SABER RFI

RFIs SABER

FA4800-10-R-0007

QUESTION: (PART III – PAST PERFORMANCE INFORMATION, Page 52 of 68) Will the experience of our teaming partner be considered in the evaluation for section (b) Questionnaire?

ANSWER: Yes, the teaming partner will be evaluated in accordance with paragraph 3(c) on page 53 of the solicitation and Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 9.6.

QUESTION: (PART III – PAST PERFORMANCE INFORMATION, Page 52 of 68) Please confirm that the entire Part III – including letters of reference, required narratives, project list, explanation of teaming agreement and indication of past experience with teaming partner, joint venture information, subcontractor consent letters, and questionnaires—is limited to a maximum of 10 pages.

ANSWER: Yes, the limitation is 10 pages. This does not include the Questionnaire itself.

QUESTION: (Attachment 1, Page 8 of 277) Section 2.2.1.1 of Attachment 1, Page 8 of 277, mentions a Quality Control Plan. Are we to submit this plan at the time Parts I, II, and III of our proposal for the SABER contract is submitted?

ANSWER: Yes, each offeror must submit this plan with their proposal.

QUESTION: (Attachment 1, Pages 9 – 10 of 277) Attachment 1 states that a technical library is required. Please confirm that this library includes the following items:

· 2.3.2.1. Technical Library. The contractor shall, within 60 calendar days after contract award, provide three (2 for LAFB, 1 for Ft Eustis) most current copies of the following manuals/codes to 633d CES/CEPMS, and one copy to 1CONS/LGCB, and shall provide annual updates, or updates as published at no additional cost to the Government for the duration of the contract. Copies of manuals/codes for Ft Eustis are to be supplied beginning with the first option year of the contract.

· 2.3.2.1.1. R.S. Means Pricing Guides. As stated in paragraph 3.2.1.2.1 (Exception: 14 copies of Facilities Construction Cost Data shall be supplied to 633d CES/ CEPMS (9 for LAFB, 5 for Ft Eustis) and 1 copy to 1 CONS/LGCC)

· 2.3.2.1.2. R.S. Means Estimating Handbook.

· 2.3.2.1.3. R.S. Means Illustrated Construction Dictionary.

· 2.3.2.1.4. EM 385-1-1 Safety Health requirements Manual. May be obtained from the Government Printing Office, Washington DC 20402. The Contractor is responsible for compliance with the provisions of this manual, to include sub-Contractors.

· 2.3.2.1.5. National Electric Code and National Electric Code Handbook. Not required for 1CONS/LGCC.

· 2.3.2.1.6. International Plumbing Code. Not required for 1CONS/LGCC.

· 2.3.2.1.7. International Building Code. Not required for 1CONS/LGCC.

· 2.3.2.1.8. Life Safety Code Handbook (NFPA 101). Not required for 1 CONS/LGCC

· 2.3.2.1.9. International Mechanical Code. Not required for 1 CONS/LGCC

ANSWER: The technical library does indeed include the items listed above. The copies of manuals/codes for Ft Eustis are now to be supplied beginning in the base year. Additionally, paragraphs 2.3.2.1.1 now reads 633 CONS/LGCB versus 1 CONS/LGCC

QUESTION: (Attachment 1, Pages 9 – 10 of 277) Attachment 1 states that Software Programs/Licenses/Upgrades are required. Please confirm that this library includes the following items:

· 2.3.2.2. Software Programs/Licenses/Upgrades. The contractor shall, within 30 calendar days contract award, provide a site license with 10 seats, install and troubleshoot the following software 633d CES/CEPMS (6 seats for LAFB, 4 seats for Ft Eustis) and shall provide annual upgrades as published at no additional cost to the Government. Site license and seats for Ft Eustis are to be provided beginning with the first option year of the contract.

· 2.3.2.2.1. e4clicks Premier Project Estimator (CE SABER Team) and e4clicks Professional Project Estimator (Contractor); RS Means Facilities Construction Cost Data and RS Means Master Composite cost Data and Assemblies Cost Data, with quarterly updates.

· 2.3.2.2.2. Microsoft Project (10 licenses-most current version; 5 for LAFB, 5 for Ft Eustis)

ANSWER: Yes, the library includes the items listed above. The software/licenses/upgrades for Ft Eustis are now to be supplied beginning in the base year.

