RFI_ _Response_NIHOF2011367_11-21-2011.pdf

Market Tier 2

Number Question Answer

1 Are there incumbents for Market Tier 2 for this procurement, and if so, who are they? No, this is a new requirement.

2 Is there a general contractor bidders list available? No, there is no list available.

3 Will there be a pre-proposal meeting? If yes, what are the location and time?

Market Tier 2 and 3 will have a combined pre-proposal conference at 9:30 AM on Thursday November 10, 2011 in the Building 10 Lipsett Auditorium located on the Bethesda, Maryland NIH Campus

Will the winning general contractors be responsible for hiring the construction materials testing/inspection services?

The winning General Contractor (GC) may be required to provide commissioning services, however, the GC will not be responsible for commissioning their own construction work.

5 Is there a prebid meeting scheduled for this solicitation?

Market Tier 2 and 3 will have a combined pre-proposal conference at 9:30 AM on Thursday November 10, 2011 in the Building 10 Lipsett Auditorium located on the Bethesda, Maryland NIH Campus

6 When/where is the Pre-proposal conference schedule?

Market Tier 2 and 3 will have a combined pre-proposal conference on Thursday November 10, 2011. The time and place are to be determined.

7 If GC is a small business bidding under Market Tier 2, does the A/E have to be a small business also?

For 8(a) and small businesses, as long as the Concern performs 15% of the work, the A/E could be a large business.

Bonding (See Page 90), Small Business Set-Aside:

Bond requirement for Market Tier 2 is requesting single bonding capacity of not less than 10 million and an aggregate with bonding capacity of not less than 20 million; since Market Tier 2 is limited to $3.5 – 10 million. Please clarified?

The aggregate bonding amount remains $20 million. The Contractors must show that they have the ability to bond for more than one task order at a time as there are times when multiple requirements are issued at the same time to an individual MAC awardee.

2nd Paragraph; “Offerors whose team, (Contractor and Contractor's A/E(s)), collectively demonstrates experience in all types of spaces, as defined in Section C.1.3 - Task Orders, shall be rated more favorably.” Where might offeror locate Section C.1.3 – Task Orders?

The types of spaces are located under Article C.4.b.

Once awarded a contract, will 8(a) and Small Business awardees be able to pursue task orders from the “large” pool ($10m - $25M) or will they be restricted to the task order ranges within their respective Market Tier?

Awardees will be restricted to submitting proposals against Task Order Request for Proposals (RFP) submitted to their market tier. The Contracting Officer may submit a RFP to a Market Tier that is outside of the established Market Tier dollar ranges.

Can a business submit on more than one Market Tier (e.g., Submit for Market Tier 1 and then Market Tier 2)?

A company may submit a proposal in different market tiers.

12 If yes, will they be eligible for award in both market tiers?

Yes the company would be eligible for award in both market tiers provided that they can meet the mandatory requirements established in for each proposal submitted.

Due to the late date (yet to be set) of the Pre- Proposal Conference; would the government consider an extension in the Due date of the Market Tier 1 submissions?

No the Market Tier 1, 2 & 3 proposal due dates will not be extended. The pre-proposal conference is to review the proposal requirements that are already established in the solicitation attachment. The information has already been provided.

Since this is a multi-tier project, can we as an 8A go as prime for the 8A set aside Tier 3 and small business Tier 2 but also a sub on other large teams for Tier 2 and Tier 1 levels?

Offerors may qualify for more than one tier of this multiple award contract. (An 8(a) and Small Business Concern may qualify for the next market tier provided that the offeror meets the all mandatory and technical qualifications.) Offerors may not be awarded more than one contract in the same Market Tier.

Our company repairs, restores and patches terrazzo flooring.

1. Is there a need for this expertise? 1. There may be a need for that expertise.

2. If yes, do you know how much crack repair or patching is needed?

2. Work requirements are determined on a task by task basis. There is no way to estimate the amount of specific work required for one expertise.

On p. 96 of the solicitation, Subfactor B.2 states that the Offeror shall submit no more than three A/E firms who may be utilized as the design agent for task orders.

Many Architectural firms who handle projects of the size for Tier 2 and 3 do not handle all disciplines of engineering in-house, and thus, utilize engineering consultants (such as MEP, structural, civil, etc) to form their complete "A/E firm" team.

