Sources_Sought_Notice_DU205NC-14-CI-62865_Questions_and_Answers_4-3-14.pdf

DHUD’s Responses to Questions Regarding Sources Sought Notice

DU205NC-14-CI-62865

Questions and answers regarding Sources Sought Content #3:

SB concerns must provide a list of the States the SB concern is currently, or is able to conduct construction inspections. The SB concern must be able to provide a State Builders License, Construction Inspection Certificate, or Construction Certificate for each state they are able to conduct construction services.

Question 1: Would you please clarify the required licensing HUD is seeking as we currently provide construction inspection services in multiple states without the certifications requested in the solicitation

[sic]. We are not familiar with a state issued Construction Inspection Certificate or Construction

Certificate.

Answer 1: An individual or company has to carry some form of license to inspect HUD projects or properties. Each state has different requirements as what determines a construction inspector, and state requirements must be followed. Some states require a license for construction inspection and some states do not require a license for construction inspection.

Question 2: Since this is for NAICS Code 541310, would architectural licensing be sufficient?

Answer 2: The answer is “yes.”

Question 3: Our firm is comprised of registered architects and engineers and we currently provide inspection services for HUD. The solicitation [sic] specifies “State Builders License, Construction

Inspection Certificate, or Construction Certificate for each state they are able to conduct construction services.” Would our professional registrations meet the intent of the solicitation [sic]? Will they apply to any site similar to other federal work?

Answer 3: If the individual is a state licensed Architect or Professional Engineer, then no other license is required. The individual has to be licensed in the state they are conducting business unless they are working for a corporation that carries the licenses in the states that they are conducting business.

Question 4: Please clarify if PE licenses would suffice vs. “State Builders License” and Construction

Inspection Certificate.”

Answer 4: Assuming PE stands for “Professional Engineer”, the answer is “yes.” If the individual is a

Professional Engineer, the PE license would be sufficient vs. a State Builders License and a Construction

Inspection Certificate.

Question 5: Please clarify is a contractor needs to be licensed in each state within the 5 areas?

Answer 5: An individual or company has to carry some form of license to inspect HUD properties or projects. States may have different licensing requirements, and each state may have different requirements as what determines a construction inspector, and state requirements must be followed.

Question 6: Is my firm required to hold a State Builders License or the Construction Certificate in each state of the area I bid on (Area II) or is a General Contractor license in my state applicable?

Answer 6: Each state has different requirements as what determines a construction inspector and the state requirements have to be followed. A company needs to use their business acumen and research whether or not the license in their state is applicable to other states.

Question 7: Can some of my inspectors hold the license or certificate instead of just my company if they are independent contractors and not employees? When would be the deadline to provide this? In the

Bid Package?

Answer 7: The government may require the President, CEO, or Owner of the company to have a license or certificate as a requirement. If the government decides to procure construction inspection services, the deadline to provide the license or certificate will be during the pre-award phase of the procurement.

Questions and answers regarding Sources Sought Content #5:

You must identify whether your firm is an 8(a), Small Disadvantaged Business, Woman-Owned Small

Business, HUBZone Small Business, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business concern (see www.sba.gov for additional information on small business concerns).

Question 8: Please clarify if this solicitation [sic] is requesting responses from Small Businesses, or only those business categories listed in item number 5 of the solicitation [sic].

Answer 8: The sources sought notice is for small business (SB), veteran-owned small business (VOSB), service-disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB), HUBZone small business (HUBZone SB), small disadvantaged business (SDB), or woman-owned small business concerns (WOSB) interested in performing construction inspections.

Question 9: The first paragraph of the solicitation [sic] lists small businesses and each of the Sources

Sought Content Items, but Item 5 lists all sub-categories and not small business itself. We are a small business, but not 8a, SDB, WOSB, etc. Should we still submit information?

Answer 9: The sources sought notice is for small business (SB), veteran-owned small business (VOSB), service-disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB), HUBZone small business, small disadvantaged business (SDB), or woman-owned small business concerns (WOSB) interested in performing construction inspections. You firm will need to make a business decision whether or not you decide to submit information pertaining to the sources sought notice.

