AE Services to Support the Environmental Restoration Program (HTRW)

Document Type: Solicitation Announcement-AM01 Classification Code: C - Architect and Engineering Services Subject: Notice for Architect and Engineering (AE) Services to the Environmental Restoration Program, Mobile District, South Atlantic Division (SAD), USACE Solicitation Number: W9127821R0003 Set-Aside Code: Partial SB set-aside Response Date: 07 October 2021 Place of Performance: USACE, Mobile District CONTRACT INFORMATION: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, SAD, Mobile District requires AE Services for Environmental Restoration Program. Services are to be provided under a Multiple Award Task Order a Contract (MATOC). This procurement will be conducted in accordance with the Architect and Engineer Selection Procedures (formerly referred to as the Brooks Act). The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this action is 541330. It is open to all AE firms regardless of size. The Government intends to award approximately nine (9) contracts that will utilize a total shared capacity of $99,000,000 for a term not to exceed five (5) years. The Government intends to award six (6) or more contracts on an Unrestricted (UR) basis that will share $89,000,000 in capacity and three (3) or more contracts set-aside for Small Business (SB) that will share $10,000,000 in capacity. In the event there are not three (3) SBs determined to be most highly qualified AE firms, the capacity set-aside for SBs will be rolled into the UR pool. Work under this contract will be subject to satisfactory negotiation of individual firm fixed price task orders. Rates will be negotiated for each 12-month period of the contract. Task orders will be competed among the MATOC holders using Architect and Engineer Selection procedures pursuant to FAR Subpart 36.6 in accordance with EP 715-1-7, the USACE TORN Process, and FAR 16.505(b)(1). SB MATOC holders will be able to compete for all task orders. UR MATOC holders will be able to compete on task orders that are not set-aside for SBs. AE services under $250,000 will be set-aside for SBs. All MATOC holders, regardless of size, shall provide AE services to support the Environmental Restoration Program as defined in 40 U.S.C. 1101 and FAR 2.101. All interested AE firms are cautioned to review the restrictions of FAR Part 9.5 (Organizational and Consultant Conflicts of Interest). Awardees must also comply with FAR Clause 52.204-25 (Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment) and FAR Provision 52.204-24 (Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment). PROJECT INFORMATION: This procurement is seeking AE services as defined in 40 U.S.C. 40 U.S.C. 1101 and FAR 2.101 to support the Environmental Restoration Program. The services are intended to provide a full range of comprehensive support environmental services focused on complex Hazardous, Toxic, and Radioactive Waste (HTRW) projects to include strategy development, plans, data gathering, analysis, evaluations, studies, designs, remedial design, and regulatory support specific to the Environmental Restoration Program. Support is provided in compliance with DoD instruction, policy and guidance, as well as State, Federal and local criteria, and requires multiple contracting resources to provide Environmental Restoration support for its diverse range of stakeholders to include the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, Defense Logistics Agency, National Guard, Environmental Protection Agency, General Services Administration, U.S. Department of Agriculture, other Department of Defense (DoD) components, Department of Homeland Security, National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, General Services Administration, and others. These environmental services will be provided at various military, Federal, and other installations within the Mobile District's Area of Responsibility (AOR) including civil, military and Federal installations, property formerly known by DoD, EPA superfund sites, and/or other locations that may be assigned to the Mobile District. AE firms are required to provide services such as (but not limited to): Analyzing and evaluating environmental regulations for implementing studies, designs, and program initiative; providing comprehensive programmatic support of policies, guidance and regulations for various stakeholders and agencies; HTRW investigations and studies; HTRW remedial design; HTRW feasibility study, proposed plan, public meeting, and record of decision; HTRW vapor intrusion investigation and/or vapor intrusion remedial design; HTRW pilot study and/or bench study hazardous, toxic and radioactive material/waste site investigations/ assessments; treatability studies; pilot studies; risk assessments; sampling and analyses; data validation; electronic data management; geotechnical investigations; monitoring well installation; groundwater modeling; groundwater and surface water quality assessments; water reuse initiatives; vapor intrusion monitoring, assessment and modeling; environmental site assessments; surveys/inspections for asbestos, leaded paint, and other HTRW materials; and investigation/study/assessment of emerging contaminants such as