14.Sect L.General Instructions To Offerors.doc

SITE UTILITY UPGRADES - 13.8 KV PRIMARY ELECTRICIAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

NEBRASKA AVENUE COMPLEX SOLICITATION NO. WPJ-08-0289/GS-11P-08-YT-C-0173

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

WASHINGTON, DC 20407

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

Each Offeror must acknowledge the receipt of the Phase One Solicitation by completing the attached form entitled “Fax Acknowledgement of Receipt of Phase One Solicitation” and FAX UPON RECEIPT to the addressee listed below.

Each Offeror shall submit their Proposal, as outlined in this Phase One Solicitation, Section 4, "Proposal Content and Format Instructions". Proposals may be mailed or hand carried to the address noted below. Offers must be delivered to the Contracting Officer, at the designated location, no later than the time, date and address as specified in the Solicitation.

All Proposals shall be submitted in original; no facsimile Proposals will be accepted.

The complete Federal Acquisition Regulations are available through the U.S. Government Printing Office or via Internet access at http://www.arnet.gov/far/.

The General Services Administration (GSA) wants to ensure all business is conducted in a manner above reproach, with complete impartiality and with preferential treatment for none. Therefore, each Offeror, as they assemble their Design-Build team, shall evaluate the eligibility of their team members to ensure potential organizational conflicts of interest do not exist. An organizational conflict of interest means that because of other activities or relationships with other persons, a person is unable or potentially unable to render impartial assistance or advice to the Government or the person’s objectivity in performing the contract work is or might be otherwise impaired or a person has an unfair competitive advantage. See Federal Acquisition Regulation 9.5 for additional information concerning organizational conflicts of interest.

An organizational conflict of interest certification shall be included in the Phase One Proposal.

The GSA Point of Contact for inquiries and clarifications is Michael Vrobel, Contracting Officer. Each Offeror must designate one point of contact for all communications between the Offeror and GSA. No other communications regarding this Solicitation or project are allowed. Communications that occur between any other individual on an Offeror’s team, including consultants and subcontractors, and any other GSA staff member may be grounds for disqualification of the Offeror’s Proposal.

Proposal Due Date:

May _______, 2008, 1:00 PM EDST Submit Your Proposal To:

General Services Administration

GSA, NCR, ROB – Bid Opening Room

301 7th Street, SW, Room 1065

Washington, DC 20407

Use the above address for US Postal Service deliveries only For Courier or Hand Delivery:

General Services Administration

GSA, NCR, ROB – Bid Opening Room

301 7th Street, SW, Room 1065

Washington, DC 20407

GSA Point of Contact:

Michael Vrobel

Contracting Officer

(202)708-7853

(202)708-6838 (fax) mike.vrobel@gsa.gov Site Utility Upgrades – 13.8kV Primary Electrical Distribution System Nebraska Avenue Complex

Washington, DC

FAX ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RECEIPT OF PHASE ONE SOLICITATION

We hereby acknowledge receipt of the Phase One Solicitation for the design-build of Site Utility Upgrades – 13.8kV Primary Electrical Distribution System dated Mar 10, 2008. We also hereby acknowledge that the individual listed below is our single point of contact and that no communications regarding this Solicitation or project are allowed between any other individual, consultant or subcontractor and any GSA staff member. We understand that a breach of this condition may be grounds for disqualification of our Proposal.

Signature:

Printed Name:

Date:

Title:

Representing:

Address:

Phone Number:

Fax Number:

Please fax immediately upon receipt to: Michael Vrobel, Contracting Officer at Fax: (202) 708-6838 Phone: (202) 708-7853.

Solicitation Table of Contents

31. Background Information and Project Description

2. Offeror Organization and Team

3. Project Schedule

4. Evaluation Factors

5. Proposal Content and Format Instructions

6. Proposal Due Date

7. Notification of Phase One Qualification and Selection

8. Summary of the Phase Two Solicitation Process

9. Listing of Attachments …… .8

The GSA intends to award a firm-fixed-price Design-Build Contract for Site Utility Upgrades – 13.8kV Primary Electrical Distribution System located at the Nebraska Avenue Complex in Washington, DC pursuant to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Two-Phase Design-Build Selection Procedures (FAR Subpart 36.3). For this contract award process, GSA will issue two Solicitations in sequence: 1) Phase One; and, 2) Phase Two. The Phase One procedure (which is analogous to a Request for Qualifications) is to determine which Offerors demonstrate the highest qualifications to successfully deliver the project. All responsible sources may submit a Phase One Proposal; a maximum of five (5) design-build entities (hereafter referred to as “Offerors”) that are found to demonstrate the highest qualifications will be selected to participate in Phase Two (analogous to a Request for Proposals).

