C--Anderson Eng. AE IDIQ Midwest District

Call for SF330 s Midwest District Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity Contracts Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration (NCA) The Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration is seeking Architectural/Engineering Firms to submit Standard Form (SF) 330 for Architect/Engineer (A/E) design services and other A/E services for construction, renovation, repairs, and commissioning of cemeteries, buildings, roadways, and infrastructure projects located throughout the Midwest District. Construction Management (CM) and Inspection services and other related services for construction, renovation, repairs, and commissioning of cemeteries, buildings, roadways, and infrastructure projects located throughout the Midwest District. The Midwest District consists of the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. NCA plans to enter into multiple-award, indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) task order contracts for A/E services. The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Codes are 541310 Architectural Services and 541330 Engineering Services and the small business size standards are $7.5M and $15M respectively. Under the Veterans First Contracting program, as required by 38 U.S.C. 8127-8128, and as implemented under VA Acquisition Regulation (VAAR) subpart 819.70, this procurement is a total Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) set aside. The term Service-disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) under the Veterans First Contracting program has the same meaning as service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern defined in FAR subpart 2.101, except for acquisitions authorized by 38 U.S.C. 8127 and 8128 for the Veterans First Contracting Program. To be eligible for award under the Veterans First Contracting Program, in addition to meeting the NAICS code small business size standard, these businesses must be listed as verified in the Vendor Information Pages (VIP) database at https://www.vip.vetbiz.gov. To be considered for this procurement, all SDVOSB firms that submit Standard Form (SF) 330s must be listed in the Veterans Information Page (VIP) as a verified SDVOSB. Offers from unverified SDVOSBs are considered deficient and will not be evaluated further. A firm s status will be verified in VIP at time of receipt of the SF 330, prior to conducting evaluations/interviews/discussions, and again, prior to award. This set aside process is in keeping with VA Procurement Policy Memorandum 2016-05 Implementation of the Veterans First Contracting Program, FAR Part 19, and the requirements of FAR 36.6 for acquiring Architect-Engineer Services. SELECTION CRITERIA This contract will be procured under the Brooks A/E Act and FAR Part 36. This is not a request for proposal. In accordance with FAR Part 15.3 and Part 36.6, a two-stage process shall be used in the award selection as follows: In Stage 1, prospective offerors will assemble their technical teams and submit SF330 Part I and Part II to include detailed information about their proposed team, management plan, and other requirements described below. In addition, offerors will submit a portfolio of work from the architectural or landscape architectural lead designer, explaining their design philosophy and capabilities. Offerors will be ranked by a Technical Evaluation Board based on Evaluation Factors provided in this announcement. While the government intends to execute Stage 2, it reserves the right at its sole discretion to make awards solely based on written submissions, contractors are advised to include all information in their written submission. In Stage 2, upon notification, the offerors will be interviewed by the Technical Evaluation Board. Interviews will be based on the original evaluation criteria offering a chance for clarification and discussion of the SF 330 submissions. The Technical Evaluation Board may make alterations to the rankings based on information gathered in the interviews, consistent with the announced Evaluation Factors and will recommend the offeror(s) for award to the Source Selection Authority. All NCA design projects are required to achieve excellence in design. Familiarity with sustainable design through an integrated design approach is required and experience with LEED and SITES certification is expected. A significant number of NCA structures are historic. Also, expertise with environmental issues such as sustainability, energy modeling, alternative energy application and related items will receive a higher ranking in the respective ranking categories over firms demonstrating simple experience. Expertise with national cemeteries will receive a higher ranking in the respective ranking categories over firms demonstrating simple experience with relevant projects and similar customers. Interested firms having the qualifications to meet these requirements are invited to submit their proposal using Standard Form 330 along with a letter of interest and lead designer portfolio. Please be specific, provide pertinent and requested information. Vague, relative and general information will be discounted. Projects completed before 2010 will not be considered. Only the top rated firms will be recommended for interview by the Technical Evaluation Board based solely on their written response to this announcement and reference contacts. Interested firms must include Part II (General Qualification) for each firm that is part of the proposed team. Selection will be based on the most highly qualified team with an experienced lead designer. Offerors must submit their SF330 Part I and Part II with a letter of interest as a wire-bound portfolio (8 ½ x 11 ). Additional instructions for Part I are listed below. SF-330, PART I, SECTION C: Section C may be modified to provide more than six proposed team members. However, prioritize team members and use the first slots for those that are most important to creating the best well rounded team or demonstrate your concentrated areas of expertise. It is recommended that firms creating a well-rounded team or demonstrating concentrated areas of expertise listed in Section C, also be included in Section F. SF-330, PART I, SECTION D: Include an organization chart of the team. Be specific and include team member names with professional credentials and affiliated firm. SF-330, PART I, SECTION E, ITEM 13, "ROLE IN THIS CONTRACT": Only a few individuals in the lead firm and prime consultants will work with NCA on a regular basis. NCA considers these individuals as "Key Personnel". Those