A-E Shortlist for USDA-FS, SRS-PNW-PSW Research Stations

SYNOPSIS:
The purpose of this announcement is to request updated and new A & E qualification information for the USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station (SRS)/Pacific Northwest Research Station (PNW)/Pacific Southwest Research Station (PSW) Architect & Engineer (A & E) Short Selection Database. This is a sources sought for future projects with no specific project planned at this time.

THIS SOURCES SOUGHT IS NOT, NOT, NOT FOR A SPECIFIC PROJECT. THIS IS SEEKING A-E FIRMS FOR POTENTIAL FUTURE PROJECTS. THERE ARE NO CURRENT PROJECTS IN MIND FOR THIS SOURCES SOUGHT. REPEAT, THERE ARE NO CURRENT PROJECTS IN MIND FOR THIS SOURCES SOUGHT. IT IS ONLY SEEKING A-E FIRMS FOR POTENTIALFUTURE PROJECTS.

WHAT IS THE SHORT SELECTION DATABASE USED FOR?
The Forest Service may utilize the Short Selection database to award Architect-Engineer (AE) contracts, below $250,000, in all States included within the USDA Forest Service SRS, PNW, and PSW footprints, (including the States of: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington State, and Puerto Rico). Acquisition support is provided from SRS Headquarters located in Asheville, NC and all files will be located at the SRS Headquarters.

The database contains all of the qualified, interested AE firms that respond to this notice for consideration for future approved projects falling within the NAICS codes indicated.

Examples of some of the types of work include, but is not limited to; design of small warehouses and offices, laboratory repairs and renovations, historic preservation, renovations to improve energy efficiency and address safety concerns, energy audits and studies, design of repairs to small dams and impoundments, design of photovoltaic and other renewable energy systems, green building construction and certification consultation, review and design of HVAC systems upgrades and replacements, review and design of electrical systems, construction inspection, drafting services, surveying (construction and property), overall facility condition assessments, design of roads and trails, geotechnical investigation, and environmental (RCRA, CECRLA, CWA, etc.) investigations, reviews, inventories, audits and coordination of RCRA and other waste disposal.

There is an average of 30 firms listed in our database each year. On an annual basis, SRS/PNW/PSW averages 8 requirements primarily in the following areas: laboratory repairs and renovations, green building construction and certification consultation, review and design of HVAC systems upgrades and replacements, review and design of electrical systems, construction inspection, and drafting services.

WHAT IS THE SHORT SELECTION PROCESS?
The Short Selection Process utilizes the procedures set forth in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 36.602-5.
For AE projects with an estimated total fee under the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (currently $250,000) agencies may review current data files for eligible AE firms, perform a technical review and evaluation to determine the three (3) most highly qualified firms, and have discussions with the three (3) firms to determine the best qualified firm for that particular project. A price proposal will then be requested from the highest technically rated firm. If a reasonable price cannot be negotiated, discussions will be held with the second best qualified firm, and so on. AE data files will be maintained by State and NAICS code. The AE's ability to provide licensed professionals in the State where the project is located (FAR 36.602-1(a)(1) and the firm's geographic proximity and knowledge of the local area (FAR 36.602-1(a)(5)) as identified on the AE's SF330 and supplemental information, will be used for the first preliminary screening of firms when a large list of potential firms exist.

Large Businesses may submit SF330s; however, all acquisitions utilizing the short selection database shall be set-aside for small business concerns unless requirements cannot be met and the Contracting Officer obtains a proper waiver. The database is set up with filters for State, Zip Code, NAICS Codes, Small Business Size, and Small Business Socio-Economic Classification.

The sources sought due date is listed below; SF330s are valid for one year from the date of notification that your firm has been added to the short list database. Firms are encouraged to update their data annually by responding to this announcement; however, the Forest Service will retain previously submitted data for a period of three years.

WHAT DOES MY FIRM NEED TO SUBMIT TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY AND RECEIVE CONSIDERATION FOR FUTURE AE PROJECTS?
Submittals shall be brief and concise. Only the first fifty (50) pages of your response will be retained. Initial review would determine if a firm is minimally qualified to do work for the Federal Government as described in the synopsis. After initial evaluation, minimally qualified firms will be listed in the short selection database and the first 50 pages of their submittal package placed on file.

As specific projects arise, the short selection database will be used to pull a list of qualified firms that can perform the needed work at the specific location. At that point, the submittal package for those specific firms will be pulled from the file and used to perform a technical review as described in the synopsis.

The following information is required and is part of the 50 page limit:

1. A cover letter should be included with all other data. The letter should outline the work your firm specializes in and include a brief description of your firm's capabilities specifically relating to the project examples stated above.

2. Attachment 1 - A & E Submittal Cover Sheet.

A-E FIRMS DO NOT NEED TO COVER ALL LOCATIONS NOR DO THEY NEED TO PERFORM ALL NAICS. ATTACHMENT A -A & E SUBMITTAL COVER SHEET ALLOWS AN A-E FIRM TO SELECT WHICH LOCATION THEY CAN COVER AND WHICH NAICS THEY ARE ABLE TO PERFORM.

3. Attachment 2 - SF330, Parts 1 and 2 (6 pages). Part 2 of the SF330 includes a list of the number of licensed professionals and the States of their licensing for each of the Function codes identified in block 9 of Part 2 of the SF330. https://www.gsa.gov/reference/forms?search_keyword=330

4. Print Out of your System for Award Management (SAM) record. SAM registration is required for award of federal contracts and to be considered for project work. All NAICS Codes listed in this Sources Sought must be listed on your SAM record. Contractors may register in SAM at www.sam.gov. Registration is free of charge to all Government Contractors.

Please note: FAR 36.602-1(a) requires "Professional qualifications necessary for satisfactory performance of required services", but does not specifically require that a license be held in every state covered by this synopsis. However, the respondent should be familiar with requirements specific to the different locations and be available to travel to the location for any necessary site visits.

All information shall be submitted via mail or email (not both). Email is preferred; the email address is keith.d.friot@usda.gov Reference the sources sought number and title in the email Subject Line. If mailed, reference the sources sought number and title on the envelope and mail to:

USDA FOREST SERVICE Southern Research Station
ATTN: Mr. Keith Friot, Contracting Officer
200 WT Weaver Blvd
Asheville, NC 28804

Submittals must be received on 21 March 2019 by 1159 p.m. Eastern Time
The Contracting Officer reserves the right to onboard additional AE firms as part of maintaining the Short Selection Database. The database will be refreshed on an annual basis via additional Sources Sought announcements on FedBizOpps.

Questions related to this announcement shall be referred to Jason Anderson at jason.l.anderson@usda.gov

Locations:
1) Southern Research Station (SRS) - https://srs.fs.usda.gov/locations/
2) Pacific Northwest Research Station (PNW) - https://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/contact/employee-location.shtml
3) Pacific Southwest Research Station (PSW) - https://www.fs.fed.us/psw/locations/index.shtml

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