RFP SC-25-637 Ames Infrastructure Modernization Project.pdf

DATE: 09/26/2024 Sent via email

TO:

ALL OFFERORS

SUBJECT: Request for Proposal (RFP) No. SC-25-637 for Ames Infrastructure

Modernization (AIM) Construction Project

The Procurement Office of Ames National Laboratory (referred to herein as the

“Laboratory”) is seeking, Request for Proposals (RFP), to acquire General Construction

Services through this Request as more fully described in Appendix B – Specifications and

Drawings for AIM Construction Project, dated 09/26/2024, in support of the Laboratory located in Ames, Iowa. https://www.ameslab.gov/about-ames-laboratory.

The Laboratory intends to award one subcontract resulting from this solicitation to that offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the

Laboratory, the best value, price and other factors as specified, considered. Therefore, your firm is invited to submit a proposal for this requirement.

Below is pertinent information regarding this RFP:

A. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. Educational Discounts.

Iowa State University of Science & Technology (ISU) manages and operates the

Laboratory for the Department of Energy (DOE) as a prime contractor under DOE

Contract# DE-AC02-07CH11358 (Prime Contract). The Laboratory is not a separate legal entity from ISU. ISU manages and operates the Laboratory as a single, integrated, autonomous entity. The relationship between ISU and the Laboratory is not a contractor – affiliated source relationship. Therefore, offerors are advised that the Laboratory is eligible to receive educational discounted pricing.

2. Authorization to utilize Government Sources.

Offerors are advised that the Laboratory is authorized by the DOE to purchase from

General Services Administration (GSA), and NASA Solutions for Enterprise-Wide

Procurement (SEWP) contract holders. Therefore, offerors may propose discounted pricing off their contracts held with these agencies.

https://www.ameslab.gov/about-ames-laboratory

RFP No. SC-25-637

Additionally, the Laboratory may place orders against DOE Integrated Contractor

Purchasing Team (ICPT) agreements and agreements awarded by the Supply Chain

Management Center (SCMC). If your firm has an active ICPT Basic Ordering

Agreement (BOA) or SCMS BOA for the supplies or services under this solicitation, please provide the Agreement No., and pricing information in your submission of offer.

3. Open Competition.

This RFP is conducted using full and open competition. The Laboratory offerors are expected to use small businesses and all classifications of small minority businesses including ANCs and Indian Tribes (SB), veteran-owned small business (VOB), service-disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOB), HUBZone small business

(HUB), small disadvantaged business including ANCs and Indian Tribes (SDB), women-owned small business (WOSB), as sub-subcontractors to the maximum extent consistent with effective contract performance.

4. North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) Code.

▪ The NAICS code for this acquisition is 236220: Commercial and

Institutional Building Construction.

▪ The small business size standard is $45 Mil.

The table of size standards can also be found online in the small business size regulations set forth in the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Offerors can also check whether your business is small using the size standards tool.

5. Sample Agreement.

The sample agreement template included as Appendix K, represents the anticipated agreement, including standard terms, provisions, and scope of work. This attachment was provided for your information and review. Unless notified during any subsequent negotiations, this document will be included in any resultant agreement. Any request for deviation or waiver from terms or conditions provided herein must be addressed in writing with your response. Your request must specify the particular term, or condition that you desire altered, changed, or deleted.

Identify the basis of your request.

6. Type of Contract.

The Laboratory plans to award a FirmFixedPrice subcontract under this solicitation, and all proposals must be submitted on this basis.

https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=b919ec8f32159d9edaaa36a7eaf6b695&mc=true&node=pt13.1.121&rgn=div5#se13.1.121_1201 https://www.sba.gov/size-standards

7. Alternate Contract Type.

Alternate proposals based on other contract types will not be considered.

8. Exceptions to Terms and Conditions.

Offerors MUST agree to the Laboratory's terms and conditions or state any exceptions to the terms and conditions within your proposal response. No further objections to the Laboratory's terms and conditions may be made after a proposal is submitted. Offerors understand and agree that by submitting a proposal, they are indicating acceptance of all the Laboratory’s Terms and Conditions, as identified as attachments to this RFP, unless such a declaration is made in advance.

The Laboratory cautions Offerors that taking exceptions to any term or condition of this RFP (including submitting any alternate proposals that requires relaxation of a requirement) may make an offer unacceptable. The Laboratory reserves the sole discretion to consider exceptions to terms and conditions or to reject any exceptions.

