Synopsis Geotech Invest Services SATOC Amendment 03.pdf

W912ER25R0020

Architect-Engineer (A-E) Geotechnical Investigative Services SATOC

Amendment 01: Clarification of Key Personnel Evaluation

Amendment 02: Address Bidder Inquiries and Extend Bidding Period Amendment 03: Reopening and Extension of Bidding Period

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation:

This is a combined Synopsis/Solicitation for A-E services. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation that will be issued, for which proposals are being requested, and no other solicitations will be issued.

1. GENERAL INFORMATION:

The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Middle East District, hereby solicits for A-E services by way of a multiple year Requirements, Single Award Task Order Contract (SATOC) under the Selection of Architects and Engineers Statute, also known as The Brooks Act, and the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) part 36. This Synopsis/Solicitation is for A-E services over the next five years to support a sustained and prominent presence in the Central Command (CENTCOM) Area of Responsibility (AOR) and the District’s worldwide missions, including the Technical Center of Expertise for Hangar Fire Protection and the Center of Standardization for Non-Permanent Facilities.

A single firm will be selected based on demonstrated competencies and qualifications for the type of professional services required, as outlined below under Services Required. The Middle East District intends to award one SATOC from this synopsis/solicitation, with a capacity of $9,000,000.00. This SATOC will have a one-time guaranteed minimum amount of $5,000.00. The period of performance will be a three-year base, with one two-year option period. The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this requirement is 541330 Engineering Services, which has a size standard of $25,500,000.00 in average annual receipts, however this announcement is open to all businesses regardless of size. This contract is anticipated to be awarded in the third quarter of fiscal year (FY) 2025.

An offeror shall have an active registration in SAM at https://www.sam.gov and the Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment (PIEE) at https://piee.eb.mil prior to submission of proposals and should remain current and registered through contract award and performance. SF 330 submittal and evaluation will be done through the Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment (PIEE).

NOTE: All firms should be aware of the limitations of Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) 236.602-70. This regulation requires that A-E contracts funded by military construction appropriations that are estimated to exceed $500,000 and are to be performed in countries bordering the Arabian Gulf, can only be awarded to United States firms or to joint ventures of United States and host nation firms.

All offerors are required to adhere to the following clauses:

1. FAR Clause 52.229-11 Tax on Certain Foreign Procurements – Notice and Representation

2. FAR Clause 52.229-12 Tax on Certain Foreign Procurements

3. FAR Clause 52.246-20 Warranty of Services

4. FAR Clause 52.244-4 Subcontractors and Outside Associate and Consultants (Architect-Engineer Services)

2. PROJECT LOCATION:

Most of the work will be in various countries throughout the CENTCOM AOR, including but not limited to: Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Yemen, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait, Iraq, Iran, Syria, Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, Israel, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, or elsewhere in support of the District’s worldwide missions.

3. SERVICES REQUIRED

Provide geotechnical investigation services to acquire site soil information for construction. The services will primarily be used for designs generated by The Middle East District or in support of specialty projects for CENTCOM Area of Responsibility customers.

All test boring and field testing locations shall be surveyed and comply with topographic survey requirements. As much as possible, procedures, practices, and tests, shall conform to ASTM (American Society for Testing Materials) standards. Testing laboratories shall be accredited and USACE validated. A list of testing laboratories previously validated by the Middle East District is at https://www.tam.usace.army.mil/business-with-us/ under the link for Middle East District Validated Labs Register. Other laboratories must be requested through the Middle East District .

4. SELECTION CRITERIA:

This acquisition is for A-E Services and is procured in accordance with the USC 40 Chapter 11 “Selection of Architects and Engineers” as implemented in FAR Subpart

36.6. Interested offerors having the competencies and qualifications as demonstrated by addressing the following selection criteria to perform this work are invited to submit:

(1) a Standard Form (SF) 330, Architect-Engineer Qualifications, Parts I and II, and (2) the performance data such as Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System

(CPARS) and Past Performance Questionnaires (PPQ). Following an evaluation of the qualifications and performance data submitted, negotiations will be held with the most highly qualified offeror based on the demonstrated competence and qualifications necessary for satisfactory performance in accordance with the selection criteria listed below.

The selection criteria for this solicitation are listed below, in descending order of importance. Criteria (a) through (e) are primary. Criterion (f) is secondary and will only be used as a 'tiebreaker' among offerors that are essentially technically equal.

