being passed around. Please ensure you fill it out completely

● Please note that the sign-in sheet, agenda, and meeting minutes will be published to FBO and will be visible to the public and all interested parties

GOVERNMENT TEAM

● Contract Specialist – Kaye Wierzbicki; (612) 222-4138; kaye.wierzbicki@gsa.gov –

○ Kaye’s role is to handle any contractual matters on a day-to-day basis. Kaye will escalate any issues to the Contracting Officer when necessary. Kaye has warrant authority up to $250,000.00 and therefore will likely serve as the Contracting Officer for any task orders or modifications below that threshold

● Contracting Officer – Ron Sieben (612) 725-3018; ronald.sieben@gsa.gov

○ Any/all changes to the contract will be issued in writing and signed by the Contracting Officer. The CO alone, without delegation, is authorized to take actions on behalf of the Government to amend, modify, or deviate from the contract terms, conditions, requirements, specifications, details and delivery schedules

● Building Management Specialist, Facilities Operations Team (FOT) - Suzanne Nelson 313- 317-9604, suzanne.nelson@gsa.gov

○ FOTs provide technical guidance, cost estimating guidance, specification preparation, and project management for the base contract as well as subsequent contract modifications. They help coordinate with GSA’s policy division.

● Property Manager/Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) – Joe Blake (313) 226-3710;

joseph.blakejr@gsa.gov

○ The COR or designee is appointed by letter from the CO. CORs or designees are the primary Government representatives for the administration of the Contract. The COR is trained and experienced in administering contracts, but does not have the authority to modify contracts. The COR is well versed and proficient with respect to contract specifications, terms, and conditions. CORs are the first line of communication handling the day-to-day operations of the contract. COR to be designated at time of award.

● Alternate Contracting Officer’s Representative (ACOR) -- Steve Ernest (313) 226-2534;

steven.ernest@gsa.gov

○ The ACOR is designated at the time of award and is authorized to perform all COR functions should the COR be unable to do so mailto:kaye.wierzbicki@gsa.gov mailto:ronald.sieben@gsa.gov mailto:suzanne.nelson@gsa.gov mailto:joseph.blakejr@gsa.gov mailto:steven.ernest@gsa.gov

● Supervisory Property Manager - Laura Marble, 313-226-4440 laura.marble@gsa.gov

○ Laura is the Supervisory Property Manager for the Levin Courthouse Field Office

● Property Manager - Mark Bespalko, (313) 226-7413 mark.bespalko@gsa.gov

○ Mark is also a Property Manager at the Levin Courthouse (Location 1)

ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

A. CONFERENCE PURPOSE

The purpose of the pre-proposal conference is to provide potential offerors with general information about the solicitation. It is not intended to be a comprehensive description of all requirements of the solicitation and subsequent contract, but to describe the requirement, highlight some specific sections of the solicitation, review the source selection procedures, and discuss the security requirements that will be required of the successful awardee.

Any oral responses to questions raised during the conference are not to be construed as an official answer. All questions presented prior to, during, and after the meeting, as well as the official answers, will be documented in writing via an attachment to the solicitation package posted on FedBizOpps (www.fbo.gov).

B. QUESTIONS, ANSWERS, AND ATTENDANCE SHEETS

Any questions following the conclusion of the meeting must be submitted in writing to the Contract Specialist, Kaye Wierzbicki, at kaye.wierzbicki@gsa.gov and to the Contracting Officer, Ron Sieben, at ronald.sieben@gsa.gov . The deadline for submitting all questions is by 5:00PM Central Time on April 10, 2019. Questions submitted following that deadline might not be answered prior to the solicitation closing date.

Responses to all questions will be posted on or about April 17, 2019.

C. WAGE DETERMINATION BASED ON A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT

Offerors are cautioned that the Wage Determination included in this solicitation is based upon an existing collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Please refer to this Wage Determination as you formulate your proposals.

D. SOLICITATION OVERVIEW

The NAICS code for this solicitation is 238290 (Other Building Equipment Contractors) with a size standard of $15 million dollars. This procurement is unrestricted and open to all business concerns. All responsible sources may submit a proposal that will be considered by the agency.

