RFI_RESPONSES_20_thru_41.pdf

RFI Questions and Responses

N62473-14-R-0013 AE IDIQ MECHANICAL, ELECTRICAL AND PLUMBING (MEP)

SMALL BUSINESS SET-ASIDE, NAVFAC SW

Question #20: do you know at this time how many awards are there will be? i see min is 200k up to 2,500,000 per contract in FBO information.

Response #20: This is a single award AE IDIQ contract, we do not know how many task orders will be issued.

Question #21: Does the "team" require both a mechanical registered and electrical registered engineer or the "firm".

Response #21: The firm, the synopsis states "The prime A-E firm shall have on staff a minimum of one Registered Mechanical and one Registered Electrical Engineers to perform the work anticipated under this contract.

Question #22: How many offerors are expected to be advanced to IDIQ status?

Response #22: A minimum of three firms will be slated for the Interview/Presentation. One of the slated firms will be selected for award.

Question #23: We are a M& P firm and will be the Prime on this solicitation;

another firm will be handling the electrical portion. Is this considered a “Joint Venture?”

Response #23: It is not a Joint Venture if you do not have a legal partnership agreement.

Search the internet to find information on Joint Venture. The Joint Venture should conform to the definition at 13 C.F.R. Part 121.

Question #24: While we have NAVFAC/DoD experience, the electrical firm does not, but they have an extensive Federal background- Does their Fed. Experience count? Is our M&P NAVFAC/DoD experience enough, or do we need NAVFAC/DoD experience for Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing? Should we list half M&P projects and half Electrical projects since we are two separate firms?

Response #24: We are looking for firms with experience that meet the submittal requirements of the synopsis. The experience does not necessarily have to be NAVFAC/DOD experience. It is the firm’s decision on how to respond to the submission requirements for the solicitation.

Question #25: We have extensive military experience, but have only been the Prime on a few projects, otherwise, we were subs under architects or GCs- Does this disqualify us or lessen are chances?

Response #25: We are looking for firms with experience that meet the submittal requirements of the solicitation.

Question #26: I understand I will provide resumes/projects for MEP disciplines. Are projects required for other disciplines (i.e. commissioning agent; fire protection)? If so, are they required to submit PPQ forms as well or is it just he MEP firms?

Response #26: Refer to the Submission Requirements for SF 330, Part 1, Section F, Example Projects, CRITERION 2, SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE AND TECHNICAL COMPETENCE for projects. “For the proposed team, submit a maximum of ten (10) specific, recently completed projects with a minimum A-E fee of $200,000, that best illustrate overall team experience in the required "PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SERVICES" in the types of MEP engineering projects listed." Fire Protection is a support service.

Submission Requirements for CRITERION 4, PAST PERFORMANCE state “Submit an ACASS or a PPQ evaluation for each project listed under Criterion 2.

Please carefully read solicitation and submit in accordance with the submission requirements.

Question #27: Will the cover letter be evaluated if it is within the 30 page count?

Response #27: No

Question #28: As the Prime, I know we need at least one mechanical engineer and one electrical engineer to qualify. Our Arizona office shares an office with an electrical engineering company. Could that count as our electrical engineer since we share an office, or do they have to be actual Walsh Engineers employees? (I assume the latter.)

Response #28: The latter is correct, They must be an employee of the Prime. As the SF 330 states "The prime A-E firm shall have "on staff" (meaning employed by) a minimum of one Registered Mechanical and one Registered Electrical Engineers to perform the work anticipated under this contract.

Question #29: Under the ‘Submission Requirements’ for SF 330, Part I, Section F, Example Projects there are (3) types of projects mentioned that must be included in the submittal:

- Submit at least one project demonstrating self-performance experience of a complete building retro-commissioning including Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing systems.

- Submit at least one project demonstrating self-performance design experience with Digital Direct Controls or Energy Management Control Systems schematic and architecture.

- Submit at least one project demonstrating self-performance experience in the production of a Design-Bid-Build (DBB) construction contract packages (i.e., drawings, specifications, basis of design, design analysis, engineering calculations, cost estimate, etc.).

Must the requirement for a retro-commissioning project meet or exceed the $200,000.00 contract fee requirement for this submittal? This project type is typically a small fee for service and would not meet such a large threshold/contract amount. Would it be acceptable to submit a retro-commissioning project with a lower contract limit, such as $50,000.00?

Responses #29: The retro-commissioning project shall be $200,000 or more.

Question #30: A follow-up question to the RFI answer (Response #7): The first page of the PPQ form (with required information filled in) is sufficient if you do not have an ACASS Evaluation or are not able to provide a completed PPQ from a client for a project before the response date.

For the PPQs, if we are only able to provide the first page, is it still required to have a client signature?

Response #30: no

Question #31: Would a Letter of Intent to Proceed with a Joint Venture Suffice with the SF 330 submission; a letter stating that if awarded the project we will proceed with a Joint Venture.

If not, is proof that a Joint Venture is in progress sufficient? Just in case we do not have enough time to complete the joint venture by the 11th.

Response #31: No, The JV must be in place. The JV must be in writing, and do business under its own name with its own separate cage and Duns #. Contact your local SBA office for more information on establishing a Joint Venture.

Question #32: Will this IDIQ be awarded to one firm or multiple?

Response #32: one

Question #33: The solicitation says 30 million over 5 years; what was awarded in the last 5 year MEP IDIQ?

Response #33: $20 million. Please note that this IDIQ is not exactly the same as the previous contract.

Question #34: I understand SC Engineers is the incumbent. Does that mean they were awarded the last MEP IDIQ? Do they have priority?

