2020-07-16 W912P519R0001-0004 LRN Excitation SATOC.pdf

W38XDD92311091

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

30-105-04EXCEPTION TO SF 30

APPROVED BY OIRM 11-84

STANDARD FORM 30 (Rev. 10-83) Prescribed by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

PROJECT TITLE: Excitation Equipment Replacement Single Aw ard Task Order Contract (SATOC) for Nashville District Pow er Plants

This solicitation is being amended to extend the due dates for Questions until 1:00 pm Central Time on Friday, 24 Jul 2020 and Proposals until 10:00 am Central Time on Wednesday, 2 September 2020

SECTION 00 21 00 INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS & NOTICES TO OFFERORS, Paragraphs 1.11 Point of Contact for Communication/Questions and 6.0 Where to Submit & Submittal Deadline have been revised.

FAR 52.252-3, Alterations in Solicitation, is revised to ref lect these changes.

1. CONTRACT ID CODE PAGE OF PAGES

J 1 27

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

16C. DATE SIGNED

BY 16-Jul-2020

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA15C. DATE SIGNED15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

(Signature of Contracting Officer)(Signature of person authorized to sign)

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., Street , County, State and Zip Code) X W912P519R0001

X 9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

09-Jun-2020

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

X The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offer X is extended, is not extended.

Offer must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended by one of the following methods:

(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning 1 copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted;

or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN

REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required)

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS.

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE

CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(B).

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority)

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is not, is required to sign this document and return copies to the issuing office.

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

10A. MOD. OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO. 5. PROJECT NO.(If applicable)

6. ISSUED BY

3. EFFECTIVE DATE

16-Jul-2020

CODE

CELRN-RC-N CONTRACTING BRANCH

110 9TH AVE SOUTH, A405

NASHVILLE TN 37203

W912P5 7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than item 6)

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO.

CODE

See Item 6

FACILITY CODECODE

EMAIL:TEL:

W912P519R0001

SECTION SF 30 BLOCK 14 CONTINUATION PAGE

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

SECTION 00 10 00 - SOLICITATION

The required response date/time has changed from 14-Aug-2020 12:00 PM to 02-Sep-2020 10:00 AM.

SECTION 00 21 00 - INSTRUCTIONS

The following have been modified:

INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

SECTION 00 21 00

INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS & NOTICES TO OFFERORS

1.0 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

1.1 Intent

The intent of this solicitation is to issue a SATOC for the removal of the existing excitation equipment and replacement with a new, fully static, digital excitation system at up to eight (8) of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Nashville District’s (LRN) hydropower generation plants on the Cumberland River. If all options are exercised, the requirement will cover a 10-year period (a base of four (4) years and three (3) 2-year options) or when the overall contract capacity has been met, whichever comes first. One (1) Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) construction contract will be awarded.

1.2 Project Description

The SATOC can be utilized by LRN for the demolition, design, fabrication, supply and/or installation of new exciters in hydropower generating facilities throughout the Cumberland River System in Tennessee and Kentucky.

The potential exists for the contractor to encounter asbestos or lead-based paint in connection with the work, and remediation of affected components will be required as part of the scope of work. This description is not intended to be all encompassing and is subject to change. The prototype project, Cordell Hull Power Plant Excitation System Upgrade is located in Carthage, Tennessee. This project involves the removal of the current shaft-mounted exciters and installation of floor-mounted digital, solid state exciters in accordance with the plans and specifications.

1.3 Disclosure of Magnitude of Construction Project

The estimated magnitude of this requirement is between $25,000,000 and $100,000,000. The minimum guarantees contract amount is $25,000.

The estimated magnitude of the prototype project is between $1,000,000 and $5,000,000.

1.4 Basis of Selection of Award

The basis of award is the Best Value Tradeoff Process. The Contracting Officer will award one (1) construction SATOC to the responsible Offeror whom the Source Selection Authority (SSA)/Contracting Officer determines conforms to the solicitation, is fair and reasonable and offers the best overall value to the Government, all factors considered. The Government reserves the right to accept other than the lowest priced offer or to reject all offers.

The prototype project is anticipated to be first task order and will be used for the purpose of evaluating each Offeror’s price.

1.5 Type of Contract

The Government intends to award one (1) firm-fixed price construction SATOC.

1.6 Who May Submit

This procurement is unrestricted to obtain full and open competition. Proposals from firms organized as joint ventures (JV) that have associated specifically for this project must include a copy of the legal joint venture agreement in the proposal submission.

1.7 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code and Small Business Size Standard

The NAICS code for this project is 237130 (Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction) with a size standard of $39,500,000.

1.8 AVAILABILITY OF PLANS (DRAWINGS), TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS AND ADDITIONAL

DOCUMENTS

Specifications and Drawings will be provided as separate files and will be available in www.beta.SAM.gov due to the size and pages associated with each. See the complete drawings and specifications package located at the following website: www.fbo.gov.

The Specifications and Drawings are part of the contract and shall be considered in that respect (see DFARS 252.236-7001, Contract Drawings and Specifications).

