A/E, Landscape Architecture, Engineering, and Support Services

Added: Nov 13, 2008 7:18 pm Modified: Dec 05, 2008 6:48 pmTrack Changes The purpose of this amendment #0003 to Announcement #A2000090500, Solicitation Number N2000090500 issued on November 13, 2008 is to delete the requirement for Construction management in the Primary Services Required section of the announcement and answer question(s) received to date.

Reference the Section "Primary Services Required" in the original announcement; The requirement for Construction Management is hereby deleted from the referenced section.

The government has received the following question(s) to date:

1. The RFP states, "SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS: Firms that fully meet the requirements described in this announcement are invited to submit a Letter of Interest and a Standard Form 330 (SF330) Architect Engineer Qualifications. Submission of any additional support material under Section of the SF330 is encouraged, but only to the extent that it is graphically (via drawings and photographs) substantiates the relevant project work specifically described on the SF330. All documentation will be in an 8 x 11 format. The portfolio should consist of no more than 5 projects." Can you please clarify what Section of the 330 should be used for the submission of any additional support? ANSWER: This refers to Section H of the SF 330.

2. The RFP states, "submission of any additional support material under Section of the SF330 is encouraged, but only to the extent that it is graphically (via drawings and photographs) substantiates the relevant project work specifically described on the SF330"Can you please confirm whether 'the relevant project work specifically described on the SF330' refers to the Section F or any section of the 330? ANSWER: This refers to Section F of the SF 330.

3. What exactly are you referring to by "Risk Analysis?" Insurance, security issues, or something else entirely? ANSWER: Risk Analysis compares two or more alternative scenarios, action plans, or policies. It typically results in a plan of action to avoid the risks or minimize their consequences.

4. In the Subcontracting Plan Requirement it states "If the apparent successful respondent is a large business, the respondent will be required to submit a subcontracting plan. " and "The selected firm, if a large business must comply with FAR 52.219-9 regarding the requirement for a subcontracting plan on that part of the work it intends to subcontract." My question is if we are a small business, as we are, do we not have to meet subcontracting goals for types of small businesses? Many of our subs are small business but I wanted to see if we need to follow the same subcontracting plan requirement as large firms.ANSWER: In accordance with FAR Subpart 19.702 (b)(1) "Subcontracting Plans are not required from Small Business concerns".

5. We are a small business planning to submit an RFQ for solicitation # N2000090500. We have architectural and engineering sub-consultant on our team. Are we required for stage one submittal to have all the required disciplines listed as team members or can a subcontracting plan be submitted prior to contract award.ANSWER: The offerors either small or large must include qualifications of the team for evaluation by the government. Small Business Subcontracting Plans (See answer to question #4 for applicability) will be required after the short list of contractors have been chosen.

Due to the volume of questions received for this announcement, the Government has established a cutoff date for questions as December 8, 2008 @ 2:00 PM Mountain Time to allow for the final amendment.

Added: Nov 13, 2008 7:18 pm Modified: Dec 05, 2008 2:16 pmTrack Changes The purpose of this amendment #0002 to Announcement #A2000090500, Solicitation Number N2000090500 issued on November 13, 2008 is to answer question(s) received to date.

1. Can you please clarify the services to be provided by the firm providing "systems engineering"?ANSWER: The Small-scale and Renewable Energy Systems Engineering refers to a holistic approach to building and site design that incorporates sustainable practices.

2. Under section "REQUIRED DISCIPLINES" of the RFP, there are 3 sections parsed by letters A, B and C entitled, "required disciplines", "additional disciplines" and "incidental services". Can you please clarify if the additional services and incidental services are required for the submission?ANSWER: The disciplines listed under Required Disciplines will be required. The need for additional disciplines will be determined in the progressive development of the project. The ability to access and provide these services will undoubtedly strengthen the offerors proposal.

3. Is it acceptable to include services not outlined in the solicitation in our submission? ANSWER: Submission of any additional support material under Section H of the SF330 is encouraged

4. The RFP states, "the statement of qualifications will be no more than 100 pages, double sided." Can you please clarify if this is 50 pieces of paper with 100 pages of text or 100 pieces of paper with 200 pages of text? ANSWER: As stated in amendment #0001, 50 pieces of text, double sided.

5. The RFP states, "The portfolio should consist of no more than 5 projects." Can you please clarify that this means the Section F should be no longer than 5 projects, rather than the customary 10 projects in a standard 330 submission?ANSWER: The portfolio under section F should consist of no more than 5 projects.

