Attach 8 - Original MACC RFP RFIs and Answers.xlsx
XLSX spreadsheet 27 KB Posted
- Attached to
- AOC MACC Onboarding Federal contract opportunity
- Solicitation number
- AOCACB25R0006
- Issued by
- Architect of the Capitol
About this file
This is a Questions and Answers (Q&A) document for the Architect of the Capitol's Multiple Award Construction Contract (MACC) IDIQ solicitation, containing 83 questions and their official responses. The document clarifies key requirements including: projects must be at least $5M in value and completed within the past 10 years; design-build projects must be fully completed; the majority of task orders are expected to be under $10M though the ordering limit is $1M-$50M; incumbent contractors are Balfour Beatty, Christman, Gilbane, Grimberg, Hensel Phelps, Kiewit, and Walsh Federal.
The Q&A addresses technical requirements around BIM deliverables, overhead rates, safety personnel qualifications, and various pricing elements. Key clarifications include: both Bentley and Autodesk software are acceptable for BIM modeling; safety officers cannot serve dual roles as superintendents; overhead rates in Section B Price Schedule apply only to changes on awarded task orders; and profit rates apply to all new task orders except Firm Fixed Price orders. The document also confirms that E-Builder licenses and training will be provided by the government at no cost to contractors.
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Sheet1
| Original 2021 MACC IDIQ RFIs and Answers | ||
| Solicitation # - AOCACB20R0031 | ||
| Q&A # | Question | Answer |
| 1 | Factor 1, Specialized Construction Management Experience requires contractors to profile a minimum of three (3) projects within the past 10 years with a project value of $5,000,000 or greater. Please confirm that the Government will allow submission of IDIQ and/or MACC contracts (multi-project/multi-discipline) as a single project. | A combination of multiple projects in order to meet the minimum $5,000,000 requirement will not be accepted. In order to meet the criteria in Factor 1, the project must be a minimum of $5,000,000. |
| 2 | Factor 1, Specialized Construction Management Experience requires contractors to profile a minimum of three (3) projects within the past 10 years with a project value of $5,000,000 or greater. If IDIQ and/or MACC contracts are considered as single projects, please confirm that the Government will allow contracts with a cumulative value—multiple task orders combined—of $5,000,000 or greater. | A combination of multiple projects in order to meet the minimum $5,000,000 requirement will not be accepted. In order to meet the criteria in Factor 1, the project must be a minimum of $5,000,000. |
| 3 | For design build projects submitted under Factor 1, is it acceptable to submit projects that are 100% designed and at least 50% complete within the past 10 years? | No, Design/Build projects must be designed and completed to meet the minimum criteria. |
| 4 | Please clarify the following from the Pre-Proposals Conference: |
1. The majority of projects are infrastructure projects?
2. The majority fall in the $5M - $10M range?
3. A few $125M?
| 4. Will you compete these projects among the MACC firms or just hand out? | 1. No, projects are a could be any type listed in the SOW, Section 1.4.1. 2. Based on the last 10 years of AOC MACC Task Order history, the majority of projects are under $10M. However, projects can fall anywhere in the ordering limits of the MACC. 3. The MACC Ordering limits are $1M - $50M. Task Orders cannot exceed $50M. 4. See Section H for Task Order ordering procedures. | ||
| 5 | For Factor 3 – Past Performance, will AOC be evaluating on the CPARs/PPiRs and PPQ forms associated with the projects submitted for Factor 1 – Specialized Construction Management Experience? If all CPARs/PPiRs are being evaluated for a firm, will the evaluation be restricted to similar projects or will all CPARs/PPiRs ratings be considered? | Yes, the AOC reserves the right to use any source of information available on the Offeror's past performance. The AOC may review some or all of the CPARS ratings available. Projects reviewed will meet the recent and revelent definitions in Sections L & M. | |
| 6 | During the pre-proposal meeting, a question was posed and an answer was given indicating that all projects submitted for Factor 1 - Specialized Construction Management Experience do not need to be IDIQ contracts. Please confirm. | Correct, projects submitted are not required to be from IDIQ Contract Vehicles. | |
| 7 | Section L, 4.2.1; It was stated during the Pre-proposal conference that there will likely be little to no Design-Build projects on this MACC. However, this section stipulates that offerors provide at least one (1) previously completed project that “shall be Design/Build.” As there will be no Design-Build projects on this MACC, we respectfully ask that this requirement be revised and/or removed from the evaluation criteria. | The majority of projects will be Design/Bid/Build but some projects could be Design/Build. Because of the possibility of Design/Build Task Orders, the AOC wants to ensure MACC firms have successfully executed these types of projects in the past. This requirement will remain in the solicitation. | |
| 8 | Regarding the format of the Step 1 proposal, please confirm that SF1442 is not required (per Section M, 2.2), and that it is sufficient to acknowledge amendments in a cover letter. | The SF1442 Representations and Certifications are not required in Step One, however all offerors must acknowledge amendments. Amendments can be acknowledged on Page 2, Section 18 of the SF1442 or a cover page. | |
| 9 | Who are the current AOC MACC contractors? | Balfour Beatty, Christman, Gilbane, Grimberg, Hensel Phelps, Kiewit, Walsh Federal. | |
