Q and A for Arkansas AE.pdf

Questions and Answers for Solicitation 47PH0821R0003 - Supplemental

Architectural and Engineering Services for State of Arkansas

1. Is GSA giving preference to Arkansas firms over those who have an office location in Region 7 but not in Arkansas?

Per the solicitation, the evaluation team will consider the team’s ability to accomplish at least 35 percent of the required A/E services by a firm located within the geographical delineated area (Arkansas).

2. What is the service area for this Contract? Does it extend beyond Arkansas?

The primary service area for this contract is the State of Arkansas. The secondary contract areas will be the States of Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Rarely would we require a contractor to perform work outside their primary zone.

3. What types of projects do you anticipate being included in this Contract?

The scope of the projects can vary in size and scope. Generally much of the work is for the replacement of equipment/materials, such as roofs, chillers, fire alarm, finishes, etc. It also includes the rehabilitation of historic enclosures, tenant changes, and energy upgrades.

4. Is that geographically delineated area the state of Arkansas or does it include

Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Louisiana? For instance, can an A/E team consisting of firms from Texas and Nebraska qualify, given that the firm from

Texas is doing over 35% of the work?

At least 35% of the A/E contract services will be accomplished by the successful firm within the primary geographical boundaries of that zone. Meaning that 35% of the work must be performed by the primary located within the primary zone of

Arkansas.

5. Does the 35% local firm requirement apply to each individual task order that may come out of this contract or is the 35% local evaluated for the total projects under the contract?

The contract is for Arkansas, so task orders issued under that contract would primarily be for the State of Arkansas. Rarely would we require a contractor to perform work outside their primary zone of Arkansas. So, the 35% applies to the entire contract.

6. Is the delineated area Arkansas or all of GSA Region 7 (Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas)?

The delineated area is the State of Arkansas.

7. As a follow up to the pre-proposal conference call, can you please confirm whether the NAICS code assigned to the solicitation will remain 541310 -

Architectural Services or be changed to 541330 - Engineering Services? If it is changed to 541330, can you confirm that the small business size standard will increase to $16.5M to align with that NAICS code? Also, if it is changed to

541330, will GSA still only consider responses by Small Businesses if GSA receives submittals from three qualified SBEs?

At this time the NAICS code will remain what is in the current solicitation. The current NAICS code is 541310 - Architectural Services. In the past we have had engineering firms be the prime and teamed with architects, but the engineering firm would have to have the 541310 NAICS in their SAM profile? Engineering firms acting as the prime contractor may subcontract with architects, but the prime contractor must have the 541310 NAICS code in their SAM Registration.

8. Selection Criteria e., Location in and Knowledge of Geographical Area, speaks to a firm’s ability to accomplish at least 35 percent of the required A/E services located within the geographical delineated area. Is the geographical delineated area for this solicitation the State of Arkansas or is it the broader Region 7?

The State of Arkansas.

9. In regards to the above project, is there a requirement for minority firms?

Per the solicitation, this procurement is unrestricted; meaning that it is open to all businesses regardless of size. If the evaluation board concludes that there are less than three (3) technically acceptable proposals from small businesses, then the board will evaluate all the proposals received.

Additionally, firms submitting proposals should be under The North American

Industrial Classification System Code (NAICS) applicable to this solicitation. The

NAICS code is 541310, Architectural Services, which has a size standard of $8 million in average annual receipts.

The evaluation will consider the team’s ability to accomplish at least 35 percent of the required A/E services by a firm located within the geographical delineated area.