RFQ_A&E-MSP_72026819R00001.pdf

Solicitation Number: 72026819R00001

A&E-MSP IDIQ

ATTACHMENT 1 – DESCRIPTION OF DESIGN/ENGINEERING SERVICES

1. INTRODUCTION:

The USAID/Lebanon’s Architect and Engineering Mission Support Program (A&E-MSP) contributes to the achievement of United States Government (USG) foreign policy objectives through supporting the quality implementation of the ‘objectives’ of infrastructure rehabilitation and construction interventions funded by USAID. The purpose of the A&E-MSP is to provide independent Quality Assurance oversight over all engineering and construction activities undertaken by the Mission’s Implementing Partners under other separate awards, and to advise USAID/Lebanon on all engineering and construction related matters. These services predominantly require performance or approval by registered and licensed A&E professionals.

2. BACKGROUND

USAID/Lebanon (the Mission) has historically funded construction interventions as an essential supplementary component to fulfill the strategic objectives sought under its programs. During the past 10 years, the Mission has funded a number of construction and rehabilitation interventions for miscellaneous facilities including public schools; water and wastewater utilities; communal and municipal services; and agricultural and eco-touristic facilities. These interventions were performed as a component of a project/activity of a wider scope and objective undertaken by Mission Implementing Partners (IPs) under separate awards. The majority of these interventions were of a small to medium scale. The best example of these interventions are those being currently implemented under two of the Mission’s activities ‘Building Alliance for Local Advancement, Development, and Investment’ (BALADI), and the Lebanon Water Project (LWP). The following link shows the list of construction interventions under the BALADI activity: http://baladi-lebanon.org/project/, and, the following link to LWP’s third annual report has information about construction interventions under this activity: https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PA00TDHM.pdf.

As the Mission plans for future activities, around $50 million worth of engineering and construction interventions are anticipated to be funded under one or more of its ongoing activities and those activities to be procured within the coming seven years. Similar to the previous interventions, the Mission will task its IPs with both the design and implementation of these construction interventions in their respective awards to accomplish a wider scope of interventions underneath a higher level project/activity objective. The scale and scope of these interventions is not determined yet. It is rather identified progressively on a rolling basis by the Mission IPs depending on needs assessments conducted by the IPs. The Mission however anticipates that the scale and scope of these interventions will be similar to those currently undertaken by the above referenced BALADI and LWP activities, and will include rehabilitation, upgrade, and construction of new facilities. In terms of capital cost, the interventions are anticipated to vary between a few thousand dollars and a couple million dollars, but not to exceed $10 million per intervention. The below is the Mission’s anticipation of the capital value per intervention grouped by three capital cost categories of interventions along with the anticipated periods of their occurrence. Variation of the below forecast is inevitable as the IPs progress with their awards and start identifying construction interventions in the future.

http://baladi-lebanon.org/project/ http://baladi-lebanon.org/project/ https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PA00TDHM.pdf

Capital cost value (per intervention)

Total anticipated share (for the group of interventions)

Anticipated Timeframe of implementation

$15,000 to $300,000 $15,000,000 2019 - 2025

$300,000 - $5,000,000 $15,000,000 2020 - 2025

> $5,000,000 $20,000,000 2021 - 2026

3. OBJECTIVES

The Contractor will provide for the following disciplines:

(1) Professional services of an architectural or engineering nature, as defined by US State law, if applicable, which are required to be performed or approved by a person licensed, registered, or certified to provide those services;

(2) Professional services of an architectural or engineering nature performed by contract that are associated with research, planning, development, design, construction, alteration, or repair of real property; and

(3) Other professional services of an architectural or engineering nature, or of incidental services, that members of the architectural and engineering professions (and individuals in their employ) may logically or justifiably perform, including studies, investigations, surveying and mapping, tests, evaluations, consultations, comprehensive planning, program management, conceptual designs, plans and specifications, value engineering, construction phase services, soils engineering, design drawings reviews, peer reviews, preparation of operating and maintenance manuals, and other related services.

4. DESCRIPTION OF DESIGN/ENGINEERING SERVICES

The Contractor must, when directed by USAID, provide all services from project conception through close-out. Task Orders under this IDIQ may call for the provision of A&E services or a combination of services including, but not limited to, the services outlined in this section.

The Contractor will provide multi-discipline engineering and construction management services in support of the Mission’s infrastructure activities implemented by IPs under other separate awards.

These are professional services of an architectural or engineering nature associated with research, planning, development, design, studies, construction, alteration, repair, construction management, capacity and institutional building, and any other services related to infrastructure development. The Contractor will provide services for USAID on contractual, administrative, engineering, construction, and technical issues of various multi-discipline infrastructure projects that will be implemented by USAID Lebanon.

The nature of the work to be performed for each Task Order will be prescribed in a statement of work (SOW) specific to each individual Task Order. A full range of program management services may be required, from initial design of the infrastructure through completion of construction and training.

