Sources Sough VCO Signed 72066920R00011.pdf

SPECIAL NOTICES

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

VERTICAL CONSTRUCTION OVERSIGHT SERVICES

This Request for Information (RFI) is published to enable USAID to assess the market for Liberian companies which are capable and interested in providing Architect & Engineering (A&E) services to provide construction oversight, professional engineering and other technical services to USAID/Liberia.

These services will encompass feasibility studies, engineering designs and construction supervision and related support, ranging from quick response to short and long-term services in Vertical Construction Oversight (VCO) across the Mission’s portfolios.

DISCLAIMER

This is a Request for Information only. It is not a Request for Proposal, Request for Quotation, an Invitation for Bids, a Solicitation or an indication that USAID/Libera will contract for the services. The RFI is an attempt to reach out to the market to determine the scope of industry capabilities and interest and will be treated as information only. In accordance with FAR 15.201 (e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government of the United States to form a binding contract.

Responses are strictly voluntary, and USAID will not pay respondents for information provided.

Responses will not be returned, and respondents will not be notified of the result of the review. If a solicitation is issued, it will be sent to a selective set of companies at a later date, and all interested parties contacted must respond to that solicitation separately from any response to this notice. The RFI does not restrict the Government’s acquisition approach on a future solicitation.

INSTRUCTIONS

The complete RFI can be downloaded from BetaSam using the following link https://beta.sam.gov/ searching by the RFI No. 72066920R00010 or “USAID/Liberia Vertical Construction Oversight”.

To respond to this RFI, interested sources must provide no more than ten (10) pages in Microsoft Word or PDF format, a capability statement expressing interest and documenting ability to meet the requirements as specified in the Description of Services. Interested sources must provide their full business name, address, name and title of contact person by Thursday October 15, 17h00 (5:00 PM), Liberian time, to Luisa Alvarado at lalvarado@usaid.gov with copy to Edward S. Lamin at elamin@usaid.gov.

Sincerely

Judy J. Webb Supervisory Contracting Officer https://beta.sam.gov/ mailto:lalvarado@usaid.gov mailto:elamin@usaid.gov

USAID/LIBERIA VERTICAL CONSTRUCTION OVERSIGHT (VCO)

C.1 PURPOSE

The purpose of this RFI is to seek services of an Architect & Engineering (A&E) Firm to provide construction oversight, professional engineering and other technical services to USAID/Liberia that encompasses feasibility studies, engineering designs and construction supervision and related support, ranging from quick response to short and long-term services in Vertical Construction Oversight across the Mission’s portfolios. The A&E firm will provide cost-effective access to technical expertise for design and construction implementation support to achieve Mission Strategic Objectives, ensure cost effectiveness, as well as reduction of risk to the Mission.

C.2 BACKGROUND

The U.S. Agency for International Development Liberia Mission (USAID/Liberia), is supporting various Vertical Construction (VCO) projects in Liberia. USAID/Liberia makes direct and/or indirect infrastructure investments in schools, hospitals, and public/community buildings. The Mission’s infrastructure projects are an important component of our development programs. To improve both construction management efforts and the final product, while reducing construction related risks, the Mission intends to increase the use of a local A&E firm to provide professional services including construction designs, drawings and specifications, construction oversight supervision and management, and other related engineering services like pre-feasibility studies, feasibility studies, training, and capacity building of host country government, private sector, and non-governmental organizations

(NGO).

C. 3 OBJECTIVES

The objective is to provide professional engineering and other technical services to USAID/Liberia to design and provide supervision services to works specified in Section C.4, “Scope Of Work (SOW) below, thereby ensuring cost-effectiveness, development impact, and sustainability as well as reduction of risk to the Mission.

The A&E firm will provide broad technical support to USAID/Liberia by conducting feasibility studies, design, and construction supervision and oversight.

C.4 SCOPE OF WORK (SOW)

Currently, A&E services are required for the assessment, provision of a full design including Technical Specifications, Bill of Quantities (BOQ) and Scope of Works that includes timelines of deliverables for implementing the design package for the below Government of Liberia (GoL) Institutions:

a. The National Malaria Control Program (NMCP): Assessment and design for renovation/rehabilitation of the NMCP Office space on Capitol Bye-Pass, Monrovia. The

Mission intends to provide renovation and refurbishment of the NMCP office to a functional office space conducive for business operations. Specific works required will be, partial replacement of roofing and ceiling systems (retaining wooden ceiling in the space formerly used as the Minister’s office), tiling works, Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) systems, partial window systems, door systems, installing storage racks; painting works;

installing partitions between office spaces; installing wooden partitions to block off stairways to other floors; provision and installation of furniture; air-conditioning system among other finishing and landscaping other works as required.

b. Central Medical Stores (CMS) Carport: Assessment and design for a proposed partition of

CMS carport to storage facility for mosquito nets.

c. County Medical Supply Depot: Assessment and design of the County Medical Depots in

Grand Gedeh and River Gee Counties. The Mission intends to provide renovation of these depots to a more conducive environment for business operations. Specific works required will be, the complete replacement of roofing and ceiling systems, tiling works, Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) systems, partial replacement of door and window systems, door systems, installing storage racks; painting works; installing partitions for staff support services; air-conditioning system among other finishing and landscaping and other works as required.

