Q A_N62473-14-R-1402.pdf

February 26, 2014 -- RFI QUESTION AND ANSWERS TO SOLICITATION N62473-14-R-1402, EXOTIC

PEST PLANT SPECIES ABATEMENT

Question 1: I am an independent consultant, and some of my experience applicable to this solicitation is based on experience gained as part of employment at other firms (i.e., not my firm).

May I use my experience when filling out "EXHIBIT G – PROJECT DATA SHEET"?

Answer 1: No. Refer to definition of “Offeror” in Section L, under Factor 3 Corporate Experience.

Question 2: Can you clarify- In Section L/5. Revise Paragraph L4, Sub Paragraph (c), Factor 3 Corporate Experience Solicitation Submittal Requirements (p. 3 of Amendment 0003) the following statement is struck out:

"However, cumulatively, the five (5) projects submitted must demonstrate the offeror’s specialized experience across all six (6) components."

Yet two paragraphs below this virtually the same statement is added back in.

The same occurs in Section M/7. Revise Factor 3 (p. 5 of the amendment).

Is this the government’s intention? If yes, please explain how this should be interpreted given that the following statement has been added in both of these sections:

"Additionally, the offeror must demonstrate that the offeror has self-performed at least four (4) of the six (6) components, either as a prime or subcontractor."

Does the government mean that the offeror, as defined, "must demonstrate that the offeror has self-performed at least four (4) of the six (6) components, either as a prime or subcontractor" _in each project submitted_, and then cumulatively, has experience in all six (6) components?

Alternatively, is it correct to interpret the amended RFQ to mean that an offeror can submit one project where all six components are self-performed, and the other four projects are performed only by a subcontractor/teaming partner?

This would be an extreme, but it does follow this interpretation of the RFQ without "in each project submitted" included in the statement above.

Answer 2: The Government will evaluate Corporate Experience as per Section M, Factor 3 – Corporate Experience, (2) Basis of Evaluation as follows:

The basis of evaluation will be the Offeror’s demonstrated experience in performing five (5) relevant projects. The assessment of the Offeror’s relevant experience will be used as a means of evaluating the capability of the Offeror to successfully meet the requirements of the RFP.

“Offeror” refers to the Contractor submitting the proposal as Offeror, including joint ventures, whose name appears in Block 7 of Standard Form (SF) 26 (Solicitation, Offer and Award).

The offeror shall submit five (5) at least 80% complete (within the past five (5) years from the date of the RFP issuance) projects that best demonstrates the firm’s specialized experience on relevant projects that are similar in size, scope, and complexity to work described in Annex 18. For purposes of this evaluation, relevant projects are defined as the firm having specialized experience in the following components:

(1) Exotic pest plant species abatement;

(2) Erosion control;

(3) Revegetation;

(4) Geographic Information System (GIS);

(5) Development of Weed Management Plans; and

(6) Demonstrated experience working with sensitive habitats (e.g. regulated by Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act)

In order to be rated Acceptable, cumulatively, the five (5) projects submitted must demonstrate the offeror’s specialized experience across all six (6) components. Each project submitted must demonstrate specialized experience in some, but not necessarily all, of the components listed above.

In order to be rated Acceptable, the Offeror must clearly demonstrate that the Offeror self-performed all six (6) specialized experience components listed. Should the offeror be a Joint Venture (JV) with no shared experience, the JV must clearly demonstrate that the JV partners, combined, have specialized experience across all six components, with no individual JV partner having experience in less than two (2) of the specialized experience components.

Proposals which submit fewer than five (5) relevant projects or fail to demonstrate the required experience will be rated Unacceptable.

Any project submitted which is (1) in excess of the five (5) required projects; (2) not submitted on RFP Exhibit G; (3) not at least 80% complete within the five-year period specified; (4) not a relevant project; or (5) does not meet the definition of a “project” will not be evaluated.

Question 3: We are planning to send our bid for the project via FedEx and I wanted to check in and make sure that we would be able to reach your office through FedEx express. Their website claims to reach your county by 8:30 and I wanted to make sure they could actually get to you before the 9:00 deadline. In your experience, are they able to drop off at your office?

Answer 3: FedEx Express can be received by the office. However, please ensure that proposals are received by or before the proposal deadline. Late submittals will not be considered.

NOTE: All other paragraphs, provisions, and conditions to subject solicitation remain unchanged.