The proposal states to submit no more than three "A/E firms". Can we submit each "A/E firm" as the Architect along with any of the Architect's Engineering subconsultants, if they do not do perform all disciplines in-house? If not, we may be limited to only submitting those firms who have all disciplines in-house.

It is up to the Offeror to determine the best suited "Contractor's A/E", an architectural design or engineering firm, to be the first-tier subcontractor for design/build services to be evaluated under this solicitation. For the solicitation, the Government will only evaluate the first-tier architectural or engineering firm(s).

The intent is that each task order will identify the specific requirements of the A/E design team. The Prime Contractor with the first tier subcontractor (Contractor's A/E) will select the best suited design team to meet the requirements of the task order. At this time the Contractor's A/E can submit the subconsultants.

Therefore, the Offeror may submit an Architecture firm, a MEP firm, a full-service design firm or any variation as his "Contractor's A/E". The limit is three proposed A/E firms.

On p. 96 of the solicitation, Subfactor B.1 e) states that the Offeror shall state the address and proximity to the work( (i.e. a 70 mile driving distance to NIH Campus, Bethesda, MD)

Is the 70 mile distance a requirement, or only an example? If it is a requirement, can the contractor arrange a satellite office to be set up within the required distance once they have been selected for the MATOC?

The 70-mile distance is an example for responding to the criteria.

. . . my firm has not previously sought an IDIQ type award but has done numerous Design-build projects for various Federal Agencies (VA. DOD, COE) where might we find the proper guide to submitting for your IDIQ opportunities?

The is no guide to submitting for IDIQ opportunities. Submit your proposal in accordance with Section L - Instructions to Offerors. Each Government solicitation is unique in its requirements.

19 Have the dates & locations of the Pre-Proposal conferences been set?

As stated in Section L, the Market Tiers 2 and 3 pre-proposal conference will be held on Thursday November 10, 2011 from 9:30 - 11:30 AM in the Lipsett Auditorium (Building 10, NIH Bethesda Campus, Bethesda, MD).

Reference G.3 Multiple Award Task Order Procedures: Given that selected awardees have demonstrated corporate experience, as verified through past performance references, will the evaluation of Task Orders focus solely on the approach and associated costs to performing the requested work?

Task Orders will be evaluated on both technical and cost criteria. For any multiple award contract on NIH campus, you must submit a technical and business proposal.

The technical proposal has no price information included and that's the only proposal the Project Officer sees when performing the evaluation and making a recommendation for who gets the award. It is definitely not always a lowest cost basis; it depends on the complexity of the requirement. And, the Government does reserve the right to award based on lowest price.

Reference C) Phase 1-Factor B-Offeror’s Corporate Experience, 1. Subfactor B.2: Would the Government please confirm that the expressed page limit of (3) pages applies to a single corporate experience reference?

The Government is requesting up to four (4) Similar Projects to demonstrate the Contractor's Corporate Experience and no more than three (3) projects for the Contractor's A/E experience.

Each Similar Project shall be submitted using the Similar Project Template.

The template allows for three (3) pages per single project.

What amount of time will be given to the contractors deemed Phase I most technically qualified to provide the Phase II information?

Ultimately the review of Phase I is dependent upon the number of proposals submitted to the NIH; it is anticipated that NIH will require at least 4 weeks to review Phase I. Upon notification, Phase II Offerors will be given a minimum of 30 days to submit their Phase II proposal.

Is Section K – Representations, Certifications, and Other Statements of Offerors to be included as part of the Phase I proposal or as part of the Phase II business proposal

Section K – Representations, Certifications, and Other Statements are to be included in the Phase II Cost Proposal. Do not submit under Phase I susbmission.

In section L, page 94 of the revised solicitation dated 10/14/2011, c) Phase I- Factor B, Sub Factor B.1. We are requested to submit up to 4 completed projects.

We have several projects that are relevant and within the dollar range, but are awaiting close out.

Would we be able to submit projects that are considered to be substantially complete?

The Offeror, i.e the Contractor, may submit on-going construction projects; however, on-going projects may effect the evaluation of the projects. Additionally, it is acceptable to submit similar projects for the Contractors A/E that are design/build projects that are 100% DESIGN complete and not necessarily construction complete.

