QUESTIONS_AND_ANSWERS_01-20-17.pdf

Repair and Alterations IDIQ Questions from the Pre-Proposal Conference

Dated: 01/12/2017

1. Has this IDIQ been issued before?

No.

2. In Section II.B.I Proposal Format in the solicitations, it is requested that three ring binders are not necessary and an alternative form of cover that is more economical with less impact on the environment is encouraged. Is this a requirement since the proposal submission must be provided electronically?

All proposals shall be submitted electronically. The solicitations have been revised and only electronic offers will be accepted.

3. There is currently an 8(a) IDIQ for 5 counties in NJ, is this going to be replaced by this contract?

No, that contract is not going to get replaced. It is not going to be canceled.

4. How will the solicitation indirect costs, supervision, permits and other indirect costs be accounted for in the price schedule? Should they be included in the line items?

Line item pricing should be all inclusive with the exception of bonding.

5. If we submit proposals for more than one solicitation, can we propose the same personnel teams?

Yes, you can.

6. Is the intent of the solicitation to award one contract per solicitation?

Potentially to award up to 5 contracts per solicitation.

7 (a). How will you issue task orders under this IDIQ?

Request for Quotes will be issued per task order to all awarded contractors in that geographic area.

7 (b). How will you choose between the contractors for each task order?

Each contractor will have a fair opportunity to compete for each task order in accordance with FAR 16.5. You cannot go higher than already established prices in your contract.

8. Will there be a debriefing for the task orders?

No, due to the dollar limitations of this contract, we will not be providing debriefings on individual task orders.

9. Will there be site visit(s) for these solicitations?

No

10. Will the task orders be minor renovations off of bigger projects?

Each task order will be issued on a case by case basis and will provide a description of the work required.. Each task order can be up to $150K.

11. When we propose, should we include mobilization costs in the line items?

Yes, your mobilization costs should be included in the line items.

12. Are you required to be licensed in the State that you are working in?

You should be licensed in the State you will be working in, following all Federal and State regulations.

13. For the bonding requirement, how much is required? Is there a maximum $150,000?

For each task order, bonding shall be at the amount of the task order. Minimum 35K, maximum 150K. For evaluation purposes, we are requiring a $150,000 go/no-go factor for bonding (a letter from your surety company stating your bonding capacity (minimum $150,000) is required at time of proposal submission) or an irrevocable letter of credit to ensure that prospective offerors are able to obtain bonding for the potential maximum amount of each task order issued.

14. Is bonding required per each task order issued under this IDIQ?

Yes, see answer to Question 13.

15. For line item 42, it states that it should be added to line item 51, if carpet binding is required? What does that mean?

The line item has been revised. Below are the revisions to the line item sheet:

Line item 46 should state: "Add to line item 45 if the access panels for the replacement of the VTC will be on the floor duct system"

Line item 42 should state: "Add to line item 38 if carpet binding is required."

Line item 80 will be removed.

16. Under each task order how are we to provide a competitive pricing in relation to the other contractors since we have already submitted our pricing for each line item?

Request for Quotes will be issued on a task order basis. The description of work may include items not specifically addressed as a line item of the contract. Therefore, competitive pricing of task orders will be evaluated on the task order level. Line items already established in the contract may be lowered when submitting your quote on each task order.

17. Will we have site visits for each task order?

Most likely yes, but this will be on a case by case basis depending on if a site visit is required.

18. For the payment protection requirement, should the letter of credit or payment bond be in the amount of $150,000 or $14M for BQLI?

In accordance with the solicitation the payment projection plan must be in the form of a payment bond or irrevocable letter of credit for $150,000. (a letter from your surety company stating your bonding capacity (minimum $150,000) is required at time of proposal submission)

19. The unit price on the item for a specific location or could be applied to multiple locations?

That unit price is for any location in the IDIQ area. Specific locations are outlined in each solicitation.

20. How will prevailing wage be determined to pay the workers under this contract?

Wages cannot be lower than those specified in the wage determinations provided with the solicitation.

21. Do the electrical contractors have to provide, for example, carpentry?

The General Contractor bidding on the requirement must be able to perform all tasks included in the line item bid sheet and SOW/Specification.

22. Will you consider having a separate line item for mobilization/demobilization so that we do not have to account for it in each line item?

All Line items shall be inclusive of all mobilization/demobilization costs.

23. How are insurance and bonding being paid per line item?

All line items shall be inclusive of insurance costs. Bonding costs will be addressed on the task order level.