The anticipated cost for the design-build delivery of the Site Utility Upgrades – 13.8kV Primary Electrical Distribution System is between $20,000,000 and $30,000,000.

GSA has engaged Summer Consultants, Inc. of McLean, Virginia to assist in preparing project specific design criteria, finalizing the building program, and assisting with portions of the Design/Build solicitation. GSA intends to disclose proposals received in response to the solicitation to non-government entities. GSA will require each non-governmental entity to sign and provide GSA with a Conflict of Interest Acknowledge and Nondisclosure Agreement.

The GSA is hereby requesting Phase One Proposals. This Phase One Solicitation provides Offerors with instructions regarding the submission of their complete Proposals and the evaluation thereof. Utilizing the format prescribed within, Offerors are to provide the requested information and demonstrate their capabilities. Responses shall be as complete and accurate as possible and present data relative to the specific project under consideration. Offerors shall make every effort to present information clearly and concisely in accordance with the formats described herein.

1. Background Information and Project Description

The purpose of this Phase One Solicitation is to solicit Proposals from Offerors for evaluations by GSA to determine which Offerors demonstrate the highest qualifications to successfully deliver the project.

The Site Utility Upgrades – 13.8kV Primary Electrical Distribution System is a renovation of an electrical system on an occupied facility. The GSA is the lead federal agency for the design and construction.

The project is located at the Nebraska Avenue Complex situated in northwest Washington, D.C. The site covers approximately 25 acres, bounded by Nebraska Avenue, Massachusetts Avenue, Rock Creek and private property.

The scope of the project is to provide a three feeder spot network electrical system including utility metering switchgear, underground distribution, underground vaults and connections to the existing buildings. Critical programmatic requirements include the need to keep the existing buildings in operation until the new system is complete.

The design-build scope of work includes all engineering, architectural, construction, and other related services necessary to design and to construct the electrical distribution system. Related services include, but are not limited to, archaeological monitoring, permitting, testing and inspection during construction, commissioning and potential additional geotechnical analysis, such as soil borings, of the site. Preliminary approvals have been secured from National Capital Planning Commission for the current design. Additional submissions will be required to secure final approvals.

This project requires the construction of a new primary electrical system including underground utility metering vault, duct banks, underground network transformer vaults, connection to existing electrical systems and removal of the existing electrical system, including salvage of designated equipment at the Nebraska Avenue Complex in Washington, D.C., together with associated mechanical, electrical and general construction work. Work includes selective demolition of existing electrical system and storm water system, and provision of underground electrical substation vaults, electrical distribution system, spot network substations, including transformers and switchgear, medium voltage metering switchgear and cabling, Pepco connections, switchboards, connections to existing electrical system, temporary wiring, excavation and backfill and surface restoration and incidental related work.

Provide the services of Registered Professional Engineers and Architects, experienced in the type of work contemplated, to provide design, calculations, field survey, drawings and specifications covering the work. Disciplines anticipated include electrical engineering, structural engineering, civil engineering, architecture, and horticulture.

The Contractor shall provide all the necessary labor, materials, supervision, management, quality control plan and testing to produce a finished and operational electrical system conforming to the contract documents.

2.

Offeror Organization and Team

Interested Offerors must be a firm or joint venture with experience, individually or as a member of a team, which has successfully and satisfactorily completed projects of similar complexity, scope, and size; or, which has similar projects currently in construction.

Participation by engineers, architects, consultants, contractors and subcontractors located within the District of Columbia is encouraged. The design of the engineering and architectural features of the project shall be accomplished or reviewed and approved by engineers and architects registered to practice in their particular field within the District of Columbia. The architect-engineer portion of this design-build entity must be a firm or joint venture having an existing active office located within the Washington, DC metropolitan area. This existing active office will have the responsibility for providing the architectural and engineering services.