1.9 Pre-Proposal Site Visit

An organized site visit has been scheduled to occur during the solicitation period. Offerors should inspect the job site prior to submitting a proposal. Offerors should take such other steps as may be reasonably necessary to ascertain the nature and location of the work and the general and local conditions that can affect the work or the cost thereof.

Failure to do so will not relieve Offerors from the responsibility for properly estimating the difficulty or cost of successfully performing the work. The Government assumes no responsibility for any understanding or representations concerning conditions made by any of its officers, agents or employees, unless included in the solicitation, the specifications or related documents, and any amendments to the solicitation as may be issued.

Please refer to the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) 52.236-27 Alt 1, Site Visit (Construction), incorporated by full text in this solicitation, for information pertaining to the scheduled site visit.

Due to the social distancing guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) because of COVID-19, this site visit will be a video conference presentation that shall be held on at 10:00AM Central Time on 1 July 2020. Recorded and/or livestream videos will be accessible. Contract Specialist Rob Holdsworth (Robert.B.Holdsworth@usace.army.mil) will provide information to registered Offerors regarding how to access the system and associated teleconference at least one (1) business day prior (reference paragraph 1.10 Requirements to Attend the Site Visit).

This will be the only site visit for this project. If you miss the scheduled site visit, no other arrangements will be made due to personnel and time restrictions.

1.10 Requirements to Attend the Site Visit

Only registered persons will be permitted to attend the site visit. In addition to the below information, please also provide the name of your firm, firm’s CAGE and/or Unique Entity Identifier (formerly known as DUNS), and name and position title of primary point-of-contact and their telephone number and email address. There is no limitation to the number of registered persons to attend the virtual site visit.

U.S. Citizens: To register, U.S. citizens interested in attending the site visit must submit a Nashville District (LRN) Security Access Form to the Point of Contract (POC), Contract Specialist Robert (Rob) Holdsworth, by email to Robert.B.Holdsworth@usace.army.mil no later than three (3) business days prior to the site visit. If submitting the form in less than three days, the person may not receive approval for participation. Notification of approval or denial will be provided prior to the date of the site visit. The form is available as a pdf attachment on www.fbo.gov with this solicitation and is titled as Pre-Proposal Site Visit Form.

Foreign Nationals (FNs): FNs wishing to attend the site visit shall submit a completed LRN FN Security Form and legible color copies of two of the following documents: Passport (unexpired or expired), Certificate of U.S.

Citizenship (INS Form N-560 04 N-561), Certificate of Naturalization (INS Form N 550 or N-570), unexpired foreign Passport with I-551 stamp or attached INS Form I-94 indicating unexpired employment authorization, an Alien Registration Receipt Card with photo (INS Form I-151 or I-551), unexpired Temporary Resident Card (INS Form I-688), unexpired Employment Authorization Card (INS Form I-688A), unexpired Reentry Permit (INS Form I-327), unexpired Refugee Travel Document (INS- Form I571), or unexpired Employment Authorization Documentation issued by the INS which contains a photograph (INS Form I-688B) to the LRN POC. These documents must be submitted two (2) weeks prior to the site visit. Exceptions will be considered on a case by case basis but will be limited. The form is available at:

http://www.lrn.usace.army.mil/BusinessWithUs/ContractSecurityRequirements.aspx

1.11 Point of Contact for Communication/Questions:

Any communications regarding this procurement must be made in writing to the Nashville Contracting Branch, Attn: Contract Specialist Robert (Rob) Holdsworth at email Rob.B.Holdsworth@usace.army.mil. Inquiries must identify the solicitation number, the requestor’s company name, address, email address, and telephone number to include area code.

Phone calls or requests to arrange meetings at the Nashville District during the solicitation period to discuss project requirements or company’s capabilities are highly discouraged and will not be scheduled.

QUESTIONS: Questions regarding the solicitation must be submitted to Robert (Rob) Holdsworth via email at Robert.B.Holdsworth@usace.army.mil no later than 1:00 PM Central Time, Friday, 24 July 2020.

1.12 Amendments Prior to Date Submission for Request for Proposals (RFP). The right is reserved as the interest of the Government may require, to revise or amend the specifications or drawings or both prior to the date set for submission of Request for Proposals (RFP). Such revisions and amendments, if any will be announced by an amendment or amendments to this RFP. If the revisions and amendments are of a nature which requires material changes in quantities or prices proposed or both, the date set for receipt of RFPs may be postponed by such number of days as in the opinion of the issuing Contracting Officer will enable Offerors to revise their offer. In such cases, the amendment will include an announcement of the new date for receipt of offer.

