Sources Sought Notice.pdf

Sources Sought Notice for USACE TAM Architect-Engineer Geotechnical Investigation and Engineering Services in the CENTCOM AOR

The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Transatlantic Middle East District (TAM) is seeking sources for an Architect-Engineer (A-E) Indefinite Delivery/ Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Single Award Task Order Contract (SATOC) for geotechnical investigation and engineering services to provide site soil information for design. The A-E is expected to perform Architect – Engineer Services identified in FAR 36.601-4 for a variety of professional services to support the design and construction of existing and new facilities, infrastructure improvement projects, and other missions in support of TAM.

Geotechnical investigations determine the geologic setting of the project and can include the geologic, seismologic, and soil conditions that influence selection of the project site; the characteristics of the foundation soils and rocks; geotechnical conditions which influence project safety, design, and construction; critical geomorphic processes; and sources of construction materials. A-E is expected to perform, lead, or participate in geotechnical investigations which evaluate geologic, seismologic, and soils conditions that affect the safety, cost effectiveness, design, and execution of a proposed engineering project.

Geotechnical Engineering Services (GES) may also include conducting independent technical reviews of geotechnical design elements, review of 3rd party submittals, bearing capacity and settlement determination, pavement recommendations for ground vehicles and aircraft, drainage and dewatering, slope stability, earth pressures for retaining structures, and foundation recommendations for a wide range of structures to include medical facilities, airfield facilities, military base housing, administrative facilities, communication facilities, and utility infrastructure.

As much as possible, procedures, practices, and tests, shall conform to ASTM (American Society for Testing Materials) standards.

Considering the importance of Geotechnical Investigations, a full range of services may be required from the A-E. Work could range from the initial stages of program development and planning, through all aspects of design and construction including, but not limited to:

1. Geotechnical investigation plan (proposal) for review and approval

2. Mobilization/Demobilization

3. Perform survey of geotechnical explorations and testing locations

4. Perform and log field explorations that may include, but are not limited to:

• Explorations shall be in accordance with ASTM D 5434 "Field Logging of Subsurface Explorations of Soil and Rock. All test boring and field-testing locations shall be surveyed and comply with topographic survey requirements.

Prepare exploration logs in accordance with ASTM D 653, "Standard Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluid", and ASTM D 5434, "Standard Guide for Field Logging of Subsurface Explorations of Soil and Rock".

The method of advancement shall be determined based on ASTM D 6169, "Selection of Soil and Rock Sampling Devices Used with Drill Rigs for Environmental Investigations". Finalized logs ready for publication shall be prepared from the field logs and adjusted to reflect the results of the laboratory testing.

5. Perform and report field testing which could include:

• Materials investigation and testing,

• Geophysical Investigations and Testing,

• Engineering/Geology Literature search,

• Geologic Field Mapping,

• Seismological Studies,

• Surveying to inform field testing.

6. Collect representative soil samples for laboratory testing,

7. Perform and report laboratory testing,

8. Prepare a detailed Geotechnical Report and recommendations which could include:

• Advanced Modeling (ADM)

The services will primarily be for use with designs generated by TAM staff or in support of smaller specialty projects. The locations will likely be new development, isolated for the most part from existing major design or construction programs.

Work will primarily consist of GES in support of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Middle East District (TAM) mission in the CENTCOM Area of Responsibility (AOR), which includes the Middle East and portions of Southwest and Central Asia and Africa. TAM's Area of Operation (AO) has traditionally paralleled the CENTCOM AOR. TAM's mission currently includes programs with worldwide authority and the GES contract will provide support anywhere TAM is designated as Program Manager.

The CENTCOM region is comprised of 20 countries (Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Afghanistan, Oman, Pakistan, Egypt, Israel, Iraq, Jordan, Syria, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Lebanon, and Yemen).

Contract duration is estimated at five (5) total years made up a three-year base period and a two-year option period.

The estimated total capacity is $9,000,000.00.

NAICS code: 541330 / PSC: C219

Responses should include:

1. Identification of the countries in which the firm is willing and able to work.

2. Contractor's Unique Entity Identifier and CAGE Code(s).

3. Descriptions of Experience - Interested A-E firms must provide no more than five (5) example projects completed in the past five (5) years Each project must include the name, title, project role, e-mail address, and telephone number of at least one reference. References may be used to verify project size, scope, dollar value, percentages, and quality of performance. Example projects must be of similar size and scope. Projects must be at least 50% self-performed to be considered similar.

a. Projects must demonstrate:

1. The A-E's capability to perform the following geotechnical investigative tasks in accordance with EM 1110-1-1804 and ASTM international:

• Auger boring (solid and hollow stem),

• Drive boring (push/drive sampling, Becker hammer drill sampling, standard penetration testing),

• Undisturbed boring ("Shelby tube" sampling, fixed piston sampling, etc.)

• Rock and concrete pavement core boring (double or triple core sampling)

• Test pit excavations,

• In-Situ testing (Tables 5-2, 5-3 EM 1110-1-1804),

• Acquire laboratory services to conduct soil/rock testing,

• Drilling rigs shall comply with EM 1110-1-1804 and be capable of reaching 25m below grade,

• Capacity to have 3 drilling crews operational simultaneously.

2. The A-E's capability to analyze data and write geotechnical reports making pavement and foundation recommendations for facilities such as medical facilities, airfield facilities, military base housing, administrative facilities, communication facilities, and utility infrastructure.

3. Conducting independent technical reviews of geotechnical design elements and review of 3rd party design submittals.

b. Project size parameters. Minimum of 5 hectares with 5 borings, 5 test pits.

c. Projects performed in geographic locations in or similar to the CENTCOM region.

d. Based on the information above, for each project submitted, include:

• Scope of the project

• Size of the project

• Current percentage of the Geotechnical services or design complete and dates of completion

• The portion, type, and percentage of work that was self-performed.

NOTE: Total submittal package shall be no longer than 10 pages. Please only include a narrative of the requested information; additional information will not be reviewed.

Email responses and any questions to David Farina at David.J.Farina@usace.army.mil. This is NOT a Request for Proposal and does not constitute any commitment by the Government.

Responses to this Sources Sought notice will be used by the Government for market research purposes. All interested sources must respond to future solicitation announcements separately to be considered.