AE FBO.doc

AG 2D37 S 08 0160

NRCS Pennsylvania A&E Animal Waste Management System Design Services

Small Business Set Aside

NAICS: 541330

Size: s/b = < $4.0 million

DESCRIPTION:

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in PA announces a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Architect and Engineering firms interested in contracting for A&E Services for the engineering components of Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans (CNMP), specifically for waste storage facilities, manure transfer, heavy use area protection, roof runoff structures and other associated practices. A&E services will include tasks such as:

1) Investigation of current operations,

2) Engineering surveys,

3) Geologic and soils investigation and testing,

4) Design and preparation of construction plans and specifications,

5) Preparation of Operation & Maintenance Plans including emergency action plans,

6) Providing information to the landowner for use in securing required permits,

7) Construction layout,

8) Quality assurance of construction,

9) Preparation of as-built drawings, and

10) Certification of compliance with NRCS standards.

The NRCS contemplates the award of one or more Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) type contracts. The contract period will be a one-year base period and four option periods for a maximum of five years. Option period pricing will be established by indexing the original negotiated rates to the Northeast MSA CPI-All Urban index rate in effect on the anniversary date of the contract. The firms selected are guaranteed a minimum of $5000 in fees for the base year, and a maximum of $250,000 in fees for each year of the contract. Delivery Orders will be issued only after negotiations establishing a Firm Fixed Price.

The estimated construction costs of the proposed projects are between $10,000 and $150,000. These IDIQ contracts may include the repair, expansion, modification, or replacement of existing systems. Services will also involve direct consultation with NRCS staff and the landowners for reviews and approvals of plans and specifications, and with construction contractors for construction quality control. Design and implementation compliance will be in accordance with NRCS-PA Section IV of the electronic Field Office Technical Guide (eFOTG), and the NRCS Agricultural Waste Management Handbook, Engineering Field Handbook, National Engineering Manual, and all other referenced publications. The preparation of construction and design documents shall be in electronic formats with approved computer software. All drawings will be submitted in AutoCADD (version 2004 or later).

SELECTION CRITERIA:

All firms responding to this announcement will be evaluated on the following factors:

(1) Professional Qualifications necessary for satisfactory performance of required services. (10%). At the minimum, the Project Manager will be a licensed Pennsylvania Professional Engineer.

(2) Specialized experience and technical competence in the type of work required.

(30%)

Evaluation will be based on the extent of directly related experience in performing engineering surveys and engineering designs of the types of projects described; specialized education at the university level, and all other applicable education, training, and certifications. Evaluation will include experience and technical competence, in the areas of soil mechanics, soil conservation, hydrology, hydraulics, surveying, structural design, construction oversight, and agricultural waste management systems. Examples of work shall be documented for review, as well as a description of the type work performed. These work descriptions will be evaluated based on documented complexity of work performed.

(3) Experience with NRCS standards, construction specifications, and technical references. (10%)

Evaluation will be based upon the experience of both the firm in general, and specific personnel to be used on the contract, with current NRCS standards, construction specifications, and other technical references that pertain to the application of selected conservation practices.

(4) Capacity to accomplish the work in the required time.

(20%)

Evaluation will be based upon the demonstrated ability to timely perform assigned tasks.

(5) Past performance on contracts with government agencies and private industry.

(10%)

Evaluation will be based upon the firm’s past experience with other government agencies and the private sector in performing the requirements described; the quality and timeliness of performance under previous contracts. References with telephone numbers must be provided.

(6) Location in the general geographic area.

(20%)

Evaluation will be based upon the firm’s proximity to and knowledge of the project areas in Pennsylvania.

SUBMITTALS:

Responses should include the qualifications of personnel and a description of the facilities, materials, equipment, and services which the A&E has to perform the tasks in this notice. Responses should also include the qualifications of proposed sub-contractors for all disciplines to be utilized.

Standard Form 330s may be downloaded from the internet; search term = “SF 330”.

It is recommended that each firm include with their SF330 submission a resume type brief addressing individually, each selection factor above. No more than two pages per factor should be submitted.