1.13 Notice to Offeror: Use of Class I Ozone-Depleting Substances

a. In accordance with Section 326 of P.L. 102-484, the Government is prohibited from awarding any contract which includes a specification or standard that requires the use of a Class I ozone-depleting substance (ODS) identified in Section 601(a) of the Clean Air Act, (42 U.S.C 767a(a)), or that can be met only through the use of such a substance unless such use has been approved, on an individual basis, by a senior acquisitions official who determines that there is no suitable substitute available.

b. To comply with this statute, the Government has conducted a best effort screening of the specifications and standards associated with this acquisition to determine whether they contain any ODS requirements. This requirement has no relationship to ODSs.

c. If the Offeror possesses any special knowledge about any other ODSs required directly or indirectly at any level of contract performance, the U.S. Army would appreciate if such information were surfaced to the Contracting Officer for appropriate action. To preclude delay to the procurement, the Offeror should provide any information as soon as possible after release of this Request for Proposal (RFP) and prior to the submission of proposals to the extent practicable. It should be understood that there is no obligation on the Offeror to comply with the request and that no compensation can be provided for doing so.

2.0 BONDS AND INSURANCE

2.1 BID GUARANTEE. All Offerors shall furnish an electronic copy bid guarantee with their proposal submission.

In accordance with FAR 52.228-1, Bid Guarantee, the bidder (or Offeror for this solicitation) shall furnish a bid guarantee in the form of a firm commitment, e.g., bid bond (use Standard Form 24) supported by good and sufficient surety or sureties acceptable to the Government, postal money order, certified check, cashier’s check, irrevocable letter of credit, or, under Treasury Department regulations, certain bonds or notes of the United States. The bid guarantee amount shall be at least 20 percent of the bid price but shall not exceed $3,000,000.00. If using a Bid Bond, it must be submitted on SF 24. The SF 24 can be found at the GSA Forms Library at https://www.gsa.gov/forms. Electronic signatures and electronic, mechanically-applied, or printed dates may be used and shall be considered original signatures and dates, without regard to the order in which they are affixed.

2.2 INSURANCE. Contractor shall carry Liability and Insurance. See FAR 52.228-5, Insurance – Liability to Third Persons.

2.3 The successful Offeror will, within the time established in the proposal, furnish performance and payment bonds in the amounts indicated in the RFP or the specifications.

a. PERFORMANCE BONDS (Standard Form (SF) 25). Pursuant to FAR 52.228-15, Performance and Payment

Bonds—Construction (Deviation 2020-O0016), the penal amount of the performance bond shall equal one hundred percent (100%) of the contract price. Bonds shall be received on a SF 25 within ten (10) calendar days after receipt of contract award. The SF 25 can be found at the GSA Forms Library at https://www.gsa.gov/forms.

b. PAYMENT BONDS (SF 25A). Pursuant to FAR 52.228-15, Performance and Payment Bonds—

Construction (Deviation 2020-O0016), the penal amount of the payment bond shall equal one hundred percent (100%) of the contract price. Bonds shall be received on a SF 25A within ten (10) calendar days after receipt of contract award. The SF 25A can be found at the GSA Forms Library at https://www.gsa.gov/forms.

3.0 SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT (SAM)

In accordance with FAR 52.204-7, System for Award Management, registration is required in the System for Award Management (SAM) database located at www.sam.gov. More specifically, "An Offeror is required to be registered in SAM when submitting an offer or quotation, and shall continue to be registered until time of award, during performance, and through final payment of any contract, basic agreement, basic ordering agreement, or blanket purchasing agreement resulting from this solicitation." (See FAR 52.204-7(b)(1)).

For SAM Customer Service, contact:

Federal Service Desk URL: www.fsd.gov Hours: 8am - 8pm (Eastern Time) U.S. Calls: 866-606-8220 International Calls: 334-206-7828

DSN: 866-606-8220

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Effective June 29, 2018 vendors creating or updating their registration can have their registration activated prior to the approval of the required notarized letter. However, the signed copy of the notarized letter must be sent to the GSA Federal Service Desk (FSD) within 30 calendar days of activation or the vendor risks no longer being active in SAM.

Vendors can check whether an account is active by performing a query by their CAGE or Unique Entity Identifier (known as DUNS).

The new registration process may now take several weeks, so vendors are highly encouraged to begin registering as soon as possible to avoid any possible delays in future contract awards. Remember, there is no cost to use SAM.

To find out additional information about the changes of the SAM registration process, contractors should visit the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) link located at the top of the SAM homepage (www.sam.gov).

4.0 SMALL BUSINESS PARTICIPATION PLAN (SBPP)

All Offerors (both large and small businesses) are required to complete a Small Business Participation Plan (SBPP) in accordance with Defense Federal Acquisition Supplement (DFARS) 215.304. Reference section 00 21 00 of this solicitation for additional submission requirements.

5.0 SUBCONTRACTING PLAN

The successful Offeror (if a large business) shall provide a Small Business Subcontracting Plan that contains all of the elements required by FAR 52.219-9 Alt II (Deviation 2018-O0018) and DFARS 252.219-7003. The Subcontracting Plan is not a requirement for evaluation in source selection but shall be provided upon request before contract award (if the successful Offeror is a large business). The approved Small Business Subcontracting Plan will be incorporated into any resultant contract(s).

