AG-9702-S-10-0009_Questions Answers--08 March 10.pdf

Solicitation No. AG-9702-S-10-0009

Amendment No. 0003, Attachment 1

Design-Build Angeles NF Supervisor’s Office

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (Q&A)

03/08/2010

Q1. Due to the large number of federal projects a unique burden has been placed on our previous clients in the requirement for Past Performance Reference Questionnaires (PPRQs) for projects such as this one.

Many clients have requested we resubmit previous PPRQ forms, since they, in some cases, have filled them out many times? Most of the current solicitations from federal agencies (Army COE/NAVFAC/

GSA) now allow the use of previously solicited PPRQs. In recognition of this unique situation, I would like to request that for this solicitation you allow previously obtained PPRQs?

A1. See changes made by Solicitation Amendment 0003.

Q2. The Government has received numerous inquiries about the lack of any stipend for unsuccessful offerors that were selected to compete for Phase II on the “short list”, but ultimately were not selected for contract award.

A2. See changes made by Solicitation Amendment 0003.

Q3. In reference to solicitation page 49 of 51, can we submit a total of six (6) projects (three to five (3-5) similar past projects within the last 10 years and at least one (1) similar past project within the last 3-5 years) for the General contractor (GC) and six (6) projects for the Architect?

A3. See changes made by Solicitation Amendment 0003.

Q4. Can the past projects presented have a construction value greater than $15 million?

A4. Yes, the Government will consider past projects with values in excess of $15 million.

Q5. Would you please clarify if the PPRQs are required of only the GC or is it also required of the design team members?

A5. PPRQs are required for the entire Design-Build team, to include both GC and design team.

Q6. In reference to solicitation page 6 of 51, what version LEED is the Government targeting…Version

2.2 or Version 3.0, and is it the Government's goal to CERTIFY the project at a LEED Silver level or to meet/track LEED Silver?

A6. See changes made by Solicitation Amendment 0003.

Q7. After the Phase I selection process has been completed, will the Government publicize the short-listed firms, and identify which firms have a HUBZone Preference?

A7. Yes, the Government will publicize the short-listed firms. In Phase II, HUBZone Preference shall be given in accordance with FAR 52.219-4. HUBZone status of any firm can be accessed at the SBA’s profile page online.

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Q8. Could you provide me a POC to determine if the Design-Build Angeles NF Supervisor's Office project will include shower modifications? The available data is not specific.

A8. This matter will be addressed in Phase II of the solicitation process.

Q9. I am interested in the low voltage, CAT6, Fiber Optics, for this project. How can I get a set of plans to bid to the contractors?

A9. This matter will be addressed in Phase II of the solicitation process.

Q10. Will a modular office concept be acceptable design concept for this project?

A10. This matter will be addressed in Phase II of the solicitation process.

Q11. Is the Phase I Pre-Proposal Conference mandatory to attend?

A11. No, attendance for the Phase I Pre-Proposal Conference is/was not mandatory. All the publicized information regarding this project and the conference can be found at www.fbo.gov.

Q12. Would you like us to include copies of the completed PPRQs when we submit our proposals?

A12. The Government’s original intent was for the company/person providing the reference to directly submit completed PPRQs to C. Wallach via e-mail; however, the Government will accept previously obtained PPRQs, if the same required information is provided, at a minimum, and in this case, previous questionnaires can be submitted with Phase I proposals.

Q13. PPRQs address questions related to the GC’s work only. Will the Government modify this form to address projects completed by the Architect only and/or projects completed jointly by the GC and

Architect?

A13. See changes made by Solicitation Amendment 0003.

Q14. We need to know if city/county permits will be required? If so, it will impact our build schedule, given the current state of backlog in those agencies. We need to ascertain if the project is feasible to both design and build within the 24-month period allotted.

A14. Although a plan approval will not be required, the contractor shall submit the 100% plans, specs and calculations to the City of Arcadia for plan check and review, and shall incorporate the City’s comments into the plans and specs before finalizing them. If the City turnaround time is greater than 4 weeks, the

Government will waive City review or extend the contract performance time.

Q15. In reference to solicitation page 49 of 51, we are to include brief technical qualifications (resumes) of numerous team members. In addition to this, we are to discuss how the group will perform as a team.

