Amendment 01 Q and A.pdf

Ref. Question Answer

The listing on SAM.gov for FA910126R0024 shows the Contract Opportunity Type as a Presolicitation instead of a Solicitation.

Please confirm that this the final Solicitation to be issued.

This is not a solicitation/request for proposal. This is a request for qualifications synopsis, which is a presolicitation notice. A request for proposal is sent to the most highly qualified. See pages 1 and 2 of the request for qualifications synopsis.

The Submission Requirements (Attachment

2) state that the SF330 Part II is limited to “1 page per prime and each proposed subcontractor(s).” However, it also states that a “Part II is required for each office ”that will perform services. How can a Part II can be limited to one page per firm if we are required to provide one page per office performing services?

Attachment 02 amended to clarify. It is one page per office, whether prime or subcontractor. Meaning a prime or sub can have more than one page if they have multiple offices.

On Page 1 of the Synopsis, the Contract Information states that this Synopsis will result in “one Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) Single Award (SA) Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract.” Please confirm that there will not be separate awards for small businesses and large businesses.

Only one award will be made. It could be to a large or small business. See "selection criteria" for the process on how an award will be made.

Questions and Answers for FA910126R0024 Synopsis/Request for Qualifications

Criteria for Factor 01 - Specialized Experience and Technical Competence (SF330, Part I, Section F) states, “To be considered recent, the project must be current work that has reached the 90% design phase and work accomplished within the past ten (10) years from the release date of this synopsis.” However, the Selection Criteria on Page 3 also states, “The total number of recent and relevant contract references for Federal, State, municipal or commercial customers within the last five (5) years from the date of this notice shall not exceed ten (10) references…” To be considered recent, do Section F projects need to have design completed with the past five (5) years or ten

(10) years?

Should be ten (10) years. Please see corrected synopsis/request for qualifications.

On Page 3 of the Synopsis, the Selection Criteria for Factor 02 - Past Performance (SF 330, Part I, Section H) states, “The CPARs shall be provided in Part I, Section H of the SF 330. If a CPAR is not available, the firm’s customer must provide a Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ).” However, the Submission Requirements (Attachment 2) states, “Past Performance Questionnaire to be submitted by customer.” Should CPARS and/or PPQs be provided in the response to the Synopsis or only submitted directly to the Contracting Officer by the customer?

PPQs are to be submitted by the customer per the synopsis /request for qualifications and attachment 02. PPQs are utilized when CPARs are not available. CPARS, if available, should be submitted in part I, section H.

On Page 3 of the Synopsis, the Selection Criteria for Factor 02 - Past Performance (SF 330, Part I, Section H) states, “The CPARs shall be provided in Part I, Section H of the SF 330. If a CPAR is not available, the firm’s customer must provide a Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ).” However, the Submission Requirements (Attachment 2) states that Section H is limited to ten (10) pages. Each PPQ is four (4) pages which would result in forty (40) pages total for ten

(10) projects. Are CPARS and/or PPQs are excluded from the page limitations?

Attachment 02 has been amended to be 10 references, instead of pages.

For Factor 02 - Past Performance (SF 330, Part I, Section H), may we utilize a Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ) that has been previously completed by a client?

Most government clients will not provide a new PPQ if one has already been completed for a project.

PPQs are to be provided by the customer directly to the Government.

The customer will need to utilize the PPQ we provided with this synopsis.

On Page 5 of the Synopsis, the Selection Criteria for Factor 03 - Professional Qualifications (SF330, Part I, Section E) states that Part B - Relevant Projects (Section E, Block 19) is “not required.”

Please clarify what exactly is not required.

Block 19 of the SF 330, Part I, Section E, which is relevant projects on the resume is not required.

On Page 6 of the Synopsis, the Selection Criteria for Factor 04 - Professional Capacity (SF330, Part I, Section H) states to “provide a narrative that clearly demonstrates the capacity to accomplish a value of $4,000,000 worth of at least four

(4) projects simultaneously.” Is the value of $4,000,000 referring to the design fee or construction cost?

A-E Fee amount, not construction cost.

On Page 6 of the Synopsis, the Selection Criteria for Factor 04 - Professional Capacity (SF330, Part I, Section H) states to “provide a narrative that clearly demonstrates the capacity to accomplish a value of $4,000,000 worth of at least four

(4) projects simultaneously.” Does this mean four (4) projects that add up to a value of $4,000,000 or four (4) projects that each have a value of $4,000,000?

Its four (4) projects that add up to $4M.

See answer above, the $4M refers to the A-E fee, not construction cost.