| 10 | Is there a goal with respect to the number of Contractors to be approved to move forward to Phase 2? | No. The number of firms selected to participate in Step Two will depend on the results of the source selection. | |
| 11 | Will LEED and SITES certifications be required for this contract? | Some Task Orders may required LEED and SITES certifications. This will be determined at the Task Order level. | |
| 12 | It's my understanding that each task will be required a full design build for each task ( existing renovations or new project) | The majority of the Task Orders will already have a design (design-bid-build). Some Task Orders may be bid as design-build. | |
| 13 | Is a seed project included in Step 1? | No | |
| 14 | The proposer should be a GC or it can be a professional Architect\Engineering firm which can handle the design and construction | Offeror's must meet all the requirements in the solicitation. | |
| 15 | What percentage of work over the next 5 years will come out using the MACC vs. full and open? | We can't realistically predict the percentage of construction work that will be awarded on the MACC versus Full and Open. | |
| 16 | What percentage of this MACC contract do you anticipate being design-build projects? | We can't anticipate at this point the number of design-build projects. This would be identified at the Task Order level. | |
| 17 | Are all projects submitted as Past Performance Experience required to be IDIQ MACC-type contracts with multiple task orders? | No, see Section L and M for information on Past Performance requirements. | |
| 18 | Do you anticipate either a SMALL Business or 8(a) Set aside in the near future? | No | |
| 19 | Do you have recommendations for how small businesses interested in teaming can connect with larger firms? | The attendance sheet to the Pre-Proposal conference will be made available. Additionally, the interested vendors list has been made public on the SAM.gov posting. | |
| 20 | Can a contractor submit as stand alone and as part of a JV? | Yes | |
| 21 | If awarded, are there specific requirements for task order bid participation? | See Section H of the solicitation for Task Order selection procedures | |
| 22 | Is it required to identify the Prime Contractor's A/E Team? If so, does the AOC wish to see any past performance from the Prime Construction firm's A/E partners in Step 1 or 2? | No | |
| 23 | Can we use PPQ's previously received from the Government/Owners in lieu of having them complete the AOC PPQ? | PPQs shall be submitted from "companies/agencies" to the AOC. Past or new PPQs cannot be submitted by the offeror. PPQs included in the proposal will not be considered. They must be sent directly from the entity completing the questionnaire to the contracting officer stated in the RFP. | |
| 24 | If we are submitting previously completed CPAR/PPQs with the Step 1 proposal, can the government confirm these will not be considered as part of the page count? | CPARS/PPQs do not count towards the Step One page count. | |
| 25 | Can the government confirm that the Project Manager and Superintendent listed in the Step 1 proposal is just for the program level and not for the individual task orders since we will need to understand the task order scope to propose on a Project Manager and Superintendent. | See Section 1.14 of the SOW for Key Personnel requirements. Key Personnel will be identified at the Task Order level. | |
| 26 | Can the Government provide the requirements for the contractor to share AOC documents with designers, subcontractors and/or consultants for Step 2, pursuant to AOC52.203-5 Confidentiality Requirement? | All applicable Step One and Two attachments have been posted to SAM.gov and are publicly available. | |
| 27 | Does the searchable requirement apply to graphics and/or images that are inserted as pics such as teaming agreements? | The PDF Proposal must be searchable. Graphics should include legible title's or descriptions that contain searchable text. The graphic doesn't have to be searchable. | |
| 28 | Will the Government accept graphics and/or table text that is 8pt font? | No | |
| 29 | Will the Government accept header/footer text that is 8pt font? | No | |
| 30 | Does the Government consider an 11x17 as counting as one page? | Yes | |
| 31 | Some relevant past performance references are for work that is classified. In such circumstances, it is highly unlikely those customers will submit PPQs. Would the Government indicate how it will address those circumstances in terms of evaluating offers? | Past Performance will be considered "neutral" in this instance. See Section 2.7.4 of Section M. "An Offeror will not be penalized in the evaluation with an unfavorable rating for the failure of its customer references to complete and submit the Past Performance Questionnaires." | |
| 32 | Does the AOC intend to issue task orders (TOs) without Liquidated Damage provisions? | The regulations regarding Liquidated Damages (LD) are governed by the AOC Manual (Order 34-1) in Section 8.4.3. The regulation states that all construction contracts over $50k shall have LDs. The amount of LDs will be determined by the size and characteristics of the particular Task Order. | |
| 33 | Will the AOC agree to quantify the maximum liability (or cap) the value of potential Liquidated Damages on TOs? | No, the AOC does not have a pre-established cap on LDs. Any decision regarding the specific amount of LDs will be determined at the Task Order level. | |
| 34 | Will the AOC agree to a allow bidders to take exceptions to TO contractual clauses, such as eliminating or capping Liquidated Damages? | No, the identification of applicable IDIQ and Task Order clauses are the responsibility of the IDIQ and/or Task Order Contracting Officer. The applicablilty of clauses in most cases are already pre-established through AOC and FAR acquisition policy and require no interpretation or discussion. | |
