SOLICITATION NOTICE
C -- INDEFINITE QUANTITY MULTI-DISCIPLINARY ARCHITECT – ENGINEER, TITLE I, II, AND III SERVICES
- Notice Date
- 1/21/2009
- Notice Type
- Modification/Amendment
- NAICS
- 541310
— Architectural Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, R-2 Rocky Mountain Region, 740 Simms Street, Regional Office, Golden, Colorado, 80401
- ZIP Code
- 80401
- Solicitation Number
- AE-R2-0001
- Archive Date
- 2/13/2009
- Point of Contact
- Kirk R Roegner,, Phone: 303-275-5288
- E-Mail Address
-
kroegner@fs.fed.us
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Forest Service A-E IDIQ – Synopsis Number AE-R2-0001, Amendment 0001 Synopsis Adjustments, Questions and Answers The Contracting Officer is issuing amendment one, to Synopsis AE-R2-0001. This amendment is to clarify, add to, or adjust some portions of the synopsis. 1.) The correct phone number to contact contracting officer Kirk Roegner is 303-275-5288 2.) The term “portfolio” should be interpreted to mean your proposal, to include everything from your cover page, your complete 330's, any requirement as outlined in the instructions and any other information your firm deems appropriate to provide within the given page limits. Covers and dividers do not count toward the number of portfolio pages. 3.) Where it is stated the “entire proposal should not exceed 40 double-sided pages”, there is a new limit, the proposal should not exceed 50 double sided pages, meaning, 50 sheets, 100 pages when using both sides 4.) The solicitation requests SF330 forms for all sub-consultants; only part II is requested for sub-consultants. Subcontractor(s) portfolios should consist of no more than 5 projects with a maximum page count of 30 double sided pages, meaning, 30 sheets, 60 pages if you use both sides. 5.) No cost or pricing proposals shall be submitted at this time 6.) Question: The solicitation currently directs that “responses must be received NLT 4:00 pm, Mountain Time, January 31, 2009. January 31 is a Saturday. Please confirm or advise the correct due date of the response submittal package. Answer: The portfolio/synopsis package due date is changed to Friday, February 6, 2009, NLT 4:00 pm, Mountain Time. 7.) Question: In the second to last paragraph you ask for 'state registration numbers' in Block 30 - are you looking for our business registration numbers or architect/engineer license numbers? In just the states listed in the ad - or all states where we are registered to do business. If you could provide some clarification that would really help. Answer: The synopsis is amended to delete this sentence: “Please include your DUNS, CAGE, TIN, and State Registration numbers in Block 30 of the SF330.” Complete Part I, Section E. Resumes of Key Personnel Proposed for This Contract, and indicate the current professional registration (State and Discipline) where indicated on the form and include NCARB, NCEES and CLARB registration under Other Professional Qualifications. Professional registrations may be required in any State or possession of the United States, Puerto Rico, or the District of Columbia and will be specified in the individual task orders. As noted in the synopsis, the majority of the work will be located in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming, Arizona, and New Mexico. A DUNs number is required on Part II. 8.) Question: The solicitation requests only 6 projects are shown to identify past experience in the SF330, though the solicitation lists at least 14 different project types, and a similar number of disciplines. May we illustrate experience in supplemental attachments to demonstrate experience in all of these project type and discipline areas? Are there any limitations to what may be included in supplemental information beyond the formatting and page limits stated in the solicitation? Answer: This is an amendment; the limit of pages has been increased to 50 pages, double sided for your qualification portfolio, including the SF 330; dividers and covers don’t count in the tally. You must stay within the stated parameters, to include supplemental attachments or any other document. There should be plenty of additional space within that given limitation. Firms should address issues they feel are pertinent as outlined in this acquisition; for example, perhaps your wish to illustrate experience in all project types and disciplines. 9.) Question: Does the phrase "40 double-sided pages" mean a total of 40 physical pages, with 2 sides per page, resulting in 80 available "image" sheets, or does it mean 20 physical pages, with 2 sides per page, for a total of 40 "image" sheets? On the 40 double side page limitation - does that count the cover, cover letter, section divider tabs and back cover. Answer: You get 50 physical sheets with two sides per page resulting in 100 image sheets. 10.) Question: This unrestricted, full and open solicitation is silent on small business utilization goals. Is this correct? Please clarify. Answer: Yes, you are correct, no small business utilization goals will be sought, per regulation, this acquisition is full and open. 11.) Question: I don’t see any indication that there are any small business, DBE or MBE requirements for this solicitation? Are there any preferences or targets for participation in any of these areas? Answer: As stated in the synopsis, this acquisition has been determined to be "full & open", no set-asides. 12.) Question: It is unclear if only small businesses (Classification code 541310) need apply? It is not mentioned specifically in the published narrative; however the classification code and standard business size is called out. Answer: This acquisition is full and open, please see paragraph 4, it is stated "this acquisition is not set-aside and is unrestricted, full and open competition". The size standard does not apply to full and open acquisitions; it serves in a small-business set-aside as a threshold to determine what is and what isn’t a small business. 