Attach 25 Solicitation Questions and Answers 9 Oct 2020.pdf

FA469020R0005

9 Oct 2020

Ellsworth AFB FY21 MACC Solicitation

Answers to Questions Received 16 Sep 2020 to 9 Oct 2020

1. In Section M, paragraph 3.4.1, page 4 of 6, the solicitation states “The Government will evaluate the offeror’s/teaming members’ demonstrated record of contract compliance in supplying services that meet users’ needs…” However, paragraph 3.4.2.3 states: ” The evaluation of the offeror’s/teaming members’ present/past performance WILL NOT include the present/past performance of any subcontractor(s) even though they may perform major or critical aspects of this requirement." Since a teaming agreement is generally an agreement to enter into a subcontract upon contract award, please confirm if teaming partner/subcontractor past performance will be evaluated and, if so, if it will be evaluated as highly as that of the prime contractor?

Answer: If there is a formal teaming agreement, the Government will evaluate the past performance submitted by any teaming member. The past performance factor consists of a single rating that is a composite of the results of individual past performance If there is no teaming agreement, we will not evaluate a subcontractor. The reason being that without a formal teaming agreement, there is no guarantee that any prime will actually subcontract with a specific subcontractor after award of the contract. The only factors that affect the Past Performance Quality Rating are the recency, relevancy and quality assessments of the contracts evaluated (Attachment 12, para 3.4.6). It does not matter which teaming member is responsible for the performance as long as it is supported by a valid teaming agreement. Teaming agreements must be included in Volume I, Tab D.

2. Paragraph 3.4.4 defines a relevant project as: “Past/present performance effort involved multi-disciplined construction work exceeding $500,000, and the contractor performed as prime contractor.” Please confirm that a project on which our company performed as a member of a joint venture (and where the stated joint venture was the prime contractor) will be evaluated as a prime contractor.

Answer: If the offeror was a member of a Joint venture where the JV was the prime contractor, and is now either a prime contractor or a teaming member supported by a valid teaming agreement, the past performance will be evaluated and count towards the rating of the offeror.

3. SF1442 reads that the NAICS code is 237990 Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction. Attachment 11 – Volume III, Past Performance Factor reads: New Construction, Renovation, alteration and repair, with associated architectural and engineering work, with multiple disciplines such as carpentry, masonry, HVAC, fire protection, and other major trades. This statement makes it more like NAICS 236220; please clarify.

Answer: Contracting officers must designate a NAICS code for a contract according to 13 CFR

121.402. For multiple award contracts like this the Contracting office will assign the solicitation a single NAICS code and corresponding size standard which best describes the principal purpose of the acquisition.

We chose NAICS code 237990. Any of the diverse NAICS codes 236 or 237 could have been referenced for the size standard and each of them have the same $39.5M standard for annual revenue. The NAICS code on the SF1442 is the NACIS code used to determine the size standard. In this case, the size standard for NAICS code 237990 is $39.5 million in annual revenue. The relevant past performance described in Attachment 11 is a reference to a vendors past performance and is not a direct definition of the NAICS code used to determine the size standard. Relevant past performance is defined in the solicitation attachments 11 and 12 and is not limited to work performed under NAICS code 237990.

4. Can we provide a CPAR instead of the PPQ?

Answer: No, a CPARS cannot be substituted for a PPQ. PPQs will be one means used by the Government to obtain present/past performance information. (Attachment L, para 2.4.6). CPARS will also be reviewed IAW Section M, 3.4.2.1. You can use the contract for a reference and include it as one of the 5 permitted unique contracts if you deem it recent and relevant. Per Attachment 11, para 2.4.1, Projects shall be similar in size, scope, and complexity as those anticipated under this contract, and include projects with the Federal Government, state and local government agencies, and commercial customers.

5. Can we email you each Volume via SAFE website instead of hardcopy CDs?

Answer: No. Per Attachment 11, para 2.1, Proposal volumes shall be separate file folders on either CD-R or DVD-R (write once/read only) that is “closed” so that no further writes can be made to the media. CD-R/W or DVD-R/W media types are not acceptable.

6. Can you please extend due date to Tuesday 11/20/2020 (1 cd) – this will help in case of overnight package.

Answer: The proposal due date is 11/9/20 which is 41 days from today which is sufficient time to submit a proposal.

7. Considering the current unprecedented conditions and restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 crisis, many government personnel are much more difficult to reach and more overloaded with critical priorities and have (when we can reach them) refused to fill out PPQ’s for projects they have already done so for. Will the government consider accepting previously completed PPQ’s and/or completed CPARS for this factor?

Answer: The Present/Past Performance Questionnaire (see RFP Attachment 15) will be one means used by the Government to obtain present/past performance information and they are to be submitted directly to the Government from the POC for project owner (Attachment 11, para 2.4.6) so it is not possible to accept previously completed PPQs. CPARS will be another means to obtain present/past performance information (Attachment 12, para 3.4.2.1).

8. If a modification is required after an award of a task order, is it a requirement to use the same overhead and profit for the modification as those percentages used on the original bid 3052 form?

Answer: Many factors affect potential profit rates including complexity of the work and the resources required of the prospective contractor for contract performance, cost risk, and others identified in FAR 15.404(d). Per Attachment 2, Ordering Instructions, para 9.1, if a modification calls for essentially the same type and mix of work as the task order and is of relatively small dollar value compared to the total contract value, the Government Objective will use the same profit and overhead rates evaluated in the original task order award for that change or modification but are subject to negotiation if factors warrant.

Overhead rates proposed on the original bid 3052 will be used for all modifications to the task order.

