U.S. Department of State, A/FBO/AP/AD, Room L-600, P.O. Box 12248, Arlington, VA 22219

Z -- PRE-QUALIFICATION FOR RENOVATION OF THE EXISTING CHANCERY BUILDING IN BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA SOL S/-/FBOAD-97-R-0 21 POC Carroll Martin, (703) 875-6288/Dwight F. Mason, Contracting Officer, (703) 516-1962. The U.S. Department of State, Office of Foreign Buildings Operations (FBO) is seeking to pre-qualify general contractor offerors for the renovation of the existing Chancery Building (OBC) in Bratislava, Slovakia. This acquisition will be limited to eligible 8(a) concerns in accordance with the SBA Section 8(a) competitive acquisition program. All 8(a) firms interested in pre-qualifying for this procurement should note that the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) prescribes limits on subcontracting by 8(a) firms on set-aside procurement. For general construction, SIC code 1542, the 8(a) firm must perform at least 15% of the cost of the contract, not including the cost of materials, with its own employees. In addition, the SBA imposes certain restrictions on the type of joint venturing an 8(a) firm may do on a set-aside procurement. Recommend that if your firm contemplates joint venturing with another firm(s) you should contact the Office of Minority Enterprise Development in the SBA district closest to you for guidance/restrictions. The entire five-story building plus basement will be renovated. The entire existing operation in the building will be relocated to the adjacent Annex building during the renovation. The main entrance to the building has been recently renovated and is not part of this project. The main entrance also serves as the entrance to the Annex. This main entrance and guard booth are the only areas that will remain in operation during the renovation. The total area is 1,630 gross square meters. Some of the project specifics include: ARCHITECTURAL -- new office walls for all floors, new security windows on ground floor, PLUMBING -- new plumbing for all floors; ELECTRICAL -- new lighting, outlets and distribution system for all floors; STRUCTURAL-rebuilding floors on first, second, third, and fourth floors. The performance period is expected to be 18 months. The estimated value of construction ranges from $3.5 to $4.5 million dollars. It is anticipated that 10 per cent of the work can be done with local labor and 90 per cent of the work with cleared American labor only. Slovakia has a developing infrastructure. The Contractor should anticipate difficulties in procuring materials, importing materials, finding local skilled labor and obtaining permits. The U.S. Government will obtain the initial building permit only. Due to its relatively small size, the Embassy can provide little support and the contractor will have to operate virtually on its own. Prospective offerors must meet the following prequalification criteria and provide details of their qualifications in writing in order to receive the solicitation: (A) provide data assuring financial capability of performing the work; (B) show completion of similar construction/renovation projects between $3.5 and $4.5 million; (C) show successful completion of similar or larger size projects outside the United States; (D) show completion of equivalent construction/renovation projects where the facility was partially operational during construction; and (E) satisfactory performance on a similar U.S. Government contract, if any. Although previous performance of a similar U.S. Government contract is not a requirement, if such contracts have been performed, the contractor must have satisfactorily performed said contracts. To receive an RFP, pre-qualified offerors, including all entities which comprise a joint venture, must possess a Department of Defense Secret facility security clearance issued in accordance with the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM), DOD 5220.22M, with Secret safeguarding capability to receive this RFP. Contractor personnel accessing the classified portions of the RFP or accessing classified information or areas during the site visit must possess Secret personnel security clearances issued by the Defense Industrial Security Office. The Department of State will sponsor uncleared, pre-qualified offerors for a facility security clearance. A period of 120 calendar days will be allowed for firms to obtain the facility and personnel security clearances. Failure of the firm to obtain a Secret facility clearance within 120 days may be grounds for disqualification. Interested applicants must request, by mail or facsimile from Mr. Carroll Martin, a pre-qualification application, Form DS 1037, within 15 days of publication of the announcement at the following postal address: U.S. Department of State, Office of Foreign Building Operations, P.O. Box 12248, Arlington, VA 22219 or by facsimile (703) 875-6292. Completed applications must be returned by 3:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time January 10, 1997. (0339)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0184 19961206\Z-0009.SOL)