A. GENERAL MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION

The Contractor will be responsible for recruiting adequate, qualified staff, rent office space, and procure equipment required to manage and maintain an engineering and construction management office in Lebanon.

B. QUALITY ASSURANCE AND OVERSIGHT OVER MISSION IPs

The majority of A&E services required by the Contractor are to be performed in relationship with engineering and construction interventions undertaken by the Mission IPs under other separate awards. The IPs will have a Project Management (PM) role over their engineering and construction activities, including design, implementation, construction management, and quality control. The Contractor will have a Quality Assurance (QA) role over USAID’s IPs and will serve as USAID’s engineering advisor on all engineering and construction related matters undertaken by other IPs.

The Contractor will not direct or instruct the IPs, but will rather report to the Mission. The business relationships between the Mission, the Contractor, and the concerned IPs and the roles of each will be explained and streamlined in a Quality Control / Quality Assurance (QA/QC) Protocol that will be developed after award and mutually agreed to by the aforementioned three entities.

Below is a list of the tasks required from the Contractor in relationship with engineering and construction interventions undertaken by the Mission IPs, grouped under three categories:

B.1 ENGINEERING AND DESIGN SUPPORT

Under this category, the Contractor will assist the Mission with the determination on the adequacy of the engineering designs of construction interventions proposed by the Mission IPs, through the following:

• Reviewing and verifying the soundness and completeness of feasibility studies and cost/benefit analysis.

• Reviewing and verifying the soundness and completeness of engineering designs, specifications, and bill of quantities (BOQs).

• Verifying the cost and scale reasonability of the proposed designs.

• Verifying the environmental soundness of designs and the consideration of climate change risks.

• Reviewing and verifying the reasonability and need for change of designs, scope, and cost of interventions that have been already authorized by the Mission.

• Identifying value-engineering opportunities to the Mission to be suggested to the IPs.

B.2 IMPLEMENTATION SUPPORT

Under this category, the Contractor will assist the Mission with field oversight over construction interventions undertaken by the Mission IPs, through the following:

• Reviewing and verifying the feasibility of construction schedules of selected interventions.

• Reviewing and verifying the soundness and completeness of IP’s own procedures for construction quality control, safety management, and material approvals.

• Reviewing and verifying the soundness and completeness of other technical engineering and construction submissions by the IPs, including but not limited to: mobilization plan, method statements, work plans, organizational plans, engineering calculations, material approval procedures and submissions, and operation and maintenance manuals.

• Participating in regular construction meetings on behalf of USAID and preparation of minutes of meetings.

• Performing field visits, monitoring the progress of construction interventions, and reporting to the Mission on overall progress, schedule, and quality of construction interventions.

• Ensuring IPs compliance with local requirements prior to initiation of construction, for instance the requirements of building permits, traffic control permits, local environmental compliance, occupational insurance needs, and relevant subcontractor’s surety.

• Verifying the IP’s compliance with their own procedures for construction quality control, safety management, and material approvals.

• Verifying the IP’s compliance with USAID’s environmental requirements.

• Verifying independently the quality of completed facilities/products, if and when needed.

• Assisting the Mission with the determination on the relevance, need, and reasonability of cost of construction ‘Change Orders’ proposed by IPs, if and when needed.

• Inspecting completed works and verifying the substantial competition of construction inventions, including the identification of defects and verification of defects rectification by IPs.

• Verifying the soundness and completion of all necessary construction close-out documents including operation and maintenance manuals, warranties, and as-built drawings of the completed interventions.

• Verifying the receipt and approval of completed facilities by relevant beneficiaries including receipt of necessary manuals, warranties, and as-built drawings.

B.3 POST-IMPLEMENTATION SUPPORT

Under this category, the Contractor will assist the Mission during the post-completion period of construction interventions, if and when applicable, through the following:

• Verifying the proper operation of the completed facilities.

• Verifying the IPs compliance with defect liability and warranty periods, if and when applicable.

• Verifying the IPs compliance with Advise and Assist periods, or Operation and

Maintenance period, if and when applicable.

• Conducting final inspection and verifying of final completion and handing over of facilities to relevant beneficiaries.

C. MISCELLANEOUS MISSION ENGINEERING SUPPORT

On rare occasions, the Contractor will be required to provide A&E support and advice to the Mission on engineering and construction related matters that are not related to the Mission’s IPs implementation of construction interventions under their respective awards. Below is an illustrative example of potential required support:

• Preparation of engineering assessments and fact finding reports for the Mission.

• Development of designs and tender documents for the Mission for construction interventions that the Mission may decide to implement directly.

• Assistance to the Mission with the procurement of direct engineering and construction services.

