Amendment 0001.pdf

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

J

PAGE OF PAGES

1 10

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE 4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO. 5. PROJECT NO.(If applicable)

0001 15-Mar-2021

6. ISSUED BY CODE W912P9 7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than item 6) CODE

CONTRACTING DIVISION

US ARMY ENGR DIST ST LOUIS

1222 SPRUCE STREET, RM 4.207

ST LOUIS MO 63103-2833

See Item 6

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., Street, County, State and Zip Code) 9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

W912P921R0026

X 9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

02-Mar-2021

10A. MOD. OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

CODE FACILITY CODE

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

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 is extended, X 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 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.)

The purpose of this amendment is to:

1. Incorporate answers to questions.

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

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR 15C. DATE SIGNED

TEL:

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

EMAIL:

16C. DATE SIGNED

(Signature of person authorized to sign)

BY

(Signature of Contracting Officer) 12-Mar-2021

EXCEPTION TO SF 30

APPROVED BY OIRM 11-84

30-105-04 STANDARD FORM 30 (Rev. 10-83)

Prescribed by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

X

1. In “Attachment 1- Binding Capped Labor Rate Schedule”, each of the spreadsheets lists an ITEM with a descriptor “Divers (2)”. We assume this would be a daily price for two (2) divers, and that the DA (day) bid under this and the other ITEMs with UNITs called out as DA would be for an eight (8) hour workday. Are these assumptions correct?

Answer - Yes, DA (day) is an eight (8) hour workday.

2. Stated on Page 10 Section 1.6.10.1 “Aquatic Biologist: The proposed candidate must have at least a bachelor’s degree in an aquatic natural resource field such as malacology, ichthyology, limnology or aquatic ecology with no less than five (5) years of demonstrated experience in developing and implementing fisheries sampling designs and statistical analysis.” Bachelor degrees in an aquatic natural resource field are typically in biology, zoology, ecology, etc. Would a bachelor’s degree in biology with relative experience meet the criteria?

Answer - Yes, key personnel with a bachelor’s degree in biology and the experience described is acceptable.

Page 63 of 72 Section L, 3.4.1 (b) states that, “The Offeror should include the qualifications and/or credentials required of the Key Personnel proposed by the Offeror, such as education, professional experience, licenses/certifications, accomplishments, and relevant experience to execute the contract requirements. Evaluation of the proposed key personnel will include: educational degrees(s) held and corresponding field of study; description of experience in area of expertise for

Proposed Role; the percentage of time available for the proposed role in the contract; description of specific projects related to the tasks outlined in the PWS; responsibilities on specific projects related to tasks outline in the PWS; and description of current project commitments and percent of time committed.”

Page 39 of 72 Section M, 2, Sub Factor 2 – Staffing Plan and Key Personnel states that, “The proposal shall provide the education, work experience and training of the key personnel described in the PWS paragraph 1.6.10. The proposal must clearly demonstrate that the capability, background, and experience of key personnel responsible for the administration and servicing of the contract are such to ensure successful performance of the work effort required by the contract.

Should you not have the required skills available within your organization, you should show the arrangements made to obtain the necessary skills. Proposed individuals must demonstrate abilities by referencing past education, training, and work accomplishments that best fit the criteria below.

If the proposal relies on work accomplishments rather than formal education, the proposal must specify how the individual materially participated in the work accomplishments listed. The proposal must clearly demonstrate they have the key personnel needed to execute work related to this contract.”

3. Stated on Page 18 Section 5.5 “Laboratory analysis by standard methods, on a time and material basis, may be required.” Is the laboratory described required to be a DOD certified laboratory?

Answer - Yes, the laboratory must be ELAP (Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program) certified and conform to the requirements therein for all DoD environmental work as required per

32 CFR §188.4.

4. Noted on Page 62 Section 3.2.2 Biological Science and Ecology “The proposal shall provide the work experience from two of the three major areas of work described below (i.e., three (3) separate projects covering one of each of the 3 areas identified below).” This statement appears contradicting. Do we only have to provide work experience from 2 of the 3 major areas as described?

Answer - Statement revised to read as follows, “The proposal shall provide the work experience from the major areas of work described below (i.e., three (3) separate projects covering one of each of the 3 areas identified below).”. Therefore, Section 3.2.1 and Section 3.2.2 will result in a total of six (6) Project Examples as requested in Section 3.2, page 62 of 72.