Response #34: Yes, SC Engineers was awarded the last MEP IDIQ. No, they do not have priority - all offeror's SF330 are evaluated based on the submittal requirements for this IDIQ.

Question #35: When is the deadline for submission of RFI by applicants given the 03/11/14 deadline for submission of SF 330 packages?

Response #35: There is no official deadline. It is best if RFI is submitted as soon as possible so it can be answered in a timely manner before submittal due date.

Question #36: The 02/27/14 change related to "SF330/ Part 1/ Section F" states: ?For the proposed team, submit a maximum of ten (10) specific, recently completed projects with a minimum A-E fee of $200,000, that best illustrate overall team experience in the required primary and secondary services in the types of MEP engineering projects listed above.?;

The 02/05/14 original Synopsis/Solicitation called for: ?For the proposed team, submit a maximum of ten (10) specific, recently completed projects with an A-E fee within the task order range identified above, that best illustrate overall team experience in the required primary and secondary services in the types of MEP engineering projects listed above.?; and

Although the Government knows A-E fee for each project (i.e. via ACASS or PPQ for each project); but per 1972 Brooks Act & FAR Regulations which requires that the U.S. Federal Government <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_government_of_the_United_States> select engineering <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engineering> and architecture <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Architecture> firms based upon their competency, qualifications and experience rather than by price (i.e. A-E FEE/ LUMP SUM FEE/ RATES/ BID PRICE for a given project);

Then could you please confirm:

A. If the 2/27/14 change is a correct statement?

B. If there is any conflict between 1972 Brooks Act & FAR Regulations and the requested indication of A-E Fee within SF330/ Part 1/ Section F?

C. If ?PERSONAL INFORMATION? ARE PROTECTED BY THE LAW of various individuals & firms including but not limited to: Prime A-E firms/ its? Sub-Consultants and Design-Build (DB) Contractor/ its? A-E design team by REVEALING their A-E Fee for each project?

Response #36 :

A. Confirmed.

B. There are no conflicts. The AE demonstrated competence and qualification for the type of professional services required are determined by taking into account the estimated value of the services to be rendered, the scope, complexity and professional nature thereof as required by the Brooks Act. (https://www.acec.org/advocacy/committees/brooks.cfm). This solicitation is not asking for price quotation.

C. Unclear on what is being asked in this question. Cost is required on the SF330 form as shown in Section E 19 (3) and F Block 24.

Question #37: Per Solicitation (Paragraph 8 (2nd & 3rd sentences)): ?The minimum guarantee for the contract shall be $5,000. The minimum guarantee for the entire contract term (including option years) will be satisfied by the award of the initial task order. The minimum value of individual task orders executed under this contract is $200,000. The maximum value of individual task orders executed under this contract is $2,500,000.?; then could you please confirm:

A. Does the 2/27/14 change to be considered $ 5,000 rather than $200,000?

B. If there is no need for $ 200,000 Minimum / $2,500,000 Maximum RANGE for each task order?

Response #37 :

A. The minimum guarantee of $5,000 is established with the AE at the time of contract award.

Once a project (task order) is awarded to the AE, the minimum guarantee of $5,000 is deducted from the AE fee. If no project (task order) is ever awarded to the AE, the minimum guarantee of $5,000 stays with the AE.

B. There is a need for the task order range. Projects (Task Orders) awarded under this IDIQ contract are to be above $200,000. We have other contract vehicles that satisfy the need for task orders below $200,000.

Question #38: Per solicitation: ?This procurement is Small Business Set-Aside. The NAICS Code for this procurement is 541330 (Engineering Services) and the annual small business size standard is $14 Million.?

By having an A-E Fee range of $ 200,000 Minimum / $2,500,000 Maximum for each task order, during Base Year & 4 additional option years; could you please confirm when/if the Prime A- E?s TOTAL income (from all receivables/clients) EXCEEDS $ 14 Million during any of the 5 year contract period, then:

A. Will the Government STOP PAYMENTS of already performed work by Prime A-E ?; and/or B. Will the Government STOPS issuance of any more Task Orders to Prime A-E?

Response #38 :

4A. No.

4B. No.

Question #39: ACASS Evaluation form is prepared by the Government, and various information (including A-E fee) is reliable. If PPQ is prepared by the Government personnel, then it is also reliable.

Given the fact that there is a direct business relationship between Prime A-E & its? sub-consultants and DB Contractor & its? A-E design team, then could you please confirm:

A. What is the degree of reliability & favorable score of reported information including A-E Fee (since the information is NOT a public records) by a third party other than the Government personnel?

Response #39: Unclear on what is being asked in this question. PPQs may be submitted when an ACASS is not available. PPQ assess information similar to an ACASS and have similar ratings.

Question #40: CRITERION 7, VOLUME OF WORK, calls for: ?......with objective of equitably distributing contracts among firms, including minority owned firms and firms without prior DOD contracts shall be evaluated.?; could you please confirm:

A. Will the 2-27-14 $200,000 requirement not be considered the ONLY/ MAIN REASON to dis-qualify SMALL Businesses and/or enable the Government only to award the contract to a Prime A-E firms having had a recent contract with large A-E fee with the Government?

Response #40: Unclear on what is being asked in this question. The 2/27/14 $200,000 requirement is not related to Criterion 7. Please follow the stated Criterion 7 submission requirements.

Question #41: What will be the minimum number A-E firms to be short-listed for interview, whether or not they satisfy 100% ALL requirements listed within the solicitation?

Response #41: 7. Per the Brooks Acts a minimum of three (3) firms deemed to be the most highly qualified will be short-listed for interview.