D. CROSS-CUTTING CONSIDERATIONS

The Contractor should be familiar with Agency policies as Task Orders may include elements of these documents. Below is a list of USAID policies that may be integrated into Task Orders:

● Evaluation Policy : http://www.usaid.gov/evaluation/policy

● USAID Forward: http://www.usaid.gov/usaidforward

● Climate Change Adaptation Plan: http://www.usaid.gov/sustainability/climate-change-adaptation-plan

● Other Sector Specific Policies: http://www.usaid.gov/results-and-data/planning/policy

Additionally, Task Orders performed under this contract must build the capacity of local organizations. In accordance with Local Capacity Development business rules under ADS 201, organizations must meet the following requirements in order to qualify as “local:”

● Be organized under the laws of recipient country;

● Have its principal place of business in the recipient country;

● Be majority owned by individuals who are citizens or lawful permanent residents of the recipient country or be managed by a governing body, the majority of whom are citizens or lawful permanent residents of a recipient country; and

● Not be controlled by a foreign entity or by an individual or individuals who are not citizens or permanent residents of the recipient country.

USAID expects the Contractor to subcontract with local contractors to the maximum extent possible. Designs that are common in the U.S. may not be applicable in the context of a developing country, and projects and activities must comply with appropriate national and international standards, and reflect Agency best practices.

Furthermore, because infrastructure can be costly and is often built to last for decades, these assets are uniquely affected by climate change, though impacts will vary across different infrastructure http://www.usaid.gov/evaluation/policy http://www.usaid.gov/evaluation/policy http://www.usaid.gov/usaidforward http://www.usaid.gov/usaidforward http://www.usaid.gov/sustainability/climate-change-adaptation-plan http://www.usaid.gov/sustainability/climate-change-adaptation-plan http://www.usaid.gov/results-and-data/planning/policy types and locations. It is critical that the potential impacts of climate change be considered as part of overall program and project development to ensure resiliency and sustainability. This needs to begin at the planning phase and continue throughout the life of a project. An ongoing process of adaptive management can help decision-makers understand vulnerability, assess climate impacts, identify priorities, and take appropriate adaptation actions.

5. IDIQ PERSONNEL REQUIREMENTS

5.1 IDIQ Personnel

The Contractor will provide the central management necessary to fulfill all the requirements of the contract, including cost and quality control and quality assurance of all tasks and assignments.

The Contractor must provide one Key Personnel position, an IDIQ Manager, who will satisfy the following criteria.

IDIQ Manager:. This position is the primary point of contact for USAID. The IDIQ Manager should be able to provide vision, direction, and leadership and will bear primary responsibility for all technical aspects of contract performance, as well as management related requirements of the contract, such as procurement, personnel, reporting, and financial administration. Specifically, the IDIQ Manager will:

1. Respond to Task Order requests and provide central management and oversight of Task Orders under this award, working collaboratively and often with USAID central and field project managers, technical officers, COs, and meet and consult regularly with the IDIQ

COR.

2. Select and provide technical and administrative direction and guidance, as well as provide and support all technical experts carrying out technical requirements.

3. Report to USAID in accordance with USAID contractual reporting requirements.

4. Ensure quality and control methods are conducted in a consistent and transparent manner for all contracted tasks and functions.

Desired Qualifications: The IDIQ Manager should have strong writing and oral presentation skills, and be knowledgeable about the overall technical, administrative and logistical responsibility for the effective, efficient, and timely implementation of all activities undertaken by the contractor. The IDIQ Manager should hold at least a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering or architecture and 15 years of project management experience. S/he should have demonstrated experience of at least three years in managing projects of a similar size and scope in developing countries. Oral and written English language skills should be commensurate with a U.S. professional environment.

6. MONITORING AND COMPLIANCE

USAID monitors and evaluates the progress of all project activities toward achieving or advancing its objectives based upon selected performance indicators.

Reporting Schedule

1. IDIQ Annual Reports: Annual Reports will be due by October 31 of each year. The report must include an activity tracking matrix that shows the status of all task orders under execution over the year. Accomplishments, constraints, proposed and implemented constraint solutions, constraint resolution, and budget status for each task order must be presented. Annual reports must be delivered to the IDIQ COR in electronic format as may be agreed upon with the IDIQ COR.

2. Task Order Reports: Below is a listing of illustrative Task Order Reports which will be due as specified in each Task Order contract.

a. Mobilization Plan: to be submitted for the Contracting Representative Officer’s (COR) approval one week after award. The plan includes the Contractor’s estimated timeframes for mobilizing to Lebanon, securing office space, and deploying staff, and interim arrangements until full mobilization of the Contractor’s team is completed.

b. Staffing Plan: to be submitted for COR’s approval one month after award. The plan includes the following, and must be updated by the Contractor and approved by the COR for any change to the below indicated ‘Technical positions’ category:

- A list of positions required for the contract, with a statement of the required qualifications of each position, in addition to: the location of duty of the position (Home Office, Field), type of engagement (Long term, Short Term), and source of labor (US, TCN, expat). The list must be grouped by the following categories: Home office positions, Direct Technical positions (including Key personnel and other technical essential staff), and Program Support positions.

- Organization Chart of the positions populated with names of relevant personnel, with a brief description of the lines of responsibility of each position.

- An annex including the resumes of the assigned personnel for ‘Direct Technical positions’ only.

