Questions_Answers.docx

Questions & Answers

AG-84M8-S-15-0008

Interpretive Planning Solicitation

Q: Do the projects profiled in the past performance questionnaires (our references) need to be the same ones we are submitting for our sample projects?

A. No, but it may be helpful.

Q. Do the projects in the past performance questionnaires need to be over $50,000? No.

A. However, you will probably want to get references from projects that you had spent a good amount of time on.

Q. How many copies of each sample (e.g., interpretive plan or exhibit project) should we submit? We are happy to profile multiple copies so that every reviewer has their own set, but didn't want to bombard you with materials!

A. Page 19 of the solicitation (specific instructions) explains how many copies of different parts are expected.

Q. Regarding the past performance questionnaire, we would like confirmation from the Forest Service that it would like the offerors to collect the completed forms and turn them in with the completed proposal. As per the latest amendment (from Sept. 25), the past performance is due on Oct. 10th yet the proposal is due Oct. 8th. Can you provide us with any guidance on this?

A. The questionnaires should be sent directly to the forest service. We extended the deadline to give your past clients more time.

Q. Can you please tell me, is the selected firm for this IDIQ contract bound and obligated to perform any delivery orders submitted within the 5 year term?

A. If there is only one contract with one specific contractor then it is expected for that contractor to perform on every task order request.

Q. We recently completed a major project for the Forest Service with an exhibits budget of approximately $1.1 million (photos are attached) How many of these types of projects do you have with seven-figure exhibit budgets?

A. Probably not. The 5 yr. limit is $3 Million.

Q. Evaluation factor D on page 24 of your RFP indicates that “ Proposed rates will be reviewed for completeness and reasonableness” What sort of labor rates do you deem reasonable for the following categories?

1. Project manager

1. Creative Director

1. Interpretive Planner

1. Exhibit Designer

1. Exhibit Detailer

1. Exhibit Fabrication Specialist

1. Graphic Designer

1. Media Specialist A. The Wage Determination is attached and is a guide. This is a competitive solicitation and other potential vendor’s rates will be compared.

Q. On larger projects do you need to go outside the IDIQ list and release solicitations through Fed Connect? If so, what is the threshold for those types of solicitations?

A. We don’t anticipate it at this time.

Q. Do you intend to award more than one contract?

A. It is not known at this time how many

Q. Regarding past performance, I see you're requesting a LIST of past projects over 50K in the last 5 years relevant to this scope of work. Does every project listed have to be backed up by a completed PP questionnaire?

It’s preferred.

Q. Are these questionnaires limited to the projects listed? No Please clarify that proposers are required to solicit responses from previous clients and ask them to submit completed questionnaires no later than 10/10. Or will you be requesting these questionnaires only if proposers make it past the initial review?

A. No, it’s preferred that the PPQ’s either accompany the proposal or sent beforehand.

Q. Past Performance document/info; Are we to fill out and the Forest Service will send to past client for response? OR are we to fill out as noted, and then send to the previous client(s) to fill out and send back directly to the Forest Service?

A. You are to fill out and sent to clients.

Q. Proposal requirements: Are hard copies required? If so how many? Is an electronic copy acceptable?

A. Yes hard copies are required and it does state that 3 are required…prefer hard copies.

Q. Pg. 19 of 40: "Offerors may submit more than 1 proposal. The number of proposals would relate to the Activity or combination of activities for which the offeror wanted to be considered. Each proposal shall stand alone and be evaluated independently." Is this relic language from a past solicitation document? We have to submit a separate proposal for each type of service we want to be considered for (as listed in the original request for capabilities)?

A. We are looking for a company (or a partnership of companies) that will be able to do it all in one award package. A company may partner with others to submit more than one proposal.

Q. Pg. 23 of 40 Samples. The description of each sample will go in our technical proposal, of which there will be 3 copies. But what about the actual sample documents - interpretive plans, exhibit design packages, etc? Are you requiring 3 copies of each of these, too? These can be pretty hefty documents sometimes...

A. Yes. This is done so more than one review can review them at a time. They can be submitted in a digital format (3 copies of each).

Q. The PPQ form state near the top that Questionnaires should be mailed, emailed, or faxed to you. Directly below the signature line it indicates that “The USFS requests that the client completes this questionnaire and submits directly back to the offeror. The offeror will submit the completed questionnaire to the USFS with their proposal.” Which do you prefer, sent directly to you or included in the proposal?

A. Either or is fine.

Q. Do you have a minimum or maximum number of PPQs that should be submitted? No To how many contractors do you anticipate awarding this IDIQ?

A. It’s not known at this time.

Q. Once the IDIQ is in place, what will the process be for selection for individual task orders? For instance, will competitive solicitations be sent to all IDIQ holders, and an award made to the lowest-price technically acceptable?

