Phase 1-RFQ-693C73-22-R-000019.pdf

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

2022 Architect/Engineer Bridge Inspection and Engineering Services within the United States and Territories Multiple Award Contract

Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity Contracts Eastern Federal Lands Highway

Division

Solicitation Number 693C73-22-R-000019

This announcement is issued as the Request for Qualifications for Architect and Engineering (A/E) firms interested in being evaluated to receive an A/E contract. Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division (EFLHD) of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) anticipates awarding a maximum of six (6) individual IDIQ contracts, up to two (2) of which will be reserved for Small Business as set-asides. The remaining four (4) contracts will be open to all sources. Selected firms must comply with Equal Employment Opportunity requirements in accordance with FAR 22.8. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 541330 (Engineering Services).

Architect-Engineer selection procedures will be used in accordance with FAR 36.6.

Annual Representations and Certifications FAR 52.204-8 (most recent edition) must be filled-in online at sam.gov. The required VETS-4212 “Federal Contractor Veteran’s Employment Report” must also be filled-in online at http://www.dol.gov/vets/vets4212.htm per FAR 52.222-37 (Jun 2020).

The following is provided for minority, women, and disadvantaged business enterprises only:

The Department of Transportation (DOT), Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU), has a program to assist minority, women-owned, and disadvantaged business enterprises to acquire short-term working capital assistance for transportation-related contracts. Loans are available under the DOT Short Term Lending Program (STLP) at prime interest rates to provide accounts receivable financing. The maximum line of credit is $750,000. For further information and applicable forms concerning the STLP, please call the OSDBU at (800) 532-1169.

No solicitation package is available at this time. The successful firm or firms will be awarded an IDIQC based on data contained in their SF330s, past performance references and pertinent past performance information available from other sources and lastly, fair, and reasonable pricing in Phase II. Presentations by pre-selected firms may be conducted if determined necessary. Forms can be downloaded from https://www.gsa.gov/portal/forms/download/116486. After successful negotiations with the firm or firms to establish fair and reasonable pricing, individual IDIQ contracts (IDIQC) will be awarded. The proposed work will be for one base year and four one-year options. All task orders issued under the IDIQCs will be firm-fixed price. The individual task orders will be issued based upon the terms of the IDIQC and when task order needs are identified.

A/E firms or joint ventures (“firms”) meeting the requirements described in this announcement are invited to SUBMIT A COMPLETED SF 330. Firms responding should http://www.dol.gov/vets/vets4212.htm https://www.gsa.gov/portal/forms/download/116486 submit a single SF 330 and list their intended use of outside consultants or associates in Part I, Section C. Outside consultants can supplement a firm’s capabilities but shall not be used as a basis for the firm to meet Evaluation Factor 1 or 2. Discussion regarding the use of outside consultants may be used for Evaluation Factor 3 and 4.

The list of up to 5 projects or contracts/task orders included in Part I, Section F, of the SF 330 should demonstrate the competence of the firm. Section F may not exceed 20 pages single-sided, and the minimum acceptable text size in Section F is 12 font. The business size status should be indicated in Part II, block 5b of the SF 330. No other type of submittal is desired and will not be considered in the evaluation.

Interested firms having the capabilities for this work are invited to submit Part I of the SF 330 for the prime and/or joint venture firm, and Part II of the SF 330 for each member of the proposed team or subcontractors, by addressing a transmittal letter to the office shown. Joint Ventures must also submit a copy of the Joint Venture Agreement. The SF 330 should be completed per the instructions on the form and may be expanded, if necessary, to address the selection criteria fully.

Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) are due no later than 2:00 PM (EST) on August 11, 2022.

Please send an electronic version of the SOQ to EFLHD.AE@DOT.GOV .

The email subject line should reference 693C73-22-R-000019. All firms will be notified of the results approximately 120 days after the closing date.

This is NOT a request for proposal. The finalized Request for Proposal will be provided only be submitted to those firms that are sort-listed for Phase II.

SUBMIT QUESTIONS electronically to EFLHD.AE@dot.gov . Include the solicitation number, contract name in the subject and requesting firm and address, a point of contact and telephone number in the body of the email.

Submit all questions by close of business July 28, 2022, to guarantee a response.

Description of the Proposed Contract Services: The contract will be to provide bridge, tunnel, and culvert inspections, investigations, inspection reports and associated engineering services with Federal Land Management Agencies (FLMA) such as the National Park Service (NPS), U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and/or other federal, state, and local governmental agencies or other special-purpose governmental type units (such as municipal authorities) located primarily within the United States and Territories.

