Attachment 6 - PP A-E QnA.pdf

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

The responses provided in this document serve as the official responses to all questions received for the REAL PROPERTY PLANNING, PROGRAMMING, AND MANAGEMENT SUPPORT acquisition.

The Government reserves the right to make changes to the acquisition as deemed necessary.

Question Answer 1 Please explain the role of the Lead Military

Training Analyst. Is a certain type of experience and/or credential required?

In accordance with Section 3.B.5 (p.9) of the Synopsis, the discipline of ‘Military Training Analyst’ shall have a reasonably applicable degree from an accredited college.

This position is meant to bridge the gap between Master Planning/Real Property Assets and the needs of the military personnel who utilize real property assets in execution of a unit’s mission set. As such, a Military Training Analyst understands and translates unit mission requirements into the physical building layout. The Military Training Analyst understands such things as unit training needs, equipment maintenance cycles, unit storage requirements, space utilization, deployments, etc.

The Military Training Analyst effectively communicates those requirements to master planning, engineering, and other disciplines and in so doing maximize the unit’s utility of planned or existing facilities.

2 On Page 9, "4 – Resumes for Key Positions, " does the Lead Cost Engineer require any specific professional credentials or certifications such as CCP, CEP, CPE, CCT/E/A, PCEA, or similar through organizations such as AACE, ICEAA, ICEC, PCEA?

No, the Lead Cost Engineer does not require a certification. Refer to Section B.5.b (pg9) of the Synopsis for further information. A certification held by the Lead Cost Engineer, ‘personnel possessing such licenses/certifications will be given greater consideration.’

3 On page 3, "C. Information Security," as stated 'At a minimum, all documents submitted to the Government shall be marked Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in accordance with....; Do you expect the SF330 submittal to be marked as CUI?

Yes, the SF330 submittal shall be marked as CUI, in accordance with DoDI 5200.48 Section 3.4.

4 On Page 19, "B. Past Performance Information," are the Key Subcontractors requested to obtain a separate PPQ from the ultimate customer if their work was completed under the prime contract with the prime contractor?

See Amendment 01 to Section 4, Part II, Supplemental Information.B.1 -2 (pg20).

5 The solicitation lists 541310 as the NAICS code for this procurement, along with the associated size standard of $8M. That particular size standard is in public comment for revision right now, with a proposed rule that would raise it to $11M. Will you accept the proposed standard for this procurement, or

No, SBA must go through the Federal rulemaking process, which can take months to complete, or the proposed rule ultimately may be rejected. Until the proposed rule is finalized, the current size standards apply.

Question Answer will you be sticking with the $8M current size standard?

6 The synopsis states, "Multiple projects (even if performed under the same contract or task order) may not be submitted as a single Key Example Project and will be disqualified from further evaluation." If a task order required development of installation development plans for three separate installations, can we provide a description of work for all three installations or should we describe only the work at one of the three installations?

See Amendment 01 to Section 3.A (pg4).

The definition of a Key Example Project has been redefined to provide clarity in Amendment 01.

Can the District confirm that a "project" as defined in the solicitation - "efforts leading to the completion of a specific requirement..." -includes all efforts under the same task order?

For example: On a recent HNC task order there are 3 inter-related efforts/sub tasks as part of the Task Order (RA, PC, EA). These tasks are for the same end-user and result in completion of a specific requirement - Can you confirm this can be entered as ONE Key Example Project, as we present/discuss each of the elements and how they result in completing a specific requirement for the customer.

See Government response to question #6

8 Will the Government consider allowing an 11" x 17" page for Sec D - Organizational Chart?

See Amendment 01 to Section 4, Part I, D. (pg17).

Section D – Organizational Chart may be submitted on a single side of one page of either size, 8.5”x11” or 11”x17”.

9 Related to the question of the definition of a project, can the District please clarify the requirements of C.3? If sub-elements of a task order are separate projects, the overall task order period of performance on the CPARS may not match the sub-element project duration. On large complex task orders, where the government has ordered multiple efforts (Programming Documents, Master Plans, Facility Assessments, and Real Property Assessments) to meet their programmatic requirement across multiple locations, often one effort/sub-element is completed before the overall task order is complete. If only submitting the sub-element, this could lead to the CPARS POP being different than sub-element duration. Can the District confirm it is acceptable to provide these multiple efforts which result in a specific requirement being met, with an explanation of the timing of each sub-element and the related CPARS? C.3:

"Past performance submitted must match the

See Amendment 01 to Section 3.C.3 (pg10) and Section 4, Part II, Supplemental Information.B.1 -2 (pg20).

The submitted CPARS/PPQ documentation must cover the period of performance of the described project.