On Page 6 of the Synopsis, the Section Criteria for Factor 05 - Geographic Location (SF330, Part I, Section C) states, “All A-E firms responding must be geographically located (“the way the crow flies”) within 125 Miles of Arnold AFB, TN 37389.” If a Joint Venture (JV) is responding to the Synopsis, does the JV’s legal address need to be located within 125 miles or can one of the JV Partners be located within 125 miles?

If the prime contractor is a Joint-Venture (JV), then one of the partners will need to have an office within the 125-mile radius of Arnold AFB, TN.

For Factor 06 - Small Business Participation, have any goals been established?

Factor 6 is a tie breaker and no small business goals are established at this time and a small business subcontracting plan is not requested at this time.

Current documents do not disclose the level of CMMC that will be required to submit on this notice. Can you please let us know if Level 1 or Level 2 clearance will be required as a condition for this contract?

The CMMC level will be established at the task order level. Task orders can expect to see level I and Level II (Self).

Level II requirements go into effect 10 November 2026. Level I is in effect now.

Factor 05 - Geographic Location:

"All A-E firms responding must be geographically located (‘the way the crow flies’) within 125 Miles of Arnold AFB, TN 37389."

The synopsis establishes a 125-mile geographic radius for the prime contractor. We respectfully request the Government consider expanding this radius to ensure adequate competition and access to qualified firms with direct AEDC experience. For reference, the prior synopsis for this same requirement (FA9101-21-R-0006) initially established a 200-mile radius, which the Government subsequently expanded to 400 miles to broaden the pool of qualified competitors. That decision resulted in a successful contract award and ongoing performance. Given that this recompete is now a Full and Open Competition with a substantially larger contract ceiling ($50M vs. $4.9M), the same rationale for expanding the geographic radius applies with even greater force. A broader radius would allow the Government to evaluate the widest possible range of qualified A-E firms, including firms with demonstrated AEDC experience under the incumbent contract, without limiting the competitive pool based on office location alone. Would the Government consider expanding the geographic radius to 400 miles, consistent with the precedent established under the prior contract?

Market research has determined that a number of qualified firms are within the 125-mile radius of Arnold AFB.

Page 7: "Prospective firms shall submit completed qualifications package… no later than 2:00 PM CST on 21 May 2026 via email."

We respectfully request the Government consider extending the submission deadline by two weeks to June 4, 2026 at 2:00 PM

CST.

Due date extended to June 4, 2026 at 2:00 PM CST. Please see amended synopsis/request for qualifications.

On Page 3 under Relevant Assessment…it states that projects must be valued at over $500,000. Is this Construction Cost or Fee amount?

A-E Fee amount, not construction cost.

CPARS are required for each of the 10 projects in Section H; however, there is a 10-page limit on Section H. Do the CPARS count towards the 10-page limit of Section H?

Attachment 02 has been amended to be 10 references, instead of pages.

synopsis states that all A-E firms responding "must be geographically located ('the way the crow flies') within 125 Miles of Arnold AFB, TN 37389" and that "any firm not physically located within 125 miles of AEDC will be eliminated from competition." The term "physically located" is not defined. Please clarify how the government will evaluate Factor 05 geographic eligibility

Is eligibility determined by the address recorded in the firm's SAM.gov registration?

Is eligibility determined by the address recorded in the firm's SAM.gov registration?

Is eligibility determined by the address of the office from which the majority of services will be primarily performed under this contract? Additionally, please confirm:

if a prime firm maintains multiple offices, is Factor 05 satisfied by demonstrating that at least one established office is within the 125-mile radius?

The prime firm must have an office within the 125-mile radius of Arnold

AFB.

Factor 02 states that "if a CPAR is not available, the firm's customer must provide a Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ)," and that "PPQs must be received by the Contracting Officer and Contract Specialist no later than the closing date of this notice."

Please clarify the following:

federal customers (state, municipal, or commercial), where CPARs are not applicable, please confirm that a PPQ is the accepted and appropriate substitute for demonstrating past performance quality.

mechanism for PPQs: should the firm's customer submit the completed PPQ directly to the Contracting Officer and Contract Specialist via email (noah.bean.1@us.af.mil and james.laney.3@us.af.mil), using Attachment 03 as the template?

PPQ request prior to the May 21, 2026 closing date, will that project reference be evaluated without past performance documentation, or will the government accept PPQs received after the closing date on a case-by-case basis?

1) PPQs are utilized when CPARs are not available. CPARS, if available, should be submitted in part I, section H.

2) Yes, correct.

