second set questions_05222009.doc

AG-3A75-S-09-0007 Question and Answers 2

Question 16: According to Section C – Statement of Work, “These contracts are being procured in accordance with the Brooks A&E Act, as implemented in FAR Subpart 36.6.,” which is a qualifications-based selection. However, according to Section M. 1(b), “Offerors shall furnish unit prices for all line items and quantities set forth in the Price Schedule – Section B. Any offeror that does not furnish unit prices for all line items and quantities set forth in the schedule will be considered to be non-responsive and eliminated from contention for this award.” This is in direct conflict with a Brooks Act selection. In addition, price is not mentioned under M.2 – Evaluation Factor for Award. Furthermore, we find no Section B in the solicitation materials.

Can you clarify?

Answer 16: This is an error and an oversight. There is no Section B because we are looking for qualifications at this point. This is a request for qualifications in accordance with FAR 36.6. NRCS is not looking for pricing at this time and should read as follows:

M.1

CONTRACT AWARD

(a) Award will be made to the responsible offeror whose proposal, conforming to this solicitation, provides the Government the best value.

(b) The Government may award a contract based on initial qualifications received, without discussion. The Government intends to award up to six (6) nationwide contracts as a result of this solicitation. The Government reserves the right to reject any or all proposals.

Question 17: Section C – Statement of Work, Section 2(a) DAM ASSESSMENTS: Are GIS shapefiles an acceptable format for the final drawing of the breach inundation map?

Answer 17: Geo-referenced GIS shapefile is an acceptable format for the final drawing of the breach inundation map.

Question 18: Section L.2. (d) SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS states to “Deliver the five copies of the SF 330 for prime and any proposed sub-consultants to Denise Brooks….”, while Section L.2. (a) states 6 copies of the Qualifications are require – six hardcopies, original plus five and one electronic version, CD format.

Answer 18: Correction to L.2(d) as follows:

(d) SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS: Firms responding to this announcement before the closing date will be considered for selection, subject to any limitations indicated, specialized technical expertise or other requirements listed.

Applicants are required to include a list of three references with telephone numbers and names of contact persons with their submittal Interested firms having the capabilities to perform this work must submit six (6) hardcopies (original plus five copies) and one electronic version (CD format) current complete Standard Form 330s (SF 330, REV 6/2004), Architect-Engineer Qualifications, Parts I and II, and any supplemental data which documents the firm's qualifications. Failure to submit SF 330 Parts I and II for the Prime and SF 330 Part II for each of the consulting firms will render the submission unacceptable.

Question 19: Do you have a page limitation on the SF 330 response to subject contract?

Answer 19: As stated in answer 4:

NRCS will require a maximum of 60 (8.5" x 11") pages, not including Section E, Resumes as state under L.2 ENTIRE QUALIFICATIONS PACKAGE SUBMISSION.

Question 20: The solicitation states that the cumulative contract not-to-exceed maximum is $60,000,000. Is there a not-to-exceed maximum per awarded contract?

Answer 20: Not at this time.

Question 21: Does the SF330 qualifications package 60-page limit include SF 330 Part II Forms?

Answer 21: Yes.

Question 22. The evaluation factors for award include five (5) selection criteria, none of which include price or labor rates. However, section M.1 Contract Award of the solicitation package requests unit prices. Does the NRCS require that the offeror submit unit prices or labor rates? If so, please provide the referenced Price Schedule - Section B.

Answer 22: See answer 16.

Question 23: Our questions are as follows:

1.) Will security clearances be required for ALL A/E team personnel?

Answer 23(1):

Only those personnel needing access to Government installations and computer databases.

2.) Will a single point of security clearance by sufficient (rather than facility by facility or building by building)?

Answer 23(2) Personal Identity verification is needed for A/E team personnel required to have routine physical access to a Federally-controlled facility and/or routine access to a Federally-controlled information system. At this point, it is not anticipated that many personnel will require Personal Identity verification.

3.) What are the goals for Small Business and SMDB Subcontracting?

Answer 23(3):

Procurement dollars to all small business categories in %

Small Business 70% Small Disadvantaged business 10% Woman-Owned Small Business 5% 8a Business 5% HUBZone 3% Veteran-Owned and Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business 3% 4.) Will each of the six (6) contracts have a separate USDA contracting officer?

Answer 23(4) No.

5.) Will Joint Ventures be considered?

Answer 23(5) Yes, provided that the joint venture meets the requirement to be capable of providing nation wide services. Relationships between partners and partner responsibilities should be clearly delineated.

6.) Will any of the work performed under these new contracts be of a Design-Build nature?

Answer 23(6) Design-build services are not anticipated at this time.

Last batch of Questions:

24. The entire 330 qualifications package is limited to 60 pages not including Section E resumes. Since this is a nationwide contract covering 49 states, which necessitates use of multiple offices in multiple states, the number of staff and offices involved may be large. The 330 submission dictates that these offices be shown in Part II of the 330 submission. May we not include Part II's in the 60 page count (similar to resumes being excluded)?

Answer 24. The 330 qualification package is exempt fro the from the 60 page limitation.

25. Does the NRCS have specific goals for small and minority business participation and if so what are they?

Answer 25: See Answer 23 above.

26. On Page 13 for PL-4. Is it correct that the experience minimum is 5-years or should that number have been higher?

Answer 26: This is correct. Five (5) years is the minimum.

27. Does the title page information listed on page 49 count in the 60 page limit?

Answer 27:

The entire SF 330 qualifications package is limited to 60 (8.5" x 11") pages, not including Section E, Resumes. Front and back side use of a single page will count as 2 pages. Cover letters and extraneous materials (brochures, etc.) will not be considered.

28. How does the NRCS plan to administer the contract and conduct the work? Will the contract be administered from HQ or States/ Regional Centers? Will the technical direction be with the states or HQ?

Answer 28:

Warranted Contracting Officers from all locations will issue task order to contracted vendors. Administration of task orders will be done at the level issued (State, regional, etc.). Technical directions will also come from this level of the Task Order. Overall contract administration, tracking, Modifications, etc., will be done at the HQ Level.

29. How is this solicitation associated with the current watershed rehabilitations efforts of NRCS? Could that work be included under this contract?

Answer 29:

Watershed rehabilitation efforts of NRCS may be potential tasks under this solicitation.

30. What is the anticipated responsibilities of the Professional Architect under the scope of this solicitation?

Answer 30:

Services of a Professional Architect are not anticipated at this time.

31. What is the anticipated responsibilities of the Agricultural Engineer under the scope of this solicitation?

Answer 31: Anticipated responsibilities of the agricultural engineer would depend on qualifications, experience, and nature of work to be tasked. If qualified an agricultural engineer is tasked design, design reviews, and construction management activities of water resources related projects. It is expected the agricultural engineer meets all technical qualifications to provide professional services.

32. What is the position of NRCS on key personnel on multiple proposal submissions (ie the same individual proposed by different firms)? Would that pose a conflict or affect the number of awards made?

Answer 32: See Section M2, Evaluation Factors for Awards. The firm(s) selected must be able to provide the personnel listed as key. If a person is in several qualifications packages and all firms are selected, then the firms must provide that individual or provide someone with equivalent experience that is acceptable to the Government.

33. What model is used for the risk index computation as identified in Section 2(a) (page 5)?

Answer 33: Please review the referenced National Watershed Manual (NWM) (see http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/watershed/index.html)

34. Would there be any package screening delays in the NRCS building if our proposal package is shipped via Fed-Ex?

Answer 34:

No.

Note: Received Questions in Black type and Agency responses in Royal Blue type