Offerors, individually or as a team, must have the capacity to obtain performance/payment bonding for up to 100% of the firm-fixed-price Design-Build Contract.

An Offeror's proposed Phase One team, or firms and key personnel proposed in response to this Phase One Solicitation, must remain fixed for the duration of the Contract and Warranty Period unless a change is submitted in writing to the Contracting Officer (CO), whom, at his or her sole discretion, provides written authorization of the change. Unauthorized changes to the Offeror's team at anytime during the two-phase selection process can result in the elimination of the Offeror from further consideration. During Phase Two, an Offeror may add consultants, subcontractors and/or key personnel to supplement design and/or construction resources that the Offeror feels is necessary to meet the needs of the project and the terms and conditions of the contract.

Participation by small, small-disadvantaged, veteran-owned, small woman-owned and HUB zone business is also encouraged. The Offerors invited to participate in Phase Two will be required to submit an acceptable subcontracting plan for this procurement regarding the utilization of small, small-disadvantaged, veteran-owned, small woman-owned and HUB zone businesses.

All responsible sources submitting a Proposal will be considered.

3. Project Schedule

Award of the Contract for this project is anticipated to take place in the Third Quarter of 2008. Construction completion and final acceptance is expected to occur on or before December 29, 2010.

4. Evaluation Factors

Proposals submitted, in accordance with this Solicitation, will be evaluated using the four (4) Phase One evaluation factors listed below in descending order of importance:

a. Past Performance:

Past performance of the Offeror, including the architect-engineer and construction team members. Performance by the team members as may be illustrated by: description of design-build and construction projects completed in the last ten (10) years or currently underway; description of other relevant projects; and record of utilizing small, small-disadvantaged, veteran-owned, woman-owned small businesses, and HUB zone businesses.

b. Technical Approach:

Offeror’s general approach for dealing with projects of this size, complexity and schedule, including the roles and responsibilities of proposed team members and their key personnel as may be illustrated by: general project management systems including client management, consultant/subcontractor administration; estimating and scheduling systems; cost, schedule and quality control for both design and construction activities; general methodologies for avoiding delays and minimizing claims; and the use of digital tools (interactive) for any of the above.

c. Specialized Experience and Technical Competence:

1. Offeror’s firm and other firm team member’s relevant experience, including proposed consulting firms and subcontracting firms. Specialized experience and technical competence as may be illustrated by: experience with projects of comparable size and complexity; previous experience as a team; any experience with design-build projects; any awards or recognition received by a firm for similar work; demonstrated knowledge of the general project locality, of applicable code and permitting requirements, and of local construction market conditions and trade practices; and, a clear description of the role and responsibilities of each for the project and experience listed.

2. Individuals’ relevant experience, including proposed key personnel of the Offeror, consultants and subcontractors. Specialized experience and technical competence as may be illustrated by: experience with projects of comparable size and complexity; history of employment with participant; previous experience with other proposed key personnel; any experience with design-build projects; any awards or recognition received by individuals for similar work; demonstrated knowledge of the project locality including applicable code and permitting requirements, construction market conditions, and trade practices; and, a clear description of the role and responsibilities of each key personnel for the project and experience listed.

d. Capability to Perform: Capability of the Offeror and proposed team including consultants and subcontractors, as may be illustrated by: actual or proposed legal organization; geographic location; available key personnel by discipline; design/construction production systems; actual or proposed legal structure of the Offeror and its organization (must be viable entity for entire duration of the Contract and Warranty period); financial stability and capability; coordination and quality control procedures; general project management systems; client management systems; cost estimating and cost control methodologies; construction scheduling and schedule control techniques; design and construction capability; specialized equipment available for this work; special approaches or concepts developed by the team relevant to this type of project; and, design-build, design and construction volume over the past ten (10) years as well as current design-build, design and construction workload.