13.a.) Question: We are architects in California with abundant experience working on assignments through IDIQs with public agencies such as the USFS, USDA, NPS and Coast Guard. Would our location in California disqualify or otherwise disadvantage us in our application for the contract regarding Pre-Solicitation AE-R2-0001 ? 13.b.) Question: I see a note that projects may be located throughout the US, with a possible concentration in the USFS Rocky Mountain and Southwest Regions. What licenses/registrations for architects, engineers and landscape architects will be required for this response? 50 states? All states in the region? Any states in the region? Is NCARB, NCEES, and/or CLARB registration sufficient to demonstrate licenses can be obtained in states where they may be required? 13.c.) Question: Is it necessary that our engineers and architects be licensed/registered in every state listed for the region? Answer: Complete Part I, Section E. Resumes of Key Personnel Proposed for This Contract, and indicate the current professional registration (State and Discipline) where indicated on the form and include NCARB, NCEES and CLARB registration under Other Professional Qualifications. Professional registrations may be required in any State or possession of the United States, Puerto Rico, or the District of Columbia and will be specified in the individual task orders. As noted in the synopsis, the majority of the work will be located in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming, Arizona, and New Mexico. 14.) Question: The document states that the work may involve site planning (among many other services). Our team has interpreted this to mean “master planning.” For this solicitation, is there a distinction between site planning and master planning? What services does the Forest Service associate with “site planning?” Answer: Site planning is referring to planning for a specific site that will lead to preliminary design and ultimately construction of a project. 15.) Question: Evaluation Factor 5 focuses only on the Rocky Mountain Region, with regard to location of the consultants and sub-consultants. The Southwest Region is not addressed even though it is mentioned earlier in the synopsis in the paragraph that addresses project work locations. Please clarify. Answer: Although work will occur in the Southwest Region, the majority of work will occur in the Rocky Mountain Region and will most likely be managed out of the Rocky Mountain Regional Office. Evaluation Factor #5 will remain as currently stated in the synopsis. 16.a.) Question: I’m not entirely sure what to make of criteria #5 that states: “Location of the consultant and Sub-consultants relative to the National Forests and Grasslands throughout the Rocky Mountain Region and knowledge of the locality of the projects.” Does this require having worked in all of the states in the Rocky Mountain region is required, or working in areas that may have similar climates as the forests and grasslands? Is work environments in the Southwest Region also required (though not stated) since the concentration of projects may also include the Southwest Region? 16.b.)Utah and Idaho, where we currently have offices and have serviced projects in National Forest areas, though central to all of the states in the two regions, is not within the specific regions mentioned. Will this competitively disadvantage us over a firm say in South Dakota, which is in one of the regions, though may be less accessible to all parts of the two regions where projects may be concentrated? Should we provide detailed information about drive or flight times to various forests and grasslands within the two regions to specifically document accessibility to serve those areas? Answer: There is no requirement to have worked in any or all the states in the Rocky Mountain Region, or anywhere else specifically. Under evaluation factor 5, all regional variances and information will be considered; however as indicated in the synopsis, locality is of interest to our requirement, hence an evaluation factor (albeit, note it is the lowest rating factor of all). 17.) Question: The solicitation currently directs responders to “submit four copies of SF 330 (parts I and II) as well as responses to the evaluation criteria outlined above”. We would expect to respond to your evaluation criteria to include the Organization Chart within the established sections of Part I of the SF 330. Are you expecting the responders’ submittals to contain more than the SF 330 Parts I and II, Organization Chart aside? Answer: The submittal should include responses to the evaluation criteria in Section H of Part 1. Only one organization chart attached to Part I is required. Submittal should not exceed 50 double-sided pages total. 18.) Question: Copies of the SF330 are also required for sub-consultants'. Normally we integrate the consultants into our SF330 Part I, and then provide a Part II document for each sub. With the 80 page limit (40 double sided), do you really want complete SF330's for each sub - if we have 4, 5, 6 consultants it will be very difficult to hit 80 pages as there will be a lot of duplication. In the same paragraph it also states 'the portfolio should consist of no more than six projects'. Normally we present projects in Section F of the SF 330 and typically 10 projects are requested. Is this the 'portfolio' that is referenced in the above statement - and if so are we to limit that information to six projects? Or, is there another portfolio that you are requesting - if so please advise on what information is being requested there. Answer: Only the prime contractor should complete Part I of SF 330. The 6 example projects and associated key personnel are to be addressed in Sections F and G, respectively in Part 1. Evaluation criteria responses should be addressed in Section H of Part 1. Any additional information may also be provided in Section H of Part 1. Prepare a separate Part II for each firm (ie. prime contractor, branch offices, joint venture partners, subcontractors, etc) that will be proposed for performance of this contract and submit them with the Part 1. The complete submittal cannot exceed 50 double-sided pages. 