Request_for_Technical_Proposals_-_GRSM_1B20.pdf

FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION

EASTERN FEDERAL LANDS HIGHWAY DIVISION

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK

NEWFOUND GAP ROAD SLIDE REPAIR MP 22

PROJECT GRSM 1B20

REQUEST FOR TECHNICAL PROPOSALS

DTFH71-13-B-00019

Project Description: On January 16, 2013 a major landslide occurred at Milepost 22 on Newfound Gap Road in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM). Approximately 200 linear feet of the roadway was washed away. The road is currently closed between the Oconaluftee Overlook at approximate MP 15 and Smokemont Campground Entrance Road at approximate MP 27.

The project consists of the restoration and stabilization of the slide area and reconstruction of Newfound Gap Road. The project is located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Swain County, North Carolina. The National Park Service has completed the NEPA compliance.

All work will occur on National Park property.

The construction cost for this project is estimated to be between $3,000,000 and $7,000,000.

Scope of Work (SOW): The detailed scope of work to be undertaken by the successful Offeror under the contract for this project will be identified in the Invitation for Bid (IFB). However, the work is anticipated to include, among other things: (a) restoration of Newfound Gap Road to its pre-slide condition, and (b) restoration and stabilization of the slide area. Construction access will only be allowed from the North Carolina side, except as may be requested by the contractor and approved in advance, on a case by case basis. Site access and construction activities are permitted seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

The following is a listing of some of the major work elements expected for this project:

• Construction of new asphalt roadways with pavement markings, signing

• Removal of damaged pavement structure adjacent to the slide area

• Construction of a Reinforced Soil Slope (RSS) with crushed stone backfill and the associated drainage system in the slide zone

• Installation of new drainage pipes

• Restoration and stabilization of the slide area

• Turf establishment and landscaping

• Installation of temporary and permanent erosion and sediment control measures

• Obliteration and turf re-establishment of extraneous access roads, parking areas, pull offs, shoulder areas and staging areas after roadway construction

• Traffic control, VMS signs, and maintaining gate access for construction

• Development of as-built plans, including survey, following construction

Supplemental Work: Contractor firms/teams are expected to provide qualified and experienced staff to develop appropriate pre-construction or construction protocols as designated by state, federal, and local regulations/guidelines, including but not limited to: a Work Plan, Accident Prevention Plan, and Health and Safety Plan; Environmental Management Plan, Waste Management Plan, Recycling Plan.

This is project will be administered and constructed in accordance with the Standard Specifications for Construction of Roads and Bridges on Federal Highway Projects (FP-03).

Procurement Overview of the Project: In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 14.5, Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division (EFLHD) is conducting a two-step sealed bidding process for Project GRSM 1B20. Under this Notice, EFLHD is soliciting Contractor firms/teams to participate in step one – request for technical proposals – of this two-step process.

A selection evaluation board will review and evaluate technical proposals submitted by all interested, responsive Contractor firms/teams (Offerors). The selection committee will select qualified Offerors to participate in step two of this selection process based on pass/fail evaluation criteria as stated in this request for technical proposals. Offerors should submit proposals that are acceptable without additional explanation or information. The Government may make a final determination regarding a proposal’s acceptability solely on the basis of the proposal as submitted. The Government may proceed with the second step without requesting further information from any offeror; however, the Government may request additional information from offerors of proposals that it considers reasonably susceptible of being made acceptable, and may discuss proposals with their offerors. Only one technical proposal may be submitted by each offeror. The step one technical proposal shall not include any prices or pricing information. A notice of unacceptability will be forwarded to offerors upon completion of the proposal evaluation and final determination of unacceptability.