5. Proposal Content and Format Instructions

Utilizing the format prescribed below, Offerors are to provide the requested information in a brief and succinct manner making every effort to present information clearly and concisely. Offerors should address the requirements of the project consistent with the evaluation criteria described in this Solicitation. Lengthy narratives containing extraneous information are discouraged. All information shall be submitted in English. Proposals that do not follow these Instructions, or otherwise include documentation that is difficult to read, may result in Phase One disqualification or a lower Phase One evaluation rating.

Proposals shall be submitted in the following format. Pages shall be 8-1/2x11 inch white paper, with four (4) simple lettered/numbered dividers for each section as directed below. Single sided pages shall be used. Proposal text shall be in a standard font a minimum of ten (10) points or a maximum of twelve (12) points in height, single-spaced. The entire Proposal must be submitted on white paper. Proposals submissions must include one (1) original that is not bound and seven (7) copies that are spiral or “GBC” bound. The external cover of each Proposal (original and copies) clearly shall identify the Offeror’s name, clearly be labeled “Proposal for Phase One Solicitation, RFP GS-11P-08-YT-C-0173,” and clearly state the time and date for the receipt of Proposals. Each copy shall be identified on its cover as “Copy of 7 Copies.” The information provided in the Proposal shall be easily reproducible by normal black and white photocopying machines.

All signatures on all documents, originals and copies, must be original signatures in ink and in a color other than black.

All Phase One Proposal development costs shall be borne by the Offerors without reimbursement from the GSA.

Phase One Proposals shall be submitted in the following format:

a. Section I - Cover Letter: Provide a one-page letter on the Offeror’s letterhead identifying a single point of contact, address, phone and fax numbers, and e-mail address (if any) where GSA inquiries or notices should be directed. An authorized representative of the Offeror organization shall sign the letter. If the Offeror is not yet a legal entity or is a joint venture, all major participants or joint venture members shall sign the letter. Provide a statement declaring the Offeror’s intent, if selected to participate in Phase Two, to enter into a Contract with GSA to deliver the project in the event the Offeror is ultimately selected for award.

b. Section II - Conflict of Interest Certification: Include a completed GSA Conflict of Interest Certification (A form is attached and must be completed and included with the Proposal). All proposed team members must be listed and certified.

c. Section III–Evaluation Factor Submission Portfolio: The portfolio should be no more than a total of eighty (80) pages consisting of the following sections:

1. Past Performance

2. Technical Approach

3. Specialized Experience and Technical Competence

4. Capability to Perform

6. Proposal Due Date

For consideration on this project, Offerors must respond to the Phase One Solicitation by submitting their Proposal in writing by 1:00, EDST, May ____, 2008 to the GSA address provided on page one of this Solicitation.

Offerors are responsible for effecting timely delivery; late submissions will not be considered.

The point of contact for inquiries and clarifications is the Contracting Officer, who can be reached at the phone numbers and email address provided on page one of this Solicitation. To the extent perspective Offerors have questions regarding this Solicitation, the questions are to be submitted in writing to the Contracting Officer on or before 4:00, EST, April 16, 2008. At GSA’s discretion, GSA may provide written responses to the questions as appropriate. Any such responses will be provided via an Amendment to the Phase One Solicitation and will be issued and sent to all Offerors who requested a copy of the Phase One Solicitation and provided the required “Fax Acknowledgement of Receipt of Phase One Solicitation”.

7. Notification of Phase One Qualification and Selection

Upon completion of the Phase One evaluation and selection process, a maximum of five (5) Offerors deemed to be most highly qualified shall be invited to submit Proposals in response to the Phase Two Solicitation. However, GSA reserves its right to select less than five (5) Offerors for Phase Two. Only those Offerors selected to participate in Phase Two will be sent a Phase Two Solicitation after their selection. Unsuccessful Phase One Offerors will be sent a notice of their non-selection at the same time. Phase Two Proposals will not be accepted from Offerors that are not invited to submit a Proposal.

8. Summary of the Phase Two Solicitation Process

The most highly qualified Offerors selected in Phase One will be provided the opportunity to submit technical and price Proposals as detailed in the Phase Two Solicitation. Phase Two will require an acknowledgment by each Offeror that the selected Offeror will comply with all the mandatory performance criteria, technical specifications, and program requirements within a pre-established maximum cost for the complete project. Participants in Phase Two and the successful D-B contractor will be required to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement. Phase Two shall be conducted in accordance with FAR Part 15 (Contracting by Negotiation); one Contract will be awarded using competitive negotiation.