5. Page 63 Section 3.4 Tab II – Sub Factor 2 – Staffing Plan and Key Personnel. Does the USACE require complete resumes for the Key Personnel or just brief descriptions since there is a 10-page maximum requirement?

Answer - Offeror shall submit no more than 10 pages for the requested information as stated in

Section 3.4.

6. Volume 1, Factor 1, Sub Factor 1 – Company Experience. Work experience from three areas under

Physical Science and Engineering, and, three areas under Biological Science and Ecology are requested. In what section of the proposal should we describe our experience in the twelve remaining areas of work as described in Part 5 – Specific Tasks (Page 18 – 20)?

Answer - Offeror shall demonstrate that the capability, background, and experience of key personnel responsible for the administration and servicing of the contract are such to ensure successful performance of the work effort required by the contract. Therefore, under Volume 1, Factor 1, Sub Factor 2 – Staffing Plan and Key Personnel, the proposal must clearly demonstrate that the offeror has the key personnel needed to execute work related to this contract.

Page 68 of 72 – Section M, 2, Sub Factor 1 – Company Experience states that, “While the scope of services associated with this contract is broad, Paragraph 3.2.1 and Paragraph 3.2.2 of Factor 1, Section L, provides the services that the Government considers most important in evaluating an offeror’s capability to successfully execute the type of work that the government has determined as most likely to be performed under this contract.”

Page 68 of 72 – Section M, 2, Staffing Plan and Key Personnel states that, “The offeror shall submit a staffing plan that proposed adequate management and staffing levels to successfully execute the requirements of the PWS. The proposal must clearly demonstrate that the capability, background, and experience of key personnel responsible for the administration and servicing of the contract are such to ensure successful performance of the work effort required by the contract.”

Page 69 of 72 – Section M, 2, Staffing Plan and Key Personnel states that, “The proposal must clearly demonstrate they have the key personnel needed to execute work related to this contract.”

7. Can we present tabular information in landscape format vs. portrait format within the proposal?

Answer – Either or will suffice.

8. For presentation of data in tabular form in Volume 1, can the allowable font size be reduced from

11 to 10 pitch?

Answer - No.

9. Part 2, Definitions and Acronyms, 2.1.9, Key Personnel- states “When key personnel are used as an evaluation factor in best value procurement, an offer can be rejected if it does not have a firm commitment from the persons that are listed in the proposal.” If all Key Personnel are currently on the staff of the Prime contractor, what kind of additional commitment is required? If a Team

Subcontractor is providing either primary or backup Key personnel, is the signed Teaming

Agreement and letter of commitment from the Teaming Subcontractor a sufficient firm commitment?

Answer - No additional commitments are required from the Offeror.

Page 63 of 72, Section L, 3.4 – Tab II – Sub Factor 2 – Staffing Plan and Key Personnel states that, “The Offeror should address in general terms its staffing approach, specifically addressing how they will respond to program growth, key personnel replacements, subcontractor withdrawals or additions, and staffing updates, and how multiple task orders will be managed simultaneously throughout the contract term.”

10. The piece below from the Key Personnel (1.6.10.1) seems like it should be two different people.

Could this requirement be met with one aquatic ecologist and one ecological risk assessor?

Aquatic Biologist: The proposed candidate must have at least a bachelor’s degree in an aquatic natural resource field such as malacology, ichthyology, limnology or aquatic ecology with no less than (five) 5 years of demonstrated experience in developing and implementing fisheries sampling designs and statistical analysis. Additional consideration will be given if the proposed candidate possesses a higher educational degree in the related field. At least five (5) years of experience performing ecological assessments for identifying and quantifying proposed water resource projects effect on water quality and aquatic resources. The candidate must possess a working knowledge of ecological risk assessments for USEPA projects. Additional consideration will be given if the candidate has work experience in the Mississippi River watershed.

Answer - Concur. Requirement can be satisfied by one aquatic biologist/ecologist and one ecological risk assessor.

11. Can a proposal be submitted for one of the tasks listed in 5.0? Or does one have to bid on the entire tasks?

Answer - The Offeror is requested under page 62 of 72 Section L, 3.2 Volume I, Factor I

Technical, Sub Factor 1 – Company Experience, a total of six (6) project examples. Paragraph

3.2.1 requests three (3) separate projects covering one of each of the 3 areas as stated on page 62.

