Amendment 2 - Response to RFIs - dated 13 August 2020.pdf

# Question Amendment Response

Under b. Professional Qualifications (SF330, Part I, Section E & G): It is indicated that a degree in architecture or engineering is required for Cost Estimating. This is atypical for USACE AE opportunities as a construction management degree and an industry recognized certification through AACE International (Certified Cost Professional) has greater relevancy than a traditional engineering degree. Would you consider removing the Engineering/Architecture degree requirement and update to reflect a CCP or CPE certification requirement by AACE International and/or ASPE.

Qualified means 10 years of Construction Cost Estimating experience with a industry recognized certification. Design Team members responsibl e for construction cost estimating must demons trate prior experience in use of MII software.

Under b. Professional Qualifications (SF330, Part I, Section E & G) it is noted the team should include the following however only the Key personnel need to submit resumes. For the one certified soil boring and testing firm and the one certified environmental testing lab, even though resumes are not required, would USACE like to see copies of the labs certification in the proposal to confirm compliance? And if so, would those certifications count towards the 70-page count in Part I?

Yes, submitting certification statement in section H is acceptable, as long as it is clearly stated what criteria is being addressed by the additional narrative.

The design services in section e, #2 c and v mention the need for Master Planning related support. Will an AICP certified master planner resume be added to the list of key personnel in order to support these services?

A resume is not required. The successful awardees will be required to submit resumes for specialty disciplines not listed in the synopsis on a case by case basis.

b. PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS (SF330, Part I, Section E & G): The solicitation requirements regarding resumes for proposed key personnel do not include a resume for a Project Manager. Will the government consider adding a requirement for a Project Manager to the proposed key personnel list?

A resume is not required. The successful awardees will be required to submit resumes for specialty disciplines not listed in the synopsis on a case by case basis.

b. PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS (SF330, Part I, Section E & G): The solicitation lists Civil Works as a technical area (a. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE AND TECHNICAL COMPETENCE (SF330, Part I, Section F), but the requirements regarding resumes for proposed key personnel do not include a resume for a Coastal Engineer. Will the government consider adding a requirement for a Coastal Engineer to the proposed key personnel list?

A resume is not required. The successful awardees will be required to submit resumes for specialty disciplines not listed in the synopsis on a case by case basis.

GENERAL SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS: The solicitation states that the SF 330 Part I shall not exceed 70 pages (8.5” x 11”), and that each side of a sheet of paper is a page. We want to confirm that the USACE Norfolk District does not include covers and tabs in the 70 page limit.

Covers and section dividers are excluded from the overall 70 page count.

GENERAL SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS: The solicitation states that the SF 330 Part I shall not exceed 70 pages (8.5” x 11”), and that each side of a sheet of paper is a page. Will the government consider allowing firms to include an 11"x17" page for our Section D OrgChart?

Yes, org chart is acceptable to be submitted as 11X 17 and will be counted as one page.

For accuracy of our submittal, can you confirm the public notice date for use in SF 330 Part 1, Section A Contract Information, 2. Public Notice Date? Public Notice Date is Jul 24, 2020 04:18 pm EDT

AMENDMENT #2: CONTRACTOR QUESTIONS & RESPONSES

AMENDMENT #2: CONTRACTOR QUESTIONS & RESPONSES

Page 6, Selection Interview, third paragraph: In accordance with the FAR 36.601-4(b) the A/E firm must be a registered/licensed architectural and/or engineering firm to be eligible for award. Provide proof that firm is permitted by law to practice the professions of architecture or engineering, (i.e., state registration number, or a brief explanation of the firm’s licensing in states that do not register firms, etc.). Failure to submit the required proof could result in a firm’s elimination from consideration.

Can offerors place proof of licensure in an appendix, excluded from the page limit?

Yes, proof of registration can be submitted as an appendix and will not count towards the overall 70 page limitations.

Page 6, Selection Interview, fourth paragraph: FIRMS WHO ARE OFFERING

AS A JOINT VENTURE SHOULD INCLUDE WITH THEIR SUBMISSION A COPY

OF THE JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENT. FAILURE TO INCLUDE THE JOINT

VENTURE AGREEMENT WILL RESULT IN THE FIRM’S ELIMINATION FROM

FURTHER EVALUATION.

The solicitation states that firms who are offering as a Joint Venture should include a copy of their Joint Venture Agreement. The solicitation also states in another area that firms must be registered in the SAM database PRIOR TO AWARD of a contract. Please confirm that our JV does not have to be registered in SAM prior to submission of the SF330 response on 24 August. We are now beginning the SAM registration process but it is likely that the process will not be completed prior to the 24 August submission date. It will, however, be completed well before the expected award date, if we are deemed as one of the most highly qualified teams.