Any large business that submits an offer must also submit a Subcontracting Plan.

It is the offeror’s responsibility to monitor the FedBizOpps website for updates to the RFP that have been issued through an amendment.

mailto:laura.marble@gsa.gov mailto:mark.bespalko@gsa.gov mailto:kaye.wierzbicki@gsa.gov mailto:ronald.sieben@gsa.gov

All proposals submitted must acknowledge all amendments to the solicitation. Failure to do so may result in the disqualification of the offer as being non-responsive.

This is a negotiated procurement. Therefore, there will not be a public opening of the offers received. Also, contractors cannot obtain the pricing associated with any offers received, with the exception of the awardee.

The contract contemplated by this solicitation will have one 10-month base period beginning 9/1/2019 with four 1-year option periods through 8/31/2024 correction: ending June 30, 2024.

The proposal closing date and time is Monday, April 22, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. Central time.

PLEASE NOTE THE TIME ZONE.

The Government noted that vendors should be aware that the service locations are in the Eastern Time zone but the contracting office for this procurement is located in the Central Time zone. The proposal submission deadlines are based on the contracting office’s location, which is why all deadlines are based on Central Time.

Offerors shall submit with their offer the following documents:

• Offeror Representations and Certifications (See Section K)

• Information Regarding Responsibility Matters (See Section K)

• Standard Form 33 – Solicitation, Offer, and Award

• Section B – Supplies or Services and Prices Offer

• Offeror’s Checklist (See Section L)

• Quality Control Plan (See Section C)

• Past Performance References (See Attachment A in Section L)

• Subcontracting Plan (N/A to Small Business Concerns)

• Cost Proposal Worksheets (this is located as an Excel attachment on FBO)

Offerors were reminded that, to minimize confusion, they should be aware that they should be providing their Unit pricing in Section B (i.e. the monthly pricing; hourly pricing; etc.).

Please see the top of the column in the pricing chart in Section B, which states the Unit.

IMPORTANT REQUIREMENTS OF THE SOLICITATION

Solicitation Sections of Particular Note: ***the following are excerpts of the listed sections, and do not reflect the sections in full. Please see the solicitation document for all requirements pertaining to the sections listed below.***

B.1. Description of Services The Contractor shall provide all management, supervision, labor, materials, supplies and equipment (except as otherwise provided), and shall plan, schedule, coordinate and assure effective performance of all services described herein. [. . .] Offerors must submit offers for all locations in order to be considered for award.

B.5 Note to Offerors

a. Include all costs for emergency call-back service during normal working hours in the price per month for standard services. Also include in the price per month for standard services, the cost for overtime associated with the maintenance and testing specifically identified in the solicitation to be performed outside normal working hours. Additional overtime services that may be required will be ordered using the hourly rate specified in B.4.

b. Quote single per hour prices for emergency call-back during other than normal working hours, overtime and additional services (see Exhibit 4 Definitions) regardless of any commitments on the part of the offeror to pay varying salary rates or travel expenses to its employees. These prices must include all expenses for overhead, General and Administrative (G&A) and profit. No separate allowance for travel time, parking, overhead, G&A or profit will be applied when hourly services are used.

c. Offerors are cautioned not to confuse overtime services with additional services. Additional services are defined as any work requested by the Government that is within the scope of this contract but in addition to the contract requirements. Overtime services are defined as work within the scope of the contract originally intended to be performed during normal working hours, where the Government requests the work be performed outside of normal working hours to expedite the return of a piece of equipment to operating condition or to minimize disruption to tenants.

d. The number of hours shown for hourly services represents an estimate of the Government’s anticipated need and is for evaluation purposes only.

e. The term “elevator” is intended to include all elevator, escalator, dumbwaiter, handicap lift, courtroom lift and wall glider equipment, if applicable, at the location.

f. Offerors should visit the building and become familiar with existing conditions; examine all contract documents relating to this work, and carefully review the requirements contained in this specification.

