FA5215-21-R-0004 Questions Answers.pdf

Question:

I have questions about the opportunities posted under the following solicitation numbers:

FA521521R0004P1 Combined Synopsis/Solicitation

FA521521R0004P2 Combined Synopsis/Solicitation

If these requirements are being performed by a contractor currently or have been performed in the past, could you please provide the associated incumbent contract or task order numbers?

If not, could you please tell me whether these are new requirements?

Answer:

This is a brand new requirement

Question and Answer:

We have the following questions on Request for Proposal (RFP) FA521521R0004:

1. Part 2(a) references Past Performance in the last 3 years. Given the recent pandemic and limited access to the INDOPACOM theater, is it possible to extend this past performance window to 5 or 7 years?

** Past Performance will be updated to 5 years.

2. Part 1(e) Is there a specific documentation that you require for firm certifications?

** No specific documentation, a copy of the certification would suffice.

3. Can you confirm that you do not want any Key Personnel listed in this proposal?

** Confirmed, no key personnel or resumes are required.

Question for the "Qualified Contractor". As you know, only U.S. Certifications were noted on the solicitation. If we provide the service in Korea and we have Korean Certifications equivalent to U.S. Standard in HVAC Retro-Commissioning, could we be qualified?

Answer:

Due to all the work performed on US installations, only the US certifications listed are what creates a qualified contractor.

We reviewed the solicitation for the PACAF Retro Commissioning project and are very interested in providing a proposal. We believe we are very well suited to provide the Retro Commissioning services in Pool 1. However, we also have a strong Joint Venture agreement with a SDVOSB that would be able to satisfy the requirements in Pool 2. Upon review, if we satisfy your requirements would we be eligible for both pools or would you only be able to select us for one pool?

Answer:

As long as you satisfy the requirements for both pools you would be eligible for both. The SDVOSB would likely need to be the prime for the SB set aside Pool.

Question:

We note that under Down -Select Criteria commissioning certificates from three different agencies and TAB certifications are from two different agencies are listed. Then, it is said that the firms with most different certificates will be most favorable. However, the listed certificates from different agencies are equivalent. Generally, firms get certified with one agency and engineers under the same firm take the exam and get certified from the same agency. In other words, one firm has four CxA certificate but they are all from one same certifying agency.

Whereas, the Down -Select Criteria prefers one firm have engineers with CxA certificates from different agencies. In this case, small local firm with four CxA certificates from one agency will be last based on the Down -Select Criteria . We do not understand the basis of this selection criteria since it puts firms working with same agency for long time even though all certification agencies requires similar qualifications. In other words, local small firms will be at disadvantage based on listed criteria. We respectfully request revising this criteria.

Answer:

I appreciate your response and concerns. We are aware there are duplications on the down-select certifications - that is why only one certification is required to be a qualified vendor. The down-select criteria is only to be used in the event we receive a large amount of qualified vendors with satisfactory or above past performance. Our intention is to award 6 IDIQ contracts for each pool (so 12 total) – we can award more or less depending on the amount of proposals received. The Pool 2 is reserved for small business only.

- Pg 6, Phase I.e – We assume proof of certification as a “qualified contractor” involves providing a copy of our certificate which will count as 1 page of the 20 allowed. Are we permitted to shrink certificates so as to show perhaps 2 per page to preserve space?

**Certifications are not part of the 20 page count – this will be clarified to all interested parties.

- Pg 6, Phase II – By “contract,” do you mean a single task order or project, pls? As an example, we hold a multi-year IDIQ with a given Client and have completed several Commissioning-related task orders (projects) under the IDIQ’s authority.

** Single task orders are ideal with reference to the parent IDIQ. The Task order is typically where the actual work is being performed and demonstrates the performance.

- The document does not mention resumes for proposed individuals we’ll consider to provide Retro- Commissioning services. Are those required/desired? If so, we assume they are appropriate for the Part II (no page limit) section?

** We are not requesting resumes. If the location or command desires resumes they will request at the task order level.

- The document does not mention typical SF330 Part I or Part II information. Are those required/desired? If so, are these to be included in the Part I (20 page limit) section?

** We do not require a SF330.

Can you please clarify if you want a price on SF 1449 as well as Part I. Summary and Misc Data and Part II. Past Performace or if you want Parts I and II instead of the SF 1449.

Answer:

We do not require a SF1449, price is not an evaluation factor for the IDIQ.

1. Do you have template forms for PPE?

2. Do you also consider Commissioning for new DOD facilities as relevant project for three listed projects?

Answer:

1. No, we do not have a template.

2. The SME provided this statement: I would advise the vendor to submit retro-commissioning projects (i.e., on existing facilities) versus commissioning projects on new DoD facilities. The intent of our scope of work for our IDIQ is to perform HVAC retro-commissioning on existing facilities in PACAF, not to commission newly constructed facilities.

1. The instructions mention the SF 1449 Form – item 4 is “technical description of the items being offered in sufficient detail…” What is the expectation for the material that goes here?

** Please reference the addendum to FAR 52.212-1 that starts on page 5. We are not requiring a SF 1449. Any technical data the vendor chooses to provide should be under Part I of the proposal, title Summary and Misc Data.

2. In the instructions, the SF1449 Form has item 6 – Price and Discount terms – are we to include a price? (or rates?)

** Price is not evaluated for the IDIQ; therefore, price is not required.

3. Part I mentions “Proof of applicable certifications” – what are you looking for in terms of proof?

Is this for each person as well as the firm?