| 35 | Will the AOC accept Offeror's past performance narrative in Factor 3 regarding Factor 1 projects or is the AOC only evaluating Past Performance Questionnaire responses for Factor 3? | No, the AOC is not "only evaluating the Past Performance Questionnaire's". See Section L , Paragraph 4.4.1. | |
| 36 | Would the evaluation rating be negatively affected if a relevant project submitted has a contract value over the maximum task order amount of $50M? | Submitting projects over $50M will not negatively affect an offerors rating. There is not a maximum dollar amount on projects submitted so as long as they are at least $5M as identified in Factor 1. | |
| 37 | Would the evaluation rating be negatively affected if a relevant project submitted is from a joint venture partnership with another contractor where we shared the responsibilities as the prime contractor? | No, an evaluation rating will not be negatively impacted solely because it was a project completed under a joint venture partnership. However, as a matter of relevancy, the scope, magnitude, and level of engagement of the Offeror may be taken into consideration. | |
| 38 | Section B – Price Schedule lists an amount of $25M for lower task order price ranges such as $1M - $3M, $3M - $6M, $6M - $10M. Wouldn’t it make the Extended Amount and Total more realistic/appropriate if the Amount for each of these lower task order ranges was an amount within that range. For example, for Task Orders within $1 - $3M, provide an amount of $3M? Please clarify. | The Section B price amount will not change. | |
| 39 | For Changes, overhead and profit rates are outlined in AOC 52.243-1 paragraph (c), “Allowable Mark-ups”, and these rates vary for the Contractor based upon if the work is self-performed by the Contractor or performed by a Subcontractor (Contractor combined OH and profit rate). Section B – Price Schedule lists a single constant overhead and profit rate for each of the task order range amounts. To cover all conditions, does Section B need to list (1) OH and Profit for Guaranteed Maximum Price and Time & Material Proposal/Contracts, (2) Changes - OH and Profit for Contractor Self-Perform Work, and (3) Changes – Combined OH and Profit for Subcontractor Performed Work? If not, then clarify what the Overhead and Profit Rates provided in Section B will be used for? | Section B shall apply to all potential new task order contract types (i.e. T&M, GMP) except FFP. Section B shall apply for all changes regardless of contract type. Offerors shall not submit separate overhead and profit rates by contract type in Section B. Markups of subcontracted work are addressed in AOC52.243-1, paragraph (c)(2). | |
| 40 | AOC52.243-1, paragraph (a) (1) States a “change order” is a unilateral contract modification. Please clarify why this would not be a “bilateral” contract modification? | Change orders are unilateral actions. See AOC Order 34-1 13.1.5(b)(1). For more evidence see FAR 43.103(b)(2). Bilateral modifications are addressed in AOC52.243-1, paragraph (a)(2), as "supplemental agreement". | |
| 41 | AOC52.243-1, paragraph (c) Allowable Mark-ups under section (2) work performed by subcontractor in (iii) states passthrough Subcontractors are not entitled to additional fees, overhead, or profit on a lower tiered Self-performing Subcontractor, however the Contractor may distribute any amount of the Contractor’s combined overhead and profit markup at their discretion to any Pass-through Subcontractors. The maximum allowed combined overhead and profit to the Contractor on work performed by a Subcontractor with its own forces is 10%. A passthrough subcontractor should be entitled to overhead and profit on its lower tier subs for their supervision, administration, management, and profit of their lower tier subs work – this is industry standard. Please consider raising the combined overhead and profit to the Contractor who will have to share it with the passthrough Subcontractor from 10% to 15%. | No changes will be made to AOC52.243-1 (July 2020) | |
| 42 | Section B – Price Schedule, section B.1.1 Pricing Instructions for New Task Order Awards states Overhead is defined by Contract Clause AOC52.243-1, paragraph (d) which includes general conditions/requirement costs (Field Overhead Items), however in the next sentence of paragraph (d) it states “as overhead costs are dependent on the scope and duration of the individual task order requirements, overhead costs, inclusive of general conditions, shall be proposed on an individual task order basis.” These two sentences conflict. AOC52.243-1 paragraph (d) lists field overhead costs (specific task order general conditions and requirements) in the overall Overhead rate calculation, but the second sentence is stating field overhead (general conditions / requirements) are task order specific and will be handled on an individual task order basis. We agree that general conditions and general requirement costs are very specific in nature to each task order and will vary drastically depending on project location, size and complexity. We respectfully request that the field overhead costs be task order specific and negotiated with the Government as a percentage at the onset of each task order as done with other Federal agencies such as the USACE and NAVFAC. Please consider deleting the Field Overhead items from the requested OH percentage required in Section B – Price Schedule. Please clarify and provide direction. | No such changes are made to AOC52.243-1 (July 2020), its definition of Overhead, or Schedule B. |
Take note of the key distinctions between proposals for new task order award, proposals for subsequent changes to those awarded task order, and special circumstances for requested changes:
- Overhead for new task order awards is addressed in Section B – Price Schedule, paragraph B.1.1.