6. The clarification notes that the firm(s) selected for contract award will be "predominantly a landscape architecture firm or an architectural or engineering firm with a large landscape architectural component." Is it required that the referenced "large landscape architectural component" come from the prime firm (e.g. an engineering firm that has a landscape architecture department)? Or, as an architecture-only firm, can GWWO submit as prime, with one or more landscape architects on our team as sub consultants to fulfill the landscape architecture requirements?ANSWER: The landscape architectural component does not need to be the prime. Most of the current projects are primarily landscape architectural. It will be incumbent on the proposer to demonstrate that the landscape architectural component will have a strong guiding influence.

7. Can a firm submit on proposal as a prime, and also be a sub consultant in the proposals of other firms submitting as prime? ANSWER: The government would not limit a firm from providing qualifications as both the prime contractor and sub-contractor. The government will evaluate each proposal independently; meaning information submitted in each package must be stand alone and will not be allowed to make reference to each other.

8. In the "submissions requirement" section of the announcement, it states that "submission of any additional support material under Section of the SF330 is encouraged" but it does not cite which section. Is this supposed to say section "H"ANSWER: Yes

9. Also under the "submission requirements" section, the announcement states that the "portfolio should consist of no more than 5 projects." Is this referring to the SF330 Item F projects (normally ten projects are submitted with the 330)? Please clarify and/or expand upon this requirement. ANSWER: Yes, the portfolio under section F should consist of no more than 5 projects.

10. Do section dividers (tabs) and the proposal cover and back count towards the 100 (50 doubled sided) page limit? ANSWER: No

Added: Nov 13, 2008 7:18 pm Modified: Nov 26, 2008 1:03 pmTrack Changes The purpose of this amendment to Announcement #A2000090500, Solicitation Number N2000090500, issued on November 13, 2008 is to clarify the government's requirements and answer question(s) received to date.

The government has encountered question(s) as to the intent of the statement:

"The lead firm(s) selected for contract award will be predominately a landscape architecture, engineering firm specializing in landscape architecture and contemporary and historic architecture with in-house and/or sub contracted multi-disciplinary engineering support".

The government requirement for this project is for the predominately Landscape Architecture discipline as described in NAICS 541320 and as such makes the following clarification;

The A-E firm(s) selected for contract award will be predominately a landscape architecture firm or an architectural or engineering firm with a large landscape architectural component. Contemporary and historic architecture and multi-disciplinary engineering support will also be required. In order to maximize competition, the National Park Service is encouraging prime/sub-consultant relationships for this solicitation.

The government makes no further distinction and will evaluate the qualifications as described in the notice.

The government would like to stress the importance of following the original announcement instructions and submit all qualifications data before the December 15, 2008 deadline.

The government received the following question(s) to date:

1. The assembled content of the statement of qualifications will be no more than 100 pages, double sided." Does that mean a total of 100 pages printed front and back (200 faces) or a total of 50 pages printed front and back (100 faces)?

Answer: The assembled content of the statement of qualifications will be no more than 100 Pages, 50 pages printed front and back.

Added: Nov 13, 2008 7:18 pm The National Park Service (NPS), Denver Service Center (DSC), 12795 West Alameda Parkway, Denver, Colorado, 80225, is seeking qualified firm(s) or organization(s) to provide Multi-Disciplinary Architect-Engineer Landscape Services under an Indefinite Quantity contract for a variety of projects within areas of national significance at locations in Washington, DC throughout the National Mall and Memorial Parks of the NPS (primary coverage area). The secondary area of coverage is the National Capital Region, i.e., design work may be performed for projects throughout the National Capital Region of the NPS, which includes the states of Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia and Washington, DC. In order to be considered for award of this IDIQ contract, firm(s) must demonstrate they possess all professional qualifications, including individual professional licenses, certifications, etc. for those states listed in the primary area of coverage. Professional registrations are not required for the secondary area at the time of solicitation but evidence must be shown the candidate firm is eligible to become registered in the secondary area states if selected.

SELECTION PROCESS

This is a request for qualification of the A/E firms interested in contracting for this work and who will have contractual responsibility for this project. The NAICS code for this requirement is 541320, size standard $7,000,000.00.