The Evaluation Factors and Significant Subfactors to be used in Phase Two are listed below. While price is an important consideration and evaluation criterion, all non-price evaluation factors when combined are significantly more important than price. However, as Proposals become more equal in their technical merit (as determined by the evaluation of the non-price evaluation factors set out below), the evaluated price becomes more important and may become the determining factor for award.

The non-price evaluation factors are set out below in descending order of importance. In addition, the significant evaluation Subfactors are set out for each evaluation factor. Unless stated otherwise, each Subfactor is to be accorded equal value within the specific evaluation factor. The non-price evaluation factors are as follows:

a. Preliminary Design and Proposed Technical Solutions

1) Electrical (Twice the weight as other Subfactors)

2) Structural

3) Civil

4) Mechanical

5) Architectural

6) Drawings

7) Post Award Submission Outline

8) Codes Regulations and Permits

b. Past Performance

1) Relevance of past performance

2) Quality of past performance

3) Demonstrated commitment of team members and key personnel

4) Performance problems

c. Key Personnel, Consultants and Subcontractors

1) Offeror’s proposed organization

2) Offeror’s key personnel

3) Offeror’s subs/consultants

d. Management Approach - Offeror’s Proposed Organization, Management Plan and Subcontracting Plan

1) Understanding of project

2) General approach

3) Coordination of team members/subcontractors

4) Coordination with other general contractors (OGC)

5) Estimating and cost control

6) Design and construction quality control/assurance plan

7) Commissioning

8) Legal structure information

e. Project Schedule Development and Monitoring

1) The Offerors’ proposed means and methods

2) The Offerors’ major design-build milestones

3) Procurement of long-lead items

4) Coordination with OGC milestones

5) Delay detection, avoidance and mitigation f.

Apprenticeship Program

1) Trades to be subcontracted and those to be self-performed.

2) Percentage of trades (subcontractors) to be awarded to entities using registered apprenticeship programs (If the general contractor is self-performing trades, identify this information as it applies to such trades).

3) Target number of apprentices to be employed under this contract. Include plan regarding recruitment and training strategies.

4) New apprenticeship programs to be initiated as a result of this contract.

5) Safety Training Program. Provide a complete list of specific training courses and requirements to be utilized by the contractor and major trade contractors or subcontractors. Provide for each contractor or subcontractor, the following information regarding any safety training provided for supervision and craft labor employees: (a) how much time approximately does each company devote to safety training? (b) what steps are taken to ensure that safety training is conducted in an effective manner?

The basis for award for Phase Two shall be, consistent with the evaluation factors above, the selection of the Offeror whose overall Proposal is deemed to be the most advantageous to the Government. As Proposals become more equal in their technical merit (the non-price evaluation factors), the evaluated cost or price becomes more important and may become the determining factor for Award. In order to be eligible for this contract, Offeror organizations must legally exist in the District of Columbia prior to Contract Award.

9. Listing of Attachments

The following attachments to this Solicitation are provided for the convenience and/or use of the Offerors in developing Phase One Proposals:

a. GSA Conflict of Interest Certification.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST CERTIFICATION

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

Site Utility Upgrades– 13.8 KV PRIMARY ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM NEBRASKA AVENUE COMPLEX -- Washington, DC RFP GS11P08MKCxxxx

Offeror Name & Location:

Subcontractor Names & Locations:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

If more space is required, please continue on an additional 8 ½" x 11" sheet.

I hereby certify to the best of my knowledge and belief, that I am not aware of any information bearing on the existence of any potential organizational conflict of interest for the Design-Build team as identified above proposed for work on the Site Utility Upgrades – 13.8kV Primary Electrical Distribution System project.

Signature & Date:

Printed Name & Title:

Address:

Phone & Fax Number:

Email address:

PROPERTY OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT – FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

Do not remove this notice – Properly destroy documents when no longer needed

SUMMER CONSULTANTS, INC.

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MCLEAN, VIRGINIA