24. How will the negotiated line items or items that are not in the line items be priced in each task order?

If there are tasks not included in the line items, the contractors under the IDIQ contract will be asked to provide a quote for these items based on the Scope of Work that we provide.

25. How long does it take to process a payment?

Under the Prompt Payment Act, it usually takes 7-14 days.

26. For payments, do you paid according to schedule of values?

If partial payments are authorized, yes, we pay in accordance with a schedule of values.

27. This contract for a general contractor or subcontractor?

General Contractor.

28. What is the maximum dollar amount per task order?

$150K.

29. Will you provide accelerated payments?

Under the Prompt Payment Act, it usually takes 14 days.

30. What form do we use for payment?

Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). GSA pays into the account that is linked to WWW.SAM.GOV

31. Will there be a retainer?

Under normal circumstances we do not, unless there are issues on the project.

32. For how long do security clearances take and do we need to get them for all workers?

Contractor must be in compliance with HSPD-12 Security Requirements. See security requirements in the solicitation.

33. What needs to be contained in the technical proposal?

There are evaluation factors outlined in the solicitation. Please refer back to the solicitation for what needs to be submitted. Everything is outlined.

34. Does the past performance presented have to be government contracts?

No, please see evaluation Factor #2 in the solicitation.

35. If the past performance presented far exceeds what is required, is that acceptable?

Yes, you must meet at least the minimum requirements outlined in the solicitation. (See Evaluation Factors outlined in the solicitation.)

36. If we don’t get back the questionnaire in time from our clients, can we still submit that project as part of the proposal?

Yes, please refer to the Past Performance Evaluation Factor in the solicitation.

37. Can you provide the slides on FBO.gov?

The slide presentation was posted to FBO.gov on January 13, 2017 as an amendment.

38. Will the selected contractors have to submit for every task order requested?

Not required, however we do have a guaranteed minimum of $2,000.00 that will be provided if you do not receive any task order in the first year. In order to receive the $2,000.00, you will need to submit a proposal for every task order, during the base year of the contract.

39. Are any shop drawings going to be provided?

Shop drawings may be provided at the task order level.

40. In the Consolidation Analysis document, small business numbers were identified only in the Area of Responsibility (AOR). The document further stated that the solicitation will maximize the opportunity for small businesses in the AOR to bid on the job.

Our question : is only AOR small business contractors considered for award or having the privilege for award on other states based small businesses? Will priority be given to the small businesses within the AOR of the contracting office or small businesses from other states as example will be given exactly same weight in consideration.

This solicitation is 100% set aside for small business. All small businesses regardless of their location will be considered for award. You must meet all of the requirements of the solicitation.

41. Per the surety :

Based on our review of the submission the Payment Bond will be for an IDIQ contract with a maximum value of $1,396,073 therefore we cannot provide the $150,000 Payment Bond because we will not issue a Payment Bond if the Payment Bond Amount and the Contract Amount are not the same. We could issue a Payment Bond for each Task Order if the Payment Bond Amount and the Task Order Amount are the same but it looks like they are requiring a blanket $150,000 Payment Bond that covers all of the Task Orders issued under the contract.

Please refer to the answer to Question No. 13. The surety should be able to provide you with a letter ensuring your company can receive bonding up to $150,000.

42. I would like to request drawings or a link to download drawings for 3 projects:

SMS: Solicitation Notice R&A IDIQ – Brooklyn, Queens, LI

SMS: Solicitation Notice R&A IDIQ – Manhattan, SI, Bronx, White Plains SMS: Solicitation Notice R&A IDIQ – NJ

There are no drawings for these solicitations. This is the overall IDIQ contract and we will be issuing task orders under it. Drawings will be provided on a task order basis if applicable.

43. With respect to the past performance documents, is it required to submit a separate Past Performance package for each solicitation or is one submission with all 5 Past Performance documents acceptable?

Each solicitation should be treated as a separate requirement. The solicitations outline all submission requirements.

44. There is an 8(a) contract for the same scope of work and geographical area in North NJ.

How will work be divided among the 5 contract holders of the SM biz one and the existing contract?

There is currently no method for dividing work. This will be done on a case by case basis.

45. Will the GSA consider separate line items for general conditions; perhaps on a sliding scale $2-10K, 20-20K etc. rather than loading each item with general conditions?

No.

46. Will insurance and bonds be separate line item on each bid as they are reimbursable?

Insurance should be included in each line item. Bonding costs will be determined on a task order basis.