It states that this information is to be a maximum of 10 pages. Do the 10 pages refer to the maximum

Design-Build Angeles NF Supervisor’s Office

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length of both the “resume” and “work as a team” parts of this section, or do the “resumes” not count against the 10 page maximum?

A15. See changes made by Solicitation Amendment 0003.

Q16. In reference to solicitation page 49 of 51, paragraph 3a, it states that we must identify the following team members…“mechanical/electrical/environmental/HVAC/plumbing”. Please clarify if the

“environmental” sub is more a part of the civil/geotechnical side or is he/she meant to be part of the

MP&E side of work?

A16. See changes made by Solicitation Amendment 0003.

Q17. In reference to solicitation page 44 of 51, item 1 asks us to submit Section A-SF 1442, pages 1-3.

This appears to be the pricing document we normally see submitted in a Phase II submission. Is this the 3 page form you are requesting that we submit, and if so, would you like to see the letters “TBD” next to the “amounts” Box (item 17) for now?

A17. Submit Section A – SF 1442, pages 1 – 3, as required under Section L. Since a price proposal is

NOT required in this Phase I solicitation, Block 17 does not apply.

Q18. Are the Form 330’s counted toward the 10 page maximum for item 3 “Technical qualifications”?

A18. See changes made by Solicitation Amendment 0003.

Q19. Will the Government conduct interviews as part of the Phase I selection process?

A19. No, interviews will not be conducted; however, the Government reserves the right to hold discussions with offerors as necessary.

Q20. In reference to solicitation page 6 of 51, it seems the Agency would like “Geotechnical, Surveyor &

Hazardous Materials” to be part of the design team; however, this is not industry standard, and many

Architects’ professional liability insurance would not allow for such. Would the Agency consider procuring their services independently and separately?

A20. No; this matter will be addressed in further detail if necessary during Phase II.

Q21. In reference to solicitation page 5 of 51, a brief scope of work has been provided. We need to know how would architectural programming, such as equipment requirements, logistic/adjacencies of programs, spatial hierarchy and etc, be handled prior to proceeding to Phase II? Would it be contracted separately with each of the individual short-listed firms, or would a design program be provided?

A21. This information is not available and is not needed in Phase I. This information will be available to the short-listed firms when the Phase II solicitation is issued.

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Q22. Is there a preference for local and/or small business in the selection of Phase I?

A22. No, there is no preference given to local/small business in Phase I.

Q23. In reference to solicitation page 7 of 51, item 20, designs developed as a part of this contract become the complete property of the Government and may be adapted for reuse by the Government or one of its contractors for construction at other locations in the future without additional compensation. Can you please clarify this statement?

A23. During the Phase II evaluation, the Government will not take conceptual plans and ideas from one team to give to another; however, it can be expected that many designers would produce similar plans or ideas, thus many ideas are not unique and cannot be monopolized. The fact that a similar plan or idea ends up being implemented does not mean that the Government appropriated concepts and ideas from a team that was not selected in Phase II. If the Government implements a similar plan or idea, the original offeror(s) or designer(s) are relieved of all liability which might arise as a result of that implementation.

Q24. Has the project been registered with the USGBC (i.e. applicable LEED version)?

A24. No. It will be the responsibility of the selected contractor to prepare required documents for

Government’s approval and signature, then to submit the project for registration.

Q25. It appears that a Phase I environmental survey for ACM, LBP and PCB presence may be required as a minimum. Can you please confirm and elaborate if possible so our team may be configured accordingly?

A25. The Government is currently testing the affected buildings for lead-based paint and asbestos. If additional testing or assessment will be required, it will be indicated in the Phase II solicitations. Answer

16 above removed the requirement to identify environmental team members, including asbestos, lead, and

PCB subcontractors.

Q26. In reference to solicitation page 49 of 51, subsection d states “Submittal must commit that design drawings and/or construction documents will be prepared by professional architects and engineers registered in the state of California.” With the offeror’s commitment in its submittal, if some of the design personnel proposed for this project are in the process of obtaining their CA registration, will that be acceptable to the Government for the purposes of Phase I?

A26. No, all of the architects and engineers must be licensed in the State of California prior to submittal of Phase I.

Q27. In reference to solicitation page 50 of 51, it states “Offerors shall submit a list of the most recent and/or currently in progress contracts within the last 10 years, and at least one (1) within the last 3-5 years which are of similar size, scope, and complexity.” Is this a separate list than the 3-5 projects required on page 49 of 51?