per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). SELECTION CRITERIA: The source selection factors for this procurement are listed below in descending order of importance. Factors 1 through 6 are primary. Factor 7 is secondary and will only be used as a tie-breaker among technically equal firms. Primary factors will be assigned a rating from - outstanding to - unsatisfactory, based on the risk to the Government that the Offeror will successfully perform that evaluated factor. An overall rating will also be applied to the proposal submission using the same rating scale. Proposals failing to respond or provide complete information for each factor, as required by this solicitation, will be determined non-compliant and will be removed from further consideration. After all ratings have been assigned, Offerors will be ranked as - Most Highly Qualified, - Highly Qualified, and - Not Qualified in accordance with EP 715-1-7 Architect-Engineer Contracting In USACE. For purposes of this solicitation, a stand-alone contract (such as a - C or - P-type contract) or single task order under an Indefinite Delivery Contract is considered one project. Separating activities performed under a contract or task order will not be considered multiple projects; conversely, combining activities performed under separate contracts or task orders to produce a single project will not be considered. Projects in which the AE Service is not 75% complete will not be evaluated. A project is considered 75% complete when 75% of the funding has been expended and/or 75 % of the scope of work has been completed. Factor 1. Professional Qualifications (SF330, Part I, Section E) Part A - Resumes of Key Personnel (Section E, Blocks 12 - 18): Offerors must have, either in-house or through consultants or subcontractors, the disciplines listed below. To demonstrate qualifications, resumes for persons filling these disciplines are to be provided in Section E. Each resume shall not exceed one page in length. All Professional Registrations, Licensures and/or Certifications must identify the state in which Professional Registration, License and/or Certification is obtained; Professional Registration, License and/or Certification number; and expiration dates (as applicable). Specialist and Risk Assessor disciplines shall have a degree in engineering, geology, or other field of science, from an accredited university and specific training in the area of specialization/risk assessment. In Block 13, the role listed must use the exact same discipline nomenclature as listed below. If an individual will serve in more than one role, then all disciplines shall be clearly indicated in Block 13. The content of Section E is not to be altered and all items within Section E shall be answered completely. Additionally, all Key Personnel must be shown on the organizational chart in Section D. The following disciplines are required: (1) Project / Task Order Manager (2) Environmental Engineer - Professional Engineer, provide licensure/certification number and date (3) Chemist - Minimum Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry (4) Geologist - Professional Geologist, provide licensure/certification number and date (5) Hydrogeologist - Professional Geologist, provide licensure/certification number and date (6) Hazardous Materials Specialist (7) Civil Engineer - Professional Engineer, provide licensure/certification number and date (8) Environmental Scientist Specialist (9) Environmental Regulatory Specialist (10) Human Health Risk Assessor (11) Ecological Risk Assessor (12) GIS Specialist Part B - Relevant Projects (Section E, Block 19): All Key Personnel are required to have a minimum of five (5) years of project experience in their discipline demonstrated by projects with scope, magnitude, and complexity comparable to this solicitation. The definition of a project is as noted in - Project Information and - Selection Criteria above. Relevant projects are those that reflect experience performing the respective discipline. Relevant Project information should be brief and highlight specific roles and tasks performed by the Key Personnel, Project Type, Scope, and Costs. No more than five projects should be listed for each resume, and each project listed must have been 75% complete within five (5) years of publication of this solicitation announcement. (Note: The projects provided for this factor may also be used to address Factor 2.) The evaluation of Factor 1 will take into consideration the education and current registration, licensure, certification(s), or specialized training, as applicable, of each person named for each discipline and that person's longevity with the firm named in Block 15. More weight will be given to registration, licensure or certification(s), as applicable, within the Area of Responsibility of the USACE Mobile District. More weight will be given to risk assessors with specific training in the fundamentals of risk assessment as applied to the Superfund cleanup process, and to hazardous materials specialists with training per 49 CFR 172. It will also take into consideration the person's relevant project experience provided in Block 19. More weight will be given to experience with complex HTRW projects that are of scope, magnitude, and