vendor questions.docx

General

1. Please confirm whether or not the work of this project may be invoiced, and payments authorized and made, on a monthly percent complete basis, within the specified phases of work, rather than only at the completion of each specified phase.

Answer: Will be invoiced by CLIN. 2 In 1 Invoice.

2. What is the budget established for the implementation of the modernization of the Soldier Experience Gallery?

Answer: Can not answer due to jeopardizing competition and price reasonableness.

3. What is the budget established for the design of the modernization of the Soldier Experience Gallery?

Answer: Same as above answer.

3. What is the final date for the submittal of requests for clarification?

Answer: RFQ Closes 28 August 2023 @ 0700hrs. Submission of questions deadline is on 25 August 2023. We will extend the RFQ date if questions are not answered by the government in a timely manner.

Solicitation Document:

5. Re Item No 0004, page 6 of 25, Monthly Progress Meetings: Please confirm that Proposer is to enter a proposed cost for this line item, despite the statement in this paragraph that “Progress meetings shall be conducted at no additional cost to the Government”, both in this paragraph and in 5.2.6 Progress Meetings on page 18 of 25.

Answer: From my perspective this was stated as no additional cost in the PWS since many of these meeting will be conducted virtually.

6. Re Item No 0005, page 6 of 25, a-8 Extension: Please describe the scope of work that is to be priced as part of the “a-8 Extension” as we have found no other mention of it in the documents so far.

Answer: This is a safety net to cover any work that is not been met due to fault of the government. -8 Extension is for up to 6 Months. We tell vendors to quote at 50% of the Total Contract Value. This will not be funded unless needed. Notice will be provided 60 days prior to execution of the -8 Extension CLIN.

7. Re 1.1 Description of Services/Introduction, page 9 of 25: Please confirm that this RFQ is limited to the DESIGN only of the “modernization” and does not include the fabrication and installation of exhibits or production of media software, all of which would also be a part of the “non-personal services necessary to perform the modernization of the exhibit space” as described in this paragraph.

Answer: Correct, this is limited to design only.

8. Re 1.6.1 Quality Assurance, page 12 of 25: We are familiar with Quality Assurance Plans. What specifically is a Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan?

Answer: A QASP is used how the government will grade/evaluate the performance of the contractor. The government does not share this info with any contractor.

9. Re 1.6.6 Security Requirements, page 12 of 25:

a. “The attached DD254” referenced has not been located within the provided documents. Can this be provided?

Answer: Will be uploaded to SAM.gov RFQ. See revised PWS

b. Apart from charettes, presentations, and site measurement, we would not anticipate the design contractor hired under this RFQ to in fact perform any work at USAHEC. Given that, do our staff still require a NAC clearance for this project?

Answer: Background check only at the Visitor Center

c. Do we need to have NAC clearances on all project staff before submitting our response to this RFQ or is it acceptable for those security clearances to be in process?

Answer: All personnel must have the background check. Link is attached to revised PWS

d. How and when, and through which entity, should the referenced NAC clearances be obtained?

Answer: All personnel who will be working at AHEC. Must be before start of work on contract and maintained through the life of the contract

10. Re 4.7 Fall Protection and Prevention Plan, page 17 of 25: The work of this contract is assumed to be limited to design, with the only anticipated on-site work being essentially meetings. What is the purpose and need of the Fall Protection and Prevention Plan in regard to this work?

Answer: Because you will be measuring the space and it was anticipated that you may be up on ladders to do so, it was recommended that we leave that clause in. If you are not going to be utilizing ladders in any way then it is not applicable.

11. Re 5.2.3a Deliverable and 5.2.4.a Deliverable, page 18 of 25: Please describe the difference between the deliverable at the completion of 65% design [5.2.3a] and the preliminary design package (65% completion) [5.2.4a]

Answer: The deliverable for 5.2.3 a is the draft of the design development report and exhibit concept model. The deliverable in 5.2.4a is the preliminary total design package which incorporates the 65% design development report and concept model with corrections/changes after review by USAHEC.

12. Re 5.2.7 Regulatory Compliance, page 19 of 25:

a. What is USAHEC’s current method of providing full accessibility for individuals who are sight and/or hearing-impaired?

Answer: It currently varies by exhibit area and type. Some are audio with QR code, some are visual. Currently there is no standard.

b. Does this requirement mean that a full audio-description tour is a specifically anticipated and budgeted part of the intended implementation of the SEG modernization?

Answer: No, it means that we are looking for the design firm to recommend and design a method for making our exhibits fully accessible.

c. Please confirm that the development of such an audio tour would be a part of the separately contracted media production undertaken during the implementation phase of the project by others.

Answer: This phase is strictly conceptualization and design. No products would be developed under this contract.

Addendum to 52.212-1

13. Re Section C.1 Quote Preparation Instructions, page 2 of 9: It is stated that Volume 3 should be returned “on the provided Excel Spreadsheet (preferred)”. No such spreadsheet has been located in the documents available. Can it be provided?

Answer: Use the CLIN Structure Word doc that is in the attachment section. We have been having problems with Excel since the roll over into Office 365.

14. Is existing content considered a starting point to build upon? Or is it to be tossed and a completely new interpretive plan developed? It can be. This will depend on how the existing information supports the design themes being developed by USAHEC.

15. To what fabrication budget will the designer be asked to design? Estimate is $350 -$400 a sq ft.

16. What does iWATCH Training entail? Cost and time implications?

Is an 8 Minute Video for Anti-terrorism, it is required for all contractors.

17. What level planning documentation/database will be required? Have all objects in the collection that will be used in this exhibit been cataloged? All design/planning documentation is outlined in the PWS. All objects have not been identified at this time, but all objects have not been cataloged. That does not prohibit their use though because all have been inventoried and are accountable.

18. How much original art, illustrations, maps, etc. will be needed/expected? Unknown currently until themes are developed (currently in process)

19. Please describe and quantify the amount of video expected to be used in the project? Unknown. That would depend on the design and supporting content for each theme. Assumption is that these will be worked out in the planning charrette.

20. Please describe and quantify the amount of digital interactives expected to be used in the project? Unknown. That would depend on the design and supporting content for each theme. Assumption is that these will be worked out in the planning charrette.

21. In the CLIN doc there are references to production. Are video production and/or digital interactive production part of this project? No. This is strictly design, no production.

22. Will the media company providing AV design and scriptwriting be excluded from bidding on the media production? As long as qualified.

23. The CLIN doc calls out monthly meetings. Can these meetings be virtual? Yes.

24. RFP states the pricing must include all travel. For evaluation purposes, please define the number of meetings, duration of meetings, personnel expected to attend the meetings and if mandatory meetings are in-person. The Planning Charrette, 30% Design Phase and Final Presentation are in person. All other meeting could be virtual. The number of people necessary and time of the meeting is dependent on the needs of the contactor to get sufficient information to successfully execute the requirements.

25. If an exhibit fabricator is on the team in a consultant role, providing estimating for instance, will they be allowed to bid on fabrication? As long as qualified.

26. If a media company works on design, will the company be allowed to bid on production?

As long as there is past performance related to work on museum exhibits.

27. If it is not already included, can the project be expanded to include media production in addition to media and exhibit design? The contractor could propose a modification to the contract for the government to review and decide upon. That said, there is a fixed budget for the government for this action and the award would be very close to the end of the fiscal year, so any proposal would have to be done immediately after the bid is accepted.