75M_SmallBusinessA-E_Services_Announcement-synopsis final.pdf

Beta.SAM.gov Synopsis for A-E Services

INDEFINITE DELIVERY CONTRACTS FOR ARCHITECT-ENGINEER (A-E) SERVICES FOR US

ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS NORTHWESTERN DIVISION – SMALL BUSINESS

Reference number: W9128F21R0083

1. CONTRACT INFORMATION: The Government is procuring this contract in accordance with the Brooks A-E Act as implemented in FAR Subpart 36.6 and will select firms for negotiation based on demonstrated competence and qualifications for the required work. The services will consist of preparation of studies, analysis, and design services for Military and Civil projects within the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Northwestern Division (NWD). The Government intends to negotiate and award a target of four (4) indefinite delivery contracts (IDCs), with a seven-year ordering period (4-year base and a 3-year option period) and $75,000,000 in shared capacity. Work will be issued by negotiated firm-fixed price task orders. Previous task order totals for the Small Business set-aside ranged from $100,000.00 to $3,000,000.00. The Government anticipates that future task orders will be in this dollar range as well. When the Government awards a task order under this MATOC, the Contracting Officer shall notify all A-E firms within the MATOC pool of the task order requirement. The Task Order Requirement Notice (TORN) shall include a short summary of the scope of work, selection criteria, and a Request for Supplemental Information tailored to the specific task order requirement. Using the selection criteria specified in the TORN, the selection board will evaluate the SF 330s on file and responses to the Task Order Questionnaire to determine the three most highly qualified firms for the specific task order requirement. The board will submit a report to the Selection Board Authority who will then make the selection in accordance with AFARS 5136.602-4 and 5136.602-5 and USACE implementation guidance.

The Government also reserves the right to ask for updated SF 330s later or at a task order level from the firms awarded a contract under this announcement.

North American Industrial Classification System code is 541330, which has a size standard of $16,500,000 in annual average gross receipts over the past three years. This announcement is open to Small Business service providers. Selected and successful firm(s) will be required to comply with the subcontracting limitations as set forth by the FAR Clause 52.219-14 LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING, wherein stated in pertinent part, "Services (except construction). At least 50 percent of the cost of contract performance incurred for personnel shall be expended for employees of the concern." The wages and benefits of service employees (see FAR 22.10) performing under these contracts must be at least equal to those determined by the Department of Labor under the Service Contract Act. Service wage rates will be determined relative to the employee's office location rather than the location of work.

Additionally, in accordance with FAR Part 22.1303, all firms must complete their VETS-4212 report.

Information can be found at the Department of Labor website https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/programs/vets4212 or call the service center at 1-866-237-0275; you will be asked to provide your company name, employer identification number (EIN), and DUNs number.

To be eligible for contract award, the Contractor must register in the System for Award Management (SAM). Registration is free and Contractors can access the site at http://www.sam.gov. Ensure representations and certifications in SAM are current.

2. PROJECT INFORMATION: The A-E selected would be required to have sufficient staff, flexibility, and capability to be available on an as-needed basis. Design and/or construction support services for specific facilities or projects will be assigned by Task Orders on the IDCs established as a result of this solicitation. All projects will be located within the USACE, Northwestern Division. The projects will https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/programs/vets4212 http://www.sam.gov/ include various types of horizontal and vertical facilities, structures, and sites, on military bases and other federal installations, as well as civil projects for the Corps of Engineers. Examples of military projects may include but not limited to: barracks, hangars, utilities, battalion headquarters buildings, access control points, religious facilities, brigade and company operations facilities, officer quarters, and various others. These projects may include new construction, renovation, or maintenance of facilities. Each task order to be issued will fully describe the design project or the accomplished studies and will identify all work to be accomplished. Services to be performed include, but are not limited to, preparation of vertical and horizontal design/construction documents, preparation of design/build requests for proposals (RFPs), charrette/concept designs, schematic designs, planning, programming, site investigations, surveying and geotechnical investigations, space planning, interior design, parametric and construction cost estimating, feasibility studies, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents, plan formulation, design and construction phase commissioning services and various construction phase services for both military and civil projects. The scope may require design of utilities, airfield pavement, and airfield lighting but they are incidental to facility design. A-E may be required to provide master planning services such as: facility master planning for various federal customers such as Army and Air Force, Public Works real property master planning, facility allowance analysis, economic and market analysis, preparation of installation design guides, MILCON DD Form 1391 development and other programming level analysis.

