N3943019R2101_Questions_and_Answers.pdf

N39430‐18‐R‐2014 RFI Spreadsheet.xlsx

No. Reference Question Answer 1 Section: 00 11 19

Para: 2. Set-Aside Page: 3

This section of the RFP limits the small business set-aside to tasks that are $2M or less. A larger threshold of $5M will interest more small businesses and provide better competition.

Please consider increasing the set-aside threshold toward the $5M limit.

We did consider higher thresholds; however, the required aggregate bonding capacity would also have to increase. At $5M, based on historical data, and assuming and equal spread of award among all three small businesses (not currently the case); a minimum of $60M in bonding capacity would be required. We believe this would limit competition.

Understand that historically, task orders have been open two or more years, so individual bonds must be maintained throughout the construction and warranty period. Small business firms that have "excess bonding capacity" are still eligible to bid on the unrestricted awards.

2 Section: 00 21 16

1. Basis of Award Para: 1.

Page: 10

This section of the RFP generally limits the number of contractors who can be selected for Phase II to eight (8). Please consider increasing this limit to ten (10) with the same ability to go higher if the contracting officer determines it is in the best interest of the Government to do so.

The intent of the two phased approach is to not exercise offerors to provide a detailed level of design and proposal preparation if they don't stand a reasonable chance of receiving an award. Under the current MACC, we used the 1-phase approach and had sixteen offers.

3 Section: 00 21 16

4. Definitions Para: 100% COMPLETE Page: 11

The definition for 100% COMPLETE makes it appear there could be "design only" tasks associated with this contract. Is that the case or will all task orders have some element of inspection/construction?

The definition for design projects is in the event the offeror decides to submit projects on behalf of its Designer of Record. Note that there are two attachment B forms, one for the offeror (presumably a construction firm) and one for the designer (presumably an A/E firm). There will not be "design only" task (unless the project gets terminated shorty after design); we have a separate A/E MAC for that type of work.

4 Section: 00 21 16

6. Evaluation Factors for Award Para: Factor 2 Experience Page: 13

If a contractor's major subcontractor was in a JV in the past, can the JV experience be used as part of the past project experience?

Yes, but if it is unclear how involved the current subcontractor was in the project, the subcontractor's experience may be deemed less relevant.

5 Section: 00 21 16

6. Evaluation Factors for Award Para: Factor 2 Experience Page: 14

This section of the narrative states "Any project not completed will not be considered." Please define "not completed". Can a project that has reached substantial completion be considered?

Can a project that has reached construction completion but still in the close-out phase be considered?

Not complete is anything less than 100% complete. In addition to the definition provided, the key criteria is that the Government or customer (non-Gov't projects) has taken "beneficial occupancy" of the facility. Some contracts allow for close-out docs (as-builts, OMSI's, etc.) to be submitted after the beneficial occupancy date. Further a CPAR may be "Final" and list 99% complete, because all closeout docs have not been received. In those cases, it should be clear that the facility has been returned to the Gov't or customer.

6 Section: 00 21 16

6. Evaluation Factors for Award Para: Factor 2 Experience Page: 14

This section of the narrative states "Projects that, in the aggregate, demonstrate experience with the full scope of the RFP (i.e. tank repair, piping repair, and cathodic protection surveys and repairs) may be rated higher." The full scope parenthetical description does not include some items included in the Description of Work in Section 00 72 00 page 50 specifically "spill containment systems, and all ancillary and POL support facilities and structures to include emergency backup power systems, fire protection systems, and control systems". Please clarify how experience in these areas will be considered in the rating of project experience.

The three Centrally Managed Programs (CMPs) that most commonly occur under this contract are tank repairs, pipeline repairs, and cathodic protection (CP) surveys and repairs.

While the other items listed have some relevance to the contract's work, they are usually incidental to one of the three CMPs. Likewise, the construction of new tanks, pipelines, or CP devices can occur under this contract, it is not a regular occurrence (and not executed by NAVFAC EXWC) so it would likely not be considered as relevant as tank, pipeline, or CP repairs. Since offeror's are limited to just five projects, we recommend sticking with the CMPs if able, and if the work included other ancillary services in the same projects; include those details.