A. That information is in the solicitation

Q. Please advise whether administrative items (such as the complete representations and certifications, Representation by Corporations Regarding an Unpaid Delinquent Tax, etc.) should be included with the technical proposal, the price proposal, or a separate volume.

A. As long as it’s included, it matters not where.

Q. Pages 19-22 of the solicitation document provide specific instructions on preparing the technical proposal. There do not appear to be specific instructions for the price proposal. Is it correct that the price proposal only needs to include the information contained on pages 3-5 of the solicitation document?

A. If there are not any specific instructions for the price proposal then follow what is stated on the pages.

Q. 52.212-1 states that "Offerers may submit more than one proposal. The number of proposals would relate to the Activity or combination of Activities for which the offeror wanted to be considered." Is it sufficient for us to submit a single proposal that is inclusive of all tasks and activities described in the statement of work?

A. Yes

Q. Can you clarify the request for three samples of completed work projects outlined on Page 23? Are you requesting that each of these three samples are provided for each project that is shown in the past performance section?

A. Yes

Q. Or are you asking for each past performance project example to be demonstrated by one of the sample type?

What kind of fabrication do you do for panels and frames?

We are manufacturers of Fiberglass Embedment and Gel Coat Laminate. Are these products spec’d by USFS, or does each project have a wide-open request (i.e. “durable materials”, or “outdoor materials”)?

A. Each project may be different. As an IDIQ contract, the specifications will be outlined in each task order.

Q. On the frames side, we manufacture using mainly aluminum, but also steel. What kind of frame fabrication does the USFS do these days? Again – it depends on each task order needs.

Can you provide a couple project examples, so we can see what a typical request might look like?

A. Not at this time. Each task order is unique.

Q. Is installation a requirement on every project? Does the USFS ever install projects with in-house staff?

A. Installation is not always required.

Q. In the SOW document, task #5 outlines possible fabrication requirements. It includes items such as cabinetry, mannequins, dioramas, electrical devices, lighting, A/V equipment, etc. Elsewhere it talks about websites, smart apps, and so on. To what extent will these types of items be called out on Task Orders?

A. We have no idea at this time as prospective task orders are not yet known.

Q. Is there any kind of a balance (i.e. 50% of this, 50% of that) that you can project would be requested on forth coming RFQs?

A. Not at this time.

Q. This request covers a very wide gamut, which can prove to be difficult to cost estimate. Knowing what balance we are looking forward to is helpful.

A. We are looking for a company (or companies) that can do it all. We would pick and choose the tasks to complete as needed.

Q. If an award is given to this IDIQ, are we required to provide a cost on every Task Order that comes out? Or can we pick and choose what we bid on?

A. No. You are expected to bid on all individual task orders especially if only one award is made.

Q. Do you have an estimate for how many Task Orders are issued per month, or per year? And what the average value of those Task Orders is?

A. Our last IDIQ contract in 2007 resulted in 40 task orders over 5 years ranging from $5,000 to $750,000. Again, it depends on the needs of the project. This IDIQ has the potential to be used nation-wide, and could result in a wide variety of work.

Q. We read the RFP to mean that we are required to submit only three PPQs, which should relate directly to the “at least three” Samples of Work. Is our understanding correct? If not, please clarify the requirements for PPQs. For instance, do we need to provide a PPQ for all of the projects that we will list per the direction on page 22 of the solicitation document? Or, is there a minimum/maximum number of PPQs that should be submitted?

A. As stated, please submit a list of past projects performed in the last 5 years that relate to the work covered in this IDIQ. This is to say that, we are looking for a simple list of interpretive projects you have done along with a contact name, address & phone number. We don’t want to know about any construction contracts you may have done. An amendment was done on Friday to clarify the dollar amount of projects to submit.

Q. The Past Performance Questionnaire lists a response date of 9/30/2015. Is this the date by which our references must return the PPQ to the USFS?

A. Yes and an extension was done on the same amendment.

Q. Page 22 of the solicitation document states that “the offeror shall submit a list of past projects performed in the last 5 years relevant to the efforts required by the solicitation.” This goes on to indicate several items we need to provide for each of these projects (contract number, period of performance, etc.) Do you intend the proposal to list all of the 30-50 projects that we could submit, or is there a cap on the number of projects you would like to see?

A. This info is in addition to what is being asked for.

Q. May we submit more than one key person for each role (I.e. three people for interpretive planner)?

A. Certainly and keep in mind, that we are looking for KEY personnel, not everyone in your company.

Q. Can you please confirm that we are required to submit physical copies of the proposal, or is the submission entirely digital?

A. So long as we can easily print it – such as a pdf – digital format is fine. Of course, it is up to you to determine if that is the best way you want to present your company.