A/E IDIQ for Historic Preservation Projects in Midwest Region park units

The purpose of this modification is to answer the following questions: 1. Can we get a more detailed description of what services our "soils" and "geotechnical" consultants might be required to provide.

Response: Soils and geotechnical consultants could be used in both structural and landscape projects that could range from research through construction. We'd need to know about existing and past site conditions that affect buildings and foundations, and how soils play a part in ecosystems with historic significance.

2. I am referencing the below paragraph from the subject above. Firms that fully meet the requirements described in this announcement are invited to submit (1 copy) a Letter of Interest, completed Form 330 and an organization chart. The organization chart shall include the names of the key personnel, firms, disciplines, roles and responsibilities and/or technical expertise. Submission of any additional supporting material is encouraged, but only to the extent that it graphically (via drawings and photographs) substantiates the relevant project work specifically described on Standard Form 330. Additional information should not exceed 30 double-sided 8 x 11 pages.

Would you clarify the number of pages allowed for the subject above? The Completed SF 330 format does not have a page limitation so I could , in theory, provide project descriptions 3-4 pages long, resumes for key personnel, part II etc. that would bring the page count to 50 (front and back) real fast. Then, if I am reading your guidance correctly, I could provide an additional 30 pages (front and back) of back up information.

Response: The page limit is just for section H. "Additional Information". It is limited to the 30 double-sided 8 x 11 pages.

3. Synopsis contains several items of evaluation criteria. Submission says to provide letter of interest, 330s + org chart, additional information - does not specifically mention evaluation criteria. Later in the paragraph states that it should be assembled in order of evaluation criteria. Are the evaluation criteria items to be sections filled with responses in the proposals in addition to the above mentioned items? Or are they to be contained in "additional information" in the 330 form

Response: As long as the offeror addresses the criteria in either the 330 or the additional information, the evaluator will be able to perform the evaluation. It's recommended, but not required, that the package address the criteria chronologically. This is left up to the individual offeror. All that matters is that the panelists are able to identify/evaluate past experience and see examples of similar historic preservation projects completed by the teams.  

4. In regards to the A/E IDIQ for Historic Projects in Midwest Region park units - Sol. No. P14PS00245 - Department of the Interior - NPS, is there a page limit for the entire document?

More specifically, do you prefer to keep each resume and project page to a one-page form? Or, is it acceptable to include images with the forms, extending a resume to two pages, and/or following the project forms with a page of project images?

Response: See Response to # 2 above

5. Can you please confirm the contact person & mailing address our submission for the Presolicitation for A/E IDIQ for Historic Preservation Projects in Midwest Region park Units should be sent to on Feb 27?

Response: Mail submission to: Tonya Bradley National Park Service 601 Riverfront Drive Omaha, NE 68102



6. For the SF330 Part F, must all project originate with the Prime, or can we include projects that certain team members worked on independently from the Prime?

Response: You may include projects that team members worked on independently from the Prime.



7. Is there a limit to how old a project can be in the SF330 Part F section?

Response: No. There is no limit.

The purpose of this modification is to answer the following questions: 1. Can you tell me more about the small business classification listed as $7m? Is this a one year revenue figure or is this a three year average? Response: Please reference the following link: http://www.sba.gov/content/guide-size-standards 2. Is there an incumbent contractor for these efforts? If yes, please provide the contract details. I'm looking for the contractor name, contract #, period of performance, and value.

Response: Incumbent contractors are as follows:

Name: Susan Richards Johnson Contract No.: C600090101/P09PC60834 Period of Performance: 09/15/2009 - 09/14/2014 Value: $2,500,000

Name: Anderson Hallas Architects Contract No.: C6000090102/P09PC60833 Period of Performance: 09/15/2009 - 09/14/2014 Value: $2,500,000

Name: Quinn Evans Architects, Inc. Contract No.: C6000090201/P09PC60837 Period of Performance: 09/09/2009 - 09/08/2014 Value: $2,500,000

Name: BVH Contract No.: C6000090202/P09PC60851 Period of Performance: 09/14/2009 - 09/13/2014 Value: $2,500,000

3. The two notices, P14PS00241 and P14PS00245 are classified as "presolicitation" - yet the submittal requires a Letter of Interest, an SF 330, and an Organization Chart. Are these notices actually solicitations, and not presolicitations? i.e. will selections and awards be made from the submittals in response to these notices? Or is there to be a solicitation to follow? If so, what is the purpose of these submittals?