Offerors shall determine any conditions which affect the work and make a thorough site investigation before submitting an offer. No allowances will be made for failure of an offeror to avail themselves of such information.

C.2 Scope of Work The Contractor shall provide full elevator maintenance service, in compliance with the ASME Safety Code requirements, manufacturer's recommendations, Elevator Industry Field Employees’ Safety Handbook, National Electrical Code, and all other applicable laws, regulations, rules, ordinances, codes, etc. Full maintenance service is defined as all services, repairs, inspections and testing necessary to maintain all elevators, appurtenances, and accessories in a fully operational mode at all times except for pre-scheduled downtime including all labor, parts and materials. In part, this includes maintenance and repair of door seals, light bulbs and lighting fixtures in elevator spaces (cars, hoist ways, tops and bottoms of cars, and pits), and maintaining acceptable ride quality which may require periodic evaluation and adjustment of guide rails. [. . .] All tests required by code will be conducted at no additional cost to the government regardless of when the testing is performed.

The portion of the Preventive Maintenance Program for Location1, elevators # 2 and # 9 requires elevator shutdown be performed before 7:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m. Monday – Friday, or anytime Saturday or Sunday.

C.2.1.2 Repair & Replacements The Contractor shall be responsible for all costs associated with accomplishing repairs and replacements including labor, equipment, materials, supplies and subcontracts for all equipment and systems specified herein. The Contractor shall not be required to make renewals or repairs made necessary by reason of negligence or misuse of the equipment by persons other than the Contractor, his/her representatives, employees and subcontractors, or by reason of any other cause beyond the control of the Contractor, except ordinary wear and tear. This does not exempt deficiencies from coverage under this contract that may have developed or were caused prior to the contract effective date. There are no exemptions for obsolescence of any particular component.

Excluded from this contract are unprotected hydraulic cylinders and underground piping for hydraulic elevators.

At this point, a vendor asked for additional clarification on obsolescence. Please see the Questions and Answers attachment for GSA’s official question-and-answer.

Contractors were also reminded that deficiencies in the equipment that develop over the course of the contract period, or that were caused prior to the contract effective date, are also not exempt from coverage. The Contractor shall still be responsible for all costs associated with repairs and replacements. The only exceptions are very limited—such as tenant misuse/negligence or an Act of God.

C.2.1.9 Uninterrupted Elevator Service GSA requires uninterrupted elevator service to support the mission of tenant agencies and ensure safe and reliable elevator service for the public that visit our facilities. To ensure uninterrupted service, any needed repairs must be scheduled and completed promptly. Failure to maintain an adequate stock of repair parts on site, availability of manpower or access to subcontract resources will not be considered an acceptable reason for delay. If specialty parts or components are needed, the Contractor will be required to secure those materials in an expedited manner.

C.4. Personnel The Contractor shall have in its employ at all times a sufficient number of staff with the required expertise and experience to fully execute the requirements of this contract. Any changes in personnel assigned to this contract, including journeyman elevator mechanics, helpers, supervisors and project managers must be approved by the CO or designee prior to the reassignment of any such personnel. All new personnel must meet all qualifications as stipulated and resumes for all new personnel must be submitted to the CO and or designee prior to any reassignment of personnel on this contract.

Contractors were reminded that the specifications outline the minimum required experience for elevator technicians who work under this contract. Potential offerors were asked to ensure that they review their staffing plans carefully to ensure that their technicians meet the requirements as outlined in the Scope of Work.

C.8.2 Adjustments and Tests All tests required by code will be conducted at no additional cost to the government regardless of when the testing is performed.

C.10. On Premise Requirements The specified on-premise requirement is not to be construed as the time required to perform the work under this contract. The on-premise requirement is intended only to establish minimum site visits and should not be construed as limiting or constraining performance. The Contractor must determine the number of hours and staffing necessary to fulfill the contract requirements. The Contractor shall provide a schedule for each location including date/time for site visit(s):

Location 1: The Contractor shall have qualified personnel onsite 4 consecutive hours daily during normal working hours, Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays, to provide all required preventive maintenance, monitor the operational status of the elevator system and respond to all types of service calls.

