Amndt_000004.doc

The solicitation is amended as follows:

1. Section B.1 Labor CLINs is revised as follows:

The labor Contract Line Item Numbers (CLINs) provided on the preceding Optional Form 336 reflect the combination of labor category, function, special skills, and certifications set forth in Attachment A. Attachment A reflects the maximum labor rates allowed for each Labor CLIN.

Each hourly rate proposed for each labor category identified in Attachment A must be fully loaded. That is, it must include the total costs for all aspects of performance under the contract, to include, Overhead (inclusive of travel expenses), General & Administrative costs, and Profit.

The Government requires the performance of general construction and design-build projects of a classified and unclassified nature. The Government may elect to award a single or multiple award ID/IQ contract for the same or similar services to two or more sources under this solicitation. The Government anticipates the award of five (5) ID/IQ contracts, but reserves the right to award more or less than five (5) ID/IQ contracts given the results of the evaluation.

2. Table found at Section L.11 b) is revised to read:

Date & Time

4 Paper Copies, and

1 CD-Rom Disk Copy Aug 28, 2007

1:00 pm EST

Volume II*

4 Paper Copies, and

1 CD-Rom Disk Copy Aug 28, 2007

1 Emailed Copy Aug 28, 2007

3. Section M.4 d) Factor 4: Price has been deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

Factor 4: Price. The Government will conduct its price analysis using one or more of the techniques specified in FAR 15.404-1(b).

i) The Offeror's proposed prices will be evaluated for price reasonableness by evaluating the proposed labor rates with the Davis-Bacon Wage Determinations and with the proposed labor rates of other offerors. Those rates that do not apply to the Davis-Bacon Wage Determinations (such as Management and Design rates) will be evaluated in comparison with the proposed labor rates of other offerors.

ii) In addition, the Offeror's proposed prices will be evaluated for price realism. The Government intends to evaluate price realism by using a Pricing Model, which will resemble a sample task order requirement. The Pricing Model will estimate the labor rate and number of hours for this sample task order requirement. For an even comparison, the Government will input the number of estimated hours for this sample requirement into each Offeror's pricing worksheets that are submitted as a part of the Volume I proposal.

iii) The Offeror's proposed fully burdened labor rates will be used within the Pricing Model.

iv) The total evaluated price for the pricing model will be comprised of the selected labor rates and hours.

v) Once the estimated hours are entered into the Offeror's worksheets the Government will determine whether the total price for the pricing model is realistic and balanced.

· The Offeror should note that if the Offeror is proposing both unclassified and classified rates, both sets of rates will be evaluated using the Pricing Model.

vi) Options Options will be evaluated in accordance with FAR 52.217-5 -- Evaluation of Options. (Jul 1990).

4. Attachment A is deleted in its entirety and replaced with a new spreadsheet whereby the “Construction Unclassified Labor” and “Construction Classified Labor” worksheets are revised.

Construction Types: Heavy (Heavy and Sewer and Water Line) - Montgomery County, MD; Power Equipment Operators is revised to delete Groups 6 through 12.

Question 1. 1.33.c. which part is responsible for paying for background checks?

Response a. The solicitation reference in the question is not correct. For classified contractors, the Contractor is responsible for paying unless DHS has agreed to pay for the upgrade. For unclassified contractors, DHS will pay for the fingerprint checks.

Question 2. Where do we include in our offer, the verbage for referencing our ORCA registration? If ORCA is referenced do we need to submit any other reps and certs with our offer?

Response a. Please review Section K. Specifically, in section K.2 the provision 52.204-8 – Annual Representations and Certifications. (Jan 2006) provides guidance.

Question 3. Section F.6 Paragraph b vii requires to provide as-built drawings in AutoCAD while Section 3 Paragraph a states that red line as-built is required. Please advise.?

Response a. Section C.3 a) is revised to replace “red line” with “as-built”.