QUESTION: Who is the incumbent for the Langley AFB SABER IDIQ

ANSWER: Chugach Government Services, Inc

QUESTION: Who is the incumbent for the Fort Eustis SABER IDIQ

ANSWER: Ft. Eustis does not have a SABER IDIQ. However, they do have a Job Order Contract (JOC) with Centennial Contractors Enterprises

QUESTION: Is this the first time that the Langley AFB SABER IDIQ contract has been paired with the Fort Eustis Saber IDIQ?

ANSWER: Yes, this will be the first time the Langley AFB SABER IDIQ will perform work at Ft. Eustis.

QUESTION: What is the incumbent’s std. and non-std. coefficient for Langley AFB? What is … for Fort Eustis?

ANSWER: The current coefficients for the sole source SABER award are 1.24 for standard and 1.31 for non-standard. The current coefficeint for the competitively bid JOC award is .78

QUESTION: What is the sum of the design fees for Langley AFB and Fort Eustis?

ANSWER: The current design fee for Langley is 2% of the negotiated project price. Ft Eustis does not have a design fee.

QUESTION: What is the yearly SABER IDIQ amounts for Langley AFB, for Fort Eustis?

ANSWER: The SABER IDIQ for Langley AFB totals approximately $10,000,000.00 per year. The JOC for Ft Eustis totals approximately $9,500,000.00 per year.

QUESTION: What is the cumulative amount for the SABER IDIQ contract at Langley AFB, Fort Eustis?

ANSWER: Although Ft. Eustis doesn’t have a SABER contract they do have a JOC. The cumulative of Ft. Eustis’ JOC and Langleys’ SABER is approximately $19,000,000.00 per year.

QUESTION: Was the SABER IDIQ ever extended for Langley AFB or Fort Eustis

ANSWER: The last two SABER contracts were extended. The current SABER contract was extended until 30 June 2010

QUESTION: The solicitation notes: THIS ACQUISITION IS BEING ISSUED AS A 100% SET-A-SIDE FOR 8(a) ELIGIBLE VENDORS IN THE MID-ATLANTIC REGION. FOR THIS RFP PURPOSE THE MID-ATLANTIC REGION INCLUDES ANY 8(a) VENDOR WITH A HOME OFFICE AS REGISTERED WITH THE APPLICABLE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SBA) SERVICING OFFICE IN ONE OF THE FOLLOWING STATES: VIRGINIA, MARYLAND, WEST VIRGINIA, DELAWARE, PENNSYLVANIA, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

Since the statement defining the Mid-Atlantic Region was an Inclusive statement for Vendors with a Home Office within the defined region, it does not necessarily intend to Exclude 8a Contractors with Established Satellite Office Facility within the defined Mid-Atlantic Region. Please clarify that 8a Contractors with Established Satellite Facilities within the Mid-Atlantic region are Eligible Vendors to provide the Government with a proposal for this solicitation.

ANSWER: If your local Small Business Administration office confirms an established Satellite Office Facility classifies as a Home Office your company will be eligible to submit a proposal.

QUESTION: Proposal Preparation Instructions, Part I-Technical Proposal states this portion is limited to 15 pages. However, page 54 under General information, #3 states proposals shall not exceed 25 pages and the pages submitted shall not exceed the page limitation set forth in Section L (which is the 15 pages). Please clarify total pages to be submitted.

ANSWER: The technical proposal is limited to 15 pages and the past performance information (page 52, part III) is limited to 10 pages. This total gives you the overall total of 25 pages maximum.

QUESTION: In reference to Attachment 1, page 3, Paragraph 1, Scope of Work: This paragraph specifies that “as minimum, 15% (fifteen percent) of all work shall be performed by the primary Contractor as in-house labor.” Will the contractor be allowed to include overhead costs as part of this percentage or is this percentage strictly for trades performed requiring the contractor to maintain an in-house force of craftspeople? Maintaining a craft force to respond to the requirements of an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract such as this one will be inefficient and costly for the contractor since there is no guarantee of work beyond the minimum, and it is difficult to predict specifically what craft disciplines will be required. We expect the contractor would need the capability to respond to a wide variety of specialty work requirements.