- Overhead for subsequent changes to those awarded task orders is addressed by AOC52.243-1, paragraphs (c) and (d).
- Requests for additional Overhead consideration on subsequent changes, that have special circumstances, to those awarded task orders is addressed in AOC52.243-1, paragraph (d).
43 AOC52.243-1, paragraph (d) Examples of Overhead costs include Field Overhead Items (FOOH) as outlined in section (1). These are general conditions and general requirement costs that are very specific in nature to each task order and will vary drastically depending on project location, size and complexity. We respectfully request these costs be task order specific and negotiated with the Government as a percentage at the onset of each task order as done with other Federal agencies such as the USACE and NAVFAC. Please consider deleting the Field Overhead items from the requested OH percentage required in Section B – Price Schedule. Please clarify and provide direction. No such changes are made to AOC52.243-1 (July 2020), its definition of Overhead, or Schedule B.
Take note of the key distinctions between proposals for new task order award, proposals for subsequent changes to those awarded task order, and special circumstances for requested changes:
- Overhead for new task order awards is addressed in Section B – Price Schedule, paragraph B.1.1.
- Overhead for subsequent changes to those awarded task orders is addressed by AOC52.243-1, paragraphs (c) and (d).
- Requests for additional Overhead consideration on subsequent changes, that have special circumstances, to those awarded task orders is addressed in AOC52.243-1, paragraph (d).
| 45 | There are two (2) different Section B’s. One (1) is titled “Supplies or Services and Price/Costs” the other one is titled “Price Schedule”. We believe that the one titled “Price Schedule” is the correct document to be submitted with the proposal. Please confirm. | The "Price Schedule" in Section B shall be submitted as part of Section M, Factor 5. |
| 46 | Section B-Price Schedule, subparagraph B.1.1 “Pricing Instructions for the New Task Order Awards” states “As overhead costs are dependent on the scope and duration of individual task order requirements, overhead cost, inclusive of general conditions shall be proposed on an individual task order basis.” (1) Having stated the above, should the overhead percentage on the bid form be limited to AOC52.243-1(d)(2) Home Office Overhead? (2) In addition, can you confirm the following as it relates to Home Office Overhead: (i) “Office maintenance/Operating Costs” (ii) “Personnel Costs”; that these are referring specifically to home office expenses and not Project Managers etc. located at the jobsite? (iii) (3) “All insurances required by the contract or at law” this is clear however should it also include performance and payment bond costs ? (iv) this is clear. | (1) The overhead proposed in the Section B Price Schedule should include both Field and Home Office overhead. |
(2) Prime contractor Project Managers located at a jobsite would fall under "Field administrative/support staff" under Field Overhead Items.
(3) Bonds are a separate, allowable cost so they should not be included in the overhead rate.
47 Section L-Factor 5 state to “In addition, the offeror shall identify the individual cost elements included in the overhead and corporate G & A indirect costs” Can you provide a better description of what you are requesting? The AOC is requesting the individual cost elements that make up the proposed overhead rates in the Section B Price Schedule.