complexity similar to that described above in the paragraph titled Project Information, as well as projects demonstrating a breadth of experiences with diverse and varied regulatory programs, media, and contaminants. This factor may be assessed Strengths or Weaknesses, as appropriate. Only the Key Personnel disciplines requested in this solicitation will be evaluated. The basis of evaluation for Factor 1 will be information submitted in Part I, Sections E and G. Factor 2. Specialized Experience and Technical Competence (Projects) (SF330, Part I, Section F) For Factor 2, Offerors are to demonstrate specialized experience and technical competence which meets the definition of AE Services as defined in 40 U.S.C. 1101 and FAR 2.101. In Section F Offerors are to submit up to ten (10) projects that best illustrate the proposed team's qualifications for award of a contract. (Note: The projects provided for Factor 1 may also be used to address this factor, however, not by reference only.) The definition of a project is as noted in - Project Information and - Selection Criteria above. For each project use only one page and note the contract or task order number, as applicable. The SF330 may be modified in order to meet the Submission Requirements (font size); however, the content of Section F is not to be altered (removal or deletion of required Blocks) and all items within Section F shall be answered completely. Seven (7) of the projects submitted shall specifically address the following areas of emphasis and shall be presented in the order listed below: Project 1 - Investigation (including risk assessments) conducted under CERCLA Project 2 - Investigation (including risk assessments) at a RCRA-Permitted Facility Project 3 - Complex multi-media contaminant Feasibility Study or Corrective Measures Study Project 4 - Complex multi-media contaminant Remedial Design or Corrective Measures Implementation Plan Project 5 - Vapor intrusion investigation and/or vapor intrusion remedial design Project 6 - Investigation in a Complex Aquifer System Project 7 - Investigation of Emerging Contaminants and/or Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) Additional projects submitted for evaluation are not required to be a particular emphasis area. Projects in which the AE Service is not 75% complete will not be evaluated. A project is considered 75% complete when 75% of the funding has been expended and/or 75 % of the scope of work has been completed. All projects must have been conducted within five (5) years of publication of this solicitation announcement (see Block 22) and must be 75% complete at the publication of this solicitation announcement. At least six (6) of the projects presented must show that the Offeror (the firm submitting the SF330 as the prime contractor), whether as a prime contractor or subcontractor, performed the majority (>50%) of the work on the project. To demonstrate such performance, Offerors are to specifically describe the type(s) of work performed and state the percentage they performed of each type of work. If a proposed subcontractor also worked on the project, state the type(s) and percentage(s) of work it performed. If an Offeror submits more than six (6) projects, those projects must reflect performance of work by the Offeror, or one or more of its proposed subcontractors. For each such project state the percentage of work performed by the Offeror, and/or the percentage of work performed by each proposed subcontractor. Clearly identify the Project Number (as indicated above), Type and the Offeror's role on the project. In Block 24, - cost is the total value of the project, not simply the value of the work performed by the Offeror and/or any proposed subcontractor. The Government reserves the right to review any official performance evaluation system of records to inform its source selection decision. When completing Section G, in Block 26, along with the name of key personnel, include the firm with whom the person is or was associated at the time the project was performed. Those firms submitting as Joint Ventures (JV) must follow the same procedures as any other Offeror with the following exception. If the JV (the Offeror) cannot provide at least six (6) projects that demonstrate performance by the JV of 50% or more of a project, as either a prime contractor or subcontractor, the JV may provide projects performed by any partner of the offering JV that reflect performance of 50% or more of a project, as either a prime contractor or subcontractor. JV Offerors are not required to submit projects of both partners but more consideration may be given for projects that were performed as a JV. Of the projects submitted as prescribed above, relevant projects are those that reflect the specialized experience and technical competence of the Offeror and/or proposed subcontractor(s), as prime contractors or subcontractors, performing services similar to those described above in the paragraph titled Project Information. More weight will be given to experience with complex HTRW projects that are of scope, magnitude, and complexity similar to that described above in the paragraph titled Project Information as well as projects demonstrating a breadth of experiences, described in detail, with