individuals that best represent your ability to accomplish the requirements of this contract should be prioritized and placed in the first few pages of Section E with those roles clearly noted in Item 13. CEOs and other executive personnel should not be submitted as "Key Personnel" unless they have direct responsibility for accomplishing the task orders. Important team members or consultants that would have a primary, but not regular role can be placed after "Key Personnel". It is highly recommended to color code Section E to differentiate prime contractor personnel from sub-contractor personnel. It is also recommended that personnel directly responsible for work submitted in Section F should also be included in Section E. SF330, PART I, SECTION F: As stated in the SF330, provide example projects which best illustrate proposed team's qualifications for this contract and provide a brief description of the project and relevance to this contract. It is highly recommended to color code Section F to differentiate prime contractor projects from any projects where a sub-contractor might have been the prime contractor. Projects should demonstrate ability to successfully accomplish a wide range of project types, sizes and budgets. A representative floor plan, site plan, a building section, or other appropriate drawing, and a minimum of four photographs must be included for each project. It is important to carefully match example project titles used in different areas of the proposal for clarity. This is particularly true of example projects used in Section F and Section H. SF330, SECTION H, ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Also, include a Management Plan (not to exceed 3 pages) with a clear plan of the team's overall management philosophy that includes the following information: organizational chart from Section D, the team's project assignment methodology and approach; a strategy for designing and producing all work within the negotiated fee; a plan for designing a project that will meet the Government's limited construction budgets; a plan for scheduling that includes a subheading on managing and scheduling projects with the Government's unpredictable issuance of task orders in terms of number, importance and urgency; and a plan to bring projects in on contract required budgets of +/- 5% and track/control costs. Also, provide a Communication Plan in conjunction with the Section D organization chart that clearly articulates a plan demonstrating the approach and overall strategy to communication including roles, responsibilities, goals, possible stakeholders, technology, thoughts on being responsive to an issue or how the team will be proactive on emerging situations, evaluation, midcourse corrections and any additional information about the organization. Also, provide a Quality Control Plan that will assure a quality project; provide well coordinated drawings within each discipline, across disciplines, and with specifications; control costs, provide quality control during design and during construction; include quality assurance approach for meeting Statement of Work, limited budgets and schedules; show a clear understanding of how the team uses specifications in controlling cost and assist in management during construction. Also, provide a section on Lessons Learned, what have been the typical problems areas in design and construction, what has worked to solve those problems and what has not worked. Also, provide past performance documentation (for each sample project submitted in section F). Provide copies of any performance evaluations or owner review of firm's performance; provide an owner point of contact including name, title, address and current phone number, references will be contacted; provide copies (or listing) of awards; provide copies of letters of appreciation and commendations. As a separate, wire-bound document, submit a portfolio (8 ½ x 11 x ¼ thick) representative of the Architectural or Landscape Architectural Lead Designer's ability to provide high quality design (not to exceed 5 projects completed over the past five years). Each example project should include no more than three (3) pages describing project challenges, application of design intent, objective details, facts, salient features, constructed system and operations, performance history, and other verifiable information that can substantiate high quality design. Describe how the client s program, image, mission, economic, schedule, and operations and maintenance objectives were satisfied by the overall design/planning solution. Photographs, sketches and drawings are welcome. The portfolio must also include a three-page lead designer profile (noting such facts as education, professional experience, design recognitions, areas of responsibility and level of commitment to each project) and a two-page statement of the lead designer s philosophy and design intent that incorporates an understanding of design issues for national cemeteries, approach to historic architecture, commitment to integrated and sustainable design, energy efficiency, and challenges of meeting federal standards, codes, and regulations. The team may suggest and provide design approach statements for other disciplines such as electrical, civil, or other areas for which they have exceptional designers that might be relevant (one-page per discipline). EVALUATION FACTORS Offerors will be evaluated on five (5) factors, listed in descending order of relative importance. Descriptions of each Evaluation Factor for this procurement are listed below: 1. Specialized Experience & Past Performance on Design 2. Professional Qualifications 3. Lead Designer Portfolio 4. Firm Capacity 5. Geographic Location 1. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE & PAST PERFORMANCE ON DESIGN Offerors will be evaluated on the team's demonstrated experience, performance, technical abilities, and range of project work (scope, budget, and complexity) for new construction, renovations, major modernizations, building additions, historic restorations, cemetery design, NCA projects, golf courses, etc., among other tasks listed in the SOW. Submissions will be evaluated on demonstrated ability to execute constructible, biddable, and well-coordinated construction documents, while meeting schedules and tracking/controlling costs to bring projects in on budget +/- 5%. Past performance on contracts with government agencies and private industry in terms of cost control, quality of work, and compliance with performance schedules will be evaluated. Past performance and specialized experience will also be evaluated based on example projects with past client/customer reviews. Offerors are encouraged to list awards, letters of recommendation, outstanding merits, evaluations, or letters from past clients that demonstrate quality in design, superior project management, customer service, or professional performance. The Government may also use corporate knowledge when evaluating this factor. 2. PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS Offerors must provide background of firms (prime and sub-consultants) and list of key personnel with professional registrations, certifications, licenses and/or other relevant credentials (ex. Registered Architect-RA, Registered Landscape Architect-RLA, Professional Engineer-PE, LEED Accredited Professional, Certified Planner, Professional Land Surveyor-PLS, etc.). List all State registrations for individuals licensed in multiple jurisdictions. Key personnel of the team who will be directly involved in providing the contract services will be evaluated on education, project experience, technical ability and other relevant qualifications that will provide the best opportunity for the successful completion of task orders under this contract. Indicate specific role of key personnel for this contract and their level of involvement in example projects under Section G in Part 1 of the SF330. 3. LEAD DESIGNER PORTFOLIO Information requested for placement in the SF 330, Section H, including the portfolios and design approach statements, will be evaluated for outstanding talent in both architecture and engineering. Design solutions will be evaluated for above standard talent, application, execution and performance. Consideration will be given for design awards in both architecture and engineering disciplines based on type and relative application. Design approach statements will be evaluated for the lead designer s commitment to excellence in their profession. Evaluation will also consider business philosophy, customer service philosophy and standard level of care. 4. FIRM CAPACITY Firms must have adequate staffing and be able to handle multiple projects simultaneously within the designated District. Offerors must provide an organizational chart identifying key personnel for this contract with a management plan to address cost control, quality of work, and compliance with performance schedules. Additionally, offerors must describe the firm s ability to accomplish the work with in-house personnel either on-site or at branch offices, and clearly delineate what work will be performed by sub-consultants. Proposals will be evaluated on how teams are organized, effectiveness of the organization, how well the teams works together, how they will maintain good working relationships; that roles, responsibilities and authorities are clearly established; how the teams can be proactive or responsive to emerging situations, conducting situation evaluations and make midcourse corrections. Evaluation will be on communication, is there a plan and commitment to timely communications; are communications defined, clear, and efficient and demonstrate how stakeholders are included. The evaluation will also consider the firm s present workload and the availability of the project team for the specified contract performance period. Specify the percentage of work on each project performed by each partner, if the project is a joint venture. If supplemental resources are needed, identify how the resources will be obtained through partnering or teaming. 5. GEOGRAPHIC PLAN The plan will outline the team's knowledge of Geographical Area, along with the team s ability to accomplish the required A/E services. Offeror s must indicate firm s/team s location, including main offices, branch offices and any sub-consultants offices and demonstrate how the team will service the geographic area. The plan shall demonstrate knowledge of local conditions within the geographical area including tactical, operational, strategic issues for all areas of design, as well as bidding and construction related to the key disciplines. This will include everything from supply, labor force, weather and seismic conditions, to the local construction climate's impact on cost estimating. There will also be consideration given to how key team members can conduct pre-design site review of the proposed work without incurring extra cost to the government for travel. This notice serves as the Governments call for Standard Form (SF) 330s from interested SDVOSB Architectural/Engineering (A/E) Firm concerns. Firms that meet the requirements described in this announcement are invited to submit one (1) electronic copy of their SF-330 package via e-mail to Mr. William Robbins at contact@example.gov and four (4) hard copies by 4:00 pm EDT May 8, 2017. SF-330, Part I may be accompanied by any other evidence of experience and capabilities the applicant considers relevant. Part II shall be submitted for each proposed consultant s office involved. The evaluation board will prepare a selection report recommending firms, in order of preference based on the combined SF330 and discussion/interview score, that are considered to be the most highly qualified to perform the required services. The selection authority shall review the recommendations of the evaluation board and shall, with the advice of appropriate technical and staff representatives, make the final selection. This final selection shall be a listing, in order of preference, of the firms considered most highly qualified to perform the work. If the firm listed as the most preferred is not the firm recommended as the most highly qualified by the evaluation board, the selection authority shall provide for the contract file a written explanation of the reason for the preference. All firms on the final selection list are considered selected firms with which the contracting officer may negotiate in accordance with FAR 36.606, beginning with the most preferred firm in the final selection. If a mutually satisfactory contract cannot be negotiated, the contracting officer shall obtain a written final proposal revision from the firm, and notify the firm that negotiations have been terminated. The Contracting Officer will then initiate negotiations with the next firm on the final selection list. Questions regarding this procurement should be directed, in writing, to the Contract Specialist Mr. William Robbins at contact@example.gov . It is the intent of the Contracting Officer award up to three multiple award IDIQ contracts under this solicitation each to have a minimum guarantee of $5,000 and a maximum value of $25M (if all option are exercised).