Solicitation No. AG-3142-S-09-0039 - Amendment No. 0005.docx

Architect/Engineer (A/E) Services IDIQ Solicitation Number AG-3142-S-09-0039

RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS SUBMITTED

AMENDMENT No. 0005

All are advised that this requirement is being advertised as a competitive 8(a) set aside.

This amendment answers questions submitted to date.

QUESTION 1 - I just saw the 3rd amendment for this solicitation, under criterion 1, do we need to provide resumes of each principal and owner of each sub or is that just the prime firm?

ANSWER 1 – USDA requires resumes of key personnel from the prime and sub which are defined in the SF 330 as, “Individuals who will have major contract responsibilities and or provide unusual or unique expertise.” Please refer to Criterion 1 – Submission Requirements.

QUESTION 2 - As an alternative, would it be possible to post the interested vendors list as an amendment or e-mail a copy of the interested vendors to those that requested the information? Otherwise, it is impossible for us to participate and get our information to those that may be looking for fire and life safety support for this contract just because of a software programming error.

ANSWER 2 – Refer to Amendment No. 0004 posted earlier on October 13, 2009. The ‘interested vendors’ tab provided in FedBizOpps is now fully functional. Contractors must rely on this information for the most current information.

QUESTION 3 - If the interested vendor’s list cannot be provided at least five days before the bid due date of October 20, can there be a short extension to coincide with date the Interested Vendors information does comes available. This will allow interested vendors time to partner and combine resources to better serve the government and potentially provide subsequent best value bids.

ANSWER 3 – Please refer to Question 2 above. No further extensions are anticipated at this time.

QUESTION 4 - The RFP states that firms submit “a typed SF330” – from my understanding, this means you would like one copy only. Please confirm.

ANSWER 4 – Refer to SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS. Submit the following: a) One (1) original and five (5) copies of SF 330 for the prime offeror (SF 330 should also include team's sub-consultants) addressing the selection criteria information; and b) one compact disk copy, in Adobe Acrobat format, of the SF 330 being submitted by the firm.

QUESTION 5 - Our company is 8a NAICS 541330, 541340. but don’t have offices in US main land. We are trying to make a joint venture with a multidiscipline company that have offices in Puerto Rico, New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia and most areas of Florida. This opportunity requires offices in all areas mentioned in the solicitation?

ANSWER 5 - Criterion 5 states for the A/E firm's main office and sub-consultants offices must be within a 60 mile commute to USDA Headquarters. Refer to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 36.602-1.

QUESTION 6 - I have reviewed Amendment 4 – Vendor List and realized OLBN Architectural Service, Inc. is not listed. Please could you kindly include us in you vendor list?

ANSWER 6 – The ‘interested vendors’ list is currently operational. All parties are now able to access all vendors that have registered. If you have not registered you must do so, as the list published is the most current.

QUESTION 7 - Will we disqualified if the 8(a) architect on our team does not have a main office or offices within a 60 mile commute to USDA Headquarters?

ANSWER 7 – Criterion 5 states for the A/E firm's main office and sub-consultants offices must be within a 60 mile commute to USDA Headquarters. Refer to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 36.602-1.

QUESTION 8 - We’re considering to a joint venture with the 8(a) being the lead what would the requirements be to properly submit on this project.

ANSWER 8 – Please refer to 13 CFR 124.513 for guidance on joint ventures (JV) as it related to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 8(a) program.