diverse and varied stakeholders, regulatory statutes and programs, media, hydrogeology, contaminants, and contaminant concentrations. This factor may be assessed Strengths or Weaknesses, as appropriate. The basis of evaluation for Factor 2 will be information submitted in Part I, Sections F and G. Factor 3. Specialized Experience and Technical Competence (Technical Capabilities) (SF330, Part I, Section H) In Part I, Section H, the Offeror must provide a proposed work management plan demonstrating its team's breadth of knowledge and experience with complex HTRW project support for Military, Civil, and Federal Agencies. The narrative should describe the corporate approach, driving criteria or potential constraints, and examples of successful performance. The narrative should specifically discuss knowledge of, and experience with, work management planning to include quality management, subcontractor management, prior experience of the prime firm and any significant consultant, version control management, proactive internal and external communication protocols, electronic systems and/or software used in budget, schedule and quality management, and independent submittal review processes in the context of providing services under multiple task orders. This factor may be assessed Strengths or Weaknesses, as appropriate. Factor 4. Past Performance (SF330, Part I, Section H) Offerors shall demonstrate in narrative (or other format) a history of customer satisfaction with the Offeror's quality of work, cost control and scheduling. Past Performance history is not to be limited to information presented in Factor 2. Past performance can be substantiated by presentation of CPARS or PPQ ratings, or customer ratings from other project evaluation systems. Customer excerpts or quotes from prior evaluations for the purposes of substantiating the narrative are not desired. The narrative should describe the corporate approach for maintaining success with customer satisfaction with the Offeror's quality of work, cost control and scheduling. This factor may be assessed Strengths or Weaknesses, as appropriate, with more weight given to successful performance ratings in these three areas on Department of Defense contracts. Factor 5. Capacity to Accomplish the Work (SF330, Part I, Section H) All Unrestricted Offerors are to clearly demonstrate the capacity to accomplish at least three (3) $500,000 task orders simultaneously. All SB Offerors are to clearly demonstrate the capacity to accomplish at least three (3) $225,000 task orders simultaneously. This factor may be assessed Strengths or Weaknesses, as appropriate. Factor 6. Knowledge of Locality (SF330, Part I, Section H) Offerors are to clearly demonstrate their cost expertise, cost databases, and estimating programs, for environmental remediation and removal programs and knowledge of the locality of AE services to support the Environmental Restoration Program given ER 1110-3-1301. The narrative should describe the any known features that are unusual or uniquely specific to cost for the Environmental Restoration Program. More consideration will be given to narratives demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the differing programs and challenges therein requiring cost engineering support for the Environmental Restoration Program. This factor may be assessed Strengths or Weaknesses, as appropriate. Factor 7. SB and SDB Participation (SF330, Part I, Section H) Offerors shall provide the extent of participation of small businesses, small disadvantaged businesses, historically black colleges and universities, and minority institutions. The participation is to be measured as a percentage of the total anticipated contract effort, regardless of whether the small businesses, small, disadvantaged businesses, historically black colleges and universities, or minority institutions are the prime contractor, subcontractor, or joint venture partner; the greater the participation, the greater the consideration. This factor is not to be confused with a formal subcontracting plan. This factor is a secondary criterion and will only be evaluated as a tie-breaker among technically equal firms. Interviews. As required by acquisition regulations, interviews for the purpose of discussing prospective contractor qualifications will be conducted by the AE Evaluation Board (Selection Board). Interviews will be held with those offerors deemed by the Board to be qualified for award. Interviews will be conducted by telephone and will most likely occur the same week that the Selection Board convenes. Phone calls and personal visits for the purpose of discussing this solicitation are not allowed. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS: Interested AE firms or joint ventures (JVs) with the capabilities to perform this work are invited to submit one (1) complete PDF of their SF330 (Architect-Engineer Qualifications) proposal. Offerors must submit the electronic proposal package to the USACE via DoD SAFE (https://safe.apps.mil/). Emailed submissions of proposals are not permitted and will not be accepted under any circumstances. DoD SAFE provides a time stamped notification to the Government when a file is uploaded. The Government must receive your proposal no later than the time and date as specified in this solicitation. The DoD SAFE system notification must show the proposal - Drop-Off or submission was prior to the specified time. DoD SAFE requires a unique - Request for Drop-Off code in order to upload proposal files. Offerors must submit their requests for a - Request for Drop-Off code no later than midnight CST the day prior to the proposal submission date. Requests received the day proposals are due will not be honored or fulfilled. The Government will begin to issue the - Request for Drop-Off codes the day before submittals are due in order for Offerors to upload proposal files. All DoD SAFE requests and submission exchanges shall be sent to each of the following recipients: Ms. Cheryl Ayler at Cheryl.L.Ayler@usace.army.mil and Ms. Courtney Perry at Courtney.L.Perry@usace.army.mil. The current edition of the SF330 must be used, and may be obtained from the Government Printing Office or from the following web site: http://www.gsa.gov/portal/forms/download/116486. PDFs shall be compatible with Adobe Acrobat XI or an earlier version. Proposals submitted in a format other than as described above will not be accepted. All Offerors responding to this solicitation MUST identify on the front cover of the SF330 their company name, solicitation number, and category (UNRESTRICTED or SMALL BUSINESS) for which they are submitting. Proposals not identifying which category they are submitting on the front cover will be considered UNRESTRICTED for evaluation purposes. Separate proposal responses MUST be submitted for each category in which an Offeror wants consideration. Firms submitting separate proposal responses for more than one category must upload all files at one time to DoD SAFE as the - Request for Drop-Off grants only a single use for upload(s). All Offerors, to include JVs, submitting proposals shall obtain a DUNS number. Include the DUNS number in Part I, Section B, Block 5 next to the name of the firm. Additionally, all Offerors, to include JVs, must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM). For instructions on registering with the SAM, go to https://www.sam.gov/SAM. JVs are to include a fully executed JV Agreement with their proposal at Part II. JVs submitting as 8(a) are to include a JV Agreement that has been reviewed by their respective SBA District. All fonts shall be at least 12 or larger in Arial (not Arial Narrow) to include text, tables, and figures. Pages shall be 8-1/2 inches by 11 inches. The Organizational Chart required in Part I, Section D and the Matrix required by Part I, Section G may be presented on a sheet up to 11 inches by 17 inches, each counting as one page respectively. Do not use multi-column formatting. The SF330 is to be organized as indicated below. Part I of the SF330 shall not exceed 40 pages, including cover sheets, cover letters, separators, and blank sheets, and shall be organized as follows: SF330, Part I, Sections A, B, C and D. SF330, Part I, Section E. SF330, Part I, Section F. SF330, Part I, Section G. SF330, Part I, Sections H and I. Part II of the SF330 shall not exceed 30 pages, including cover sheets, cover letters, separators, and blank sheets. A Part II is required for each branch office of the Offeror and any subcontractor that will perform a key role under the contract. Part II shall be organized as follows: SF330, Part II SF330, Part II, Offeror and Subcontractor Information and Joint Venture Agreement (as applicable) (This document does not count against the page limitation for Part II). OFFERS MUST BE RECEIVED AT THE ADDRESS INDICATED ABOVE NO LATER THAN NOON CENTRAL TIME ON 07 OCTOBER 2021. The Agency will not accept any offers received after this time and date. ALL QUESTIONS SHALL BE SUBMITTED VIA THE BIDDER INQUIRY PORTAL IN PROJNET at http://www.projnet.org/projnet. No other means of communication (e-mail, fax, or telephone) will be accepted. Questions should be submitted no later than 23 September 2021, NOON Central Time to allow time for a response. On this date and time, the portal will be closed. To submit and review inquiries, firms will need to be current registered users of the ProjNet system. To register, go to the link above, click the BID tab, select BIDDER INQUIRY, select USACE, enter the Bidder Inquiry Key for this solicitation as listed below, and your e-mail address, and then click login. Complete all required information and then click CREATE USER. Verify that information on the next screen is correct and click CONTINUE. From this page you can view all bidder inquiries for this solicitation or add an inquiry. Offerors or Bidders will receive an acknowledgement of their question via e-mail, followed by a response to their question after it has been processed by our team. The Solicitation Number is: W9127821R0003. The Bidder Inquiry Key is: Z8K9PB-BAXNAC. Firms are requested to review the Bidder Inquiry Portal for previous questions and responses, prior to submission of a new inquiry on the Portal. CAUTION: Any inquiry submitted and answered within this system will be accessible to view by ALL FIRMS interested in this solicitation. The call center for the ProjNet operates weekdays from 8 AM to 5 PM U.S. Central Time Zone. The telephone number is 1-800-428-HELP.