Nationwide Indefinite Quantity Contract for Architect and Engineering (A/E) Services.

USDA Agricultural Research Services (ARS) is conducting market research to determine the extent of sources capable of performing as a prime contractor under an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Contract. The Government will use responses from this sources sought synopsis to make an appropriate acquisition decision about soliciting this requirement. This is neither a solicitation announcement, nor a Request for Proposals (RFP) or Invitation for Bids (IFB) and does not obligate the Government to any contract award. Responses to this Sources Sought notice are for PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY. The purpose of this Sources Sought Notice is to determine interest and capability of potential qualified businesses relative to the North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) 541330, Architectural Services. The small business size standard is $14M. The Government anticipates awarding multiple IDIQ Contracts to support the various ARS locations throughout the United States. Contractors must be able to perform all necessary work in all areas of this region. The anticipated period of performance is 1 year and 4 option years from date of award with a ceiling of $4M. The work is considered Professional Services and Service Contract Act requirements will apply.

The scope of work under this acquisition will include, but not be limited to: Architect Services and engineering design coordination for the preparation of designs, plans, specifications and cost estimates for various projects. Designs and/or feasibility studies for new structures, various repairs, alterations and/or improvements to barracks, administrative facilities, warehouses, training buildings and other existing facilities or installation infrastructure. Work may also include preparation of building condition reports, rehabilitation of historic buildings and structures, project management and inspection services for construction projects, and Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD) services, including the scanning or digitization of existing construction drawings, environmental surveys, reports, studies, and designs for the clean-up, removal, monitoring and/or abatement of asbestos, hazardous toxic materials and petroleum products.

The A-E firm, along with proposed consultants, shall possess personnel with experience in the following disciplines: Architectural, Civil, Environmental (to include a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), Electrical, Geotechnical (Soils Engineer), Historic Preservation, Land Surveying, Mechanical, and Structural. The A-E team shall possess the technical expertise and financial capability to successfully execute workload surges of various scope and complexities on routine and priority projects to include multiple Task Orders throughout the entire United States.

If this is determined to be a Small Business set-aside, FAR 52.219-14 - Limitations on Subcontracting, will apply on the task order level.

Responses to this sources sought shall be limited to 20 pages and shall include the following:

1. Company profile to include company name, office location(s), DUNS/CAGE Code number, email address, and a statement regarding current small/large business status (i.e. - certified 8(a), Service Disabled Veteran-Owned (SDVOSB), Woman-Owned (WOSB), Economically Disadvantaged Woman-Owned (EDWOSB), or certified HubZone). Large Businesses ARE permitted to respond to this sources sought notice.
2. The annual average professional services revenue for the last 3 years.
3. The number of employees by discipline.
4. Name, title, address, phone number, email address of company point of contact.
5. Management approach to staffing this effort with qualified personnel.
6. Prior/current experience performing efforts of similar size and scope within the last six years, including contract number, organization supported, indication of whether a prime or subcontractor, contract value, Government/customer point of contact with current phone number and email address, and a brief description of how the referenced contract relates to the services described herein.

Respondents are encouraged to review the information requested above carefully and ensure a complete response for thorough consideration. RESPONDENTS SHALL NOT SUBMIT AN SF 330 in response to this Source Sought Announcement.

Respondents shall note that the Government will not return any information submitted in response to this notice. The Government is not responsible for any costs incurred by respondents regarding any responses to this notice. Responses to this sources sought notice shall be submitted to the POC below, preferably via email address (PDF or MS Word Format), no later than March 8, 2013. Responses shall be sent via email to Trent Stevens at trent.stevens@ars.usda.gov or by mail to: USDA ARS WBSC AB, ATTN: Trent Stevens, 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Mailstop 5124, Beltsville, Maryland 20705. Questions shall be submitted via email to the POC above. Telephone inquiries will not be entertained.

The due date for responses has been extended to March 8, 2013.

This is not a Solicitation Announcement or Request for Proposal. It does not constitute any commitment by the Government. No award will result from this notice. The purpose of this notice is to conduct market research to gain knowledge of potentially qualified sources. Responses to this Sources Sought Notice will be used by the Government to make an appropriate acquisition decision. The ARS will not award a contract on the basis of responses or pay for the preparation of any information submitted. Respondents will not be notified of the results of this notice.   The submission of formal SF-330 is not required.


The USDA, Agricultural Research Service (ARS) has a requirement for an Indefinite Quantity Contract (IQC) for Engineering Design and Construction Management/Administration Services for repair and maintenance, alteration, and/or new construction projects (including greenhouses and specialized farm buildings) for its research laboratory facilities located throughout the United States.

