Amendment_No._1.pdf

USAID/Rwanda SOL-696-13-00010, Amendment No. 1 Design and Management Services

Attachment No. 1

Questions and Answers

1. Was the site visit conducted on October 30, 2013 a mandatory event?

The site visit conducted on October 30th was not mandatory, but an additional site visit will not be conducted.

2. Can we hold the site visit at a later date and still submit an offer?

An additional site visit will not be conducted, but nonattendance at the October 30, 2013 site visit does not make an offeror ineligible to compete for the award.

3. Is there a possibility of visiting the property between November 6th and December 6, 2013?

No additional site visits will be conducted.

4. Can you provide a topo-survey map of the site showing different levels and existing structures and trees on site, and all other relevant information?

USAID/Rwanda will provide a plot plan of the property, which provides information on the boundary details, the angles and the area in meters. The plot plan is attached to the solicitation and posted at FBO and the USAID/Rwanda Partnership Opportunities page.

5. The RFP indicates that a plot plan has been attached, yet there is no plot plan visible at this time. Can you attach?

The plot plan is now attached to this solicitation.

6. Must the staff being proposed for this assignment already be registered to do work in Rwanda?

All engineers and architects utilized for USAID related projects must be registered professional engineers.

7. Is there a MBE (Minority Business Enterprise)/DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) set aside for this solicitation?

There are no set-asides for this solicitation.

8. What’s USAID policy on the materials recovered from the destruction of existing buildings and the extent of how they can be reused in the new project?

USAID has no binding policy on the use of recovered materials in this context. The contracting officer shall consider the usefulness to the Government of all salvageable property and the design documents required by the contract anticipated by this solicitation should address the best use of these materials.

9. At what stage of the project development can we decide on what materials from the destruction can be used?

Consideration for materials reuse will be discussed during the construction phase of this project. All equipment, material, and articles incorporated into the work covered by the construction contract shall be new and of the most suitable grade for the purpose intended, unless otherwise specifically provided in that contract.

10. Is there a possibility for an architectural firm to submit a proposal that includes a contractor’s proposal for construction and make the project a design-build?

No.

11. Are there requirements on security regarding parking inside the compound? It is our understanding that the residence will be used for key events with guests coming in their own cars.

There are no security requirements regarding parking inside the compound. Key security considerations include grill work on all window paneling, and perimeter walls of at least 8 ft.

Changes made to the front perimeter wall and gate should be consistent with the current entrance gate and wall in terms of height, thickness and durability. The RFP has been amended under section C.3(a)(i)(G) to reflect this additional information.

12. Does the $900,000 construction contract cost mentioned in the term of references include:

Architectural and Engineering studies fees and all fixtures and equipment (electrical, plumbing, mechanical, safety lighting) costs?

The estimated construction contract price for the project described in this contract is $900,000. This price includes all associated fees and costs necessary to implement the project, but does not include the cost of the A&E contract contemplated by this solicitation.

13. What documents need to be provided for the past performance criteria evaluation? Are references enough for this? Awards, recognitions, coverage in magazines?

Section L.6(c)(4) requires only reference information as specified. A DD 263 is required for US Federal Government contracts. For other types of contracts, the offeror can submit other information it deems appropriate, consistent with the instructions in Section L.6.4 of the solicitation.

14. Is the fee of $80,000 specified in the terms of references a total fee for all subs including engineers, etc? Will there be extra fee for construction implementation management?

The reference to an “estimated USAID amount of $80,000” was an error. The contract contemplated by the solicitation is a fixed price contract where offerors are free to propose any price that is appropriate for them. Please note that, pursuant to Section M.1(b) award will be made on the best value considering the technical evaluation and the price proposed. Pursuant to Section M.4, lower price will be traded off against higher technical ability, if necessary. In summary, offerors can propose any price they want and, under the terms of the solicitation, a lower price is superior to a higher price.

15. Also on the criteria for this submission, would we as a Rwandan bidder have to be registered with the US government on any of the following? (Dunn and Bradstreet, SAM)

USAID award recipients must acquire a DUNS Number from Dunn and Bradstreet, and must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM).

16. Is it possible to partner with other companies on this bid?

Yes, but the offeror must be a legal entity.

17. Do you have a list of local Architecture Firms that you could share?

No, we do not have such a list that we can share.

END OF MODIFICATION NO. 1