N6247825R5050_QA (ALL)_20250411.pdf

N62478-25-R-5050

April 8, 2025

Ques.

No.

Question Response Mod No.

1 Criterion 2, Submission Requirements, section 1: Please confirm the Structural Principal-in-Charge, as a key person, must be a licensed Structural Engineer.

(Criterion 2) The Structural Principal-in-Charge, a key person, must be a licensed Structural Engineer, or a licensed Civil Engineer if a State does not issue licenses in Structural engineering.

2 Criterion 2, Submission Requirements, section 1 states “All key personnel must be licensed in their specific discipline, with the exception of the Structural Engineer, which can be a licensed Civil Engineer if a State does not issue licenses in Structural engineering.”

A. Could we respectfully request a definition of “State” – i.e., the State of residence of the Structural Engineer; the State of Hawaii, where the preponderance of the work for this contract is presumed to be performed; other?

B. If “State” is the State of residence of the Structural Engineer, please clarify what type of documentation is required to be submitted to substantiate the residence of the key person proposed as the Structural Engineer.

(Criterion 2)

A. In general, DoD A-E contracts do not look at the preponderance of the work for licensing. The A-E just needs to be legally authorized to provide professional engineering services, where licensing requirements vary by State. See FAR 52.236-25 Requirements for Registration of Designers:

“Architects or engineers registered to practice in the particular professional field involved in a State, the District of Columbia, or an outlying area of the United States shall prepare or review and approve the design of architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, civil, or other engineering features of the work.”

B. Documentation on a key person’s residency is not required.

3 Criterion 2, Submission Requirements, section 1 states “If a key person is not licensed in their specific discipline, the SF330 must clearly provide evidence that a licensing State does not issue licenses in that particular discipline”

A. Please confirm the key person must, at minimum, be a licensed professional architect or engineer, and that license must be clearly identified in the applicable SF330 Section E.

B. Please confirm the evidence that a licensing State does not issue licenses in a particular discipline will not be considered in the 120-page page limit, and the proof should be considered added to the bulleted list of exceptions to the page count under SF330 SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS” on page 15 of the original solicitation (dated 26 March 2025), which currently includes SF330, Part II, Specialized Experience Supplemental Information (Attachment (A)), etc.

(Criterion 2)

A. A key person must be licensed in their specific discipline. Information on current professional registration/licensing must be clearly provided in the SF330 Section E. If a key person is not licensed in their specific discipline, he/she must provide evidence that a licensing State does not issue licenses in that particular discipline under Section E or evidenced elsewhere in the SF330.

B. Licensing information is not considered in the SF330 page limit.

NOTE: See SF330 Submission Requirements (page 15 of 16):

“The SF330, Part I shall not exceed 120 pages, single-sided 8.5x11 inch pages. The page limit does not include the following…

Other: ISRs; certificates; licenses; cover sheets or dividers; or other requested documentation (e.g., JV agreement, proof of A-E firm registration)….”

No.

Question Response Mod No.

4 Criterion 2, Submission Requirements, section 2: Please confirm the Structural Principal-in-Charge, as a Structural key person, must complete Section E, Block 19, Relevant Projects, as described in Criterion 2, Submission Requirements, section 2.

(Criterion 2) The Structural Principal-in-Charge, key person, must provide relevant projects in order to demonstrate competence and experience in “Specified Design/Engineering Services” in “Relevant Projects”.

5 Criterion 3, Past Performance, Submission Requirements, paragraph 1, states “DO NOT SUBMIT A PPQ WHEN A COMPLETED CPARS IS AVAILABLE.” However, when the most recent “completed” CPARS for a project does not capture the period of performance that includes the completion or substantial completion of the project, please confirm that a PPQ which covers the period of performance that includes the completion or substantial completion of the project (since completion or substantial completion is required for the “Relevant Projects “ described in Criterion 1) may be submitted for the project even when completed (interim) CPARS are available.

(Criterion 3) The intent of Criterion 3 is for firms to demonstrate past performance on Criterion 1 projects. The criterion indicates under Submission Requirements (page 10 of 16) requiring firms to submit all completed interim &/or final CPARS for the project when available. In a firm does not have a CPARS that covers the period of performance for completion or substantial completion of the project, the firm may submit a PPQ, or request a CPARS be prepared. However, if the CPARS provides a “Contract Percent Complete” that is ~90% or higher, a CPARS (or PPQ) may not be necessary, as long as the CPARS sufficiently demonstrates that the firm completed majority of the services and is being evaluated on such services.