We did not see the requirement to submit a 1442 and representations and certifications for the Phase I proposal. Should we submit these items within the phase I proposal in order to acknowledge any amendments and provide adequate proof of small/ large/SDVOSB business status?

The Phase I cover page shall contain business status information. As instructed under Section L - Authorized Official Submission of Proposal, the cover page shall contain identification of Market-Tier (Full & Open, Small or 8(a) Business Concern).

SF 1442 and Section K – Representations, Certifications, and Other Statements are to be included in the Phase II Cost Proposal. Do not submit under Phase I susbmission.

Market Tier 3

Number Question Answer

1 Are there incumbents for Market Tier 3 for this procurement, and if so, who are they? No, this is a new requirement.

Since this is a multi-tier project, can we as an 8A go as prime for the 8A set aside Tier 3 and small business Tier 2 but also a sub on other large teams for Tier 2 and Tier 1 levels?

Offerors may qualify for more than one tier of this multiple award contract. (An 8(a) and Small Business Concern may qualify for the next market tier provided that the offeror meets the all mandatory and technical qualifications.) Offerors may not be awarded more than one contract in the same Market Tier.

3 Does this solicitation nullify Solicitation NIHOF2011354 8(a) set-aside, due 31 October? Solicitation number NIHOF2011367 and NIHOF2011354 are not related.

4 NIHOF2011354 lists a pre-proposal conference for 14 October. Is this still taking place?

Solicitation number NIHOF2011354 is unrelated. I am unaware of the schedule related to that solicitation.

5 How do we obtain drawings and specs for laboratory furniture and equipment?

There are no specific spaces associated with this requirement, I am not sure what drawings, specs, furniture or equipment you are referring to.

I see that we are allowed to submit no more than two attendees per company (page 86). Should we interpret that to mean that we may have two attendees representing our entire team, or may we have two representatives per each individual company?

You may have two representatives per individual company.

7 My question is when will there be a walk through for the Market Tier 3 phase? No walkthroughs will take place under this solicitation.

On Page 97, the RFP states: “The Offeror shall submit one Design/Build delivery Similar Project for each contractor’s A/E.” Can the contractors submit more than one similar project by an A/E firm provided that one of the A/E’s similar projects is design-build? Or, is NIH evaluating only one project per A/E?

NIH is evaluating only one project per A/E. The Offeror may submit up to three (3) A/Es. If the Offeror submits less than three (3) A/Es for the Phase I proposal, the Offeror may submit multiple projects for the proposed A/E(s), as long as the total number of projects submitted does not exceed three (3).

With respect to the pre-proposal conference on November 10, I see that we are allowed to submit no more than two attendees per company (page 86). Should we interpret that to mean that we may have two attendees representing our entire team, or may we have two representatives per each individual company?

You may have two representatives per individual company.

On p. 96 of the solicitation, Subfactor B.2 states that the Offeror shall submit no more than three A/E firms who may be utilized as the design agent for task orders.

Many Architectural firms who handle projects of the size for Tier 2 and 3 do not handle all disciplines of engineering in-house, and thus, utilize engineering consultants (such as MEP, structural, civil, etc) to form their complete "A/E firm" team.

The proposal states to submit no more than three "A/E firms". Can we submit each "A/E firm" as the Architect along with any of the Architect's Engineering subconsultants, if they do not do perform all disciplines in-house? If not, we may be limited to only submitting those firms who have all disciplines in-house.

It is up to the Offeror to determine the best suited "Contractor's A/E", an architectural design or engineering firm, to be the first-tier subcontractor for design/build services to be evaluated under this solicitation. For the solicitation, the Government will only evaluate the first-tier architectural or engineering firm(s).

The intent is that each task order will identify the specific requirements of the A/E design team. The Prime Contractor with the first tier subcontractor (Contractor's A/E) will select the best suited design team to meet the requirements of the task order. At this time the Contractor's A/E can submit the subconsultants.

Therefore, the Offeror may submit an Architecture firm, a MEP firm, a full-service design firm or any variation as his "Contractor's A/E". The limit is three proposed A/E firms.