| 48 | Section B, B.1.1 excludes Firm Fixed Price solicitations from the profit rate only. Please confirm OH rate is also excluded from Firm Fixed price solicitations. | The Overhead rate in Section B Price Schedule is excluded from all new task order solicitations, not just FFP. |
| 49 | Attachment 16 – Section 3.3 BIM Deliverables (Page 23) states “BIM Models and Construction Set files shall be exported as .DGN files and as PDF. In addition, Industry Foundation Class (IFC) files may be required... Any use of file formats other than Bentley .DGN shall be documented in the BIMPxP.” and Section 3.4 BIM Software - BIM-Authoring Tools (Page 23) also states “The AOC currently requires Bentley AECOsim, V8i SELECT Series 3 – Architecture, Bentley Building Electrical, Bentley Building Mechanical, and Bentley Structural BIM.30”. Can the Government confirm whether Design Intent Models and Record Model deliverables associated with any Design-Build portions of this work may be authored in Autodesk Revit, as long as an IFC compliant export format is maintained? | Design Intent and Record model deliverables authored with Autodesk Revit is acceptable as long as the Revit (RVT) files and IFC files are provided. The IFC files should be produced using the version “IFC 2x3 Coordination View 2.0.” IFC files need to be provided with every submission and reviewed by PPM Technical Support Branch. Also note, current Bentley compatibility is now OpenBuildings Designer, Connect Edition Update 5. |
| 50 | Attachment 16 – Section 3.4 BIM Software - Contractor and Trades Software (Page 24) states “The GC shall list the software and version they and their subcontractors will be using for BIM authoring, shop drawings or fabrication on a project in the software section of the project BIMPxP. Any software, not currently approved by the AOC for use on its projects, must be tested for graphic and data exchange compatibility and approved by the AOC prior to commencement of work.” Can the Government confirm that subcontractor fabrication models may be authored in any BIM authoring program that is IFC and DWG compliant? Please list specific BIM authoring software currently not approved by the AOC. | AOC will state that the currently approved BIM authoring software is Autodesk (Revit) and Bentley (AECOsim Building Designer and OpenBuildings Designer) software. As stated in the quoted text, we will approve other software if we can test that the IFC export conveys the model information in our Bentley software. Approval will come from PPM, Technical Support Branch. |
| 51 | Please confirm that E-Builder licenses will be provided by the Government to the contractor for their use at no cost to the contractor. | Licenses and training will be provided by the Government at no additional cost to the Contractor. |
| 52 |
1. FFP proposals are competitively bid therefore the OH & P proposed in the Price Schedule will not apply
2. For GMP and Cost Plus proposals (per B.1.1) overhead costs shall be proposed based on the requirements of the task order
3. For any changes, the overhead rates are the allowable markup per AOC52.243-1 Changes - Supplement (June 2014) Section (c) allowable markups.
4. This appears to cover all pricing conditions. Please advise under what conditions the quoted Overhead rates on the price schedule would apply?
5. Please confirm the Price Schedule Overhead Rates are meant to discern the Home Office overhead component of GMP and Cost Plus proposals. (1) Correct, FFP proposals are competitively bid therefore OH & P proposed in the price schedule will not apply to the Task Order award, however, the rates will be utilized on change orders of FFP Task Orders. See AOC52.243-1, Section (c)(2)(iii).
(2) Correct, GMP and Cost Plus proposals (per B.1.1) overhead costs shall be proposed based on the requirements of the task order
(3) Correct, for any changes, the overhead rates are the allowable markup per AOC52.243-1 Changes - Supplement (June 2014) Section (c) allowable markups or Section B Price Schedule rates, whichever is less.
(4) The overhead rates in Section B Price Schedule are to be used for change in accordance with AOC52.243-1. They are also for the MACC solicitation evaluation per Factor 5.
(5) Yes, the home office overhead shall be included in the Section B Price Schedule. This overhead rate should anticipate any task order contract type listed in the MACC solicitation.
| 53 | How will the Overhead rates we propose in section B be used? | ||
| AOC52.243-1, paragraph (d) states we are required to submit an itemized breakdown of costs with each change requirement RFP including field and home office overhead. Overhead will also be part of each Firm Fixed Price solicitation. | The overhead rate in the Section B Price Schedule will be utilized on changes regardless of contract type per AOC52.243-1. Additionally, the profit and overhead rates will be evaluated in accordance with Factor 5 to demostrate reasonableness, allowability, and balance. For submission of change proposals, the itemized breakdown of the overhead would only be a single line listing the associated overhead percentage from Section B - Price Schedule. | ||
| 54 | Will the proposed Overhead rates in Section B be allowed to be revised based on the scope, value and duration of the subsequent changes to awarded task orders, T&M RFP requirements, or GMP RFP requirements? | Section B Price Schedule overhead rates will not be changed. What is proposed will be incorporated in the MACC IDIQ. Those rates will be used for any changes in accordance with AOC52.243-1. | |
| 55 | Section L – Instructions to offerors, 2.1 General Instructions to Offerors for Step 1 and 2, states that offerors shall email proposals to the contracting officer and contract specialist. Should offerors email the Factor 5 – Price submission in a separate file from Factors 1-4? | The Factor 5 - Price Submission shall be submitted in a separate file than Factors 1-4. The Price information shall not be included with the Technical information (Factors 1-4). See amended Attach 4 - Section L, for further clarification. | |
| 56 | Dependent on the project type, there are alternative 3D modeling software options in comparison to the referenced Bentley product. Bentley is an acceptable product for civil and infrastructure design, while Autodesk is industry standard software suite for vertical building construction. Is the use of Bentley as stated in the the AOC BIM guide a requirement by the AOC for all project types, or is Autodesk an acceptable alternative software for BIM modeling? | Bentley is the required program for all project types. Any deviations from Bentley will be identified at the task order level. | |
| 57 | Page 2 of Section L states to provide the Safety and Environment Program Performance Questionnaire as Attachment 1. Secction L, Factor 3, Sub section 5.4.1. (Page 5) references the Safety and Envrionment Program Performance Questionnaire and Corporate Safety Plan as the required content for Factor 3. Please confirm that the Government wants the entire Safety and Enviornment Program Performance Questionnaire and Corporate Health and Safety Plan to be provided as attachments 1 and 3 respectively, emailed directly to the listed point of contact. No additional narrative or content is required for Factor 3. | A short narrative is not required nor will it be evaluated but can be included at the discretion of the offeror. | |
| 58 | Reference Section M, Sub section 3.3.3 "Factor 1 Management Approach". The evaluation criteria for Factor 1 states that the Offeror's management plan must show "contractual relationships with multi-discipline subcontractors, which possess verifiable experience in areas listed in Section L 4.2.5.1 through L 4.2.5.14 and Statement of Work." |
This section can be interpreted to require Offerors to execute contractual teaming arrangements with various subcontractors based on the listed areas of experience. Is this the AOC's intent? It would benefit the AOC to not require formal teaming arrangements at this phase in the RFP, to ensure that future task orders recieve the most competitive market pricing from the highest qualified firms. If it is the AOC's desire to see a sample of each Offeror's marketplace relationships, we would recommend Offerors include example subcontractor relationships for each area listed in the sections referenced above.