The lead firm(s) selected for contract award will be predominately a landscape architecture, architecture and engineering firm specializing in landscape architecture and contemporary and historic architecture with in-house and/or sub-contracted multi-disciplinary engineering support. In order to maximize competition, the National Park Service is encouraging prime/sub-consultant relationships for this solicitation.

Past experience and familiarity with the process of obtaining approval from the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) and the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC), the "Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Archeology and Historic Preservation" and the related "Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties", and the "Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for the Treatment of Cultural Landscapes" as well as sensitivity to NPS conservation and interpretation values, management policies, Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Standards (ABAAS) and sustainable design principles must be demonstrated.

The Government may elect to award a single IDIQ contract or multiple IDIQ contracts to one or more sources under this request for qualification. The Government reserves the right to award contracts, based on the selection board's final selection list, in order of preference, to the firms considered most highly qualified to perform the work. Each selected firm shall be provided a fair opportunity to be considered for task orders to be issued against the IDIQ contract. The Government will use factors such as experience, qualifications, past performance, environmental sensitivity, quality of deliverables, timeliness, geographic location, customer service, and other factors (i.e., knowledge of local construction methodologies and practices, natural and cultural compliance, permitting, capability to utilize scheduling software, etc.) that the Contracting Officer, in the exercise of sound business judgment, believes are relevant to the placement of task orders.

With prior approval of the Contracting Officer assigned responsibility for administration of the contract, any duly authorized Contracting Officer assigned to the National Park Service can place task orders, approve payments, and authorize modifications to task orders issued under the contract.

Task Orders may be placed by other Federal agencies, provided an Interagency Agreement or Memorandum of Understanding authorizing such use exists between the National Park Service and the Federal agency requesting the services. Use of this contract by other Federal agencies must be approved in advance by the Contracting Officer assigned responsibility for administration of this contract. The task orders issued by other Federal agencies must be in accordance with the requirements, terms, conditions, and within the scope and intent of this contract.

TYPES OF PROJECTS

Projects may include but are not limited to research, evaluation, analysis, inventory, stabilization, preservation, rehabilitation site planning and design; cultural landscapes or design and design support during construction; design for historic/contemporary structures; museums; visitor/interpretive centers; interpretive/exhibit design, monuments, memorials, administrative facilities; maintenance facilities; utility infrastructure; comfort stations; roads and parking facilities; vehicular and pedestrian bridges; and marina facilities.

REQUIRED DISCIPLINES:

A) Required disciplines include, but are not limited to, professional registered landscape architects, architects, and engineers, and professionals meeting the Secretary of the Interior's Professional Qualification Standards for Landscape Architecture, Historic Landscape Architecture, Architecture (Contemporary, Historic, Landscape), Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Standards (ABAAS) Specialist, Civil Engineering, Commissioning, Construction Engineering, Construction Management and Inspection, Cost Engineering/Cost Estimating/Cost Control/Life Cycle Costing, Electrical Engineering/Licensed Electrical Administrator, Facility Condition Assessment Specialists, Fire Protection Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Land Surveying, Hazardous Materials Abatement (primarily lead, asbestos, and contaminated soil), Interior Design, LEED Accredited Professional, Lighting Design, Mechanical Engineering/Licensed Mechanical Administrator, Small-scale and Renewable Energy Systems Engineering, Structural Engineering, and Sustainable Technologies Specialists.

B) Additional disciplines which may be required for some projects include professionals registered in, or meeting the Secretary of the Interior's Professional Qualification Standards for (as appropriate), Landscape History, Archeology, Cultural Resources, Natural Resources, Anthropology, Industrial Hygiene/hazardous materials, Certified Value Specialists, Lighting, Exhibitry/Media Design, Architectural History, Architectural Conservation, Materials Engineering, Materials Testing, Transportation Engineering, Audio/Visual Production, and Marine Architecture

C) Incidental services, e.g., AutoCAD drafting and 3D modeling, GIS, visual simulation, Microsoft Office applications, Adobe Acrobat, copying/printing, material support for field-assigned personnel, etc., may be required in the performance of specific task order requirements. In addition removal and replacement of building finishes, destructive testing, foundation testing, etc., may be required to determine actual site conditions. Restoration of surfaces (plaster/drywall repair, masonry, carpentry, backfill, etc.) may be required to keep facilities operational.