Construction support services, when required, may include: participation in on-site partnering/pre-construction meetings; review of construction contractor's submittals for government approval and for information only; participation in site visits and provide inspection reports at critical points of construction; participation in start-up and commissioning of the systems; attendance at warranty inspections; participation in lessons-learned sessions; and preparation of operations and maintenance support information manuals.

The Government requires that firms use construction cost estimating for all design projects using the Micro-Computer Aided Cost Estimating System 2nd Generation, MII software. The Government requires that contractors develop and edit all specifications are using the SpecsIntact automated specification processing system. Firms should demonstrate experience with using and writing project specifications in the SpecsIntact processing system.

The A-E shall use advanced modeling practices in conjunction with an integrated design approach to complete the project design. Advanced modeling is a subset of geospatial technologies as defined EM- 1110-1-2909 GEOSPATIAL DATA AND SYSTEMS to include Building Information Modeling (BIM), Civil Information Modeling (CIM), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD). Required technologies, design deliverable and bid set (electronic and hardcopy) format and requirements will be further described in each task order.

The A-E shall document their advanced modeling approach in an Advanced Modeling Project Execution Plan (PxP), submitted to the government for approval. Each PxP shall document advanced modeling practices, roles, and responsibilities for each project, as well as reiterate the technologies, formats, modeling standards, quality control procedures, and deliverable requirements dictated by each task order.

The A-E shall have a robust knowledge of advanced modeling strategies, standards, and practices and shall be capable of delivering designs using a variety of tools and technologies to meet each set of task order deliverable requirements.

Sustainable design shall be accomplished using an integrated design approach and emphasizing environmental stewardship; energy and water conservation and efficiency; use of alternative energy, use of recovered and recycled materials; waste reduction; reduction or elimination of toxic and harmful substances in facilities construction and operation; efficiency in resource and materials utilization;

development of health, safe and productive work environments. The Government requires the integration of Federal and agency energy and sustainability mandates on all building facilities. Design and documentation shall utilize United States Green Building Council (USBGC), Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design A-E evaluation, Green Building Certification Institute, and Green Globes web-based certification methodology. Building envelope design will require knowledge with tested air barrier construction. The Government may require the A-E to perform and/or evaluate sustainability and energy audits.

The Government also requires integration of current Antiterrorism and Force Protection (AT/FP) measures on all military projects.

The Government requires the A-E to use the DR Checks design review and checking system.

3. SELECTION CRITERIA: Listed below in descending order of importance are the selection criteria.

Criteria “a” through “e” are primary. Criteria “f” through “h” are secondary and the Government will use those criteria as a “tie-breaker” among firms that are technically equal.

a. Specialized Experience and Technical Competence

b. Professional Qualifications

c. Past Performance

d. Capacity

e. Knowledge of Locality

f. SB/SDB Participation [NOTE: this is an additional secondary selection criterion applicable only to the unrestricted announcement.]

g. Geographic Proximity

h. Volume of DOD Contract Awards

PRIMARY CRITERIA:

a. Specialized Experience and Technical Competence. Firms should include in their submittal only relatable experience on completed construction projects or completed designs from the last five years.

The Government will use the following guidelines to differentiate between completion date categories.

• Design projects should be completed within the past 5 years where construction has not started or construction is not yet 90% complete,

• Construction projects that are at or beyond 90% complete should be initiated within the past 5 years for completed design projects. Here, a design could be outside the 5-year window.

• Services that do not directly result in a construction project (master planning, studies, analysis, etc.) should be completed within the past 5 years.

All projects cited shall identify design start/complete dates as well as the project size (cost and scope).

(SF 330, Part I, Section F) Submittals shall demonstrate the range and diversity of specialized experience and technical competence to execute the types of projects and activities as indicated above in paragraph 2, PROJECT INFORMATION, and in the bullet items below.

• Experience in horizontal and vertical design of projects representative of those listed in paragraph

2, PROJECT INFORMATION.