A copy of a fully executed JV agreement shall be submitted with SF330 submission, and will not count towards the overall 70 page limitation. It is acceptable for a JV not to be registered in SAM prior to submittal of the SF330s. However, the firms shall be fully aware that an award will not be made to an entity not registered in SAM.

The solicitation states that firms who are offering as a Joint Venture should include a copy of their Joint Venture Agreement. The solicitation also states in another area that firms must be registered in the SAM database PRIOR TO AWARD of a contract. Please confirm that our JV does not have to be registered in SAM prior to submission of the SF330 response on 24 August. We are now beginning the SAM registration process but it is likely that the process will not be completed prior to the 24 August submission date. It will, however, be completed well before the expected award date, if we are deemed as one of the most highly qualified teams.

It is acceptable for a JV not to be registered in SAM prior to submittal of the SF330s. However, the firms shall be fully aware that an award will not be made to an entity not registered in SAM.

Can offerors place joint venture agreements in an appendix, excluded from the page limit?

Joint Venture Agreements are excluded from the 70 page limitation.

Page 7, SMALL BUSINESS SUBCONTRACTING PLAN: Small business subcontracting goals.

The table in the Small Business Subcontracting Plan section shows subcontracting goals. Please confirm these goals are percentages of the total amount of the work the Prime subcontracts out and NOT a percentage of the total fees earned.

Correct, The Small Business Plan is based on the total dollars subcontracted.

AMENDMENT #2: CONTRACTOR QUESTIONS & RESPONSES

Page 9, SELECTION CRITERIA FOR MAC IDIQ CONTRACTS, a. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE AND TECHNICAL COMPETENCE (SF330, Part I, Section F), Submission Requirements: (5) Demonstrate recent experience with designing buildings meeting the latest in Cyber security UFC 4-010-06 Cyber Security of Facility–Related Control Systems with a minimum of two project examples. Extra consideration will be given to project examples that exceed the minimum of two.

The solicitation requires the demonstration of recent experience (2 projects) with designing buildings that meet the latest Cyber Security criteria of UFC 4-010-06. This is a relatively new criteria and while we have several major ongoing designs that require compliance with UFC 4-010-06, it is difficult to find completed example projects without sacrificing relevancy to other selection criteria and/or the proposed team. Would projects that incorporate earlier Cyber Security UFC criteria be acceptable to show experience in this area?

Refer to revised submission requirements provided with this amendment

Page 9, SELECTION CRITERIA FOR MAC IDIQ CONTRACTS, a. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE AND TECHNICAL COMPETENCE (SF330, Part I, Section F), Submission Requirements: Sufficient information to determine the date of completion of the project must be included in the project description or the project will not be considered.

What is considered “sufficient information” to verify completion date?

Clearly identify the date ready to advertise (RTA) date submittal was accepted by the Project Owner

Page 10, SELECTION CRITERIA FOR MAC IDIQ CONTRACTS, b.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS (SF330, Part I, Section E & G):

Professional qualifications of proposed subcontractors or its professional staff may be submitted to demonstrate applicable qualifications provided that the nature and extent of all contractor team arrangements and all applicable written letters of commitments of the subcontractor are identified and disclosed.

Can USACE Norfolk confirm if offerors are required to include copies of teaming agreements and/or letters of commitment in submittals?

Teaming Agreements and/or letters of commitment should be included in submittals.

These documents do not count towards the 70 page limit.

29 If letters of commitment are required, will the District provide a template?

A template will not be provided. However, the teaming agreement should be fully executed by both parties and also provide an irrevocable commitment to support during the stated contract performance.

If copies of teaming agreements and/or letters of commitment are required, can offerors place these documents in an appendix, excluded from the page limit?

teaming Agreements and/or letters of commitment do not count towards the 70 page limit.

AMENDMENT #2: CONTRACTOR QUESTIONS & RESPONSES

Page 11, SELECTION CRITERIA FOR MAC IDIQ CONTRACTS, b.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS (SF330, Part I, Section E & G), Submission Requirements, One (1) certified soil boring and testing firm: One (1) certified soil boring and testing firm. Higher Consideration will be given to laboratories that have a nationally recognized certification, and include a summary statement of firms that intend to obtain or maintain Corps of Engineers Research and Development Center (ERDC) Certification.

Can the District confirm if Section H is the most appropriate location for the summary statement?

Yes, submitting certification statement in section H is acceptable, as long as it is clearly stated what criteria is being addressed by the additional narrative.