Design-Build Angeles NF Supervisor’s Office

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A27. No, it is the same list. Page 49 instructs you to describe the relevance/similarity of the project(s) to the attribute(s) listed Phase I evaluation factor number 1 (“Technical approach”), while page 50 instructs you to submit a list for the purpose of selecting references and submitting questionnaires.

Q28. In reference to solicitation page 50 of 51, it requires the offerors to “select three (3) references” from the project list to send PPRQs. If the designer and contractor worked on two (2) projects submitted as past experience and sent subsequent PPRQs, and the contractor submitted a separate PPRQ for a project that was not performed by the team, would that be acceptable to the Government?

A28. Yes, as long as each submitted project meets the requirement of “substantial involvement” as described in Phase I evaluation factor number 2 (“Past performance” on page 49 of the Solicitation).

Q29. In reference to solicitation page 5 of 51, what will the “indoor and outdoor fire training” include?

Will there be props such as a fire tower?

A29. This reference to fire training is in the context of describing current site uses. It is provided to give offerors an idea of the type of “normal Forest business,” the continued use of which will have to be allowed while construction is going on (see item 2 on page 6 of the Phase I Solicitation). No improvements are planned at this time related to outdoor fire training. Any indoor fire training needs (e.g.

classrooms or conference rooms) will be identified and specified in Phase II of the solicitation process.

Q30. In reference to solicitation page 5 of 51, it states “The building will also be used as a support center during fire and other emergency incidents…”. Will the building function as an Emergency Operations

Center (EOC)?

A30. This matter will be addressed in Phase II of the solicitation process. The building will not be classified as an Essential Facility

Q31. Do the PPRQs have to be from the same projects used in the past performance narrative section of the submittal?

A31. Yes.

Q32. Please provide more details on seismic safety concerns?

A32. This matter will be addressed more specifically in Phase II of the solicitation process, but in addition to Building Code seismic provisions, please see design consideration number 1 on page 6 of the Phase I solicitation.

Q33. Please provide more details about the underground fuel tanks?

A33. Known underground fuel tanks were removed within the area of construction.

Q34. Please provide more details about historical landmarks involve with this project?

Design-Build Angeles NF Supervisor’s Office

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A34. An environmental assessment was conducted and it was determined that no historical landmarks are involved with this project.

Q35. How much time will be given to the short-listed firms to submit their proposals in Phase II?

A35. At this time, the anticipated proposal preparation period for the short-listed firms will be 60 calendar days, but that is subject to change.

Q36. Will there be a Government design team to assist the contractor in Phase II?

A36. No, the Government team will review/approve only; however, there will be a Government Value

Analysis Team, which will review the project at 40% submittal and provide recommendations which may have to be implemented by the contractor.

Q37. What is the total estimated cost of construction for this project?

A37. That information is For Official Use Only and will not be disclosed until Phase II.

Q38. Will Warehouse A continue to be used during construction?

A38. No, Warehouse A will not be used during construction. In Phase II, the Government will work to identify which buildings will continue to be used during construction.

Q39. Does the Government currently have available funds for this project?

A39. Yes, the Government currently has available funds for this project

Q40. Is the project site located on federally-owned property?

A41. Yes, the project site is located on federally-owned property.

Q42. Will the Government allow the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM)?

A42. No, the Government will not allow the use of BIM.

Q43. Who is required to have active/current Central Contracting Registration (CCR) system registration?

A43. The successful offeror selected from Phase II is required to have active/current CCR system registration?

Q44. Should proposals be submitted both electronically and in hard copy format? What about solicitation amendments?

Design-Build Angeles NF Supervisor’s Office

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A44. In reference to solicitation page 44 of 51, electronic responses are the ONLY acceptable method of submitting an offer. The offeror shall submit one (1) electronic copy of the offer through the Electronic

Response feature associated with this solicitation on the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) website at https://www.fbo.gov. Submit signed solicitation amendments in the same manner as offers.

Q45. Please provide more details regarding the interior design package. Will that be all inclusive or split out? Will a modular furniture layout design be required?

A45. This information is not available and is not needed in Phase I. This information will be available to the short-listed firms when the Phase II solicitation is issued.

https://www.fbo.gov/