Offerors are required to show recent (within 5 years from date of synopsis/solicitation) and relevant (related to the services required under Section 3 and areas of expertise described under selection criterion ‘b’) experience and qualifications. Experience and qualifications that are not both recent and relevant shall not be considered under any selection criteria.

a) PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS of the key management and technical personnel. The evaluation will consider the education, training, registration, certifications, length of service, and overall and relevant qualifications and experience of the offerors’ key personnel in the following key disciplines:

PROJECT MANAGER. Applies technical expertise and project management experience to manage project teams on conventional and unconventional projects. Also performs the basic project functions of production coordination, planning, organizing, directing, controlling, financial management and marketing assistance. Functions as a mentor to technical professionals to assist in their training and development. Also performs the basic project functions of production coordination, planning, organizing, directing, controlling, financial management and marketing.

Education And Experience.

Senior: Master’s degree or graduate level coursework in field(s) of practice.

This level may be achieved with ten (10) years of experience in project production and technical professional activities, four (4) of these working as a project manager.

Mid-Level: Bachelor's degree in field(s) of practice. This level may be achieved with eight (8) years’ experience in project production and technical professional activities, two (2) of these working as a Sr. Technical Professional.

Professional Registrations. Professional Registration in field of practice preferred.

Project Management Professional (PMP) or a current engineer or architect professional registration in any of the 50 States of the United States of America, or equivalent recognized international body, such as Engineers Europe (formerly Fédération Européenne d'Associations Nationales d'Ingénieurs (FEANI)) or members of the International Professional Engineers Agreement (IPEA).

CIVIL/FOUNDATION/GEOTECHNICAL/ENVIRONMENTAL/MATERIALS

ENGINEER. Applies full competency in conventional engineering work and broad knowledge of precedents in specialty areas. On design assignments, understands how to clearly convey the design intent for use in engineering drawings and specifications. On assignments involving engineering investigations and planning work, has a firm grasp of the fundamentals of engineering processes and their application to operating systems. On projects involving engineering services related to construction activities, has developed.

Possesses a thorough understanding of construction methods and the manner in which engineering drawings and specifications are translated into the constructed product. Upholds engineering ethics and standards of conduct.

Education And Experience Senior: M.S. in Engineering or graduate level technical coursework related to their specific engineering expertise. This level may also be achieved with seven (7) years of experience since B.S. or six (6) years since M.S. Typical incumbent has ten (10) to fourteen (14) years of experience.

Mid-Level: B.S. or M.S. in Engineering. This level may be achieved by Engineers with four years' experience since B.S.; three (3) years of experience since M.S. Incumbents typically have six (6) to ten (10) years' experience since Bachelor's degree related to their specific engineering expertise.

Junior: B.S. or M.S. in Engineering. This level may be achieved by Engineers with 2 years' experience since B.S. or one (1) year since M.S.

The typical incumbent has three (3) to five (5) years' experience since Bachelor's degree related to their specific engineering expertise.

Professional Registrations.

Senior & Mid-Level: A current professional registration in any of the 50 States of the United States of America, or equivalent recognized international body, such as Engineers Europe (formerly Fédération Européenne d'Associations Nationales d'Ingénieurs (FEANI))) or members of the International Professional Engineers Agreement (IPEA) is required (in field of practice preferred).

Junior: E.I. or EIT Certification from any of the 50 States of the United States of America is preferred.

GEOLOGIST. Provides technical expertise within area of specialization for diverse activities related to his/her field of science, throughout the assigned area of responsibility and/or company-wide. Provides the expertise of a seasoned scientist to all conventional aspects of functional areas and applies advanced concepts and techniques to unconventional problems. May function as individual researcher or technical specialist. Carries out complex or novel assignments requiring the development of new or improved techniques and procedures. Upholds professional ethics and standards of conduct. Applies technical professional proficiency to the investigation of scientific problems and the coordination of related project activities; may lead a section of a laboratory or analytical group. Upholds professional ethics and standards of conduct.

Education And Experience Senior: B.S./ B.A. or M.S. in Geology; Master's or applicable graduate level coursework preferred. This level may be achieved by Scientists with ten (10) years' experience since with a Bachelor's degree or nine (9) years' experience with Master's degree; typical incumbent has twelve (12) to fifteen

(15) years' experience.