| If the AOC does require formal teaming arrangements to be executed, please confirm that teaming agreements can be supplied as attachments so they do not count towardes the Factor 1-4 page limit. | No, the AOC does not expect or encourage offerors to seek contractual relationships with subcontractors at this time. See Section M, para 3.3.3 for clarification. | ||
| 59 | Does the Government have updates to the anticipated MACC project list provided as part of the pre-bid powerpoint dated 2020-05-13? | No | |
| 60 | Please confirm that Section B Item No.(s) 0001, 1001, 2001, 3001, 4001 Overhead are inclusive of Home Office Overhead items per AOC52.243-1, (d), (2) only. | Section B Price Schedule overhead rate is inclusive of all overhead items. See AOC52.243-1, paragraph (d) for more detail. | |
| 61 | Per the RFP, the cover page, tabs, title page, table of contents, Corporate Quality Control Program, Safety and Environment Program Performance Questionnaire, and Corporate Health and Safety Program are excluded from the page count. Does a Cover letter also fall into this category? | The cover letter does not count toward the page count. | |
| 62 | Is the single profit and OH rate for each task order cost range proposed in Section B to be used for both types of changes - self-perform work and for work performed by a Subcontractor as listed in AOC52.243-1 (c) (1) and (2) respectively? | Section B Price Schedule rates do not apply to changes self-performed by the prime Contractor, as described in AOC52.243-1, paragraph (c)(1). Section B Price Schedule rates do apply to the prime Contractor when changes are performed by subcontractors, as described in AOC52.243-1, paragraph (c)(2). | |
| 63 | Please clarify if the maximum rate for both OH and profit is the combined rate of 10% listed in AOC52.243-1 (c) (2)(iii)? | Per AOC52.243-1, paragraph (c)(2)(iii), "the combined overhead and profit mark-up allowed to the Contractor for work performed by a Subcontractor with its forces shall not exceed 10% or the sum of the profit and overhead rates identified in the Contract Price Section (Section B), whichever is lower." | |
| 64 | Based upon Section B.1.1 please confirm that the profit rates provided in Section B is to be used for new task orders, and the OH rate in Section B will not be used but will be proposed with each new task order? | Partially correct. The profit rates in the Section B Price Schedule will apply to all new task orders except Firm Fixed Price task orders. The overhead rates in the Section B Price Schedule will not be used on any new task orders. The overhead rates in the Section B Price Schedule will only be utilized for changes to previously awarded task orders and MACC evaluation (Factor 5). | |
| 65 | In the SOW section 4.2 Discuss Travel Costs, it states all local travel costs must be included in the offeror’s overhead rates. Please define local travel costs and associated distance that distinguishes local travel from non-local travel costs. Project locations will vary and as well as travel distances for contractors. | See Section C, para. 4.2 for clarification. | |
| 66 | Section L, 5.5 Factor 4 – Project Controls states “Provide your company's processes and procedures for effective administration and management of a construction contracts’ schedule, scope, cost, and risk. Describe your company’s approach to proactively determine when a project is out of tolerance and the action(s) you would use in bringing a project back into tolerance. Include a description of your company’s methodology for risk analysis, assessment and mitigation.” And Section M Evaluation Factors for Award, paragraph 3.6.1 states “The government will evaluate submitted materials to determine if the proposals demonstrates innovative technical and management approaches the firm uses for effective administration and management of a construction contracts’ schedule, scope, cost, and risk. The government will consider the company’s approach to proactively determine when a project is out of tolerance and the action(s) which would be used in bringing a project back into tolerance.” | ||
| These requirements stated above are similar requirements for Factor 1 – Management Approach. Due to the proposal page constraints are we required to restate the information provided in Factor 1 – Management Approach, in Factor 4 – Project Controls, or will it be sufficient to write “refer to Factor 1 for further details” in the Factor 4 narrative? | No changes will be made to Section L and M. Responses need to be tailored to the specific factor criteria. | ||
| 67 | Division 01 specification section 013000 Construction Safety and Health states that the Safety Officer must be an employee other than a supervisor. Please clarify this means the project superintendent cannot be the safety officer. | Key personnel shall not be the same individual. | |