3) PPQs are due by closing date of the synopsis/request for qualifications, but the government reserves the right to review all relevant third party PP data at any time during the evaluation.

Factor 01 defines recency as "work accomplished within the past ten (10) years from the release date of this synopsis," but separately states that "the total number of recent and relevant contract references for Federal, State, municipal or commercial customers within the last five years from the date of this notice shall not exceed ten (10) references." Please clarify.

Should be ten (10) years. Please see corrected synopsis/request for qualifications.

The original Sources Sought Capability Survey included question “vi) Is your firm located, or does your firm have an office located within a 125-mile radius of Arnold AFB, TN?“. The current FA910126R0024 SYNOPSIS, 5) Factor 05 - Geographic Location (SF330, Part I, Section C) words this differently as “All A-E firms responding must be geographically located (“the way the crow flies”) within 125 Miles of Arnold

AFB, TN 37389.”

Please confirm if a prime A-E firm responding to this solicitation that has an office within 125 miles of Arnold AFB and has an office that is further than 125 miles with the personnel that may be performing a good portion of the anticipated task order work will be deemed compliant with this factor.

The prime firm must have an office within the 125-mile radius of Arnold

AFB.

In regards to Factor 01 – Specialized Exper and Technical Competence (Section F):

or 10 YEARS?

The relevant projects should be ten (10) years. Please see corrected synopsis/request for qualifications.

In regards to Part II Submissions….(Limit 1 page per prime and each proposed subcontractors). A Part II is required for each office (Prime and/or subcontractor(s) that will perform services.)

allowed per Firm? –- or a Firm should include a Part II for EACH Office that will perform work (which could be multiple Part IIs from a single Firm?)

Attachment 02 has been amended to clarify. Its one page per office, whether prime or subcontractor. Meaning a prime or sub can have more than one page if they have multiple offices.

Synopsis page 1: "The task orders will involve work at Arnold Air Force Base, TN."

Compared to 2022 synopsis: "Task Order assignments may involve work at any of the Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC) operating locations" including 11 other installations.

The synopsis states that task orders will involve work at Arnold Air Force Base, TN.

The prior contract for this requirement (FA9101-21-R-0006) included work at all AEDC operating locations, including Ames Research Center, Edwards AFB, Peterson AFB, Eglin AFB, and several other installations. Could the Government please confirm whether the scope of this contract is limited to Arnold AFB, TN, or whether task orders may also involve work at other AEDC operating locations as was the case under the prior contract? This clarification will help firms accurately scope their teaming arrangements, staffing plans, and project experience to match the anticipated work locations.

The task orders under this IDIQ will involve work at Arnold Air Force Base, TN, not its other operating locations.

Factor 6 (Small Business Participation): " Firms shall provide the extent of participation of small businesses, small disadvantaged businesses, historically black colleges and universities, and minority institutions. The participation is to be measured as a percentage of the total anticipated contract effort, regardless of whether the small businesses, small disadvantaged businesses, historically black colleges and universities, or minority institutions are the prime contractor, subcontractor, or joint venture partner; the greater the participation, the greater the consideration. This factor is not to be confused with a formal subcontracting plan. This is a secondary criteria and will only be evaluated as a tie-breaker among firms determined to be equally “most highly qualified” based on the above evaluation factors, if such an event arises."

The synopsis identifies Small Business Participation as a secondary criterion (tiebreaker). Attachment 02 does not appear to designate a specific section or page allocation for this information. Could the Government please clarify where small business participation data should be presented within the qualification package?

Specifically, should this information be included in Section H, as a separate attachment, or in another designated location?

Factor 6 is a tie breaker and no small business goals are established at this time and a small business subcontracting plan is not requested at this time. If there is a tie, the Government will request additional information for this tie breaker.

Factor 01, Recency Assessment (synopsis page 3): "To be considered recent, the project must be current work that has reached the 90% design phase and work accomplished within the past ten (10) years from the release date of this synopsis." vs. Factor 01, Relevant Assessment (synopsis page 3): "The total number of recent and relevant contract references for Federal, State, municipal or commercial customers within the last five years from the date of this notice shall not exceed ten (10) references."

Under Factor 01, the Recency Assessment establishes that projects must have reached the 90% design phase and been accomplished within the past ten (10) years from the release date of this synopsis.

However, the Relevant Assessment paragraph that follows references "the last five years from the date of this notice" when describing the cap of ten references. Could the Government please clarify if the 10-year window is the controlling timeframe for recency and relevant assessments of projects in Section F?

The relevant projects should be ten (10) years. Please see corrected synopsis/request for qualifications.