The same number of projects are requested for Paragraph 3.2.2.

Offeror shall demonstrate that the capability, background, and experience of key personnel responsible for the administration and servicing of the contract are such to ensure successful performance of the work effort required by the contract. Therefore, under Volume 1, Factor 1, Sub

Factor 2 – Staffing Plan and Key Personnel, the proposal must clearly demonstrate that the offeror has the key personnel needed to execute work related to this contract.

Page 68 of 72 – Section M, 2, Sub Factor 1 – Company Experience states that, “While the scope of services associated with this contract is broad, Paragraph 3.2.1 and Paragraph 3.2.2 of Factor 1, Section L, provides the services that the Government considers most important in evaluating an offeror’s capability to successfully execute the type of work that the government has determined as most likely to be performed under this contract.”

Page 68 of 72 – Section M, 2, Staffing Plan and Key Personnel states that, “The offeror shall submit a staffing plan that proposed adequate management and staffing levels to successfully execute the requirements of the PWS. The proposal must clearly demonstrate that the capability, background, and experience of key personnel responsible for the administration and servicing of the contract are such to ensure successful performance of the work effort required by the contract.”

Page 69 of 72 – Section M, 2, Staffing Plan and Key Personnel states that, “The proposal must clearly demonstrate they have the key personnel needed to execute work related to this contract.”

12. Do you have to be within a certain mileage radius to perform task 5.10?

Answer – The solicitation does not request to be within a certain mileage radius to perform task

5.10. However, task orders may require mileage specifications.

13. Will the Government please consider accepting available CPARs or already completed PPQs instead of troubling our Clients to complete another new PPQ?

Page 62 of 72, Factor I – Technical, Sub Factor 1 – Company Experience states that, “Projects must demonstrate experience within the last five (5) years from the proposal due date. Work performed within the last five (5) years regardless of the percent of completion will be evaluated.”

Page 64 of 72, Factor II – Past Performance – Company Experience states that, “For each of the

Example Projects submitted under Paragraph 3.2 Volume I, Sub-Factor I – Company Experience, the offeror should provide existing documentation of the client’s opinion of the offeror’s performance by including a Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ).”

Page 70 of 72, Factor II – Past Performance states that, “All CPARS are considered recent (no greater than five (5) years from time of Request of Proposal).”

14. Is there an SCA Wage Determination for use in the bidding of this proposal? Over twenty of the labor rates listed on the “Binding Capped Labor Rate Schedule” for each Ordering Period require

SCA coverage. If there is not a specific WD for bidding, how will the Government ensure fairness and a “level playing field” in the base rates bid for these SCA line items among all respondents?

Answer – Yes, wage determination has been uploaded in beta.SAM.gov.

15. In the first paragraph of each page (spreadsheet) of “Attachment 1- Binding Capped Labor Rate Schedule”, the following is stated: “Subcontracted personnel are subject to the same Overhead, General/Administrative (G&A), Labor Burden Fringes, and other cost caps as personnel employed directly by the Prime Contractor.” We assume that “subject to the same” here refers to the rates being built up in the same way or form, and/or including all cost items (exclusive of profit); and not that the fringe rates will be the same percentage rates as those of the Prime. This requirement would be problematic in that the prime and subcontractors will have DCAA audited indirect rate percentages which are set by the government and are not subject to change for convenience. Is this assumption correct?

Answer - No, this requirement is for a commercial item, Firm Fixed Price contract/totally set aside for small business concern. As such, FAR Part 30 (Cost Accounting Standards Administration) and Audit Services for indirect rates do not apply.

16. What do the PDF symbols on pages 21 and 25 represent?

Answer - Service Contract Reporting (SCR), please see attached SCR guide. The SCR applies to individual task orders IAW FAR 4.1703 Reporting requirements/thresholds.

17. Can 11"X17" pages be used for the Organization Chart and be counted as one page?

Answer - No. Page 61 of 72 states that, "For Volume I, Sub-Factor 1 and Sub-Factor 2, the offeror shall use only 8 ½” by 11” paper size, Time New Roman font type and 11 font size. Margins on all four edges of each sheet will be at least one-half (0.5) inch. Pages shall be numbered sequentially by volume."

18. Is the Senior Program (Project) Manager considered Key Personnel? Can you clarify what information you want for this position?