Key Example Project period of performance described in the respective Key Example Project fields provided in SF330 Part I, Section F. (This will ensure the board is evaluating the most recent past performance information on the project.)"?

10 How will National Guard projects be evaluated; are they considered DOD or non-

DOD?

National Guard project will be considered and evaluated as DoD projects.

11 For the volume of awards, will the dollar amount be for each individual firm if the work was performed as part of a JV?

Volume of DoD Contract Awards will ONLY be calculated on the work performed in the past by the Prime AE or JV as a named entity. Subcontractors being proposed on the team will not need to worry about their volume as an individual firm working separate projects outside the team. (If an entirely new JV is being proposed that has never worked before, their past volume would be $0.00.)

12 For the volume of awards, are we to list every DOD contract or just planning contracts with work similar to this contract?

Every stand-alone DoD contract or DoD task order performed by the Prime AE or JV as a named entity shall be listed.

13 Can you clarify the roles and responsibilities of this Military Training Analyst?

See Government response to question #1

14 Will housing market analyses be included as part of this contract?

Most likely not, but it is possible as one of the Ad-hoc product lines. Generally, P&P engages in other types of facility planning and not in housing planning/market analyses.

15 We respectfully request that an 11 x 17 page be allowed for the Part 1, Section D – Organization Chart.

See Government response to question #8

16 Specialized Experience and Technical Competence – (1) Submission of Relevant Projects – this paragraph defines a project “as efforts leading to the completion of a specific requirement that was ordered at one point in time. Multiple projects (even if performed under the same contract or task order) may not be submitted as a single Key Example Project and will be disqualified from further evaluation.” Can the government provide additional details on the definition of a project and what is acceptable as a single Key Example Project, particularly given the fact that misinterpretation or misunderstanding of the term “project” could result in a project being disqualified from evaluation. On similar solicitations, a task order under an IDC or single standalone contract is commonly acceptable as a “project.” As currently defined in this solicitation, it appears that the government is expecting individual task orders to potentially be divided into specific

See Government response to question #6

The period of performance and cost of the project are expected to be estimated as a portion of the overall Contract/task Order effort. Past Performance questions are clarified with the Synopsis Amendment 01 to Section 3.A (pg4) and Section 4, Part II, Supplemental Information.B.1 -2 (pg20).

work tasks/deliverables. If this is the case and task orders are to be divided into specific work tasks, how does the government expect to see period of performance, cost, and CPARS information presented? Would the government consider modifying the definition of a project to be “a single task order performed under an IDC or standalone (Type- C) contract?”

17 Can the government provide additional details on the qualifications for education and experience required for the “Military Training Analyst” position?

See Government response to question #1

18 Will DD Form 3150 be required ? No. At this time, Contractor Personnel and Visitor Certification of Vaccination (DD 3150) compliance is not required.

19 I thought we are supposed to submit questions via ProjNet. Will questions already submitted to ProjNet be answered?

Yes, all questions submitted through ProjNet will be answered and posted in the ProjNet system, as well as posted on www.SAM.gov.

20 Will the "other than small business" and "small business" firms be selected at the same time by the same panel or will there be two distinct selection efforts, one for LB and one for SB? And/or will TORNS be competed in one pool or differentiated?

All firms will be evaluated at the same time by the same panel.

At the individual Task Order level, all IDC holders will be considered, and selection will be based on the nature of work and the technical qualifications of the A-E Firm in accordance with the selection process in EP 715-1-7 with consideration of applicable regulatory statutes and the USACE Task Order Requirement Notice (TORN) Memorandum.

21 What is defined as a Military Training Analyst? Also what is considered "certified"?

See Government response to question #1 There is no certification specific to a Military Training Analyst.

22 There is a mention of classified work and activities. Is a facility clearance required in order to submit a proposal?

There is no requirement for a facility clearance in order to submit a proposal. A significant majority of the work to be awarded under this contract will be CUI. The contractor only need only demonstrate the ability to handle classified information or the ability to enter classified facilities when required.

23 I understand from your TORN flow chart that you may notify firms that you don't require any more information, but that more information "is allowed" from firms. In that case, will firms know whether they are near the top of the evaluations? It would be useful to know that we aren't near the top in that case, so that we don't spend time putting in more information.

One of the purposes of the TORN process is to allow firms to submit supplemental information that is pertinent to a specific project scope so that qualifications can be better evaluated for the particular task order being solicited.

Firms are allowed to provide supplemental information, even if the Government does not request any supplemental information. Rankings cannot be determined until receipt of TORN responses and submittals and their evaluation.

Additional information to the contractors can be provided via a debrief.

