SDVOSB Energy SATOC.12-R-0031.RFIs Set 1.pdf

W912BV-12-R-0031, RFIs 1-40

Department of the Army Tulsa District, Corps of Engineers

SDVOSB IDIQ SATOC for Construction of Renewable Energy, Energy Conservation & Mechanical/Electrical

Projects in the SW Division of the USACE (“SDVOSB Energy SATOC”)

SEED TO: Wind Turbine Installation at

Council Grove Lake, KS, John Redmond Lake, KS and Canton Lake, OK (“Wind Turbine Installation at Various Lakes”)

Solicitation (RFI) #: W912BV-12-R-0031

Answers to RFIs Set 1

RFI 1: Are the wind turbines required to be manufactured in the USA under the Buy American act?

ANSWER: Yes, market research indicates there are a sufficient number of US manufacturers of all the components of wind turbines. See Provision 52.225-10 – Notice of Buy American Act Requirement—Construction Materials and Clause 52.225-9 – Buy American Act—Construction Materials.

RFI 2: Is there an agreement in place with the utilities for a Purchase Power Agreement?

ANSWER: There is no agreement in place.

RFI 3: Are the installers required to be licensed in Kansas and Oklahoma?

ANSWER: Wind Technicians are required to hold a technical certificate in wind turbine systems obtained from a wind energy training program provider. They are also required to hold the following basic safety certifications: CPR, First Aid and AED. It appears there are no requirements for the technicians/installers to be licensed in any of the US states.

RFI 4: Is Meteorological Data available for each site or does our bid have to include a survey to determine desired location and mounting height?

ANSWER: There is no other meteorological data available other than publicly available data.

RFI 5: What is meant by cost not to exceed as authorized by Congress under paragraph 7.1.2.3?

What is this limit?

ANSWER: Congress appropriates funds for all contracts awarded by Federal Agencies.

The appropriations are public information. Per FAR 32.702, “No officer or employee of the Government may create or authorize an obligation in excess of the funds available, or in advance of appropriations (Anti-Deficiency Act, 31 U.S.C. 1341), unless otherwise authorized by law.”

RFI 6: The RFP does not specifically mention “Energy Conservation” or “Mechanical Design”.

Will there be any task orders issued in those areas?

ANSWER: Future task orders are not known at this time, but task orders could potentially fall into these categories.

RFI 7: When will the attendance list from the site visit be available on fbo.gov?

ANSWER: The Agenda, Attendance List and answers to RFIs will be posted on www.fbo.gov as Amendment 3 on Friday, 30 March 2012.

RFI 8: What is the anticipated budget range for SEED Task Order; so we may request Bid Bond?

ANSWER: The estimated price range for the Seed Task Order is between $100,000 and $250,000.

RFI 9: Is the 60cd Base Bid duration for each Base Bid (location) or both (concurrent)?

ANSWER: Both locations in the Base Bid must be completed within 60 calendar days.

RFI 10: Option 1 – 30cd duration; will this duration be an additional 30 days = Total 90cd (if awarded)?

ANSWER: Yes. Option 1 carries its own 30 calendar day duration separate from the base bid. If it is awarded with the Base Bid then the entire task order duration will be 90 calendar days from task order award. If it is awarded separately (a modification to the task order) then 30 days starting on the modification award date will be added to the contract duration.

RFI 11: Are Offerors allowed to submit additional “Specialized Experience” forms for their subcontractors?

ANSWER: Yes, you may submit one Specialized Experience Form for each subcontractor. See revised Section 00 22 11 Paragraph 5.1.1 and its sub-paragraphs.

5.1.1 Submission Requirements:

5.1.1.1 The Prime Offeror shall demonstrate “recent”, “relevant” experience on similar projects as described in Paragraph 1.3, using the “Experience Information” form – (Attachment 1) at the end of this section.

http://www.fbo.gov/�

5.1.1.2 If using subcontractors as part of the proposed team to demonstrate experience, the Prime Offeror shall describe the role they will play in the SDVOSB Energy SATOC and the percentage of work they will perform.

5.1.1.3 The Prime Offeror shall complete a minimum of three (3), but no more than five (5), “Experience Information” forms in response to this factor. All blocks must be filled in and all data should be accurate, current, and complete. All projects submitted must be at least 50% complete and completed within the last 5 years.

5.1.1.4 The Prime Offeror may submit one (1) “Experience Information” form for the subcontractors described in 5.1.1.2 above.

RFI 12: What is the total allowed number of projects that can be submitted on the “Specialized Experience” forms for both the Prime Contractor and its Subcontractors?

ANSWER: Prime – No more than three (3); Sub-contractors – One (1)

RFI 13: Will Geothermal and Solar Projects be included in this contract as well?