Mid-Level: B.S./B.A. or M.S. in a field of science commensurate with Geology; M.S. or graduate level coursework preferred. This level may be achieved by Scientists with minimum seven years' experience since Bachelor's degree, or six (6) years' experience with Master's degree; typical incumbent has eight (8) to ten (10) years' experience.

Junior: B.S./ B.A. or M.S. in a field of Geology. This level may be achieved with minimum three (3) years' experience since Bachelor's degree or two (2) years' experience with Master's degree; typical incumbent has five (5) years' experience.

Professional Registrations.

Senior & Mid-Level: Professional Geologist registration is required.

Junior: Fundamentals of Geology (FG) Certification is preferred.

INSPECTOR. Provides the strong technical skills and experience of a highly experienced technician to support engineers, planners, architects, surveyors or scientists working in transportation, development, environmental, land surveying or other technical services of the company.

Education And Experience. The inspectors are required to have at a minimum, a Bachelor’s degree in Geology or Geotechnical/Civil Engineering.

Each inspector shall have a minimum of three (3) years of experience in geotechnical investigations and sampling.

Special Skills. Each inspector shall be familiar with both the Unified Soils

Classification System and the descriptive terms commonly used in Engineering Geology.

Professional Registrations. Professional Registration in field of practice

CADD TECHNICIAN. Provides sophistication and expertise in the performance of computer-assisted design to support development, planning, transportation and other technical services of the company. Applies engineering fundamentals to engineering design; and production of drawings in support of engineering or architectural project(s).

Senior: College degree in related technical field plus twelve (12) years related experience OR an Associate Degree in a related technical field plus ten years related experience is required.

Junior: High school diploma (or equivalent). CAD training required.

Generally, requires minimum eight years of related experience in a combination of technician and/or CAD technician or designer positions. May also require experience in the particular discipline supported..

Professional Registrations. No professional registrations required.

CONTRACT ADMIN. Responsible for lifecycle contracts administration to include reviewing, tracking and storing solicitations and contract documentation, preparing routine budget and compliance reports, and preparing routine certifications. Assists senior level contracts managers and administrators with general contracts administration.

Senior: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or equivalent discipline, plus a minimum of two (2) years relevant experience related to FAR procurement or Federal contracts administration. Without a degree, twelve (12) years of relevant experience required. Must demonstrate knowledge and working familiarity with the FAR. Experience with multiple contract types, performance-based contracting required.

Mid-Level: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or equivalent discipline. Previous experience related to FAR procurement or Federal contracts administration preferred. Without a degree, ten (10) years of relevant experience required. Must demonstrate knowledge and working familiarity with the FAR. Experience with multiple contract types, performance-based contracting required.

Junior: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or equivalent discipline. Previous experience related to FAR procurement or Federal contracts administration preferred. Without a degree, five (5) years of relevant experience required. Must demonstrate knowledge and working familiarity with the FAR. Experience with multiple contract types, performance-based contracting required.

Professional Registrations. Certified Schedules Contract Manager.

Government Contract Management –Associate Certificate.

COST ESTIMATOR. Supervise the production of project estimates and schedules. Develop conceptual through final project cost estimates for all disciplines in all groups. Perform value engineering and constructability reviews.

Provide support to clients in the research, review and analysis of construction claims.

Senior. Bachelor's degree in technical discipline with ten (10) years relevant experience; nine (9) years of experience required with Master's degree; or twelve years of experience in project control or cost analysis with an Associate Degree.

Mid-Level: Bachelor's degree in technical discipline with seven (7) years' relevant experience; six (6) years' experience required with Master's degree; or ten (10) years' experience in project control or cost analysis with an Associate Degree.

Junior: Bachelor's degree in related technical discipline plus three (3) years' relevant experience, or two (2) years' experience since Master's degree.

Professional Registrations.

Senior & Mid-Level: Certified Cost Professional (CCP), Certified Estimating Professional (CEP), Certified Cost Estimator (CCE), or Certified Cost Engineer/Consultant (CCE/CCC) is required.

Junior: No certifications required.

GEOPHYSICIST. Provides technical expertise within area of specialization for diverse activities related to his/her field of science, throughout the assigned area of responsibility and/or company-wide. Functions as project manager, lead scientist or technical consultant.

