Q-A_as_of_9Feb18_rev1.pdf

1. In Section 6, criteria a, paragraph 1, it says only 3 projects should be submitted. Is this 3 across the 3 areas (9 total) or just 3 total?

Paragraph 6.a was edited to reflect more accurate expectation of what is required for submittals and reads **** that a MAXIMUM of 3 total projects should be submitted (vs. a typical 10) and every project beyond 3 would NOT be evaluated.

Answer: Intent is to have each firm present three projects showing experience in full A-E design within the past 5 years--three projects total. We expect three (3) project total showing full design capability.

Only the first three projects will be reviewed if more are submitted.

2. The FBO page still lists response dates associated with the Sources Sought request from last year.

Please confirm the due date is 1600 hrs EST on 5 March 2018, per Section 10 on Page 7 of the Request for SF 330s.

Answer: The FBO page list the amendments with the attachments requesting the SF330's, the response date is 5 Mar 2018 by 1600 hrs (4:00pm) EST.

3. In the Request, in the anticipated work listed in Section 5II on Page 2, please define “material investigation and color studies.” Which disciplines would be involved, and what are the tasks to be completed?

Answer: Work may include interior design work which could include material and color selection for FF&E. That could be one possible "material and color"

4. Under the amended Section 6a. on Page 2 of the Request, is it correct that the government only wants to review three relevant projects in Section F? Or should this be the SF 330 typical maximum of 10 projects?

Answer: Intent is to have each firm present three projects showing experience in full A-E design within the past 5 years--three projects total. We expect three (3) project total showing full design capability.

Only the first three projects will be reviewed if more are submitted.

5. Also in Section 6a. on Page 2, would the government consider extending the relevant project experience to seven years?

Answer: Relevant projects shall be within the past five (5) years

6. Section 6a. on Page 3 refers to an example Letter of Commitment for key subcontractors, which was not attached. Would the government please post this document?

Answer: There will be an example of this letter posted on FBO (NLT 12Feb2018), The Letter of Commitment is a written document to validate the credentials of key sub-contractors.

7. For Past Performance, Section 6c., Page 3, if we do not have a CPARS or PPIRS report for a project, may we submit a previously completed Past Performance Questionnaire even if it is not in the same format as the PPQ provided with this solicitation?

Answer: Official PPQs or CPARS/PPIRS will be accepted for evaluation even if they are in a slightly different format as long as the same information is provided that is on the current form

8. Should we upload our Past Performance reports as a separate document, or append them to the complete SF 330 for a single pdf document?

Answer: Either way--separate document or as an appendage to the main submittal will be acceptable

9. The submission requirements in Section 8b. on Page 4 call for tabbed sections. How does the government want us to implement tabs since this is an electronically uploaded document? May we use electronic bookmarks in lieu of tabs?

Answer: Electronic tabs are acceptable

10. Section 8d. on Page 4 refers to “each volume” of our response. Please confirm that there is no requirement to split our response into specific, multiple volumes.

Answer: The Volumes should be separate and identifiable, as stated in section 8 “each volume”.

11. If the response is only one volume, please confirm that we do not need to list the volume number in the required page footers.

Answer: As stated in the section shall include at the bottom left side of each page with the volume and page number

12. The conclusion of Section 8 on Page 6 states on the Block E resumes we must clearly show if individuals are “full-time, consultants or free-lance.”

Does “full-time” mean an employee of the submitting firm?

Answer: "full-time" is an employee of the submitting firm

Does “consultant” mean an employee of a sub consultant firm?

Answer: "consultant" is an employee of a consulting firm

13. The SOW refers to an Attachment 1 for construction cost estimate format (Page 9), Attachment 2 for A-E cost proposal format (Page 18), and Attachment 4 for a sample Recovered Materials Determination form (Page 16). None of these was attached to the SOW. Would the government please make them available for our review?