All exceptions must be submitted with the Offeror’s proposal.

9. Offer Acceptance Period.

“Acceptance period,” as used in this provision, means the number of calendar days available to the Laboratory for awarding a subcontract from the date specified in this solicitation for receipt of offers.

The Laboratory requires a minimum acceptance period of 60 calendar days. An offer allowing less than the Laboratory’s minimum acceptance period may be rejected.

10. Availability of Funds.

Funds are available up to the Laboratory’s approved budget amount. In the event offeror’s pricing exceeds the Laboratory’s funding limitation; this solicitation may be cancelled.

11. Proposal Preparation Cost.

This solicitation does not commit the Laboratory to pay any cost for the preparation and submission of a response to this RFP.

12. Firm’s Authorized Official.

The offeror’s proposal must be signed by an official authorized to bind your organization and must stipulate that it is predicated upon all the terms and conditions of this RFP. Offerors shall appoint and list a single point of contact for negotiations and Purchase Order administration once the agreement is awarded.

13. Discussions.

The Laboratory may evaluate offers and award a subcontract without discussions with offerors. Therefore, the offeror’s initial offer should contain the offeror’s best terms from a price and technical standpoint. Discussions may be conducted if the

Laboratory determines they are necessary. The Laboratory may reject any or all offers if such an action is in the best interest of the Laboratory; accept other than the lowest offer and waive informalities and minor irregularities in offers received.

14. Multiple Line-Item Awards.

The Laboratory may accept any item or group of items of an offer, unless the offeror qualifies the offer by specific limitations. Unless otherwise provided in the Pricing Schedule, offers may not be submitted for quantities less than those specified. The Laboratory reserves the right to make an award on any item for a quantity less than the quantity offered, at the unit prices offered, unless the offeror specifies otherwise in the offer.

15. Mandatory Pre-Proposal Conference and site tour

a. The Laboratory is planning a mandatory pre-proposal conference and site tour during which potential offerors may obtain a better understanding of the work required.

Contractors must email Andrew Saxton, Procurement Contract Manager – saxton@ameslab.gov with the following information within five (5) business days of this conference.

Company name

Address

Attendee/s Names

Country of Citizenship

The same info listed above should be provided for any subcontractors invited by

General Contractors (GCs) who are planning on attending.

Conference Date and Time: October 11, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. CST and ending at approximately 5:00 p.m.

Conference Location: Ames National Laboratory

2408 Pammel Drive

Spedding Hall Room 301

Ames, Iowa 50011

Visitor parking permits are available on-line through ISU Parking Division https://apps.parking.iastate.edu/visitor-permits The conference provides an opportunity to discuss and clarify this RFP. However, nothing said or represented in the conference shall be deemed to modify RFP requirements unless followed by a written amendment. It is mailto:saxton@ameslab.gov required for prospective offerors to attend this conference and virtual attendance will not be an option.

b. Offerors are encouraged to submit all questions in writing at least five (5) days before the conference. Questions will be considered at any time prior to or during the conference. Subsequent to the conference, the Laboratory will distribute to all conference participants a record of the conference containing an abstract of the questions and answers, and a list of attendees. If warranted, an amendment will be issued to reflect changes to the solicitation.

c. Offerors are cautioned that, notwithstanding any remarks or clarifications given at the conference or in the post-conference abstract, all terms and conditions of the solicitation remain unchanged unless changed by amendment.

16. Preparation of Proposals (Construction).

a. Offerors are expected to examine the drawings, specifications, and all provisions and instructions. Failure to do so will be at the offeror’s risk.

b. Each offeror must provide the information required by the solicitation. The offeror must sign the proposal and print or type its name on the proposal and each continuation sheet on which it makes an entry. Erasures or other changes must be initialed by the person signing the proposal.

17. Bonds and Insurance (Construction).

a. For fixed-price, unit-priced and cost reimbursement construction subcontracts greater than $150,000, the subcontractor will be required to submit both payment and performance bonds for 100% of the subcontract price prior to proceeding with work.

b. For fixed-price, unit priced and cost reimbursement construction subcontracts greater than $35,000, but not greater than $150,000, the subcontractor shall provide a payment bond for 100% of the subcontract price prior to proceeding with work.

c. Bid Security - A certified check, cashier's check or an acceptable bidder's bond such as AIA Document 310, payable to Ames National Laboratory in an amount not less than five percent (5%) of the largest possible total amount for the bid submitted, including the consideration of additive alternates, if any, must accompany each proposal. Such checks or bid bond will be returned to all except the three (3) lowest Bidders within five (5)days after the receipt of bids, and the remaining checks or bid bonds will be returned promptly after The Laboratory and the accepted Bidder have executed the Agreement, or, if no award has been made within 30 days after bid receipt date, upon demand of the Bidder of his/her bid. The successful Bidder, upon his/her failure or refusal to execute and deliver the Contract and bonds required within0 calendar days after he/she has received notice of the acceptance of his/her bid, shall forfeit to the Laboratory as liquidated damages for such failure or refusal, the security deposited with his/her bid. Bidder's bond copies may be submitted via email with price proposal package and a hard copy original shall be mailed to:

Ames National Laboratory

2408 Pammel Drive

Ames, IA 50011

Attn. Andrew Saxton, Contract Manager.

Hard copies of the bid bond must be received prior to an award being issued.

d. Prior to commencing work, the subcontractor shall take out and maintain at its own cost and expense, until the work is completed and accepted by the

Laboratory, insurance levels satisfactory to the Laboratory. Standard insurance provisions are included in the standard terms and conditions.

18. Notice of Award.

A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, emailed or otherwise furnished to the successful offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a subcontract without further action by either party. Before the offer’s specified expiration time, the Laboratory may accept an offer (or part of an offer), whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award.

B. PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS

1. Proposal Package.

The information you provide in your Proposal Package will be the basis for the evaluation of your company. The following instructions will establish the acceptable minimum requirements for the format and contents of proposals. Special attention is directed to the requirements for technical and price proposals to be submitted in accordance with these instructions.

Unnecessarily elaborate brochures or other presentations beyond those enough to present a complete and effective response to this solicitation are not desired and may be construed as an indication of the Offeror's lack of cost consciousness.

Elaborate artwork, expensive paper and bindings, and expensive visual and other presentation aids are neither necessary nor wanted.

2. Explanation to Prospective Offerors.

Any prospective Offeror desiring an explanation or interpretation of the solicitation, statement of work, etc., must request it via email to the Procurement Agent listed in section B.7 on or before the stated cut-off date for questions, to allow a reply to reach all prospective Offerors before the submission of their offers. Oral explanations or instructions given before the award of the purchase order will not be binding. Any information given to a prospective Offeror concerning this solicitation will be furnished promptly to all other prospective Offerors as an amendment to the solicitation, if that information is necessary in submitting offers or if the lack of it would be prejudicial to any other prospective Offerors.

3. Separation of Technical and Price Proposals.

Each proposal shall reflect the unique capabilities and approaches of the offeror. Duplicate proposals are not acceptable. The proposal must be prepared in two parts: a "Technical Proposal" and a "Price Proposal." Each of the parts shall be separate and complete so that evaluation of one may be accomplished independently of, and concurrently with, evaluation of the other. The technical proposal must not include pricing data, or total costs. The technical proposal should disclose your technical approach in as much detail as possible, including, but not limited to, the requirements of the technical proposal instructions.

4. Creating and Naming Files.

a. Create one ZIP file of your Technical Proposal Package, including all attachments. The Technical Proposal should be created in a PDF format that enables word searches to the maximum extent practicable. Forms and/or documents requiring signature(s) may be scanned but must be merged into the

Technical Proposal PDF file.

b. Create one ZIP file of your Price Proposal Package, including all attachments.

DO NOT CONVERT THE EXCEL SPREADSHEET TO PDF.

c. File naming convention.

It is requested that the filenames for your Technical Proposal and Price Proposal include the name of your company, the solicitation number and the type of proposal (i.e., Technical, Price). Examples:

Technical Proposal:

XYZ Company RFP No. SC-25-

637_Technical.pdf

Price Proposal:

XYZ Company RFP No. SC-25-

637_Price.pdf

5. Submission of Proposals.

a. OFFEROR(S) PROPOSAL PACKAGE MUST CONTAIN THE FOLLOWING

ITEMS TO BE CONSIDERED FOR EVALUATIONS FOR AWARD:

Items

Document Description

Package

Submission

Technical Proposal. Demonstrated ability to meet requirements listed in Appendix B – Specifications and

Drawings. Address all technical evaluation criteria.

TECHNICAL

Past performance information, when included as an evaluation factor, to include recent and relevant contracts for the same or similar items and other references

(including contract numbers, points of contact with telephone numbers/email addresses, and other relevant information);

TECHNICAL

Offers shall be submitted on your company’s letterhead stationery, to include the following information:

PRICE

1. The solicitation number;

2. The time specified in the solicitation for receipt of offers;

3. The name, address, and telephone number of the offeror;

4. A technical description of the items being offered in sufficient detail to evaluate compliance with the requirements in the solicitation. This may include product literature, or other documents, if necessary;

5. Terms of any express warranty;

6. Price Schedule and any discount terms;

7. A bid bond in the amount of five percent (5%) of the Base and Alt. proposals combined.

8. “Remit to” address;

9. A completed copy of the attached Representations and

Certifications;

10. Offeror’s W-9 or W-8 BEN;

11. A statement indicating if the products under this solicitation are export controlled, and, if so, the Export

Control Classification Number (ECCN);

12. Acknowledgement of Solicitation Amendments (if any);

13. A statement specifying the extent of agreement with all terms, conditions, and provisions included in the solicitation. Offers that fail to furnish required representations or information, or reject the terms and conditions of the solicitation may be excluded from consideration; and

14. ICPT BOA, SCMS BOA, GSA FSS, or NASA SEWP contract number and pricing information, if applicable;

and

15. A statement specifying that “Supplier Name [Offeror] agrees that Ames Laboratory may accept this offer up to the specified days in this solicitation in section A(9) (or specify longer) from the date of submission of this offer”.

Pass/Fail factors: Licenses and Certifications; Years in business; and Bonding and Financial Capability

PRICE

b. Offers and modifications thereof shall be submitted via email to the Procurement

Agent identified in Section 7. below, in accordance with the proposal submission instructions in the solicitation.

6. Late Submissions, Modifications, Revisions, and Withdrawals of Offers.

a. Offerors are responsible for submitting offers, and any modifications, revisions, or withdrawals, to reach the Laboratory’s Procurement Agent designated in the solicitation by the time specified in the solicitation.

b. Late Offers.

1. Any offer, modification, revision, or withdrawal of an offer received by the

Procurement Agent designated in the solicitation after the exact time specified for receipt of offers is "late" and will not be considered unless it is received before award is made; the Procurement

Agent determines that accepting the late offer would not unduly delay the acquisition; and-

i. If it was transmitted through an electronic commerce method authorized by the solicitation, it was received at the initial point of entry to the Procurement Agent not later than 5:00 p.m. one working day prior to the date specified for receipt of offers: or

ii. There is acceptable evidence to establish that it was received by the Procurement Agent designated for receipt of offers and was under the Laboratory’s control prior to the time set for receipt of offers; or

iii. If this solicitation is a request for proposals, it was the only proposal received.

2. However, a late modification of an otherwise successful offer, that makes its terms more favorable to the Laboratory, will be considered at any time it is received and may be accepted.

c. Acceptable evidence to establish the time of receipt at the Laboratory includes documentary evidence of receipt maintained by the Laboratory, or oral testimony or statements of Laboratory personnel.

d. If an emergency or unanticipated event interrupts normal Laboratory processes so that offers cannot be received by the Procurement Representative designated for receipt of offers by the exact time specified in the solicitation, and urgent

Laboratory requirements preclude amendment of the solicitation or other notice of an extension of the closing date, the time specified for receipt of offers will be deemed to be extended to the same time of day specified in the solicitation on the first work day on which normal Laboratory processes resume.

e. Offers may be withdrawn by written notice received at any time before the exact time set for receipt of offers. Oral offers in response to oral solicitations may be withdrawn orally. An offer may be withdrawn in person by an offeror or its authorized representative if, before the exact time set for receipt of offers, the identity of the person requesting withdrawal is established and the person signs a receipt for the withdrawal of the offer.

7. Ames Laboratory Procurement Representative:

All communications or questions related to this RFP shall be directed to:

Andrew Saxton, Contract Manager

Email: saxton@ameslab.gov

Phone: (515) 294-4191

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD OFFERORS DIRECTLY CONTACT ANYONE

OTHER THAN THE PROCUREMENT REPRESENTATIVE OR HIS/HER DESGINEE

REGARDING THIS RFP.

8. Procurement Timeline Due date & time (All time listed are

Central Time Zone)

RFP Issue Date

09/26/2024

Pre-Proposal Conference and Site Tour. Details in part A. General

Information paragraph 15. Mandatory Pre-Proposal Conference and

Site Tour.

10/11/2024

9:00 AM To

5:00 PM CST

Cut-off Date for Questions. Questions regarding the solicitation shall be submitted via email to the Procurement Agent identified in section

7. above, no later than:

10/18/2024 by

4:00 PM CST

RFP Addendum issued to provide all questions and answers as well as any other changes necessary to the RFP package.

10/25/2024 by

4:00 PM CST

Proposal Submission Due Date. Proposals shall be submitted via email to the Procurement Agent identified in section 7. above, no later than:

11/15/2024 by

4:00 PM CST

Anticipated award date is:

C. BEST VALUE – TRADEOFF SOURCE SELECTION

The Laboratory will make the selection for the award based on the principles of best value. Best value means the expected outcome of an acquisition that, in the

Laboratory’s estimation, provides the greatest overall benefit in response to this requirement, considering both price and technical factors.

Proposal evaluation factors are MORE important than price. Award will be made to that Offeror whose proposal contains the combination of technical factors offering the overall best value to the Laboratory. This will be determined by comparing differences in the value of technical features with differences in price. The

Laboratory is more concerned with obtaining superior technical and management capabilities than with making an award at the lowest overall price. However, the

Laboratory will not make an award at a significantly higher overall price to achieve slightly superior technical or management features.”

D. TECHNICAL PROPOSAL EVALUATION FACTORS

1. Pass/Fail Factors.

Offerors will be required to submit documentation to support the following Pass/Fail factors which will be submitted as a part of their Price Proposal package. These factors will NOT be reviewed, evaluated or scored by the technical evaluation team, but rather by experienced Laboratory personnel knowledgeable about such documentation. Below are the Pass/Fail factors under this solicitation:

(a) Licenses and Certifications.

Offerors shall provide a copy of license(s) or certification(s) for this type of work, as required by the State of Iowa, or copy of application to obtain such license(s). If a license (or certification) for this type of work is not required in the State of Iowa, the offeror is required to provide a statement indicating that this is not applicable.

(b) Years in Business.

Offeror must show proof they have been in business under the company’s present name for a minimum of three (3) consecutive years. (Examples include Articles of Incorporation; Articles of LLC).

(c) Bonding and Financial Capability.

The evaluation of this information will be to determine offeror’s financial condition, and capability to perform the work under this solicitation as demonstrated by its ability to secure performance and payment bonds.

Offeror shall provide a copy of a letter from one or more bonding companies stating the following:

• The company’s bonding capacity (aggregate dollar amount)

• How long the bonding company(s) has been providing bonds to your company

Offeror shall provide written documentation on the company’s surety letterhead affirming that the firm has an accessible aggregate bonding capacity of up to the value of this purchase order. Offerors will not be required to provide the actual bonds at the time of the initial offer. Only the successful offeror for subcontract awards will be required to provide the bonds.

Additionally, the bonding company must appear on the list contained in

Treasury Department Circular 570. The amount of bond may not exceed the underwriting limit stated for the surety in that list. Offeror shall not submit the names of agents working on its behalf. Failure of an offeror to make available any information in this section, or evidence of poor financial stability may result in Offeror disqualification.

(d) Technical Evaluation Criteria.

Offerors responding to this RFP will be evaluated to determine the most highly qualified firm to perform the requirements in accordance with the technical evaluation factors listed below.

Factor

No.

Criteria

1. Supplier Capability

1.1. Technical Understanding and Approach.

Offerors will be evaluated based on their demonstrated understanding of the specifications and drawings. Proposals that do not address ALL of the requirements of the specifications, including the alternative additions, may be determined to be non-responsive to the solicitation.

1.2 Management Plan, Key Staffing, and Firm’s Stability and

Health.

Management Plan. Provide an overview of how the basic subcontract will be managed and from what location, or locations. Provide an organization chart indicating specific elements and/or member companies along with locations of each. Identify reporting relationships and functions of each unit, key executives with overall management responsibility, and other management personnel to be assigned to the subcontract.

Offerors shall describe their approach to managing and supporting projects of the same or similar scope and complexity. The description shall include a discussion of the offeror’s approach to managing the project to meet or exceed performance criteria, schedule, and budget.

Offerors’ plan for the project shall explain how the various team members will work together and the methodology and electronic project management processes for managing the entire project. The plan shall discuss the method of coordination between the Laboratory, the sub-subcontractor(s) (if any), and the offeror. The plan shall refer to the use of schedules and cost control systems. The plan shall also discuss how the offeror will ensure that all necessary permits and approvals are received before beginning a project under the agreement.

Key Personnel and Staffing. Offerors will be evaluated based on the strength and level of expertise proposed, to meet staffing requirements. Provide a description of the organizational elements that will actively participate in the project, reporting relationships, and functions performed by each unit. Describe systems and procedures used to provide continuity and overall control of quality, costs, schedule throughout the life of the subcontract, and current financials.

Provide resumes of key individuals associated with managing the organizational elements, systems and procedures as a separate attachment. Key personnel include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Program Manager

• Project Manager

• Construction Trade Discipline Leads o Mechanical o Plumbing o Electrical o Civil o Roofing o Telecommunications o Controls

If other specialty consultants are required, include their proposed roles. The awardee subcontractor will not be permitted to reassign any of the key personnel unless the Laboratory’s Procurement Agent approves the proposed reassignment and/or the proposed replacement.

Provide a table that identifies the specific staff that will be assigned to this subcontract, where the proposed key personnel will be located, and the timeframes the individual will work on the subcontract.

Key personnel will be evaluated to determine if personnel utilized in the performance of the required services are qualified and the relative strength of such qualifications. Offerors shall also describe its organizational structure and explain how its organization is prepared to be responsive to the requirements of this solicitation.

Explain how a contract of this type, with a client such as Ames

National Laboratory, is a good fit for the firm’s overall business model and how this subcontract will be prioritized among other obligations and responsibilities across the firm client base.

Include in this narrative information that addresses the financial strength and well-being of the offering firm. DO NOT submit detailed financial statements, but instead articulate in a reasonable amount of detail information describing the overall health of the firm.

1.3 Sub-Subcontract Management and Oversight.

If proposals include subcontracting with lower-tier subcontractors for this subcontract, explain in detail how much work the offering firm plans to perform with its own forces (employees of the offering firm) and how much work will be subcontracted. Explain in detail the relationship the offering firm has with those lower-tier subcontractors and how those relationships will be managed effectively to meet the requirements of this subcontract. Provide a list of proposed lower-tier subcontractors and identify sections of the work scope to be subcontracted out.

Offerors shall also provide documentation to support selection decisions for proposed lower-tier subcontractors. Provide an overview of how the subcontracts will be managed and from what location.

Show an organization chart indicating specific elements and functions of each unit, key executive with overall subcontracting management responsibility, and other management personnel to be assigned to the subcontract. Describe systems and procedures to ensure compliance with the subcontracts sub-subcontracting requirements, continuity and overall control of quality, costs, and schedule throughout the life of the program. Describe how your company will work with the

Laboratory to reduce costs and/or schedule Impacts.

For subcontract work that is proposed, the offeror shall also supply brief biographical data including name of individual, company position, years with the company, work and educational background

(including degrees, certificates and granting institutions), and experience applicable to this project. All proposals containing subcontracted work shall be evaluated for risk utilizing the same criteria addressed throughout this section.

Provide a narrative describing your firm’s plan for any subcontracting, including:

• Criteria used to select subcontractors, including subcontractors highly skilled and experienced in performing work similar to those outlined in the plans and specifications for this project.

• Payment terms of typical subcontractor agreements and contracts (e.g. financing vs. paid-when-paid). Specifically address the issue of any subcontracting firms requiring advance payment for services, if any, due to the scale of the project.

• Firm’s approach to the multiple phases of the project and a protracted period performance, and how the period of performance will be managed with respect to significant subcontracting involvement, if applicable. Explain how the associated risks of this component will be addressed and mitigated.

1.4 Safety EMR, Culture and Safety Program.

Safety Experience Modification Rating (EMR). Provide documentation on the letterhead of the firm’s insurance company of the firm’s EMR1.

Explain fully any EMR that exceeds 1.00.

Safety Culture and Safety Program. Provide a description of the company procedures that will be implemented during the performance of any work:

• Construction site safety meetings;

• First aid treatment;

• Reporting procedures;

• Company-required safety apparel;

• Construction site inspections;

• Subcontractor safety program compliance requirements, and;

• Firm enforcement procedures (i.e., disciplinary actions implemented after violations -specifically address “repeat violators”, etc.).

As these projects are usually in an occupied building with a 24-hour a day, 7-days a week operation, provide in detail your firm’s plan to protect the workforce, building, and equipment during construction.

Identify firm’s full time safety person and include their resume.

1 EMR has a strong impact upon a business. It is a number used by insurance companies to gauge both past cost of injuries and future chances of risk. The lower the EMR of your business, the lower your worker compensation insurance premiums will be.

1.5 Quality Control Plan (QCP).

Offerors shall provide a QCP tailored to this project. The QCP shall contain the offeror’s methodology for controlling quality during construction. Briefly discuss your quality plan’s systems and procedures to be used to provide quality management of all self-performed work as well as all work performed by sub-subcontractors

(including quality control and quality assurance procedures). Include the controls that are incorporated to ensure quality, performance, cost control, adherence to Ames National Laboratory standards and deliverables.

1.6 Sustainability.

The offeror shall demonstrate how they plan to provide diligence in their efforts to ensure the contract furthers the Laboratory's sustainability goals in all aspects of Ames National Laboratory operations. Explain efforts you undertake to be “leaner, greener, faster, smarter” at the lowest cost with minimal impact upon the environment through the implementation of the current standards and evaluation of industry best practices where possible. Describe offerors’ previous experience in managing projects that provided sustainable solutions or achieve Leadership in Energy and

Environmental Design (LEED) certification and how this experience might be applied to this project.

Factor

No.

Criteria

2. Past Performance/Corporate Experience

2.1. Include a narrative outlining the offering firm’s experience with projects of this type in the last 3 years. Include in the narrative information relating to the firms’ overall body of work, record of on time performance, record of cost control, record of controlling quality, and how a contract of this scale and magnitude fits into the broader business strategy of the firm.

Offerors shall indicate whether their past performance is related to

Ames National Laboratory, other DOE prime contractors, other government agencies, and private-sector clients, and should be specific regarding the timeframe within which that experience was gained. The response shall include the following information for each client:

(1) Contract Title

(2) Contract Number

(3) Date of Award

(4) Contract Type

(5) Contact Amount

(6) Period of Performance

(7) Client’s Name and Address

(8) Contract Amount and Modification Amount(s)

(9) Name of Client’s Contact(s) regarding performance evaluation

(10) Telephone/ E-mail numbers for Client Contact(s)

Offerors are responsible for ensuring the contact information is correct and that the individuals are available for contact by

Laboratory personnel.

Additionally, offerors are advised that the Laboratory may use other sources to inquire about offeror’s past performance as stated below:

Ames National Laboratory reserves the right to use past performance information obtained from sources other than those that may be identified by the offeror, e.g. government officials. This past performance information MAY be used for the evaluation of the

Offeror’s past performance. The Laboratory does not assume the duty to search for data to cure the problems it finds in the information provided by the Offeror or contained in other government repositories.

The burden of providing thorough and complete past performance information remains with the Offeror.

(e) Importance of Technical Evaluation Factors:

Factor 1 – Supplier Capability is significantly more important than Factor 2 –

Past Performance/Corporate Experience.

Subfactor 1.1 is more important than each Subfactors 1.2 – 1.6.

Subfactor 1.2 is more important than each Subfactors 1.3 – 1.6.

Subfactors 1.3 through 1.6 are of equal importance.

(f) Technical Adjectival Ratings.

Factor 1 – Supplier Capability will be scored using the adjectival scoring matrix listed in Table 1., below.

Table 1 – Adjectival Ratings and Definitions

Adjectival

Rating

Rating Definition

Unacceptable Proposal does not address the evaluation factor(s) or sub-factor(s) and poses an extremely high-performance risk.

Poor Proposal does not clearly meet requirements and has not demonstrated an adequate approach or indicated an understanding of the requirements of the factor(s)/sub-factor(s). The proposal has one or more weaknesses which are not offset by strengths and pose a high or extremely high-performance risk.

Fair Proposal meets requirements and indicates an adequate approach and minimal understanding of the requirements of the factor(s)/sub-factor(s). Strengths and weaknesses are offsetting and may pose a moderate to high performance risk.

Good Proposal meets requirements and indicates a thorough approach and complete understanding of the requirements of the factor(s)/sub-factor(s). Proposal contains strengths which outweigh any weaknesses and pose low to moderate performance risk.

Very Good Proposal meets requirements and indicates a thorough approach and complete understanding of the requirements of the factor(s)/sub-factor(s) on a level that exceeds that which would be scored at as

“Good”. Strengths outweigh any weaknesses and pose a low performance risk.

Excellent Proposal meets or exceeds requirements and indicates in extensive detail an exceptional approach and superior understanding of the requirements of the factor(s)/sub-factor(s). Strengths far outweigh any weaknesses and pose low performance risk.

Factor 2 - Past Performance

Past Performance/Corporate Experience will be evaluated for RELEVANCE and for

CONFIDENCE. The ratings for the RELEVANCE of past performance are shown in

Table 2., and the ratings for CONFIDENCE are shown in Table 3., below:

Table 2 – Adjectival Ratings and Definitions for Past Performance RELEVANCE

Rating

Rating Definition

Not

Relevant

Present/past performance effort involved little or none of the scope and magnitude of effort and complexities this solicitation requires.

Somewhat

Relevant

Present/past performance effort involved some of the scope and magnitude of effort and complexities this solicitation requires.

Relevant Present/past performance effort involved similar scope and magnitude of effort and complexities this solicitation requires.

Very

Relevant

Present/past performance effort involved essentially the same scope and magnitude of effort and complexities this solicitation requires.

Table 3 – Adjectival Ratings and Definitions for Past Performance CONFIDENCE

Rating

Rating Definition

Unknown

Confidence

No recent/relevant performance record is available, or the offeror’s performance record is so sparse that no meaningful confidence assessment rating can be reasonably assigned.

No

Confidence

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

Limited

Confidence

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

Satisfactory

Confidence

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

Substantial

Confidence

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

E. PRICE PROPOSAL PACKAGE

Offerors shall submit a complete Price Proposal package (See Section B. 5 (a.) of this RFP for a complete list) which includes the following:

1. Price Proposal.

Offeror’s price proposal will be evaluated for reasonableness. For a price to be reasonable, it must represent a price that a prudent person would pay when consideration is given to prices in the market.

2. Pre-Award Information and Representations and Certifications.

Offerors shall review, complete and return with its price proposal package the representations and certifications document contained under Appendix H.

3. W-9 or W-8 BEN.

Offeror shall submit in its price proposal package a current W-9 / W-8.

Offeror will demonstrate its financial condition and capability in response to the

Pass/Fail Evaluation Factor.

4. Small Business Subcontracting Plan.

If the proposed price will exceed the subcontracting plan threshold of $750,000

($1,500,000 construction), then the offeror shall be required to submit an acceptable subcontracting plan in accordance with FAR 52.219-9. THIS PROVISION DOES

NOT APPLY TO SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS.

The Laboratory’s FY 2024 Subcontracting Goals, which supplier(s) should strive for, are as follows:

Business Type Goals

Small Businesses (SB), (includes small business (including ANCs

(Alaska Native Corporation) and Indian Tribes), veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business, HUBZone small business, small-disadvantaged business (including ANCs and

Indian Tribes), women-owned small business):

30%

Small Disadvantaged Businesses (SDB) 5%

Woman-Owned Small Businesses (WOSB) 5%

Historically Underutilized Business Zone Small Businesses

(HUBZone)

3%

Veteran Owned Small Businesses (VOSB) 3%

Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) 3%

F. SOLICITATION ATTACHMENTS

Appendix A - Ames Lab Ts and Cs for FP Construction Services dated Oct 2023

Appendix A1 - ESH Ts and Cs dated Sept. 5, 2024

Appendix B: Specifications and Drawings, dated 09/26/2024 Rev.0

Appendix C – Story County WD IA20240074 Mod. 9 Dated 08/16/2024

Appendix D10 - Construction requiring delivery of data 06/24/2021

Appendix E - Small Business Plan Template

Appendix F - AIM Safety Appendix 07/16/2024

Appendix G - Affirmation & Certification of Subcontract Terms & Conditions

Appendix H: Reps and Certs Supplemental 12/08/2022

Appendix I: SF1413-23

Appendix J: Contractor Safety & Quality Assurance Information

Questionnaire

Appendix K: Sample Fixed Price Construction Contract

Please review all appendices and attachments to this RFP and follow the proposal instructions before you submit your offer.

Sincerely, Andrew Saxton

Contract Manager