W912EP14R0026GovtResponses.pdf

Government Responses to Questions from Pre-Proposal Meeting 9/4:

Question 1: Will a project featured in the SF330, performed for USACE Jacksonville District be judged more appropriate than a similar project performed for a non-federal entity?

Answer 1: A project performed for the USACE Jacksonville District does not automatically receive more consideration than a similar project performed for a non-federal entity. Past Experience with USACE is not a selection criterion. Firms which demonstrate their qualifications in accordance with the selection criteria will be evaluated equally. Please refer to section 3 of the solicitation.

Question 2: Section 4, of the solicitation [sic], says we can submit questions. When is the deadline to email questions about the solicitation?

Answer 2: There will be no cut-off for questions. They may be answered up to the response date indicated in the solicitation. However, the Government suggests questions are submitted in a timely manner and reserves the right not to provide responses to questions that are submitted late. See Solicitation for POC details.

Question 3: Where is the sign-in sheet?

Answer 3: The attendance roster from the pre-proposal meeting is posted as an amendment to this solicitation.

Question 4: What company(s) currently have this contract?

Answer 4: Please note this contract solicitation is not identical to our current contracts. CDM and Taylor Engineering currently have similar Water Resource Engineering IDIQ Contracts with the Jacksonville District. See our webpage for a full listing of the Jacksonville District A-E IDIQ Contracts, updated regularly, at www.saj.usace.army.mil/BusinessWithUs/Contracting/BusinessOpportunities.aspx

Question 5: What are some examples of types of projects under this contract?

Answer 5: Section 2 of the Solicitation provides a detailed description of the type of work this contract will be utilized for. Although it is unknown what future projects may entail, recent examples include but are not limited to:

• Development of wetland restoration plans using 1-D hydrologic and hydraulic models;

• 2-D hydrodynamic modeling using AdH downstream of gated spillway;

• 2-D and 3-D hydrodynamic modeling using EFDC, MIKE21 and ADCIRC for navigation-harbor project;

• 1-D hydraulic (HEC-RAS) modeling of a riverine and floodplain system, and

• Beach renourishment projects.

Question 6: Can we get a copy of the sign-in sheets, post on website?

Answer 6: See response to Question 3; the attendance roster from the pre-proposal meeting is posted as an amendment to this solicitation.

Question 7: How old can project experience be? 5 years? The recession has limited the amount of work.

Primary Selection Criteria: the presentation included ‘capacity to accomplish the work’, that is not in the RFP.

Answer: SAJ understands the recession has limited the amount of work in recent years. The selection criteria for ‘Past Performance’, listed in Section 3 of the solicitation, clearly states the firm must submit information for relevant contracts and subcontracts started or completed within the past five (5) years for evaluation of past performance. Please note, other selection criteria listed in Section 3 of the solicitation do not include the same minimum requirement and will not necessarily be evaluated as such. Firms should submit their capabilities for each of the criteria to the best of their ability.

http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/BusinessWithUs/Contracting/BusinessOpportunities.aspx

Question 8: Will you pull PPIRS Ratings on Prime and Subs, or just the Prime?

Answer 8: PPIRS/ACASS/CPARS Ratings will be pulled for the Prime and also for Sub-consultants whose contract role and participation was significant.

Question 9: The Small Business Prime is required to perform 51% of the work; this is a very wide scope and complex, which will make it difficult for the Small Business to fulfill the requirement. Please elaborate expectations.

Answer 9: Compliance with the 51% will not be evaluated on a task order basis, but rather over the entire period of performance of the IDIQ contract.

Question 10: Will the District Conduct Interviews?

Answer 10: Interviews are a tool the District may choose to use during the evaluation process, but until proposals are received and evaluations begin, a decision regarding whether or not to conduct interviews cannot be made.

Question 11: Is the $4.75M for both awards, or is it each?

Answer 11: The intent is to award up to two (2) contracts at $4.75M each. Reference section 1 of the solicitation.

Question 12: Is it beneficial to submit more/qualified staff than requested?

Answer 12: The selection criteria defines the minimum requirements for key personnel. The decision to include more/qualified staff than defined in the selection criteria is a business decision.

Question 13: What are the primary H&H and integrated models that you are using?

Answer 13: Please refer to section 2 of the solicitation which states use of USACE-approved models for 2- D and 3-D flow and for integrated surface water and groundwater modeling. Please note the Selection Criteria does not specify requirements for model types.

Examples of models currently in use by SAJ that include but are not limited to:

• HEC-suite of models (HEC-HMS, HEC-RAS, HEC-RESSIM, HEC-SSP, HEC-DSS, HEC-6), AdICPR, AdH, EFDC, ADCIRC, MIKE21, MODFLOW.

• INTEGRATED MODELS INCLUDE - MIKESHE/11, MIKEFLOOD, GSSHA, WASH123D, SFWMM (2X2

MODEL).

