NCPC_Penn Ave RFP 2_QA_24_01_17_v1 (003).pdf

A New Pennsylvania Avenue Plan RFP 2

Questions, NCPC Responses, and FAQ Part 1*

Last Updated: Wednesday, January 17

*In addition to this document, a second part with additional questions and responses will be posted the week of January 22

SAM.gov and Solicitation Schedule/Timeline Information

We are interested in participating in this 2nd RFP and would like to procure the RFP documents. Can you please attach the specifications?

All RFP information – the RFP solicitation, Fee Worksheet, Experience Questionnaire, and FAQ

– is available for download on SAM.gov. The RFP includes a list of resources with weblinks to available technical studies and other relevant information.

Is the Pre-Bid Meeting Presentation available?

No. All the material is in the RFP, any questions raised at the meeting are included in this Questions and FAQ document.

Is a list of the Pre-Bid Meeting attendees available?

Meeting attendance is posted to SAM.gov.

Please confirm the anticipated project durations for Phase 2. For example, on page 10, Phase 2a is listed as 12 months for estimated duration; however, on page 15, it is listed as kick-off + 6 months. On page 10, Phase 2b is listed as 12-15 months for estimated duration; however, on page 15, it is listed as about 12 months.

What updates were made in the revised RFP (version 24_01_17)

The period of performance for Phase 2a should be kick-off + 12 months. The period of performance for Phase 2b should be 12-15 months.

The timeline on page 15 of the RFP has been updated to match the period of performance duration estimates on page 10.

Will there be an opportunity to submit additional questions after the January 10 deadline?

No, however the Offeror shall exercise due diligence to discover and to bring to the attention of the NCPC Contracting Officer any ambiguities, discrepancies, inconsistencies, or conflicts in or between any portion of this Scope of Work before submitting their Technical and Fee Proposals.

Is this Q&A and FAQ document considered an addendum?

No, it is for informational purposes only and not considered part of or an addendum to the

RFP.

How would a US government shutdown affect the submission deadline for RFP 2?

Regardless of the federal government’s operating status, the submission deadline is Friday, March 1, 2024 at 12:00 PM Eastern Time, as stated in the RFP.

Proposals shall be submitted via email to Bizops@ncpc.gov. Late submissions will not be considered. Please refer to the RFP for submission requirements.

The SAM.gov website will remain operational during a shutdown. The RFP solicitation, Fee Worksheet, Experience Questionnaire, and FAQ will be available for download. A US Government shutdown may impact the timeline for award. Applicants should check the site periodically for any updates.

Will the Implementation Program (IP) Consultant Team be on board before March 1?

Please clarify the decision-making schedule for RFP 1 – will the consultant be selected before 3/1, the due date for RFP 2?

We anticipate awarding the contract for RFP 1 (IP – Implementation Program) in February 2024. The IP consultant team may be on board before March 1, but this timeline is dependent on the negotiation and contracting process.

Proposal Submission Requirements

Is there a name and/or address we may include in the salutation of our cover letter?

Proposals can be addressed to:

Ms. Tamara Lewis National Capital Planning Commission 401 9th Street NW, Suite 500 Washington DC, 20004 https://usncpc.sharepoint.com/sites/PPD/Shared%20Documents/PROJECTS/Penn%20Ave%20Plan/Contracting/Evaluation_MP/Bizops@ncpc.gov

Is the file size limit for each attachment or for both attachments?

The file size limit of 15 MB includes both attachments (Technical and Fee Proposal).

Is there a page size requirement for the technical proposal submission?

Please use a standard letter size page (8.5” x 11”), proposals may be formatted either portrait or landscape orientation.

Regarding the technical requirements outlined on page 66, could you provide further clarification on the restrictions for the resume submissions? The RFP specifies limitations as "1 for Consultant Prime/Team Lead" and "1 for each Lead and 1 for each Support in each area of expertise listed above." Does this mean we are restricted to a maximum of 2 resumes per team discipline?