6.0 WHERE TO SUBMIT & SUBMITTAL DEADLINE

Offerors shall submit their proposals no later than the time and date specified in Block 14 of SF 30 of this solicitation as follows:

The Offeror’s proposal shall be submitted electronically, as described below. The RFP will provide proposal submission instructions and receipt date for proposal submittal. The Offeror’s proposal shall not contain classified data. The use of hyperlinks in proposals is prohibited.

NOTE: The only authorized transmission method for proposals in response to this solicitation is electronically via SAFE online submission. NO OTHER TRANSMISSION METHODS (EMAIL, FACSIMILE, REGULAR

MAIL, HAND CARRIED, ETC.) WILL BE ACCEPTED.

The Offeror’s proposal must be received by the Government by the date/time specified in the solicitation. Offerors shall submit their proposals using the following link:

https://safe.apps.mil/

Please send proposals using the link above to Contract Specialist Rob Holdsworth at Robert.B.Holdsworth@usace.army.mil AND to Contracting Officer Stacy Wiggins at Stacy.S.Wiggins@usace.army.mil

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING ELECTRONIC PROPOSALS:

In an effort to reduce paperwork and cost, all proposals shall be submitted electronically through the SAFE site.

Submission shall be in Adobe PDF format. You are limited to twenty-five (25) maximum files per upload (total size cannot exceed 8GB). If you have a large number of files, recommend that you combine or ZIP your files before uploading to the SAFE site. Offerors may use compression utility software such as WinZip or PKZip to reduce file size and facilitate transmission.

REQUEST FOR UPLOAD CODE: Offerors must email Contract Specialist Rob Holdsworth at Robert.B.Holdsworth@usace.army.mil AND Contracting Officer Stacy Wiggins at Stacy.S.Wiggins@usace.army.mil no later than five (5) business days prior to the proposal due date to receive a request code which will allow for file uploads via the SAFE site. Offerors that fail to email or request a code five (5) business days before proposal submission date may not be able to receive a request code in time to upload their submission. THIS MUST BE DONE FOR THIS PROCUREMENT.

FILE DESCRIPTION: Include a “File Description” for each file(s) you upload. The “File Description” will be included in the email notice to each of the recipients you choose to have access your file(s). NOTE: Do NOT enter Privacy Act Data (Personal Identification Information (PII)) in the File Description. Submission shall be in Adobe PDF format.

INSTRUCTIONS TO FOLLOW ON THE SAFE WEBSITE:

1. Once at the SAFE website select the “Drop-off” icon. This allows users without a CAC or users whose computer is not configured to read a CAC the option to access the SAFE site as a guest.

2. After selecting the “Click Here” link you will be prompted to add your personal information, file information, recipient (Government representative) information and email settings.

3. When completing your file information for transmittal via the SAFE website, you will be required to enter the email addresses for all recipients. For this solicitation, the recipients are the Contract Specialist, Rob Holdsworth at Robert.B.Holdsworth@usace.army.mil and the Contracting Officer Stacy Wiggins at Stacy.S.Wiggins@usace.army.mil. The e-mail address of the Government Employee who initiated the request code will be automatically entered. The Offeror must enter the email address for both the Contracting Officer and Contract Specialist. The Offeror can enter an additional email address if desired. After entering the email address, click the ADD button to add the person(s) email to the “Recipients List” of your response. When your proposal is submitted, a notification will be sent to the recipients you added.

NOTE: Do NOT send the SAFE site packages to group email accounts.

Even if you successfully upload your proposal to the SAFE site, notification will not be sent to the Government recipients until you verify your email address. Entering an incorrect email may result in the rejection of your submission for lateness. An Offeror can confirm proper submission by the ‘Drop-Off Completed” screen which generates based on proper file submission.

NOTE: It has been reported that documents are more quickly uploaded into the SAFE website when using a Firefox web browser. The Government cannot verify that this is true and offers no guarantee that Offerors will have more success utilizing any particular browser.

RECEIPT OF SUBMISSIONS: For the purpose of establishing whether a proposal submission is considered timely, the Government will consider the date and time the submission is completely uploaded into the SAFE website. For proposals larger than the 8GB capacity of the SAFE website and require multiple submissions, the Government will consider the date and time the last submission is completely uploaded into the SAFE website. Do not assume that electronic communication is instantaneous. It can take several minutes or even hours in some cases.

The Government will not be responsible for submissions delivered to any location or to anyone other than those designated to receive proposals. Offerors are responsible for ensuring that proposals are submitted so as to reach the designated recipient. Offerors are responsible for allowing sufficient time for the proposal to be received in accordance with the instructions provided.

SECTION 00 21 00

PROCEDURES FOR SUBMITTAL OF OFFERS

AND

PROPOSAL EVALUATION APPROACH

1. Submittal of Offers

1.1 Offerors submitting proposals for this project should limit submissions to data essential for evaluation of proposals so that a minimum of time and monies will have been expended in preparing information required herein.