Education And Experience. B.S./ B.A. or M.S. in Geology or Geophysicist;

Master's or applicable graduate level coursework preferred. This level may be achieved by Scientists with ten (10) years' experience with Bachelor's degree or nine (9) years' experience with Master's degree; typical incumbent has twelve (12) to fifteen (15) years' experience.

Professional Registrations. Professional Geologist registration is required.

HYDROLOGIST/WATER RESOURCE ENGINEER. Provides technical expertise within area of specialization for diverse activities related to his/her field of science, throughout the assigned area of responsibility and/or company-wide.

Functions as project manager, lead scientist or technical consultant.

Education And Experience. B.S./ B.A. or M.S. in Geology or Civil or Environmental Engineer; Master's or applicable graduate level coursework preferred. This level may be achieved by Scientists with ten (10) years' experience with Bachelor's degree or nine (9) years' experience with Master's degree; typical incumbent has twelve (12) to fifteen (15) years' experience.

Professional Registrations. Professional Geologist registration or a current Professional Engineering registration in any of the 50 States of the United States of America (or equivalent recognized international body, such as Engineers Europe (formerly Fédération Européenne d'Associations Nationales d'Ingénieurs (FEANI))) or members of the International Professional Engineers Agreement (IPEA) (in field of practice preferred)) is required.

LICENSED SURVEYOR. Shall have substantial experience in the Surveying and Engineering field and be capable of performing assignments of originality or complexity. They shall be capable of applying initiative and resourcefulness in independent planning of methods. Provides the strong technical skills and experience to support engineers, planners, architects, surveyors or scientists working in transportation, development, environmental, land surveying or other technical services of the company.

Education And Experience. High school diploma (or equivalent) plus ten (10) years related experience OR an Associate Degree in a related technical field plus eight (8) years related experience is required.

Professional Registrations. Land Surveyor (PLS) license is required.

SAFETY CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL. Implements safety management systems, perform worksite assessments to determine risks, assess potential hazards and controls, evaluate risks and hazard control measures, investigate incidents, maintain and evaluate incident and loss records, and prepare emergency response plans, among other possible duties.

Education And Experience. High school diploma (or equivalent) plus ten (10) years related experience OR an Associate Degree in a related technical field plus eight (8) years related experience is required.

Professional Registrations. Professional Certification in field of practice

The evaluation will consider the education, training, registration, certifications, length of service, and overall and relevant qualifications and experience of the Offerors’ key personnel. For purposes of this evaluation, key personnel should include personnel for the project manager, lead geologist, lead geophysicist, the engineers with a focus on foundation, civil, and geotechnical engineering, as well as any other personnel serving in leadership roles under the award team.

Additional consideration may be given to offerors that propose personnel with experience associated with the areas of expertise presented under selection criterion ‘b’. Resumes shall be limited to a maximum of two personnel for each key discipline.

b) SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE AND TECHNICAL COMPETENCE: The Government's evaluation of this criterion will consider example projects in the SF330 Section F demonstrating the following areas of expertise:

Capability must be exhibited in the following areas of expertise:

Geotechnical Investigations Laboratory Testing Geotechnical Evaluations and Reports Field Geotechnical Observations and Documentation Materials Investigations and Testing Geophysical Investigations and Reports Engineering Literature Searches Geologic Field Mapping Seismological Studies Advanced Modeling (AdM)/Surveying Geotechnical Computer Programming Safety

c) CAPACITY. Ability to complete the work in the required time. Offerors shall demonstrate their ability to successfully perform $1.8 million of investigative services per year for a five-year period beginning with the date of solicitation through self-performance, as a joint venture or partnership relationship, or with the assistance of subcontractors. The evaluation will consider the availability of an adequate number of personnel in key disciplines. Two (2) 2-person (or more) drill crews readily available and ready to travel with a one (1) week notice and three (3) additional 2- person (or more) drill crews readily available with a four (4) week notice are required. Offerors should include a narrative on any existing offices and/or personnel they have operating in the primary areas and throughout the remaining countries in the CENTCOM AOR.

d) PAST PERFORMANCE. Past performance on contracts with Government agencies and private industry. Past performance with respect to management, quality of work, and compliance with performance schedules, as determined from the CPARS and other sources will be considered. Offerors may use the PPQ template provided with this announcement for use in documenting past performance of non-Government contracts.