Answer: These documents are typical documents that will be utilized in the task orders solicitation process. There is no “project” for this to be applicable since this will be the base contract and has no bearing until award is made. The documents were mentioned as reference to some of the documents used when soliciting task orders after award.

14. The solicitation references an attached Letter of Commitment if the experience of key subcontracts is offered for any experience requirements. Will a sample Letter of Commitment be provided?

Should a Letter of Commitment be included if the Prime firm is showing project experience for Specialized Experience and Technical Competence (Section F)? Should a Letter of Committment be included if the Prime firm is showing Professional Qualifications/resumes of a subcontractor (Section E)?

Answer: We only need a Letter of Commitment if the sub-contractor is providing experience not shown from the Prime contractor. The Letter of Commitment is a written document to validate the credentials of key sub-contractors. The Key subs should be identified on the projects submitted and a “Letter of Commitment” provided.

15. Should the Part I and Part II of the SF330 be in two separate electronic PDF volumes?

Answer: Yes

16. Will the Table of Contents, Covers and Tabs count towards the Part I SF330 75-page count?

Answer: No

17. In addition to resumes for key disciplines outlined under Paragraph 6b) Professional Qualifications, is the Government requesting resumes for disciplines noted under Paragraph 5 Project Information, Subheading III: 13 Communications Engineer, 18 Cost Engineer/Estimator, 23 Environmental Engineer, 25 Fire Protection Engineer, 27 Foundation/Geotechnical Engineer, 37 Interior Designer, 51 Safety/Occupational Health Engineer, 52 Sanitary Engineer, 55 Soils Engineer, 56 Specifications Writer, 57 Structural Engineer, 60 Transportation Engineer, 62 Water Resources Engineer?

Answer: Qualifications are only required of the disciplines mentioned in paragraph 6.b of the solicitation

18. Referencing Paragraph 5, Subheading III: What certification(s) are required or desired to Demonstrate a fully qualified Safety/Occupational Health Engineer?

Answer: There is no mention of a specific certification required for a Safety/Occupational Health Engineer. Firms could show that they have included that discipline in projects submitted

19. Referencing Paragraph 5, Subheading III: What certification(s) are required or desired to Demonstrate a fully qualified Specifications Writer?

Answer: There is no mention of a specific certification required for a Specifications Writer

20. Specialized Experience and Technical Competence - Please verify the Government only wants a total of three projects presented in Section F.

Answer: We expect three (3) projects total showing full design capability.

21. Professional Qualifications – Only six disciplines are listed here. Do you only want one resume per discipline or is it acceptable to provide multiple?

Answer: The six disciplines listed are the ones we require firms to show proof of registration. The A-E firm must identify the qualifications and registrations of personnel in the following key disciplines:

Project Manager, Architect, Civil Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Structural Engineer, and Mechanical Engineer." Submitting resumes for personnel in those key disciplines would be one way to achieve that requirement. One per discipline will suffice.

22. Section 5: Project Information, Paragraph III. III. Experience in the following areas will be considered.

Successful A-E firms must possess or have access to expertise in all related engineering disciplines to develop complete facility and infrastructure designs for construction award, including but not limited to 06 Architect, 12 Civil Engineer, 13 Communications Engineer, 18 Cost Engineer/Estimator, 21 Electrical Engineer, 23 Environmental Engineer, 25 Fire Protection Engineer, 27 Foundation/Geotechnical Engineer, 37 Interior Designer, 42 Mechanical Engineer, 51 Safety/Occupational Health Engineer, 52 Sanitary Engineer, 55 Soils Engineer, 56 Specifications Writer, 57 Structural Engineer, 60 Transportation Engineer, 62 Water Resources Engineer. Where do you expect to see these capabilities addressed?

Answer: We anticipate firms showing their expertise in projects submitted for evaluation.

23. Past Performance – It’s a bit unclear whether you want PPQs for all projects, or only where a CPARS is unavailable.

Answer: We will accept previously completed past performance questionnaires in lieu of CPARS or PPIRS if those projects show full design capabilities as described in section 5 above and if the projects were completed within the past five (5) years.