CONTRACT PERIOD

All services will be provided under an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contract. The base contract will be for one year with four one-year options. Work will be ordered by issuance of firm-fixed price or not-to-exceed type task orders. The maximum ordering limitation will be $25,000,000 for the life of the contract. The $25,000,000 maximum may be realized in a single year or spread out over the life of the contract including all option years. The guaranteed minimum for the life of the contract, which includes the base year and all options exercised, is $25,000.00.

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

The U.S. Government has adopted sustainable design as the guiding principle for its planning, design and construction projects. By definition, this means meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. In practice, 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 and "green" building systems. Firms shall validate their sustainable abilities and practices through completed LEED certified construction projects and green building awards and have LEED certified professionals on staff as part of the team.

EXECUTIVE ORDERS , LAWS, REGULATIONS

Executive Order (EO) 12770 - "Metric Usage in Federal Government Programs" - In accordance with EO 12770 and Public Law 100-418, as of January 1994, all federal design work will be done using the metric system of weights and measures. Work done under this contract may be subject to this requirement.

EO 13423 - "Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management" - In accordance with EO 13423 and the Federal Register's "Energy Conservation Standards for New Federal Commercial and Multi-Family High-Rise Residential Buildings and New Federal Low-Rise Residential Buildings", as of January 03, 2007 and January 24, 2007 respectively, work under this contract will be subject to the applicable requirements of these regulations.

PRIMARY SERVICES REQUIRED

For the purpose of this contract, the services to be provided will be primarily:

A) Pre-Design Services: Programming (Site Analysis, Site Program, and Architectural Program) Contextual AnalysisB) Supplementary Services C) Design Services: Schematic Design Value Analysis and Value-based decision making Design Development Construction Documents Construction Support

D) Compliance Services: Research Inventory, Resource Surveys, Wetland Delineations Historic Structure and Cultural Landscape Reports and Assessments NEPA Compliance Section106 and NHPA Compliance Other Environmental Compliance (i.e. fish habitat assessments, biological assessments, statement of findings for floodplains and wetlands, coastal zone management consistency determinations)

E) Cost Estimating, including Life Cycle Costing and Total Cost of Ownership

F) Permitting

G) Construction Management

H) Project Scheduling

I) Risk Analysis

A documented internal Quality Control program shall be applied to all services performed.

Further information on National Park Service governing laws and policies, standards, definitions, practices and guidelines can be found at - http://workflow.den.nps.gov/staging/6_Design/design_bid_build.htm.

COORDINATION

The proposed work may extend over several fiscal years and involve projects at various stages of completion, which will require that the selected firm(s) must be capable of providing and managing a multi-disciplinary team from within the firm or in conjunction with subconsultants. The A/E will need to have direct contact with Federal, State and local regulatory agencies to assure compliance with regulations, codes, policies, and permitting processes. Additionally, the A/E will need to have direct contact with planning and advisory agencies of the federal government such as CFA and NCPC and provide supporting materials and documentation as required to obtain approval from these agencies for the NPS projects under contract.

SPECIALIZED SERVICES

In the course of doing business with Architect/Engineering firms under contract with the Denver Service Center, the NPS occasionally needs to obtain specialized services from subconsultants under the prime contract. In these instances, the majority of the work may be performed solely by the subconsultant with little involvement of the prime contractor. Even though the work is performed primarily by the subconsultant, NPS will ensure that the prime contractor is involved in all discussions and all correspondence is routed through the prime contractor. All task orders will be issued to the prime contractor. Prime contractors have indicated their concerns with the ceiling amounts and the effect these "pass-throughs" would have on the cap. This has been taken into consideration in establishing the maximum contract amount for this solicitation and the resultant contract(s). Prime contractors submitting statements of qualifications are advised that the NPS will continue to acquire such specialized services in this manner. The NPS does not allow the prime consultant an administrative handling or coordination fee on sub-consultant's services.

TECHNICAL EVALUATION AND CRITERIA

The A/E selection will be completed in two stages as follows: In Stage 1, interested firms will submit Statements of Qualification; including portfolio of accomplishments that establishes the capabilities of the Offeror and their proposed team. A shortlist of no more than 10 firms will be established. In Stage 2, shortlisted teams will be interviewed.