Note 1: A “COMPLETED” CPARS refers to the CPARS being signed by a Government Official and does not mean services being completed. With respect to completed services, please see Criterion 1 Specialized Experience for completion or substantial completion. Under Criterion 3, the premise is that all Criterion 1 projects are completed or substantially completed.

Examples:

An interim CPARS reflects a Contract Percent Completion of 95% for a

DBB project for the 12-month period ending September 2024, with the CPARS indicating the firm performed DBB services for the Pre-Final submittal (100%) submittal. Subsequently, the final design was completed in January 2025, but a CPARS to cover the remaining 5% has not yet been prepared by the Government. A CPARS for the remaining 5% is not required to be submitted with the SF330.

There are 2 interim CPARS and 1 final CPARS for a project, but a firm only submitted the final CPARS; rather, the firm should have submitted all CPARS (2 interim and 1 final CPARS) for the project with their SF330.

Question Response Mod No.

6 Criterion 1, “Relevant Projects” description states “For project types 1, 2 and 3 below, the estimated construction cost shall be approximately $20 million or more for new construction projects or approximately $10 million or more for repair/renovation projects”, and further states “If a single project has multiple relevant features, the firm must provide the construction dollar value of each relevant feature.”

Question: If a single project includes multiple project types with varying costs—such as a new pier at $20 million and new waterfront facilities at $12 million—does each individual project type need to independently meet the respective cost threshold ($20+ million) for the project to qualify under both project types?

(Criterion 1) Yes, each project feature must meet the specified dollar threshold individually. For example, a new pier at $20M meets the threshold, while a new waterfront facility at $12M does not meet the construction cost threshold.

Language for Criterion 1 (page 3 of 16) has been revised from:

“Firms do not need to demonstrate experience in all five (5) project types above... If a single project has multiple relevant features, the firm must provide the construction dollar value of each relevant feature.”

to:

“Firms do not need to demonstrate experience in all five (5) project types above... If a single project has multiple relevant features, the firm must provide the construction dollar value of each relevant feature and must meet the specified construction cost thresholds individually.”

The synopsis has been revised. See Synopsis Modification No. 2.

April 11, 2025

No.

Question Response Mod No.

7 Regarding Criterion 2 - Professional Qualifications (SF330, Part I, Sections E & G and Attachment (B)): The synopsis states that "All Structural and Waterfront key personnel (including Principal-in-Charge, Project Structural Engineer and Project Waterfront Engineer) will be evaluated on their competence and experience in "Specified Design/Engineering Services" in "Relevant Projects". See Criterion 1 for the definition of "Specified Design/Engineering Services" and "Relevant Projects".

Structural/Waterfront key personnel do not need to demonstrate experience in all five (5) "Specified Design/Engineering Services" types listed in Criterion 1; however, in order to be evaluated as having minimally met Criterion 2, key personnel must clearly demonstrate that they have sufficient waterfront design experience (in preparation of drawings/specifications) in "Relevant Projects" from projects submitted."

The synopsis further states that for Structural and Waterfront key personnel, Section E, Block 19(c) should include "Type of "Specified Design/Engineering Services" performed, i.e.: DBB DOR on a A-E contract as the Prime Consultant or as a sub-consultant; or DOR for a DB construction contract as the Prime or sub-consultant."

As long as key personnel resumes clearly demonstrate that they have sufficient waterfront design experience (in preparation of drawings/specifications) in "Relevant Projects," will the Government consider projects involving other of the "Specified Design/Engineering Services" in Block 19 of the Section E resumes for Structural and Waterfront key personnel, such as:

1. Execution of MILCON Region/FEC Team DD 1391 project documentation or similar project programming documents for "Relevant Projects"; 2. Performing/conducting a Functional Analysis Concept Development (FACD), Concept Design Workshop (CDW), or Design Charrette for "Relevant Projects"; 4.

Preparation of Design-Build (D-B) Request for Proposal solicitation documents utilizing the NAVFAC Design-Build RFP Six-Part Master Format for "Relevant Projects"; and/or 5.

Preparation of Engineering Studies and Reports for "Relevant Projects"?

(Criterion 2) Yes, the Government will evaluate projects of the Structural and Waterfront key personnel for their competence/experience in any of the five

(5) types of “Specified Design/Engineering Services”, i.e. DD391, FACD, D-B, etc.