Response: This is the process for this type of requirement. Selections will be made from responses to this announcement to move on to the next phase of this requirement.

4. The solicitation lists "required disciplines" and "secondary support disciplines". Are you expecting the secondary support disciplines to be represented in our submission (in addition to the required disciplines)? I just want to make sure we are putting together the proper team.

Response: Yes, the panel will need to have the entire team of subs documented in the SF330 in order to evaluate the submittal.

5. The set aside for this solicitation says "Total Small Business"...does this mean that our entire team must consist of firms that meet the SBA criteria for small businesses, or does only the Prime contractor have to meet the criteria? Response: The Prime contractor must be a small business 6. I had a question about professional registration for engineers on the team. Do our engineers already need to be registered in all of the states in the Midwest region, or is that something that can be done after we are selected, or on a project basis? Response: The prime contractor and subconsultants must be able to obtain registration in any of the thirteen states as project require. State registrations do not need to be obtained initially, but the anticipated cost of registration should be included in your overhead price pool. 7. I'd like to confirm that the prime for this solicitation can be a landscape architecture firm (541320). It notes this code as being acceptable on page 3 but does not mention this code on page 1. Response: Yes. A landscape architecture firm can be the prime on this contract. 8. As a certified EDWOSB, we would like to be considered for BOTH solicitations, one for the women-owned set-aside and one for the small-business set-aside. Will the NPS review submissions from the same team for each one of the solicitations? Please comment. Response: To be considered for both solicitations, one must submit a package to each announcement. 9. Under evaluation criteria, the solicitation states that: The following criteria in descending order of importance shall be used in the evaluation of the prospective firms: 1. Professional qualifications of the firm and staff proposed for satisfactory performance of desired services. Will the prime be evaluated separately from the subconsultant team? Will the reviewing committee take into account the entire teams' qualifications, specialized experience, past experience, past performance? Or does the PRIME need to have DEMONSTRATED experience in all the primary disciplines. Sometimes the solicitation refers to the A/E firm and sometimes it refers to the team. Please clarify. Response: Prime and subs should demonstrate experience in historic preservation projects for their specific expertise. The team will be evaluated as a whole, making sure that all both primary and secondary disciplines are covered in some way. 10. What entities and individuals will be involved in the evaluation process? Response: A team of NPS historical architects, landscape architects, and historical landscape architects with experience in project management at the regional office and park level. 11. The Scope of Work includes "survey". Does this refer to topographic survey? Please clarify and define the term survey. Response: Topographic and site survey 12. Secondary support disciplines list "surveying and dense cloud point mapping" Does surveying refer to topographic surveying? Please clarify and define the term surveying.

Response: Yes, see #11

13. Under the Header "Set Aside"- it says Total Small Business. Do all subconsultants have to meet the NAICS small business cap for the NAICS codes and/or primary/secondary disciplines?

Response: No. Only the prime contractor has to meet the small business cap for the NAICS code.

14. "In addition, the A/E firm shall a. Demonstrate expertise in preparing required compliance documents associated w/ NEPA, such as EIS and IA, especially past performance with NEPA compliance on cultural resource projects". Is the NPS requiring that the prime have this demonstrated experience or can a subconsultant offer NEPA/EA demonstrated experience. Response: NEPA experience at the subconsultant level is fine. 15. Is it necessary that the prime contractor/consultant perform 51% of the work, and derive at least 51% of the fee, for each project issued? Response: At least 50 percent of the cost of contract performance incurred for personnel shall be expended for employees of the prime contractor per year. 16. As a woman-owned business, we are considering submitting as both a subcontractor and as a prime contractor. Is this allowed? How might this be viewed by the NPS selection committee? Response: It is allowed to submit as both subcontractor and as a prime contractor. Capacity issues will be taken into consideration during the evaluation process. 17. Since much of the requested service will be completed by archaeologists, architectural historians, and historic preservation specialists, will you consider accepting small businesses under any of the NAICS codes below? 541620 (Environmental Consulting Services) 541690 (Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services) 541720 (Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities) 712120 (Historic Sites) 712190 (Nature Parks) Response: The National Park Service has selected the NAICS code that best describes the principal purpose of the product or service being acquired.

