80GRC019R0003_ResponsetoQuestions.pdf

80GRC019R0003 Question/Response

1. Are there other anticipated locations of work (outside the Cleveland, OH area) under this IDIQ?

Per the Contract Information within the Solicitation:

Architectural and Engineering (A/E) Services in support of the NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC), Lewis Field, Cleveland, Ohio, and Plum Brook Station, Sandusky, Ohio, as well as other NASA locations Agency wide.

2. Is this a new contract or is this renewing an expiring IDIQ?

This procurement is to replace an already existing contract.

3. If expiring, who currently holds a contract agreement?

K2M Design, Inc.

AEC Emersion JV Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson, Inc.

Sigma Associates Ross-Barney Architects

4. We have extensive NASA experience, including GRC experience, but we are located approximately 900 miles from GRC. Does “Criteria 5 – Location” (10 points) pretty much rule us out of competition? 10 points pretty hard to overcome?

The Government cannot discuss with any potential offerors on how they may score in any criteria area. With that said, we encourage potential offerors to submit a capability statement if they are interested in this procurement.

5. Is the 30 page limit inclusive of the Part 2 section? Given the solicitation requirements, it is proving to be difficult to provide all the requested information in the 30 page limit (15 double-sided sheets). Would it be possible to increase the page limit to 50 pages (25 double sided sheets)?

The proposal page limit is increased to 40 pages (20 double-sided sheets) and includes all pages (including cover & title pages) from Part 1 & Part 2 of the SF-330.

6. Will resumes need to be included for all disciplines listed on page 4, item (3) Specialized Experience, paragraph a.?

To the extent that a firm has key personnel with the relevant experience listed, then their qualifications should be included in the proposal.

7. We are a small business in Kansas and I am wondering if we can apply for this solicitation knowing that we are not located in Ohio. We can definitely come for job site visit etc but in terms of getting the project, I wonder if you have a requirement for the companies to be local.

Selection Criteria, Part 5, lists the location of the firm (travel time) and its primary subcontracts with respect to GRC as an evaluation factor. Geographic location in Ohio is not a requirement, only that all engineering drawings shall be stamped by a licensed professional engineer or registered architect with licensure/reciprocity in the State of Ohio, or can obtain licensure within the state of Ohio or other states as determined by the project location.

8. We are certified WBE in KS and MO but not in Ohio, is that OK too?

Any Small Business Offeror will be vetted through both the System for Award Management (SAM) and the Small Business Administration (SBA) Dynamic Small Business Search. Any certifications needed must be completed through the SBA. More information can be found at:

https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/women-owned-small-business-federal-contracting-program

Additionally, the Government does not recognize/require WBE certifications per state.

Women-Owned Small Businesses self-certify through the SBA.

9. Does the Architect have to be licensed in Ohio for this project?

Selection Criteria, Part 5, requires that drawings be stamped by a Registered Architect (or one with Licensure Reciprocity) in the State of Ohio.

10. Does the Structural Engineer have to be licensed in Ohio? (Do we have to have PE of Ohio or is it enough to have PE of our state)?

Selection Criteria, Part 5, requires that drawings be stamped by a Professional Engineer (or one with Licensure Reciprocity) in the State of Ohio.

11. If we team up with a big architectural firm can we still be in the small business category?

13 CFR § 125.8 outlines the requirements for a joint venture to submit an offer for a procurement or sale set aside or reserved for small business.

13 CFR § 125.9 outlines the rules governing SBA’s small business mentor-protégé program.

FAR 52.219.14, Limitations on Subcontracting (JAN 2017), para. (c)(1) applies

12. Please confirm that the 30-page limit is applicable to Part I, only (i.e., Part II is not included in the 30-page limit)

See question 5 response

13. Please confirm that covers, title pages, tabs, page dividers, and blank pages are excluded from the 30-page limit.

14. In order for offerors to adequately present their capabilities and qualifications, will the government consider increasing the page limit for Part I? Accounting for 15 resumes, 10 projects, and the pages necessary for sections A, B, C, D, and G, there are approximately 2 pages remaining to address the Evaluation Criteria in Section H.