- Table of Level of Effort (LOE) reflecting the above groups, location, type, and source.

c. Quality Assurance Plan (QAP): to be submitted for COR’s approval one month after award. This plan defines the Contractor’s overall approach and work plan for providing engineering QA over engineering and construction interventions undertaken by the Mission IPs. It includes the Contractor’s suggested methodology to ensure: the development of adequate designs by the IPs; the IPs compliance with quality, safety, and environmental requirements during construction; and the adequate handing over of infrastructure facilities to the concerned beneficiaries. The plan also includes the Contractor’s approach to managing the business relationships between USAID on one hand and the IPs on the other hand, within the context of the construction interventions.

d. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Plan: to be submitted for COR’s approval two months after award. The plan includes the Contractor’s approach to monitor and measure the Contractor’s progress towards ensuring the delivery of quality infrastructure interventions.

e. Field Visit Reports: to be submitted for COR’s information two working days after every field visit. It includes a description of the observed works, and the Contractor’s findings in relationship with quality, safety, and environmental compliance.

f. Design Review Report: to be submitted for COR’s information within a duration to be determined after award following the review of IPs design documents. The report includes the Contractor’s findings with regards to the soundness, completeness, and reasonability of all engineering documents developed by the IP, including but not limited to the below:

- Feasibility studies

- Cost/benefit analysis

- Preliminary designs

- Final designs

- Design changes

- Specifications

- Bill of quantities

- Cost estimates

- Engineering analysis

The review includes also value-engineering suggestions identified by the Contractor during design review.

A review of one design might require more than one iteration of review and feedback between the Contractor and the IPs, resulting in the generation of more than one report for one design. A Contractor’s review of one design will only be considered completed when the Contractor certifies that a design is complete and sound enough to be executed, irrespective of the number of review iterations.

g. Implementation Documents Review Report: to be submitted for COR’s information within a duration to be determined after award following the review of IPs implementation documents, including but not limited to the below:

- Construction schedules of selected interventions.

- IP’s own procedures for construction quality control, safety management, and material approvals.

- IP’s mobilization plans, method statements, work plans, organizational plans, engineering analysis, material approval procedures and submissions.

h. Minutes of Meeting: to be submitted for COR’s information two working days after every construction meeting held with IPs.

i. Substantial Completion Verification Report (when applicable): to be submitted for COR’s information one week after the Contractor’s inspection of a construction facility certified by the IPs as substantially completed. The report includes the following:

- The Contractor’s verification of completion of the facility per the approved design, specifications, and BOQ.

- The Contractor’s observations and findings of deficiencies summed up in a ‘Punch List’.

- The Contractor’s verification of the acceptability of handing over the facility for the beneficiary’s use.

- The Contractor’s verification of completion of all necessary construction close-out documents including operation and maintenance manuals, warranties, and as-built drawings of the completed interventions, and the handing over of these documents to the concerned entities.

For certain facilities, the subject Substantial Completion Verification Report may be substituted by the below Final Completion Verification report, per the COR discretion and direction.

j. Final Completion Verification Report (when applicable): to be submitted for COR’s information one week after the Contractor’s inspection of a construction facility certified by the IPs as finally completed. The report includes the following:

- The Contractor’s verification of completion of the facility per the approved design, specifications, and BOQ.

- The Contractor’s verification of rectification of deficiencies included in the ‘Punch List’ developed during substantial completion.

- The Contractor’s verification of the adequate operation of the facility without deficiencies.

- The Contractor’s verification of completion of all necessary construction close-out documents including operation and maintenance manuals, warranties, and as-built drawings of the completed interventions, and the handing over of these documents to the concerned entities.

- The Contractor’s verification of final acceptance of the facility by the beneficiary.

k. Weekly Updates: to be submitted through an email for COR’s information at the close of business (COB) of every Friday of every week. It includes the following:

- A briefing about the progress of IPs construction interventions during the week

- A summary of the Contractor’s activities during the week (meetings, field visits, reviews, etc…)

- A highlight of concerns or challenges that the Mission should be aware of (delays, deficiencies, …)

- A highlight of major happenings that might occur during the following week(s).

l. Quarterly and Annual Reports:

Quarterly reports are to be submitted for COR’s approval thirty days after the end of every quarter. An Annual report substitutes the fourth quarter report, to be submitted for COR’s approval forty five days after the end of every anniversary of the award. The quarterly and annual reports include the following:

- Description and analysis of Contractor’s activities conducted during the reporting period.

- Progress of IPs construction interventions, represented as tabulated completed versus planned quantities for the reporting period.

- Status of compliance of IPs with approved designs and specifications, and compliance with quality, safety, and environmental requirements.

- Major deficiencies of IPs construction deliverables, and the corrective actions taken or planned to be taken by the IPs.

- Challenges, problems, and issues with the potential impact on the Mission.

- Financial summary of the contract.

- Progress photographs of IPs construction interventions.

- Update of the contract’s MEL plan.

m. Final Report: to be submitted for COR’s approval forty five days after the Contract completion date. This report is a summary of the annual reports in addition to the following:

- A description of the successful methodologies employed during the life of contract that produced desired results.

