Questions and Answers IDIQ MEP Services.doc

Supplemental IDIQ Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing Services

Procurement Questions and Answers for Solicitation Number: GS-00P-09-CYD-0135

The following is the last list of questions that have been asked during the open solicitation period. The answer follows each question.

Q1: It is stated in the solicitation that three (3) contracts will be awarded on an unrestricted basis and two (2) will be set aside for small businesses. We fall into the "unrestricted" category, and are putting together our project team, including subconsultants. Must we demonstrate our ability to provide full coverage for all 11 GSA regions, or is it allowable to select specific regions to cover?

A1: This is a Nationwide Contract. The prime contractors are responsible for all 11 regions.

Q2: Under CRITERIA V: LOCATION IN THE GENERAL GEOGRAPHICAL AREA (10%)

(A) The Architect-Engineer principle office must be within a fifty (50) mile radius to GSA, 1800 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20405 due to anticipation that a greater percentage of work will be performed in this geographic area.

A2: The majority of the work (approximately 90%) under this IDIQ contract will be MEP reviews of the design work done by other A/E firms for Federal Office Buildings, nationwide. This review will be done at the GSA Central Office located at 1800 F Street NW in Washington, DC. Due to the sensitivity and nature of some projects, the drawings and specifications are not permitted to copy, mail or otherwise be sent outside this facility. Therefore, the projects must be reviewed in-house and within short notice. It is anticipated that a quick response is needed from the MEP review teams to perform these tasks.

Q3: SF 330 Delivery: In addition to mailing the forms, is it also acceptable to hand-deliver our submission directly to the GSA

A3: Yes

Q4: We are reviewing the above referenced solicitation which states that it is a Nationwide contract, in fact the announcement like most GSA nationwide announcements list the 11 GSA Regions – however towards the end of the solicitation it also states the following:

A4: The Architect-Engineer principle office must be within a fifty (50) mile radius to GSA, 1800 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20405 due to anticipation that a greater percentage of work will be performed in this geographic area.” – this criteria is listed as worth 10% of the total submission.

Q5: Confirm the correct date and time under SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENT?: Interested Architect-Engineer firms having the capabilities to perform his work are invited to submit FOUR (4) copies (identify one as the original) of SF 330, Architect-Engineer Qualifications on or before 3:00pm EST, August 30, 2009. The SF 330 is limited to 30 pages, 8.5"x11". Responses will be addressed to Ms. Collette Scott, General Services Administration (GSA), Public Building Services (PBS), 18th and F Street, NW, Room 4302, Washington, DC 20405. Facsimile copies of the submittal will not be considered.

A5: Interested Architect-Engineer firms having the capabilities to perform his work are invited to submit FOUR (4) copies (identify one as the original) of SF 330, Architect-Engineer Qualifications on or before 1:00pm EST, Monday, August 31, 2009. "The Submittal should have four (4) copies and be bound in 8-1/2"x11" format, the total submittal shall not exceed thirty(30) sheets,........"

Q6: Confirm the correct date and time under SUBMISSION OF QUALIFICATIONS?: Firms having the capabilities to perform the services described in this announcement are invited to respond by submitting a completed Standard Form 330 - Architect - Engineer Qualifications on or before 12:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time on Thursday, August 30, 2009. All questions must be submitted via email by Friday, August 14, 2009 @ 12:00pm.

A6: Firms having the capabilities to perform the services described in this announcement are invited to respond by submitting a completed Standard Form 330 - Architect - Engineer Qualifications on or before 1:00 pm EST on Monday, August 31, 2009. All questions must be submitted via email by Friday, August 14, 2009 @ 12:00pm.

Q7: Which statement is correct? Is this a Nationwide contract or is the majority of the work in the DC area and a firm needs to be within 50 miles of DC or risk loosing 10%?

A7: It is a nationwide contract and the majority of the work in the DC area. The government requires that A/E firms maintain an office within 50 mile radius to the GSA central office located at 1800 F Street, NW, Washington D.C, 20405.

Q8: Subject GS-00P-09-CYD-0135 Presolicitation, states

CRITERIA V: LOCATION IN THE GENERAL GEOGRAPHICAL AREA (10%)

(A) The Architect-Engineer principle office must be within a fifty (50) mile radius to GSA, 1800 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20405 due to anticipation that a greater percentage of work will be performed in this geographic area.

also stating

SUBCONTRACTING PLAN REQUIREMENT: If the contractor selected through the unrestricted portion of the solicitation is another Other than Small Business concern, the contractor shall be required to submit a subcontracting plan with the final proposal as required by Federal Acquisition Regulation 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan and in accordance with Public Law 95-507. The General Services Administration considers the following goals reasonable and achievable.

As part of its commitment to socioeconomic initiatives of the U.S. General Services Administration, Public Buildings Service has established for fiscal 2009 subcontracting goals.