7 Section: 00 21 16 Factor 4 Para: (b) Schedule Page: 16

This section of the narrative refers to including Government review periods in the CPM schedule. The duration of these review periods was not mentioned. Please provide the Government review periods (number of days).

Durations for Government review of design submittals are typically 21 calendar days. Attachment H (Seed Task) will contain specific review times and potentially hold points and notification timelines. Only those firms proceeding to Phase II will receive attachment H.

8 Section: 00 21 16 Factor 6 Para: 1. Achievements Page: 18

The narrative states "All offerors shall provide a narrative (limited to two pages) to describe their achievements in supporting the Government’s policy to provide maximum practicable opportunities for small business (SB)…" Does this proposal requirement apply to small businesses or just large businesses?

This requirement applies to all offerors (large or small).

9 Section: 00 21 16 Factor 6 Para: 1.a.

Page: 18

The narrative states "All offerors shall submit small business subcontracting information associated with each project cited under the Factor 1…" Does this proposal requirement apply to small businesses or just large businesses?

This requirement applies to all offerors (large or small).

10 Section: 00 21 16 Factor 6 Para: 2.

Page: 19

The narrative states "All offerors shall submit a small business participation and commitment strategy including all data elements shown in Attachment K…" Does this proposal requirement apply to small businesses or just large businesses?

This requirement applies to all offerors (large or small).

11 Section: 00 21 16 Factor 7 Price Para: 2.

Page: 20

This section of the RFP references Attachment M. We did not receive Attachment M with the draft solicitation documents.

When will the contractors receive draft Attachment M so we can review and provide comments?

We will discuss the proposed attachment M in greater detail.

12 Section: 00 21 16 Factor 7 Price Para: A.

Page: 20

The narrative states "Offerors may use their own format for the Schedule of Firm Fixed Price Rates, Solicitation Attachment C, if (i) use of the Government’s preferred format will cause an unreasonable burden on resources…" Attachment C is the PPQ.

Please clarify.

There were several locations where "Attachment C" was used, where it should have been "Attachment M".

Attachment M is correct for the Schedule of Firm Fixed Price Rates, and Attachment C is the PPQ.

13 Section: 00 72 00

6. Key Personnel Para: Program Manager Page: 51

For small businesses please consider some relaxation of the personnel requirements. For example, the Program Manager have earned a minimum of a Bachelors of Science degree in Engineering. Excellent small business Program Managers exist with engineering degrees but not specifically Civil, Chemical, or Mechanical.

We expect the same level of quality from the large business or small business contractors. The requirement for Program Manager is for an earned Bachelors of Science degree in Civil, Chemical or Mechanical Engineering.

14 Section: 00 72 00

6. Key Personnel Para: Program Manager Page: 51

For small businesses please consider some relaxation of the personnel requirements. For example, Program Managers with at least 10 years experience are probably working for large businesses where Program Managers working for small businesses will probably have fewer years experience...more in the minimum of 5 years range.

We expect the same level of quality from the large business or small business contractors. We firmly believe this begins and ends with the project management staff, including the Program Manager.

15 Section: 00 72 00

6. Key Personnel Para: Project Manager Page: 51

For small businesses please consider some relaxation of the personnel requirements. For example, Project Managers with at least 10 years experience are probably working for large businesses where Project Managers working for small businesses will probably have fewer years experience...more in the minimum of 5 years range.

We expect the same level of quality from the large business or small business contractors. We firmly believe this begins and ends with the project management staff, including the Project Manager.

16 Section: 00 72 00

6. Key Personnel Para: QC Manager Page: 52

The narrative states "Have completed the course entitle “Construction Quality Management (CQM) for Contractors” and shall maintain a current course certificate." Please clarify what is considered "current".

Current is within five (5) years after completion of the course.