However, in order to be effectively and equitably be evaluated, the proposals must include information sufficiently detailed to clearly describe the Offeror's past performance, technical design, safety and small business participation plan necessary for successful completion of the project. The requirements stated in this RFP are minimums.

1.2 Offerors shall submit their proposals to the Government no later than the time and date specified in Block 13 of Standard Form 1442 of this solicitation. Detailed submission instructions are listed above in section Instruction, Conditions, & Notices to Offerors, paragraph 6.0, Where to Submit & Submittal Deadline.

1.3 Offerors are required to submit a proposal made up of Past Performance, Technical Design, Safety, Small Business Participation Plan, and Price, and Pro Forma. All proposal materials shall be submitted via the SAFE website with a bookmarked table of contents and/or a standard electronic Tab Index. The sections should parallel the submission requirements identified below. Volume I shall be submitted in Portable Document Format (PDF) and shall be either tabbed or bookmarked to reflect the division of Factors in accordance with paragraph 3, Proposal Information and Related Evaluation Factors. Volume II shall be submitted as a separate PDF file and shall also be tabbed or bookmarked in accordance with paragraph 3.

*NOTE: Provide the complete Volume I proposal submittal including text, renderings, drawings, photographs, etc.

on SAFE site. Provide the complete Volume II proposal submittal on SAFE site with the final price breakout schedule electronically.

2. Proposal Evaluation Process

2.1 A Source Selection Evaluation Board (SSEB) comprised of representatives of USACE, will evaluate the proposals. Offerors are advised that the technical evaluation and rating of proposals will be conducted in strict confidence. Technical proposals will be reviewed and rated without knowledge of the price offered. The number and identities of Offerors are not revealed to anyone who is not involved in the evaluation and award process or to other Offerors. Proposals will be evaluated based on the factors described herein, and the basis of award is the Best Value Tradeoff Process.

2.2 The evaluation process essentially consists of four parts: proposal compliance review and responsibility determination, technical evaluation, price evaluation, and cost/technical trade-off analysis.

2.2.1 Proposal Compliance Review: This is an initial review to ensure that all required forms and certifications (if applicable) are complete and that both a technical and price proposals were received.

2.2.2 Technical Evaluation: The SSEB will evaluate and rate the proposals against the RFP requirements. Some factors will be rated using an adjectival-based system. Others will be rated on an “acceptable/unacceptable” basis.

Past Performance will be rated based on recency/relevancy and confidence.

2.2.3 Price Evaluation: The SSEB, Cost Engineering, and Contracting Officer/Source Selection Authority (SSA) will evaluate price proposals independent of the technical evaluation. The SSEB will not have access to price information until completion of the technical evaluation.

2.2.4 Cost/Technical Trade-off Analysis: After all above evaluations are complete, the Contracting Officer/SSA will compare the relative advantages and disadvantages of technical proposals and compare prices. The SSA will then consider all factors to select the proposal offering the best value to the Government.

3. Proposal Information and Related Evaluation Factors.

3.1 Proposals will be evaluated in accordance with the factors listed in relative order of importance.

Note: To be eligible for award, Factor I, Past Performance, must be rated at least “Satisfactory Confidence,” and Factors II - IV, must be rated at least “Acceptable.”

All non-priced factors, when combined, are approximately equal to price. The Government intends to evaluate proposals and award a contract without discussions with Offerors, except Clarifications (as described in FAR 15.306(a)). Therefore, the Offeror’s initial proposal should contain the Offeror’s best technical and price terms.

The Government reserves the right to conduct discussions if the Contracting Officer later determines them to be necessary.

3.2 Volume I – Past Performance Proposal

Volume I – Factor I – Past Performance

3.3 Volume I – Technical Proposal

Volume I – Factor II – Technical Design

Volume I – Factor III – Safety

3.4 Volume I – Small Business Participation Proposal

Volume I – Factor IV – Small Business Participation Plan

3.5 Volume II - Price and Pro Forma Information

Section A Proposal Data Sheet Not Rated

Section B SF1442 and Acknowledged Amendments (if any) Not Rated

Section C Section B, Price Proposal Not Rated

Section D Joint Venture Agreement, if applicable Not Rated

Section E Proof of Financial Capability Not Rated

3.6 Ratings

Evaluators will apply the adjectival rating for the definition that most closely matches the evaluation.

Past Performance Confidence Relevancy Ratings Rating Definition Very Relevant Present/past performance effort involved essentially the same scope and magnitude of effort and complexities this solicitation requires.

Relevant Present/past performance effort involved similar scope and magnitude of effort and complexities this solicitation requires.

Somewhat Relevant Present/past performance effort involved some of the scope and magnitude of effort and complexities this solicitation requires.

Not Relevant Present/past performance effort involved little or none of the scope and magnitude of effort and complexities this solicitation requires.

Past Performance Confidence Assessments

Substantial Confidence Based on the Offeror’s recent/relevant performance record, the

Government has a high expectation that the Offeror will successfully perform the required effort.

Satisfactory Confidence Based on the Offeror’s recent/relevant performance record, the Government has a reasonable expectation that the Offeror will successfully perform the required effort.