During step two, an IFB will be issued only to those Offerors submitting acceptable technical proposals in step one. Only bids based upon technical proposals determined to be acceptable, either initially or as a result of discussions, will be considered for award. Each bid must be based upon the bidder’s own technical proposal. The IFB will contain the requirements necessary to submit a sealed bid during step two. Sealed bids will be due to the EFLHD within approximately 7 calendar days after the IFB is released. Contractors participating in step two will be invited to participate in a scheduled site visit within the first 5 calendar days of this step two period. This will be the only opportunity to visit the site.

After receipt of the step two sealed bids, all bids will be opened and an award will be made to the lowest responsive bidder. Contract award is anticipated by approximately February 20, 2013.

Construction is to be completed by May 15, 2013.

As stated in FAR Clause 52.236-1, the Contractor shall perform on the site, and with its own organization, work equivalent to at least 50%. Additional guidance is given in FAR Subpart

35.005 where the majority of the project work is complex and specialized such as restoration work, bridge painting, and proprietary construction techniques (i.e. proprietary Cintec arch strengthening.) There are exceptions and they will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

It is not the intent of EFLHD to receive project specific design or engineering recommendations as part of the step one technical proposal. Offerors should limit their technical proposals to the information required by this Notice, and other information that may be relevant to the qualifications and experience of the Offeror. No reimbursement will be made for any expenses associated with the preparation of step one technical proposals. Offerors must be rated “pass” on all evaluation criteria in order to be given an opportunity to proceed to step two of the procurement process.

Obligation to keep team intact:

In connection with the services covered by this procurement process, any in-house personnel, subcontractors, and outside associates will be limited to the individuals or firms that are specifically identified during the step one technical proposals. The contractor shall obtain the Contracting Officer’s written consent before making any substitution for these designated in-house personnel, subcontractors, or associates.

Evaluation: All Offerors responding during step one will be evaluated using the following pass/fail criteria:

(1) The Government will review and evaluate information about each prime contractor’s past performance and experience in the construction of roadway projects in the Great Smoky Mountains region. This evaluation will be based on the prime contractor’s record and reputation for satisfactorily completing projects similar in size and complexity. The Government will review and evaluate each firm’s (offeror) documented past performance and will rate them as acceptable or unacceptable. By acceptable past performance, the Government means that the offeror has a good reputation for satisfying its customers and delivering quality work in a timely manner at a reasonable cost. Acceptable past performance also means the firm has a reputation of integrity, reasonable and cooperative conduct, and commitment to customer satisfaction. In reviewing and evaluating an offeror’s past performance, the Government will consider information obtained from the firm, and may consider information obtained from other sources. This includes past and present customers and their current and former employees, past and present subcontractors and their current and former employees, current and former employees of the firm, federal, state and local government agencies (including court records), and private consumer protection organizations. The Government will evaluate past performance information and will rate the firms as pass or fail.

(2) The Government will review and evaluate each prime contractor’s approach to managing the construction schedule. This evaluation will be based on information contained in the technical proposal and will be rated as pass or fail.

Step One Submittals: Each Offeror must provide 1 original clearly marked and eight (8) duplicate original hard copies of the completed technical proposal. In addition, provide one (1)

CD-ROM containing the completed technical proposal in PDF format. The technical proposal should contain no more than ten (10) pages typed on one side only. The step one technical proposal shall be bound. If tabs are used and contain project-specific information, they will be counted as pages. The technical proposal shall be written on 8.5" x 11" paper. All technical proposals shall be written using Times New Roman with a font of 12-point.

Send all information to the following address:

Federal Highway Administration Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division 21400 Ridgetop Circle Sterling, VA 20166 Attn: Jason Albright (Fax and email submissions will not be accepted.)

Other Information: Questions concerning this solicitation may be directed to Jason Albright at 703- 404- 6212, e-mail to: EFLHD.contracts@dot.gov, or in his absence, to Mr. Tom Scott at 703-404-6270. All step one technical proposals must be received no later than 2:00 p.m. local time on Friday, February 1, 2013 in order to be considered for further evaluation.

mailto:EFLHD.contracts@dot.gov