- A description of the achievements against the targets for the MEL indicators.

- General lessons learned in relation to the full QA/QC process.

n. Other Technical Reports: upon COR’s request, the Contractor may be required to produce specific engineering reports, documents, or products in relationship with and within the limitations included in section B of the Scope of Work. The format, scope, and timeframes of these reports will be agreed to with the COR. Below is an illustrative list of these reports:

- Engineering assessments of existing facilities.

- Data collection of sector-specific facilities.

- Technical Evaluation Panel review findings.

- Engineering designs and tender documents of interventions to be undertaken directly by the Mission.

- Scopes of work for engineering and construction services to be undertaken directly by the Mission.

- Environmental review and Assessment Checklists (ERACs), and Environmental

Monitoring and Mitigation Plans (EMMPs).

[END OF ATTACHMENT 1]

ATTACHMENT 2 – INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS AND SELECTION PROCESS

1. GENERAL CONTRACT INFORMATION

(a) Applicable contracting procedures. The services USAID is procuring under this solicitation require performance or approval by a U.S registered or licensed architect or engineer to a substantial or dominant extent. Therefore the contracting procedures USAID is using for this acquisition are in accordance with FAR 36.601-3(c).

(b) Single Award. The U.S. Government anticipates issuing a single award IDIQ through this solicitation. However the Agency reserves the right to award more or none of the anticipated number of contracts stated above.

(c) Type of Contract. Task Orders issued under the IDIQ may be Firm Fixed Price (FFP) or Cost

Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF), or a combination thereof depending upon the nature of the task.

(d) Small Business Participation. USAID encourages the participation to the maximum extent possible of small business, small disadvantaged business, and women-owned business concerns in this activity. In this respect, it is anticipated that the prime contractor will make every reasonable effort to identify and make maximum practicable use of such concerns.

(e) Ordering. Task Order proposals will be solicited from the Contractor via requests for Task

Order Proposals (RFTOPs). Each RFTOP will include a SOW, proposal requirements and requisite deliverables for the specific Task Order in accordance with FAR Subparts 16.5 and 36.6.

(f) Estimated Value. The maximum aggregate dollar value of all Task Orders awarded to all contractors cannot exceed a ceiling of $19,000,000. The minimum guarantee will be $15,000.

Task Orders will require specific services and must be individually funded within the established ceiling.

(g) Period of Performance. The period of performance of this IDIQ is seven (7) years from date of award although, Task Orders may only be ordered during the first five years from the date of issuance. In addition, two constraints apply to the period of performance for the Task Orders.

First, the period of performance for a Task Order may not go beyond two (2) years after the end of the ordering period of the IDIQ. Second, a Task Order Contracting Officer (TOCO) may not award a Task Order for a period of performance exceeding five (5) years, including modifications.

(h) Eligibility. USAID will only accept offerors that are: (1) registered under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541330 – Architecture-Engineer services and (2) that are eligible to receive awards in accordance under geographic code 937

(3) that are U.S. licensed and registered firms that are either individual firms, partnerships, corporations, associations, or other legal entities permitted by law to practice the professions of architecture and/or engineering and (4) have a valid registration in the System for Award Management (SAM)

(i) Protests, As defined in Subpart 33.101 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation, that are filed directly with an agency, and copies of any protests that are filed with the Government Accountability Office (GAO), must be served on the Contracting Officer (addressed as follows) by obtaining written and dated acknowledgment of receipt from:

Julie Ota jota@usaid.gov USAID/Lebanon

Also send a copy of the protest via facsimile to William Buckhold (GC/LE) at 1-202-216-3055 or 1-202-216-3058.

The copy of any protest must be received in the office designated above within one day of filing a protest.

2. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

The selection of a firm for contract under this Request for Qualifications (RFQ) will be based on qualifications. Offers submitted must therefore only include the information requested in this RFQ.

The CO will enter into additional technical, business/price discussions after the selection of the most highly qualified firms is completed in accordance with FAR 36.606.

(a) Adherence to RFQ Instructions. If an Offeror does not follow the instructions set forth herein, in addition to FAR 52.215-1, the Offeror's proposal may be eliminated from further consideration or the proposal may be downgraded and not receive credit under the applicable evaluation criteria.

(b) Accurate and Complete Information. Offerors must provide full, accurate and complete information as required by this RFQ. The penalty for making false statements to the Government is prescribed in 18 U.S.C. 1001.

(c) Proposal Preparation Costs. The U.S. Government will not pay proposal preparation costs.

3. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

(a) Submission Formats. Proposals must be prepared in accordance with these instructions and provide all required information in the format specified.

(i) Proposals must be submitted with the name and address of the Offeror and the RFQ number inscribed therein, via email to ssakran@usaid.gov with a CC to jota@usaid.gov .