• Experience with construction phase services including participation in on-site partnering/pre-construction meetings; review of construction contractor's submittals for government approval and for information only; participation in site visits and furnishing inspection reports at critical points of construction; participation in start-up and commissioning of systems; attending warranty inspections; participation in lessons-learned sessions; preparation of operations and maintenance support information manuals;

• Experience in adapting standard design packages;

• Experience with USACE design guidance, including Unified Facility Criteria documents, Engineering Technical Letters (ETLs), and other military design criteria documents;

• Experience with preparing specifications using SpecsIntact software and Unified Facilities Guide

Specifications (UFGS);

• Experience with preparing cost estimates using Micro-Computer Aided Cost Estimating System

2nd Generation, MII software;

• Experience with Department of Defense AT/FP design criteria and construction standards;

• Experience with life safety and fire protection design of military or civil facilities;

• Experience applying Advanced Modeling practices in conjunction with an integrated design approach to include BIM, CIM, GIS, CAD, and Facility Data;

• Experience with Sustainable Design or High-Performance Sustainable Building design and construction concepts including energy efficiency, use of recovered materials, waste reduction, and pollution prevention, using the third-party sustainability evaluation and certification process;

• Experience with Spatial Data Facilities Infrastructure (SDSFIE) and/or GEOBASE deliverables and standards; and

• Experience with historic preservation.

b. Professional Qualifications. Firms shall demonstrate professional personnel qualifications and specialized experience in the design of military and federal facilities for key design disciplines. Key disciplines that are required to be performed by registered and licensed professionals are: project management, facility planning, architecture, interior design, mechanical, electrical, fire protection, building commissioning, structural, Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection (AT/FP), civil, communications engineering, cost estimating, geotechnical, and land surveyor. Evaluation of these disciplines will consider education, training, relevant experience in design of military and federal facilities, and longevity with the firm. The A-E should identify any past design and/or planning experience on USACE military projects. (SF 330, Part I, Sections E & G). The Government will not review resumes submitted for roles not identified herein.

Provide resumes for two (2) project managers (team leaders) for task orders, both registered as a Professional Engineer or Architect.

Provide resumes for two (2) designers in each of the following fields: architecture; civil, structural (independent of civil), mechanical, and electrical engineering with at least two in each field professionally registered in the relevant professional field as an engineer or an architect.

Provide a resume for one (1) designer in the Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection field. Designer shall be a registered Professional Engineer and have at least five (5) years of experience and training related to compliance with Department of Defense AT/FP policy, standards, and specifications. The designer and other A-E designers do not have to be independent of one other.

Provide a resume for one (1) interior designer. The designer must be the following: certified by the National Council of Interior Design Qualifications (NCIDQ), a registered interior designer, or a registered architect with at least five years of experience and training in interior design.

Provide a resume for one (1) designer in each of the following fields: water/wastewater engineering, facility planning, geotechnical (soil engineering); communication distribution design (RCCD), and landscape architecture. These individuals may be qualified by a combination of education, registration, certification, and/or training.

Provide a resume for one (1) cost engineer with at least 10 years of experience as a cost engineer. If an individual is a certified cost engineer (CCE), certified cost consultant (CCC), or comparable certification the Government will admit additional consideration.

Provide a resume for one (1) commissioning authority (CxA) to lead the commissioning team. The CxA may be a mechanical or an electrical engineer and shall be a registered professional with a minimum of five years of heating, ventilation, and cooling or lighting and power distribution design experience and shall have documented experience as a CxA on at least two projects. The CxA must be a certified commissioning authority and have an active certification. Recognized organization such as The Association of Energy Engineers (A-EE), American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRA-E), or similar such organization shall perform the certification.

Provide a resume for one (1) fire protection/life safety engineer who is a registered professional fire protection engineer with a minimum of five years dedicated to fire protection engineering, and has one of the following: (i) a degree in fire protection engineering from an accredited university or (ii) passed the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveys (NCEES) fire protection engineering examination. The fire protection engineer shall have an active license without any disciplinary actions.

Provide a resume for one (1) advanced modeling or BIM manager with a minimum of five years dedicated to managing advanced modeling projects. The Government will give additional consideration to managers with degrees, training, and/or certifications relevant to the advanced modeling platforms and technologies described in this contract.

