C -- Design Services for National Bio and Agro Defense Facility (NBAF)

Architect-Engineering Services (A&E Services) are required for the production of specific Bio and Agro Defense Planning Services/Feasibility Study and the resultant design of the National Bio and Agro Defense Facility (NBAF) at a location yet to be determined. The proposed NBAF is an integrated human, foreign animal, and zoonotic disease research, development and testing facility that will allow for research to enhance agricultural and public health. The proposed NBAF would replace the existing Plum Island (PIDAC) facility and enhance capabilities to meet the mandated national and bio and agro-defense mission requirements of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA.) The estimated total cost for the project is approximately $451,000,000, including design and construction. This is a Request for Qualifications of A&E firms interested in contracting for this work. A&E firm, as used in this synopsis, is an association, joint venture, partnership or other entity that will have contractual responsibility for the project concept and design documents. The scope of the A&E services required under this proposed contract includes, but is not limited to, the following: Prepare a planning document/feasibility study to include the basic requirements and information needed to procure, plan, design and construct the NBAF; Prepare design documents for the NBAF facility through concepts, design development and construction documentation. The design A&E may also provide inspection services and shop drawing review during the construction of the project. The DHS has identified the need to establish an integrated research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E) infrastructure for combating bio and agro terrorism threats. The NBAF will enable DHS to fulfill its mission of detecting, preventing, protecting against and responding to bioterrorist attacks within the United States. The basic requirements and information needed to procure, plan, design and construct the NBAF shall be identified and documented in the planning document/feasibility study. The Planning document shall contain, at a minimum, the following information: Develop and document a summary of information on the program, and functions of the NBAF, including a statement of how NBAF requirements were developed; develop and document background and historical information, including information on the mission and functions of the Programs to be located in the NBAF; develop and document a summary describing the functional and space requirements of the NBAF for laboratory, office and support functions; develop and document functional and space requirements for animal, insectory, incineration and other functions. Program requirements shall include typical space definitions and criteria. The criteria for each type of function shall be specified, including architectural features such as floors, walls, ceilings, illumination, electrical power and mechanical requirements. Space requirements shall include a chart indicating by function or other definitive nomenclature the net area, the occupying organizational unit and staff, and specific architectural, environmental, and utility needs. Include the net area for each major function that will occupy the NBAF and develop estimates of the gross area needed to support the required net area. Develop and document a phasing, move and backfill strategy for all of the Programs and facility components. The NBAF project will integrate those aspects of public and animal health research that have been determined to be central to national security; meet the related and synergistic homeland defense RDT&E responsibilities by: providing essential animal model test and evaluation capacity to support licensure of vaccine countermeasures; providing a unique biosafety level (BSL3/Ag and BSL4) livestock capable laboratory for developing countermeasures for foreign animal diseases; and providing advanced test and evaluation capability for threat detection, vulnerability and countermeasure assessment for animal and zoonotic diseases. The proposed 520,000 square foot building must provide modern, safe and secure biocontainment laboratories of sufficient capacity to provide animal testing capability needed for the licensure of the human disease vaccines; defend against high-consequence human and foreign animal diseases in livestock; and provide the essential DHS infrastructure requirements for threat characterization, forensics, and detection. The co-location of human and agricultural Biodefense efforts will create an integrated and comprehensive system to rapidly recognize and characterize biological agents in human and animal populations, food, water, agriculture, and the environment. Since the U. S. is lacking in such critical national capability, acquiring an operational facility as soon as possible is of high priority. This procurement is unrestricted. The purpose of this procurement is to select a highly qualified A&E Services firm with demonstrated experience planning facilities and the design of level 2, 3, 3Ag & 4 laboratories and vivarium and associated support spaces, or similar facilities. This contract will be procured in accordance with the Brooks A-E Act as implemented in Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Part 36.6. The A&E Services firm will be selected in accordance with the evaluation criteria set forth in this synopsis, the evaluation criteria in FAR Section 36.602-1, through review of Standard Form (SF) 330's and subsequent interviews. The top ranked A&E