Services under the contract will include, but are not limited to, energy-related studies, environmental site assessments and studies, building and/or site investigations/studies, feasibility and conceptual studies, geotechnical investigations, radon testing, asbestos and other hazardous materials abatement, life cycle cost analyses, engineering design criteria development, statements of work/program of requirements development, design analyses, designs, construction drawings, specifications (including specifications for design-build), detailed cost estimates and analyses, bidding phase services, construction management/administration (including on-site construction management/administration, bid evaluations, shop drawings and submittals review and approval), construction inspection and/or monitoring, design review, technical consultation, field surveys, engineering reports, and computer-aided drafting.    

The contract shall be for a period of 12 months from date of award, with options for four (4) additional 12-month periods.  Delivery orders will be issued for each individual project.  The annual amount of the contract will be a minimum of $1,000 and will not exceed $7,500,000.  The cumulative amount of all delivery/task orders will be a minimum of $1,000 and will not exceed $37,500,000 over the life of the contract.    

The Government reserves the right to award more than one contract for this requirement.   The Government anticipates award of one or more IQCs however, there is no initial project.    

Consideration of firms will be limited to those firms who can provide professional A-E services primarily in the disciplines of architectural, civil, structural, mechanical, electrical and environmental engineering for pre-design, design and post-design A-E services for research laboratory facilities, including greenhouses and specialized farm buildings such as breeding and rearing facilities, barns, stock-watering systems/facilities, etc.    

The following specific factors will form the basis for evaluation and determination of those highly qualified firms and selection of the best qualified. All factors are weighted by importance, individual factor weights are listed with each factor description:


1)     Specialized experience and technical competence in the type of work required to alter or repair facilities in support of agricultural research in laboratory and field settings, including, where appropriate, pollution prevention, waste reduction, and the use of recovered materials. Experience in the inclusion of energy-saving and sustainable features into the design, as shown by the use of the requirements of ASHRAE 90.1, EPACT 2005, Executive Order No. 13423 and LEED.  Various tasks include: ESPC's and Retro-Commissioning. 

2)     Professional qualifications; including general education, training and experience of the Design A-E and its primary consultants necessary for satisfactory performance of required services.  Professional Licenses of Team Members in the states of California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, and Texas is required. 

3)     The capacity of the Design A-E and its consultants, in terms of numbers and diversity of in-house disciplines and resources, to accomplish all work on schedule and to successfully manage multiple task orders simultaneously. 

4)     Past performance on similar contracts with Government agencies and private industry in terms of cost control, quality control, compliance with performance schedules, and demonstrated ability to successfully coordinate all planning, design, bid and construction phase work with all subcontractors, and to communicate effectively with the customer on project progress issues. Demonstrated ability in: quality assurance work, "punch lists," commissioning services, final inspections; and Record Drawings is vital. 

5)     Location of a major offices within geographic proximity to ARS Area offices located in Albany, CA; Athens, GA; Beltsville, MD; College Station, TX;  Fort Collins, CO;  Peoria, IL; Stoneville, MS; Wyndmoor, PA.  Co-location of the offices of the consultants in the same general locations as the Design A-E.  Firms shall describe their procedures for coordinating project activities with consultants and sub-consultants which are not co-located within the same general location of the firm.

6)     The firm's methods to achieve the goals for small business subcontracting.  The subcontracting goals for this contract are for a minimum of twenty-seven (27) percent of the contractor's intended subcontract amount to be placed with small businesses; including five (5) percent for small disadvantaged businesses, five (5) percent for woman-owned small businesses, three (3) percent for HUBZone small businesses, and three (3) percent for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses. 

The NAICS code is 541310, and the small business size is $7 million or less in average annual receipts. This requirement is being competed full and open to businesses who are qualified and responsible A-E firms. If a large business is selected for a contract, it must comply with FAR 52.219-9 regarding the requirement for a subcontracting plan on the part of the work it intends to subcontract.  The subcontracting plan is not required with the SF 330

Firms meeting the above requirements and desiring consideration must submit one (1) original and three (3) copies of the Standard Form (SF) 330 with appropriate data. SF-330s must be submitted for all proposed subcontractors or consultants in one (1) original and three (3) copies each.

The closing date for receipt of responses shall be 4:30 p.m. (local time) on February 27, 2013.

Personal visits for the purpose of discussing this requirement are strongly discouraged and will NOT be scheduled. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL.

Please note the updated contact phone number.  The correct number is (301 504-4584.  All interested parties are encouraged to submit their questions via email to Trent.Stevens@ars.usda.gov.
  

The USDA, Agricultural Research Service (ARS) has a requirement for an Indefinite Quantity Contract (IQC) for Engineering Design and Construction Management/Administration Services for repair and maintenance, alteration, and/or new construction projects (including greenhouses and specialized farm buildings) for its research laboratory facilities located throughout the United States.