e) KNOWLEDGE OF LOCALITY. Offerors shall demonstrate the ability to conduct investigations and perform related engineering services that account for local conditions in a foreign environment, including physical environment, local engineering criteria, local laws and regulations, local construction methods, and construction market conditions within five years from the date of solicitation.

f) Volume of Department of Defense (DoD) contract awards. Offerors shall specify the total volume of work awarded to the offeror by DoD agencies within 12 months from the date of solicitation. When identifying the total volume of work, include all stand-alone contracts and IDIQ Task Orders on ongoing Indefinite Delivery Contracts, including modifications, issued by DoD agencies. DO NOT include the potential value of an IDIQ, nor options which have not been exercised.

5. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

Electronic copies shall be submitted through the Solicitation Module of the PIEE suite at https://piee.eb.mil/. Proposals submitted by mail or hand carried will not be evaluated.

Proposals sent via email will not be evaluated. Proposals sent through proprietary or third-party File Transfer Protocol (FTP) sites or DoD SAFE will not be retrieved. It is the responsibility of the Offeror to confirm receipt of proposals. All proposals received after the exact time specified for receipt shall be treated as late submissions and will not be considered except under facts and circumstances allowed by the FAR 15.208.

The steps a offeror shall follow in order to use PIEE application modules. A complete list can be viewed at the following site:

https://piee.eb.mil/xhtml/unauth/web/homepage/vendorGettingStartedHelp.xhtml#step5

For instructions on how to post an offer, please refer to the Posting Offer demo:

https://pieetraining.eb.mil/wbt/sol/Posting_Offer.pdf.

For additional assistance with PIEE, please see the Department of Defense Procurement Toolbox at https://dodprocurementtoolbox.com/site-pages/solicitation-module.

It is the Offeror’s responsibility to obtain written confirmation of receipt of all electronic files of the full proposal by the Middle East District Contracting office.

The Offeror shall obtain prior approval from one of the above individuals to use the alternate submission method. Offerors are responsible for ensuring electronic copies are virus-free and shall run an anti-virus scan before submission. Electronic copies of each volume shall be compatible with the following software products: Adobe Acrobat Reader 11 and Microsoft Office Suite 2016. Narrative portions of the proposal shall be in Adobe Acrobat portable document file (pdf) searchable text format. The Offeror shall not embed sound or video (e.g., MPEG) files into the proposal files. Electronic files shall be clearly identified for each volume, section, and item.

The SF330 proposal due date is no later than 11 25 April 2025 by 4:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time 12 May 2025 by 10:00AM Eastern Daylight Time. Any SF 330 submittal provided previously does not need to be resubmitted and will be evaluated as provided.

Offerors shall submit one (1) electronic copy of the SF330 Part I and Part II as one (1) searchable PDF file.

The SF330, Part I shall not exceed one hundred and thirty (130) pages. Covers, section dividers, and similar pages will not be counted towards the page limit and any information contained on them will NOT be considered. CPARS evaluations or PPQ, will NOT be counted towards the page limit, but will be considered. Any other content beyond the page limitation shall NOT be considered.

Please identify in Block 11, the SAM Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number of all firms listed in the SF 330, Part I, Section C.

Offerors shall submit a current and accurate SF330 Part II for the prime offeror, any joint venture partners, each branch office that will have a key role, and each sub-consultant for the proposed contract.

Font size shall be a minimum of 10-point Arial on letter size pages (8.5 x 11 inches) or A4 (210 x 297 mm). A tabloid or ledger size page (11 x 17 inches) or A3 (297 x 420

mm) may be used, but each 11 x 17 inch or A3 page will count as two (2) pages toward the overall page count. No other page sizes may be used.

SF330 Section D: The offerors shall submit an organizational chart as required by SF330 Section D. Offerors may submit a single 11 x 17-inch or A3 organizational chart as part of their submission. For this section, this single 11x17 or A3 will count as only one (1) page.