Email submissions must include the following in the subject line:

“USAID Lebanon A&E MSP IDIQ RFQ No. 72026819R00001, submitted by: [name of Offeror].”

http://acquisition.gov/far/current/html/Subpart%2031_1.html#wp1089550 mailto:jota@usaid.gov mailto:ssakran@usaid.gov mailto:jota@usaid.gov

Only electronically (by email) submitted proposals will be accepted. No hard copy or fax submissions will be accepted.

If an Offeror experiences difficulties with submission, please contact the POC for this RFQ Ms.

Sandy Sakran at the email address specified above.

i. The email submission must include:

1) Adobe Acrobat PDF version for all SF-330 forms

2) Adobe Acrobat PDF version for all narrative responses

3) MS Word for all narrative responses

ii. Format: All written responses must be in accordance with the page limits listed in this document. Use Times New Roman font not smaller than 11 point. Offerors must use 8.5 inch by 11 inch paper, single spaced pages with margins of no less than one inch on each border. Number each page consecutively. Submissions must be divided in sections and separately tabbed. A page in the technical proposal that contains a table, chart, graph, etc., is subject to the page limitation.

iii. Offerors may use a 9 or 10 point font for illustrations, tables, charts, graphs and other graphics. An 11” x 17” sheet may be used for Section D, Organizational Chart.

(b) Closing Date and Time. Offeror’s proposal must be submitted no later than the date stated in the Cover Letter of this RFQ.

(c) Late Proposals. Late proposals will be subject to the restrictions set forth in FAR 52.215-1. If a proposal is received late or is not eligible for consideration in accordance with the FAR, then the Government may reject that proposal without evaluation. For timeliness under this RFQ, the Government will use the current local time in Lebanon.

4. INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARATION OF THE TECHNICAL PROPOSAL

(a) In accordance with FAR 36.702(b), offerors must fully complete the Standard Form (SF)

330. The SF 330 required for this RFQ, version “Rev. 8/2016,” is available from the Government Printing Office or the following website:

http://www.gsa.gov/portal/forms/download/116486.

In the SF 330, Part II, block #4, Offerors must include a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) for itself and each major subcontractor of the Offeror’s Proposed Team.

In accordance with FAR 52.204-6 (JUL 2013), an offeror may obtain a DUNS number via the Internet at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform or, if located within the U.S., by calling Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) at 1-866-705-5711. If located outside the U.S., Offerors must contact the local D&B office. An Offeror should indicate that it is an Offeror for a USG contract when contacting the local D&B office.

(b) The Technical Proposal must be written in English and must not reference pricing data to ensure the technical evaluation is made strictly based on technical merit.

http://www.gsa.gov/portal/forms/download/116486 https://acquisition.gov/far/current/html/%20http:/fedgov.dnb.com/webform

(c) Page limitations for the technical proposal are defined below. Pages submitted beyond these limitations will not be evaluated:

CONTENT OF PROPOSALS PAGE LIMITATION

TECHNICAL PROPOSAL

Contact Information Architect-Engineer Point of Contact Proposed Team

No page limitation – Section A No page limitation – Section B No page limitation – Section C (attach additional sheets in the same format as Section C if needed)

Professional Qualifications

8 pages –Section E (one Section E for each proposed Key Personnel and team member for each of the disciplines specified herein) 1 page – Section G

Organizational Chart 1 page – Section D (attachment after Section C)

Specialized Experience and Technical Competence

2 pages –Section F (1 Section F for each project performed within the past 10 years) Part II (complete one for each firm and/or office involved)

ANNEX

A. IDIQ Manager Narrative

1 page

B. IDIQ Manager Letter of Intent 1 page C. IDIQ Manager References 1 page D. Organization Chart Narrative 1 page E. Team Narrative 5 pages F. Past Performance

1 Past Performance Form for each project

G. Evidence of Responsibility 3 pages H. Financial Capacity 1 page I. Small Business Annex and eSRS

Report 2 pages (Submit in an annex any necessary subcontracting reports not submitted to eSRS. These are not part of the page limitation).

(d) Subcontracting Plan will not be submitted with the SF 330. Once discussions begin with the most highly qualified firm, a subcontracting plan will be requested at that time, if applicable.

I. General Information

1. Professional Qualifications- (SF 330 – Part I Contract-Specific Qualifications - Sections E.

Resumes of Key Personnel Proposed for This Contract & Section G. Key Personnel Participation in Example Projects, SF 330 Part II – General Qualifications, and IDIQ Manager Narrative) The

Offeror must provide all relevant information for the proposed IDIQ Manager to include the desired qualifications in the Description of Design/Engineering Services. In addition to completing Sections E & G of SF 330, the Offeror must provide an IDIQ Manager Narrative describing how the IDIQ Manager is appropriate for this effort and how they maximize the probability of successful performance.

The IDIQ Manager Narrative must be placed in Section H along with a written and signed letter of intent from the IDIQ Manager and Contractor’s Authorized Representative indicating the IDIQ Manager’s:

i. Availability to serve in the stated position, in terms of number of days after award;

ii. Intention to serve for a specified duration.

