USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 1902 Fox Drive, Champaign, IL 61820

C -- HYDRAULIC MODEL ANALYSIS SOL NRCS-8709-IL-00 DUE 030800 POC Technical: Karl Visser at 217/353-6633; Administrative: Bernita Clark or Beverly Bartek at 217/353-6616 E-MAIL: Click here to contact the contracting officer via, bclark@titan.il.nrcs.usda.gov. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is seeking a qualified firm to provide Architect/Engineer (A/E) services under a firm fixed price contract. The work will consist of the following items: 1) Model Calibration -- Calibrate and verify existing models provided by NRCS of the proposed Lake Taylorville South Fork sediment-retention weir in Christian County, Illinois. (a) Calibrate and verify existing TR-20 hydrologic model. Make any recommended changes to the hydrologic model based on standard model calibration procedures. (b) Calibrate and verify existing HEC-RAS hydraulic model. Provide special review near the existing Owaneco Road Bridge and proposed sheet-pile weir structure, especially bridge hydraulics and weir submergence. Comment on the appropriateness of HEC-RAS for modeling this structure. Make any recommended changes to the HEC-RAS hydraulic model based on standard model calibration procedures. 2) Design Alternatives -- The consultant will furnish a minimum of three design alternatives to increase capacity of the bridge and weir 50% greater than the final, calibrated hydrological model. Suggested variables include: (a) Weir length (b) Weir type (ogee or broad-crested vs. sharp-crested) (c) Bridge modifications. Alternatives will maintain high sediment storage effectiveness, only minimally increase cost, and not affect land rights acquisition. Each alternative will be modeled and a preliminary design sketch provided in AutoCAD drawing format. 3) Reports -- The selected firm will be required to provide brief status updates, orally or in writing, to the NRCS technical contact regarding preliminary findings 20 days, 30 days, 40 days and 50 days after contract award. 4) Key personnel -- The selected firm will provide a project manager to act as a point of contact for the contract. The principal engineers of the A-E firm will be licensed to practice engineering in the State of Illinois. 5) Performance time -- All work shall be completed in sixty calendar days after contract award. 6) Final Report -- The firm will provide three electronic copies and three written copies of all documentation, including a final written report to NRCS. The documentation shall include: (a) Calibration calculations and procedure (b) Calibrated TR-20 hydrological model (c) Calibrated HEC-RAS hydraulic model (d) Alternative design sketches in AutoCAD drawing format and hard copy. A professional engineer, registered in Illinois, shall stamp and seal the final report. This is a request for qualifications (RFQ) of A-E firms interested in contracting for this work described in this announcement. The A-E firm as used in this RFQ is a partnership, corporation, association, or other entity that will have contractual responsibility for the services described herein. The A-E selection will be completed in two stages as follows (note: A/E firms should follow the following instructions/procedures in lieu of the instructions contained in Standard Forms 254 and 255): Stage I: Interested firms will submit portfolios of examples of relevant work that establish the engineering capabilities of the A/E firm with a strong emphasis on hydrology and hydraulics. All documentation will be in an 8-1/2 " x 11" format. The portfolio should include the following: A) A cover letter referencing the CBD announcement and briefly describing the firm and its location, organizational makeup, and noteworthy accomplishments, B) Standard Forms 254 (Architect-Engineer and Related Services Questionnaire), and SF 255 (Architect-Engineer and Related Services Questionnaire for Specific Project). Identify all employees and consultants the A&E expects to utilize. C) Information submitted should be pertinent and specific in the technical area under consideration. Concise response to the following submission requirements and evaluation criteria in descending order of importance: 1) Professional qualifications necessary for satisfactory performance of professional services: Performance of the required service entails the use of a PhDor MS in Hydraulics, Hydrology, or closely related field, at least ten (10) years demonstrated professional experience and specialization in hydraulic and hydrology analysis and modeling. More weight will be given if the firm has a PhD with the above professional qualifications and experience. Each of the above named must have specialized training and be skilled in their respective fields. The quality of training, education, and professional excellence is measured on the Standard Form 255. Project manager or firm principal must be registered as a professional engineer in Illinois by contract award. The A-E firm will submit graphics (maximum of three pages per project) and a typewritten description (maximum of two pages per project) of not more than five relevant projects completed by the firm in the last five years. The narrative shall address the design approach with salient features for each project and discuss how the client's program, functional, image, mission, economic, schedule, and operational objectives were satisfied by the overall design/planning solution. Include tangible evidence where possible such as certificates, awards, peer recognition, etc., demonstrating design excellence. Provide a client reference contact for each project, including name, title, address, phone, and fax numbers. 