24 Can you elaborate on definition of "Sample Project"? we have performed at multiple installations for various facility types under one TO. Also each installation had multiple

See Government response to question #6 http://www.sam.gov/ facilities on occasion. CLIN for RA, CLIN for PC at same installation under same TO.

Seperate CLINs for 3 separate faility types / PCs at single installation

25 Because the Lead Military Training Analyst was not required previously, please note that there potentially will be no checks on the G matrix

Firms may have performed projects in the past that have required this key discipline. But the board is aware that this is a new requirement for this third generation of the

P&P A-E IDC.

26 Will dual hatting key lead personnel be graded lower, or is it even permitted?

Dual hatting of key lead personnel is allowed and will not be graded lower. Be advised that an individual presented in two or more key positions will be separately evaluated in each position.

27 What qualifications are you expecting to see with the cost engineer position?

See Section 3.B.5 (pg9) of the Synopsis for instructions.

The Government has implemented new regulations to address cost engineering. Refer to UFC 3-740-05 Handbook: Construction Cost Estimating and UFC 3-730- 01 Programming Cost Estimates for Military Construction for information and guidance.

28 Given the importance of cost estimating in the master planning process, will you consider Cost Estimating to be a Key Subcontractor?

No.

See Section 3.A.2 (pg5) of the Synopsis for instructions.

29 For projects with classified data, will information be transferred via SIPR?

The Government does not expect firms to have SIPR connection. If applicable, DD254 and Task Order with specific instructions on transmittal will be provided by the Government.

30 How heavily will the G matrix be weighted?

The matrix for Section G will weigh significantly into Criteria 2 (Professional Qualifications).

31 Please consider accepting an 11 x 17 for the Section D organization chart (counting as 1-page)

See Government response to question #8

32 Does USACE Huntsville request that we provide an Attachment 0001 Past Performance Questionnaire for each project shown in Section F (even if CPARS exist for the task order)?

No, only if a CPARS was not completed for the project (usually because the project was performed outside the Federal Government). See Amendment 01 to Section 4, Part II, Supplemental Information.B.1 -2 (pg20).

33 Considering this solicitation has been released earlier than expected, please grant an extension of at least 1 week.

The Government has taken this request into consideration and will extend the synopsis to 23 February 2022, NLT 1200 Noon CST.

34 Will projects in Section E resumes be evaluated the same as Section F project experience (....completed product was accepted within the last three (3) years from the proposal due date of this acquisition.

Projects which are older than five years from the date of completion to the present will not be considered).

Personnel resumes may include all relevant work experience of the individual from the start of their career.

All resume experience will be considered and evaluated.

35 Can the section D org chart be 11x17 format, single page?

See Government response to question #8

36 If pursuing as Joint Venture will individually firm SAM registrations be acceptable versus

No. Individual SAM registrations for a Joint Venture is not acceptable. An entity proposing as a Joint Venture

JV SAM registration before submittal deadline?

must be registered in SAM prior to submission of SF330 A-E Qualifications.

37 On page 16 of 22 par. 4.C., para 3.A.(3) is referenced for definition of key subcontractor.

WE do not see that reference and request clarification of what key subcontractor is? IT is indicated that; “for work not performed by prime, JV partner or key subcontractor, DO NOT identify any other firms in accomplishment of the work”. Is this referring to participation in Section F sample projects or the proposed work we understand to potentially be on this contract?

See Amendment 01 to Section 4, Part I, C (pg. 17) for updated reference.

This is Part I – Section C of the SF330 and refers to the proposed team for this requirement.

38 Regarding the use of CUI labeling on the ProjNet Q&A reports. Labeling that information (the individual questions, answers and the report itself) as CUI – drives an additional level of information management burden to the AEs to ensure we are restricting access and storing the information (both digital and printed) in a secure, controlled environment according to DoD requirements. It does not seem that any of the Q&A information (to date) would actually qualify as, and need to be labeled as, CUI according to the DoD Manual 5200.01 Volume 1 and the associated DoD CUI Marking Guidance

Concur, Q&A information does not need to be labeled as

CUI.

39 Regarding Solicitation paragraph 2. C.

Information Security. At a minimum, all documents submitted to the Government shall be marked Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in accordance with the Controlled Unclassified Information sections of Department of Defense (DoD) Manual

5200.01 DoD Information Security

Program. Please confirm if your expectation is that the SF330 submittals provided to the Government must be labeled as CUI.

See Government response to question #3

40 For Section F projects delivered by the prime

A-E, please confirm that only CPARS for the prime A-E must be provided. The synopsis indicates that PPQs for each subconsultant on the project must be provided (Supplemental Information, B. Past Performance Information, item 3). It is our experience that once a CPARS has been completed for the project, government clients will not provide PPQs.