Limited Confidence Based on the Offeror’s recent/relevant performance record, the Government has a low expectation that the Offeror will successfully perform the required effort.

No Confidence Based on the Offeror’s recent/relevant performance record, the Government has no expectation that the Offeror will successfully perform the required effort.

Neutral Confidence No recent/relevant performance record is available or the Offeror’s performance record is so sparse that no meaningful confidence assessment rating can be reasonably assigned. The Offeror may not be evaluated favorably or unfavorably on the factor of past performance.

Technical Design Proposal Ratings

Adjectival Rating Definition Outstanding Proposal indicates an exceptional approach and understanding of the requirements and contains multiple strengths, and risk of unsuccessful performance is low.

Good Proposal indicates a thorough approach and understanding of the requirements and contains at least one strength, and risk of unsuccessful performance is low to moderate.

Acceptable

Proposal meets requirements and indicates an adequate approach and understanding of the requirements, and risk of unsuccessful performance is no worse than moderate.

Marginal Proposal has not demonstrated an adequate approach and understanding of the requirements and/or risk of unsuccessful performance is high.

Unacceptable Proposal does not meet requirements of the solicitation, and thus, contains one or more deficiencies, and/or risk of unsuccessful performance is unacceptable. Proposal is unawardable.

Safety and Small Business Participation Plan Ratings

Acceptable Proposal clearly meets the minimum requirements of the solicitation.

Unacceptable Proposal does not clearly meet the minimum requirements of the solicitation.

3.7 Definitions

1. Adverse Past Performance. Past performance information that supports a less than satisfactory rating from sources where the information is from other than formal rating systems such as “CPARS” or “FAPIIS.”

2. Clarification. Limited exchanges between the Government and Offerors that may occur when award without discussions is contemplated. See FAR 15.306(a)(1).

3. Communications. Exchanges, between the Government and Offerors, after receipt of proposals, leading to establishment of the competitive range.

4. Competitive Range. See FAR 15.306(c)

5. Deficiency. A material failure of a proposal to meet a Government requirement or a combination of significant weaknesses in a proposal that increases the risk of unsuccessful contract performance to an unacceptable level. See

FAR 15.001.

6. Discussions. Negotiations conducted in a competitive acquisition. Discussions take place after establishment of the competitive range.

7. Evaluation Notice (EN). A written notification to the Offeror for purposes of clarifications, communications, or in support of discussions.

8. Performance Confidence Assessment. An evaluation of the likelihood (or Government’s confidence) that the Offeror will successfully perform the solicitation’s requirements; the evaluation is based upon past performance information.

9. Recency. As it pertains to Past Performance information, is a measure of the time that has elapsed since the past performance reference occurred. Recency is generally expressed as a time period during which past performance references are considered relevant.

10. Relevancy. As it pertains to Past Performance information, is a measure of the extent of similarity between the service/support effort, complexity, dollar value, contract type, and subcontract/teaming or other comparable attributes of past performance examples and the source solicitation requirements; and a measure of the likelihood that the past performance is an indicator of future performance.

11. Risk. As it pertains to source selection, is the potential for unsuccessful contract performance. The consideration of risk assesses the degree to which an Offeror’s proposed approach to achieving the technical factor or subfactor may involve risk of disruption of schedule, increased cost of degradation of performance, the need for increased Government oversight, and the likelihood of unsuccessful contract performance.

12. Significant Strength. An aspect of an Offerors’ proposal that has appreciable merit or appreciably exceeds specified performance or capability requirements in a way that will be appreciably advantageous to the Government during contract performance.

13. Significant Weakness. A flaw in the proposal that appreciably increases the risk of unsuccessful contract performance. See FAR 15.001.

14. Strength. An aspect of an Offerors’ proposal that has merit or exceeds specified performance or capability requirements in a way that will be advantageous to the Government during contract performance.

15. Uncertainty. Any aspect of a non-cost/price factor proposal for which the intent of the Offeror is unclear (e.g., more than one way to interpret the offer or inconsistencies in the proposal indicating that there may have been an error, omission or mistake).

16. Weakness. A flaw in the proposal that increases the risk of unsuccessful contract performance. See FAR 15.001.

4.0 Volume I – Factor I – Performance Confidence

4.1 Submission Requirements:

Provide descriptions of three (3) but not more than five (5) projects of the Offeror’s past or current construction projects complete or substantially completed (75% or more) within the last six (6) years (from issuance of the solicitation) for projects which are similar in scope and magnitude, as further defined below. Projects shall be summarized in tabular form using the table format given at the end of this section. Detailed project information shall be provided using the Project Detail Sheet format described at the end of this section.

Similar in scope: Each of the projects presented as “similar in scope” must document/identify experience with every task within Category I. Each of the Category II tasks must be evidenced in one (1) or more of the projects presented as “similar in scope”.