Page 11, SELECTION CRITERIA FOR MAC IDIQ CONTRACTS, b.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS (SF330, Part I, Section E & G), Submission Requirements: The team should include the following however only the Key personnel need to submit resumes.

Can the District confirm that resumes are not required for disciplines numbered 1 (certified soil boring testing firm) through 6 (project scheduler)?

Resumes are not required for these discplines not listed as key personnell.

Page 12, b. PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AND CAPACITY (SF330, Part I, Section H), Submission Requirements: The contractor should also provide an organizational chart for the team and discuss the management plan for this contract and personnel roles in the organization.

Can the District confirm that the organizational chart can be provided in Section D of the SF330, and not repeated in Section H?

Yes, organizational chart can be provided in Section D and does not need to be repeated in section H. Firms should clearly direct Government's attention to pertainent sections of its submission to ensure no information gets missed in the evaluation process.

34 Is it permissible to use 11x17 page size for the organizational chart?

Yes, org chart is acceptable to be submitted as 11X 17 and will be counted as one page.

If permitted to use 11x17 for the organizational chart, will this count as 1 or 2 pages?

Yes, org chart is acceptable to be submitted as 11X 17 and will be counted as one page.

Page 13, d. PAST PERFORMANCE (SF330, Part I, Section H), Submission Requirements: SUBMIT A COMPLETED CPARS EVALUATION FOR EACH EXAMPLE PROJECT LISTED UNDER CRITERION (a).

Can the District confirm that “completed CPARS evaluation” equals “final”, and that an interim CPARS evaluation is not acceptable?

If a final CPARs is available, it should be submitted with the SF330s. Otherwise, please submit interim CPARs evaluations or a filled out

PPQ.

Page 13, d. PAST PERFORMANCE (SF330, Part I, Section H), Submission Requirements: IF A COMPLETED CPARS EVALUATION IS NOT AVAILABLE, the Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ) (Attachment (a)) included in this notice is provided for the firm or its team members to submit to the client for each project included under Criterion a, Specialized Experience.

The synopsis references Attachment A, but there is no Attachment A provided in the list of downloadable documents in beta.sam.gov. Can the District please provide this attachment?

Attachment A is provided with this amendment.

AMENDMENT #2: CONTRACTOR QUESTIONS & RESPONSES

Can offerors place copies of CPARS and PPQs in an appendix, excluded from the page limit?

Yes, the 70 page limitation applies only to the SF 330 Part I, CPARS/PPQ are not included in this page limitation. Per synopsis, do not submit a PPQ when a completed CPARS is available. CPARS/PPQs may be provided as an appendix of the SF 330 Part I.

Page 13, d. PAST PERFORMANCE (SF330, Part I, Section H), Submission Requirements: In addition to CPARS/PPQ reports, the A/E shall provide the following: (1) Firms must provide a chart which demonstrates construction cost estimated vs. actual award costs. Higher consideration will be given to firms that include data from their example projects. (2) Firms must also provide a chart that demonstrates actual schedule performance vs.

established milestones. If experience or qualifications of subcontractors are submitted pursuant to Criterion A, the past performance of all proposed subcontractors will be evaluated. (3) Demonstrate how the prime and its subconsultants kept their projects within the Construction Cost limitations, and if the Project went over budget during the design progression how the AE bring it back within budget.

Can the District confirm that information in response to items 1-3 should relate to the projects provided in response to Criterion A? Confirmed

Page 14, h. COMMITTMENT TO SMALL BUSINESS (SF330, Part I, Section H):

The Government will evaluate proposals based on: (A) Past performance in utilization of small business concerns, and (B) Participation of small business concerns for this requirement.

Can the District confirm that information provided in response to items A and B can be placed in an appendix excluded from the page limitations?

Yes, information provided in response to items A and B can be placed in an appendix excluded from the 70 page limitation.

Page 15, General Submission Requirements: Use no smaller than 11 point Times New Roman or larger.

Is Times New Roman required, or is a similar font (like Calibri or Arial) that is not smaller than Times New Roman permitted? Times New Roman is the only acceptable font.

42 Will the District allow smaller font size for graphics and tables?

Smaller font is acceptable for graphics and tables as long as the information is clearly readable.

AMENDMENT #2: CONTRACTOR QUESTIONS & RESPONSES

The synopsis states: “In accordance with the FAR 36.601-4(b) the A/E firm must be a registered/licensed architectural and/or engineering firm to be eligible for award. Provide proof that firm is permitted by law to practice the professions of architecture or engineering, (i.e., state registration number, or a brief explanation of the firm’s licensing in states that do not register firms, etc.). Failure to submit the required proof could result in a firm’s elimination from consideration.” - If a prime/sub arrangement, does just the prime need to submit the professional licenses as part of the proposal and will this be excluded from page count? Similarly, if a Joint Venture (J/V), will both entities forming the J/V submit licenses?