Factor 02 - Past Performance (SF 330, Part I, Section H) states that CPARs and PPQs must be included in Section H. Given the 10-page limit noted on the Submission Requirement form & the length of a typical past performance evaluations, will you allow for an Appendix in which CPARs and PPQs can be included?

Attachment 02 has been amended to be 10 references, instead of pages.

Factor 03 - Professional Qualifications (SF330, Part I, Section E) states that Relevant Projects (Section E, Block 19) are not required. Would you prefer we leave Block 19 blank on all resumes?

Yes, block 19 of part I, section E, is not required and can be left blank.

Attachment 02 Submission Requirements Checklist (line for SF330 Part I, Section E) and Synopsis Selection Criteria 3)a) and 3)b) (pages 4-5)

The Synopsis states resumes are limited to 1 page and lists 14 key disciplines, and that "Only the Key Personnel disciplines requested in this solicitation will be evaluated." However, the Submission Requirements Checklist states there is no page limit for Section E.

Does that mean that more than one resume can be submitted for each Key Personnel disicipline?

1 resume per key discipline, 1 page per resume. Attachment 02 has been amended to clarify.

Synopsis Selection Criteria 1) Factor 01 - Specialized Experience and Technical Competence (SF330, Part I, Section F), page

First paragraph on page 3 of the synopsis states "…and work accomplished within the past ten (10) years from the release date of this synopsis." However, the next paragraph has a sentence that says "The total number of recent and relevant contract references for Federal, State, municipal or commercial customers within the last five years from the date of this notice..."

We recommend the government considers projects from the past 10 (ten) years and not restrict them to only the past 5 (five) years.

The relevant projects should be ten (10) years. Please see corrected synopsis/request for qualifications.

Synopsis Selection Criteria 1) Factor 01 - Specialized Experience and Technical Competence (SF330, Part I, Section F), page

The second paragraph on page 3 of the synopsis includes a sentence that states "Relevant projects are defined as projects that include work in the areas identified above in the project information section, and under Factor 1 - Specialized Experience and Technical Competence, and that are valued at over $500,000."

Please clarify whether the $500,000 refers to the A/E fee or the project's construction cost.

The A-E fee, not construction cost.

Synopsis Selection Criteria 3)b) (page 5)

The last paragraph on page 5 states "b) Part B - Relevant Projects (Section E, Block 19):

Not Required.

The evaluation of this factor will take into consideration the education and current registration, licensure or certification(s), as applicable, of each person named for each discipline and that person's longevity with the firm named in Block 15. Only the Key Personnel disciplines requested in this solicitation will be evaluated. This assessment will result in a single overall rating. The Government will use the following table when assessing professional qualifications:"

We respectfully request that the Government allow Section E, Block 19 (Relevant Projects) to be included, with up to five projects per Key Personnel resume.

This addition will provide a clearer picture of each team member’s relevant experience and strengthen the evaluation of their qualifications beyond education and registration.

Block 19 of the SF 330, Part I, Section E, which is relevant projects on the resume is not required and will not be evaluated.

Synopsis Selection Criteria 2) Factor 02 - Past Performance (SF 330, Part I, Section H) on page 3

The reference states "If a CPAR is not available, the firm’s customer must provide a Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ).

See attachment 03 for PPQ template. PPQs must be submitted by the firm’s customer, and must not be submitted by the firm itself. PPQs must be received by the Contracting Officer and Contract Specialist no later than the closing date of this notice."

We recommend the government allow previously completed PPQs be submitted by the proposer, with customer contact information so the government can verify, if required.

The government will only evaluate PPQs for this acquisition and will not evaluate any PPQs previously completed for any other acquisition. PPQs are utilized when CPARs are not availible. CPARS, if availible, should be submitted in part I, section H. PPQs shall be submitted by the customer directly to the Government. PPQs are due by closing date of the synopsis/request for qualifications.

Synopsis Selection Criteria; 6) Small Business Participation (page 7)

Is there a peferred Small Business Participation (SBP) utilization goal?

Factor 6 is a tie breaker and no small goals are established at this time and a small business subcontracting plan is not requested at this time.

We noticed the RFP does not mention Section G (Key Personnel Participation in Example Projects), which is a standard part of the SF330. Could the Government please clarify whether Section G should be included in our submission?

Section G is required, please see the amended Factor 03 to clarify.

Synopsis Selection Criteria; 3)a) Part A- Resumes of Key Personnel (page 5)

Do all Key Personnel disciplines listed (i-vii;

x; xii) need to be Registered Engineers/Architects in the State of Tennessee?