Location 2 and 3: The Contractor shall have qualified personnel visit the site weekly during normal working hours, Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays, to provide all required preventive maintenance, monitor the operational status of the elevator system and respond to all types of service calls.

Contractors were reminded that this is a performance-based contract, so contractors are responsible for meeting the performance standards as outlined in the contract. This means that staffing plans might need to exceed the minimum number of labor-hours outlined here in order to ensure that requirements are met.

C.11.1 Routine Service Calls Service calls are responses and subsequent repairs or adjustments of elevator equipment and systems or problems reported to the Contractor by building occupants or GSA personnel. The Contractor shall respond promptly, within two (2) hours, to requests for routine service. If the service call cannot be resolved within two (2) hours, the Contractor shall immediately secure the elevator if the issue prevents the elevator from operating in a safe and reliable manner, excluding Location 1 priority elevators #2 & #9. In the case of priority elevators, the work shall continue with immediate notification to the COR of the problem and time and date corrective action will be taken.

C.12.1 Emergency Call-Back Service Emergency call-back service consists of promptly responding to requests for emergency service 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. The contractor shall report to the site of the emergency within thirty

(30) minutes of the time of notification and shall remain on the job until the emergency has been resolved.

Contractors were reminded that the response times for routine service calls and emergency call-backs are identical for all three locations. Therefore offerors should make plans for how this requirement can be met for the Port Huron location in particular, since it is roughly a 1-hour drive from the city of Detroit.

At this point, a potential offeror asked about the definition of an “emergency.” Please see the Question and Answer attachment for the official written question and answer.

C.12.2 Emergency Call-Back Pricing

The Contractor will include all costs for emergency call-back services during the normal working hours (refer to Section F) in the monthly price for basic services. The Contractor will be reimbursed at the hourly rate specified in Section B for emergency call-back service during other than normal working hours. The Contractor will be reimbursed only for the time spent on site.

C.16.1 Quality Control Plan (QCP) The Quality Control Plan must be submitted with the initial offer. The Contractor must maintain continuity of services, without interruption, throughout the entire term of the contract. To maintain these critical services, the Contractor shall execute specific, detailed plans how this service continuity will be maintained. [. . .]

a. Task and Frequencies

b. Inspection Methods and Frequencies

c. Roles and Responsibilities of Key Personnel

d. Records and Files

e. Progress Report

f. Strike Contingency Plan (SCP)

g. Contractor Emergency Plan (CEP)

16.2.3 GSA/Contractor Meetings

An initial step in avoiding disputes and claims is to settle minor problems and misunderstandings at the lowest possible level. Accordingly, the contractor or the Contractor's on-site representative shall meet with the CO or their designee or his representative frequently, but not less than twice each month during the first three (3) months of the contract. Thereafter, meetings shall be as often as necessary at the discretion of the COR, generally monthly unless COR determines otherwise.

16.2.4 Performance Evaluation

During the life of the contract, Contractor performance will be documented by means of the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS), written inspections, and minutes of meetings, GSA/customer surveys and records which will be retained as part of the official contract file.

E.6. Deductions

a. General It is the objective of the Government to obtain complete and satisfactory performance in accordance with the terms of the specifications and requirements in this contract. To this end, the Government is contracting for the complete performance of each task identified in the specifications, and deductions may therefore, be made as stipulated in this Section. Deductions for work performed improperly may be made as though the work has not been performed.

e. Withholding Monies for Non-submission of Reports If the Contractor fails to prepare and/or submit acceptable reports as called for in Section C, DESCRIPTION / SPECIFICATION, within the required time frame, this may be construed to mean that the contract work has not been performed and the Government will withhold all payments until the required reports are satisfactorily completed and/or submitted to the COR.

F.3. Options

a. The Government shall have the unilateral option of extending the term of this contract for four (4) consecutive additional periods of one (1) year each. Refer to FAR 52.217-9, Option to Extend the Term of the Contract in Section I.

b. The government may require continued performance of any services within the limits and at the rates specified herein. Refer to FAR 52.217-8, Option to Extend Services in Section I.