The A&E firm must, when directed by USAID, provide the below A&E services from project conception through the Defects Liability Period (DLP):

4.1 Pre-Construction Services

The A&E firm must provide pre-construction management services for USAID/Liberia infrastructure projects. Pre-construction management services are services prior to construction that provide preparations or support to mitigate problems that might occur during or after construction.

a. Conduct economic impact assessments, preliminary assessments, feasibility studies, for proposed infrastructure activities and submit reports.

b. Conduct mandatory analyses such as gender & GBV analyses, environmental assessments, and needs assessments and assess alternative design details or value engineering analysis.

c. Conduct surveys, mapping, and geographic information system (GIS) analyses.

d. Provide detailed designs and submit draft and final design documents including detailed design drawings, technical specifications, bills of quantities, and timelines.

e. Compile and prepare tender/solicitation documents for construction services.

f. Review architectural and engineering documents on USAID’s behalf and ensure that they have the necessary details and specifications to reduce risk and to ensure durable infrastructure elements that are in compliance with all applicable laws, codes, health and safety as per the American with Disabilities Act ( ADA) requirements.

g. During the procurement stage, the Mission may require the support to establish the selection processes to identify equipment and construction contractors that will thrive in the local context. The contractor may be required to provide procurement services to include:

a. Providing support to USAID during pre-bid meetings or pre-proposal conferences.

b. Reviewing technical requests for information during bidding phase and draft responses;

and

c. Participate in technical evaluation committees in an advisory role (non-voting member) or otherwise assist in reviewing, evaluating, and providing recommendations regarding the proposal selected.

4.2 Construction Monitoring and Inspection Services

The contractor must provide Construction Monitoring and Inspection Services for USAID/Liberia infrastructure projects. Monitoring and Inspection services during the construction phase that address issues associated with the construction, such as cost, schedule, and/or quality. These services include:

a. Daily Construction supervision/monitoring and inspection of construction sites. The contractor must monitor and verify that all construction activities are in accordance with the respective design/contract documents and are environmentally compliant. The contractor is required to notify the construction contractor and the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) immediately and in writing when unsafe working conditions are observed. When discrepancy is observed, the contractor must discuss with the construction contractor’s representative so the construction contractor can resolve the issue (s) immediately. The contractor must report safety and environmental issues immediately to the attention of the

COR.

b. Lead weekly construction site meetings with construction contractors to discuss and preempt potential issues based on the weekly planned construction activities.

c. Prepare construction management report(s).

d. Monitor construction progress, identify issues impeding progress and forward recommendations to USAID.

e. Inspect construction materials and verify that all materials are in accordance with the respective specification and design/contract requirements.

f. Verify work progress for construction contractors’ payment requests by providing input based on daily construction management observations to include but not limited to confirming progress, material and deliveries, track construction contractors’ performance against schedules and budgets.

g. Review the construction contractor’s request for equitable adjustment (REA) and provide recommendations to the Contracting Officer Representative

h. Conduct environmental monitoring and ensure that the Environmental monitoring and mitigation plan (EMMP) is current and is being followed. And advise USAID on possible revision of EMMP.

i. The Contractor must be present at all times during construction.

4.3 Post Construction Services

The contractor must provide Post Construction Services for USAID/Liberia during the Defects Liability Period (DLP). Post-construction phase services or DLP services are services following the construction phase that address issues associated with the construction, such as defects and repairs, Close-out reports and Inventories. These services include:

a. Lead inspection services to verify completion of all works in accordance with the construction contract specifications and make recommendation to USAID, for the issuance of Substantial or Final Completion Certificates to the construction contractor.

b. Supervise the replacement/rectification of defective works and report to USAID.

c. Prepare and review all construction close-out documents including final reports, manuals, as-built drawings and keep track of the status of warranties and guarantees for all awarded construction contracts.

d. Review completed construction activities and sites (including conducting a minimum of three site visits during the DLP and prepare a punch list for each site identifying incomplete/unacceptable/defective items that require the construction contractor’s attention.

Maintain each punch list and update it as items are addressed.

e. Develop and/or prepare final reports, manuals, and guidelines as well as operations and maintenance documents.

f. Lead commissioning and handing over ceremonies with cooperation of the construction contractor and stakeholder(s).