** The contract is with the prime contractor firm, so the certification(s) need to be held by the firm for the duration of the contract. Both the certifications for the firm and individual can be provided, but we also recognize that individuals can relocate from firm to firm, and any one certified individual may not remain with the firm for the duration of the contract. Proof can be a document which provides the government assurance that the firm has been granted certification by the industry certification organization (e.g., certificate or letter from the certification organization).

4. Part I mentions “summary” but also states that we should not repeat information in Part II.

What is the expectation for what is included in the Summary?

** Summary is intended to present the high level of what is being proposed. It can repeat some of what is in Part II but should not be a repeated version.

5. The cover letter mentions a few key items; are we limited to these or can we provide a narrative cover letter?

** You can provide a narrative in the cover letter.

1. We did not see any section where we are to provide and approach and/or resumes. Please provide clarity regarding whether or not they are required.

** We are not requiring resumes or approach, IDIQ selection is based on qualifications and past performance. Vendors may provide an approach under Part I, Summary and Misc Data.

2. There are several references to Price in Attachment 2 – Instructions to Offerors. We understand that this contract award does not require the proposer to provide pricing at this time. Is that correct?

** Correct, price is not evaluated at this time. Price will be evaluated at the task order level.

3. Do we have any idea how the buildings on the bases will be selected and distributed to the contractors? Will multiple contractors work on each base?

** The IDIQ contract is for retro-commissioning of existing HVAC systems. Generally, it is anticipated that buildings selected by the installations for retro-commissioning will be those that have historically shown issues with inefficient operation, occupant comfort, maintenance, and/or energy usage. Each task order will be offered to the eligible contractors in Pool 1 and/or Pool 2 on the IDIQ, and bid accordingly. It is possible that multiple contractors may be working on the base, if multiple task orders are awarded for a particular base. The number of task orders and buildings on each task order will depend on how task orders are packaged, and funding available for individual task orders.

4. Is it your intent to have the RCx contractor provide turnkey implementation services? Is it acceptable to engage subcontractors on a case by case basis as the project proceeds at individual bases?

** I am not sure exactly what this is asking. But I think the response is yes, for the most part, we want turnkey service. We want the ReCx contractor (in accordance with the SOW) to analyze, make adjustments and minor corrections to, and turn the HVAC system back over to the government in operating condition. Corrective phase actions will need approval from the Contracting Officer prior to implementation, as stated in the SOW. If, during system investigation and analysis, the ReCx contractor determines corrections beyond the scope of the contract are needed or recommended (e.g., large equipment replacement), they will document that as part of the Investigation Phase report deliverable, for execution by a separate government effort. It is not our intent to prohibit contractors from utilizing sub-contractors or other business partnerships. The contract is with the prime contractor. However, sub-contractor costs will have to be included in the task order bid proposals.

5. With regard to paragraphs 3.2.1, a.1, 2, 3 and 4, will the existing system data be available to the CxA prior to visiting each site? Or will the work require that the CxA assemble the data from information available at each subject site?

** The government will provide available existing system data for the buildings in the task order at the time of task order. There may be some cases where some system data is not available and will have to be obtained during visit to subject site.

Attachment 2 Item(b)(2) requests Price and discount terms but we are not aware of any criteria to price since locations are listed without any additional detail and there was not a request for key personnel.

Answer:

Price is not a factor for the IDIQ – basis for evaluation is qualified vendor and past performance. Price will be evaluated at the task order level. Additionally, there is not a request for key personnel or resumes.

Question:

The NAICS Code noted for this solicitation is 541350 (Building Inspection Services) with a PSC of R425 (Professional: Engineering/Technical); however, Attachment 2 speaks to “Commercial Items.” Does this solicitation seek assistance from Architect-Engineer-type firms or Commercial Services such as those from mechanical equipment manufacturers? Can you please help clarify?

** The contract is to perform HVAC system retro-commissioning services as outlined in the SOW. It is not our intent to dictate the type of firm; we are seeking commercial services.

- From Instructions to Offerors, it is unclear whether pricing information is required from offerors at this stage. Are you seeking pricing information based on a notional requirement associated with tasks described in the Statement of Work and Task Order Scope of Work template, please? Or at this stage or are we to focus more on certifications and past performance, please?

** Pricing is not required. Evaluation is only based on qualified via certification and past performance.

- Are proposals intended to be focused local sources (i.e. meaning those in the same location(s) as those identified in the Pools’ geographic areas)?

** We are not intending to be focused on local sources. The IDIQ has 2 pools to cover the entire PACAF

AOR.

- Is it anticipated an offer must maintain an active Foreign Clearance Level (FCL) to be considered eligible to compete? Or would consideration be given to availability of an FCL should work require access to secure spaces containing classified information?

** It is not anticipated that an active Foreign Clearance needs to be maintained for the duration of the contract or to compete. Access to classified information spaces is not anticipated, and should be rare, if ever. If needed, access can be worked by the specific installation and building at task order level.

- If selected for an award, are Task Orders to be issued with the CLINs shown in Attachment 4 (i.e. X001 through X004) with opportunity to provide proposals under Firm Fixed Price Terms using negotiated rates?

** Yes, task orders will follow the same CLIN structure, requesting proposals utilizing FFP rates.

- If multiple firms are selected for award, will Task Orders be further competed amongst the awarded firms? If so, what are the anticipated criteria to be used, pls?

** Yes, the IDIQ will be multiple award, competed at the task order level. The anticipated criteria has not been determined.

- Is the SOW provided with the solicitation materials to be treated as CUI?

** The SOW is marked CUI in the footer.

- What is the anticipated capacity associated with each of the Pools?

** As stated in the RFP, we are anticipating awarding 6 vendors under each pool.