On p. 96 of the solicitation, Subfactor B.1 e) states that the Offeror shall state the address and proximity to the work( (i.e. a 70 mile driving distance to NIH Campus, Bethesda, MD)

Is the 70 mile distance a requirement, or only an example? If it is a requirement, can the contractor arrange a satellite office to be set up within the required distance once they have been selected for the MATOC?

The 70-mile distance is an example for responding to the criteria.

. . . my firm has not previously sought an IDIQ type award but has done numerous Design-build projects for various Federal Agencies (VA. DOD, COE) where might we find the proper guide to submitting for your IDIQ opportunities?

The is no guide to submitting for IDIQ opportunities. Submit your proposal in accordance with Section L - Instructions to Offerors. Each Government solicitation is unique in its requirements.

13 Have the dates & locations of the Pre-Proposal conferences been set?

Market Tier 2 and 3 will have a combined pre-proposal conference at 9:30 AM on Thursday November 10, 2011 in the Building 10 Lipsett Auditorium located on the Bethesda, Maryland NIH Campus

During the Pre-Proposal Conference held October 27, 2011, NIH identified the number and total value of the awards for 2011, associated with the existing Contract. In order to get a better flavor for the nature of the typical projects, please provide the name and a brief description of the awarded projects from 2011.

In calendar year 2010 and thus far in calendar year 2011, there have been seven (7) task order awards over $10 million made to large business totaling $122,088,703.56.

There have been additional awards under the current Large Business contracts for the range of services described in this scope of work (including demolition, design/build, alteration and repair services).

On a typical project RFP under this NIH Contract, how is the project defined to the Contractors for pricing the Design-Build effort, such as a written Scope of Work or Bridging Documents?

Each task order will be fully defined in the statement of work; bridging documents will be part of the statement of work.

In SUBFACTOR A.1, paragraph a) it states, “Only Part I of the questionnaire shall be submitted in the Offeror’s Phase I Proposal.” In paragraph b) it states that both Part I and Part II of the questionnaire will be returned from the customer directly to the Government. We request one confirmation and one question concerning this item. Please confirm that we are to include Part I of the questionnaire in the Phase I Proposal. Does the Part I of the questionnaire count in the total proposal page count? If so, we request the page limit be expanded to accommodate the anticipated 14 pages for the Part I Questionnaires (4 contractor PPQs plus 3 A/E PPQs time two pages each).

The total page count for Phase I submissions remains at 75 pages; however, all Part I Past Performance Questionnaires WILL NOT be included in the page count. (The Part I Questionnaire is still required to be submitted as part of your proposal).

When will there be a walk through for the Market Tier 3 phase? There will be no walk through for this solicitation.

Reference Phase I, Technical Proposal Instructions, Factor A – Offeror’s Past Performance Information: If the offeror is part of a team formed per the FAR Subpart 9.6—Contractor Team Arrangements, where both members of the team are General Contractors, is it permissible to use both contractor’s past performance experience?

Please refer to SECTION M - 4. PHASE I & PHASE II EVALUATION FACTORS (page 107)

PHASE I EVALUATION FACTORS

The Government will not consider predecessor companies or the experience of proposed subcontractors for the evaluation of Factors A and B. The factors will be evaluated based upon the written response by the Offeror (Prime Contractor or Joint Venture's combined experience). With the exception of the Contractor's A/E, no subcontractor's experience will be considered at this time.

The Offeror shall submit up to four (4) similar projects for demonstrating Corporate Experience. Past Performance information (questionnaires) shall be submitted for each of the four (4) Similar Projects submitted under Phase 1 Factor B – Offeror’s Corporate Experience, Sub-Factor B.1 – Contractor, Item 1 – Experience in Similar Projects.

Is there an advantage perception the joint venture between an 8a – Minority Own – Alaska owned companies teaming together?

All Phase I submissions shall be evaluated equally with no perceived advantages.

20 Are there a pre established number of companies that will be allowed to submit Phase II proposals?

The total number of firms invited to proceed to Phase II is dependent upon the total number of firms deemed most technically qualified under Phase I. The Contracting Officer may limit the number of proposals proceeding to Phase II to the greatest number that will permit an efficient competition among the most highly technically qualified firms. Therefore, the Offeror's initial Phase I proposal should contain the Offeror's best qualifications from a technical standpoint. It is anticipated that the number of firms proceeding to Phase II will effect an efficient competition.