Provide a resume for one (1) sustainability manager with a minimum of five years dedicated to managing sustainability metrics, certification, and accreditation on projects. The Government will give additional consideration to sustainability managers with degrees and certifications from recognized sustainability certification, assessment, and/or accreditation organizations. This includes but is not limited to US Green Building Council (USGBC) LEED Accredited Professionals (LEED APs), Green Building Initiatives’ Green Globes Professionals (GGPs) and/or Federal Guiding Principles Compliance Professionals (GPCPs).

Provide a resume for one (1) land surveyor. Land surveyor must be a licensed Professional Land Surveyor with at least five years of professional experience.

c. Past Performance. Past performance on DoD and other contracts with respect to the quality of work, cost control (maintaining the project construction cost below the programmed amount), and compliance with performance schedules, as determined by CPARS and other sources. (Note: The firm may use Past Performance Questionnaires (PPQ) to provide or supplement past performance with other than U.S.

Governmental clients. Firms which choose to use the PPQ may obtain a PPQ standard form by submitting a request to the below referenced POC via email.) Past performance submittals should match projects submitted for Paragraph a. Specialized Experience and Technical Competence.

d. Capacity. Capacity is the ability to complete task orders within a reasonably aggressive schedule.

Firms shall demonstrate the capacity to accomplish at least four (4) $500,000 simultaneous individual task orders, or two (2) $1,000,000 simultaneous individual task orders. The evaluation will consider the availability of an adequate number of personnel in key disciplines to complete the task orders and offeror’s project execution strategy. The evaluation will consider the key persons identified in Sections

D, E, and G of the SF330, as well as other available staff and information provided in Section H and Part

II.

A proposed Management Plan shall be presented that includes an organization chart (reference SF330, Part I, Section D) and addresses team organization (reference SF330, Part I, Section C), any anticipated sub-contractors or entities to supplement the design team, quality control procedures, cost control, coordination of in-house disciplines and consultants required to meet work capacity. The SF 330 shall clearly indicate the primary office where the work is performed and the staffing at that office. (SF 330, Part I, Section H, Item 2).

e. Knowledge of Locality. Submittals shall demonstrate knowledge of performing the type of projects and activities as described in the PROJECT INFORMATION section listed above for the multiple locations and various military installations and civil sites within NWD. The localized knowledge includes demonstration of working with multiple agencies and other stakeholders to execute projects described herein. The Government will also evaluate knowledge of geological features, climatic conditions, and local construction methods specific to NWD.

SECONDARY CRITERIA:

f. SB/SDB Participation. The Government will evaluate Offerors on the extent of participation of small business community (SBC) members in the performance of the acquisition. Offerors shall propose their best efforts when projecting the level of participation of Small Businesses (as a Small Business prime and/or Small Business subcontractors) for the anticipated performance of this contract. Small Business primes may achieve Small Business participation through their own performance/participation as a prime and through subcontracting to other Small Businesses. (SF 330, Part I, Section H, Item 4).

g. Geographic Proximity. Submittals should address offerors geographic locations and their capability to address project work throughout the various NWD locations (SF 330, Part I, Section H).

h. Volume of DoD Contract Awards. Volume of DoD A-E contract awards in the last 12 months, with the objective of effecting an equitable distribution of DoD A-E contracts among qualified firms, including SB and SDB (SF 330, Part I, Section H).

4. ANNOUNCEMENT - RATINGS AND DEFINITIONS:

The following ratings will be used to evaluate documentation submitted by offerors (note that documentation submitted for evaluation in response to this announcement may be referred to throughout this announcement as an quote mark offer quote mark, quote mark proposal quote mark, or quote mark response quote mark - all of which are representative of the SF330 information being requested by this announcement):

Exceptional - The offer exceeds the scope of the announcement requirements in the majority of the aspects of the particular factor. Strengths are present indicating maximum benefit to the government and no weaknesses, significant weaknesses or deficiencies are indicated.

Above Average - The offer exceeds the scope of the announcement requirements in many aspects of the particular factor. Strengths are present Indicating significant benefit to the government. The proposal may have weaknesses that have no impact on the proposal as a whole and do not require correction.