Those firms that meet the requirements described herein and that wish to be considered must submit an SF330 package to:

Tim Sittig, Contracting Officer

USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service

Suite 340, One Credit Union Place

Harrisburg, PA 17110-2993

This submittal must be received in this office no later than the June 16, 2008.

The SF330 must clearly indicate the office location where the work will be performed. Firms responding before the closing date will be considered for selection, subject to any limitations indicated with respect to the criteria listed. Responses must also include a customer reference list with addresses and telephone numbers for all projects listed as related experience, and a project workload schedule showing proposed team members for the contract period.

Other Prior to contract award the selected vendor(s) MUST be registered on the Central Contractor Registration and the Online Representations and Certifications Application sites. Please ensure that you list the NAICS code 541330.

Central Contractor Registration (CCR)

The Federal Acquisition Regulation (subpart 4.11) requires that contractors be registered in the CCR database prior to being awarded a contract. Detailed information about CCR is available on the World Wide Web at www.ccr.gov. The CCR Customer Assistance Center can be contacted toll free at 1-888-227-2423.

What is CCR?

· CCR is the primary vendor database for the U.S. Federal Government.

· The information in CCR is entered and maintained by each vendor.

· Each vendor is responsible for the accuracy and currency of their information.

· CCR validates the vendor information and provides a secure central database for use by Federal Government agencies.

Registration in CCR

· The preferred method for registration is via the World Wide Web at www.ccr.gov. A CCR handbook, a copy of the registration template, and on-line information about the registration process and information required are available at that site.

· Vendors may register by submitting the registration template to the Department of Defense, Central Contractor Registration 74 Washington Ave., N., Suite 7, Battle Creek, MI 49017-3084.

Registration Process

· The first step is to obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number, which is a unique nine-character identification number provided by the commercial company Dun and Bradstreet (D&B).

· To request a DUNS number call D&B at the toll free number 1-866-705-5711 or register online at ccr.dnb.com/ccr/pages/CCRSearch.jsp.

· Obtaining a DUNS number through this process is free of charge.

· When you obtain a DUNS number you might be included on D&B's marketing list that is sold to other companies. If you do not want to be included on this list, ask D&B to remove your company's name from the marketing list.

· Once you have a DUNS number you can begin the CCR registration process.

· If registering on-line go to www.ccr.gov - select "Start New Registration." You will need your DUNS number to start this registration.

· If registering using the paper copy of the registration template, complete the form, including your DUNS number, and mail to the address indicated above.

Access to the CCR Database — Caution regarding TPIN number

· The CCR is designed to be a highly secure, single repository of vendor information. Vendors are required to enter financial information into CCR for the purpose of facilitating payments through electronic funds transfer. Only authorized Government representatives or the vendors themselves can access this financial information. Once registration is complete, each vendor receives a Trading Partner identification Number (TPIN) that is his/her secure/confidential password. The TPIN should NOT be used on contracts or other Government paperwork. The TPIN is the vendor's confidential password to allow the vendor to access his/her data in the CCR database. Vendors need both their DUNS number and TPIN number to access their data. At a minimum, vendors will need to access their data annually. Vendors must renew/update their data annually to keep their CCR registration active.

Please note that registration in CCR does not guarantee business with the Federal Government.

On-Line Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA)

What is ORCA?

· ORCA is a web-based system that centralizes and standardizes the collection, storage and viewing of many of the FAR representations and certifications required by solicitations. With ORCA, vendors have the ability to maintain their representation and certification information via the World Wide Web at orca.bpn.gov. Representations and certifications completed in ORCA will not need to be submitted with each offer (proposal or bid). Solicitations will include a provision that allows vendors to certify that their representations and certifications in ORCA are current, complete and accurate, or to list any exceptions/changes to those certifications.

Vendor Registration in ORCA

· To register in ORCA, you need to have an active Central Contractor Registration (CCR) record, a Marketing Partner Identification Number (MPIN) from your CCR record, and know your DUNS number. Detailed information regarding ORCA and how to submit records is available on the ORCA Web site at orca.bpn.gov under Help and FAQs.

5/15/2008