2) Specialized experience and technical competence: The technical competency and the firms last five years of past activities demonstrating expertise calibrating hydraulic models including modeling weir and bridge flow using Corps of Engineers HEC-RAS and NRCS Technical Release 20 (TR-20) and other work aspects as demonstrated on the Standard Form 254. This will be a measure of the quantity and quality of completed hydraulic modeling projects including all components accomplished by the firm. Indicate experience using Illinois State Water Survey Bulletin 70 or 71 Rainfall data and familiarity with the permit requirements of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, office of Water Resources Dam Safety. Also included should be use of new and/or innovative methods for producing and calibrating a quality model within the constraints of these criteria. 3) Capacity to accomplish the work in the required time: Selected firm must demonstrate their ability to accomplish all phases of the designated work within the specified time. The firm is required to assess and relate its capacity (staff-years of the professionals and technicians mentioned in criterion 1 to be assigned to this contract) to mobilize and apply the necessary job skills at the proper time to meet schedules without interference from other assignments or jobs. 4) Past performance on contracts with Government agencies and private industry in terms of cost control, quality of work, and compliance with performance schedules: An evaluation of services provided other governmental agencies or private industry in terms of quality versus complexity of work and compliance with performance schedules. The firm should emphasize hydraulic modeling of similar size and complexity of work functions pertaining to previously spelled out criteria. The criteria are used to measure a firm's ability to perform and complete the contract work in a timely and satisfactory manner. 5) Location in the general area of the project and knowledge of the locality of the project, provided that application of the criterion leaves an appropriate number of qualified firms, given the nature and size of the project: Knowledge of site features, topography, etc. based on previous work experience at or near the project area. Stage II: After evaluation of the submissions, the panel will establish a short list of three or more firms that are considered the most highly qualified to provided the type of services required. NRCS will hold a pre-proposal meeting in which attendance by the short listed firms is mandatory. The short listed firms will be notified with specifics of the meeting along with 1) TR-20 and HEC-RAS models; 2) Summary of our hydraulic model criteria; and 3) a set of preliminary construction drawings for review before this meeting. Firms should be on notice that there will be a short timeframe from notification of short listed firms and the meeting date tentatively scheduled for March 20, 2000. During this meeting, the NRCS will provide the short listed firms with 1) Request for Proposal; 2) Detailed backup data for the hydraulic model; 3) Detailed evaluation criteria for Stage II and the date these submittals are due; 4) Explain the project in more detail; and 5) Answer any questions the firm may have. In addition to providing detailed evaluation criteria for Stage II at the pre-proposal meeting, firms will be asked to submit more detailed information indicating each member of the design team, including all outside consultants. The firms will be required to complete Standard Forms 254 and 255 that reflect the entire design team. Candidates should be prepared to address how they will demonstrate the ability to fulfill all project requirements. STAGE I SUBMITTAL PROCEDURES: Firms having the capabilities to perform the services described in this announcement are invited to respond by submitting completed SF-254's (for the A-E Firm"), which must be dated not more than twelve (12) months before the date of this synopsis, and SF-255 (for the "A-E Firm") along with letter of interest TO: Bernita Clark-Contract Specialist, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 1902 Fox Drive, Champaign, Illinois 61820. The following information MUST be on the outside of the sealed envelope: 1) Solicitation Number/Title, 2) Due Date, 3) Closing Time. Responses must be received before 5:00 p.m. Central Time Zone, on March 8, 2000, in order to be considered for selection. Late responses are subject to FAR Provision 52.214-7. In Block 8 of the SF-254, specify only current W-2 payroll (non-contract) personnel of each firm. In Block 10 of the SF-255, the A-E Design Firm MUST respond to the FIVE (5) EVALUATION CRITERIA stated in the CBD announcement for this STAGE I Solicitation. In BLOCK 11 of the SF-255, the A-E Firm MUST sign, name, title and date the submittal. The estimated contract start date is April 10, 2000. No further technical project specific information will be furnished before selection of short listed firms. Direct technical questions to Karl Visser at 217/353-6633. Direct administrative questions to Beverly Bartek or Bernita Clark at 217/353-6616. Participation in this procurement is restricted to small business firms (See Note 1). All work shall be completed 60 calendar days after contract award. The estimated cost range for this project is $25,000 -- $100,000. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. Posted 02/08/00 (W-SN423107). (0039)

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