Average - The offer matches the scope of the announcement requirements of the particular factor. There may be strengths, but they may not aggregate into an advantage Indicating additional benefit to the

Government, or they may be offset by weaknesses. Any weaknesses noted have only a minor impact on the proposal and are easily correctable.

Marginal - The offer matches some, but not all, of the announcement requirements of the particular factor.

There may be limited or individual strengths, but they do not aggregate into an advantage and are offset by weaknesses, significant weaknesses and/or deficiencies. Weaknesses, significant weaknesses and/or deficiencies are correctable without major revision to the proposal. The Government may still receive benefit from the offer submitted.

Unacceptable - The offer fails to meet a majority of announcement requirements or has omitted critical information required to evaluate the factor. There are no strengths. The offer contains multiple weaknesses, significant weaknesses and/or deficiencies, which are all correctable only with major revision to the proposal. A proposal that receives a final rating of quote mark Unacceptable quote mark for any factor may not be considered for award.

Neutral - In the case of an offeror without a record of relevant past performance or for whom information on past performance is not available, the offeror may not be evaluated either favorably or unfavorably on past performance.

Definitions:

Strength - Any aspect of a proposal that, when judged against a stated evaluation factor, enhances the merit of the proposal, or increases the probability of successful performance of the contract.

Weakness - A flaw in the proposal that Increases the risk of unsuccessful contract performance. A quote mark significant weakness quote mark in the proposal is a flaw that appreciably Increases the risk of unsuccessful contract performance.

Deficiency - A material failure of a proposal to meet a Government requirement or a combination of significant weaknesses in a proposal that increases the risk of unsuccessful contract performance to an unacceptable level.

5. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS: Interested firms having the capabilities to perform this work must submit a copy of their SF 330 Part I and Part II for the prime firm and all consultants/subcontractors through electronic mail, to the following US Army Corps of Engineers Omaha District Contracting Personnel: John Hickman; john.d.hickman@usace.army.mil and Ericka Collins;

ericka.t.collins@usace.army.mil not later than 2:00pm Central time on 7 September 2021. PLEASE SEND SUBMITTAL PACKAGES AS A SINGLE PDF FILE. Submittal must clearly identify the announcement number. Regulation requires that the Selection Board not consider any submittals received after the specified time and date. The Government will follow late proposal rules in FAR 15.208 for submittals received after 2:00 pm Central time on the closing date specified in this announcement. The SF 330, 08/2016 edition, must be used, and may be obtained from the following web site:

http://www.gsa.gov/portal/forms/download/116486. Include DUNS number and CAGE code in SF330 Part I, Section B, Block 5. Additionally, SF 330 Part I, Section C, Block 9, should identify the DUNS number and CAGE code for EACH TEAM MEMBER. The submittal shall have a page limit of 100 pages. A page is one side of a sheet. Blank sheets/Tabs separating the sections within the SF 330 will not count against the maximum page count. All fonts shall be at least 10 pitch or larger. Pages shall be 8-1/2 inches by 11 inches. The firm may present organizational charts on a sheet up to 11 inches by 17 inches.

A Part II is required for each branch office of the prime firm and any consultants/subcontractors that will have a key role in the proposed contract (i.e. a Part II is required for all entities identified in SF 330 Part I, Section C of the submittal). Part II of the SF 330 and Past Performance Submittals will not count towards mailto:john.d.hickman@usace.army.mil mailto:ericka.t.collins@usace.army.mil http://www.gsa.gov/portal/forms/download/116486 the 100-page limit; however, cover letters, company literature and extraneous materials are not desired.

Sections E and G of SF 330 Part I must include only individuals proposed to perform the anticipated work, including all consultants/subcontractors. In SF 330 Part I, Section G, Block 26, along with the name, include the firm with which the person is associated. The Government will review a maximum of ten (10) projects including the prime and consultants/subcontractors for SF 330 Part I, Section F. Use no more than two pages per project. When listing projects in SF 330 Part 1, Section F, an Indefinite Delivery Contract (IDC) with multiple Task Orders as examples is not a project. A task order executed under an IDC contract is a project. SF 330, Part I, Section H (Additional Information) shall contain the following information.