47. Will the sign in sheets be posted?

Yes. Please see FEDBIZOPPS (fbo.gov) posting January 13, 2017.

48. Assume sales tax for all appropriate items?

The federal government is exempt from paying sales tax, hence should not be included in your pricing.

49. It is conceivable that a task order may have only 1 low price electrical (or other licensed trade) item (as an example install 1 outlet) as part of an overall task. This would price differently that a task order that has several electrical items. How should we price based on this discrepancy?

Pricing of line items is at the discretion of the offeror.

50. If we are pursuing all 3 contracts would our trades personnel have to be licensed in each locality?

Yes in accordance with all state and municipal codes.

51. What percentage of work is estimated to be normal working hours vs night or weekends?

This cannot be confirmed at this time.

52. Please confirm that submissions will be electronic (via email) only?

Correct, proposal submission must be submitted electronically via email.

53. If CCAS is available are PPQ’s still required?

Past Performance Questionnaires are still required in accordance with the solicitation.

54. If references wish to deliver PPQ directly to GSA can they do so?

If the client requests, the client may submit a questionnaire directly to the Government's Contracting Officer prior to proposal closing date.

55. Regarding the Experience Letters, does the project that is required to be over $100,000 have to be under $150,000? Please clarify.

For the projects that are required to be over $100,000, they do not have to be under $150,000.

See Factor 1 in the solicitation.

56. On page #7 of C201 under “TAB C – Representations and Certifications” states that offerors must register in CCR. We have been registered on SAM, so is it sufficient for this request?

Please clarify.

SAM consolidated the capabilities of CCR/FedReg, ORCA, and EPLS. If your company is registered with SAM, it is sufficient for this solicitation.

57. On page #7 of C201 TAB D states that offerors must include a Proposal Data Sheet. But we do not receive this form through FBO website. Please clarify.

Correct. The amendment will remove this language.

58. The factor 3 on pre-proposal conference slides states that offerors must include a Personal Qualifications to identify key personnel, but this is not included in the Proposal Contents in C201 (#1 thru #7). Please clarify.

An amendment will be issued to address Factor 3. Personnel Qualifications and what is required to be submitted with your offeror in accordance with the solicitation requirements.

Personnel Qualifications of your key personnel must be part of your technical proposal. Please refer to II.D. Technical Proposal - Volume II on Pages 8-11 and VI.F. Non-Price Factors, Factor No. 3 on Pages 31 and 32 of the solicitation.

59. Are Reps and Certs still needed in the proposal if we have an up to date SAM registration?

Yes, Offeror Representations and Certifications Form (C301) is still required as part of your proposal submission even if your company is registered with SAM.

60. Would it be okay for us to submit our pricing for the electrical scope and all the required documentation to you even though we are not a General Contractor, but a sub-contractor?

All offerors must submit a complete proposal, including pricing every line item on the pricing sheet. We will not accept just the electrical line items.

61. Is a bid bond/guarantee needed for each of the solicitations separately?

There is no bid bond/guarantee, however, we require payment protection in the form of a payment bond in the amount of $150,000 or an irrevocable letter of Credit.(a letter from your surety company stating your bonding capacity (minimum $150,000) is required at time of proposal submission). Please refer to Project Payment Protection Section of II.D. Technical Proposal - Volume II in the solicitation. Each solicitation should be treated separately.

62. When will the GSA be posting the new amendments and the sign in sheet from the pre-bid conference that was on January 12, 2017?

The sign in sheet as well as the slide presentation from the pre-proposal conference was posted to FBO.gov on January 13, 2017.

63. We have a number of Multi-Award ID/IQ contracts. On these we have/are performing on multiple task orders. Can we present the individual task orders on these contracts for the 5 projects required or is each contact count as just one? In other words if two task orders on one IDIQ fit the requirements can they be presented separately and count as two?

You may submit each individual task order as a project under the 5 required projects requirement.

64. What is Polarized Light Microscopy (Bid Sheet Unit Price Line 103)??

This is for asbestos testing.

65. Please clarify: “Offerers may resubmit questionnaires previously submitted with other proposals or may obtain an updated/new PPQ from a client for any submission. Offerers shall not incorporate by reference into their proposal PPQs previously submitted for other RFPs.”

(Page 8 of 31) These statements seem to be in contradiction to each other. Can previously completed performance questionnaires be used or do we need to get new ones done on the form??

Clarification: We will only accept the actual PPQ, not a reference that states a PPQ was submitted on a previous project.