19.) Question: SECTION G - KEY PERSONNEL PARTICIPATION IN EXAMPLE PROJECTS generally asks for 10 projects but in the solicitation it states to show no more than six projects. Is this correct? Answer: Yes, 10 projects is optional for the agency to choose, we only want to hear about your previous six. 20.) Question: Is interpretive planning and design a required discipline? If so, is the interpretive firm allowed to complete both design and fabrication, or just design? Answer: Fabrication is not an A&E function and would not be allowed. 21.) Question: Will the contract be available for other federal agencies to utilize? Answer: Not at this time; however, if the need ever arose, it could be considered. 22.) Question: Due to the page count restriction, do you want a complete SF 330 for each consultant or just resumes and 6 projects for each? Answer: Please read the instructions for Standard Form(SF) 330. Only the prime contractor should complete Part I of SF 330. The 6 example projects and associated key personnel are to be addressed in Sections F and G, respectively in Part 1. Evaluation criteria responses should be addressed in Section H of Part 1. Any additional information may also be provided in Section H of Part 1. Prepare a separate Part II for each firm (ie. prime contractor, branch offices, joint venture partners, subcontractors, etc) that will be proposed for performance of this contract and submit them with the Part 1. The complete submittal cannot exceed 50 double-sided pages. 23.) Question: The solicitation currently directs responders to “submit four copies of SF 330 (parts I and II) as well as responses to the evaluation criteria outlined above”. We would expect to respond to your evaluation criteria to include the Organization Chart within the established sections of Part I of the SF 330. Are you expecting the responders’ submittals to contain more than the SF 330 Parts I and II, Organization Chart aside? Answer: The submittal should include responses to the evaluation criteria in addition to the SF 330 Parts I and II. Only one organization chart attached to Part I is required. Submittal should not exceed 50 double-sided pages. 24.) Question: if it could be verified weather or not the submittal is requiring a A-E team or if the services can be submitted only for engineering. Any clarification on this would be much appreciated. Answer: Consultant can offer only engineering services. 25.) Question: The solicitation states ” …submit four copies of the Standard Form (SF) 330, parts I and II, as well as responses to the evaluation criteria outlined above.” My question is, “Does your office prefer a submittal where the SF 330 is simply an appendix to the overall submittal, or where the submittal is the SF330 and the responses to Criteria are contained in Section H – Additional Information?” Answer: The submittal should only include SF 330 parts I and II. Evaluation criteria responses should be addressed in Section H of Part 1. Any additional information may also be provided in Section H of Part 1 within the maximum number of pages. 26.) Question: For the 6 projects to be included in the portfolio, we have a similar question. We are reading into this that only the 6 projects should be reflected in the SF330 Parts F and G. Is it your intent that the Example Project Portfolio be limited to parts F and G of the SF330? This sort of goes back to question 1 above. Answer: The 6 example projects and associated key personnel are to be addressed in Sections F and G in Part 1. Any additional information may also be provided in Section H of Part 1 within the maximum number of pages. 27.) Question: The document states that the work may involve site planning (among many other services). Our team has interpreted this to mean “master planning.” For this solicitation, is there a distinction between site planning and master planning? What services does the Forest Service associate with “site planning?” Answer: Site planning is referring to planning for a specific site that will lead to preliminary design and ultimately construction of a project. 28.) Question: Selection Criteria #3 lists key technical personnel that may be included in this contract. From our experience in similar IDIQs and the types of projects listed in this scope of work, we feel that this contract may require additional disciplines. May we present these as well? Answer: Yes, we may add other disciplines not specifically identified in the synopsis. 29.) Question: If additional disciplines are included it may warrant an increase in the page limit. Will responses in excess of the suggested 40 double-sided pages be disqualified? Answer: The number of pages has been increased to 50 double-sided pages. The complete submittal cannot exceed 50 double-sided pages. 30.) Question: Can you clarify the statement that copies of the SF 330 are also required for sub-consultants? Are we to submit a separate SF330 Part I (Items A-H) for each sub-consultant or can we incorporate their Part I Items E, F, G and H into the team SF330; and submit separate SF330 Part II for each sub-consultant? Answer: Only the prime contractor should submit Part I of SF 330. Prepare a separate Part II for each firm that will be proposed for this contract and submit with the Part 1. 31.) Question: If you require a complete SF330 Part I and Part II for each sub-consultant, does the 40 double sided page limit include all of the sub-consultants SF330s? Answer: Part 1 of the SF 330 is not required for sub-consultants. The complete submittal cannot exceed 50 double-sided pages. 32.) Question: The solicitation states responses must be received by January 31. Since January 31 is a Sunday, will the deadline be February 2 instead? Answer: Deadline has been extended to Friday, February 6, 2009, NLT 4:00 pm, Mountain Time.
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