C--VISN 12 AE IDIQ #01

This is a list of questions that have been submitted for this presolicitation, along with answers for each. Continue to use the latest modified presolicitation posted on 2/3/2010 for the requirements. Are there specific initiatives and/or goals for the VA in VISN 12 in the area of bio-mass renewable energy? This was included in the criteria of the presolicitation as one of the many potential energy projects that may be needed over the course of these AE IDIQ contracts. Regarding the referenced solicitation, please clarify whether submissions are limited to ten (10) projects in Part F of the SF330. The presolicitation is asking for 10 projects to be listed in Part F of the SF330, but it is up to the firm whether or not to submit more. A question regarding the IDIQ project- are you selecting A/E's for each site or for all the sites in one? The VA NEBC is selecting A/E's for each VISN, not each facility in the VISN. The locations are wide spread, but as long as the prime firm is within 100 miles of one of the primary medical center facilities in the VISN, they are eligible. Are consultants to the prime required to be within 100 miles of one of the primary medical center facilities in the VISN? Only the prime must be within the 100 mile radius. Are we required to include all 'possible' disciplines at this time as outlined in the description, or should we only include MEP/FP Engineering? The disciplines listed in the solicitation include Structural, Civil, Landscape, Geotechnical, Surveying/Mapping, Hazardous Materials / Environmental Services, NEPA, Historic Preservation, Cost Estimation? The presolicitation listed all the possible disciplines that could be involved with this AE IDIQ, and firms are to create their teams accordingly. Could you clarify what you mean by "Management Plan"? The VA is looking for how the Management of the firm will handle each of the phases mentioned in this section. This is left open for the interpretation of each firm to address this in the manner they feel will fit best. We are doing a joint venture for the above project with an MPE firm and need to know if each firm can submit 10 projects in SF 330 Section F or is it limited to 10 projects for the entire team? That is up to the firms. Regarding the subject Presolictation notice posted on Fed Biz Opps, does the VA intend to issue a formal RFP for these requirements? The presolicitation is the only part that will be posted on FBO, as the VA is following the FAR 36.6 Architect and Engineering and Brooks Act procedures for this procurement. The Pre-solicitation notice states that "If acceptable SF-330 packages are received from Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) or Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB) firms, the government reserves the right to conduct discussions with the highest qualified SDVOSB or VOSB firm." Will companies receive a preference if they utilize a SDVOSB company as a subcontractor under this procurement? This is only available for the prime firms. Does the VA require the A/E to be able to evaluate building energy use and provide an EPA Energy Star energy performance rating? This will be on a per task order basis depending on the project type. What is the design goal energy performance rating for renovations and additions to VA buildings? The goals will be on a per task order basis depending on the type of project. Will Joint Ventures be considered for past performance on the SF 330? If so, what guidelines or regulations will be followed to recognize the Joint Venture? Also, Can the partnering Joint Venture Non-SDVOSB firm that possesses the professional licenses qualify the Joint Venture team for licenses requirements? What percentage of work has to be performed by a SDVOSB to still qualify or remain eligible as a SDVOSB lead team? A joint venture may be considered a service-disabled veteran owned small business concern if-- (1) At least one member of the joint venture is a service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern, and makes the following representations: That it is a service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern, and that it is a small business concern under the North American Industry Classification Systems (NAICS) code assigned to the procurement; (2) Each other concern is small under the size standard corresponding to the NAICS code assigned to the procurement; and (3) The joint venture meets the requirements of paragraph 7 of the explanation of Affiliates in 19.101 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation. (4) The joint venture meets the requirements of 13 CFR 125.15(b). (e) Any service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern (non-manufacturer) must meet the requirements in 19.102(f) of the Federal Acquisition Regulation to receive a benefit under this program. Also, FAR 19.502 discusses the percentage of work an SDVOSB must do. What is the maximum file size limit that the VA email system can accept from outside senders? Would you accept multiple emails 1 of 2 , 2 of 2 etc for the same submittal? The limit is around 6 MB that we can accept. Multiple emails are acceptable, if labeled 1 of 2, etc. With regards to section F how would you be ranking this section would more weight be given to VA projects, Retro-Commissioning Projects, or Governmental work? The reason we ask the question is that we have preformed considerable amount of work in each category and we want to demonstrate the projects that you are looking for. The projects that were listed in this email, are similar to what is listed in the presolicitation. Firms are to put projects that best demonstrate what is listed in the presolicitation. The section F portion of the SF 330 allows the VA to view what projects a firm has performed on. Can a non-architect/engineer owned SDVOSB firm submit to provide A/E services using consultants as the professionals to provide the A/E services as long as the SDVOSB has engineering services listed on their CCR registration? The criteria in the presolicitation must be met to be considered for this AE IDIQ contract. If the interested firm meets the NAICS code, and the other criteria then it will be evaluated. Also reference FAR 52.219-14 regarding subcontractors of SDVOSB firms. These three items request a considerable amount of information for projects listed in Part 19 of the SF 330, which are the Relevant Projects that are listed in Section E, Resumes. Are you sure this what you want? We estimate a minimum of 25 resumes. Each resume has ~5 projects. Many are duplicates, but there could easily be over 50 projects. Did you mean to provide the information for the projects in Section F, which are limited to 10? A list of questions and answers for this presolicitation was posted on 2/1/2010, and this question was one of them on there. The response basically suggested a representative sampling from the resumes will work, as long as it best illustrates what the firm and its team members have done in terms of items 5, 6, and 7. By no means do we expect all fifty projects to be addressed. If the firm submits as a sub consultant on one team does that pre-clued them from acting as prime? A firm can only submit as a prime once, but firms can be sub-consultants for multiple teams. Questions 5, 6, and 7 of SF330-Part H (Additional Information) refer to relevant projects that were listed in SF330 Part 19 - Relevant Projects listed under the Individual Resumes. However, SF330-Section F list Example Projects which best illustrate Proposed Team's Qualifications? These Projects do not have to be the same. Would you please clarify; for questions 5, 6, and 7, are you wanting the additional information of the Individual Resume Projects in Part 19 (as currently stated), or the Team's Projects displayed in Section F? This presolicitation is asking for question 5,6, and 7 to be addressed through part 19. Both Part 19 and Section F do overlap with some of the information, while some is different. It is up to the firms to determine how to address this section. There is room for flexibility here, as long as this part is answered. Do we send electronic versions for each one via email and no hard copies? Also, in the past, for SF-330 submittals, I have submitted a SF-330 for each of our subconsultants in their own section, which was widely accepted. Is this acceptable with your agency too? Please send electronic copies via email to contact@example.gov. It is acceptable and up to each firm whether or not they would like to submit a SF330 for each sub.