66. Will task orders under the program be solicited based on a GSA issued descriptive SOW document outlining the intent of the project or a list of scope items quantified by the GSA based on the unit pricing document submitted for entry into the program??

It will be determined on a case by case basis. Each task order will detail the SOW required for that particular requirement.

67. How are task order project proposals to be prepared if the scope items are different from/not part of the pre-priced unit list?

Each specific task order will detail the submittal requirements.

68. If a task order is based on a list of quantified items, how will adjustments be made if the quantities change on the jobsite??

Any changes in requirements will be issued via a negotiated change order.

69. Please indicate the time it will take to process a HSPD-12 security background investigation (NACI) once the forms and fingerprints are submitted. Is there a processing fee/cost for this process or the GSA Access Card??

The time varies from person to person. There is no cost to the contractor for this process or for the card.

70. Will liquidated damages be a part of each and every task order offered?? Or is there a minimum project amount above which this will used?? How will the liquidated damages be calculated for each project??

Please refer to FAR Part 52.211-12 Liquidated Damages—Construction.

71. Please clarify the bonding situation for projects under this program i.e. minimum project value where a bond will be required.

Please refer to Question/Answer #13.

https://www.acquisition.gov/sites/default/files/current/far/html/52_207_211.html#wp1141232

72. The RFP does not provide a description of the work anticipated. We have a project in the $150-200K range involving repairs to an HVAC chiller unit on our ID/IQ contract. Would a project such as this be considered relevant?

The description of the work is detailed in the Specification/SOW.

73. Pg 9 (4) Payment Protection indicates that a payment bond or ILC is required. Our surety will not grant this as there isn’t an actual project that they are providing it for, just a bid schedule.

They are offering to provide a letter that stipulates our limits of bondability (significantly higher than that required). Will this suffice and should this be presented in the Price Proposal?

Yes, a letter from the surety stipulating the limits of bondability (minimum of $150,000) is acceptable.

74. VIA (c) and Page 30 VI F 10 Personnel Qualifications; both indicate that resumes of key personnel – defined as that contract manager and a project manager are required. Where in the Tech Proposal should they be provided? The description of the Tech proposal indicates two sections – Experience and Past Performance.

Evaluation Factor 3 Personnel Qualifications has been added to the solicitation. The resumes of key personnel (contract manager and a project manager) shall be submitted in that section.

75. As the answers to these and our prior questions are critical to preparing both the Price and Technical responses would the GSA consider an extension of the due date to allow us time to incorporate the answers into our response?

The new offer due date is January 30, 2017 at 4:00 PM EST.

76. Specs state that form 527 is required in Volume I, Tab E, of the proposal and again in Volume II, Qualifications of Offerors; is this correct?

It will be addressed in an amendment.

77. It states in the solicitation that offerors shall submit an Annual Representations and Certifications Form (C301). This form was not included with the solicitation documents.

This form will be included in an amendment.

78. Under the Technical Proposal, number 4, it states we must provide payment protection in the form of a payment bond. In our experience a payment bond is only provided after award; a bid bond is generally provided with proposals, yet, on the SF 1442, it states that an Offer Guarantee (aka, bid bond) is not required. Can you please clarify? Will a letter from our surety company, stating our bonding capacity, suffice?

A letter from your surety company stating your bonding capacity (minimum $150,000) is required at time of proposal submission.

79. It doesn’t state in the solicitation where electronic proposals will be sent. Will proposals be e-mailed to these addresses?

All proposals must be emailed to Contracting Officer, Omar Mahmud at omar.mahmud@gsa.gov with a cc to Contracting Officer, Sung Yoo at sung.yoo@gsa.gov.

80. Can you provide to whom the bonding payment letter should be addressed to?

Please address it to “GSA, US Government.” Please annotate the solicitation number on the letter or payment protection document.

81. The information requested for the Proposal Data Sheet is not clear on what should be submitted. Are we to submit a company data sheet to include: telephone, fax, email and

DUNS?

The Proposal Data Sheet has been deleted and is not required as part of these solicitations.

82. Although the solicitation repeatedly mentions “Offeror Representations and Certifications Form (C301)”, and also mentions that “Offerors shall also submit with their proposal the Annual Representations and Certifications (FAR 52.204-8) using file C301 attached to this Solicitation”, we have been unable to locate this attachment in the solicitation. Was this oversight, or is this document no longer required with the submission?

Offeror Representations and Certifications Form (C301) has been included in the amendment.

mailto:omar.mahmud@gsa.gov mailto:sung.yoo@gsa.gov