21 Is there an Experience Modification Rating (EMR) requirement?

Please refer to SECTION L - Instructions to Offerors, Phase II Proposal Instructions for FACTOR E: Offeror’s Corporate Safety Plan, Item 3 - EMR.

If an 8(a) and Small business get awarded the (Mini Mac) – NIHOF2011354, will it still be allowed to pursue the Multi-Tier (Tier 2 &3), Multiple Award Contract (MAC), Firm Fixed Price, Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ), Construction, Design-Build, Alterations & Repair Services Contract NIHOF2011367?

Contracts placed under the Multi-Tier (Tier 2 &3), Multiple Award Contract (MAC), Firm Fixed Price, Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ), Construction, Design-Build, Alterations & Repair Services Contract NIHOF2011367 will be evaluated in accordance with its specific technical qualifications and cost requirements and awarded independent of NIHOF2011354.

Please clarify the Market Tier 2 Phase I Proposal delivery date as Tuesday (December 13) or Wednesday (December 14). Page 89 of the Amended RFP indicates a delivery date of Tuesday, December 14, 2011.

Market Tier 2 Phase I Proposals shall be delivered no later than 2 PM EST on Wednesday, December 14, 2011 with the number of copies requested and properly separated and packaged to the address below.

If we have a Past Performance Questionnaire that is being submitted by our client to you for Market Tier 1 that we intend to use for Market Tier 2 or 3 do we have to ask our clients to resend the forms or will you keep them on file?

Past Performance Questionnaires (PPQs) (Parts I and II ) are to be completed for each submitted Similar Project. If the Offeror submits on more than one Market Tier and submits the same Similar Projects for each Tier, he/she is still required a have a PPQ completed by a reference. It is recommended that your reference indicate in his return email / fax to the Contracting Officer that the PPQ is to be used for assessing Past Performance on all Tier 1, 2, and/or 3 submissions for the same Similar Projects from the Offeror. It is the Offeror's responsibility to ensure that a PPQ is returned for each similar project on each market tier for which he/she is submitting a proposal.

The government will match the returned Part I and Part II PPQs from references to the Part I PPQ submitted in the tabbed section in Phase I submissions.

Also, the RFP requests that we utilize Times New Roman with a font no smaller than 11 point.

However the Word forms provided for the Offeror’s Corporate Experience in Similar Projects are set as Arial Narrow 12 point. Do we need to change the font to Times New Roman?

Yes, change all fonts to Times New Roman.

Market Tier 2 & 3 Preproposal

Number Question Answer

The slide (in the Pre-Proposal conference PowerPoint presentation) for Small Business indicates an aggregate bonding of $25M. However, on page 92 of the solicitation the aggregate bonding is listed as $20M. Has there been an amendment to change this?

There is no amendment. For Market Tier 2 - Small Business Set-Aside, it remains that Offeror must have an aggregate bonding capacity of not less than $20 million ($20,000,000.00).

Regarding Subfactor B.2 Contractor's A/E: Are we suppose to submit a maximum of one (1) project per A/E? The solicitation says we should submit up to 3 A/Es. If we were to list one A/E, could we submit three projects for the one A/E?

Yes - if you had one (A/E) you can submit three different projects for that one A/E.

Multiple projects for one A/E is allowed if the Offeror is submitting less than three A/Es firms. Total number of projects may not exceed three.

The types of projects covered under this solicitation are quite broad; listing one project may not represent that A/E's ability to do all the categories of work, so is there a preference for what type of projects to list? Healthcare project vs. an Animal project?

By submitting three projects, the Offeror should be able to demonstrate a board representation of the types of projects required. In some cases, one A/E may specialize in healthcare, another in primarily mechanical type projects. Therefore, the three projects should help explain the abilities/experience of the whole team and be evaluated collectively.

Is there a number of contractors that has been established that will be allowed to bid on Phase II, or, is everyone that bid on Phase I be allowed to bid on Phase II?

The total number of firms invited to proceed to Phase II is dependent upon the total number of firms deemed most technically qualified under Phase I. The Contracting Officer may limit the number of proposals proceeding to Phase II to the greatest number that will permit an efficient competition among the most highly technically qualified firms. Therefore, the Offeror's initial Phase I proposal should contain the Offeror's best qualifications from a technical standpoint. It is anticipated that the number of firms proceeding to Phase II will effect an efficient competition.