(1) Item 1 - Capacity. Reference Paragraph 3.d. above. Provide a 1-2-page narrative discussing the capacity of the design firm to meet schedules, including adequacy of qualified personnel available and past experience in meeting tight design schedules.

(2) Item 2 – Management Plan – Include the information requested in Paragraph 3.d. above.

(3) Item 3 - Volume of DoD Contract Awards – Reference Paragraph 3.h. above. Provide a complete listing of all DoD A-E awards within the last 12 months. For IDCs, include total value of task orders issued by agencies in the last 12 months, not the potential value of the IDCs. For all types of contracts, do not include for consideration options not exercised.

Joint ventures shall submit identification of the party who can legally bind the joint venture. Solicitation packages are not provided and no additional project information will be given to firms during the announcement period. This is not a request for proposal.

ALL QUESTIONS SHALL BE SUBMITTED VIA THE BIDDER INQUIRY PORTAL in ProjNet at http://www.projnet.org/projnet. Firms should submit questions no later than Close of Business ten (10) days prior to SF 330 submission to allow time for a response. The Government will close the portal on this date and time. The Government will not accept any other means of communication for questions (i.e.

e-mail, fax, or telephone). To submit and review inquiry items, prospective vendors will need to use the Bidder Inquiry Key presented below and follow the instructions listed below. A prospective vendor who submits a comment/question will receive an acknowledgement of their comment/question via email, the Government will follow with an answer to the comment/question after the team processes the inquiry.

The Government will use ProjNet to process all timely questions and approved answers. To submit and review inquiries, firms will need to be current registered users of the ProjNet system.

Registration for ProjNet Bidder Inquiry Access (Firms who are already registered in ProjNet should go to Entering Bidder Inquiries in ProjNet Bidder Inquiry System below.)

1. From the ProjNet home page link above, click on Quick Add on the upper right side of the screen.

2. Identify the Agency. Mark as USACE.

3. Key. Enter the Bidder Inquiry Key listed below.

4. Email. Enter the email address you would like to use for communication.

5. Click Continue. A page will then open saying that a user account is not found and will ask you to create one using the provided form.

6. Enter your First Name, Last Name, Company, City, State, Phone, Email, Secret Question, Secret Answer, and Time Zone. Make sure to remember your Secret Question and Answer as you will need to use them from this point on to access the ProjNet system.

7. Click Add User. Once completed, you are registered within ProjNet and logged into the system.

Entering Bidder Inquiries in ProjNet Bidder Inquiry System

1. For future access to ProjNet, the system will not email you will any type of password. You will utilize your Secret Question and Secret Answer to log in.

2. From the ProjNet home page link above, click on Quick Add on the upper right side of the screen.

http://www.projnet.org/projnet

3. Identify the Agency. Mark as USACE.

4. Key. Enter the Bidder Inquiry Key listed below.

5. Email. Enter the email address you used to register previously in ProjNet.

6. Click Continue. A page will then open asking you to enter the answer to your Secret Question.

7. Enter your Secret Answer and click Login. Once this is complete you are logged into the system.

8. Follow online screen instructions to enter specific bidder inquiries for the project.

The Solicitation Number is: W9128F-21-R-0083 The Bidder Inquiry Key is: SVYR5Y-VUY967

The Government requests firms review the Bidder Inquiry Portal for previous questions and responses, prior to submission of a new inquiry in the Portal. Caution: Any inquiry submitted and answered within this system will be accessible to view by all interested firms on this solicitation. The call center for the ProjNet operates weekdays from 8 AM to 5 PM U.S. Central Time Zone. The telephone number is 1-

800-428-HELP.

FILE DESCRIPTION: Include a “File Description” for each file(s) you upload as described previously. The system will include each recipient and they will receive the “File Description” in the email notice to each of the recipients you choose to have access your file(s). NOTE: Do NOT enter Privacy Act Data (Personal Identification Information (PII)) in the File Description.) Submission shall be in Adobe PDF format.

The Government will not be responsible for submissions delivered to any location or to anyone other than those designated Government personnel identified to receive proposals. Offerors are responsible for ensuring that their submitted proposals reach the designated recipient. Offerors are also responsible for allowing sufficient time for receipt of their proposal in accordance with the instructions provided.