Firm’s with current Tennessee registrations for the above disciplines may be deemed more highly qualified than those without. Factor 03 updated to clarify.

Is there an identified date for when the top 3 shortlisted firms will be notified?

We are unable to disclose a specific date. Notifications will be sent to all who submitted a qualifications package and the notification will indicate whether or not they made the slate selection.

Is there an identified date for when the final slate selection will take place? Or a date when the RFP will be issued to the highest qualified firm?

We are unable to disclose a specific date. Notifications will be sent to all who submitted a qualifications package and the notification will indicate whether or not they made the slate selection. We are unable to disclose an estimated date for when an RFP is sent to the most highly qualified firm.

Is there an identified estimated start date for this project?

There is currently not a project associated with this procurement, but the estimated award date of the IDIQ is before 30 Sept. 2026.

Under Factor 03 - Professional Qualifications (SF330, Part I, Section E) Part B - Relevant Projects says not required. Can you clarify what this means?

Block 19 of the SF 330, Part I, Section E, which is relevant projects on the resume, is not required and will not be evaluated.

Under Factor 04 - Professional Capacity (SF330, Part I, Section H) - It mentions the existing capacity of the firm's professional staff to accomplish the work in the required time shall be evaluated. Does this mean the lead firm or should we include our key consultants as well?

This refers to the capacity of the prime contractor/firm.

Factor 1 - Specialized Experience and Technical Competence

The RFQ states that “work accomplished within the past ten (10) years from the release date of this synopsis” is to be considered recent. However, it later states that offerors shall provide “...recent and relevant contract references for Federal, State, municipal or commercial customers within the last five years from the date of this notice...” These two statements appear to establish different periods for defining recency. Please confirm the required period of recency for specialized experience/technical competence projects.

The relevant projects should be ten (10) years. Please see corrected synopsis/request for qualifications.

Factor 03 Professional Qualifications and cvg file for the Proposal Checklist

The RFQ, page 5 of 8, Item A, states "Each resume shall not exceed one page in length." However, the cvg file for the required Proposal Checklist shows the resumes of key personnel to have "no limit" on page count. What is the required page limitation per resume?

1 resume per key discipline, 1 page per resume. Attachment 02 has been amended to clarify.

Section H, Factor 04 - Professional Capacity (SF330, Part I, Section H) and the cvg file for the Proposal Checklist

The RFQ, page 6 of 8 states "IAW Part I, Section H of the SF330, provides a narrative that clearly demonstrates the capacity to accomplish a value of $4,000,000 worth of at least four (4) projects simultaneously.

This assessment will result in a single overall rating." The only specified page count for Section H is 10 pages, per the proposal checklist. However, there are additional items (SB Participation Plan and Professional Qualifications) required for Section H in the RFQ. What is the total page allowance for Section H?

Attachment 02 has been updated to clarify that 10 References are required instead of 10 pages. A SB participation plan is not requested. Factor 6 is a tie breaker and no small business goals are established at this time and a small business subcontracting plan is not requested at this time. Also professional qualifications is based on SF330, Part I, Section E, and Section G, not section H.

Section H, Factor 02 Past Performance

The RFQ states on pages 3 and 4 "To demonstrate quality of past performance with Federal, State, municipal or commercial customers, the firm(s) must provide a Contractor Performance Assessment Report (CPAR) for each project identified in Part I, Section F of the SF 330 for Factor 01 – Specialized Experience and Technical Competence." There are 10 projects required, and the cvg Proposal Checklist files states to use one page per project for past performance with a total of 10 pages allowed. Are these 10 pages only for the past performance portion of Section H or for all of Section H?

The relevant projects should be ten (10) years. Please see corrected synopsis/request for qualifications.

There is no specified font size, margin size, or font type. What font, font size, and margin requirements are there for this RFQ submittal response?

We do not specify. The SF 330 is set to a font type and size. Please use its default size and type.

On line three of the Submission Requirements Proposal Checklist it states:

"Include TOC and “separate” each Section with a tab, e.g., I, II, III, etc. Tabs may cover folder labels. Prefer “Company Name” visible, if possible." It further shows a page count maximum of 1 page. Since the tabs will exceed one page, can the government please clarify the page allowance for tabs?

We have amended attachment 02 to say "N/A" for the tab page count.

Is the Small Business Participation Plan to be submitted as Part of Section H or as an appendix? If it is part of Section H, how many pages are allowed?

Factor 6 is a tie breaker and no small goals are established at this time and a small business subcontracting plan is not requested at this time.