24. There is no Project information in the previous section and there is NO Paragraph 5, Project Information

Answer: It is Section 5, not paragraph 5—PROJECT INFORMATION, amendment 0002 revised that section

25. The above verbiage states 3 projects for EACH capability however, the paragraph continues to say If more than three projects are submitted, only the first three projects listed in the proposal will be evaluated.

Answer: Amendment 0002 revised that statement: Intent is to have each firm present three projects showing experience in full A-E design within the past 5 years--three projects total. We expect three (3) project total showing full design capability. Only the first three projects will be reviewed if more are submitted.

26. Do you want the project 90% complete design or construction?

Answer: 90% DESIGN complete

27. The AFRC’s response to question #23 in the original Q&A still leaves it unclear if SF330 Part I and

SF330 Part II are considered separate volumes. Are they to be submitted in separate binders? Or is the entire solicitation response to be submitted in one single binder with tabs to distinguish each SF330 section and other required information?

Answer: Separate Volumes are expected

28. The AFRC’s response to question #7 in the original Q&A was, in part, “We would suggest that registration proofs, CPARS/PPIRS/PPQs, and letters of commitment would count as part of the 75 pages. Use of the word “suggest” indicates that inclusion of these items in the page count is, in fact, optional. We respectfully request that the AFRC exclude these items from the SF330 Part I page limit, as they could consume 18 to 20 (or more) pages—pages that could be used to present decision-critical experience and qualifications information.

Revised Updated Answer: Registration Proofs/CPARS/PPIRS/PPQs/Letters of Commitment will be excluded from the 75 page limit from our perspective

29. In the AFRC’s answers to original questions #8 and #9, AFRC stated that each firm should present a

“minimum” of three projects showing A-E design experience, However, the solicitation clearly states that each firm is to provide a “maximum” of three projects. Please confirm that the AFRC wants a maximum of three projects, which means no more than three projects as stated in the solicitation.

Answer: Intent is to have each firm present three projects showing experience in full A-E design within the past 5 years--three projects total. We expect three (3) project total showing full design capability.

Only the first three projects will be reviewed if more are submitted.

30. In the solicitation, Section 6 Selection Criteria, sub-item b) Professional Qualifications, the text states that firms are to “provide proof that firm is permitted by law to practice the professions of architecture or engineering…” To meet this requirement, is it sufficient to provide a list of the states in which AFRC has responsibilities and our firm’s registration/license numbers for those states?

Answer: The proof of professionally registered employees of the firm will suffice to meet this requirement.

31. We respectfully request that the AFRC allow the organization of the SF330 to be in line with the convention of tabs for each SF330 Section (A-C, D, E, F, G, H) and Part IIs rather than by subparagraphs in Section 6 (a-f), as stated in the AFRC’s response to question #31 in the original Q&A. The subparagraphs in Section 6 do not align with the SF330 sections and it implies that we would have to divide Section H into several tabs.

Answer: The SF330 convention shall be used. Please tab the submittal per SF330 convention

32. Please provide Attachment I. explaining how to arrange and send costs to the Govt.

Answer: Those documents mentioned in that section of the SOW are typical documents that will be utilized in the task orders solicitation process. There is no “project” for this to be applicable since this will be the base contract and has no bearing until award is made. The documents were mentioned as reference to some of the documents used when soliciting task orders after award.

33. Statement of Work, 2a states that work shall include field survey but in 4b.1, field survey is defined as visual inspection. Please clarify site survey requirements.