ANSWER: The prime contractor is required to accomplish at least 15% of the entire work, not completely subcontract out all the work. The prime contractors’ overhead and labor are included in the coefficients.

QUESTION: In reference to Attachment 1, pages 5–6, Paragraph 2.1.1, Program Manager (PM): This paragraph specifies that “The PM shall have a minimum of 10 years experience on programs of similar size and scope and hold a Bachelor’s Degree in mechanical, electrical, or civil engineering.” Will the Government consider adjusting this requirement to accept an additional 5 years of similar experience in construction in lieu of a Bachelor’s Degree?

ANSWER: No, the requirements within attachment 1 must be met.

QUESTION: In reference to Attachment 1, pages 10–11, Paragraph 3, Commencement of Work: It is stated in this paragraph that “The Contractor will have full access to all Record and As-Built drawings located in the 633dst Civil Engineering Squadron.” And that “It is the Contractor’s responsibility to research the availability of as-built drawings for use and to request copies.” We understand this section to mean that the contractor will need to locate as-built drawings located in the Civil Engineering Squadron for use in development of our proposals. What level of effort should we assume in order to locate the correct drawings for each task order? What happens if the drawings cannot be located by the contractor? Would the Government provide access to the as-built drawings electronically?

ANSWER: The contractor shall put forth maximum effort to obtain/locate the correct drawings for each task order. In the event the drawings cannot be located, the contracting officer, civil engineering point of contact and contractor will work together to determine the best course of action. The government will provide access to the as-built drawings electronically or on a disk.

QUESTION: In reference to Attachment 1, pages 12–13, Paragraph 3.2.1.2.1.1, Unauthorized Sections: This paragraph references Division 1 sections/subsections 01 11 31.50-.75, Models and Renderings, as Page 2 of 3 unauthorized for use in estimates. Will the Government please clarify how the contractor will be compensated if models and renderings are required for a project?

ANSWER: Models and Renderings will be negotiated as an NPI if required. In the past 10 years neither has ever been requested.

QUESTION: In reference to Attachment 1, page 13, Paragraph 3.2.1.2.1.2, Pre- and Non-pre Priced Line Items: This paragraph states that NPI quotes shall include the Contractor’s coefficient. Are contractors to bid an NPI coefficient, or is this referring to applying the pre-priced coefficient to non pre-priced items? If we are to apply the pre-priced coefficients to subcontractor costs to calculate NPI prices, this will be a distinct disadvantage to any bidder who bids below 1.0000, as they will have to do NPI work for less than subcontractor costs. This may also cause contractors to increase their pre-priced coefficients if they know they will have to apply these coefficients to non pre-priced items. Would the Government consider allowing contractors to bid a separate NPI coefficient so that contractors may provide their most competitive pre-priced coefficients and appropriate NPI coefficients?

ANSWER: The paragraph referenced allows the contractor, in emergency situations (where work must start immediately to stop further damage or to return a mission essential capability to functionality ie water main breaks as opposed to an urgent requirement where failure hasn’t already occurred) to bid the subcontractor’s quote with the PPI coefficient added on top. The idea being that the prime may not have adequate time to negotiate and get the best prices from subs. No, the Government will not consider or allow NPI coefficients for this acquisition.

QUESTION: In reference to Attachment 1, page 13, Paragraph 3.2.1.2.1.2, Pre- and Non-pre Priced Line Items: It is our understanding that the only time NPI might be used for an entire project would be for emergency work and that for any non-emergency work NPI will be allowed only for individual line items as appropriate and not complete projects. Will the Government please confirm this understanding?

ANSWER: The contractor MUST use PPI when they are available in RS Means for items being estimated, with the exception of true emergency situations as described below, at which time the entire cost may be considered NPI as a matter of practicality and fairness to both the prime and the sub. Urgent requirements (urgent projects, but not mission failures as described above) would normally use the non-standard coefficient on the whole project. And regular day-to-day projects would use the standard coefficient on the whole project. In either non-emergency project type (urgent/normal) NPI’s can only be used for individual line items where PPI’s don’t exist in RS Means.