(a) Small Business: 37% of planned subcontracting dollars.

(b) Small Disadvantaged Business: 6% of planned subcontracting dollars.

(c) Women Owned Small Business: 5% of planned subcontracting dollars.

(d) Service-Disabled Veteran Owned: 3% of planned subcontracting dollars.

(e) HUB zones: 3% of planned subcontracting dollars.

We object to this because (1) it restricts awards only to those firms having principle office in the Washington DC area and because (2) the Small Business Subcontracting Plan does no function as it should when contract awards are made through a larger contractor who is in turn suppose to sub some percentage of the work out to those listed per the goals listed above.

This ignors the dictates of P.L. 109-461 (enacted 12/22/2006) as it concerns VA and other procedures.

A8: The majority of the work (approximately 90%) under this IDIQ contract will be MEP reviews of the design work done by other A/E firms for Federal Office Buildings, nationwide. This review will be done at the GSA Central Office located at 1800 F Street NW in Washington, DC. Due to the sensitivity and nature of some projects, the drawings and specifications are not permitted to copy, mail or otherwise be sent outside this facility. Therefore, the projects must be reviewed within short notice. It is anticipated that a quick response is needed from the MEP review teams to perform these tasks.

Q9: Re: SOL GS-00P-09-CYD-0135 IDIQ for

Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing Services

We are a small business concern registered in the CCR and have a current SF330 on file with the DOD.

We have a question regarding Criteria V: Location for the above referenced solicitation. We are located in central Indiana and have successful experience working at Ft. Benjamin Harrison, the Birch Bayh U S Courthouse, the Federal Building and Courthouses in both Terre Haute and Lafayette and other GSA PBS Facilities throughout the state. Wouldn't it serve the GSA more efficiently to have a MEP Firm located in the region of the work? Please consider our request to be considered to submit our credentials for the work in Region 5 the Great Lakes, Chicago, IL.

A9: The majority of the work (approximately 90%) under this IDIQ contract will be MEP reviews of the design work done by other A/E firms for Federal Office Buildings, Courthouses and Land port of entries nationwide. This review will be done at the GSA Central Office located at 1800 F Street NW in Washington, DC. Due to the sensitivity and nature of some projects, the drawings and specifications are not permitted to copy, mail or otherwise be sent outside this facility. Therefore, the projects must be reviewed in the Central Office and within short notice. It is anticipated that a quick response is needed from the MEP review teams to perform these tasks.

Q10: The presolicitation notice states that the contract will be made to the most technically qualified Architecture-Engineering (A-E) firms in the United States. Would the GSA consider awarding a contract to a Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing Engineering firm who teams with an Architectural Firm?

A10: YES. This is an MEP - IDIQ solicitation and GSA will consider awarding to a MEP firm with architectural firm as a sub-contractor.

Q11: The PROJECT DESCRIPTION states "The contractor shall provide professional MEP service for the design review of Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Security and Environmental Systems..." Could you please provide an example or definition of Environmental Systems.

A11: The Environmental scope will include, but not be limited to the review of environmental studies and preparation of environmental reports for Federal Office Buildings and other government sites and facilities.

Q12: Will providing services under this project preclude a selected firm from doing any additional work on a specific project?

A12: No, services under this project will not preclude a selected firm from doing any additional work on other government contracts as long as those services do not present an organizational conflict of interest or any appearance of favoritism or preferential treatment.

Q13: The 30 Page limit - are the Part II, included towards the 30 page count as well?

A13: Yes.

Q14: Could you be more specific on the Environmental Scope?

A14: The environmental scope will include, but not be limited to the review of environmental studies and preparation of environmental reports for Federal Office Buildings and other government sites and facilities.

Q15: I want to clarify your answer, as I may not have asked the right question. If a submittal is comprised of 30 double-sided pages will this be allowed? Meaning if pages are double-sided, will that allow us to submit 60 pages of information?

A15: The SF 330 shall not exceed thirty (30) sheets (8-1/2”x11”) including double sided information.

Q16: I was wondering if you could clarify a point on the above mentioned solicitation document. The project description makes note the need for the contractor to provide, in addition to MEP services, to also provide for Environmental Systems. Can you clarify what those environmental systems are referring to?

A16: The Environmental scope will include, but not be limited to the review of environmental studies and preparation of environmental reports for Federal Office Buildings and other government sites and facilities.

Q17: We have one question. Are cost estimates required as part of the design reviews? They are mentioned in the delivery schedule, but nowhere else in the RFP.

A17: No, cost estimates are not required as part of the design reviews.

Q18: Would you consider an m/e/p firm as prime for this project?

A18: Yes, we will consider an MEP firm as the prime contractor for this solicitation.

Last revision: 8/19/2009