H.1.4 Suitability Determinations

(a) All contract employees requiring routine unescorted access to Federally-controlled facilities and/or information systems for more than 6 months (Regular Employees) will be required to undergo a suitability determination and receive a favorable preliminary status before a facility identification card is issued. Prior to the time that an identification card is issued, such Regular Employees will be required to comply with normal facility access control procedures, including sign-in, temporary badging, and escorted entry, as applicable.

Offerors were reminded that appropriate clearances need to be obtained for all individuals who may perform work in the facility. This means that, in addition to regular staff, any individuals who might need to respond to after-hours emergencies; any alternate technicians; on-call substitute; etc. would need to go through the full clearance process. The clearance process is a high priority for GSA, and the process can be time-consuming and requires active management by the successful awardee.

Therefore, it is in all parties’ best interests for potential offerors to review Section H carefully and ensure they have a full understanding of the clearance process. It can take several weeks for an individual to move through the clearance process.

At this point, a contractor asked a question about whether the process is different for technicians who have been cleared at other locations. Please refer to the Question and Answer attachment for the official written question and GSA’s official response.

Section J - Exhibit 1 Equipment to be Maintained and Repaired The inventory provided herein represents the most accurate and current record of equipment and systems, however the offeror is responsible to verify the accuracy of this information with on-site inspections prior to proposal submission. The building and equipment statistics contained herein are for informational purposes only and in no way modify the requirements of FAR 52.237-1, Site Visit.

Offerors are cautioned to inspect the building(s) and equipment prior to submitting their offers.

Note there are elevators currently under construction. Upon award of the contract, you can expect a contract modification to remove these 2 elevators from the services contract until such time as the elevators are operational and can fall under the services contract.

There are two concurrent construction projects impacting the elevators at Location 1: there are two brand-new elevators (one freight, one passenger) currently under construction. Additionally, there are elevators that are undergoing modernization at Location 1. This modernization is being done in pairs, with two elevators being removed from service at a time for the modernization project. After those two elevators are modernized, they are returned to service and two further elevators are removed to undergo modernization, etc.

The specifications have language concerning the removal from elevators from service for projects in Section E.6(J). Therefore, the successful awardee can likely expect to see contract modifications concerning which specific elevators are to be removed from the services contract. In this event, an equitable adjustment would be negotiated to reduce the contract price accordingly. However, contractors are asked to provide their pricing based on the full equipment list as it is reflected in Section J, Exhibit 1. Contractors shall NOT provide their pricing based on the assumption that certain elevators are not in service. In order to ensure a fair evaluation that fulfills competition requirements, contractors are to provide pricing based on ALL elevators within the scope of the contract, and individual price reductions are to be effected via contract modifications after award.

At this point, there was an extensive discussion surrounding questions regarding the nature of the construction work currently being performed on Location 1’s elevators as well as warranty coverage and time-frames. Please refer to the Question-and-Answer attachment for these questions.

CONTRACTOR’S PROPOSAL CONTENTS AND INSTRUCTIONS

Instructions on submission of proposals can be found in Section L6 of the proposal.

L.6. Instructions for Submitting Proposals

(b) Past Performance Past performance will be considered relevant if it meets all of the following criteria:

• Full Elevator Maintenance Service of similar scope in a commercial or government owned facility of similar type and use?

• Full Elevator Maintenance Service for equipment of comparable type and complexity

• For a completed contract, within five years from the closing date of this solicitation

• For a current contract, the performance period is at least 2 consecutive years

Offerors shall complete Attachment A – Past Performance References Sheet at the end of this section. This form must be completed for each reference submitted that meets the criteria identified above. If the offeror submits under a teaming arrangement, unless the references submitted are for the teaming arrangement, each firm in the teaming arrangement will be evaluated and the composite score will be the average of all the scores for each firm of the teaming arrangement.

The Government is not required to conduct or complete reference checks on more than 3 contracts, although it may choose to do so. Additionally, if more than 3 references are provided, the Government reserves the right to choose which references to include in its evaluation.