The National Park Service (NPS), Midwest Regional Office, (MWRO) 601 Riverfront Drive, Omaha, Nebraska 68102, is seeking qualified organizations to provide Architect/Engineer (A/E) services under indefinite delivery/ indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contracts. This contract will focus on historic preservation projects for cultural landscapes and historic structures primarily in park units in the Midwest Region (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, Nebraska, North and South Dakota) with the secondary locations being the rest of the United States. The properties and related projects vary in complexity, scale and the matters to be addressed. The properties are located within the National Park Service, Midwest Region units and National Historic Landmarks (NHLs) under a variety of ownerships. The Midwest Region contains nearly sixty individual parks, with over two thousand historic structures, over one thousand cultural landscapes and over four hundred NHLs. The Midwest Region of the NPS includes nationally significant historic sites associated with Indian cultures, the fur trade, the exploration and opening of the American West, Civil War and frontier battles, presidential homes, and important 20th century developments in business, society and civil rights. Additionally there are parks of scenic and natural beauty which include historic structures in cultural landscapes of local significance. The NHLs present in the Midwest Region represent a large cross-section of American history and design. They are among the nations most significant historic places, and while some are units within the National Park system, most are owned by other governmental agencies, non-profits, or private individuals. The diverse NHLs include residences, farms, military, industrial and commercial complexes, designed and vernacular landscapes, monuments and cemeteries. The sites represent the development of the Midwest and include not only vernacular designs but high style examples of French Colonial, Gothic, Queen Anne, Tudor, Classical Revival, Craftsman and Modern. Most of the NPS properties are vernacular in nature. These include: historic institutional or military complexes, such as life-saving stations, lighthouses, schools, and forts; industrial complexes, such as mines and mining town sites, steel producing and shipping districts; agricultural properties, such as those supporting farming, ranching, fishing and logging; historic transportation systems such as canals, railroads, roads, maritime and aviation properties; a large variety of homes and cabins ranging from Mandan-Hidatsa earth lodges, to resorts, to presidential homes, to model and modular houses. Designed or relatively high-style properties include: parks developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps, parkways and recreational lodges, cabins and shelter structures; Beaux Arts- inspired landscapes, monuments, and memorials; institutional campuses, cemeteries and military parks; and unique artistic creations such as the Gateway Arch and Mount Rushmore. The scope of work includes Predesign Services which may comprise primary and secondary historical research, field investigation, site survey, physical investigation and materials testing, condition assessment; Schematic Design Services including treatment recommendations, conceptual designs, design guidelines, cost estimates, value analysis, asbestos and lead paint analysis, and other architectural/engineering work; Design Development and Construction Document Services including preparation of construction drawings, specifications, cost estimates and value engineering; and Construction Management such as inspection/ observation, site visits, consultation, review of submittals and shop drawings, and preparation of operation and maintenance manuals and as-built drawings. Required disciplines include historical landscape architecture; historical architecture; architectural history; soil, structural, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical engineering; National Environmental Policy Act compliance (Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Statements); sustainable design expertise; and certified value analysis experience. Secondary support disciplines include geographic information systems (GIS) expertise, land use planning, materials and art conservation, surveying and dense cloud point mapping, historical research, horticulture of local and vintage plants, ecological restoration specialist, civil, environmental, and geotechnical engineering. Construction work performed in historic buildings, landscapes or sites will require continuous attention to and compliance with historic preservation guidelines. All work will be guided by NPS policies and directives, however historic resources often present unique and unusual conditions and the NPS encourages creativity in the development of preservation methods. Projects will require coordination with various review and planning entities. Prospective firms shall demonstrate past experience with cultural landscapes and historic structures, archaic building and landscape materials and compatible contemporary design. EVALUATION CRITERIA The following criteria in descending order of importance shall be used in the evaluation of the prospective firms: 1. Professional qualifications of the firm and staff proposed for satisfactory performance of desired services; 2.The firm demonstrates substantial specialized experience and technical competence as prime contractor or as a consultant on historic preservation projects for the National Park Service or