Answer - Under this solicitation only six (6) key personnel will be evaluated, which are the Aquatic

Biologist, Certified Industrial Hygienist, Remedial Project Manager, Senior Chemist, Senior

Community Relations Manager, and Senior Water Quality Specialist. In addition, under page 63 of

72 Section L, 3.4 Sub Factor 2 - Staffing Plan and Key Personnel the offeror should include the

Senior Program/Project Manager within proposed staffing, lines of authority, and an organizational chart with labor categories and key personnel. No resumes are required for these two key personnel.

At the task order we will request copies of resumes.

19. Can CPARS be used in lieu of a PPQ?

Answer – No.

20. Are full resumes required for Key Personnel? If so, are they counted in the ten-page limit?

Answer - All the requested information under Section 3.4 should be no more than ten (10) pages.

21. Is information about key personnel to be included in the 10-page limit for Tab II Subfactor 2?

22. The projects requested a very specific especially for a small business procurement where the firms must be $16.5 million or under in annual receipts. May we ask for the following adjustments to the project categories:

Environmental Site Assessments (remove Phase 1,2 and 3)

Ecological Risk Assessments (remove USEPA to allow US Fish and Wildlife among other agencies)

Answer - No. Page 68 of 72 states that, "While the scope of services associated with this contract is broad, Paragraph 3.2.1 and Paragraph 3.2.2 of Factor 1, Section L, provides the services that the

Government considers most important in evaluating an offeror’s capability to successfully execute the type of work that the government has determined as most likely to be performed under this contract."

23. Clarifying that PPQs already received can be submitted?

Answer - PPQs should be within the last five (5) years from the proposal due date.

Page 62 of 72, Factor I – Technical, Sub Factor 1 – Company Experience states that, “Projects must demonstrate experience within the last five (5) years from the proposal due date. Work performed within the last five (5) years regardless of the percent of completion will be evaluated.”

Page 64 of 72, Factor II – Past Performance – Company Experience states that, “For each of the

Example Projects submitted under Paragraph 3.2 Volume I, Sub-Factor I – Company Experience, the offeror should provide existing documentation of the client’s opinion of the offeror’s performance by including a Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ).”

Page 70 of 72, Factor II – Past Performance states that, “All CPARS are considered recent (no greater than five (5) years from time of Request of Proposal).”

24. CCTV is typically based upon the complexity of the data to be gathered, i.e., video, sonar, laser, etc. and the size, condition, and clearances available of the pipeline in the case of Task 5.14. What should we consider the specifications for the rate of CCTV operator? Will it be for underwater inspection in general or for pipe/structure inspection as described in Task 5.14? Cleaning of pipes as described in same task is also dependent upon the severity of debris that needs to be cleaned.

Should that task be included in the base rate?

Answer - Yes, as stated in Task 5.14.

25. Are licensed professional engineers required for tasks 5.14 to assess the structural integrity of pipe systems and 5.8 remedial design.

Answer - No for both tasks.

26. What type of hazardous waste should be assumed for the Haz Waste Licensed Hauler? solid, liquid, radioactive, soil?

Answer - The type of hazardous waste should be primarily solid and liquid.

27. What type of truck should be assumed for the truck driver? For what activity?

Answer - It should be a single-axle truck for non-hazardous waste material (i.e., soil, riprap, gravel).

28. Should a Project Engineer be added to the Key Personnel as many of these activities will require engineering services?

29. Please clarify the first sentence of Section 3.2.1. Should we provide one project description for each of the three major areas of work or should the three project descriptions all describe the same major area of work?

30. Please clarify the first sentence of Section 3.2.2. Should we provide three project descriptions that describe two of the major areas of work or one project description for each of the three major areas of work?

31. Sub Factor 2 – Staffing Plan and Key Personnel – Will the Government consider excluding the Org chart from the page count?

Answer – No.

32. Sub Factor 2 – Staffing Plan and Key Personnel – Can the Org Chart be on 11x17 ledger paper?

Answer - No

33. Would it be possible for past performance project examples to be within the past 10 years?

Answer - No

34. Key Personnel Resumes –please confirm Key Personnel resumes can be ½ page in length for Tab 2, Sub Factor 2, 10-page limit.

35. Key Personnel Requirements - RFP Page 11, Section 1.6.10.4 and 1.6.10.5 – please confirm specific project experience listed on the Key Personnel resume meets the ‘documented evidence’ for the positions of Senior Chemist and Senior Community Relations Manager. Please confirm that descriptions of past work in resumes will meet the ‘documented evidence’ for these two positions.