The work may include, but will not be limited to, providing Initial, Routine, In-depth, Damage, Special, Underwater, Fracture Critical, and/or other structure inspections as per the National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS), and safety inspections as per the National Tunnel Inspection Standards (NTIS); the preparation of inspection reports; load rating calculations; non-destructive evaluation (NDE) of structures; preparation of Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (PS&E) for repairs and improvements;

scour studies; and special studies that may require concrete core retrievals and testing, including mailto:EFLHD.AE@DOT.GOV mailto:EFLHD.AE@dot.gov petrographic analysis, chloride content tests, compressive strength tests, or other tests.

Maximum potential IDIQ amount: The maximum potential amount of all task orders issued against all contracts awarded shall not exceed a shared-ceiling value of $15,000,000.00.

Minimum guarantee: The minimum guarantee amount for the life of the contract will be $10,000.00.

Estimated Task Order Amounts: Task orders awarded as a result of A/E Services under the contracts may range in dollar value from $10,000.00-$3,000,000.00.

OFFERORS MUST HAVE A CURRENT (APPROVED) SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT

(SAM) REGISTRATION PRIOR TO SUBMITTING AN OFFER as prescribed in FAR 52.204-7 System for Award Management. https://sam.gov/SAM/

If your firm is a Small Business, ensure your firm is self-certified as a small business concern in SAM 52.219-1 under NAICS code 541330.

Basis for Award This is a competitive solicitation. The Government will evaluate the Statements of Qualifications based on the evaluation factors listed below and will make awards to the most qualified offerors based on this evaluation.

The relative importance of the evaluation factors are as follows:

Factor 1: Most important Factor 2: Second most important Factor 3: Third most important.

Factor 4: Fourth most important.

Evaluation Factors and submission details for this A/E acquisition are as follows:

Evaluation Factor 1 - Specialized Experience Specialized experience and technical competence of the firm in providing bridge, tunnel, and culvert inspections; inspection reports; investigations; and associated engineering services.

Complete one Section F per contract/task order, up to five (5) contract/task orders completed within the last seven (7) years. Contract/task orders outside the last seven (7) years will not be counted in the evaluation. Section F shall not exceed four (4) pages single-sided per contract/task order; minimum acceptable text size is 12-point, pages beyond the four (4)-page limit will not be reviewed.

A. Provide the following information in Section F of the SF330, BLOCK 24:

1) Contract Number:

2) Contract Scope:

3) Performed as prime: Yes or No

4) Total value of Bridge Inspection Services.

5) Total value of Bridge Inspection Support Services performed.

6) Services Provided: Initial, Routine, In-depth, Damage, Special, Underwater, Fracture Critical, and/or other structure inspections as per the National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS; safety inspections as per the National Tunnel Inspection Standards (NTIS); the preparation of inspection reports; load rating calculations; non-destructive evaluation (NDE) of structures; preparation of Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (PS&E) for repairs and improvements;

scour studies; and special studies that may have included concrete core retrievals and strength testing, half-cell tests, ground penetrating radar, impact echo tests, petrographic analysis, chloride content tests, compressive strength tests, or other tests.

7) Performed for: Federal, State, or County; or other.

8) Bridge Inspection/Bridge Inspection Support Services Period of Performance:

i. Start Date:

ii. Finish Date:

9) Contract Value.

B. Provide narrative responses in Section F of the SF330, BLOCK 24 addressing the following elements:

1) Describe any specialized access requirements or other complicating factors associated with the inspection services.

2) Describe any specialized equipment or vehicles used by field inspection personnel.

3) Describe the quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) plan followed on this contract/task order from submission of qualified personnel thru contract/task order completion.

Submit Evaluation Factor 1 information in Section F SF 330. Only information contained in Section F of the SF 330 will be used to evaluate Factor 1.

Color Rating Adjectival Rating

Factor 1 Description / Indicators

Blue Outstanding Provided at least five (5) example contracts/task orders, of which at least four indicated experiences in routine bridge, tunnel, and culvert inspections.

The following activities were included among the contracts/task orders, either alone or in combination: Initial, Routine, In-depth, Damage, Special, Underwater, or Fracture Critical inspections; load ratings; scour evaluations; and both non-destructive evaluations (NDE) of structures and special studies utilizing testing performed with in-house resources.

Example contracts/task orders included at least two (2) requiring specialized access, specialized equipment, or other complicating factors relative to bridges or categories of bridges and tunnels inspections.