other public/government or non-profit agencies(such as Historic Structures Reports, Cultural Landscape Reports, Environmental Impact Statements/Environmental Assessments, Landscape Preservation Maintenance Plans, and National Register of Historic Places Nominations). It is preferred that both the prime contractor and sub-contractors have demonstrated past experience with sensitive design within historic properties; 3. Past performance on contracts with Government agencies and private industry in terms of cost control, quality of work, and compliance with performance schedules. In addition, the A/E firm shall: a. Demonstrate expertise in preparing required compliance documents associated with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), such as Environmental Impact Statements and Environmental Assessments, especially past performance with NEPA compliance on cultural resource projects. b. Demonstrate expertise in conducting value analysis (VA) at planning and pre-design stages, as well as the more traditional value engineering (VE) studies. The firm shall also demonstrate expertise in utilization of value methods in decision making e.g. Choosing by Advantages (CBA), functional analysis e.g. FAST diagram, life cycle cost analysis, importance(benefit) to cost graphing or other method of evaluating non-monetary benefits; enabling and assisting the NPS to make benefit cost decisions and comparisons. A/E shall identify facilitator(s) with Certified Value Specialist certification or approved equal, to conduct studies and consult with the prime with regard to decision making methods.; 4. Capacity to accomplish multiple projects within the desired time schedule and to manage multi-faceted projects within schedule. The U.S. Government has adopted sustainable design as the guiding principle for its planning, design and construction projects. Sustainable design utilizes best available solutions within the design tradition and conserves global resources, utilizes energy efficiently, recycles materials and waste, and specifies ecologically responsible methods, practices, and materials in the construction and operations of Government facilities. Accordingly, the selected firm(s) must exhibit current credentials and demonstrated competency in sustainable design certifications and memberships in professionally recognized organizations that promulgate sustainable practices. Sensitivity to NPS values, standards, and sustainable design principles must be demonstrated. This is not a Request for Proposal (RFP). This announcement is a 100% women owned Small Business Set Aside open to all women owned small business under the North American Industry Classification Systems (NACIS) 541310 or 541320. Small Business Classification Standard is $7M. This contract is being procured in accordance with the Brooks A-E Act, as implemented in FAR Subpart 36.6. See FedBizOpps numbered note 24 for general information on the A-E selection process. (http://www.fbodaily.com/fbo/notes.html) The National Park Service acknowledges that there are two announcements posted for the same requirement with different set-asides. From the two announcements the Government intends to award three IDIQ contracts with at least one being awarded to a women-owned business. The term of the contract shall be one year with four one-year renewal options. The total fees for the basic year and all option years shall not exceed $3,250,000 per contract with a guaranteed overall minimum of $10,000. Project will be negotiated and awarded under fixed priced task orders. The total of all task orders per contract per year will not exceed $650,000 and no single task order shall exceed $450,000. In order to maximize competition, the National Park Service is encouraging joint venture arrangements as well as prime/subcontractor relationships for this solicitation. The government will not indemnify the firm selected against liability involving asbestos or other hazardous materials; that is, no clause holding the firm harmless will be included in the Contract. SUBMISSIONS: Firms that fully meet the requirements described in this announcement are invited to submit (1 copy) a Letter of Interest, completed Standard Form 330 and an organization chart. The organization chart shall include the names of the key personnel, firms, disciplines, roles and responsibilities and/or technical expertise. Submission of any additional supporting material is encouraged, but only to the extent that it graphically (via drawings and photographs) substantiates the relevant project work specifically described on Standard Form 330. Additional information should not exceed 30 double-sided 8 x 11 pages. It is recommended that submissions be spiral bound and developed and assembled in a manner that chronologically corresponds and addresses the Technical Evaluation Criteria. Submissions received via e-mail or facsimile will NOT be accepted. In support of the sustainable practices of resource conservation and material recycling, submissions should be concise, make wise use of recycled/recyclable paper and other materials, and be organized in such a manner that the recyclable material can be easily removed after evaluation. To the extent possible, printed/copied double-sided paper documents should be submitted. Standard Form 330 may be obtained at http://www.gsa.gov/portal/forms/type/TOP. Responses must be received before 4:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time, February 27, 2014. All questions shall be emailed to tonya_bradley@nps.gov no later than Friday, February 15, 1:00 central time. Note: This is not a Request for Proposals.