Services firm will be sent a Request for Proposal based on demonstrated competence and the unique qualifications for the required work. After receipt of the firm's proposal, negotiations will proceed. A single firm-fixed price contract will be negotiated with separate line items for the Planning Services/Feasibility Study and Design. Only the Feasibility Study will be awarded initially; the Design of the new facility will be awarded by modification after completion of the Feasibility Study and Environmental Impact Study (EIS). The EIS will be performed under a separate contract. If a large business is selected for this contract, it must comply with FAR 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan, regarding the requirement for a subcontracting plan on that part of the work it intends to subcontract. The Small Business Subcontracting Goal for Fiscal Year 2006 is 40%, which includes the following: Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) - 8%; Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB) - 7%; HUBZone Small Business - 3%; Small Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) - 3%. The plan is not required with this submittal, but will be required with the fee proposal of the firm selected for negotiations. The Government intends to utilize a Construction Manager at Risk or Construction Manager as Constructor (CMc) Contract procedure for this requirement. Two contracts will ultimately be awarded: one to the A&E Services firm selected as a result of this notice; the other to a construction firm. Under this concept, the CMc functions as a collaborative member of the project team. The CMc will be responsible for all construction under a single contract and also provides expertise during the design process for the Government by checking estimates and performing constructability reviews. It is anticipated that award of the CMc contract will follow closely behind the award of the A&E Services design contract so that the CMc can provide preconstruction services during the design phase. At a pre-determined point in the design phase (likely at 70% design), the CMc offers a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) and construction of the project will begin, before design completion. Actual construction is estimated to commence about 15 months after design begins and be completed within approximately 42 months, including commissioning. SELECTION CRITERIA: In addition to the evaluation criteria in FAR Section 36.602-1, the following criteria will be used in the selection of the A-E firm: (1) Firms will be evaluated in terms of their relevant experience, including relevant experience of staff members, specifically for planning services, outlining the basic requirements and information needed to procure, plan, design and construct the NBAF. (2) Firms will be evaluated in terms of their relevant experience, including relevant experience of staff members, specifically on design work required by this procurement. Responsive firms will list all projects completed in the last ten years, which are of similar nature and scope as described herein, particularly the firm's ability/past experience in working with CMc's and the Guaranteed Maximum Price process. The list shall include project name, project location, project scope and current contract information. (3) Responsive firms will provide a list of key personnel, including subcontractors, proposed to work on this contract, and will indicate the percentage of total work the prime contractor expects to complete with its own work force. (4) Firms shall document each person's role in preparing construction documents. (5) Demonstrate knowledge of codes, laws, permits and construction materials and practices. (6) Provide information on past performance on contracts with Government agencies and private industry in terms of cost control, quality of work, compliance with performance schedules and current Federal directives for sustainable design. (7) Demonstrate knowledge of environmental conditions/issues to include wetlands, water tables, flood planes, weather/climate conditions, coastal conditions, ecological concerns, and historical/archeological issues. (8) provide information on the firm's quality control program which the firm uses to ensure (a) technical accuracy, (b) discipline coordination, including cross-discipline design checks, (c) ability to monitor time, (d) costs are kept within assigned limits, (e) quality of design, and (f) coordination and oversight of subcontractors/consultants. No solicitation package is available. Interested firms having the capabilities for this work are invited to submit original and six (6) copies of SF 330, Architect-Engineer Qualifications, to the Contracting Office listed above, Attn: Danny T. Hager, Contracting Officer. The SF 330 may be expanded, if necessary, to address the selection criteria fully. A completed SF 330 shall be submitted for each proposed key consultant. All submittals are due no later than 4:00 PM Eastern Time May 31, 2006. Interested firms are invited to attend a pre-submittal conference at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Bldg 90, Brunswick (Glynco), Georgia, on April 27, 2006, at 9:00 AM. The agenda will include an overview of this requirement, followed by a question and answer period. Provide names of attendees to the Contracting Officer via e-mail no later than 4:00 PM Eastern Time, April 25, 2006. Point of Contact: Danny T. Hager, Contracting Officer, +1 (555) 000-0000 contact@example.gov. Alternate POC: Robert E. Driggers, Contracting Officer +1 (555) 000-0000 contact@example.gov.