5 Is there a particular rating requirement, minimum or maximum, for the EMR? Above / under 1?

The is no set minimum or maximum requirement. The Government will look at all EMRs to see where you are relative to industry.

Is there an anticipated preparation time between notice to proceed to Phase II and the delivery date of Phase II proposals? Has the Phase II delivery date been established?

The date has not been established. Once you have been notified to advance to Phase II, you will have approximately thirty (30) days to prepare for Phase II delivery.

(Revised Response)

For Market Tier 2, Relevant Experience for Contractor and Contractor's A/E, please confirm projects have to be between $3.5M and $10M.

Yes - projects are to be between $3.5M and $10M. Larger may be submitted for the tier you are in; smaller projects may not. Revised Response: Refer to RFI #21 for submitted projects outside of the requested cost range.

In reference to the A/E team - is it required that we personally have teamed with the A/E, or, does the A/E 's experience stand on its own? If they worked together, this is a plus?

The Offeror can choose to select an A/E that they have partnered with before and show project experience with, or, select an A/E with independent project experience. The Government will evaluate the matrix that demonstrates the working relationship of personnel with the projects submitted. Therefore, yes, a previous working relationship is a plus.

For Tier 3, does the Prime need to be the Contractor? We're an A/E firm that is also a Design/Builder and does construction.

One firm will be the Prime; it is up to the Offeror to indicate who that will be.

Bonding is important so the Prime must have the specified bonding capacity.

10 Can one person fulfill more than one role, i.e. a design manager be a LEED coordinator? Yes. If that is how you are setting up your team, then propose it that way.

11 For Tier 2 can the Safety Officer have a dual role on site, if he's qualified?

Yes. Note - Once you have 40 persons on site, you have to have a dedicated Safety Manager on site.

I believe that there is requirement that you have an office within so many miles of the NIH; is the purpose for this that you establish an office or headquarters close by? How does this work?

There is no requirement that you establish an office/headquarters close by. The 70-mile driving distance was used as an example for responding to the solicitation. The Government is looking at the proximity of the office you intend to utilize for this contract to the work at various NIH locations.

Restrictions on JVs and Mentor-Protégés were indicated in the solicitation: will there be any restriction to responding if you qualify for both Market Tier 2 and Market Tier 3? Will there be a breakdown of successful contractors if you respond to the second phase?

Yes, you can qualify for two different tiers. The only restriction is that if a business concern is contemplating a Joint Venture (JV), JV partners WILL NOT be eligible for individual Multi-tier MAC awards for the same Tier in addition to an award to the JV entity.

If submitting as a Joint Venture, does each partner of the JV have to fill out and submit the safety questionnaire?

Yes, each partner of the Joint Venture is required to complete the safety survey questionnaire on-line. The Government requires safety information from both firms.

15 Page Count Clarification The total page count for Phase I submissions remains at 75 pages; however, all Part I Past Performance Questionnaires WILL NOT be included in the page count. (The Part I Questionnaire is still required to be submitted as part of your proposal).

If the JV was recently formulated and approved by the SBA but the JV itself does not have its own financial statement or EMR, can the companies coming together submit their own financial statements and separate EMRs?

Yes, the companies must submit their separate, individual financial statement and

EMR.

17 How important is past experience at the NIH?

There is no requirement that your experience has to be at NIH nor will special treatment given to those firms who have experience at NIH. The Government is looking at the similar projects and rating them independently.

Is the same form used for the both Contractor and the Contractor A/E? Are there two number "3" ratings on the form?

Yes - The same questionnaire is to be used for both the Contractor and the Contractor's A/E.

Yes - there are two "3" ratings on the form. So as to not penalize a firm, the second #3 rating is used when the offeror has little/no relevant past performance upon which to base a meaningful performance prediction. If a firm has no past performance (i.e. BIM) or was not required to provide that service, there is no information upon which to score the offeror; therefore, it will not be held against you. The "3" rating, along with an explanation from your reviewer, gives "a middle of the road" rating indicating neither a favorable nor unfavorable rating.

Note: Please have your reviewer add comments. This is very helpful in the review.

