VISN 23 Project Mgmt Support Services (Engineering)

The purpose of this amendment is to post answers to questions submitted in response to the solicitation and to make minor corrections to the Statement of Work (SOW) and Clause language.
SOW page 32:
Paragraph 11a. is changed to read The CM/PM shall submit the following for proposed team members for initial assignment and substitutions when a Task Order is issued: .
SOW page 32:
Paragraph 11a(i) is deleted. Paragraphs 11a(ii) and 11a(iii) are renumbered to 11a(i) and 11a(ii) respectively.
SOW page 32:
Paragraphs 11b, 11b(i), 11b(ii) and 11b(iii) are deleted.
SOW page 34:
Paragraph 12m VISN17 s is changed to VISN23 s .
Clause 52.212-1 Addendum:
Paragraph (c) Technical Questions Deadline for the submission of questions to the Contracting Officer is August 6, 2019. Questions received after this date will not be addressed.
Clause 52.212-2 Evaluation Factors, Past Performance:
Paragraph b is changed to read Provide past performance information- including references- for a minimum of three contracts of similar size and scope that are either on-going or have been completed within the last three years .
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Who is the current vendor for this contract
Answer: No current vendor, this is a new requirement
2. What are the current rates for the existing contract
Answer: No existing contract, new requirement.
3. The SOW notes that various positions are required to meet the needs of eight (8) facilities across VISN 23. In reviewing the rate table for the base year plus the option years, can you confirm if each VA identified needs equal the required number of positions and hours, OR is the VA stating that the number and positions and hours are to be divided among the eight (8) facilities across VISN 23?
Answer: Positions will be filled based on the needs of the individual sites. Quantities and hours listed are an estimate of the total for each Task Order issued. Task Orders will normally be issued for a full year period of performance.
4. Under the Statement of Work, para 1.C (page 11) states that The contract will require project managers to work full-time, on-site in the Facilities Engineering Departments of VA Medical Centers throughout VISN 23.  This could be construed to mean that a staff of 8 people, as shown in the Rate Table, which starts on page 8 is needed at each of the 8 VISN locations, however, the contract ceiling does not support that many FTEs. Can you please confirm that a total of 8 FTEs, potentially working at dispersed locations, will be required for this contract and will travel, as needed, to each of the construction sites covered under the contract?
Answer: Task Orders will be issued based on the needs of the individual VAMCs. All positions will not be required at each site. Contractor employees will be required to work from the VAMC associated with the Task Order.
5. The solicitation states that The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Veteran Integrated Service Network 23 (VISN23), Network Contracting Office 23 (NCO23)) has a requirement to procure Staffing Services to provide personnel to perform Construction Management (CM)/Project Management (PM) tasks at eight (8) VA Health Care System Medical Centers located within VISN23. yet the list of medical centers shows nine (9) locations, The medical centers are located in Omaha, NE; Minneapolis, MN; St. Cloud, MN; Des Moines, IA; Iowa City, IA; Fort Meade, SD; Hot Springs, SD; Fargo, ND; and Sioux Falls, SD .Â
Based on the rate table provided, you are looking for 8 positions to be filled. Will these positions be based out of a single medical center listed above? If so, which one?
Answer: See question 4 above.
6. If the positions are based at a single facility, will there be an amendment to the solicitation to identify a travel budget as travel is identified in the solicitation, but there does not appear to be a mechanism for reimbursement of travel.
Answer: No off-site travel is anticipated for contractor employees. See question 4.
7. Based on the Rate Table, it appears as if each of the positions listed is anticipating staffing at a full time level for the entirety of the year, yet the solicitation references staffing based on task orders. Does the VA anticipate any of these positions being part time or broken in nature based on task orders, or do they intend for the individuals to work full time and work on several projects at any given time?
Answer: Contractor employees will be full time, working on several projects at any given time.
8. Do we need to provide resumes at the time of the proposal for the various staff positions?
Answer: Resumes will be required for contractor personnel as a part of Task Order issuance.
9. Please provide address to the locations where the contract employees are needed; as the rate table does not provide locations for each position.
Answer: See Statement of Work locations.
10. Will sub-contractor s past performance providing construction/project management services be considered?
Answer: Past Performance of sub-contractors may be used.
11. In reference to page 32 (11. Submittals);
Is the contractor or subcontractor required to have an office in VISN 23?
Answer. No
12. Is the contractor required to select which location within VISN 23, it wants to provide employees; as the Rate Table does not provide locations.
Answer. Task Orders will designate locations employees are required.
13. Is the contractor required to provide resumes of proposed team members and alternates?
Answer. Yes. At time of Task Order issuance.
14. Do alternates need to complete security clearance? Because on page 32 (12b.), it states that if called upon; they need to be available to report on station within 30 days.
Answer: Substitute employees (see para. 12d, 12e, 12f of SOW), when required, should be identified as soon as possible and begin their security clearances once the Government has accepted the individual. The requirement to fill the position within 30 days will still be in effect. If necessary, the substitute employee will be given tasks not requiring a security clearance until their clearance has been granted.
15. Page 34 section 12 (m) mentions VISN 17 s Health Care System. Will VISN 17 be part of the contract?
Answer: No. This is a typo that has been corrected on the revised SOW.
16. Is the contractor required to pay any fees to the government for security clearance of the contractor employees.
Answer: See SOW paragraph 12d.
17. Are the positions listed below SCA (SCLS) positions; as they are not listed in the Wage Determination.
Senior Project Manager
Project Manager
Junior Project Manager
Planner
Construction Inspection
Industrial/Systems Engineer
Interior Designer
Answer: See table below.
Position Description
Labor Category
Senior Project Manager
SCLS does not apply
Project Manager
SCLS does not apply
Junior Project Manager
SCLS does not apply
Interior Designer
SCLS does not apply
Planner
SCLS does not apply
Drafter
30063 - Drafter/CAD Operator III
Senior Engineering Technician
30086 - Engineering Technician VI
Engineering Technician
30084 - Engineering Technician IV
Construction Inspection
SCLS does not apply
Industrial/Systems Engineer
SCLS does not apply
18. How many past performance citations are required and how far back can they go?
Answer: See Clause 52.212-2.
19. Is there a page limit for the technical volume?
Answer: No
20. Are there instructions for what the technical volume is to address?
Answer: See Clause 52.212-1 and 52.212-2.
21. What is the font size for the technical volume?
Answer: 12 pt.
END OF AMENDMENT.