Category I:

a. Disassembly and removal of floor mounted analog and/or digital type excitation systems.

b. Installation of new floor-mounted static, digital excitation systems.

c. Commissioned or arranged for the commissioning of new floor-mounted digital solid state exciter systems.

d. Installation and/or modification of exciter-related control systems in control rooms and/or machinery areas to include items such as digital/analog controls, meters and/or human/machine interface systems.

Category II

a. Disassembly and removal of components inside rotating exciter housings.

b. Manufacture or modification and installation of custom electrical control panels.

c. Modification and/or installation, termination and testing of medium-voltage cable systems.

Offerors shall clearly describe experience in each area identified in the above tasks for each of the project descriptions submitted. For a project where no experience was gained on a specific task in Category I or Category II, so state.

Similar in Magnitude: Projects presented as “similar in magnitude” are defined as construction contracts greater than $750,000 in value self-performed as a prime contractor or self-performed as a subcontractor. At least one (1) presented project must be valued greater than $2,000,000 to be considered for evaluation. All other presented projects must be similar in magnitude (i.e. greater in value than $750,000) to be considered for evaluation.

Format for Project Details are included for you at the end of this section. Use as many forms as necessary to meet the criteria. If you elect not to use the formats, all information identified on the formats is still required for evaluation of this item.

Provide two (2) references (Owner’s representative and a Project Manager, Resident Engineer, Project Engineer or equivalent) for all of the projects identified in paragraph 5.1. The Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ) included in the solicitation is provided for the Offeror or its team members to submit to the client for each project the Offeror includes in its proposal for Factor I Performance Confidence. Ensure correct phone numbers and email addresses are provided for the client point of contact. Completed Past Performance Questionnaires should be submitted with your proposal. If the Offeror is unable to obtain a completed PPQ from a client for a project(s) before proposal closing date, the Offeror should complete and submit with the proposal the first page of the PPQ, which will provide contract and client information for the respective project(s). Offerors should follow-up with clients/references to ensure timely submittal of questionnaires. If the client requests, questionnaires may be submitted directly to the Government’s point of contact, Robert (Rob) Holdsworth, via email at Robert.B.Holdsworth@usace.army.mil prior to the proposal closing date. Offerors shall not incorporate by reference into their proposal PPQs previously submitted for other RFPs. If the PPQ is for an ongoing (incomplete) project, the PPQ must show that it was completed after the solicitation issue date. Submission of a PPQ does not preclude the Government from utilizing previously submitted PPQ information in the past performance evaluation.

Also include performance recognition documents received within the last six (6) years such as awards, award fee determinations, customer letters of commendation, and any other forms of performance recognition.

In addition to the above, the Government may review any other sources of information for evaluating past performance. Other sources may include, but are not limited to, past performance information retrieved through the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS), using all CAGE/DUNS numbers of team members (partnership, joint venture, teaming arrangement, or parent company/subsidiary/affiliate) identified in the Offeror’s proposal, inquiries of owner representative(s), Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS), Electronic Subcontract Reporting System (eSRS), and any other known sources not provided by the Offeror.

While the Government may elect to consider data from other sources, the burden of providing detailed, current, accurate and complete past performance information rests with the Offeror.

NOTE: For purposes of evaluating past performance, the Prime Contractor is defined as the contractor identified in Block 14 of the Standard Form 1442. If more than one contractor is listed in Block 14, then a signed joint venture must be submitted with the proposal and the joint venture shall be registered as such in the System for Award Management (SAM). However, each party of the Joint Venture must submit their own DUNS number with the JV proposal. Projects performed by other contractors than the Offeror, such as teaming partners or subcontractors, will not be evaluated for past performance, unless those other contractors are part of a joint venture Offeror as demonstrated by a signed joint venture agreement. If the Offeror represents the combining of two or more companies as a joint venture for the purpose of this RFP, each company in the joint venture may submit project examples, but the total submitted by the joint venture will not exceed six (6).

NOTE: The Offeror’s Past Performance Proposal, shall be limited to no more than the electronic PDF equivalent of 20 printed pages, 8-1/2” by 11”, printed double sided. Charts, tables, drawings and illustrations should be limited to the electronic PDF equivalent of 11” by 17”. Pages should have a one-inch margin on all sides. Text should be 12-point, Times New Roman. (Captions for drawings and tables may be 10-point) Any Past Performance Questionnaires or Evaluations will not be counted toward the overall page limit. Pages exceeding the page limits will be removed and not evaluated.

4.2. Evaluation Criteria:

The SSEB will evaluate both the extent and quality of the Offeror’s experience as described in the proposal and assign a single confidence rating to each Offeror based on the degree of successful performance of all recent and relevant projects identified in the proposal. Well-documented performance and completion or significant completion (75% or more complete) of project within the past six (6) years (from issuance of the solicitation) that are similar in scope and magnitude to this project will be rated more relevant. Project performed by contractors other than the Offeror, such as teaming partners or subcontractors, will not be evaluated as prime contractor current/past experience, unless those other contractors are part of a Joint Venture (JV) Offeror as demonstrated by a signed JV agreement. If the Offeror represents the combining of two (2) or more companies (JV) for the purpose of this RFP, the JV will be evaluated as a single Offeror. The experience of each JV partner will be evaluated based on each partner’s role in cited past work and in the proposed JV role for this project.

