DE-SOL-0007654__Q A__2.docx

DE-SOL-0007654 Questions and Answers #2

1. Electrical engineering service not identified as a requirement. Is there an electrical engineering firm performing high voltage design that is already contracted? If not, there are we to have high voltage experience as part of our services?

Answer: Western has its own high voltage electrical designers located at our headquarters in Lakewood, Colorado.

2. I need clarification regarding “total small business” status. According to the NAICS Code 541330, our firm is a small business. Do our subconsultants have to be a small business as well?

Answer: The subcontractors/consultants do not have to be small businesses as long as prime is in compliance with Clause 52.219-14 -- Limitations on Subcontracting (Nov 2011)”, which states … (c) By submission of an offer and execution of a contract, the Offeror/Contractor agrees that in performance of the contract in the case of a contract for --

1. Services (except construction). At least 50 percent of the cost of contract performance incurred for personnel shall be expended for employees of the concern.

There is no constraint evident in this clause in regards to the business size of the subcontractor, as long as the prime contractor is meeting the percentage requirement above.

3. I have a quick question regarding the relationship between firms that I hope you can provide an opinion on. Are there any rules in the FAR or other government regulations that prohibit a firm from teaming arrangements where a first firm submits as a prime with a second firm listed as a subcontractor and then the second firm submits as a prime and the first ones is listed as their subcontractor? I have been approached on this subject and I have searched for an answer and have not been able to come up with anything that prohibits this however I thought I would get your opinion.

Answer: There is nothing that prohibits it.