Sources Sought: Design-Bid-Build Services, Modernization of the Grassland Soil and Water Research Laboratory (GSWRL) at Riesel, Texas

This Sources Sought Notice is being issued for informational purposes only and shall not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation on the part of the USDA, ARS.
ARS is conducting a Market Survey to identify the availability and interest of interested small business contractors that can meet the minimum evaluation factors below. "Interested contractors" would include qualified Small, Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB), Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HubZone), Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB), certified 8(a) firms, and SBA approved Mentor-Protégé firms as potential Offerors for the Design-Bid-Build Construction Solicitation for the GSWRL facility located in Riesel, TX.
The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this project is 236220 (Construction) with a Size Standard of $36.5 million.

Background:
The mission of the current research program at GSWRL is to develop technology and solutions that increase efficient use of soil and water resources, enhance forage and crop production, and support sustainable agricultural production in healthy ecosystems. This mission is accomplished by research that enhances decision support tools for crop and forage production and watershed management, develop improved soil, water, and crop management techniques, develop sustainable crop, forage, and biofuel production systems, increase rangeland productivity and quality, and mitigate global change effects.

The existing research facilities at Riesel (which is a satellite facility of the GSWRL facility in Temple, TX) are approximately 40 years old and have exceeded their service life. Numerous building deficiencies exist and must be addressed. The original lab spaces cannot effectively support modern research activities. The research programs housed therein would benefit greatly from Modernization efforts.
Requirement:
The project scope includes major remodeling of existing buildings in an active research facility. Approximately 4,000 SF of administrative and laboratory space will need to be renovated including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and other upgrades/ replacements.

THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE ONLY. Interested firms are invited to respond to this announcement by providing the following information:

1. Firm's name, address, point of contact, phone number, and e-mail address.
2. Firm's level of interest in competing on the solicitation when it is issued.
3. Firm's Business Size - Small, SDB, SDVOSB, HubZone, WOSB or Certified 8(a).
4. Firm's Bonding Capacity (construction bonding level per contract and aggregate construction bonding level, both expressed in dollars). Interested firms must meet the minimum bonding requirement of $2M single / $3M aggregate to be considered as a potential source. The surety providing the bonding must be clearly identified and listed in the Department of Treasury's Listing of Approved Sureties which can be found at https://www.fiscal.treasury.gov/fsreports/ref/suretyBnd/c570.htm. If not currently bonded, a letter from a listed surety stating capacity for obtaining a sufficient bonding amount must be included.
5. Firm's experience in successfully completed Design-Bid-Build projects of similar size and scope. To demonstrate similar projects, at least two examples completed in the last seven (7) years should be provided. Examples should be of multi-story laboratory/ research building renovations on active campuses containing laboratories and associated equipment such as Fume Hoods, Biological Safety Cabinets, Autoclaves, etc.

NO SOLICITATION EXISTS. THIS REQUEST IS INTENDED ONLY TO IDENTIFY SOURCES OF PROSPECTIVE DESIGN-BUILD FIRMS. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this sources sought announcement. The deadline to respond to this notice is March 8, 2019 by 3:00 p.m. No site visits to the facility are permitted. Requested information shall be limited to no more than 10 pages.

Interested firms are instructed to submit written responses by e-mail to stephen.stolte@ars.usda.gov and michael.thompson@ars.usda.gov. NO HARD COPY OR FACSIMILE SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED. Cover letters and extraneous materials (brochures, etc) will not be considered. No reimbursement will be made for any cost associated with providing information in response to this announcement or any follow-up information provided. All interested sources must respond to future solicitation announcements separately from responses to this market survey.

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