Just the Prime and JV entities. It is the responsibility of the Prime to hire appropriate Subconsultants. JV agreements and proof of registration do not count towards the overall 70 page limitation.

Per the synopsis: “SUBMIT A COMPLETED CPARS EVALUATION FOR EACH EXAMPLE PROJECT LISTED UNDER CRITERION (a). IF A COMPLETED CPARS EVALUATION IS NOT AVAILABLE, the Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ) (Attachment (a)) included in this notice…” - Please provide the Attachment.

Attachment A is provided with this amendment.

Please confirm if the following are or are not excluded from page count:

divider pages; Letters of Commitment; licenses/certifications; past performance reports (CPARS/PPQ); and ISRs.

Correct, divider pages; Letters of Commitment;

licenses/certifications; past performance reports (CPARS/PPQ); and ISRs are excluded from the 70 page limit.

With regard to the Small Business Subcontracting Plan, is the attached PDF document what USACE would prefer large businesses submit with the proposal? Would this plan be excluded from page count?

Small business subcontracting plan is excluded from the overall page limitations. The plan should comply with the requirements of the synopsis

With regard to the Small Business Subcontracting Plan, are the percentages relating to percent of subcontracted dollars or overall contract dollars?

The Small Business Plan is based on the total dollars subcontracted.

48 Are there size restrictions for DoD SAFE?

Per DoD SAFE Help files:

- Maximum of 25 Files per package

- Maximum file size of package is 8 (eight) GB.

However, the offerors shall check with DOD SAFE directly to ensure submission compliance.

Norfolk District can not provide any technical support with technical issues related to DOD SAFE upload.

Page 6 of the synopsis requires that firms who are offering as a Joint Venture should include a copy of the Joint Venture agreement with their submission. Can you please clarify where specifically this document should be included in the submission and whether this counts against the 70-page count limit for Part 1?

Teaming Agreements and/or letters of commitment should be included in submittals.

These documents do not count towards the 70 page limit.

The sentence in the Small Business Subcontracting Plan on Page 6 that reads, “Subcontracting plans also include assurances that the A/E firm will submit periodic reports so the contracting officer can determine the extent of compliance with the subcontracting plan, as well as submit a required.” seems to be incomplete as the additional submission requirement is not specified. Is there more to this requirement than is currently specified in the Synopsis? If so, could you please provide the full requirement?

Refer to revised submission requirements provided with this amendment

AMENDMENT #2: CONTRACTOR QUESTIONS & RESPONSES

Specialized Experience and Technical Competence (5) on Page 9 of the Synopsis requires us to demonstrate experience in the past 7 years with designing buildings meeting the latest in cyber security UFC 4-010-06. This UFC was written in 19 Sept 2016. Would projects designed prior to 2016 under other criteria related to cyber security, such as UFC 4-010-05 and ICD 705, also be acceptable to demonstrate this technical competence?

We are really looking for designers that have a clear understanding and knowledge base of what is required with this UFC.

Page 10 of the Synopsis references the Organizational Chart and Amendment 1, response to Question 7 confirms this can be on 11x17 size paper. How many pages will an 11x17 sheet of paper be considered?

Yes, org chart is acceptable to be submitted as 11X 17 and will be counted as one page.

Page 13 of the Synopsis references an Attachment A (a PPQ form), which is indicated that it is included with the Synopsis, but it does not appear that it was. Can you please clarify specifically where this form can be found?

Refer to revised submission requirements provided with this amendment

As confirmed in the Amendment 1, Question 11 response, Covers and Dividers are excluded from the overall page count. Can you please clarify whether things like the Cover Letter and Table of Contents are also excluded from the 70-page limit specified on Page 15 of the Synopsis?

Cover letter and Table of contents are excluded from the 70 page limit.

Can the submission date be extended to 7 September, 2020 due to the recent weather and connectivity issues that came through the area?

No, the submission date remains, as stated in the initial posting.

Follow up to question 3 in the amendment 1_Response to RFIs_dated 3 August 2020; The Government has stated in their response to Question #3, “This submission requirement is part of the SF 330 Part I submission and counts towards the 70 page limitation.” With this response, the Government has effectively provided small business offerors with an unfair advantage, in that they have the ability to allocate more page count in their response to “primary evaluation criterion”, without a corresponding allocation to “secondary criterion” that are considered tie breakers. For large business offerors, inclusion of a Small Business Participation Plan will require allocation of many pages towards this tie breaker evaluation criterion. Will the Government reconsider its response to Question #3, allowing placement of the Small Business Subcontracting Plan in an Appendix to Part I (outside the 70 page restriction), and eliminating the unfair advantage to small business concerns?

