Solicitation_Answers_to_Questions.pdf

HHD Questions Submitted through July 3rd, 2018

1. The Mock Task Order scope (Pg 41 of the Solicitation) includes work items and disciplines associated with culvert replacement. We are instructed to detail and price one such project (at

HHD) and to assume that 6 additional culvert project are underway (at HHD) simultaneously. Is that correct?

Yes that is correct.

2. The Specific Tasks (Page 26) scope includes culvert replacement, but indicates that other types of projects, including cutoff walls, berms, pump stations, and other USACE civil works types of projects may be included. The area of consideration for these is the State of FL. For the purpose of unit pricing the CLINS or Pgs 6-11, and in developing our Volume II Proposal (Pg 75), what types and locations of projects should we assume?

The type of projects are identified in 5.1.1 (page 26) and the location is the area that comprise

Herbert Hoover Dike. Herbert Hoover Dike is a dike around the waters of Lake Okeechobee in

Florida.

3. Given the large geographic footprint of HHD, including USACE Program, Area, Resident, and Project offices – where should we assume that our personnel will be assigned/based?

Herbert Hoover Dike Resident Office will provide personnel locations during each Task Order.

4. For those specialists whose on-site work is sporadic, or who will be supporting CESAJ at locations other than project offices, can we assume that their travel to/from the project site(s) is reimbursable under CLIN B41?

All travel costs will be reviewed in accordance with the Joint Travel Regulations and paid accordingly.

5. In a similar fashion, what assumptions should we make regarding duty station for our on-site personnel, including their assignment and use of vehicles? Do they report to the cognizant USACE resident office at the beginning and end of each day/shift?

The contractor will provide the cost of the vehicle through invoice. The personnel is not required to report to the resident office each day. This is not a personal services contract in which the Government assumes manager roles. Project Manager for the Contractor will assume this role.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dike_(construction) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Okeechobee https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida

6. Will you consider a project that is 92% complete at the time the solicitation was released (June

18, 2018) to be one that is “complete?

Yes, we will change this requirement to 75% through an amendment.

7. Attachment 3 – “Mock Task Order” XYZ Project Office” (page 41-42) – Part 2 seems to be missing from the mock task order. Please advise.

Part 2 of the Mock Task order are Definitions and Acronyms. It is available in the PWS and will be included in the Base award. The awardee will be instructed to refer to the Base contract on each Task Order for Part 2.

8. Can a contractor performing work as Quality Control Rep for the contractor performing the construction also perform QA under this contract?

No a contractor can’t perform QA and Quality Control on the same contract. This will eliminate any conflicts of interest.

9. How many Contracts are to be awarded under this solicitation?

This will be Single Award Task Order Contract (SATOC). Only One contractor will be awarded this requirement.

10. Can a contractor decline a work order?

All work or Task Orders will fall under section 5.1.1 of the solicitation. These are valid requirements and should not be declined. If declined, the contractor may be Terminated for Convenience.

11. Will there be a 15% set aside required? The cover page of the solicitation says it's open however, within the solicitation there is reference to a 15% set aside.

This is a full and open competition and both Large and Small business can compete or submit proposals. This is not a set-aside. However, a mandatory minimum total small business participation goal of 15% of the total contract value has been assigned. Therefore if a Small

Business is awarded this goal will be met. However, is a Large business is awarded, then the goal of 15% should be describe in the Small Business Participation Proposal.

12. Will the required training be billable e.g. CQM, OSHA, ethics, human trafficking, etc.?

Please include the training costs in your proposal as this will be a firm fixed priced contract. We assume that this costs may be proposed in overhead. We do not pay separately or reimburse for this training to be conducted.

13. Once a task order is executed and inspectors are assigned to the task order is there a minimum billable amount? Will the task orders be executed as lump sum or by labor hours?

Once a Task Order is awarded, invoices must be submitted for the actual expenses incurred.

There is a minimum guaranteed amount of $25,000 (Page 3 of the solicitation). All Task Orders will be a level of effort basis, so labor hours will be appropriate.

14. What allowances are there for billing for a QA laboratory or individual laboratory tests that are performed? If billing by the laboratory technician is allowed, how would laboratory overhead and expenses be accounted for?

We are not asking to build a QA laboratory. We are not asking for testing outside of our facilities. We are not asking for equipment to be procured. We will be providing the lab and equipment. We are asking for testing to be conducted using our facilities. This can be accomplished by providing labor hours to a labor discipline such as to A29 and A30 (Lab Tech).

See page 6 of the solicitation.

15. Are laboratories currently performing Testing and Inspections on the Herbert Hoover Dike as a result of a contractor’s quality control agenda exempt from participating in any part of this solicitation (as either a prime or sub-consultant) due to a potential conflict of interest?

Currently, the government laboratories are operated by government officials. The contractor performing QA services can’t be the same as the contractor performing Quality Control. This will be a potential conflict of interest.

16. Will there be a site visit (see page 78)? If not, can we access the site previous to the proposal due date?

At his time there is no site visit scheduled and the Government do not anticipate a site visit occurring due to limited resources.

17. Will extra consideration be given for the scoring of Volume 4, Small Business Participation, if the team exceeds the 15% small business percentage threshold?

No extra consideration is given for exceeding the 15% small business percentage threshold.

18. Construction Laboratory Technicians are required to sample and test a variety of materials (see page 43). However, there is no requirement or statement of who will provide the laboratory and equipment (see page 25) necessary for these activities in the solicitation. Please advise if these will be provided by others, or if we should include the costs of providing them in our proposal.

The Government will be providing the lab and equipment.

19. Page 41 indicates that we are to assume QA coverage 24 hours per day, 7 days per week for the Sample Task Order PLUS 6 similar projects. However, on page 42 (Work Hours) and on page 19 (1.6.18 Work Day) COR permission is needed to work in excess of 8 hours per day. Please clarify what work shifts we should assume for the Mock Task, for the additional 6 similar projects, and for the overall contract.

For the Mock Task Order, the work shifts are 24 hours per day 7 days per week. The six additional projects are a part of the Mock Task Order and should be priced accordingly. For the overall contract (we assume you are referring to the Base Contract),the work shifts are 8 hours per day, Monday through Friday. All hours in excess of 40 hours per week are considered overtime. All overtime shall be coordinated in advance with the Contracting Officer Representative (COR). See page 42 of the solicitation.

20. Based on the “Specific Tasks “ listed for the Mock Task Order, we are assuming that our services for the culvert project will begin with BCOES review and continue through construction, and include final inspection, operation testing, and acceptance. Please verify if our assumption is correct. If not, please advise what phase(s) of the project the Government would like us to assume in our approach and pricing.

Price only Quality Assurance related tasks such as inspection and testing. BCOES and Acceptance are inherently governmental functions.

21. The RFP mentions the positions of QA Manager Alternate Contracts Manager and yet there are listing of these job titles on the Pricing List. Are we to assume that these hours/costs are included in the Rate/Hours given for the Contract Manager? Page 16 section 16.2,11, 2.1.

Yes, the section is 1.6.11.2.1.

22. No testing allowance is specified – only labor rates/hours are shown for Laboratory Technician I and II. How should we price the Laboratory Testing for this project?

There are no testing fees. Testing will be performed in a government facility using government equipment.

23. After review of the RFP and preproposal materials we cannot locate the start date for this contract; please state the start date for contract W912EP18R0027 - Quality Assurance Services for Herbert Hoover Dike.

We anticipate an award date no later than 30 September 2018.