QUESTION: In reference to Attachment 1, page 13, Paragraph 3.2.1.2.1.2, Pre- and Non-pre Priced Line Items: It has been our experience that SABER contracts usually include a cap on NPI at five to 10 percent to prevent contractors from using the NPI pricing mechanism rather than the R.S. Means pricing as intended by the contract. Will the Government please provide the cap on NPI for this contract?

ANSWER: In general, NPI’s cannot exceed 25% of the total project price without a waiver. Again, the general provisions are very specific with regards to the use of PPI; PPI must be used if it exists. NPI’s cannot be used to avoid using PPI. One of the purposes of the contractor’s coefficient is to supplement any inequities in pricing that the bidders feel exist in RS Means pricing data. Keep in mind that this contract will use RS Means cost data with the Newport News city cost index and it will be adjusted quarterly.

QUESTION: In reference to Attachment 1, page 14, Paragraph 3.2.1.2.5.1, Compatibility: The sole source manufacturers’ equipment identified in this section may or may not fall within the R.S. Means price guide. Will there be a non pre-priced item (NPI) allowance for the equipment listed that does not appear in the R.S. Means price guide?

ANSWER: Yes, but the contractor should provide 3 sources for the equipment to justify that the cost of the proposed equipment exceeds the RS Means allowance with the city cost index applied.

QUESTION: In reference to Attachment 1, page 14, Paragraph 3.2.1.2.5.1, Compatibility: This section does not reference compatibility equipment for Fort Eustis. Is it to be considered the same as that for Langley AFB, or does Fort Eustis have other manufacturers’ equipment that they commonly use? If the equipment is different, will the Government provide a similar list for any compatibility requirements for Fort Eustis?

ANSWER: Fort Eustis has two equipment items they commonly use: Fort Eustis uses Johnson DDC controls, whereas Langley uses Siemens DDC controls, and just as Langley does, Ft Eustis requires Best compatible locks.

QUESTION: It is our understanding that work under this contract will be completed in accordance the Unified Facility Criteria (UFC). Please confirm.

ANSWER: Yes, the Unified Facility Criteria shall be the basis for contractor specifications as well as all applicable referenced AFI’s and building codes.

QUESTION: Please confirm that the design fees will be paid for any design performed on any project, regardless of whether or not the project is actually constructed.

ANSWER: The government confirms that normally design fees will be paid, if bid, for any design performed on any project, regardless of whether or not the project is actually constructed. The one exception to this is Straddle A and B projects or projects with advanced contracting authority. Straddle A and projects with advanced contracting authority will be funded in their entirety; therefore design fees are not paid per se as the design fee is, as with all projects applied to the overall project cost. Straddle B projects are those with contracting authority that may or may not be funded by the end of the fiscal year. These are the only projects that may require estimating without a design fee. In the case of Straddle B, we typically only require a cost estimate, and very minimal data, sufficient enough to determine project adequacy and price.

QUESTION: It appears that Davis-Bacon building wage rates have only been provided for Hampton, which does not include Fort Eustis. Can the Government please provide the building wage rates for Newport News/Fort Eustis?

ANSWER: The wage rates for Newport News will be updated and posted for each offeror to view.

QUESTION: Will the Government be issuing a new SF 1442 that does not include the “Draft” stamp, or should the offeror complete and sign the version provided in the original RFP that includes the “Draft” stamp?

ANSWER: A new copy of the SF 1442 will be updated for each offeror to use

QUESTION: Please confirm that preliminary and organizational items such as cover letters, table of contents, and section tabs are exempt from the 25-page limit specified for the combined Technical Proposal and the Past Performance Information.

ANSWER: Tabs, cover letters, table of contents are exempt from the page limit.

QUESTION: The limitation of 15 pages for the Technical Proposal is very restrictive and limits the offeror’s ability to provide enough information to allow the government to make distinctions among the qualifications of different offerors. Would the Government please consider expanding the page limitation on this section to 25 pages?

ANSWER: The government believes 15 pages are adequate for offeror’s to submit proposals.

QUESTION: How will pages larger than 8.5x11, such as fold-outs used for charts, tables, and diagrams, be treated with respect to the 25-page limitation on the combined Technical Proposal and the Past Performance Information? For example, if it is printed at 11x17 or larger, will it count as multiple pages?