The criterion (page 7 of 16) states:

“All Structural and Waterfront key personnel (including Principal-in-Charge, Project Structural Engineer and Project Waterfront Engineer) will be evaluated on their competence and experience in “Specified Design/Engineering Services” in “Relevant Projects”…. Structural/ Waterfront key personnel do not need to demonstrate experience in all five (5) “Specified Design/Engineering Services” types listed in Criterion 1; however, in order to be evaluated as having minimally met Criterion 2, key personnel must clearly demonstrate that they have sufficient waterfront design experience (in preparation of drawings/specifications) in “Relevant Projects” from projects submitted.”

Question Response Mod No.

8 "Specified Design/Engineering Services shall have been completely or substantially completed within approximately the past ten (10) years as of the closing date of this notice."

Will NAVFAC please clarify what "approximately" means (i.e., is +/- 12 - 18 months within the acceptable range of approximately)?

(Criterion 1 & 2) “Approximately” ten (10) years means “about” or “close to” 10 years. A variance of 12-18 eighteen months is not considered as being “approximately”.

Note: The Government understands that some projects may be completed or substantially completed close to the closing date and uses “approximately” so that firms are not severely restricted from submitting a project that could potentially demonstrate good experience.

9 Criterion 2 - Professional Qualifications limits key personnel resumes to 3 pages. The submission requirements also require Attachment (B) for the projects listed in Block 19 for each of Structural and Waterfront key personnel resumes. Will NAVFAC confirm that Attachment (B) is excluded from the 3 page-limit for each resume?

(Criterion 2 & General – SF330 Submission Requirements) Attachment (B) is not considered in the SF330 page limit.

NOTE: See SF330 Submission Requirements (page 15 of 16):

“The SF330, Part I shall not exceed 120 pages, single-sided 8.5x11 inch pages. The page limit does not include the following… o Key Personnel Resume Supplemental Information (Attachment

(B))….”

10 The synopsis states that inquiries forwarded via email within 14 calendar days of the closing date may not be answered by the Government. Given that DoD SAFE Drop-Off requests are valid for 14 days, will the Government allow offerors to request a drop-off after the inquiry deadline?

(General – SF330 Submission Requirements) The DoD SAFE Drop-Off request is not considered an inquiry pertaining to this announcement. A request to the Contract Specialist should be made as soon as possible so that they may coordinate the Drop-Off. i.e. The Government might send you the request one week prior to the closing date so that the request does not expire before the closing date, but still allows for sufficient time for you to submit your SF330.

Question Response Mod No.

11 Page 6, Criterion 1 - Specialized Experience, Submission Requirements: "...projects must be submitted for each JV partner, not to exceed a total of four (4) projects for each partner."

Question: If a project is submitted involving two JV partners (but not performed by the JV--e.g., a project where one JV partner served as the prime and the other JV partner served as a subcontractor), will NAVFAC confirm whether the project counts as a project for each of the partners?

(Criterion 1) Assuming the project meets the required elements (i.e.

“Relevant Project” and “Specified Design/Engineering Services”), the project can count as a project for each of the JV partners.

Note: The intent of requiring projects be submitted by a JV partner is so that all JV partners will demonstrate sufficient specialized experience individually and collectively, and not rely on just one JV partner’s projects to meet this criterion. The criterion (page 4 of 16) states:

“In order to be evaluated as having minimally met Criterion 1, firms must clearly demonstrate that they have sufficient waterfront design experience in “Relevant Projects” from any of the projects that the firm submits. Firms must clearly demonstrate experience in at least preparation of drawings/specifications (as a DBB DOR on an A-E Contract and/or as an A-E DOR for a D-B construction contract).”

12 Page 13, Criterion 8 - Commitment to Small Business: "submit three "final" or "most recent" Individual Subcontracting Reports (ISRs) for similar contracts of relative size" Question A: For Offerors submitting as JV, will NAVFAC confirm that submitting a total of three ISRs representing any combination of the JV partner ISRs will comply with this requirement?

Question B: Will NAVFAC confirm that since current ISRs for reporting period ending MAR 2025 have a contractor reporting deadline of 30 APR, the "most recent" ISRs would be those from reporting period ending OCT 2024

(Criterion 8)

A. The criterion does not specify any restrictions on how many ISRs each JV partner must submit.

B. An ISR for the reporting period ending 31 March 2025 is considered to be the most recent. Because of the timing of closing date of this announcement and ISR filing date, if the March 2025 ISR is not yet filed at the time of the SF330 submission, the ISR for the reporting period ending 30 September 2024 could also be considered as “most recent”.

Note: The intent of the ISRs is to demonstrate a firm’s recent history of their small business utilization on existing contracts that are similar in size to this intended contract.

13 Page 15, SF330 SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS: "If a firm is in a jurisdiction that does not require A-E firm registration, the firm must provide proof eligibility to practice (e.g., a summary explaining eligibility under the laws of that jurisdiction)."