The SSEB will assign a confidence rating to each Offeror based on the degree of successful performance of all recent and relevant projects identified in the proposal in response to paragraph 5.1. The Government reserves the right to check any or all cited references to verify supplied information and to assess owner satisfaction. The Government also reserves the right to not contact the provided references. The Government may also use other tools such as CPARS, FAPIIS, Dun & Bradstreet, etc. or any other relevant information to assist in its evaluation of an Offeror’s past performance.

The SSEB will evaluate recent and relevant past performance to assess the degree of performance risk involved in accepting each Offeror’s proposal. If the firm is divided into severable segments (e.g., division, group, or unit) the Government will evaluate only the past performance of those segments of the firm(s) that will actually perform the work.

A greater number of projects that are “similar in scope” and “similar in magnitude” (but no more than five (5)) that demonstrate experience in more than one (1) Category II task may receive additional consideration.

Additionally, projects that are “similar in scope” and “similar in magnitude” and demonstrate experience with one or both of the following may receive additional consideration:

Designing and installing a fully static, digital excitation for a USACE project; and/or Developing and implementing an asbestos abatement plans associated with power plant excitation system removal and abatement of asbestos in accordance with approved plans and local, state, and federal regulations.

5.0 Volume I – Factor II – Technical Design

5.1. Submission Requirements: As detailed below, the Offeror’s Technical Design Proposal should include: an illustrated plan of the proposed static digital excitation system; relevant descriptive literature; and a technical design narrative addressing several considerations, including maintainability, usability, and cybersecurity.

5.1.1 Proposed Static Digital Excitation System Plan. Provide sketches or drawings illustrating the proposed static digital excitation system, specifically its arrangement in the powerhouse. Such plan should clearly:

Show outline dimensions, Show dimensions to fixed powerhouse equipment or structures, Demonstrate equipment location, and Demonstrate how equipment will be installed, interconnected and connected to plant structures.

Note: Outline views may be combined on a sheet. Sketches or drawings must be submitted on the electronic PDF equivalent of 8 1/2" x 11" printed pages or 11" x 17" printed pages.

5.1.2 Descriptive Literature. Provide cut-sheets, illustrations, drawings, brochures and other information relevant to the Offeror’s proposed static digital excitation system, including, but not limited to the following types of information: salient design information, major components, operations, certifications and performance. See below for the specific information that should be addressed in the descriptive literature:

5.1.2.1 Salient Design Information

Nominal Field Voltage No-Load Ceiling Voltage Continuous DC Current Rating Ceiling DC Current Rating (amperes and duration in seconds) PPT Specifications and Basis/Calculations for PPT Rating (kVA, Primary/Secondary Voltage, manufacturer)

5.1.2.2 Major Components

Bridge Assembly Details (ratings, cooling fans, etc.)

Identify Redundant Components (redundant bridges, controls etc.)

5.1.2.3 Operation and Certification/Performance

Provide functional block diagram/information that demonstrates the proposed static digital excitation system performs in accordance with the High Initial Response Requirements of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Standard 421.1.

Certification (performed by an independent third party) of Amps, Voltage and Resistance (AVR) and Power System Stabilizer (PSS) type-testing for use on the North American grid and include demonstration of successful operation on either the Eastern or Western Interconnections.

Certification should be in the form of an official letter signed by the independent third-party describing the compliance and certified type-testing performed and should include the certifier’s contact information for the model of excitation system being proposed.

Note: Where cut-sheets are provided with multiple models, the proposed model number or information shall be circled with all unnecessary models crossed out.

5.1.3 Technical Design Narrative. Provide a detailed narrative describing how the proposed static digital excitation system addresses the following maintainability, usability, and cybersecurity considerations:

5.1.3.1 Maintainability and Usability Considerations

Display and indication of system conditions Hardware/software failure indication Cabinet design and accessibility Self-diagnostic capabilities User-definable parameters which may be changed through the mounted Human- Machine

Interface (HMI) Description of North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Model Verification testing which may be performed through the local HMI Available support services Modular component replacement

5.1.3.2 Cybersecurity Considerations

Practice for maintaining compatibility of proposed static digital excitation system software with future operating systems

Cybersecurity design practices Use of managed switches Offeror’s personnel cybersecurity training certification System access controls

NOTE: The Offeror’s entire Technical Proposal (consisting of Factors II, III) shall be limited to no more than the electronic PDF equivalent of forty (40) printed pages, 8-1/2” by 11”, double sided. Drawings, charts, tables, schedules and illustrations should be limited to the electronic PDF equivalent of 11” by 17” and shall be counted toward the 40 page limit. Pages should have a one-inch margin on all sides. Text should be 12-point, Times New Roman. (Captions for tables may be 10-point.) Pages exceeding the page limit will be removed and not evaluated.

5.2 Evaluation Criteria:

The SSEB will evaluate the extent to which the proposed…