SF330 Section E: The individuals identified by the project roles on the SF330 may not have multiple duties or be "dual-hatted." Offerors, at a minimum, shall provide individual resumes in SF330 Section E for each of the disciplines listed under Selection Criterion ‘a’. Individuals included in SF330 Section E shall possess the certifications and registrations commensurate with their profession and shall have performed in their respective role (e.g. civil engineer, geotechnical engineer, etc.) on projects falling under the services required under Section 3 and areas of expertise described under selection criterion ‘b’) experience and qualifications. Individuals included in SF330 Section E in roles requiring professional registration shall provide the professional registration number and date first attained as part of the individual resume.

SF330 Section F: Include a maximum of ten (10) projects. Projects shall have the geotechnical investigation phase completed within five (5) years from the date of synopsis/solicitation. An IDIQ contract may not be submitted as a standalone project.

Do NOT furnish portfolios, prints, magazines, newspaper clippings, or CDs of completed projects.

SF330 Section H: Submit information for Capacity, Past Performance on projects provided in section F, and Volume of DoD contract awards. Do NOT repeat information from Sections A-G in Section H. All large businesses shall present a Small Business and Small Disadvantaged Business Subcontracting Plan in accordance with Public Law 95-507 . Additionally, estimate the proposed extent of participation of Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Woman-Owned Small Business, HUBZone Small Business, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business and Veteran Owned Small Business team members in the contract team using a chart showing each firm that is a team member, their small business category, and their proposed level of participation measured as a percentage of the overall estimated effort (i.e. a chart with 3 columns, respectively entitled 'Firm Name', 'Small Business Category', and '% Participation'). At least 50% of the cost of the contract performance incurred for personnel shall be expended for employees of the prime offeror. The 50% self-performing requirement will be based on the contract as a whole. The proposed small business goals should be reasonable for the work being performed, with the Government assuming a minimum of 5% of the work being performed by small business subcontractors.

CPARS evaluations, the PPQs, and the small business subcontracting plan will not count toward the SF330 Part I page limitation.

All requirements of this notice shall be met for an offeror to be considered responsive.

Bidder Inquiries:

a. Technical inquiries and questions relating to this solicitation are to be submitted via Bidder Inquiry in ProjNet at (https://www.projnet.org) no later than (NLT) seven (7) days prior to the proposal due date to ensure adequate time is allotted to form an appropriate response to inquiries and amend the solicitation, if necessary. To submit and review inquiry items, prospective offerors, follow the instructions in c. or d. below. A prospective offeror who submits a comment or question will receive an acknowledgement of their comment/question via email, followed by an answer to the comment/question after it has been processed by the Middle East District's technical team.

b. All timely questions and approved answers will be made available through ProjNet.

Offerors are requested to review the solicitation in its entirety and review the Bidder Inquiry System for answers to questions prior to submission of a new inquiry. Offeror shall only submit one question per inquiry. All inquiries containing multiple questions shall be rejected. Only questions pertaining to this requirement and Synopsis/Solicitation will be entertained.

The Project is: (P2 #520646) Middle East District Geotechnical Investigative Services

SATOC.

The Bidder Inquiry Key is: PCGHGT-44HYX3

Bidder inquiries will be taken until 11 April 2025.

c. Specific Instructions for ProjNet Bid Inquiry Access:

i. From the ProjNet home page, linked above, click on Quick Add on the upper right side of the screen.

ii. Identify the Agency. Choose “USACE”.

iii. Key. Enter the Bidder Inquiry Key.

iv. Email. Enter the email address you would like to use for communication.

v. Click Continue. A page will then open saying that a user account was not found and will ask you to create one using the provided form.

vi. Enter your First Name, Last Name, Company, City, State, Phone, Email, Secret Question, Secret Answer, and Time Zone. Make sure to remember your Secret Question and Answer as they will be used from this point on to access the ProjNet system.

vii. Click Add User. Once this is completed you are now registered within ProjNet and are currently logged into the system. From this page, you may view all bidder inquiries or add a new inquiry.

d. Specific Instructions for Future ProjNet Bid Inquiry Access:

i. For future access to ProjNet, you will not be emailed any type of password. You will utilize your Secret Question and Secret Answer to log in.

ii. From the ProjNet home page linked above, click on Quick Add on the upper right side of the screen.

iii. Identify the Agency. This shall be marked as USACE.

iv. Key. Enter the Bidder Inquiry Key from c.iii, above.

v. Email. Enter the email address you used to register previously in ProjNet.

vi. Click Continue. A page will then open asking you to enter the answer to your Secret Question.

vii. Enter your Secret Answer and click Login. Once this is completed you are now logged into the system. From this page, you may view all bidder inquiries or add a new inquiry.

e. The ProjNet call center operates weekdays from 8AM to 5PM U.S. Central Time Zone (Chicago) or by appointment for OCONUS. The telephone number for the Call Center is 1-800-428-HELP. Email to staff@projnet.info. Technical inquiries and questions relating to proposal procedures or bonds are to be submitted via Bidder Inquiry in ProjNet at http://ProjNet.org/ProjNet.

6. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

All offerors shall comply with the FAR provision 52.229-11 and FAR clause 52.229-12 which are included in this solicitation. This provision and clause concern the imposition of a 2 percent Federal excise tax withholding on any resultant contract award or payment request. This rule applies to Federal Government contracts for goods or services that are awarded to foreign persons such as foreign contractors. It implements the Department of the Treasury’s final regulations published in the Federal Register at 81 FR 55133 on August 18, 2016, under section 5000C of the Internal Revenue Code relating to the 2 percent tax on payments made by the U.S. Government to foreign persons pursuant to certain contracts.

Pursuant to the FAR 52.229-3 Federal, State, and Local Taxes, taxes imposed under 26 U.S.C. 5000 C may not be included in the contract price or reimbursed.

Exemptions from this excise tax shall be claimed by an Offeror when it submits, with its offer, a U.S. Department of Treasury Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form W-14, Certificate of Foreign Contracting Party Receiving Federal Procurement Payments, available via the internet at www.irs.gov/W14.

When filling out the IRS Form W-14 the following information may be used to complete Part I, Lines 6 and 7.

Line 6 Contract/reference number: W912ER25R0020 Line 7 “Name and address of the acquiring agency”:

Name: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Middle East District City or town, state or province: 201 Prince Frederick Dr, Winchester, VA 22602

Country (do not abbreviate): United States

Any exemption claimed and self-certified is subject to audit by the IRS. Any disputes concerning this tax are adjudicated by the IRS because the Section 5000C tax is a tax matter not a contract issue.

Offerors are encouraged to seek guidance from their own tax professionals for advice concerning the provision, clause, and exclusions exclusion/submission of IRS Form W-

14. Additional information is also available at:

https://www.irs.gov/government-entities/excise-tax-on-specified-federal-foreign-procurement-payments https://www.irs.gov/help/tax-law-questions

Notwithstanding the above, the USACE Middle East District does not have a means of withholding this excise tax at this time. As a result, contractors are expected to comply with the instructions above and to properly complete and return the W-14 at proposal submission, and with each pay application. The amount due for each withholding will be communicated to the contractor BUT WILL NOT BE WITHHELD. It is the contractor’s responsibility to set aside, or remit to the IRS, the amount confirmed by USACE. Whether the contractor sets the money aside for future payment to the IRS, or makes payment to the IRS, is the contractor’s discretion. In the event that USACE is able to withhold during contract performance, it will notify the contractor and make such a withholding; no advance notice is required to the contractor prior to the withholding.

Under no circumstances is USACE liable for any tax not paid by the contractor. The contractor is liable for the tax, to the extent required by law, regardless of whether USACE makes a withholding.

All substantive issues regarding the underlying section 5000C tax, e.g., the imposition of, and exemption from the tax, are matters under the jurisdiction of the IRS.” Therefore, we cannot help you determine how the tax law applies to you.

We strongly recommend that you contact the IRS and/or a tax professional should you have any questions of this nature. To be clear, this information does not constitute tax advice or a representation of your tax liability. Furnishing this information does not create liability for the USACE for any Federal, state, or local taxes applicable to the above-referenced contract or any other contract.

For submission requirements and basis of evaluation:

Executed FAR Provision 52.229-11.

(End of Requirement)

Primary Point of Contact:

Ms. Elena N. Shapovalova Email: elena.n.shapovalova@usace.army.mil

Phone: (540) 665-1384

Secondary Point of Contact (if primary is not available):

Mr. David I. Walden, Contract Specialist Email: david.i.walden@usace.army.mil Phone: (540) 665-3946

Secondary Point of Contact (if primary is not available):

Mr. Benjamin Williams, Contracting Officer Email: Benjamin.c.williams@usace.army.mil Phone: (540) 665-2603