ANSWER: Future task orders are not known at this time, but task orders could potentially fall into these categories.

RFI 14: Is the $25-M aggregate capacity $25-M per year? In other words, is the actual contract capacity $25-M x 5 years = $125 M over the 5 years?

ANSWER: The SATOC will be a firm-fixed price (FFP) Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with a base year and four option years. The total capacity for the contract (base + options) is $25M.

RFI 15: Where in the proposal shall the Organizational Conflicts of Interest be submitted?

ANSWER: Place it under Factor 1, Sub-factor 2, Management Effectiveness.

b) Projects shall be 50% design complete

ANSWER: An A/E cannot be the Prime Offeror for a construction project because it cannot be bonded as required by the FAR. However, an A/E can be a Joint Venture (JV) member and as such submit their A/E projects as set forth in the revised Paragraph 6.0 and its subparagraphs as shown in RFI 18.

RFI 16: Section 5.1.1.3 states “All projects must be at least 50% complete and completed within the last 5 years.” Please confirm that if we are submitting as an Architect/Engineer (A/E) rather than as a General Contractor (GC) that:

a) All of our projects can be A/E projects

RFI 17: Section 5.1.2.2 states “Recent experience includes projects underway or those completed and turned over within 5 years of the proposal issue date for this RFP for construction experience.” If we are submitting as an A/E prime, could this reference to ‘construction’ also mean A/E experience?

ANSWER: As stated in RFI 16 above, an A/E cannot be the Prime for a construction contract except as a member of a JV. However, in order to provide clearer instructions in Paragraph 5.1.2.2, it has been revised as follows:

5.1.2.2 The Offeror must submit the requested information to demonstrate a record of “recent”, “relevant” experience on projects with similar requirements to the SDVOSB Energy SATOC as described in Paragraph

1.3 (which may include similar state or local government or private counterparts). Recent experience includes projects well underway (see above criteria) or those completed and turned over within five (5) years of the proposal issue date for this RFP. Joint Venture partners should each demonstrate experience commensurate with their proposed role on the SDVOSB Energy SATOC or how their experience qualifies them for their role on the SATOC. If any of the information required is not included in the submitted “Experience Information” forms (Attachment 1), then the Offeror will be considered non-responsive and evaluated as unacceptable.

RFI 18: If submitting as a Joint Venture, section 6.1.2 states “If the Offeror cannot provide a sufficient number of projects as a JV to meet the minimum requirement, the Offeror must provide those “recent”, “relevant” projects it performed as the JV, and then supplement the record with additional “recent”, “relevant” projects performed by each JV member in their individual capacities. In such instance, each JV member must satisfy the minimum requirement of three (3) projects, to include any performed as the JV.” This is a multi-part question in reference to this requirement:

a. If the JV has joint experience, not as a JV but a prime/sub team relationship, will the joint experience suffice for the actual JV experience?

b. If we submit 3 projects for each party, the total projects to submit is 6 and does not allow for key subcontractor experience. Will the government increase the page count in the instance of JVs and allow for 6-10 projects to allow key subcontractor experience since much of the work is highly specialized?

c. A SDVOSB company typically would not have enough of this highly specialized experience to be able to submit 3 relevant projects. Typically a JV relationship allows for combining resources and experience, requiring only 1 relevant project for each JV partner. This results in additional opportunities for the SDVOSB to gain further experience. In an effort to not limit competition and allow for more SDVOSB participation, would the government reduce this requirement to allow one relevant project per JV partner?

ANSWER

a. The proposed JV does not have to have previous experience as a JV. See Revised Paragraph 6 for instructions on how to provide experience for the JV members.

b. The page count has been increased as requested. See revised Section 00 22 11 Paragraph 3.4.3, Factor 1, Sub-factor 1 below:

Sub-factor 1, Relevant Specialized Experience – Limited to 30 pages (to include “Experience Information” forms for Prime Offerors, Prime JV Offerors and Subcontractors)

c. JVs are encouraged by the Government. In order to assist them in providing adequate information on the JV as well as the JV members and sub-contractors, Section 00 22 11 Paragraph 6.0 and its subparagraphs have been revised as follows:

6.0 JOINT VENTURE SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS (IN LIEU OF

PARAGRAPH 5.0).

6.1.1 Offerors submitting proposals as a Joint Venture (JV) shall obtain a DUNS number and be registered in the CCR as the offering Joint Venture.

6.1.2 The JV Offeror shall provide a brief narrative (not to exceed 1 page) stating the roles that each JV member will perform on this project.