Please clarify the number of resumes that may be submitted for the prime and each subconsultant. The instructions note one for prime and two for each area of expertise. We would like to include at least three as the prime consultant (co-leads and support). Is this acceptable?

There are no restrictions on the number of resumes submitted. Resumes should highlight relevant experience; we don’t need a full resume. Resume should be one page or less per person. Multiple resumes per page are allowed.

Please confirm that the experience questionnaire does not count towards the page limit for the submission?

The Experience Questionnaire is a fillable PDF provided on SAM.gov that must be attached at the end of the proposal. The Experience Questionnaire does not count towards the page limit.

Is there an identified budget, and can it be shared?

Please clarify any budget ranges that can be provided, though we understand the budget was not disclosed during the Pre-Proposal Call. We would like to offer comparable scale of project and budget, per your questionnaire which is part of the evaluation of the RFP response.

The Offeror’s Fee Proposal will be evaluated against the Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE), and general comparison with other proposals submitted. The IGCE is not public and will not be shared. Bids should be proposed at a fair market rate estimate.

Most relevant to the Experience Questionnaire evaluation are scope, scale, and urban context; however, we are requesting budget information for these projects.

Qualifications

Are there any CBE, DBE or SBE requirements?

Does the Commission specify a set-aside component in the proposal for small, local, and women/minority-owned businesses, either as defined by the District of Columbia or other authority?

There are no DBE or SBE set asides or requirements.

On Page 65, the consultant team lead mentions “Landscape Architecture (licensed)”. Does the Landscape Architect project manager need to be licensed in the District?

Does the prime consultant firm need to be licensed in DC? Do individuals on the prime consultant team need to be licensed in DC?

The Design Lead needs to be a licensed Landscape Architect. Licensure in the District of Columbia is not required.

There is no licensure requirement for other team members.

For NHPA / Section 106, all historic preservation work performed on its behalf shall be accomplished by, or under the direct supervision of a person or persons who meet(s) or exceed(s) the pertinent qualifications cited in the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards.

The RFP describes the Consultant Team Lead as, “Landscape Architecture (licensed)/Urban Design).” Can you please clarify whether the team lead needs to be a licensed landscape architect? Since this project encompasses so much more than typical streetscape design (large range of complex issues, community engagement, post-pandemic strategy, etc.) would you consider a team led by an urban design firm?

Please confirm that the Prime Consultant should be a landscape architect as opposed to an urban design or architecture firm.

Is the NCPC open to Phase 2 being led by an urban planning firm or is a landscape architecture firm preferable as prime?

With LA/UD listed as the prime – does it need to be one entity with both, or can either a landscape architect or UD be prime?

The Public Space Master Plan is a public realm plan. NCPC and the Partners want the Prime to be a talented Landscape Architecture or Interdisciplinary firm with a Design Lead that is a licensed Landscape Architect well versed in urban design. Licensure in the District of Columbia is not required.

Is it possible for consultants on the MP Team to be on the IP Team, either as prime or as subconsultants?

Nothing prohibits it; however, the RFPs are separate and call for a distinct team of subject matter experts. We want the expertise and efforts for both the Implementation Program and Public Space Master Plan/Concept Design consultant teams to be complementary and not duplicative. We’re looking for lean and efficient teams of SMEs that will execute the required deliverables for each RFP and teams that can collaborate, coordinate, and work well together.

Are teams limited to the disciplines listed within the fee worksheet? Are all of the listed disciplines expected to be filled?

No, Offerors are welcome to propose additional subject matter experts representing different disciplines. If listed disciplines are not filled, please note the reason in the Fee Proposal Summary assumptions and in the Technical Proposal.

Will the winner of this bid be precluded from Phase 3?