15. Will the government accept Indefinite Delivery Contracts comprising multiple task orders as past performance examples in Section F, or are past performance examples limited to stand-alone projects and single task orders?

Experience determined to be relevant to the requirements listed in the selection criteria will be considered.

16. Will the government allow hand-delivery of proposals?

No, as instructed on page five of the solicitation, all submissions need to be sent by U.S. Mail or Commercial Carrier to:

NASA Glenn Research Center ATTN: Joshua Peacock 21000 Brookpark Rd

MS 60-1

Cleveland, OH 44135

17. Do resumes count towards page count?

Yes.

18. Are we allowed to double-up on people’s tasks? (i.e., Jane Doe will be the Assistant Project Manager and Scheduler)?

Yes, so long as this approach is not inconsistent with the requirements of the solicitation

19. Are companies precluded from being on multiple teams?

No, so long as this approach is not inconsistent with the requirements of the solicitation

20. Does the SF-330 Part II count towards page count; are they required?

21. Does a Cover Sheet count towards the page count?

22. Does this project potentially require NEPA services (Environmental Assessments), as mentioned in the Project Information on page 2 of the 80GRC019R0003 document?

The requirements for specific task orders will vary but are unknown at this time. Please refer to the Solicitation and the attached SOW, Part 2 – Scope, for typical project types.

23. The Four Evaluation Criteria, listed on page 5 of the 80GRC019R0003 document says that Past Performance, Staff Qualifications, Staffing Capacity and Flexibility, and Location shall be addressed in Part I, Section H. Are you looking for Sections A-G of the SF330 submission to be completed, and do all of these sections count towards the 30 page limit?

24. Are half page resumes acceptable?

The formatting of resume information is up to the discretion of the offerors, so long as this approach is not inconsistent with the requirements of the solicitation.

25. Are half page project sheets acceptable?

The formatting of that information is up to the discretion of the offerors, so long as this

26. Can a small business prime submitter also be on a large business submission fulfilling the small business requirements?

Yes, so long as this approach is not inconsistent with the requirements of the solicitation.

27. Are the SF330 Part II Documents included in the 30 page limit?

28. Regarding Criterion 3, Specialized Experience and Technical Competence, there are 15 systems and disciplines listed in sub-paragraph a. (Civil, Structural, Mechanical, etc.).

Does NASA desire a resume for a professional in each of these disciplines? May one person fill multiple roles on the contract (for example, an Electrical Engineer also serving as Electrical Controls professional)?

To the extent that a firm has key personnel with the relevant experience listed, then their qualifications should be included in the proposal. One person can fill multiple roles if applicable, so long as the different roles/experiences are identified for that person and this

29. Assuming that NASA desires a separate resume for each system and discipline, we respectfully request that the 30-page overall limit be reconsidered. An SF330 document typically contains 1 page for Sections A-C, 1 page for Section D Organization Chart, at least 1 resume per discipline in Section E, at least 10 pages for Section F Projects, 1 page for Section G Matrix, several pages for Section H, and as many Part II pages as are needed to represent each firm and office on the design team. Even if one resume can count for multiple disciplines, we would be hard-pressed to sufficiently address the five selection criteria within 30 pages, especially when restricted to 12-point font. Given these concerns, we would appreciate a reconsideration of the page limit.

30. It states: Firms and teams with prior experience working at GRC or on projects and systems similar to GRC are desirable and include: institutional & industrial systems and facilities, test cells, laboratories and research facilities. Will having relevant experience at similar systems, facilities and projects carry the same weight as having relevant experience at GRC?

Yes, per the Solicitation: Firms and teams with prior experience working at GRC or on projects and systems similar to GRC are desirable.