Q_and_A_DTFH70-15-R-00013_10052015.pdf

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

RFP #DTFH70-15-R-00013

September 30, 2015

1. FBO lists this as a “Presolicitation” and the SOW that posted is listed as a ‘draft’, but it also states the SF 330 request is due by October 21. Is this this actual solicitation or a presolicitation?

This is a Request for Qualifications for Architect and Engineering firm. Response to this Request is by submission of the completed SF 330. After the technical evaluation is complete, the highest qualified firms will be issued a Request for Proposal.

2. The solicitation indicates that Past Performance will be thru CPARS records review.

The solicitation says that if there are no CPARS reports the Offeror will be evaluated as neutral (5 points). When are evaluations done in CPARS?

CPARS evaluations are generally done on contracts and task orders over $150,000, an A/E contract of $30,000 or more, or a Construction contract of $650,000. CPARS evaluation policy is listed in FAR Part 42.1502. It may be the policy of individual contracting offices to have different CPARS procedures.

3. Is it required of the contractor to perform the services for all the States or can the contractor perform services for a single state? Will there be multiple companies chosen?

It is not a requirement that the contractor performs the services in all the states listed, but the states the contractor intends to perform services in should be identified in their qualifications.

It is anticipated that 3 awards will be made from this solicitation.

4. Under “Evaluation Factor 1 – Professional Qualifications” it states “Do not submit more than five

(5) resumes total for the three key personnel listed above.” Can you clarify if that means a total of 15 resumes for the key personnel listed in Evaluation Factor 1, or a total of 5?

The qualification package submitted shall include a maximum of 5 resumes for the combined key personnel listed in Evaluation Factor 1.

5. Should contractors include in the proposal “Section G – Key Personnel Participation in Example Projects” with our submission showing the correlation of Key Personnel with Example Projects?

It is a requirement of the Request for Qualifications to provide a completed SF 330, including Section G.

6. Are we allowed to submit additional information/additional pages in Section H beyond the 3 page limitation for “Evaluation Factor 3 - Capacity to Accomplish Work” and the 1 page limitation for “Evaluation Factor 4 - Logistics”? If so, what would the limitation be on those pages?

The only information in Section H that will be considered in the evaluation is three pages for Evaluation Factor 3 and one page for Evaluation Factor 4. Any pages beyond three for Evaluation Factor 3 or beyond one for Evaluation Factor 4 will not be considered in the evaluation.

7. Under “Evaluation Factor 2 - Specialized Experience”, Section A, “2) Contract Scope” – Do you want a very brief summary of the scope here with further project details listed in below sections or should we write a very descriptive narrative on this line? Also, can you please clarify if you want the scope of the entire project listed our just the contractors role as the CM/CI on the project?

The Contract Scope should be the scope of the CMPM/CI services contract. The length/level of detail of the write-up is up to you.

8. If selected, then is their competition for each potential task amongst the selectees?

It is expected that most task orders will be awarded based on competition, but there may be occasions where a task order is awarded on a sole source basis.

9. Can a firm have more than 1 task at a time?

Yes, a firm can have more than one task order open at a time.

10. What is base and option year limits for the IDIQ contract?

Each awarded IDIQ contract will have a maximum value of $10,000,000 over the life of the contract. There is no limitation on the value of awarded task orders by year, just the maximum for the IDIQ.

11. How does the CMF account for its mandatory employee taxes in the 1/2X the basic rate? These taxes are based on total wages paid and include social security, Medicare, state and Federal unemployment, and worker’s compensation.

Our assumption was that the burden on the hourly rate would be included in the basic rate, so would be incorporated into the overtime. We will review this in our office any may adjust when the Request for Proposal is sent out.

12. Does on-site subsistence include both lodging and meals & incidentals?

The on-site subsistence includes lodging and meals & incidentals. We will review this rate in our office and may adjust when the Request for Proposal is sent out.

13. Will you accept us submitting our response on the SF330 pdf forms that we can download from the solicitation site even if the font size that is “protected” on this form is not 12 point?

Yes, using the fillable forms from the Request for Qualifications posting is acceptable.

14. Could you provide a sample contract for this solicitation?

A sample contract will not be provided. A draft Statement of Work was included with the Request for Qualifications.

15. Although subcontractor resumes are not desired at this time, can subcontractor projects be included as part of Evaluation Factor 2 Specialized Experience?

Subcontractor projects will not be considered for Evaluation Factor 2.

16. We have created a newly-established Joint Venture (JV) for the purposes of responding to the subject solicitation. This JV consists of two engineering firms, A and B. For section F, we intend to submit 2-3 projects where Firm A was the “primary provider” of relevant services and to submit 2-3 projects where Firm B was the “primary provider” of relevant services. There will be a total of 5 projects submitted. We want to confirm that this approach involving a newly established JV is acceptable.

The 5 projects would be accepted for evaluation.

Firm A is the majority owner of the JV (51%) and is a small business. For section E, we intend to submit 2-3 resumes for key personnel from Firm A and 2-3 resume for key personnel from Firm B. There will be a total of 5 resumes submitted. We want to confirm that Firm B, in this scenario, will not be considered a subcontractor as we understand such resumes would not be considered.

In this scenario Firm B would not be considered a subcontractor.

17. As a follow-up to the question, “If selected, then is their competition for each potential task amongst the selectees?” And your response, “It is expected that most task orders will be awarded based on competition, but there may be occasions where a task order is awarded on a sole source basis.” Our follow-up question is whether this Round 2 selection is based purely on cost, or combination of cost and qualifications? Please clarify the selection criteria for Round 2 and how WFLHD would be determining best value.

The selection at the task order level competition will be based on technical criteria, not cost. The specific evaluation factors will be provided in individual task order Request for Qualifications/Request for Proposals.

18. Your webpage link (http://flh.fhwa.dot.gov/projects/) lists projects In Development and Under Construction for AK, WA, OR, ID, MT and WY. Are these project lists complete and representative of the type of work expected thru this procurement

The list of projects is not a complete listing of all projects in planning, in construction and completed, but the projects listed are representative of the type of projects where we would be contracting for CM/Inspection services under this IDIQ.

19. Does WFLHD have a ‘lessons learned’ type document relating to constructability reviews, construction phase management, construction inspection; post construction claims services, and other miscellaneous services performed during the preconstruction phase, construction phase, or post construction phase from past tasks that were either, internally performed, or externally procured?

No.

20. In the interest of efficiency, can the Construction Management Firm Project Executive (Statement of Work, C.6 CMF Personnel) cover the duties required under Evaluation Factor 1, Item C, “Personnel responsible for training and evaluating personnel assigned to WFLHD projects?” Or is WFLHD looking for an additional independent resource?

The Construction Management Firm Project Executive can also cover the duties for the “Personnel responsible for training and evaluating personnel assigned to WFLHD projects.”