DNR Technical Support Services QBS Vendor Questions and Answers Document 2~2.docx

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

VENDOR QUESTIONS

Date: May 1, 2025 Project Titles:

Bid Numbers: 25-422DNR-REALT-B-47394, B-47395, 47396, 47397, 47398

LOCATION: Throughout Illinois

PROJECT TITLE: Technical Support Services Regions 1-5

Vendor Question 1:

In the Region 1 QBS Technical Support Services document, Section D.1.6 references the requirement to provide the identity of subcontractors with an annual value of $100,000 or more, including their names, addresses, and a description of the work to be performed. However, since subcontractor selection and the nature of their involvement will depend on the specific tasks awarded, we are unsure how to provide this information at this stage. Could you please advise how we should address this section, including the anticipated percentage of work and estimated amounts?

IDNR Answer 1:

Per Section D1.4 of each QBS Technical Support Services Published, “A subcontractor is a person or entity that enters into a contractual agreement with a total value of $100,000 or more with a person or entity who has a contract subject to the Illinois Procurement Code pursuant to which the person or entity provides some or all of the goods, services, real property, remuneration, or other monetary forms of consideration that are the subject of the primary State contract, including subleases from a lessee of a State contract.”

If any prime vendor is knowingly going to use a subconsultant or subcontractor whose total value over the life of the contract (up to 10 years in these procurements) then Vendor Disclosures must be submitted with their Bid. However, if the Sub is going to be used for over $100,000.00 annually then they need to be listed in the contract itself. If the value is unknown at time of bid an estimated amount or percent may be used. However, once that total value of the Subconsultant or Subcontractor surpasses the $100,000 total threshold, Vendor Disclosures must be submitted and approved and added to the contract file.

Vendor Question 2:

In the 2025 Statement of Interest form (Page 1, Section 7 and the subcontractor table on Page 2), there is a requirement to provide the percentage of work to be performed by each subcontractor. Like the question above, this percentage will vary depending on the work awarded. Should we indicate “TBD” in these fields, or is there a preferred method for addressing this uncertainty?

IDNR Answer 2:

The information presented on the SOI for the subcontractor use is understood to be an estimate, depending on the tasks IDNR will be asking the Prime vendor to complete.

Vendor Question 3:

Can you please confirm whether the general shipping terms, discount percentage, and similar items listed in the general section of the bid documents are required for Regions 1, 3, and 4, or if these can be disregarded for this submission?

IDNR Answer 3:

These items are not applicable to these procurements.

Vendor Question 4:

In the B-47394 BEP U-Plan Technical Support Services document (Page 5), there is a reference to the proposed percentage of the contract, anticipated start date, and project duration including extensions. Are we to complete these fields with “TBD” as well, given the uncertainty at this stage?

IDNR Answer 4:

The BEP program goal for these solicitations is 4% for each solicitation. It is the vendor’s responsibility to meet this goal by utilizing a Registered BEP vendor from the list provided or ask for a waiver to reduce the BEP goal. If asking for a reduced goal, please enter the percentage amount in this space. If meeting or exceeding that 4% BEP goal, enter that amount as well. As for the start date and duration, it is understood that these are unknown at this time so TBD or another form of language is sufficient.

Vendor Question 5:

Are there any updates to the forms?

IDNR Answer 5:

The SOI form “additional pages” function is not performing its function currently. The form is currently in the process of being corrected but if a new form is not available prior to Bid Opening Date (Bid submission due date) Vendors may submit a SOI form with additional pages entered into the form. Copies of the same page with separate pages for each employee or subcontractor for example.

Vendor Question 6:

Previous question with a response that didn’t answer the aspect that was intended as the question: Could the expectation for completed be further defined? Most of the scope relates to investigation services. Does completed mean that the offeror’s design scope was completed? That the entire project is closed out and constructed? Or can we use projects with investigations phases that are completed, even if the design and / or construction is ongoing? Example-We have a project that is in the late design phases, but we would like to present the investigation services in a project summary for this solicitation. Investigation services are the primary scope items to address in the qualifications submitted for this project. May a firm present a project that has some phase of work ongoing as long as only completed services are included in the project description?

IDNR Answer 6:

Yes. A firm may present a project that has some phase of work ongoing.

Vendor Question 7:

Only one NIGIP code is included in the solicitation. There are several other NGIP codes that apply for the services being solicited. Expanding the NIGIP codes would also significantly increase the pool of available BEP firms. For example our firm is a BEP with the state, and works on IDNR and other state contracts as a BEP firm. We do not have registration with NIGIP code 907-35 but do have 22 other related codes including several specific engineering discipline, surveying, and related professional services codes. Will additional applicable engineering, surveying, architectural and other NIGIP codes be added?

IDNR Answer 7:

Per CEI Notice 2023.3, “construction or construction related services” are not required to only use Certified BEP Vendors from the NIGP code listed in the solicitation. ANY Certified BEP Vendor may be used to meet the BEP Goal for these solicitations provided they are also CDB or IDOT pre-qualified. This pertains to any Vendor who is also able to meet the BEP goal through self-fulfilling as a Certified BEP Vendor.