9. In lieu of the 3052 can we include our own excel bid sheet with our proposal?

Answer: No. To provide for efficient evaluation, the AF Form 3052s (4 copies, 1 for each CLIN 0001- 0004) shall be used per Attachment 11, 2.5.2 and shall be filed in Tab B of Volume IV, Price Factor included on Disk A. A bland AF Form 3052 is included as Attachment 21 to the solicitation.

10. Section M, 3.4.1 indicates “recency is defined as active or completed efforts performed within the last three years”. Is there a certain percentage that active projects need to be completed to be considered active?

Answer: Active projects are those that have valid contracts and are anywhere from 0% to <100%. Per Attachment 12, para 3.4.5, A quality rating will not be assigned to each instance of past performance, rather, it will be used to assign a performance confidence rating. Even though the performance is both recent and relevant, 0% completion would be missing the quality aspect and would not provide data to influence the rating either positively or negatively.

11. SOW calls for a pre-engineered style building. This type of building may not be the best suited for the intended purpose of a Wash Rack. Will Contracting consider masonry construction for a more durable structure that is better suited for the high moisture / high humidity environment? Exterior would still maintain masonry wainscot and metal wall panels, along with metal roof panels. Appearance will meet SOW and intended design.

Answer: Para 2.3.2 and 2.3.3 of the revised Seed Project SOW dated 9 Oct 2020 state “Pre-engineered style building. Masonry construction will not be accepted for the structure, except where stated otherwise in this Statement of Work. Coating to protect structural steel members and fasters from corrosion due to high moisture inside the wash bay. Coating shall be a manufacturer’s standard primer applied according to the manufacturer’s instructions and specifications, and two coats of high-performance epoxy paint. However, make note of para 2.3.14, which states “8”x8”x16” Concrete masonry unit wainscot for the first 48” of exterior walls.

12. Due to COVID and social-distancing requirements, would the government consider allowing us to submit our proposals via email (or other electronic means) rather than mailing in CDs?

Answer: No. Per Attachment 11, para 2.1, Proposal volumes shall be separate file folders on either CD-R or DVD-R (write once/read only) that is “closed” so that no further writes can be made to the media. CD-R/W or DVD-R/W media types are not acceptable.

13. Paragraph 2.4.6 requires us to, "...ensure that at least two POCs per relevant contract submit a completed Present/Past Performance Questionnaire". Some of our clients have already completed a performance evaluation in CPARS. Will the government accept a copy of the CPARS evaluation (provided in our proposal) in lieu of obtaining a new PPQ?

Answer: No, a CPARS cannot be substituted for a PPQ. PPQs will be one means used by the Government to obtain present/past performance information. (Attachment L, para 2.4.6). CPARS will also be reviewed IAW Section M, 3.4.2.1. You can use the contract for a reference and include it as one of the 5 permitted unique contracts if you deem it recent and relevant. Per Attachment 11, para 2.4.1, Projects shall be similar in size, scope, and complexity as those anticipated under this contract, and include projects with the Federal Government, state and local government agencies, and commercial customers.

14. Paragraph 2.4.6 requires us to, "...ensure that at least two POCs per relevant contract submit a completed Present/Past Performance Questionnaire". It can be burdensome to continually ask our client references to complete PPQs for the same project. Will the government accept a copy of a previously completed PPQ (provided in our proposal) in lieu of obtaining a new PPQ?

Answer: The Present/Past Performance Questionnaire (see RFP Attachment 15) will be one means used by the Government to obtain present/past performance information and they are to be submitted directly to the Government from the POC for project owner (Attachment 11, para 2.4.6) so it is not possible to accept previously completed PPQs. CPARS will be another means to obtain present/past performance information (Attachment 12, para 3.4.2.1).

15. Confirm the building size is to be 43’ (25’ + 18’) wide on the end wall and 75’ Long.

Answer: No, the minimum 72’x18’ bay area for washing shall be within the minimum 72’x25’ building area, not in addition to.

16. Since this will be a humid wet environment due to the washing activities does the exposed structural steel members of the pre-engineered metal building need to be galvanized, epoxy painted, standard paint or manufacturers standard primer be acceptable.

Answer: Structural steel members shall be coated with a manufacturer’s standard primer applied according to the manufacturer’s instructions and specifications, and two coats of high-performance epoxy paint.

17. Should the roof be a standing seam roof or exposed fastener roof?

Answer: Roof shall be a standing seam roof with a 20 year NDL (No Dollar Limit) system warranty.

18. Should roof panels be 24 GA to match wall panels?

Answer: Yes roof panels should be 24 GA.

19. Are any special weather tightness warrantees required on the roof?

Answer: Roof shall come with a 20 year NDL (No Dollar Limit) system warranty.

20. Are there any blast ratings that need to be designed for with this facility?

Answer: No.

21. Does the roof assembly need to be UL 90 Rated?

Answer: The structure needs to meet wind and snow loads for the locality. The roof shall be UL 90 rated;

however, for some areas of the roof to be UL 90 rated others may have to be rated higher. Designer of record shall use ASCE standards to evaluate and determine the structure rating. The snow and wind load calculations are required in the SOW 3.4.1.

22. A verbal comment regarding the need to wash a 40-foot flatbed trailer was made during the site visit. Please confirm if this trailer will need to be accommodated in the design of the facility.

Answer: This trailer will need to be accommodated in the design of the facility, but the minimum 72’ x 18’ wash bay area should be adequate to accommodate the trailer and truck.

23. Gas line size near BLDG 7154?

Answer: Gas line is 1.25 inches.