See Amendment 01 to Section 4, Part II, Supplemental Information.B.1 -2 (pg20).

This requirement has been clarified in the Amendment.

41 Please confirm that in the Secondary Selection Criteria, F. Small Business and Small Disadvantaged Business, the firm must provide their intended subcontracting targets (as a percentage of Total Acquisition Value of the contract) and not as a percentage subcontracting value.

Confirmed. For Criteria F, Small Business and Small Disadvantaged Business, the SB Participation percentages proposed are of the Total Acquisition Value of the contract. The Small Business Subcontracting Plan percentages are based on total planned subcontracting dollars IAW FAR 52.219-9 (c) and (d). Although percentages are based on different values, the dollars between the two documents should be consistent.

42 Can you please clarify whether the 'customer representative' can be POC different from the contracting agency? For example, the representative from the agency who funded the effort rather than the contracting entity?

See Amendment 01 to Section 4, Part II, Supplemental Information, B.2 (pg. 20).

“Customer representative” is a technical representative of the ultimate customer or agent of the customer responsible for oversight of the contractor. This would not include the prime contractor or other commercially contracted intermediary.

43 Can you clarify if the Lead Project Manager is intended to take the Program Manager role? If not, would you accept showing a Program Manager on the Org Chart or including that person's resume?

The Government will not dictate how a project team is staffed and organized EXCEPT that the team include the Key Personnel for the positions described in Section 4.B.4 (pg9) of the Synopsis. Non-key personnel may also be referenced on the Org Chart (per Section 4.D (pg17) of the Synopsis). Resumes for non-key personnel are not required but may be submitted (per Section 4.E (pg17) of the Synopsis).

44 Under "Professional Qualifications", the Solicitation states "State Certificate of Authorization for A-E or Architectural Firm:

If the firm has not provided a Certificate of authorization, an equivalent certification, or (otherwise) a letter explaining why the firm may, by law, practice architecture and/or engineering in at least one state, territory, or jurisdiction of the United States as required by FAR 36.601-4(b), the firm may be disqualified from further consideration."

For those firms that are not Professional A-E firms, and that do not offer or provide

See Amendment 01 to Section 3.B.1 (pg9) of the Synopsis.

The requirement of the State Certificate has been removed from the Synopsis.

Please note Section 3.B.5.b (pg9) for professional certification requirements for key positions.

professional A-E services, would a State Business license suffice?

45 Since cost engineering is a key role in planning work, and requires subject matter expert personnel, is it acceptable to include cost engineering in the list of key subcontractor firms in F. Part I - Section F:

Example Key Projects?

See Government response to question #28

46 Will the government consider allowing firms to include an 11"x17" page for matrices and tables? If permitted, can these count as one page?

See Government response to question #8

47 If a joint venture is in the process of being registered in the System for Award Management (SAM), but does not yet have a DUNS number, will this be acceptable?

No. Per the Synopsis under Section 1. Contract Information, para 4 (pg. 2), to be eligible for an IDC award, a firm must be registered in System for Award Management (SAM) at the time of their submission.

Register via the SAM Internet site at https://sam.gov.

48 Is an ongoing project acceptable for Section E and Section F?

See Section 3.A.(4).c (pg. 8) of the Synopsis.

49 In the Professional Qualifications and Key Personnel Resumes sections of the synopsis, CEHNC has not requested to see resume or qualifications for the team's proposed Principal staff. This is a departure from the previous CEHNC P&P RFQ. Would you like to see resume/qualifications for such personnel?

Non-key personnel may also be referenced on the Org Chart (per Section 4.D (pg17) of the Synopsis). Resumes for non-key personnel are not required but may be submitted (per Section 4.E (pg17) of the Synopsis).

50 If more than one resume is submitted for key positions (Item 4. Preparation Instructions, E.

Part 1 – Section E: Key Personnel Resumes) that are critical to the execution of this contract will both resumes be evaluated?

See Section 4., Part I, E (pg17) of the Synopsis: “The A- E Firm must submit one resume for each of the key personnel”.

51 Industry and government, in the past, have identified a project as a task order. A task order is generally a lump sum fixed fee scope that requires we execute every element of the scope identified, we price the task as a single project, and we invoice on percentage complete for all elements of the task order.

Additionally, CPARS reviews the task in its entirety, and not divided into parts. A task/project can have required work in multiple buildings and in multiple locations, and can include all phases of planning or design. Based on this, we do not see any way to break a task order into separate projects. Do you agree that we can use a complete task order for our Section F projects?

See Government responses to questions #6, #16, and Amendment 01 to Section 4, Part II, Supplemental Information.B.1 -2 (pg20) for clarification.

https://sam.gov/