17 Section: 00 73 00

9. Requirement for TO Proposals Para: b.

Page: 63

The narrative states "Task Orders may be awarded on the basis of Price only; Best Value: lowest price technically acceptable (LPTA); or Tradeoff Process." Please provide the Government's estimated percentage of awards for the basis listed or provide the basis for award for the past task orders under the previous

IDIQ.

Under the current MACC, the vast majority of task orders have been Best Value trade-off. In situations where the repairs to the tank have been fully scoped, Price only has been used.

18 Section: 00 21 16

6. Evaluation Factor for Award Factor 2 Page: 14

Request verification that use of non-military projects is acceptable for experience and past performance. Request amplification of what is desired for size/type/scope of projects so that the best fitting 5 projects may be presented.

Non-military projects may be used; however, Factor 3 does state: "...work performed under a Government contract may be considered more relevant than work performed under a commercial contract."

As discussed previously, projects that fit into the three CMPs (tank repairs, pipeline repairs, and cathodic protection surveys and repairs) are the relevant types of projects. The size can range anywhere in the ordering amount of $10,000 to $26,000,000; however, we recommend at least $500,000 or more if a tank project. Further, we recommend using tank projects that include inspection as well as repair, not just repair.

19 Open forum Questions Factor 1 asks for a maximum of five project manager resumes, what is the minimum number?

The minimum should be five, to demonstrate the capability to handle multiple projects.

20 If Contractor has employee that meets the qualifications of both a project manager and a site manager, can the employee be submitted as both?

We would not recommend doing so, as it may lead evaluators to conclude that you do not have a sufficient number of employees. Note that factor 1 is not requesting site manager information.

22 Can a Joint Venture submit two sets of rates, one for each of the Joint Venture partners? How is it evaluated? Nothing prohibits doing so, but it may be complicated. The offeror would have to adjust the number of hours for each of the JV member, based on the estimate percentage of work that would be performed by each JV member; if the JV agreement does not adopt one of the JV member's accounting practices and indirect rates, then separate indirect rates would also need to be applied.

23 In the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan's Performance Requirements Summary, there are no positive incentives included.

We will correct this.

24 Is it necessary to have three separate personnel (Site Manager, Quality Control, and Safety) for cathodic protection work. Normally no. This is one of the rare exceptions where personnel may be dual hatted.

25 Factor 1 asks for the Lead Engineer if the design is done in house. A. Is a resume required if we contract with another firm for design? B. Is a resume required if we do both?

A. No, presumably you have access to the full resources of the firm, so no resume is required.

B. Yes, if you do design in house as well as contract it out, provide the resume of the in-house Lead Engineer.

26 Can you provide information regarding the upcoming projects? We can provide the preliminary three year plan as part of the

RFP.

27 Does the navy have an electronic or web-based file transfer system, similar to the Army Corps of Engineers?

Yes, it is called ECMS. More information can be obtained from UFGS 01 31 23.13 20 ELECTRONIC

CONSTRUCTION AND FACILITY SUPPORT

CONTRACT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

28 What is the planned award date?

If negotiations are required, the planned award date is in January 2020 with effective date 1 March 2020. If negotiations are not required, the award would be sooner.

29 What are the expected subcontracting goals for large businesses? SB 55%, SDB 10%; WOSB 10%; HUBZone SB 3%; VOSB

3%; SDVOSB 3%

35 Follow-up questions Will the government accept PPQs that were received as part of a previous procurement?

Yes, we have removed the restriction on using projects from previous acquisitions from the past performance factor.

Paragraph 4 states that an awardee must have an aggregate bonding capacity of $15,000,000. While this capacity may be sufficient for Small Businesses to handle multiple projects (<$2M each), a larger minimum aggregate may be required for Large Businesses to handle multiple projects simultaneously.

Noted, we will take that under advisement.

Please confirm that 1) the lead engineer and project engineer are the same position, and 2) the government will not require a resume for the Quality Control Manager, Design Quality Control Manager, and Site Safety and Health Officer

1) No. The lead engineer is presumed to be the higher level review of project engineers.