Answer - Concur.

36. Please confirm copies of certificates (i.e., OSHA for Remedial Project Manager) are not required.

Answer - No. At the task order we will request copies of certificates. All the requested information under Section 3.4 should be no more than ten (10) pages.

37. PPQs -Please confirm completed PPQs are delivered from client to USACE and copies are not required in Volume II. Past Performance

Answer - Yes. The PPQs will be delivered from client to USACE Contract Specialist as stated on page 64 of 72, Section L, 3.5.1 Tab I Past Performance Questionnaires (PPQ). The PPQs will then be shared to the evaluators.

38. EPA has specific titles for in-house CERCLA personnel/managers, including On-Scene

Coordinators (OSCs) and Remedial Project Managers (RPMs). One of the key personnel for this contract is also referred to as an RPM. Is the requirement for this position [Section C, 1.6.10.3 -

“must show recent (less than three years prior to the proposal due date) experience (as an RPM) on

USEPA Superfund sites with CERCLA site investigations and remediation”] stating that the candidate must have been an EPA RPM within the last 3 years or more generically just a project manager working on EPA Superfund sites with CERCLA investigations/remediation (within the last 3 years)?

Answer - The Offeror must submit a project manager working on EPA Superfund sites with

CERCLA investigations/remediation (within the last 3 years).

39. 3.5.1 (Tab III – Sub Factor 3 – Documents) of Section L states that the proposal shall include 5 different work plans for one of the six example projects. Do all 5 work plans need to be from the same site/project or can they be from more than one of the six example projects?

Answer - No, they can be from any of the six example projects.

40. On page 11, it references a Senior Program Manager or Project Manager. Should we include that person in the org chart and the resumes?

Answer – Under this solicitation only six (6) key personnel will be evaluated, which are the

Aquatic Biologist, Certified Industrial Hygienist, Remedial Project Manager, Senior Chemist, Senior Community Relations Manager, and Senior Water Quality Specialist. In addition, under page 63 of 72 Section L, 3.4 Sub Factor 2 - Staffing Plan and Key Personnel the offeror should include the Senior Program/Project Manager within proposed staffing, lines of authority, and an organizational chart with labor categories and key personnel. No resumes are required for these two key personnel. At the task order we will request copies of resumes.

41. On pages 21 and 25, there are pdf icons (all labeled as SCR.pdf) but no additional attachment is listed in GovWin. Should there be additional attachments to the solicitation?

Answer - Service Contract Reporting (SCR), please see attached SCR guide.

42. Please confirm it is acceptable for header and footer text, such as that required in L.2.3.6 and page numbering to appear within the margins?

Answer – Margins on all four edges of each sheet are taken from the main body of the text.

Therefore, header and footer text, and page numbers can be outside of that margin.

43. Is it acceptable to use a smaller, alternate font in the header and footer to accommodate information required in L.2.3.6?

Answer – No. Page 61 of 72 states that, "For Volume I, Sub-Factor 1 and Sub-Factor 2, the offeror shall use only 8 ½” by 11” paper size, Time New Roman font type and 11 font size. Margins on all four edges of each sheet will be at least one-half (0.5) inch. Pages shall be numbered sequentially by volume."

44. Is it acceptable to use a smaller, alternate font for tables and graphics as long as it is a size and type that is legible (e.g. Arial Narrow 8 pt font)?

Answer – No.

45. Biological Science and Ecology requirement under Sub Factor 1 - Company Experience states:

"The proposal shall provide the work experience from two of the three major areas of work described below (i.e., three (3) separate projects covering one of each of the 3 areas identified below)." Please clarify if offerors are to provide company experience that represents two of the three major work areas or all three of the major work areas?

Answer - Statement revised to read as follows, “The proposal shall provide the work experience from the major areas of work described below (i.e., three (3) separate projects covering one of each of the 3 areas identified below).”. Therefore, Section 3.2.1 and Section 3.2.2 will result in a total of six (6) Project Examples as requested in Section 3.2, page 62 of 72.

46. RFP section numbering currently identified as 3.5.1 (Tab III - Sub Factor 3 - Documents), and the sections following contain duplicative section numbers. Based on RFP numbering prior to 3.5.1, it appears Tab III should be 3.5 and following sections numbered accordingly. Please clarify.

Answer – Yes, tab III should be 3.5.