In addition, three (3) references (including name, title, telephone number and e-mail) must be provided for the IDIQ Manager.

The Offeror must list all proposed employees per each engineering discipline (below) by completing Part II of SF 330 for each of the teams proposed in Part I, Section C.

List of Disciplines (Function Codes)

Code Description 12 Civil Engineer 15 Construction Inspector 21 Electrical Engineer 23 Environmental Engineer 27 Foundation/Geotechnical Engineer 42 Mechanical Engineer 52 Sanitary Engineer

Along with the IDIQ Manager, these individuals should be included in Section G of SF

330. For the six (6) disciplines above, a Bachelor of Science degree, ten years relevant experience in the proposed discipline, and the applicable licensing requirements are desirable.

The individuals proposed in the above disciplines must have all licenses, registrations, or certifications as professional engineers, as applicable.

2. Organizational Chart- (SF 330- Part I Contract-Specific Qualifications - Section D.

Organizational Chart of Proposed Team, and Organization Chart Narrative) The Offeror will complete Section D of SF 330 and demonstrate how the structure of the proposed team aligns with the technical and administrative requirements of the Description of Design/Engineering Services section of the RFQ.

The Offeror must also provide Organization Chart Narrative describing how its corporate structure has enabled it to effectively carry out tasks similar to those described in the Description of Design/Engineering Services section of the RFQ to include team integration across technical fields, geographic locations, and with subcontractors. The Organization Chart Narrative must be placed in Section H.

3. Specialized Experience and Technical Competence- (SF 330 – Part I Contract-Specific

Qualifications - Section F. Example Projects Which Best Illustrate Proposed Team’s Qualifications for This Contract & SF330 – Part I Contract-Specific Qualifications – Section C. Proposed Team, and Team Narrative.) The Offeror must demonstrate the specialized experience of the team and the capacity to meet the requirements of the Description of Design/Engineering Services section of the RFQ. The Offeror must provide all relevant information for five

(5) projects in Section F to demonstrate capability in the Description of Design/Engineering Services. The Offeror must complete one section F for each project.

The Offeror must also identify its proposed team, including major subcontractors. A major subcontractor is defined as a subcontractor that will perform critical aspects of the architectural and engineering work, or at least 20% of the work.

By submission of the SF-330 for the prime or any subcontractors, the Offeror is certifying for these entities that the annual representations and certifications in the SAM website accessed through https://www.acquisition.gov are accurate and have been entered or updated within the last 12 months, are current, accurate, complete, and applicable to this solicitation (including the business size standard applicable to the NAICS code referenced for this solicitation), as of the date of this offer and are incorporated in this offer by reference (see FAR 4.1201).

In addition to the SF 330, the Offeror must also provide a Team Narrative that elaborates/supplements the qualifications provided in Section F in an annex. The Offeror must describe the following:

● The specialized experience of the team and the capacity to perform the work

● The extent to which they have used local firms in developing countries on past projects. In addition, describe the organizational approach to secure local firm participation in design projects.

● Experience with working in developing countries in the Middle East

● Experience completing work with established time constraints

● Description of the portion of work that can be performed internally and the portion that needs to be outsourced

4. Contractor Performance Information -

a. The offeror (including all partners of a joint venture) must provide performance information (in accordance with the Past Performance Form, Attachment No. 3) for itself, the contractor teaming arrangements, if any, and each major subcontractor (A major subcontractor is defined as a subcontractor that will perform critical aspects of the architectural and engineering work, or at least 20% of the work), in accordance with the following:

https://www.acquisition.gov/ http://www.acquisition.gov/far/current/html/Subpart%204_12.html#wp1073667

Offerors are to use the Performance Form provided to list in annex F to the technical proposal five (5) of the most recent and relevant contracts for efforts similar to the work within the past five years. (These projects can be the same or different from the projects identified in SF 330 Section F). The most relevant indicators of performance are contracts of similar type of work and skills/expertise required. Recent contracts are those performed within the last five (5) years.

For all contracts listed that are not in CPARS, provide a list of contact names, job titles, mailing addresses, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, explanation of relevance to the proposed acquisition and a description of the performance to include:

● Scope of work or complexity/diversity of tasks,

● Primary location(s) of work,

● Term of performance,

● Skills/expertise required,

● Dollar value, and

● Contract type, i.e., fixed-price, cost reimbursement, etc.

USAID recommends that you alert the contacts that their names have been submitted and that they are authorized to provide performance information concerning the listed contracts.

b. If extraordinary problems impacted any of the referenced contracts, provide a short explanation and the corrective action taken (FAR 15.305(a)(2)).

c. Describe any quality awards or certifications that indicate exceptional capacity to provide the service or product described in the Description of Design/Engineering Services. This information is not included in the page limitation.

d. Performance in Using Small Business (SB) Concerns (as defined in FAR 19.001).

(1) This section (d) is not applicable to offers from small business concerns.