2) Confirmed that resumes are not required for QCM, DQCM and SSHO, (unless the DCQM happens to be the lead engineer).

38 We would like to propose our 30-year experienced POL leader as Program Manager, but he does not hold an engineering degree. Page 51 of the draft RFP says..” For non-professional technical positions, earned technical degrees may be substituted for experience on the following basis: Bachelors: Four years’ experience. Since a non-professional technical position is not defined, would our non-degreed POL employee meet your requirements for the Program Manager role? If not, please elaborate why.

A non-professional technical position is referring to the following: a technical position where a 4-year engineering degree is not a minimum requirement, for example the SSHO and the Site Manager. But, the SSHO and Site Manager have other minimum criteria that must be met. The Program Manager is a key position, and due to the nature of POL projects could be called upon to resolve problems beyond the scope of the Project Engineer and Site Manager. A non-degreed POL employee would not meet the minimum requirement.

39 Page 52 of the draft RFP outlines the following requirements for the Project Engineer:

* Minimum of earned BS degree in Civil, Chemical or Mechanical Engineering.

* Professional Engineering License.

* Minimum 7 years’ experience (within the last 10 years) in POL facilities engineering, including design, inspection, testing and construction.

* Experience in the operation of POL Systems.

* Current knowledge of POL Specifications in accordance with the Unified Facilities Guide Specifications (UFGS).

* API 653 certification, required for tank projects

* API 570 certification, required for pipeline projects Although all of our API certified staff work under the direction of a PE, finding a PE that themselves hold both API 653 and 570 certs is rare. May we satisfy these certification requirements through one or more technical personnel instead of providing a single person who holds a PE and both certs? If not, please elaborate why.

The Project Engineer does not have to be an employee of the Prime, consider partnering with an A&E firm that has this capability on-staff. A different candidate can be nominated for tank projects and pipeline projects. Higher consideration will be provided to personnel that meet or exceed the minimum requirements for each core position.

40 Section 00 21 16 Factor 1 Technical Approach

"The technical approach narrative (Exhibit A) shall be limited to two (2) double-sided pages or four (4) single-sided pages, excluding the organizational chart. The information requested in item (2) below is not included in this page limitation."

Would you please consider moving the technical approach narrative to the beginning of Factor 1, Tab 1, or at a minimum, after the organization chart but before the resumes?

This factor has been rewritten.

41 Section 00 21 16 Factor 1 Technical Approach

"In addition to the narrative, the Offeror shall submit a signed copy of a joint venture agreement, partnership agreement, teaming agreement, approved mentor-protégé agreement (MPA), or letter of commitment for each member of the Offeror’s team identified above (e.g., joint venture member, partner, team member, subcontractor, parent company, subsidiary, or other affiliated company, etc.)."

Question 1– Does the Offeror also need to submit Letters of Commitment or Teaming Agreements for nonexclusive but preferred specialty subcontractors

No, but note that if you are using the subcontractor for experience or past performance, we expect to see a letter of commitment from that subcontractor.

42 Section 00 21 16 Factor 1 Technical Approach

"Provide one (1) summary resume for the Program Manager, no more than five (5) summary resumes for Project Managers, and one (1) summary resume for the lead engineer if design work is ever completed in house. Limit individual summary resumes to one (1) double sided page or two (2) single sided pages."

Question 2 – Can the Offeror also submit the Program Manager’s resume as one of the five required Project Manager resumes?

Similar to the answer for question 20, doing so may lead the evaluators to believe you do not have the personnel resources to perform five projects simultaenously.

43 Section 00 21 16 Factor 2 Experience

Please confirm that completion date for the Designer Experience Project is the date design has been completed and approved for construction and not 100% construction complete.

The defintion for "100% complete" for design projects is:

For design projects: 100% plans and specifications signed off by an Architect-Engineer and ready for construction with final cost estimate. Does not include any Post Construction Award Support (PCAS).