| 68 | Please provide a copy of AOC Order 600-1, Telework program referenced in section 2.8 of Attachment 10 – CUI Policy Guide. | The telework program does not apply to MACC contractors and subcontractors or their employees. | |
| 69 | Specification section 013000 defines the role of the Safety Representative or Safety Officer. Is their role exclusive to that of the Safety Representative/Safety Officer or can this be a shared duty role? | Key personnel shall not be the same individual. | |
| 70 | Section L, Factor 2 (Section 5.3): The government is requiring offerors to meet the following requirement: ‘Provide evidence that Key Personnel proposed with responsibility for Quality Control have successfully completed the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Naval Facility Engineering Command Construction Quality Management for Contractors Training Course within the last 5 years and affirmation that individuals will maintain this certification for the life of the contract.’ Is the government intending for offerors to provide this information (1) for the individual submitted in the Step 1 proposal only or (2) for all field quality control personnel anticipated to be available for task orders under this contract and who obtained the certification within the past five years? The Step 1 solicitation (and SOW, which listed the requirements applicable to the quality control position) included no QCM certification requirement. |
Can the government confirm that offerors may satisfy this Step 2 requirement by meeting option 2 above? This would seem most appropriate as the requirement was not stipulated for the position in Step 1 and as multiple different individuals may satisfy field CQC positions during the life of the contract. Moreover, option 2 would allow offerors to demonstrate depth of personnel qualifications with respect to this certification.
Can the government also confirm that evidence of (provision of) certifications will not count against the proposal page limit—in the same way as the quality control program will not apply to the page limit? As required in Section L, para 5.3, the "Key Personnel proposed with responsibility for Quality Control have successfully completed the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Naval Facility Engineering Command Construction Quality Management for Contractors Training Course within the last 5 years and affirmation that individuals will maintain this certification for the life of the contract."
While the training course was not stipulated in Step One, Factor 2, all offerors had Step Two evaluation criteria.
Certifications may be submitted as attachments and will not be counted towards the Factor 1-4, 25 page limit.
71 May the safety officer/safety representative perform other roles on a project besides just safety, such as other duties to support the project manager or superintendent? The Safety Manager can support other Key Personnel but must remain independent in exercising their roles and responsibilities as the Safety Manager.
Additionally, the same individual cannot serve in multiple Key Personnel positions (i.e. dual hatting). For instance, the Superintendent cannot also be the assigned Safety Manager.
72 (1) Please confirm the overhead and profit limits listed in AOC52.243-1 paragraph (c) are for subsequent changes to previously awarded task orders only.
(2) Additionally, please confirm overhead and profit % for T&M and GMP contracts can be higher for these types of contracts. (1) Partially correct. The overhead and profit rate are to be used for changes to awarded task orders when AOC52.243-1(c) applies, however it is incorrect to state they are "only" to be used for changes. The profit rate shall be used for new T&M and GMP task orders. Additionally, the overhead and profit rate will be evaluated in accordance with Factor 5.
(2) Partially correct. Per B.1.1. "as overhead costs are dependent on the scope and duration of individual task order requirements, overhead costs, inclusive of general conditions, shall be proposed on an individual task order basis".
The Profit rate proposed in the Section B Price Schedule shall apply to T&M and GMP Task Orders. See B.1.1. "For proposals responding to task order solicitations, excluding Firm Fixed Price solicitations, the proposed profit rate shall not exceed the profit rate listed in Section B, based upon the total dollar amount of the task order proposal."
73 On page 49 of the Solicitation, it references allowable mark-ups. Since the FAR does not apply to AOC contracts, what guidelines are we to follow regarding allowable costs for contracts under this MACC? Offerors should follow the allowable mark-up guidelines set forth in AOC52.243-1 (July 2020).