(2) As part of the evaluation of performance of this solicitation, section II, “SELECTION PROCESS AND EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD” below, subsection 1, “Evaluation Criteria”, item (d), “Contractor Performance Information”, USAID will evaluate the extent you used and promoted the use of small business concerns under current and prior contracts.

The evaluation will assess the extent small business concerns participated in these contracts relative to the size/value of the contracts, the complexity and variety of the work small business concerns performed, and compliance with your SB subcontracting plan or other similar small business incentive programs set out in your contract(s).

(3) In order for USAID to fully and fairly evaluate performance in this area, all Offerors who are not small business concerns must do the following:

(A) Provide a narrative summary of your organization's use of small business concerns over the past three years in an annex to the technical proposal.

Describe how you actually use small businesses—as subcontractors, as joint venture partners, through other teaming arrangements, etc. Explain the nature of the work small businesses performed—substantive technical professional services, administrative support, logistics support, etc. Describe the extent of your compliance with your SB subcontracting plan(s) or other similar SB incentive programs set out in your contract(s) and explain any mitigating circumstances if goals were not achieved.

(B) To supplement the narrative summary in (A), provide a list of the most recent (within the last three (3) years) contracts of up to ten (10) for which you submitted subcontract reports to eSRS (FAR 52.219-9(d)(10) and a copy of any similarly recent subcontracting reports if they were not submitted to eSRS.

(C) Provide the names and addresses of three SB concerns for us to contact for their assessment of your performance in using SB concerns. Provide a brief summary of the type of work each SB concern provided to your organization, and the name of a contact person, his/her title, phone number, and e-mail address for each.

5. Evidence of Responsibility-

The offeror must submit sufficient evidence of responsibility for the Contracting Officer to make an affirmative determination of responsibility pursuant to the requirements of FAR Subsection 9.104-1. If the offeror fails to submit sufficient evidence for the Contracting Officer to make an affirmative determination of responsibility, then the Contracting Officer may make a determination of non-responsibility and be precluded from awarding a contract to that offeror. However, in the case of a small business offeror, the Contracting Officer will comply with FAR 19.6.

Accordingly, prime offerors should seriously address each element of responsibility. To be determined responsible, a prospective contractor must:

(1) Have adequate financial resources to perform the contract, or the ability to obtain them (see FAR 9.104-3(a));

(2) Be able to comply with the required or proposed delivery or performance schedule, taking into consideration all existing commercial and governmental commitments;

(3) Have a satisfactory performance record (See FAR 9.104-3(b) and Subpart 42.15). A prospective contractor must not be determined responsible or non-responsible solely on the basis of a lack of relevant performance history, except as provided in FAR 9.104- 2;

(4) Have a satisfactory record of integrity and business ethics;

(5) Have the necessary organization, experience, accounting and operational controls, and technical skills, or the ability to obtain them (including, as appropriate, such elements as production control procedures, property control systems, quality assurance measures, and safety programs applicable to materials to be produced or services to be performed by the prospective contractor and subcontractors). (See FAR 9.104-3(a));

(6) Have the necessary production, construction, and technical equipment and facilities, or the ability to obtain them (See FAR 9.104-3(a)); and

(7) Be otherwise qualified and eligible to receive an award under applicable laws and regulations (e.g., Equal Opportunity, Clean Air and Water, etc.).

6. Financial Capacity-

Financial Capacity - Offeror must provide a one (1) page narrative describing its financial capacity/resources in accordance with AIDAR 736.602-3(b)(8).

II. SELECTION PROCESS AND EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

(a) The selection of the Architect-Engineer (A&E) firm(s) will be conducted in accordance with

40 U.S.C 1101 et seq (formerly “the Brooks Act”) as implemented by FAR Subpart 36.6.

As defined in 40 U.S.C 1102, the term “architectural and engineering services” means:

1. Professional services of an architectural or engineering nature, as defined by US state law, if applicable, that are required to be performed or approved by a person licensed, registered, or certified to provide the services described in this paragraph;

2. Professional services of an architectural or engineering nature performed by contract that are associated with research, planning, development, design, construction, alteration, or repair of real property; and

3. Other professional services of an architectural or engineering nature, or incidental services, which members of the architectural and engineering professions (and individuals in their employ) may logically or justifiably perform, including studies, investigations, surveying and mapping, tests, evaluations, consultations, comprehensive planning, program management, conceptual designs, plans and specifications, value engineering, construction phase services, soils engineering, drawing reviews, preparation of operating and maintenance manuals, and other related services.

(b) In accordance with 40 U.S.C. 1101, FAR 36.601-1 and 36.606(e), and AIDAR 736.602-3, USAID will negotiate an IDIQ contract for the services requested under this RFQ based on the demonstrated competence and qualifications of prospective contractors to perform the services at fair and reasonable prices.

III EVALUATION CRITERIA

Offerors will be evaluated based on the evaluation criteria listed below. The criteria listed below are presented by major category, so that Offerors will know which areas require emphasis in the preparation of information. If weights are not provided for subcriteria, those subcriteria will be weighted equal to each other.