C--VA-251-09-RP-0135 A/E HEALING GARDENS

THE SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE ORIGINALLY POSTED INDICATED THISPROCUREMENT WAS SET-ASIDE FOR EMERGING SMALL BUSINESS (ESB) FIRMS FORNORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRY CLASSIFICIATION SYSTEM (NAICS) CODE 541320LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION IT WAS DISCOVERED ESBSET-ASIDES FOR NAICS CODE 541320 ARE NOT AUTHORIZED DUE TO THE FACTNAICS CODE 541320 IS NOT PART OF THE SMALL BUSINESS COMPETITIVENESSDEMONSTRATION PROGRAM (SEE FAR 19.10)AND THEREFORE THE PROCUREMENTACTION IS NOW OPEN TO ALL QUALIFIED FIRMS LARGE OR SMALL (FULL AND OPENCOMPETITION). FIRMS WHO HAVE ALREADY PROVIDED AN SF330 SUBMISSION PACKAGE NEED NOTSUBMIT AGAIN. THE ANNOUNCEMENT NOW READS AS FOLLOWS: 1. CONTRACT INFORMATION: This contract is being procured in accordancewith the Brooks A-E Act as implemented in FAR Subpart 36.6. The toprated firm will be selected for negotiations based on demonstratedcompetence and qualifications for the required work. A-E services arerequired for Schematics, Design Development, Construction Documents,Technical Specifications, Construction Period Services, Site Visits,Cost Estimates, and all other related information for the subjectproject. North American Industrial Classification System code is 541320Landscape Architecture. This announcement is being conducted as full andopen competition - all qualified AE firms large and small are eligibelto submit. A firm-fixed-price contract will be negotiated with theselected firm. The contract is anticipated to be awarded in May 2009 anddesign completed by July 2009. The anticipated CONSTRUCTION costmagnitude is between $100,000 and $250,000. To be eligible for contractaward, a firm must be registered in the Central Contractor Registration(CCR) Register via the CCR website at http://www.ccr.gov. 2. PROJECT INFORMATION: 1. The successful Architect/Engineer firm shallprovide landscape architectural design services necessary to furnish:Schematics, Design Development, Construction Documents, TechnicalSpecifications, Construction Period Services, Site Visits, CostEstimates, and all other related information for Project 515-09-106,Healing Gardens, at the VA Medical Center in Battle Creek, Michigan. 2.The project will design landscaping features to include bushes, trees,flowers, ground cover, walking paths, and water features. Coordinateall activities with the VA Medical Center (VAMC). Hold informalmeetings (upon mutual consent of the VA and the A/E) at the VAMC todiscuss the design and related issues. Continue to expand contacts bytelephone, rough sketch studies and other means of communication withthe purpose of finalizing a general design approach to be followed. Final approved Schematic documents shall be the basis for thedevelopment of the Design Development phase. Likewise, final approvedDesign Development documents shall be the basis for the development ofthe Construction Documents phase. The VAMC must approve any changesfrom each set of documents before the A/E proceeds to the next phase. VA will review all submittals for functional and aestheticrelationships. However, no further functional decisions are anticipatedafter the Design Development phase. Provide a design narrative/analysis for each technical discipline (e.g.,architectural, mechanical, fire protection, etc.) which describes theintent of each discipline with schematic and/or design developmentsubmission. Provide computations and sizing calculations for electrical, mechanical(HVAC, plumbing, and steam), sanitary, structural and fire protectiondesigns. For computerized calculations, submit complete and cleardocumentation of computer programs, interpretation of input/output, anddescription of program procedures. Provide individually packaged drawings for each submission to each unitspecified in the "Distribution of A/E Materials" section. Submit a complete set of final approved drawings incorporating allrevisions, within 15 days after completion of the Schematics and DesignDevelopment stages. Submit final drawings (Bid Documents) on CD to be used with the AutoCADversion at the VAMC. Submit instructions on the use of the disks alongwith a complete listing of all layers that are used. 3. SELECTION CRITERIA: The selection criteria for this particularproject are listed hereafter in descending order of importance: A. Specialized experience and technical competence of the firm(including a joint venture or association) with the type of servicesrequired. B. Specific experience and qualifications of personnel proposed forassignment to the project and record of working together as a team. C. Professional capacity of the firm in the designated geographic areaof the project to perform work (including any specialized services)within the time limitations. D. Past record of performance on contracts with the Department ofVeterans Affairs. This factor may be used to adjust scoring for anyunusual circumstances that may be considered to deter adequateperformance by an A/E. E. Geographic location and facilities of the working office(s) whichwould provide the professional services and familiarity with the area inwhich the project is located. F. Demonstrate success in prescribing the use of recovered materials andachieving waste reduction and energy efficiency in facility design. G.Inclusion of small business consultant(s). 4. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS: FIRMS WHO HAVE ALREADY PROVIDED AN SF330 SUBMISSION PACKAGE NEED NOTSUBMIT AGAIN. Other interested firms who were previously ineligible due to theerroneous ESB set-aside and have the capabilities to perform this workand would like to be considered must submit two copies of SF 330 (formavailable on-line at: http://vaww.va.gov/facmgt/ae) for the prime firmand all consultants, to the Department of Veterans Affairs, VA MedicalCenter, 5500 Armstrong Road, Building 9, Room 105, Battle Creek, MI49037, Attn: Scott D. Brennan, by 4:00 PM local time on April 7, 2009.The SF 330 shall not exceed 50 pages. Facsimile or email transmissionswill not be accepted. Solicitation packages are not provided and noadditional project information will be given to firms during theannouncement period. This is not a request for proposal. The Governmentwill not pay nor reimburse any costs associated with responding to thissources sought synopsis request. Award of any resultant contract iscontingent upon the availability of funds. See Numbered Note 24.