Question 4. Section I.10 Paragraph (b) (4) requires performing with our own forces at least 25% of the cost of the construction by special trades. In many cases, depending on the specialty, this percentage is hard to achieve. Please advise.

Response a. FAR 52.219-14 -- Limitations on Subcontracting (Dec 1996) is a mandatory clause as prescribed in FAR subpart 19.811-3(e), and will not be revised.

Question 5. Section I.24 Paragraph (c) states that payment protection is required within 5 days of the contract award while Section F Paragraph bi establish that the payment protection must be submitted within 10 calendar days. Please advise.

Response a. Section I.24, FAR 52.228-13 Alternative Payment Protections (Jul 2000) paragraph (c) is amended to read as follows: “The submission of the payment protection is required within ten (10) calendar days of contract award”.

Question 6. Amendment # 2 states that questions must be received by 3:00pm August 13, 2007, while Section l Paragraph b establish that all questions may be submitted by 3:00pm August 20, 2007. Please advise.

Response a. Section L.9 b) of the original solicitation was superseded by item 4, page 2 of Amendment 000002.

Question 7. Attachment A- Optional Form 336. We are unable to find out as per bid documents, an explanation of the form and how to fill out. There is reference to Units and quantities. Please give definition for DO. Please advise?

Response a. Attachment A is entitled “Continuation of Schedule B”. Section l.12 PROPOSAL CONTENT - BUSINESS - VOLUME I provides an explanation of the excel document. Offerors are not directed to fill out the Optional Form 336.

Response b. “DO” is defined as “dollars”.

Question 8. Would you please provide the roles and responsibilities for the construction management labor categories listed: Program Manager, Project Manager, Site Superintendent / Construction Manager, CQC Manager, Site CQC Manager, Site Health & Safety Manager, and Project Controls Analyst.

Response a. The labor categories in question are standard construction trade categories, therefore the roles and responsibilities will not be provided by the government.

Question 9. a. Can you assist me in contacting the Small Business Office for DHS to obtain which firms may have shown an interest in teaming. Or, if you know of those firms, can you provide me contact information. b. The tasks as written while they can be design-build also look to be large Operations and Maintenance tasks at your MT Weather and Olney, MD facilities – do you view this contract as performing O&M work? c. I believe amendment 2 states a single TO can not exceed $35,000,000 that would normally mean the prime’s bonding capacity would need to be $35,000,000 to meet a TO of that size – is that the case? d. Is there any intent to extend the area of work and use this for the Individual Assistance Program’s, Minor Repair Program under the revisions to the Stafford Act (being considered as a new program by Dave Garratt’s group)?

Response a. Amendment 00003 to the solicitation provided the list of Pre-proposal Conference Attendees. This listing is the only formalized listing of potential interested firms.

Response b. The scope of the subsequent contract(s) as stated in Section C will cover Design-Build and General Construction Services. A wide range of construction projects are covered by the scope of work.

Response c. The payment protection guidance as provided in “FAR 28.102-2 -- Amount Required” will apply at the task order level.

Response d. There is no intent to extend the area of work and use this for the Individual Assistance Program’s, Minor Repair Program under the revisions to the Stafford Act (being considered as a new program by Dave Garratt’s group).

Question 10. Is the above project for Architectural and Engineering Services Only or is this for Construction and Renovations

Response a. The scope of the subsequent contract(s) as stated in Section C will cover Design-Build and General Construction Services.

Question 11. Amendment 2 solicitation amendment 3 states that “contractor shall submit a Staffing Roster (Attachment G)” in answer to Question 8 Response b. “The requirement to complete the Staffing Roster, Attachment G is removed”. Which statement prevails? Do we have to provide Attachment G?

Response a. Amendment 000002 page 4 -Question 8, Response b. is in reference to Section L.13 a) iii). Attachment G is not required within the Offeror’s proposal response to the solicitation for the ID/IQ contract.

Response b. Amendment 000002 page 2- Item # 3. relates to Task Order submittal documents. Attachment G is a submission document at the task order level.