Miscellany questions and answers:

Question 10: Are their incumbents to this solicitation [sic], and can we be told who they are? And maybe what the average project/fees have been?

http://www.sba.gov/

Answer 10: This is not a solicitation; this is a Sources Sought Notice (added emphasis). The US

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is conducting market research to determine the availability, adequacy, and capabilities of potential small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business, HUBZone small business, small disadvantaged business, or woman-owned small business concerns, interested in performing construction inspections (note:

taken verbatim from the Sources Sought Notice). The market research is for a new HUD requirement which is for the award of a contract for each of the geographical areas cited in the Sources Sought

Notice.

The average project/fees for an inspection will be different based on the location (e.g. State, County, City, etc.), and/or the number of inspections required, travel costs, etc. If you wish to see whether or not HUD has previously procured construction inspection services, etc., you may wish to consider conducting your research using Federal Procurement Data System-Next Generation:

https://www.fpds.gov/fpdsng_cms/index.php/en/.

Question 11: Can you tell me if there are very many inspection projects expected in South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, or Minnesota?

Answer 11: The government is currently evaluating its requirements regarding the number of construction inspections in a designated area.

Question 12: Is there an average per fee visit for past inspection projects that you can share?

Answer 12: The government will not “share” an average per fee visit for past inspection projects. The average per fee visit for past inspection projects is not an accurate barometer for a contractor to decide whether or not to respond to the subject notice. The per fee visit for an inspection may be different based on the location (e.g. State, County, City, etc.), and/or the number of inspections required, travel costs, etc.

Question 13: Is there a limit on the number of attachments we need to provide as proof of requested information; i.e., in #3) State Builders License, Construction Inspection Certificate, or Construction certificate for each state as they are able to conduct construction services; in #4) DUNS # and the

System for Award Management printout; SBA letter?

Answer 13: The attachments are separate from the written response.

Question 14: Please explain what the “System for Award Management’ printout is…

Answer 14: See Federal Acquisition Regulation Subpart 4.11 – System for Award Management.

Question 15: Is subject solicitation [sic] “Source Selection Synopsis” for HUD Section 232 Program only?

Or does this solicitation [sic] cover all programs HUD provides funding for, namely 207, 220, 202(d), 223(f) and 811?

https://www.fpds.gov/fpdsng_cms/index.php/en/

Answer 15: No. The Sources Sought Notice is for HUD programs which may require construction inspections. For example, HUD Multifamily Housing programs such as Section 221(d)(4), Mortgage

Insurance for Rental and Cooperative Housing, Sections 207/223(F), Mortgage Insurance for Purchase or Refinancing of Existing Multifamily Rental Housing, Section 202, Supportive Housing for the Elderly, and, Section 811, Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities, are programs which will require construction inspections. HUD Section 232, Healthcare Facility Insurance, is a HUD/FHA program which provide mortgage insurance for loans that covers housing for the frail elderly, and may require construction inspections.

Question 16: If an amendment is required, how could we be notified when to expect and also Would

[sic] the response date be extended?

Answer 16: The contractor is responsible for checking Federal Business Opportunities to see whether or not the government has amended and/or extended the response date of the Sources Sought Notice.

Question 17: My question is regarding FAR § 52.219-14(b)(1)-Limitation on Subcontracting. My company is a small business with $200,000 gross income and if the state construction certificates are needed for each state I may have to bring in another company to help me provide that requirement.

That company would qualify for small business as well.

Am I understanding this statement to mean that they have to be a small business in able to partner with me? Do I need to add them to this capability statement on this solicitation [sic]?

Answer 17: No. At least fifty percent (50%) of the cost of contract performance incurred from personnel shall be expended for employees of the concern (i.e. your company) (see FAR § 52.219-

14(c)(1)). Regarding the capability statement, the contractor should add its partner company to your capability statement.

Question 18: Will bonding of my company be required on the Bid later?

Answer 18: The government has not determined whether or not it will require a bond as a proposal requirement.