Services under the contract will include, but are not limited to, energy-related studies, environmental site assessments and studies, building and/or site investigations/studies, feasibility and conceptual studies, geotechnical investigations, radon testing, asbestos and other hazardous materials abatement, life cycle cost analyses, engineering design criteria development, statements of work/program of requirements development, design analyses, designs, construction drawings, specifications (including specifications for design-build), detailed cost estimates and analyses, bidding phase services, construction management/administration (including on-site construction management/administration, bid evaluations, shop drawings and submittals review and approval), construction inspection and/or monitoring, design review, technical consultation, field surveys, engineering reports, and computer-aided drafting.    

The contract shall be for a period of 12 months from date of award, with options for four (4) additional 12-month periods.  Delivery orders will be issued for each individual project.  The annual amount of the contract will be a minimum of $1,000 and will not exceed $7,500,000.  The cumulative amount of all delivery/task orders will be a minimum of $1,000 and will not exceed $37,500,000 over the life of the contract.    

The Government reserves the right to award more than one contract for this requirement.   The Government anticipates award of one or more IQCs however, there is no initial project.    

Consideration of firms will be limited to those firms who can provide professional A-E services primarily in the disciplines of architectural, civil, structural, mechanical, electrical and environmental engineering for pre-design, design and post-design A-E services for research laboratory facilities, including greenhouses and specialized farm buildings such as breeding and rearing facilities, barns, stock-watering systems/facilities, etc.    

The following specific factors will form the basis for evaluation and determination of those highly qualified firms and selection of the best qualified. All factors are weighted by importance, individual factor weights are listed with each factor description:


1)     Specialized experience and technical competence in the type of work required to alter or repair facilities in support of agricultural research in laboratory and field settings, including, where appropriate, pollution prevention, waste reduction, and the use of recovered materials. Experience in the inclusion of energy-saving and sustainable features into the design, as shown by the use of the requirements of ASHRAE 90.1, EPACT 2005, Executive Order No. 13423 and LEED.  Various tasks include: ESPC's and Retro-Commissioning. 

2)     Professional qualifications; including general education, training and experience of the Design A-E and its primary consultants necessary for satisfactory performance of required services.  Professional Licenses of Team Members in the states of California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, and Texas is required. 

3)     The capacity of the Design A-E and its consultants, in terms of numbers and diversity of in-house disciplines and resources, to accomplish all work on schedule and to successfully manage multiple task orders simultaneously. 

4)     Past performance on similar contracts with Government agencies and private industry in terms of cost control, quality control, compliance with performance schedules, and demonstrated ability to successfully coordinate all planning, design, bid and construction phase work with all subcontractors, and to communicate effectively with the customer on project progress issues. Demonstrated ability in: quality assurance work, "punch lists," commissioning services, final inspections; and Record Drawings is vital. 

5)     Location of a major offices within geographic proximity to ARS Area offices located in Albany, CA; Athens, GA; Beltsville, MD; College Station, TX;  Fort Collins, CO;  Peoria, IL; Stoneville, MS; Wyndmoor, PA.  Co-location of the offices of the consultants in the same general locations as the Design A-E.  Firms shall describe their procedures for coordinating project activities with consultants and sub-consultants which are not co-located within the same general location of the firm.

6)     The firm's methods to achieve the goals for small business subcontracting.  The subcontracting goals for this contract are for a minimum of twenty-seven (27) percent of the contractor's intended subcontract amount to be placed with small businesses; including five (5) percent for small disadvantaged businesses, five (5) percent for woman-owned small businesses, three (3) percent for HUBZone small businesses, and three (3) percent for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses. 

The NAICS code is 541310, and the small business size is $7 million or less in average annual receipts. This requirement is being competed full and open to businesses who are qualified and responsible A-E firms. If a large business is selected for a contract, it must comply with FAR 52.219-9 regarding the requirement for a subcontracting plan on the part of the work it intends to subcontract.  The subcontracting plan is not required with the SF 330

Firms meeting the above requirements and desiring consideration must submit one (1) original and three (3) copies of the Standard Form (SF) 330 with appropriate data. SF-330s must be submitted for all proposed subcontractors or consultants in one (1) original and three (3) copies each.

Offerors are encouraged to submit their proposals via overnight/express mail to: Trent Stevens, Contract Specialist, 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Mail Stop 5124, Beltsville, MD 20705. Indicate Project No. 13-1216-01 on all documentation submitted. No faxed, electronic, telegraphic or telephonic submittals will be accepted. The closing date for receipt of the SF-330s shall be 4:30 p.m. (local time) on February 27, 2013.

Personal visits for the purpose of discussing this requirement are strongly discouraged and will NOT be scheduled. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL.