RFQ IDIQ Construction STRI.pdf

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION

STRI BRANCH

Request for Qualifications No. 333302-25RF-0010024 for

Large and Small Business

Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Construction Services in Panama, Republic of Panama

Issue Date: July 30, 2025

Due Date: September 1, 2025, at 3:00PM ET

Dropbox Link: https://www.dropbox.com/request/okxm0x1l5WRRw6ISwtYD

Additional information must only be obtained by contacting:

Ginella Mascarin - mascaring@si.edu

Heidee Small - smallhg@si.edu

Christine Grant – grantCA@si.edu

(Include all above on the email)

ALL DOCUMENTS MUST BE PRESENTED IN ENGLISH

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS TABLE OF CONTENTS

CONTENT PAGE No.

SECTION 1: ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION……………………………. 3

SECTION 2: STATEMENT OF WORK ………………..…………….………5

SECTION 3: STATEMENT PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS …..………6

SECTION 4: EVALUATION PROCEDURES…………………….…………. 8

SECTION 1: ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institution (STRI), the only bureau of the Smithsonian Institution based outside of the United States, began its operations in Panama in 1923 at a small field station on Barro Colorado Island, in the Panama Canal Zone, and has since developed into one of the leading research institutions in the world. Today STRl's facilities provide a unique opportunity for long-term ecological studies in the tropics and are used extensively by some 900 visiting scientists from academic and research institutions in the United States and around the world every year. Ongoing STRI research programs have allowed resident scientists to gain a better understanding of tropical habitats and have been instrumental in the training of hundreds of tropical biologists.

STRI aims to offer research facilities that allow staff scientists, fellows, and visiting scientists to achieve their research objectives. The 38 staff scientists reside in the tropics and are encouraged to pursue their own research priorities without geographic limitations. The continuity of their long-term programs enables in-depth investigations that attract an elite group of fellows and visitors. Active support for fellows and visitors leverages resources further and attracts more than 900 scientists to STRI each year.

Although STRI is based in Panama, research is conducted throughout the tropics.

STRl's Center for Tropical Forest Science uses large, fully enumerated forest plots to monitor tree demography in 14 countries located in Africa, Asia and the Americas.

More than 3,000,000 individual trees representing 6,000 species are being studied.

STRl's Biological Diversity of Forest Fragments project created experimental forest fragments of 0.01, 0.1, and 1.0 km2 to study the consequences of landscape transformation on forest integrity in the central Amazon region.

The Smithsonian Institution seeks interested contractors to establish multiple IDIQ Contracts with large and small business concerns that would provide construction services and help to fulfill the Smithsonian Institution’s need to respond to its growing multi-zoned needs.

The Smithsonian Institution will select multiple construction firms for this IDIQ based on size, past performance, expected team make-up, experience and other factors. Pricing will be solicited for single projects from this contract “pool” and award based on pricing, company availability and other factors. All projects will be coordinated, managed and their performance supervised by this office.

Each contractor should submit a statement of qualifications that indicates positive past performance on three past projects for the Offeror. Include projects of similar size ($3 million or greater) and diversity where the Offeror was the Prime Contractor. Referenced projects should be less than five years old and shall include points of contact to include name and contact number. Include projects with work scopes that include replacement of major building components, working in occupied buildings, and work that includes a high level of technical ability and finishes. Projects that list persons to contact who are not available at the address or telephone number provided may result in a lower evaluation.

Additionally, Offerors must demonstrate financial capability and corporate formation required for insurance and bonding in the district in which the work is to be performed.

This Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is intended to provide all offerors with sufficient information to enable them to prepare and submit their qualifications for review and consideration by the Smithsonian Institution.

The Request for Qualifications neither commits the Smithsonian Institution to pay any proposal preparation costs, nor obligates the Smithsonian to procure or contract for construction or services. It shall not be construed as authorization to proceed with or be reimbursed for any of the costs for any of the work specified herein.

Inquiries regarding this Request for Qualifications should be directed to:

Christine Grant – grantCA@si.edu Ginella Mascarin - mascaring@si.edu Heidee Small - smallhg@si.edu

All questions must be submitted by email and in ENGLISH. Questions will be entertain thru Friday, August 15, 2025 3:00PM ET. All question responses will be issued in an Amendment posted to SAM.gov.

SECTION 2: STATEMENT OF WORK

The Successful Contractor shall furnish all necessary labor, materials, equipment, transportation and supervision, etc. to satisfy requirements of the Smithsonian Institution as required for projects to build, repair, renovate, modify or restore existing sites and facilities belonging to the Smithsonian Institution. The type of work to be performed under this contract includes, but is not limited to: demolition, site work, concrete construction, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, HVAC, masonry, wood, painting, plastering, ceramic and cabinetry work, drywall, roofing, and other tasks as assigned for the building types described in this RFQ. The successful Contractor shall also be expected to satisfy all the requirements set forth in Contract Documents in Task Orders issued under the awarded contract.

Minimum performance requirements as follows.

A. Five (5) years of experience as a facilities/ infrastructure /utility’s services company.

B. Completion or Ongoing of a minimum of three (3) comparable projects within the past five (5) years, with at least one of them completed. Comparable construction projects valued between a range of 1M to 3M, of or on the building types described in this RFQ, performed for a reputable institution or company. Comparable Projects for this RFQ must include those types of work identified above in the Statement of Work as well as complex systems and specifications, concrete and masonry works, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection and fire alarm systems, as well as skilled application of finishes.

C. Projects constructed for the direct use of the company(s) submitting this Statement will not be considered as a comparable project. Projects that list persons to contact who are not available at the address or telephone number provided, may result in a lower evaluation.

SECTION 3: STATEMENT PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS

Under this RFQ, the Smithsonian Institution will select the most qualified Offerors to complete anticipated projects as described above. Qualifications are demonstrable through your prior completed projects in Past Performance (Part III) and Capabilities (Part IV) sections of the Qualification Statement (as described more fully below). Meeting the Minimum Requirements described herein will not guarantee prequalification. Offerors demonstrating the most comparable the Past Performance and Financial Capabilities shall be considered for pre-qualification status. Statements of Qualifications will be evaluated by an Evaluation Team and confirmed by the Contracting Officer. To assure your Statement is given full consideration, you must do the following:

Read this package carefully to make sure you understand what is required.

Complete the entire Statement in ENGLISH.

Provide your information on the attached forms or in the same format.

Do not leave any portion of the form blank or indicate N/A if not applicable.

In particular, read the minimum requirements as established in the evaluation criteria.

If your firm or partnership do not meet the minimum requirements your entity may not be considered for prequalification.

Include past experience as prime contractor on Comparable Projects. Comparable Projects are those of the same or similar cost, building type, type of construction, age, safety requirements and meeting other factors listed in this RFQ. Projects listed must meet all portions of the criteria in this RFQ to be considered comparable.

Please be advised that Comparable Experience is more desirable than Non- Comparable Experience. Any additional Comparable Experience submitted that exceeds the minimum requirements for Comparable Experience will be counted towards the Non-Comparable Experience.

Include Current references (name, address, email and telephone number) for your comparable projects as listed in your submission. If the Evaluation Team is unable to contact the references listed to verify experience and performance, that project may not be considered.

Directions for completing the Qualification Statement consist of four (4) Parts:

Part I - General Information Part II - Entity’s Background Part III – Firm Past Experience/Firm Past Performance Part IV – Financial Capabilities

All questions regarding this Statement should be directed to the individual(s) indicated on the cover page. Do not contact anyone else in the Smithsonian Institution regarding this effort since they are not likely to be familiar with the criteria, evaluation, and selection of prequalified entities.

PART I – GENERAL INFORMATION

A. PROCEDURE

1. Qualification Statements submitted by Offerors must be in ENGLISH and will be evaluated on the information described in Parts III and IV to determine contractors to be placed on the pre-qualified list. Any statements not in ENGLISH will be automatically disqualified. Minimum requirements are as follows:

A. Submit to the Dropbox link provided on the first page. The Statement should be indexed into sections and tabbed as indicated in each requirement of this package as follows:

* Tab No. 1 - Entity’s Background

* Tab No. 2 - Judgments, Claims, and Lawsuits

* Tab No. 3 - Suspension or Debarment

* Tab No. 4 - Certification and Affirmation

* Tab No. 5 - Comparable Experience/Performance

* Tab No. 6 - Non-Comparable (Other) Experience/Performance

* Tab No. 7 - Organizational Statement

* Tab No. 8 – Safety, EMR (Experience Modification Ratio)

* Tab No. 9. - Backlog

* Tab No. 10 - Audited Financial Statements

* Tab No. 11 - Bonding Information

* Tab No. 12 - Banking Reference

B. Contractors not pre-qualified will be notified at the same time as the pre-qualified firms and provided an opportunity for debriefing. A debriefing is an opportunity for the firm to understand how the Smithsonian Institution assessed the strengths and weaknesses of its submission. Requests for debriefing must definitively state names and titles of attendees, their availability and be in writing, to be received by the Smithsonian no later than three (3) calendar days after receiving notice of your status regarding the prequalification.

C. Statements will not be maintained or returned. Offerors will not be reimbursed for any expense(s) incurred in developing their Statement.

D. The Smithsonian Institution reserves the right to request project documents prior to award.

E. The Company or companies must be legally registered and licensed to operate as a Construction Company in the Republic of Panama. DGI – tax entity- and the “JTIA” - Technical Board of Engineering and Architecture for at least 5 years from the date of this solicitation. Must be commercially and legally active in Panama at present time and have performed or is performing at least three (3) construction projects, with a minimum value of 3M, during the past five (5) years.

PART II – CONTRACTOR’S BACKGROUND (Submit under Tab 1.)

A. Contractor’s Name:

Street Address:

City/State/Zip:

Main telephone # _____ - ______ - ___________, Alternate # _____ - ______ -

B. Identification of two (2) contact people within the entity:

Name Title Phone Number Email

Address

C. Firm making this submittal:

Parent Company _______ Subsidiary _______ Division ________ Branch Office

Other

D. Type of Company:

Corporation _____ Partnership _____ Sole Proprietorship _____ Joint Venture

Other

E. Year Company was established: _____________ F. Name, address, and telephone number of parent company (enter N/A if not applicable). _______

G. All former company names (enter N/A if not applicable).

H. Attached documents: Junta Tecnica de Ingenieria y Arquitectura ______ ; Tax Entity DGI Registro Publico actualizado _______ .

J. Joint Venture: If this Qualification Statement is being presented by a Joint Venture, please indicate the participation of each entity. If not a Joint Venture, indicate Not Applicable (N/A).

NAME OF JOINT

VENTURE PARTNER

TYPE OF

PARTICIPATION

PERCENTAGE OF

FINANCIAL

PARTICIPATION

PERCENTAGE

OPERATIONAL

PARTICIPATION

K. Judgments, Claims, and Lawsuits

Are there any judgments, claims, and/or lawsuits pending or outstanding against or involving your company? No ___, Yes ___. If “Yes,” submit details of all judgments or claims against either parent office or division/branch that will be responsible for the accomplishment of this project on a separate sheet under Tab 2.

L. Key Personnel: List officers, Partners and/or Owners

NAME POSITION OR TITLE IN

THE FIRM

NAME OF YEARS WITH THE

FIRM

YEARS OF

EXPERIENCE

M. Is your company under suspension or debarment by any Federal, state or local agency or been terminated on any past projects (Smithsonian or others)? No ___, Yes ___. If “Yes,” submit details on a separate sheet and submit under Tab 3.

N. Affirmation: I _______________________________, hereby certify that I am the authorized representative of the company submitting this Qualification Statement, and that the following statements are true to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief:

I affirm that neither the entity, nor any officer, controlling shareholder, partner, or principal, nor any other person substantially involved in the contracting activities of the company has in the past five (5) years:

(1) Been convicted under state or federal statutes of a criminal offense incident to obtaining or attempting to obtain or performing a public or private contract.

(2) Been convicted under state or federal statutes of fraud, embezzlement, theft, forgery, falsification or destruction of records, or receiving stolen property.

(3) Been found civil liable under state or federal antitrust or other statutes for acts or omissions in connection with submission of bids or proposals for or performance of a public or private contract.

(4) Been criminally convicted of any violation of a state or federal antitrust statute.

(5) Been convicted under the provisions of Title 18 of the United States Code for violation of the Racketeer Influence and Corrupt Organization Act, 18 USC, Section 1961 et seq. or the Mail Fraud Act, 18 USC, Section 1341 et seq., for acts arising out of the submission of Bids or Proposals for a public or private contract.

(6) Been criminally convicted of conspiracy to commit any act or omission that would constitute grounds for conviction or liability under any statute described in paragraphs (10), (2), (4), or (5) above; or

(7) Admitted in writing or under oath, during the course of an official investigation, or other proceeding, acts or omissions that would constitute grounds for conviction of liability under any statute described above.

(8) I certify that I have read and understand the instructions for completing the Qualification Statement and if I am unable to make the above Affirmation, I will provide an explanation as to why not on a separate sheet and submit under Tab 4.

{Signature on next page}

Name (Printed) Date

Signature

Title

Entity Name

PART III – EXPERIENCE/PERFORMANCE

COMPARABLE EXPERIENCE - List three (3) comparable projects (as defined herein) completed or in progress during the past five (5) years. Attach more sheets as needed, using this format. Submit under Tab 5. Do not include more than three (3) projects.

In assessing comparable experience as part of this RFQ, greater value will be placed on projects with work scopes that include replacement of major building components, repair or replacement of systems supporting live research environments, work in occupied buildings during business hours, work in historic structures, work that includes individual or campus setting, work governed by public access and/or security requirements, and work that includes a high level of technical ability, experience with complex specifications and/or skilled application of specialized finishes.. .

Firm’s office or branch that managed this project: _____________________________________

Project Name: _______________________City ___________________ State _____ Zip ______

Project Size (SF): _______________ Contract Completion Date _______

Building Type: Museum ____, Library/Educational ____, Cultural/Institutional ___, Government ___, Research ____; Laboratory ____, Restoration , if Other Describe

Contract Type: GMP ___, D/B ___, Fixed Price ___, Other ___, If Other, Describe________________

Orig. Contract Amount: $_________ Final Contract Amount: $___________ % Change: ____*

Orig. Contract Duration __________ Actual Contract Duration ________ % Change: ____*

* If either Contract Completion time or Value increased by more than 5% attach an explanation.

Comparable Projects Characteristics

Y/N Value of Scope Type of Work Challenges

Included Replacement of Major Building Components

Repair or Replacement of Systems Supporting Live Research Environments

Work in Occupied Buildings

During Business Hours

Work in or On Historic Buildings

Individual or campus settings

Governed by public access or security requirements

Required a high level of technical ability, experience with complex specifications and/or skilled application of specialized finishes.

Has this project received any awards (Construction, Quality, Safety or other): Yes ___No ___

If yes, list:

PART III – EXPERIENCE/PERFORMANCE – (continued)

Non-Comparable Experience - List a minimum of three (3) non-comparable projects completed or in progress during the past five (5) years that best demonstrate your experience in construction and modernization (renovation) of historic structures. Attach more sheets as needed, using this format. Submit under Tab 6. Do not include more than ten (10) projects.

Firm’s office or branch that managed this project:

Project Name: ______________________City ___________________ State _____ Zip ______

Project Size (SF): _______________ Contract Completion Date _______ Building Type:

Museum ___, Library/Educational ___, Cultural/Institutional ___, Government ___, Laboratory _____ , Restoration _____, if Other Describe _____________

Contract Type: GMP ___, D/B ___, Fixed Price ___, Other ___, If Other, Describe________________

Orig. Contract Amount: $_________Final Contract Amount: $__________ % Change: ____*

Orig. Contract Duration ________Actual Contract Duration ___________ % Change: ____*

* If either Contract Completion time or Value increased by more than 5% attach an explanation.

Has this project received any awards (Construction, Quality, Safety or other): Yes ___ No__ _ If yes, explain: ________________________________________________________________

Client Reference for Construction: (it is your responsibility to assure that the telephone number is correct. If your reference can not be contacted, this project may not count as a comparable.)

Owner’s Representative or Project Manager: _________________________________________ Telephone: ______________________ Email Address: _____________________________

Project Description (Building):

Challenging Features Description:

PART IV - CAPABILITIES

A. Organization: (Include in your submittal under Tab 7)

Primary Evaluation Criteria - Attach a statement describing:

Your company, with an organization chart. The statement and organization chart must clearly identify specific organizational elements and/or member companies that will be participating in the project.

Location of units Reporting relationships and functions to be performed by each unit.

Successful past working relationships Key executive who will have overall responsibility.

Key management personnel to be assigned to the project.

Resumes of key personnel (w/ specific comparable project experience) Professional staffing levels Describe expertise, capability, structure, and resources to adequately handle building construction.

Describe the company resources that would be available for the project.

Provide an employment profile for the construction company showing total employees, total permanent employees, and total professionals in each major category. Brief resumes of these individuals shall be attached.

B. Safety: Information shall be furnished on your insurance carrier’s letterhead. (Submit under Tab 8). Provide your firm’s Experience Modification Ratio (EMR). If your EMR is above 1.2, provide a written explanation. If your firm is a joint venture and has no prior safety record, then the EMR of the majority construction partner shall be provided.

(the remainder of this page purposefully left blank)

C. Backlog (Pass/Fail): Submit the information using the format shown below under Tab 9.

Provide a statement of total entity backlog, currently and for the past two years. Include only those contracts for which the company has responsibilities and liabilities. Exclude construction management contracts.

A B A LESS B

# OF ACTIVE

CONTRACTS

TOTAL ORIGINAL

VALUE OF

ACTIVE

CONTRACTS

TOTAL VALUE

COMPLETED FOR

ACTIVE

CONTRACTS

BALANCE TO

COMPLETE ($)

i.e. BACKLOG

CURRENT

ONE YEAR

AGO

TWO YEARS

AGO

D. Financial Capability (Pass/Fail): Inclusion of audited and/or interim financial statement;

total bonding capability; written bank references; and determination that your company possesses sufficient resources to successfully complete this project.

E. The selected contractor must have a Unique Entity ID number and be actively registered and current in in the System for Acquisition Management (SAM) database (https://sam.gov). UEI# _________________________________________

PART IV – CAPABILITIES (continued)

Attach your most recent financial statements including the Balance Sheet, Statement of Income, Statement of Cash Flows, and notes to the financial statements. These statements must be AUDITED by an independent, licensed CPA or CPA firm for the offeror’s previous two (2) fiscal years. Financial statements must be for the company making the submittal, not the parent company, unless a guarantee of the subsidiary’s obligations is provided. Provide the audited financial statements under Tab 10. Failure to submit audited financial statements may result in the disqualification of your submittal because a determination of financial responsibility can NOT be made without this information. Financial statements will be evaluated on a pass/fail basis to establish the responsibility of prospective contractors to perform the contract in accordance with FAR 9.104. In addition, if the firm’s last fiscal year-end precedes the date of this submittal by more than six (6) months, complete the following “Contractor’s Interim Financial Data” form for the company’s most recently completed quarterly fiscal period. If the entity’s most recent fiscal year-end fell within the last six months; completion of this form is not required.

Offeror’s Interim Financial Data

For the ________ month period ending ___________, ______

ASSETS LIABILITIES & NET WORTH

Current Assets Current Liabilities

CASH

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

CONTRACTS (COMPLETED)

CONTRACTS (IN PROGRESS)

OTHER RECEIVABLES

LESS: RESERVE FOR UNCOL.

NOTES RECEIVABLE COSTS IN

EXCESS OF BILLING

INVENTORIES MARKETABLE

SECURITIES PREPAID EXPENSES

OTHER CURRENT ASSETS

NOTES PAYABLE

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

ACCRUED EXPENSES

BILLINGS IN EXCESS OF

COST

DEFERRED TAXES

OTHER CURRENT

LIABILITIES

TOTAL CURRENT

LIABILITIES

Long Term Liabilities

NOTES PAYABLE

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

DEFERRED TAXES

OTHER L/T LIABILITIES

TOTAL L/T LIABILITIES

Fixed Assets Net Worth

LAND

BUILDINGS

EQUIPMENT

FURNITURE & FIXTURES

LESS: ACCUM. DEPREC.

OTHER FIXED ASSETS

TOTAL FIXED ASSETS

CAPITAL STOCK

ADDITIONAL PAID-IN

RETAINED EARNINGS

TREASURY STOCK

OTHER ADJUSTMENTS

TOTAL NET WORTH

TOTAL LIAB+ NET WORTH

EARNED REVENUES+INCOME

COST OF REVENUES EARNED

GROSS INCOME

GENERAL & ADMIN,

EXPENSE

NET INCOME

Other Assets

LIFE INSURANCE (CASH

VALUE)

LONG TERM INVESTMENTS

OTHER ASSETS

TOTAL FIXED ASSETS

TOTAL ASSETS

D. Bonding (Pass/Fail): Please attach a letter from one or more bonding companies stating the following:

Your bonding capability with them.

The amount of bonding outstanding.

How long they have been providing bonds to your company.

Submit the bonding company’s letter under Tab 11.

E. Banking (Pass/Fail): Please attach a letter from a bank stating the following:

1. How long has the company been with your bank.

2. Average balance (in general terms).

3. Extent of credit available and terms of availability.

4. The bank’s rating of the company as a customer.

5. Name and telephone number and/or email address of person(s) at bank who can be contacted by Smithsonian Institution evaluators.

6. Submit the bank reference under Tab 12.

SECTION 4: EVALUATION PROCEDURES

Evaluation and Selection will be based in the following criteria:

1- The Smithsonian Institution will select multiple construction firms for an IDIQ contract (Indefinite Deliverables/ Indefinite Quantities) based on past performance, expected team make-up, experience and other factors. The IDIQ contract provides The Smithsonian Institution (SI)/STRI the ability to draw upon a prequalified group of contractors to solicit work on SI/STRI projects. The selection of the contracting pool of the most qualified contractors, will be based on technical information submitted. Once this IDIQ pool is developed, these contractors, and only these contractors will be asked to submit price proposals for projects solicited by STRI.

4- The Company or companies must be legally registered and licensed to operate as a Construction Company in the Republic of Panama. DGI – tax entity- and the “JTIA” -Technical Board of Engineering and Architecture for at least 5 years from the date of this solicitation. Must be commercially and legally active in Panama at present time and have performed or is performing at least three (3) construction projects with comparable projects valued between a range of 1M to 3M, during the past five (5) years.

5- Candidates need to have at least five (5) years of experience as a facilities/ infrastructure /utilities services entity. Completion or Ongoing of a minimum of three (3) comparable projects within the past five (5) years, with at least one of them completed. Comparable projects are defined as facilities/infrastructures/utilities projects and performed for a reputable institution or company with a value between $1M to $3M. The comparable projects must include complex systems and specifications, concrete and masonry work, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection and fire alarm systems; as well as finishes works. Additionally, candidate firms need to indicate experience with the execution of projects based in US codes and standards, such as

NFPA, ACI, ASCI, IBC.

6- The IDIQ contractors can be selected for projects between $50,000 to $1,000,000 as a sole sourced award with no competition at the discretion of the Smithsonian.

7- This IDIQ pool also enables the competition amongst selected IDIQ contractors, for a larger construction project greater than $1 million and up to $9 million.

8- Minimum experience of personnel: 5 (five) years, for principal and key personnel which will be the point of contact (POC).

9- Location/presence in the Republic of Panama and willingness to engage projects located in remote locations within the country.

10- The selected contractor must have a Unique Entity ID number and be actively registered and current in in the System for Acquisition Management (SAM) database.

METHOD AND DATE OF SUBMITTAL

The completed Qualification Statement should contain no more than 50 pages and should be uploaded to Dropbox Link: https://www.dropbox.com/request/okxm0x1l5WRRw6ISwtYD no later than September 1, 2025, at 3:00PM ET.