Question 12. Where is the SF 85P packet to be submitted?

Response a. . Referencing Solicitation Attachment C, page 6, Category 1, Badge, the SF85P is not required within the Offeror’s proposal response to the solicitation for the ID/IQ contract. Submission instructions for this form would be provided to ID/IQ contract awardees.

Question 13. Regarding Past Performance questionnaires, Page 100 of the solicitation has a table indicating that these are to be provided back as 1 paper original, 4 paper copies, and 1 CD. Section L.13 c) iv) indicates that these are to be returned to you from the references either by fax or email, as such this would either not be a 'paper copy' (if sent by email) or an electronic / CD copy (if sent by fax). Please confirm the proper way / copies to provide for these questionnaires.

Response a. The table found at Section L.11 b) is revised. Past Performance Questionnaires are to be submitted via One (1) faxed copy or one (1) emailed copy.

Question 14. Attachment A, under the design categories, lists several of the architect / engineer positions as either a I or II (such as Architect I and Architect II). Please confirm the difference between these two categories (such as junior / senior) and which number applies to which category.

Response a. “I” represents Junior Level and “II” represents Senior Level.

Question 15. Amendment 2, Item 1 provides elaboration on Section B.2 of the solicitation by adding the sentence 'Material and equipment costs attributable to General Conditions are to be included.' We would appreciate clarification as to where these costs are to be included, i.e. does this mean that those General Condition costs are to be included at the task order level or with the proposed labor rates?

Response a. Material and equipment costs attributable to General Conditions are to be included at the task order level. They are not to be proposed within the burdened labor rates.

Question 16. Where on the SF1442 do we quote our percentages for OH, G&A and profit? Page 110 of the evaluation criteria item d) iii) mentions using our percentages in the Pricing Model.?

Response a. Section M.4 d) Factor 4: Price has been revised in its entirety.

Question 17. Are the rates quoted to be fully loaded or loaded less OH, G&A and Profit?

Response a. Each hourly rate proposed for each labor category identified in Attachment A must be fully loaded. That is, it must include the total costs for all aspects of performance under the contract, to include, Overhead (inclusive of travel expenses), General & Administrative, and Profit.

Question 18. Certain labor categories (divers, laborers - tunnel, raise and shaft free air, laborers - tunnel, raise and shaft, compressed air) may not be applicable to the typical types of construction anticipated therefore pricing those categories may skew the final evaluation. Please consider revising the requested labor categories to more typical construction activities.

Response a. The labor rates provided are those found in the applicable Davis-Bacon Wage Determinations (Attachment D), therefore the categories will not be removed from the worksheet.

Question 19. Attachment #A has 12 Groups for Power Equipment Operators (Montgomery Co. MD) however, within the Wage Determination, Attachment D, I can only see a Group of 5 applicable to that grouping. Where are the other groups to make up the 12?

Response a. Groups 6 through 12 are hereby deleted. The “Construction Unclassified Labor” and “Construction Classified Labor” worksheets are revised. Construction Types: Heavy (Heavy and Sewer and Water Line) - Montgomery County, MD Power Equipment Operators is revised to delete Groups 6 through 12.

Question 20. Due to the extreme flow of paperwork, can an additional category be added for an administrative assistant?

Response a. No. An additional category for an administrative assistant will not be added. Clerical work should be accounted for within the General & Administrative rate.

Question 21. The pre-solicitation notice stated that competition would be limited to 8(a)’s with bona fide offices in the areas served by the Richmond, Washington, West Virginia, Pittsburgh, and Baltimore SBA district offices. However, I can’t find this restriction on competition anywhere in the solicitation itself. Has the solicitation been opened up to all 8(a)’s or is this restriction on competition still in effect?

Response a. Per Page 1 of the Solicitation, this procurement is set-aside for eligible participants in the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 8(a) Business Development Program. There is no geographical boundary restriction in the solicitation.

HSHQDC-07-R-00050 Amendment 000004