This amends response to question 3, Amendment 1. The Small Business Participation Plan DOES NOT count towards the 70 page limitation, is excluded from the 70 page count limitation, and can be appended.

Follow up to question 7 in the amendment1_Response to RFIs_dated 3 August 2020; The Government stated that Section D organization chart can be submitted as 11x17, will this count as 1 page?

Yes, org chart is acceptable to be submitted as 11X 17 and will be counted as one page.

Follow up to question 9 in the amendment1_Response to RFIs_dated 3 August 2020; The government stated that “Design completion constitutes a completed design effort that includes ready to advertise documents that have been accepted by the Government.” Then, will performance on Title II services contract count as a relevant project even though the design is outside the 7 year window, given the fact the same firm executed both efforts?

No, both design and title II services should be completed within the last 7 years.

AMENDMENT #2: CONTRACTOR QUESTIONS & RESPONSES

In regard to “G. Volume of Work,” we’d like to confirm that this section should not be addressed at all by the submitting firm in Section H, including charts or lists of previous awarded work. So this section would be omitted from proposals as “Firms do not submit data for this factor.” Is there a general statement the client would like to acknowledge this section?

No acknowledgement required. The information will be pulled from DOD databases.

This evaluation factor is published to ensure that AE is aware of how and on what they will be evaluated as required by the FAR.

We would like to request that the Government allow resumes for two Civil Engineers to be submitted given the requirement for both civil works and MILCON/SRM, as well as higher consideration for DEQ experience within the NAO AOR watersheds. Finding one person that checks all of these boxes is going to prove almost impossible. No change to synopsis.

As previously stated, the Section D Organizational Chart is acceptable to be submitted as 11X17 page. Does this change still only count as 1 page?

Yes, org chart is acceptable to be submitted as 11X 17 and will be counted as one page.

Please clarify, is the requirement that offers chosen font should be no smaller than 11 point or that the font be no smaller than 11 point Times New Roman? Times New Roman is the only acceptable font.

Under b) Professional Qualifications – Does USACE Norfolk want Letters of Commitment from all sub-consultants on the team as part of the submission? If yes, do these pages go against the page count?

Yes, please submit Letters of Commitment for of the subcontractor. No, Letters of Commitment do not count towards the 70 page limit.

The RFP calls for “One (1) Qualified Cost Estimator. Qualified means a degree in Engineering or Architecture with at least 10 years Cost Estimating experience. Design Team members responsible for construction cost estimating must demonstrate prior experience in use of MII software.” Is a 4 year degree in Engineering Technology acceptable to be considered “qualified” for the Cost Estimating position?

Refer to revised submission requirements provided with this amendment

Page 2 of the synopsis says “A/E services for Military Construction or military family housing project up to $1 million that meet the criteria for small business set-aside in accordance with Title 10 U.S. Code Section 2855 will be excluded from the scope of the MAC IDIQ contracts.” We are not are of small business contracts to meet this requirement. Is there a timeline for the procurement of small business contracts to meet the exclusion?

A separate contract will be used to cover projects excluded from the scope of this acquisition. Anticipated timeline 3rd Quarter of

FY 21.

For key personnel 1-11, no project manager or task order managers are listed. Would the District prefer not to see resumes for the project manager and task order managers?

A resume is not required. The successful awardees will be required to submit resumes for specialty disciplines not listed in the synopsis on a case by case basis.

In an earlier response, the Norfolk District clarified that the DRAFT Small Business Subcontracting Plan counted toward the 70 page response limit.

Since a typical Plan is 10-12 pages in length (which would take up 12%- 15% of our page count), is there a condensed version of the plan that we could utilize or a simple table that we could submit that indicates our anticipated/proposed usage per category?

This amends response to question 3, Amendment 1. The Small Business Participation Plan DOES NOT count towards the 70 page limitation, is excluded from the 70 page count limitation, and can be appended.

AMENDMENT #2: CONTRACTOR QUESTIONS & RESPONSES

Our team has a question pertaining to using a subconsultant who is currently not registered in SAM nor have the DUNS and CAGE numbers.

Would the team be disqualified if they are not registered prior to submittal? Or… Would the team be disqualified if they are not registered by the submittal date but could provide proof their registration is in the process?

Subs are not required to be registered in SAM only the Prime Contractor.

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