Answer: Para 2a does not define field survey; it just lists it. Para 4.b.1 defines what is meant by field survey

34. Is 2018 AutoCAD (as opposed to the requested 2006 AutoCAD) an acceptable way to submit documents?

Answer: 2018 AutoCAD is acceptable

35. Is a standard plotter print acceptable as opposed to mylar?

Answer: Standard plotter print is acceptable

36. How many PE stamped FINAL sets of prints are required?

Answer: All final design drawings should be stamped

37. In the solicitation document under b. Professional Qualifications, it is noted that the firm should

“provide proof that the first firm is permitted by law to practice the professional of architecture and engineering” In the SOW draft, it is noted in 20. Certifications of Drawings and other documents that “the A-E certifiers of the documents shall be registered in the state which the AFRC installation or tenant unit installation is located.”

Based on these statements, does the team’s response need to show that (1) the Firm(s) is(are) registered to just provide proof to practice architecture and engineering, or (2) does the response need to show that the team is registered in every state that AFRC has an installation or unit, or (3) do we need to show an architect/engineer in each discipline who is registered in every state that AFRC has an installation or unit?

Answer: We don't expect the submission to show professional registration in every State where we have AFRC bases. For purpose of response to our solicitation, we only need to see professional registration.

Once awarded, design work submitted by the firms in the IDIQ may require stamped drawings from a registered engineer and/or architect from the State where the base is located

38. The FedBizOps announcement indicates that there are no Small Business set-aside considerations in the solicitation. Is this a Full Unrestricted solicitation, or are there possible opportunities that the solicitation can be modified as a Partial Set-aside for Small Businesses?

Answer: This effort will be Full & Open

39. Section 5.III lists 17 engineering design disciplines for which experience will be considered.

Section 6.b) - Professional Qualifications – requires respondents to identify qualifications and registrations for only 6 key disciplines. Are the 6 disciplines identified in 6.b the only ones for which resumes in Section E. of the SF330 are required? (There is no mention of limitations for information that may be included in Section E. – Resumes). Or – does the Government wish to review and evaluate Section E. resumes (professional qualifications) of team personnel in all of the 17 disciplines listed in Section. 5.III and Section 6.b)? There is significant confusion over how experience in these 17 disciplines would be considered if the Government only wishes for specific information related to the 6 key disciplines listed in 6.b) to be identified.

Answer: The only requirement for submitting qualifications is for the six (6) disciplines listed in para 6.b of the solicitation.

40. Section 6.a) Specialized Experience and Technical Competence, requires respondents to submit no more than 3 projects that showcase design capabilities that are described in Section 5 (Project Information). Section 5.II. lists an extensive description of potential services that could be required under the contracts to be awarded, and which could be interpreted as being inclusive of “full design services”. The limitation on 3 projects that can be submitted in Section F of the SF330 does not allow the full range of experience and services listed in Section 5.II to be enumerated. A specific list of “full service design capabilities” does not appear to be described in Section 5 – Project Information – to frame the capabilities that the 3-project limit stated in Section 6 should address.

Answer: Each firm will be evaluated on three (3) projects as described in para 6.a of the solicitation.

41. Typical SF330 contents allow up to 10 projects to be provided in Section F to provide respondents an opportunity to showcase experience and competence, especially in situations where an extensive array of experience and expertise is necessary to fully demonstrate capabilities. Will the Government consider opening up the number of Section F projects to address this concern and provide it with a more comprehensive cross-section of demonstrated experience to evaluate? What is the Page Limitation for Professional Resumes in Section E of the SF330 and Project Descriptions in Section F of the SF330? Can more than one page be utilized for these purposes if the 75-Page limitation is adhered to?

Answer: There is no specific page limitation for resumes or professional qualifications, but the total page count is 75 pages as described in para 8 of the solicitation.

42. Section 6.c) addresses Past Performance and discusses the use of the Past Performance

Questionnaire provided with the solicitation. If CPARS evaluations are available for projects in Section F of the SF 330, will those formal evaluation be acceptable in lieu of submissions of PPQ’s?

The Paragraph is not clear in this regard.

Answer: Past performance criteria are spelled out in para 6.c of the solicitation and include possible submission of CPARS.