PreSolicitation Notice.pdf

Pre-solicitation Notice

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) has a requirement for a multiple award Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract for architecture and engineering design services construction management/administration services for repair, maintenance, alteration, and/or new construction projects (including specialized greenhouses, farm buildings, and research facilities) located throughout the Pacific West Area (PWA). The PWA encompasses nine western states (Alaska, Hawaii, California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Oregon, Idaho, and Washington) with over 20 research facilities.

Services under the contract may include, but are not limited to, energy-related studies, environmental site assessments and studies, building and/or site investigations/studies, feasibility and conceptual studies, geotechnical investigations, radon testing, asbestos and other hazardous materials abatement, life cycle cost analyses, engineering design criteria development, statements of work/program of requirements development, design analyses, designs, construction drawings, specifications (including specifications for design-build), detailed cost estimates and analyses, bidding phase services, construction management/administration (including on-site construction management/administration, bid evaluations, shop drawings and submittals review and approval), construction inspection and/or monitoring, design review, technical consultation, field surveys, engineering reports, and computer-aided drafting.

The contract shall be for a period of twelve (12) months (one year) from date of award, with options for four (4) one-year ordering periods. Individually funded task orders will be issued for each individual project. The estimated procurement value (combined value of all task orders from all awarded contracts) is $40M over the life of the IDIQ. Project task orders may range from $2K to $2M.

The Government anticipates award of at least two IDIQ contracts however, the Government reserves the right to award more than two IDIQ contracts at its discretion. The Government anticipates releasing the request for Standard Form 330 under solicitation 12905B23R0005 within thirty (30) days after the posting of this pre-solicitation notice and making award in August 2023.

All contractors MUST be registered and active in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) in order to received a contract award. In addition, all contractors must be small businesses that meet the Small Business Administration (SBA) size standard of $12.5M under NAICS code 541310 Architectural Services.

Pre-solicitation presentations will not be scheduled.

Selection criteria will consist of the following:

1. Professional Qualification necessary for satisfactory performance of required services (Use only the SF 330); based on education, training, registration and length of service of key personnel. The following are considered “key personnel”: Architect, Mechanical

Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Civil Engineer, Structural Engineer, and Cost Estimator.

Preference will be given to firms who maintain professional licenses in the PWA.

2. Specialized experience and technical competence in the type of work required to design, construct, alter or repair facilities in support of research in laboratory and field settings including, where appropriate, pollution prevention, waste reduction, and the use of recovered materials as outlined in the Statement of Work for Architectural-Engineering Services. Experience in the inclusion of energy-saving and sustainable features into the design, as shown by the use of the requirements of ASHRAE 90.1, EPACT 2005, Executive Order No. 13693 and LEED. Various tasks include: Mechanical, Electrical, Structural, Civil, Retro-Commissioning, and Construction Management Services.

Preference will be given to firms who demonstrate experience with agricultural research facilities.

3. The capacity of the Design A-E and its consultants, in terms of numbers and diversity of in–house disciplines and resources to accomplish all work on schedule and to successfully manage multiple task orders simultaneously. Preference will be given to firms who maintain in-house staff of licensed architectural, civil, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, environmental engineering professionals.

4. Past performance on similar contracts with Government agencies and private industry in terms of cost control, quality control, compliance with performance schedules, and demonstrated ability to successfully coordinate all planning, design, bid and construction phase work with all subcontractors, and to communicate effectively with the customer on project progress issues. Demonstrated ability in: quality assurance work, “punch lists,” commissioning services, final inspections; and Record Drawings is vital.

5. Location of a major office within geographic proximity to PWA facilities. The Government will give preference to Offerors with offices that are located within closer proximity to ARS facilities in the PWA. Co-location of the offices of the consultants in the same general location as the design A-E is preferred.