ANSWER: If it is a fold-out used for charts, tables, or diagrams it can be printed on 11 x 17 paper and will be counted as one page. Submitting a proposal which exceeds the size requirements may result in an offer being ineligible for award. Any consideration will be at the Contracting Officers discretion.

QUESTION: Paragraph 2.2.1.1 (Quality Control Plan) of the General Provisions notes that “the Contractor shall provide a Quality Control Plan (QCP) with their proposal that contains, as a minimum, the items listed in paragraph 2.2.1.1.1.” Please clarify the following two points in reference to this instruction:

(a) Should the offeror include a formal QCP with their proposal due May 10?

(b) If the offeror should include a formal QCP with their proposal due May 10, please confirm that this QCP is exempt from the 15-page limit specified for the Technical Proposal since this document alone will exceed the page limitations.

ANSWER: (a) Yes, the offeror shall include a formal QCP with their proposal due May 10.

(b) The QCP is exempt from the 15 page limit.

QUESTION: Paragraph H of Section M references types of relevant additional information. Please confirm that items such as letters of recognition from customers are excluded from the designated page limit.

ANSWER: As stated in paragraph “H”, the letters will be a part of the technical proposal this incorporating them within the 15 page limitation.

QUESTION: We understand the offeror’s response should consist of three separate parts (Part I –Technical Proposal, Part II - Price Proposal, and Part III - Past Performance Information). Please clarify how the Government would like the offeror to bind these sections. For example, will the Government accept submission of Part I and Part III in a single binder, with these parts separated by a tab and Part II in a separate binder, or should each part be submitted in its own binder?

ANSWER: Parts I and II can be in a single binder with Part II in a separate binder or each part can be in an individual binder.

QUESTION: Section L Proposal Preparation I. Part I -Technical Proposal (b) Subfactor B: Staffing Approach: Staffing Approach states "Provide a staffing approach which addresses how the offeror would fulfill the requirements listed in paragraphs 2.1.1 (Program Manager)".

Attachment 1 General Provisions paragraph 2.1.1 Program Manager states "The PM shall have a minimum of 10 years experience of programs of similar size and scope and hold a Bachelor's Degree in mechanical, electrical or civil engineering." Will previous experience at Langley with SABER contracts in addition to 10 years experience of programs of similar size and scope be acceptable in lieu of Bachelor's Degree in mechanical, electrical or civil engineering? This would not preclude having on staff other degreed engineers.

ANSWER: No, the requirements within attachment 1 must be met

QUESTION: On page 53. “If this is a first time joint effort, each party to the arrangement must provide a list of past and present relevant contracts. “ Can each party of the teaming provide contract information for 5 past or present contracts? Should the there be a combination of contracts from each party equaling 5 contracts?

ANSWER: Yes, each party must provided a list of past and present relevant contracts. No, there should be no combination.

QUESTION: There are conflicting descriptions of normal hours/standard work/standard duty hours within the solicitation. Below are the different descriptions. What is the correct time frame for normal hours/standard hours/standard duty hours?

Page 13 section H- “Normal Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:30am- 4:30pm”

Page 4 of attachment 1 “Standard work. Defined as the period from 7:00am -5:00pm”

Page 34 of attachment 1 “Standard duty hours for Langley Air Force Base and Ft Eustis are 0700 through 1630”

Page 8 of Attachment 1 paragraph 2.2.1.1 states the “contractor shall provide a Quality Control Plan with their proposal that contains, as a minimum, the items listed in paragraph 2.2.1.1.1” Is the Quality Control Plan to be placed in the Subfactor A or to be added at the end of the proposal? Will the pages used to describe the quality control plan pages count against the 15 pages allowed for the Technical Proposal?

ANSWER: Effective immediately, each of the aforementioned times shall read 0700 – 1700 (7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.). The Quality Control Plan shall be separate from subfactor “A” and will count against the 15 pages allowed.

QUESTION: FeDBizOpps says this is an 8a set aside and Centurion Research says it is 8a, HubZone and SDVOSB set aside…. Can you clarify?

ANSWER: The set aside is for 8(a) companies within the Mid-Atlantic Region.