• Coastal Modeling System (CMS), STWAVE, GENESIS, BEACH-FX. Resource agencies indicate that Delph3d may be required in the near future for some projects.

Question 14: Who will be on the Selection Board?

Answer 14: The identity of Selection Board members is considered Source Selection Sensitive information. Board members are highly qualified professional employees (most will have professional registration) having experience in the specific type of work being contracted. For additional information regarding Selection Board and Selection Process requirements, please refer to USACE Publication EP715- 1-7 Architect-Engineer Contracting in USACE.

Question 15: For resumes – is showing the depth of staff (lots of resumes for qualified personnel) important or do you only want resumes for the key lead people?

Answer 15: Please see response to Question 12; the selection criteria define minimum requirements for key personnel. The decision to include more/qualified staff than defined in the selection criteria is a business decision.

Question 16: Distribution of modeling between surface and groundwater?

Answer 16: The distribution of future model needs are unknown at this time. Based on historic workload, the Jacksonville District estimates a 60:40, surface:groundwater ratio. Historically there has been more need for surface water than groundwater modeling. However, there is a substantial need for integrated modeling, especially for applications in South Florida.

Question 17: Are there specific geographic locations that are being targeted inside FL?

Answer 17: The solicitation selection criteria do not target specific locations within Florida. The Jacksonville District’s Area of Responsibility (AOR) is Florida, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. Please refer to the solicitation.

Question 18: Distribution of workload between design, modeling, etc?

Answer 18: The distribution of future workload needs is unknown at this time. Please refer to section 3 of the solicitation which list selection criteria in descending order of importance.

Question 19: What distribution of variable density groundwater modeling is expected?

Answer 19: The distribution of future modeling needs are unknown. Based on historic workload, less than 50% variable density would be expected.

Question 20: Is there a page limit on the proposal?

Answer 20: No, there is not a page limit on the proposal. The number of pages submitted is a business decision. Proposals with quality narratives which demonstrate qualifications clearly and concisely are suggested.

Question 21: We have a new Joint Venture, which has not received an ACASS Rating yet! Will you consider the ACASS Rating of the JV partners individually?

Answer 21: Yes, Past performance will be evaluated per firm, individually.

Question 22: Primary Selection Criteria for Past Performance, part 3c of the Solicitation – Do you want projects listed here in Block H or as part of the 10 projects listed in SF330 Projects?

Answer 22: Where the required information is presented is a business decision. Section H may be used to address selection criteria that cannot be properly presented in Sections E-G. For general suggestions for preparing SF330, Part I, Sections C through H, reference USACE publication EP 715-1-4 ‘Competing for Architect-Engineer Contracts Awarded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’

Question 23: Can we get a power point presentation copy?

Answer 23: The presentation from the pre-proposal meeting is posted as an amendment to this solicitation.

Question 24: Will USACE allow projects to be longer than 1 page?

Answer 24: SF 330 Part I may be adjusted some, provided basic order and format of the information is maintained. Section H may be used to address selection criteria that cannot be properly presented in Sections E-G. For general suggestions for preparing SF330, Part I, Sections C through H, reference USACE publication EP 715-1-4 ‘Competing for Architect-Engineer Contracts Awarded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’

Question 25: Are Small Business ACASS Ratings available to large businesses?

Answer 25: No, ACASS/CPARS ratings are not made available to large businesses or any businesses, other than those listed on the rating itself.

Question 26: Will this Contract be CAD platform neutral or will one system be required (i.e. AutoCAD or Microstation?)

Answer 26: The solicitation does not include requirements or preferences for CAD platform specifics.

Question 27: Are there subcontracting goals set such as 8a, SDVO, etc?

Answer 27: No, because these contracts are set-aside for small businesses there are no subcontracting goals set such as 8a, SDVOSB, etc. Please refer to section 1 of the solicitation.

Question 28: Will MCASES cost software experience be required, since MCASES is not available unless you have a contract?

Answer 28: The solicitation does not include requirements or preferences for cost software.

Question 29: How much does past experience with USACE Matter?

Answer 29: Past Experience with USACE is not listed as selection criteria. Firms which demonstrate their qualifications in accordance with the selection criteria will be evaluated equally. Please refer to section 3 of the solicitation.

Question 30: Is there any selection advantage to a Joint Venture between 2 small firms versus a prime-sub relationship?

Answer 30: This is considered a business decision. The Government will not provide an opinion.

Question 31: Does the USACE anticipate any inland restoration?

Answer 31: Future inland restoration workload is unknown. Based on historic trends - there may be a potential , for both riverine and wetland restoration.

Question 32: Are there any page limitations on responses?

Answer 32: Please refer to response to Question 20; No, there is not a page limitation on responses. The number of pages submitted is a business decision. Proposals with quality narratives which demonstrate qualifications clearly and concisely are suggested.

Question 33: Please consider a 2- week extension on responses.

Answer 33: The request to extend the solicitation response date has been considered. Please refer to the amended response date listed in the solicitation.