Offeror showed evidence of completing work on a single contract/task order valued at greater than $500,000.00.

Offeror showed evidence of completing work on a single contract/task order that included 100 or more Routine inspections.

Offeror showed evidence of completing different types of bridges or categories of bridges and tunnels work working on multiple contract/task orders simultaneously.

Purple Good Provided at least four (4) example contracts/task orders, of which at least three indicated experiences in routine bridge, tunnel, and culvert inspections.

The following activities were included among the contracts/task orders, either alone or in combination: Initial, Routine, In-depth, Damage, Special, Underwater, or Fracture Critical inspections; load ratings; scour evaluations; and both non-destructive evaluations (NDE) of structures and special studies utilizing testing performed with in-house or consultant resources.

Example contracts/task orders included at least one (1) requiring specialized access, specialized equipment, or other complicating factors relative to bridges or categories of bridges and tunnels inspections.

Offeror showed evidence of completing work on a single contract/task order valued at greater than $200,000.00.

Offeror showed evidence of completing work on a single contract/task order that included 50 or more Routine inspections.

Green Acceptable Provided at least three (3) example contracts/task orders, of which at least two indicated experiences in routine bridge, tunnel, and culvert inspections.

Example contract/task orders included, either alone or in combination:

Initial, Routine, In-depth, Damage, Special, Underwater, Fracture Critical, load ratings, scour evaluations, and/or special studies.

Offeror showed evidence of completing work on a single contract or contract/task order valued at greater than $75,000.00

Offeror showed evidence of completing work on a single contract/task order that included 30 or more Routine inspections.

Yellow Marginal Provided at least two (2) example contracts/task orders, of which at least one indicated experience in routine bridge, tunnel, and culvert inspections.

Offeror showed evidence of completing work on a single contract or contract/task order valued at greater than $25,000.00

Red Unacceptable Provided at least one (1) example contract/task order, however example indicated no experience in routine bridge, tunnel, and culvert inspections.

Offeror showed evidence of completing work on a single contract or contract/task order valued at greater than $10,000.00

Evaluation Factor 2 - Professional Qualifications Identify professional qualifications of the offeror’s key personnel for the satisfactory performance of the following positions. Resumes submitted for key personnel of outside consultants will not be considered. Submit information in Section E of the SF330.

A. Professional Engineer (PE) qualified under NBIS and NTIS requirements.

B. Inspection Team Leader, C. Inspector.

D. Divers (qualified for underwater inspections);

E. CADD Technician.

Submit Evaluation Factor 2 information in Section E of the SF 330. Complete one Section E for each key personnel identified. Additional supporting documentation may be included for each key personnel identified and shall not exceed two (2) pages single-sided, minimum acceptable text size 12-point. Additional pages over the two (2) page limit will not be reviewed. Submit a minimum of three (3) Section E’s for key personnel A and B listed above and one (1) Section E for key personnel C, D and E (if applicable). Do not submit more than fifteen (15) Section E’s total for the five (5) key personnel positions listed above.

Color Rating Adjectival

Rating Factor 2 Description / Indicators

Blue Outstanding Present / past experience involved essentially the same complexity of effort this solicitation requires. Qualifications were provided for all positions.

A minimum of four (4) two-person inspection teams are available to staff multiple contract/task orders.

75% of the personnel identified have bridge and tunnel inspection and related inspection support experience and have performed this work for the firm for 5 or more years.

75% of inspection personnel are registered professional engineers.

Purple Good Present / past experience involved essentially the same complexity of effort this solicitation requires. Qualifications were provided for all positions.

A minimum of three (3) two-person inspection teams are available to staff multiple contract/task orders.

60% of the personnel identified have bridge and tunnel inspection and related inspection support experience and have performed this work for the firm for 5 or more years.

50% of inspection personnel are registered professional engineers.

Green Acceptable Present / past experience involved essentially the same complexity of effort this solicitation requires. Qualifications were provided for the majority of positions.

A minimum of two (2) two-person inspection teams are available to staff multiple contract/task orders.

50% of the personnel identified have bridge and tunnel inspection and related inspection support experience and have performed this work for the firm for 5 or more years.

40% of inspection personnel are registered professional engineers.

Yellow Marginal Present / past experience was not similar in complexity this solicitation requires OR qualifications were not provided for the majority of positions.

Numbers of personnel listed were adequate to staff a single contract/task order.

60% of personnel identified do not have relevant experience or have been with the firm for less than 5 years.

Red Unacceptable Present / past experience involved little or none of the size and complexity of effort and complexities this solicitation requires.

Numbers of personnel listed were not adequate to staff a single contract/task order.

75% of the personnel identified do not have relevant experience or have been with the firm for less than 5 years.

Evaluation Factor 3 – Capacity to Accomplish Work Provide a narrative which demonstrates the offeror’s overall capacity and capability to accomplish the required work in EFLHD’s geographic areas for the following items:

A. Ability to mobilize inspection teams within the United States and Territories, including to remote sites.

B. List number of teams available to do the types of services as listed in the Description of Contract Services.

C. List numbers of teams available to do the types of services as listed in this synopsis including subcontractors.

D. Specific strategy in efficiently managing subcontractors, cost, and schedule for inspections region-wide while maintaining control and responsibility for inspection services delivery.

Submit Evaluation Factor 3 information in Section H of the SF 330. Only information contained in Section H of the SF 330 will be used to evaluate Factor 3. Narrative submitted for Evaluation Factor 3 shall not exceed three (pages) single-sided, minimum acceptable text size 12-point

Color Rating Adjectival Rating

Factor 3 Description / Indicators

Blue Outstanding Narrative demonstrates any excellent prior working relationships in the completion of work.

Narrative demonstrates capability of completing the work.

AND

Narrative demonstrates prior experience completing multiple concurrent contract/task orders or that the firm possesses multiple inspection teams and resources are in sufficient quantity and quality to substantiate claims of multiple contract/task order capability.

Narrative is supported by past performance reviews and number and experience of personnel dedicated to contract.

Purple Good Narrative demonstrates capability of completing the work.

AND

Narrative demonstrates a valid strategy for obtaining additional resources to accomplish multiple concurrent contract/task orders.

Narrative is supported by past performance reviews and number and experience of personnel dedicated to contract.

Green Acceptable Narrative demonstrates capability of completing the work.

OR

Narrative demonstrates a valid strategy for obtaining additional resources to accomplish multiple concurrent contract/task orders.

Narrative is supported by past performance reviews and number and experience of personnel dedicated to contract.

Yellow Marginal Narrative demonstrates capability of completing the work.

OR

Narrative demonstrates a valid strategy for obtaining additional resources to accomplish multiple concurrent contract/task orders.

Narrative is partially supported by past performance reviews and number and experience of personnel dedicated to contract.

Red Unacceptable Narrative does not demonstrate capability of completing the work.

OR

Narrative does not demonstrate a valid strategy for obtaining additional resources to accomplish multiple concurrent contract/task orders.

OR

Narrative is not supported by personnel dedicated to contract and past performance reviews.

Evaluation Factor 4 – Past Performance Provide the interim or final rating/evaluation documents from up to seven (7) contract/task orders completed by the Offeror including the contract/task orders submitted under Factor 1.

The Government will also obtain Past Performance as available from a review of records in the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS). If the Offeror has no past performance history in CPARS and the Offeror does not provide any rating/evaluation documentation, the Offeror will be rated neutral (Marginal).

Provide interim or final past performance evaluations for the example contract/task orders in Section F of the SF330. In addition to the example contract/task orders, additional past performance evaluations may be provided as well.

Color Rating Adjectival Rating

Factor 4 Description / Indicators

Blue Outstanding Based on the offeror’s recent/relevant performance record, the Government has a high expectation that the offeror will successfully perform the required effort.

At least three (3) Exceptional or Outstanding ratings

No Marginal or below rating factors.

Purple Good Based on the offeror’s recent/relevant performance record, the Government has a reasonable expectation that the offeror will successfully perform the required effort.

At least two (2) Very good or better ratings.

No Marginal or below ratings.

Green Acceptable Based on the offeror’s recent/relevant performance record, the Government has a reasonable expectation that the offeror will successfully perform the required effort.

75% of ratings are Satisfactory or better.

Yellow Marginal Based on the offeror’s recent/relevant performance record, the Government has a low expectation that the offeror will successfully perform the required effort.

At least one Satisfactory or better rating.

Red Unacceptable Based on the offeror’s recent/relevant performance record, the Government has no expectation that the offeror will be able to successfully perform the required effort.

Majority of ratings are Marginal or below.

(2) Enclosures:

SF330

Federal Lands Highway Bridge Inspection and Tunnel Inspection Manuals can be found at https://highways.dot.gov/federal-lands/construction/manual.

https://highways.dot.gov/federal-lands/construction/manual