| 74 | Section L, 4.3.2.3 states the QCM shall have 7 years of experience but the division specification 014300 section 1.03.2 states the QCM shall have 10 years of experience. Please confirm 7 years is adequate. | 7 years is acceptable. Attach 15 - Divison 1 specification is generic and details what the offeror is likely to see in a Task Order Division 1 specification. See SOW, section 1.11 for the intent of Attach 15. |
| 75 | Section L, 4.3.2.4 states the Safety Manager shall have 5 years of experience but the division specification 013000 section 1.07.B states the Safety Manager shall have 10 years of experience for projects over $10M. Please clarify. | 5 years is acceptable. Attach 15 - Divison 1 specification is generic and details what the offeror is likely to see in a Task Order Division 1 specification. See SOW, section 1.11 for the intent of Attach 15. |
| 76 | Please reference Section B Price Schedule and related Question & Answers: For GMP and T&M Task Orders, due to the inherent risk associated with self-performed work being materially different than the risk associated with subcontractors work should the Price Schedule in Section B be modified to allow for the evaluation of two profits: one as mark-up on self-performed work and one as mark-up on work performed by subcontractors? | See AOC52.243-1 Changes - Supplement (July 2020), paragraph (c), which already provides different overhead and profit markups for a prime Contractor self-performing work than a prime Contractor subcontracting work. The Section B Price Schedule will not be revised. |
| 77 | Please reference AOC52.243-1 part (a)(6) Pass-Through Subcontractor: Is a subcontractor who hires their industry standard trade alliances to complete specialty portions of their self-performed tasks defined as a Pass-Through subcontractor? For example: A mechanical contractor that hires an insulator |
or a sheet metal firm to complete a HVAC install, or an Architect that hires a testing agency to investigate hazardous material presence so they can complete their self-performed design. There is market competitiveness realized from these industry proven alliances that would warrant, and
| potentially offset, the markup. These second tier subcontractors are not being brokered by the subcontractor for an added markup, they’re performing tasks intrinsic to the overall goal and are much more practiced at it. | See AOC52.243-1 para (a)(5) for the definition of subcontractor. Any individual or business that meets the definition of a subcontractor would be a pass-through subcontractor if not self-performing the work. | ||
| 78 | Is a proof of assessment (stated in AOC52.239-1) for IT systems required immediately upon AOC MACC Award, or when requested by the AOC? | The Assessment and Authorization required in AOC52.239-1(g) would be provided when requested by the AOC. | |
| 79 | If Contractors are awarded a spot on the MACC, is there an option for the AOC to host the SharePoint site for document sharing? Or will contractors be required to host the SharePoint site? | The AOC utilizes a secure FTP site and e-Builder for document sharing. Both systems are hosted by the AOC. | |
| 80 | In Factor 2, will the Government allow USACE QCM Certificates for professionals to be provided as attachments? | Yes, Offerors may attached USACE QCM Certificates to their proposal. These certificates will not count toward the 25 page limit. | |
| 81 | Please confirm that the AOC Section B Overhead is to include ALL Contractor Task Order Management and Administrative Costs listed in changes clause AOC 52.243-1 (d) Examples of Overhead Costs. | The question doesn't define what the Offeror specifically means by "ALL Contractor Task Order Management and Administrative Costs". If "ALL Contractor Task Order Management and Administrative Costs" is meant to convey all indirect labor, materials, and equipment required to execute a change, then yes, "ALL Contractor Task Order Management and Administrative Costs" are to be included in AOC Section B Overhead. |
Take note that changes requiring special circumstances may allow for special consideration on overhead items as described in AOC52.243-1, paragraph (d). For example, if a change requires a special weekend shift outside of the Contract's normal working hours to perform the change work, the superintendent's labor on-site supervising the special weekend shift may be submitted as a direct cost for Contracting Officer's consideration, separate from the overhead markup rate.
82 Please confirm that the language “Field Administrative/ Support Staff” in AOC 52.243-1 (d) (1) (vii) indicates the inclusion of all items listed in the Division 1 Specification. Compliance with Division 01 requirements is required for changes, except as specifically noted otherwise by the Contracting Officer.
The Division 01 specification provided with this Solicitation is a generic example of what an Offeror may receive in a task order solicitation's Division 01 specification.
83 3. Please clarify the following:
Section B outlines the pricing Matrix in reasonable clarity.
a. Specification 13000 1.07 B then conflicts the Section B pricing Matrix by:
i. Adding Low Risk/ High Risk and requiring additional personnel
ii. Changing the Dollar Brackets (from Section B) to < $3mm; $3mm to $10mm; >$10mm; >$40mm.
b. The Section B table and Spec 13000 1.07 B table do not mirror, thus creating the potential for pricing ambiguity.
c. = Overhead) do not match, thus creating the potential for ambiguity in pricing from Contractors. If this question is assuming the Section B Pricing Schedule is determining overhead rates for proposals of all new task orders, that assumption is incorrect. The Section B overhead rate shall be used for changes to awarded task orders. Per B.1.1. "as overhead costs are dependent on the scope and duration of individual task order requirements, overhead costs, inclusive of general conditions, shall be proposed on an individual task order basis." As such, project size brackets in Specification 01 3000 are independent and unaffected by project size brackets in Section B.
Take note that changes requiring special circumstances may allow for special consideration on overhead items as described in AOC52.243-1, paragraph (d). For example, if a change requires a special weekend shift outside of the Contract's normal working hours to perform the change work, the site safety officer labor on-site monitoring the special weekend shift may be submitted as a direct cost for Contracting Officer's consideration, separate from the overhead markup rate.
The Division 01 specification provided with this Solicitation is a generic example of what an Offeror may receive in a task order solicitation's Division 01 specification.
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