STAGE 1

Statements of Qualification will be evaluated by a selection committee of National Park Service personnel based upon the following primary criteria, listed in descending order of importance:

1. Demonstrated experience with integrated design, with an emphasis on project management of coordinated multidisciplinary teams, establishment of up-front environmental and sustainable goals, whole systems approach and follow-through. Ability of the team to communicate, coordinate, and facilitate work expeditiously with the NPS, to participate in related meetings and readily integrate into a multi-disciplinary design team, considering the primary geographic area of work. Capacity to respond to expanded or multiple task orders on short notice and within established schedules, while maintaining a high standard of quality and controlling costs. Identity proposed team and indicate the roles played by team members on this and past sample projects. Emphasis will be placed on the team's prior work experience, and customer service as a team on previous projects, and ability to work with multiple entities including Federal, State, and local agencies and other involved concerns.

2. Demonstrated ability, experience and technical competence in the type of work required under this contract, (i.e., experience working on monuments and memorials of national significance, experience obtaining approval from CFA and NCPC, experience completing designs for nationally significant cultural sites/landscapes, knowledge of vernacular architectural styles, historical design and construction methods, sustainable design, natural resources processes and sensitivities, Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Standards (ABAAS), cost estimating, etc.) for the geographic area covered by this solicitation.

3. Demonstration of a sustainable design ethic, philosophy, and approach and the ability of the team to produce viable design solutions that show an awareness and sensitivity to local natural and cultural resources and the global environment, as well as aesthetic considerations appropriate for National Park settings. Demonstration of a preservation design ethic, philosophy, and approach and the ability of the team to produce viable treatment solutions that show an awareness and sensitivity to character-defining features, historic fabric and historic scene, and adherence to the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. Demonstrated understanding of the four categories of ultimate historic structure treatments: Preservation, Rehabilitation, Restoration, and Reconstruction.

4. Demonstration of the quality and effectiveness of the firm's work and quality review and assurance procedures. Include examples of Quality Control process records demonstrating effectiveness of firm's procedures.

5. Demonstrated experience with Natural and Cultural Resource Compliance (i.e. NEPA, Section 106) and demonstrated experience with local and state permitting and regulatory requirements with consideration of public water systems, sewage disposal systems, State Fire Marshall reviews, contaminated sites, fuel oil storage and transfer, etc. Demonstrated ability to integrate compliance and permitting into the construction process.

It is anticipated that the Government may make more than one award on this request for qualification. The number of awards will be based on advantages and disadvantages to the Government that might result from making multiple awards.

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.

STAGE 2

Shortlisted teams will be interviewed. Candidates will be given the opportunity to make a presentation to the selection team. Candidates should be prepared to discuss all aspects of the criteria indicated above and demonstrate their ability to fulfill all project requirements.

SUBCONTRACTING PLAN REQUIREMENT: If the apparent successful respondent is a large business, the respondent will be required to submit a subcontracting plan. The subcontracting plan, which in accordance with Public law 97-507, requires the A/E firm to provide the maximum practicable opportunities for small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, veteran-owned, and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses. The selected firm, if a large business must comply with FAR 52.219-9 regarding the requirement for a subcontracting plan on that part of the work it intends to subcontract. The subcontracting goals for this contract are that a minimum of 19% of the contractor's intended subcontract amount be places with small businesses, 3% shall be placed with small disadvantaged businesses, 5% shall be placed with women-owned businesses, 3% shall be placed with veteran-owned small businesses, 3% shall be placed with service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses; and 5% shall be placed with HUBZone certified firms. The subcontracting plan is not required with this submittal; however, contract award is contingent upon negotiation of an acceptable subcontracting plan.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

Firms that fully meet the requirements described in this announcement are invited to submit a Letter of Interest and a Standard Form 330 (SF330) Architect Engineer Qualifications. Submission of any additional support material under Section of the SF330 is encouraged, but only to the extent that it is graphically (via drawings and photographs) substantiates the relevant project work specifically described on the SF330. All documentation will be in an 8 x 11 format. The portfolio should consist of no more than 5 projects. The assembled content of the statement of qualifications will be no more than 100 pages, double sided. 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. Four copies of the submittal are required. 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 materials can be easily removed after evaluation. Registration in Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA) is required in responding to this solicitation (http://www.bpn.gov). In addition, active registration in CCR is required in order to conduct business with the Federal Government. ALL SUBMISSIONS ARE DUE ON December 15, 2008, by 3:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time, at the following address: National Park Service; Attn: Darrin Knapp, Contract Specialist, 12795 West Alameda Parkway, Denver, Colorado 80225-0287. This RFQ is issued under full and open competition. Note: This is not a Request for Proposals.