6.1.2 The JV Offeror shall demonstrate “recent”, “relevant” experience on similar projects as described in Paragraph 1.3 for the SDVOSB Energy SATOC, using the “Experience Information” form – (Attachment 1) at the end of this section. All blocks must be filled in and all data should be accurate, current, and complete. All projects must be at least 50% complete and completed within the last five (5) years.

6.1.3 If using subcontractors as part of the proposed team for the JV to demonstrate experience the JV Offeror shall provide a brief narrative describing the role each subcontractor will play in the SDVOSB Energy SATOC and the percentage of work they will perform.

6.1.4 If the JV Offeror has performed “recent”, “relevant” projects as a JV within the last five (5) years, it must provide at least one (1) but may provide up to three (3) projects that reflect the JV's ability to perform the work required in this solicitation to be evaluated in accordance with (IAW) Paragraphs 5.1.2 thru 5.1.2.5.

6.1.5 If the JV Offeror has not performed “recent, “relevant” projects as a JV within the last five (5) years (i.e. a JV formed for the purposes of this SDVOSB Energy SATOC), the JV Offeror must provide “recent”, “relevant” projects performed by each JV member in their individual capacities. Each JV member must provide at least one (1) but may provide up to three (3) projects that reflect the JV member's ability to perform the work required in this solicitation to be evaluated in accordance with (IAW) Paragraphs 5.1.2 thru 5.1.2.5.

6.1.6 The JV Offeror may submit one (1) “Experience Information” form for the subcontractors described in 6.1.3 above.

RFI 19: Are site arrangement drawings available showing boundaries of site and underground utility locations?

ANSWER: See Revised Specs for Seed TO.

RFI 20: Are any geotech reports available at each site location?

ANSWER: No

RFI 21: Will USACE provide copies of site plans if they are available showing general layout of building and perimeter of property?

ANSWER: See Additional drawings for Seed TO.

RFI 22: Is any geotech data available from each site?

RFI 23: Will USACE provide electrical one line if available for each site?

ANSWER: No, this will be the contractor’s responsibility.

RFI 24: Is there a preferred mounting height (total) for the wind turbine?

RFI 25: There will be long lead items and the 60 days seems fairly stringent and possibly unachievable for design AND construction. Please confirm the separate design and construction durations.

ANSWER: See Revised Specs for Seed TO.

RFI 26: Will the design and construction NTPs be provided separately?

ANSWER: There will not be a design NTP.

RFI 27: Is it possible for the USACE to issue site plans of existing buildings at all three locations – John Redmond, Council Grove and Canton?

ANSWER: See Additional Drawings for Seed TO.

RFI 28: Specifications say QC Manager can have duties as Superintendant. Can the Site Safety Officer also be the QC Manager?

ANSWER: Yes, for this particular task order if the individual is qualified and competent.

RFI 29: Who do we contact about the utilities’ interconnection rules and permitting?

ANSWER: Council Grove electric service provider: Westar John Redmond electric service provider: Lyon-Coffey Rural Electric, Burlington, KS

Canton: Oklahoma Gas & Electric (OGE)

RFI 30: Is there a minimum or maximum mounting height for the turbines.

RFI 31: WindTonics recommends installing an anemometer and data logger to determine if the site location is windy enough to support a turbine, prior to getting a permit. Is this part of our work?

RFI 32: Is lightning protection required?

ANSWER: Yes, an air terminal connected to a ground rod.

RFI 33: Are surge protective devices required?

RFI 34: The Windtronics WT6500 in Section 01 00 00, paragraph 1.1 is rated at 1,500W at 31 mph, vs the 2,200W capacity required in that same paragraph. The WT6500 will generate 2200W with a wind above its rated wind speed. Is this product acceptable?

ANSWER: Yes

RFI 35: What height(s) should we use as the obstruction height(s)? The turbine should be installed 20 feet above any surrounding object within a 250 foot radius for optimal performance.

ANSWER: The project office building

RFI 36: Is the contractor providing the soil tests for each site?

ANSWER: Yes, if required or needed

RFI 37: Who will decide the placement of the wind turbines?

ANSWER: The government will approve placement based on contractor recommendations.

RFI 38: If the government will decide the contractor will need to know the distance from the wind turbine to the connection.

ANSWER: The government will approve placement based on contractor recommendations.

RFI 39: Will a site map be provided showing locations of utilities etc… for each site?

ANSWER: See Additional Drawings for Seed TO.

RFI 40: What year was each building built?

ANSWER: Council Grove: 1960-61 John Redmond: 1959-60 Canton: 1953 (approx)

Prepared by:

Pamela Moody Contract Specialist 918-669-7457 Pamela.s.moody@usace.army.mil

29 March 2012 mailto:Pamela.s.moody@usace.army.mil