USDA FAPRL - Questions and Answers.pdf

USDA Forage Animal Production Research Laboratory, Lexington, KY

Questions and Answers

Question 1: Our understanding is that 2 of the projects must be designed by the prime offeror, can additional projects in this section represent the work of our engineering partner?

Answer 1: Yes, additional projects in this section can represent the work of your engineering partner but a minimum of two projects much be designed by the prime offeror.

Question 2: What experience will be weighted more importantly, experience with animal research facilities or experience with green house facilities?

Answer 2: According to the Specialized Experience/Past Performance, offerors will receive additional consideration if they can demonstrate expertise in the planning and design of complete veterinary facilities.

Question 3: From the Submission Requirements and Section F of the solicitation “…Proposals shall be in a narrative format, organized and titled so that each section of the proposal follows the order and format of the factors…” This seems inconsistent with the format of a SF330 and further instructions that say “Offerors must submit one (1) electronic copy of the SF 330, Part l…”. Please clarify if this proposal response shall follow either an SF330 format or a narrative format “following the order and format of the factors”.

Answer 3: Narrative proposals are expected that follow the SF330 format and organization.

Question 4: The provided project detail Form A also does not follow a standard SF330 format. Please clarify if the project detail sheet shall follow Form A or the SF330 standard format?

Answer 4: Offers may use their own format for project examples as stated in Section F but at a minimum the information that is shown on the example form should be included.

Question 5: Section E, Resumes, you have only requested resumes for 3 individuals, can we provide additional resumes to show a breadth of experience in both plant and animal research facilities?

Answer 5: You may submit additional resumes but as stated in the submission requirements, any additional information included in the proposal not specifically required may not be evaluated or considered.

Question 6: Section D, Org chart. Are you looking for us to identify a full services team including civil engineering, structural engineering, architecture, lab planning, and mechanical, electrical and plumbing services, or are you only looking for the prime architect and MEP services to be identified at this time?

Answer 6: You should submit an Org chart that represents your team and how it is organized.

Question 7: Please provide clarification regarding the above referenced solicitation:

The solicitation states that only “complex university agricultural research facilities that include greenhouses or headhouses and agricultural research facilities associated with industry research that include greenhouse or headhouses” will be considered relevant projects in section F. However, the solicitation also states under subheading 2. PROJECT INFORMATION and in the Specialized Experience/Past Performance Evaluation Criteria that “Offerors that demonstrate expertise in the planning and design of complete veterinary facilities that could support the housing, monitored feeding, removal of waste, medicating, hoisting, euthanizing, and diagnosing of small and large farm animals may also receive additional consideration.” Please confirm that one of the five section F project should be a project demonstrating expertise in the planning and design of complete veterinary facilities. Otherwise there is no place to present the veterinary facility qualification since section H does not allow presenting additional project information.

Answer 7: The Project information section was added to help give more detail to the project. It has been removed to avoid confusion with the SF330 submission requirements. Please stick to the SF330 submission requirements as stated outside of the Project Information section.

Question 8: Section H you have requested a small Business and Small Disadvantaged Business Subcontracting Plan, should we identify specific subcontracting firms at this time or are you only requesting percentages allocated to small business entities? Are there any identified goals for small business participation on this project?

Answer 8: This section has been amended to clarify that only a “small business participation plan” is needed removing reference to a “small disadvantaged business participation plan”. The small business subcontracting plan submitted should be in sufficient detail to establish goals and businesses to help meet those goals if known. Additionally, there are no project/contract specific goals.