Also, Past Performance is a way of predicating risk or a risk indicator. Comments are also very helpful in indicating whether there is little, high or no risk.

Comment: you basically have a best value procurement process where qualifications and price are part of your selection criteria. Then when you win the job we're basically into a cost only competition for future task orders. Would you consider some qualification based competition?

Our evaluation criteria is established on a task order basis. Some task orders may be awarded based on price and past performance; however, it is not always a lowest price evaluation basis. For any multiple award contract on NIH campus, you must submit a technical and business proposal. The technical proposal has no price information included and that's the only proposal the Project Officer sees when performing the evaluation and making a recommendation for who gets the award. It is definitely not always a lowest cost basis; it depends on the complexity of the requirement. And, the Government reserves the right to issue tasks based on lowest price. (Revised Response)

Re: Meeting Size Standard for Past Performance - Could you aggregate the A/E's proportional amount of the work with yours in order to meet the $3.5 to $10M size requirement on projects? Or, it is that each firm separately has to meet the size requirement? (i.e. the Contractor has $2.5M contract and the A/E has $1M contract - combined contracts meet $3.5M requirement)

Note: 1. The Offeror (Contractor) shall submit up to four (4) Similar Projects of which at least one project should be a Design/Build delivery. The project cost range requirement for the Contractor's (Prime) Similar Projects is $3,500,000 to $10,000,000 for small business concerns; $10,000 to $3,500,000 for 8(a) concerns.

2. The Offeror shall submit one Design/Build delivery Similar Project for each Contractor’s A/E.

For the Contractor's Design/Build Similar Projects, the award price is inclusive of both the A/E and Prime's work. Therefore, the A/E "proportional amount" cannot be considered - it is already included in the total award cost. The Design/Build award cost range is stated above.

For the Contractor's Design/Bid/Build projects, the Government is evaluating the Contractor's experience. Work performed by an A/E is not part of the contract amount and shall not be considered.

The Contractor's A/E's Similar Project must be a Design/Build project. Again, the total award price is inclusive of both the A/E and Prime's work. The Design/Build award cost range is stated above.

See RFI 21 answer below as well.

In the solicitation it indicates you can submit jobs of similar size, type and complexity. Can we assume that if we have a project for $3.45M, and it's a perfect reference for this, that NIH won’t automatically discount it because it doesn’t meet the $3.5M - it's of a similar size.

Section L of the solicitation defines similar projects by construction type, space types, age of projects and cost ranges (i.e. Small Business Concerns project cost range - $3,500,000 to $10,000,000; and 8(a) Concerns project cost range - $10,000 to $3,500,000).

The Government will consider projects outside the cost range. However, all Similar Projects will be evaluated to determine the degree of similarity; depending on the degree of similarity, projects outside (above or below) the cost range may receive no or reduced resultant scores.

22 Re: Joint Ventures. When submitting as a JV, which EMR does the Government use?

The Government will take both EMRs, (each JV partner's individual EMR), into consideration. The EMR is an indication of the effectiveness of the company's safety plan. Therefore, the Government wants to look at both companies. Furthermore, the Government will evaluate each JV partner's financial statements.

23 Paraphrased statement: Is a complete SF330 required for each Task Order proposal ? The question is outside the range of the IDIQ proposal submission requirements.

24 Is this funded? Funds have been obligated for the minimum guaranteed amounts for awardees.

Clarification on the Past Performance Questionnaires (PPQ) - We complete the first two pages (Part I) and then send it on to the reference?

The Reference then sends it to the Government?

1) Offeror will complete Part I of the PPQ.

2) Submit your completed Part I in the Past Performance tabbed section of your Phase I proposal.

3) Forward your completed Part I along with the un-completed Part II to your reference(s).

4) Your reference will review/validate the Part I (for completeness / correcting any erroneous information) and fill-out Part II.

5) The reference will then forward both Part I and Part II to the Contracting Officer.

6) NIH will match up the Part I submitted by the Offeror to what is received from each Reference. (Check and balance to make sure we receive all PPQs).

It is the Offeror's responsibility to make sure your references respond.

Military references have their own Past Performance forms. Is it acceptable to use the already completed military forms, or do they have to use NIH PPQ?

No, it is not acceptable; use the NIH PPQ form. The military forms may not match up one to one with the specific questions NIH is asking.