In addition to those references provided directly by the offeror, the Contracting Officer may identify and analyze the past performance of the offeror on any other relevant contract that they currently have or had of which the Contracting Officer has knowledge or obtains knowledge, including but not limited to projects listed in the Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS). Because of the wide variety of past performance history of individual offerors, the Government is not required to ensure that an equal number of references be obtained for each offeror.

L.13. Instructions on Electronic Submission of Offers All proposals must be submitted electronically. Hard-copy proposals will not be accepted. Submit your proposal to the email addresses listed on the Standard Form 33: kaye.wierzbicki@gsa.gov and ronald.sieben@gsa.gov. The entire proposal – including all forms and attachments – must be received in full in this inbox prior to the proposal due date and time. Due to the large file sizes involved, offerors are encouraged to allow plenty of time for email delivery and not assume that email transmission will happen instantaneously. If multiple emails are required in order to submit a proposal, offerors are encouraged to number their emails clearly in the Subject Line (e.g. “Email 1 of 2”; “Email 3 of 3”; etc.). All proposals will be acknowledged via email reply. However, the acknowledgment will not verify the completeness or accuracy of offers.

For example, the email acknowledging the receipt of offers will state that the proposal was received and might list the number of emails and attachments that came through. However, the acknowledgment email will NOT state whether or not certain solicitation requirements are or are not met (such as the submission of the QCP).

EVALUATION AND METHOD OF AWARD

M.1. Basis of Award The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose proposal conforms to the solicitation and provides the best value to the Government based on the evaluation factors. The evaluation factors to be used are total evaluated price and past performance.

Past performance is significantly more important than price.

M.3. Total Evaluated Price (TEP) The total evaluated price will be determined by multiplying prices from Section B - SERVICES, ORDERING, AND PRICES by the quantities listed for each item (including monthly prices and line items inclusive of the BASE period and all OPTION periods). The summation of the resultant amounts will produce a total evaluated price.

In other words, the TEP accounts for all cost elements under this contract, including the standard monthly service pricing as well as all line items that are multiplied by the estimated quantities as listed in Section B.

PROCUREMENT PROCESS/ SOURCE SELECTION PROCESS

a) Proposals shall be received by the Contract Specialist, Kaye Wierzbicki

b) Proposals shall be reviewed for completeness and responsiveness.

c) Proposals are evaluated in accordance with the terms of the solicitation (i.e. the evaluation factors)

d) Contracting Officer makes determination to award, or establishes a competitive range and begins discussions with all offerors in the competitive range.

e) After receipt of final offers, award is made to the offeror providing the best value to the Government.

The Government reserves the right to make award without discussions, so offerors should submit their best possible pricing with their initial offers. However, this is a negotiated procurement under

FAR Part 15 and therefore one or more rounds of negotiation might take place with any offerors in the competitive range.

SAM REGISTRATION

All contractors must have current and active registrations in www.sam.gov in order to submit a proposal. Please ensure you have registered for SAM and ensured your registration is still active as soon as possible.

Offerors were asked to note that this is a fairly recent policy change: previously, SAM registrations had to be active prior to award. Now, however, SAM registrations must be active prior to submission of offers. All prospective offerors should double-check their status is SAM as soon as possible to ensure that their offer can be considered.

Thank you very much for attending the pre-proposal conference.

At this point, two additional questions were asked by prospective offerors, which are both reflected in the Question-and-Answer attachment. The discussion portion of the Pre-Proposal conference concluded at approximately 9:15am Eastern Time.

Offerors were requested not to ask questions during the walkthrough to ensure that all questions were captured accurately and completely. Offerors were requested to submit additional questions that might come up in writing via email to the Contract Specialist by 5pm Central Time on April 10, 2019 to ensure an official and timely response.

Then the site visit/walkthrough took place. Offerors had the opportunity to view the cars, pits, and mechanical rooms at all three locations. Location 1 was visited first, followed by Locations 2 and 3.

The visit concluded at Location 3 (Port Huron) at approximately 2:15PM Eastern Time.