Requests for Information and Answers.pdf

Requests for Information and Answers

1. Would the Corps consider removing the requirement to send hard copies of the 330 since we are uploading electronic versions of the 330 into DoD SAFE?

a. A CD-Rom is required only. No hard copies are required.

2. Can USACE increase the pages for Section H from 16?

a. This is formal notice that Section H page limit is increased to 20 pages.

3. The solicitation says: Part I has a limit of 70 pages, and that: 1) resumes (one page allowed per person) do not count against the 70 page limit, 2) project descriptions should be limited to 1 page with a maximum of 10 projects, and 3) Section H is limited to 16 pages. If this is the case, then Part I would only amount to ~30 pages. Can you please clarify what the page limitations are for each section in Part I?

a. Part 1 has been increased to 75 pages. Within Part 1, Section H is hereby increased to 20 pages.

4. Regarding the requirements to submit a copy of the offeror’s SF-300 via CD-ROM, we ask for the following clarifications:

--Is the CD-ROM required to be received on or prior to October 22, 2020 or just postmarked prior to the due date (i.e., arrival after October 22, 2020)?

--Is a single, compiled PDF file format acceptable for the SF-330 being sent on CD-ROM?

a. CD-Rom shall be postmarked on or prior to October 22.

b. Please separate Part I and Part II into two separate files.

5. Does information presented as Part II of the SF-330 submission included in the 70-page count limit?

a. Part II does not count towards the now 75-page count limit, but Part II should not be lengthy in submission. All subcontractors shall show their employees on the Part II submittals

6. Does 50% of all of the work need to be performed by the prime itself, or does subcontracted work to other Federally certified small businesses on the team count toward the 50% requirement?

a. The contractor can self-perform to 50%, or in conjunction with other similarly situated subcontractors to get to 50% in accordance with SBA.Gov and the DOD Deviation of 52.219-14

7. Secondarily, if 50% must be performed by the prime itself, does the District anticipate an even spread of the diverse types of work listed in the solicitation, or does the District anticipate the work to be weighted more toward one end of the spectrum?

a. See response to 5a

8. The two biggest components of work described seem to be (1) dam and levee engineering and related work, and (2) ecosystem restoration and habitat related work. Is one of these major categories anticipated to comprise about half the work?

a. The biggest component is Civil works projects requiring Civil/Horizontal Design and can be either one of the requirements that are described but it is weighted towards flood control and levees and creek restoration.

9. Within A. Specialized Experience and Technical Competence, Project Category No. 7 requires “Architectural Design for new buildings and/or restoration renovation of existing buildings for Government Visitor Centers and Fish Hatcheries”. Further in this section, we are to provide a narrative in Section H that discusses “Architectural Design for new buildings and/or restoration renovation of existing buildings for Government, VA, Military, Visitor Centers and Fish Hatcheries”. Can Project Category No. 7 also include VA and Military projects?

a. Yes, Category No. 7 can also include VA and Military projects.

10. Solicitation states Section H is to be a maximum of 16 pages and should include “narrative demonstrating breadth, knowledge, and experience for” specific areas/services as well as “knowledge of locality.” Please confirm that no other selection criteria elements are to be included in Section H.

a. Confirmed, although Section H is hereby increased to 20 pages. Primary Factors 1 (Specialized Experience and Technical Competence) & 5 (Location in the General Geographic Area & Knowledge of Locality) would be included in Section H.

11. Please confirm that selection criteria C (Past Performance), D (Capacity), F (Volume of DoD Work), and G (SB/SDB participation) are to be submitted under individual tabs and not a part of Section H.

a. See answer 9a.

b. Capacity can be submitted under Section E (Resume of Key Personnel), item 19

(Relevant Projects). Information presented shall demonstrate general understanding of the local conditions listed above, based on specific work experience. Secondary Criteria can also be included in section H.

12. Professional Qualifications Item C (Past Performance) states that “evaluations will be based on established CPARS ratings and other credible documentation included in the SF 330.” a. If a CPARS is unavailable for a Section F project, will Past Performance Questionnaires (PPQs) be considered as “other credible documentation”? If yes, is there a specific form USACE/SF is requiring? b. Please clarify if CPARS and other documentation are to be included in the SF 330 response or can be summarized in a narrative format. If CPARS/other documentation are to be included, can we submit under a separate tab as non-counting pages?

a. Past performance data for example projects presented under Part I, Section F of the SF330 will be considered. Performance evaluations will be queried for all firms. Any credible, documented information on past performance may be submitted, but the Government is not required to seek other information on past performance if none is available through PPIRS. (Note: Past Performance Questionnaires (PPQ) can be submitted to provide or supplement a firms past performance with U.S. Governmental and with other than U.S. Governmental clients. Firms which choose to use the PPQ may use the attached PPQ standard form to be submitted to the referenced POCs via email.

b. A sample PPQ form will be uploaded onto Beta.Sam.Gov

c. PPQs and CPARS/PPIRS submittals do not count against the page limit.

13. Solicitation states that Section D/Organization Chart can be submitted on 11x17. Can Section G/Key Personnel also be submitted on 11x17?

a. Section G/Key Personnel can also be submitted on 11x17.

14. Solicitation states that minimum font size is 12pt. Can tables/charts/graphs use smaller font

(9pt)?

a. Nothing smaller than 11pt.

15. Please confirm that cover and tabs in Part I are not included in the 70-page maximum.

a. Confirmed, although Part I is hereby increased to 75 pages.

16. Please confirm that there is no page limit for Part II.

a. See 4a

17. Solicitation is to be submitted electronically through DoD SAFE by 2pm of 22 October.

Solicitation also states that another full digital copy is to be submitted on CD-ROM to the USACE/SF office. Please confirm by what date this CD-ROM must be received.

a. See answer 3a

18. Regarding the A-E Civil Design IDC/IDIQ Contract Opportunity (ID W912P720R0009 - total small business set aside), can we submit an SF330 with a JV agreement in place (our agreement being with another small business), but without the JV being legally established at the time of SF330 submittal? If selected for award, we would then legally establish the JV and register in SAM for contracting with USACE. Or do we need the JV to be legally established and registered in SAM prior to submitting the SF330?

a. Per FAR 4.1102(a), "Offerors and quoters are required to be registered in SAM at the time an offer or quotation is submitted in order to comply with the annual representations and certifications requirements..." To clarify, registration must occur prior to submitting the price proposal, not the SF-330. JV's must be legally established prior to submission of price proposal.

19. Does SPN require 50% of contract value to be done by a small business and/or 50% done by primary contractor (A-E)?

a. See answer to 5a

20. Is a PPQ/CPARS required for each project?

a. No, it is not required for each project, however, the more past performance information USACE has, the better we can evaluate your submission.

21. Can a firm submit their sub-contractor’s DOD experience in Section F/H if the prime does not have any?

a. Yes.

22. In reference Section 4 (Submission Requirements), 4th paragraph, 4th sentence – Please confirm if an organizational chart is required in both Section D and Section H.

a. It is only required in Section D-under Professional Qualifications B.2