Question: Will NAVFAC confirm that the summary explaining eligibility in jurisdictions that do not require A-E firm registration will not count toward the page count and may be provided in an appendix?

(General – SF330 Submission Requirements) Please refer to the response (part B) provided under Question #3.

Question Response Mod No.

14 Regarding Criterion 2 - Professional Qualifications (SF330, Part I, Sections E & G and Attachment (B)):

The synopsis states that "All Structural and Waterfront key personnel (including Principal-in-Charge, Project Structural Engineer and Project Waterfront Engineer) will be evaluated on their competence and experience in "Specified Design/Engineering Services" in "Relevant Projects"."

Will the Government consider a Licensed Professional Engineer or Registered Architect with substantial competence and experience in "Specified Design/Engineering Services" in "Relevant Projects," including substantial Navy waterfront experience, to serve in the role of the Principal-in-Charge, with a resume provided in Section E? For example, the previous solicitation allowed for the Principal-in-Charge to be a licensed Civil Engineer.

(Criterion 2) The Principal-in-Charge key person must be a “Structural Principal-in-Charge”. The Principal-in-Charge must be a licensed Structural Engineer, or a licensed Civil Engineer if a State does not issue licenses in Structural Engineering.

15 Regarding Criterion 2 - Professional Qualifications, will the Government consider supplementary information provided in Section H, or will the Government only consider Sections E & G and Attachment (B)?

(Criterion 2) The criterion requires firms to “Submit information using SF330, Part I, Section E and Attachment (B) Key Personnel Resume Supplemental Information” or submit other information as specified in the criterion, such as licensing information.

16 The synopsis states that "For this acquisition, the Government is seeking a Prime A-E firm or Prime JV whose primary discipline shall be in waterfront/structural engineering within the Prime."

This requirement severely limits the competition to a small number of firms while excluding many highly qualified firms.

Would the Government consider opening this procurement to firms that have significant waterfront design experience and dedicated waterfront personnel in addition to their other areas of practice?

(General) The intent of this statement is to have a Prime A-E firm or Prime JV to have these waterfront/structural disciplines within their firm and not their sub-consultants. Because the contractual agreement is between the Government and a Prime, subcontractors are generally not direct parties in a government contract.

(Criterion 2) Waterfront/structural key personnel must meet the minimum requirements for design experience as specified in Criterion 2.

Question Response Mod No.

17 Page 6, Criterion 1 - Specialized Experience, Submission Requirements: "a task order on an IDIQ contract is considered a project" Question: Will NAVFAC accept projects involving multiple phases of the same project (i.e., PDA, Design, PCAS) awarded across different task orders as a single project?

(Criterion 1) Yes, in the event that a single project’s design was executed over multiple task orders, those multiple task orders may still be considered a single project. Please identify the Basic contract and task order numbers in the Part I Section F form for that project.

Language for Submission Requirements under Criterion 1 (originally page 6 of 16) has been revised to include the following red text:

“Projects submitted on the SF330, Part I, Section F and Attachment (A) shall be completed or substantially completed projects…. Instead, list relevant task orders or stand-alone contract awards that fit within the definition above. If a single project is executed over multiple task orders, provide all contract and task order numbers in the Part I, Section F form for that project. The Government will not evaluate information provided for an IDIQ contract….”

The synopsis has been revised. See Synopsis Modification No. 3.

18 Regarding Criterion 2 - Professional Qualifications, specifically regarding the requirement that "All key personnel must be licensed in their specific discipline":

Please confirm the "Waterfront Engineers" may be licensed engineers in any discipline, since waterfront engineering licensure is not known to exist in any state.

(Criterion 2) The Waterfront Engineer should be licensed in Structural or Civil engineering.

19 Criterion 2 - Professional Qualifications states that "All key personnel must be licensed in their specific discipline, with the exception of Structural Engineer, which can be a licensed Civil Engineer if a State does not issue licenses in Structural engineering."

In several states, such as California, the SE or structural license is only required for specific structures, such as hospitals, healthcare facilities, schools, high-rise and essential service buildings. Many qualified and experienced marine structural engineers working on projects at Navy waterfront facilities and/or shipyards hold civil engineering licenses in states throughout the US. Since this contract is primarily for waterfront/marine structures, will NAVFAC please confirm that a licensed civil professional engineer who's experienced in the design of waterfront structures at Navy waterfront facilities and/or shipyards will meet the licensing requirements of the Structural Engineer role for this contract?

(Criterion 2) Please refer to the response provided under Question #3. 3