QUESTIONS_AND_ANSWERS.8_27_13.docx

Amendment 2 to Fed Biz Opps Solicitation, dated 7/26/13

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

ARCHITECT-ENGINEER SERVICES FOR FAJARDO MARINE UNIT - NEW MARINE FACILITY, CEIBA, PR

SOLICITATION NO. GS-00P-13-CY-C-0074

ANSWER: Please see the answer to Question No. 3.A. above.

C. QUESTION: We have not been able to find a Certified Corrosion Specialist with a certification from NACE as a Materials Selection/Design Specialist. We conducted a search at NACE for Certification Holders in our area, and there is no one with this certification in Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands. The closest is in Florida, where there is only one person with this certification.

Our structural consultant has considerable experience with materials selection and restorations in corrosive environments, particularly on ocean front properties in South Florida, but he has no credentials in this area. Could this be an alternative to comply with this requirement?

ANSWER: Please see the answer to Question No. 3.A. above.

6. QUESTION: The solicitation notes that “the parcel of land, designated Parcel 46, is now owned by CBP to continue access to its boat docks/ramps that are located on the south side of the property entering the body of water Ensenada Honda, a large, naturally protected harbor. The property is located on the south side of Forrestal Drive and consists primarily of a vacant lot; however, it is improved with two lighted boat piers and a boat launch. Parcel 46 at the former NSRR was recently acquired by CBP from the U.S. Navy (USN) under the Base Realignment and Closure property disposal process.”

Does this solicitation cover any bulkheads, docks, piles, other marine structures or dredging related to the boat docks/ramps that are located on the south side of the property entering the body of water Ensenada Honda? ?

ANSWER: There are no structures (bulkheads, etc.) entering the water for this project.

7. QUESTION: The solicitation notes that “…the new marine facility will be constructed on Parcel 46, portions of which are located in a flood plain and on fill. A large mangrove wetland is present along the western property boundary. The USN is responsible for the continued investigation and cleanup of these sites. CBP must adhere to land use restrictions to include: no disturbance of ground water flow including dewatering; and no installation of well or removal/damage of existing wells. The findings from a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment of Parcel 46 indicate a low concentration of petroleum contamination in site groundwater.” Also, “CBP intends to construct the new marine facility above the flood plain so that it meets the land use restrictions and minimizes disturbance to site soils. CBP is working with an independent environmental-engineering firm to analyze potential impacts to the human and natural environment associated with the construction of the new marine facility at Parcel 46 and to present its findings in the form of an Environmental Assessment.”

Will the facility be placed on piles to raise it above the flood plain? Will soils be brought to the site to raise the surrounding areas above the flood plain? Is a possible source of the fill materials from proposed dredging?

ANSWER: It will be up to the architect-engineering firm to determine how best to design the facility in order to build in a flood plain.

8. QUESTION: In Factor 1 (Professional Qualifications) of the solicitation evaluation factors, please explain why the solicitation requires the architect to be registered in Puerto Rico but does not require the other disciplines to be registered in Puerto Rico? Typically an architectural license or reciprocal license requires proof of residency. Is this GSA’s intent or can the small business requirements be met by a small business engineering firm?

ANSWER: The Architect and Professional Engineers are required to be registered in Puerto Rico to be eligible for this project, as required by Puerto Rico Law 173, approved August 12, 1988. For further information regarding Architecture licensure in Puerto Rico, please refer to www.ncarb.org. For further information regarding Professional Engineering licensure in Puerto Rico, please refer to www.ciapr.org (787-758-2250). The A-E solicitation in Fed Biz Opps will be amended to reflect these requirements.

9. QUESTION: The solicitation is identified as a small business set-aside, but it does not stipulate if there is any desired/required percentage of effort that the small business firm is to provide. Please clarify.

ANSWER: FAR clause 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting, is required to be included in contracts that have been set aside for small business concerns. For A-E services, it is required that at least 50% of the cost of contract performance incurred for personnel be expended for employees of that concern. The clause is provided in its entirety below.

52.219-14 -- Limitations on Subcontracting.

As prescribed in 19.508(e) or 19.811-3(e), insert the following clause:

Limitations on Subcontracting (Nov 2011)

(a) This clause does not apply to the unrestricted portion of a partial set-aside.

(b) Applicability. This clause applies only to--

(1) Contracts that have been set aside or reserved for small business concerns or 8(a) concerns;

(2) Part or parts of a multiple-award contract that have been set aside for small business concerns or 8(a) concerns; and

(3) Orders set aside for small business or 8(a) concerns under multiple-award contracts as described in 8.405-5 and 16.505(b)(2)(i)(F).

(c) By submission of an offer and execution of a contract, the Offeror/Contractor agrees that in performance of the contract in the case of a contract for --

(1) Services (except construction). At least 50 percent of the cost of contract performance incurred for personnel shall be expended for employees of the concern.

(2) Supplies (other than procurement from a nonmanufacturer of such supplies). The concern shall perform work for at least 50 percent of the cost of manufacturing the supplies, not including the cost of materials.

(3) General construction. The concern will perform at least 15 percent of the cost of the contract, not including the cost of materials, with its own employees.

(4) Construction by special trade contractors. The concern will perform at least 25 percent of the cost of the contract, not including the cost of materials, with its own employees.

(End of Clause)

10. Regarding the Certified Environmental Specialist:

A. QUESTION: For the required certified environmental specialist, what regulatory organization and/or agency provides this certification? Are you referring to the HAZWOPER certification (OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120)? Please provide specific information about the required certification.

ANSWER: There are three organizations that have certification programs: the Academy of Board Certified Environmental Professionals (ABCEP), the National Association of Environmental Professionals (NAEP), and the National Register of Environmental Professionals (NREP). Certification from any of these programs would be acceptable. The Environmental Specialist should have NEPA experience and be familiar with the USACE wetlands identification scheme.

B. QUESTION: Does the requirement refer to a professional engineer that practices environmental engineering, or are you looking for someone with a wetlands certification, or something even more specific?

ANSWER: See the answer to Question 10.A. above.

11. QUESTION: Please confirm if all firms, including the prime and subcontractors, have to submit the SF 330, Part II, General Qualifications.

ANSWER: The prime contractor is required to complete the SF 330, Part II, General Qualifications.

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