4.4 Mobilization and Staffing

The A&E Firm must provide all labor, materials, supplies, supervision, equipment, and related services to staff, manage, and maintain an office that provides daily access and oversight of construction contractor’s work. The A&E firm should structure its workforce to maximize the ability to work concurrently on multiple projects of varying infrastructure types, varying locations, and varying requirements.

The Contractor is expected to establish additional field offices at the construction project sites.

4.5 Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring

The contractor must provide oversight to ensure that constructed facilities, structures, and infrastructure are designed and constructed in a manner that:

a. avoids adverse environmental and social impacts wherever possible.

b. restores work sites to acceptable standards; and

c. Abides by any environmental performance requirements governed by local laws.

Environmental safeguards oversight must include, but not be limited to, considerations for the following:

a. Minimizing the effect of dust on the surrounding environment resulting from earth moving equipment, vibrating equipment, temporary/permanent access roads, etc. to ensure safety, health and the protection of workers and communities living in the vicinity dust producing activities.

b. Ensuring that noise levels emanating from machinery, vehicles, and noisy construction activities (e.g. excavation, blasting) are kept at a minimum for the safety, health and protection of workers within the vicinity of high noise levels and nearby communities.

c. Ensuring that existing water flow regimes in rivers, streams and other natural or irrigation channels is maintained and/or re-established where they are disrupted due to works being carried out.

d. Ensuring that, as much as possible, local materials are used to avoid importation of foreign material and long-distance transportation.

e. Ensuring public and worker safety and meeting traffic safety requirements for the operation of work to avoid accidents.

4.6 Gender Consideration

The contractor is required to incorporate gender as an important consideration in the overall implementation of services to respect the critical role women play in accelerating progress in development and advancing global prosperity and security. The contractor’s support must consider the need for adaptations or modifications specifically tailored to reducing gender inequality, reducing gender-based violence, and increasing the capabilities of women.

Specifically, when providing support during design, procurement, and construction, attention should be given to the specific needs of women and girls. This includes, but is not limited to, the design, location, and operational simplicity of any infrastructure such as water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH); privacy and safety for women and girls should be considered at all levels of design and implementation.

4.7 Climate Risk Management

Engineering analysis preceding design activities must include consideration of climate change and its potential impacts on the location (siting), functionality and sustainability of resulting infrastructure and infrastructure services. Such analysis must include identification of relevant data sets and gaps, review of local building standards and codes for adequacy; and determination of safety factors or other measures of uncertainty that will be carried through design. The results of this analysis, including risks identified and how they are addressed, must be documented.

4.8 Capacity Building

Well-educated and experienced populations are essential to achieving self-reliance for countries and communities. USAID supports partnering countries in developing stable, resilient, and prosperous growth through various activities. Building the capacity of partner countries by training host country entities and using local labor to accomplish the tasks of infrastructure activities is one-way that USAID supports this path to self-reliance. As such, the Contractor is required to incorporate capacity building into its strategy in executing the requirements of this contract. At a minimum, the Contractor will seek to build local infrastructure capacity by engaging local engineering firms, expertise, and institutions. Training of women in professional infrastructure activities and training local entities to understand the effect of global climate change on infrastructure projects and designing mitigation plans to address this issue are other examples of how the Contractor can incorporate capacity development in the execution of this task order.

4.9 Sustainable Construction

Sustainable Construction focuses more on the built environment and surrounding ecosystems, during the design phase, construction phase and during the operational life cycle of the infrastructure. The Contractor must identify ways in which Sustainable Construction approaches can be used to improve both technical performance and appropriateness of USAID funded infrastructure.

Technical performance includes interventions to improve energy efficiency, water consumption, and materials consumption. Appropriateness is how the project aligns with community goals and how the project supports responsible development that integrates with existing systems from a social, environmental, cultural, and economic perspective. Developing local ownership is an important part of community engagement.

Conflict sensitivity and do no harm: Ensure that project activities are maximizing positive and constructive dynamics in the context and communities in which they operate, and not exacerbating negative or destructive dynamics. A conflict sensitive approach reflects understanding of the context in which the project will operate, the interaction between the proposed intervention and that context, and innovative thinking to avoid negative impacts and maximize positive ones.

C.5 ESTIMATED PERIOD AND PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

The renovation works are expected to take place in Montserrado, Grand Gedeh and Rivergee Counties and the estimated time for the construction is 10 months from the date of notice to proceed. Thus, it is estimated that the oversight period will last the same number of months plus the DLP Period (estimated to be for additional eight months) after the construction period.

The planned date for commencement of services is on/or about November 2020.