Please confirm that any firms selected for RFP 1 and RFP 2 will not be precluded from RFP 3 (Final Design)

At this point, Teams involved with Phase 1 – Implementation Program and Phase 2 – Public Space Master Plan efforts will not be precluded from submitting proposals for Phase 3 – Final Design RFP’s. However, NCPC will likely not be soliciting and procuring services for Phase 3, it will be up to the new stewardship entity managing the solicitation and procurement to define eligibility and qualifications.

Project Organizational Chart

NEW PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE PLAN

Existing Conditions Information

What are the existing topographic surveys / utility surveys / information on current plans for rehabilitation of any such infrastructure, and would this be made available to the proposing team during the procurement phase (before 3/1?)

Is a site survey available or will it be required?

Does the existing base information include a site survey, utility survey, and tree survey? We assume there is no surveying or geotechnical scope required within these tasks.

Is there an existing 3d massing model of context available for the team to use?

All technical information will be provided to the selected team after award. The technical information includes:

• 2D Existing conditions CAD

• 3D Sketchup Model

• 2023 Utility Survey (SUE Quality Level C Topographic and Utility Survey), including all roadways and areas from building face to building face and sidewalks, plazas, and open spaces. All surface features located such as; curb and gutter, pavement, sidewalks, stairs and steps, trees, planting areas, street and site furniture, signs, street and site lighting, building floor elevations at doorways, crosswalks and roadway stripping, and traffic signals.

No additional surveying or geotechnical work is required for phase 2a or 2b. Additional surveying will be required for Phase 3 – Final Design.

Offerors are encouraged to refer to the District of Columbia Open Data site for current GIS information. https://opendata.dc.gov/; and the 2017 NCPC Urban Design Analysis (link in resources section) for comprehensive existing conditions information.

Have the 3 concepts for Penn Ave been analyzed in terms of traffic impacts? Are they all feasible options? Have they all been vetted and approved by DOT and any other relevant stakeholders?

The three vision concepts were based on a robust transportation study completed in 2018 (link available in the resources list). DDOT, WMATA, HSEMA, DOEE, and other stakeholders reviewed and provided input in early stages of concept development, but the vision concepts have not been fully analyzed.

The RFP refers to a cost estimate provided by FHWA as a basis. What level of cost estimate will be provided?

FHWA is providing an initial high-level estimate for the three early vision concepts. The estimates will be based on broad level assumptions about infrastructure and materials. We expect this to provide the framework for refining the estimates based on the concept design studies.

https://opendata.dc.gov/

Studies and Data Collection and Analysis

Phase 2B mentions as deliverables both a "Multimodal Transportation Plan" and a "Transportation Management Plan." Can you confirm if these are two different, distinct plans?

These deliverables are the same.

On what scale should the environmental noise testing be conducted?

• For example, should we do a separate survey at each of the existing parks in the zone of study? This would involve noise tests at minimum the 6 locations highlighted on pdf page 8 of the Master Plan document in the RFP, and likely more.

• Alternatively, should we select 3 to 4 monitoring stations spread throughout the area to conduct noise monitoring?

• Alternatively, is there a standard noise monitoring methodology developed by the city that we should adhere to?

• How long should we monitor noise for? Short-term spot measurements? 24 hours? One week?

• What are the potential project design implications that are affected by the noise studies? Put another way, what aspect of the future design is the team hoping the noise studies will inform?

• For example, is the team open to using noise barriers for traffic noise reduction if the noise studies indicate a high traffic noise impact to a given area?

• What other sound-related design and programming concepts is the team considering?

Noise-producing art elements? Running water/fountain elements? Accommodation for stage construction with live and amplified music?

Noise considerations will need to be evaluated in relation to implementation of the New Pennsylvania Avenue Plan, including use of public spaces, Avenue event programming, traffic, and other considerations. Specific noise assessment criteria will be defined during the scoping process in phase 2b.

Is Legion or other crowd control modeling required within this scope of work?

Crowd and traffic control assessment will be important.