Independent Engineering Services - Access to Markets Program in Benin

1. CONTRACT INFORMATION: This contract is being procured in accordance with the Brooks A-E Act as implemented in FAR Subpart 36.6. Firms will be selected for negotiation based on demonstrated competence and qualification for the required work. The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) has a Compact with the Government of Benin. Among other things, the Compact provides funding for expansion and improvement of existing port facilities in the city of Cotonou and other physical and procedural improvements within the context of a program called Access to Markets. Now that a Compact (a binding agreement between governments) has been signed between the Government of the United States and the Government of Benin, MCC needs to retain the services to assist it in overseeing implementation of the Access to Markets Program (see attached Statement of Work for background and detailed description of work to be performed.) MCC intends to award a two-year Time and Materials Contract with an aggregate ceiling price. The period of performance shall be a Base Year period of twelve (12) months, with a one (1) year option period. North American Industrial Classification System code is 541330, which has a size standard of $4,500,000. This announcement is open to all businesses regardless of size. If a large business is selected for the contract, it must comply with FAR 52.219-9 regarding the requirement for a subcontracting plan on that part of the work it intends to subcontract. The current MCC subcontracting goals are 30% to Small Businesses, 5% to Woman Owned Small Business, 5% to Small Disadvantaged Business, 3% to Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, and 3% to HUBZone Small Business. This plan is not required with this submittal, but will be required with the price proposal of the firm selected for negotiations. The successful firm shall be precluded (FAR 9.5) from participating in follow on work and services (e.g., design, construction, and supervision) to be procured by MCA-Benin or designated Implementing Entities using funds advanced under the Compact with MCC. To be eligible for contract award, a firm must be registered in the DOD Central Contractor Registration (CCR). Register via the CCR Internet site at http://www.ccr.gov or by contacting the DOD Electronic commerce Information Center at +1 (555) 000-0000. Register to provide certifications and representations at http://orca.bpn.gov. In Block B.5 of the SF330 Part II, provide the DUNS number for the prime firm or Joint Venture. The DUNS number must be for the firm/branch office performing the work. For assignment of DUNS numbers, contact Dun & Bradstreet at +1 (555) 000-0000, or via the internet at http://www.dnb.com. 2. PROJECT INFORMATION: See attached Statement of Work. 3. SELECTION CRITERIA: The selection criteria for this contract are listed below in descending order of importance. 3.1 Key Personnel Credentials and Availability Offerors will identify personnel who will be responsible for implementing contract activities and provide information on the personnel proposed including experts with in-depth knowledge of the Benin or East African context. Offerors shall demonstrate their total strength of key disciplines and availability of such resources (i.e., current work load, etc.). Offerors shall clearly indicate and confirm the availability of Key Personnel over the life of the contract. 3.2 Methodology and Approach Offerors shall demonstrate their understanding of the requirements for an assignment of this type, the issues likely to be of greatest concern to MCC, and offeror's proposed methodology and approach for handling this fast track assignment. Offerors shall describe in detail their methodology and approach for each task listed in the Statement of Work, above. The description will cover Offeror's understanding of the activities and rationale for their selected approach to execute specific tasks, as well as the roles and relationship between proposed personnel, firm and project management, project quality and schedule control, and sub-contractors. Offerors shall include in submission a proposed project schedule considering the Anticipate Project Activities. 3.3 Management Structure and Rapid Startup Offerors will describe how its staff in its home office and subcontractors will be organized to implement the Statement of Work and strategy, including roles and relationships between the project lead and home office staff, short-term advisors and subcontractors. Offerors will describe the proposed system for monitoring project activities and results and use of contract financial and human resources. The Offeror shall submit a workable plan that demonstrates a capacity to mobilize rapidly and will provide recent examples of their capacity to do so under similar and challenging circumstances. 3.4 Specialized Experience and Technical Competence Offerors will provide information on firm's competence in the areas suggested by the Statement of Work and how specialized experience would be obtained, as required. The information will clearly summarize the nature of the services offered and the types of tasks performed. Offerors shall demonstrate their capacity to accomplish the work in the required time, citing previous contracting experiences, including in developing countries and availability of proposed staff, among other appropriate evidence. Offerors demonstrating the use of personnel and subcontractors with experience in Benin will be preferred. Offerors will outline their current knowledge of the local planning issues, construction methods and environmental, social and institutional conditions. 3.5 Past Performance Offerors will provide information on their past performance, during the last three (3) years from the date of this solicitation on contracts similar in nature to this contract with U.S. government agencies. The information will summarize clearly the nature of the assistance contracted, the types of tasks performed and the results achieved through the contract, including experience of local firms/institutions proposed to be associated. The Offeror shall provide a narrative of its experiences in: (1) managing project/activities of a similar nature, especially in developing countries and (2) capacity to start up rapidly. At least three (3) examples shall be provided for the prime and each significant subcontractor, to include the name, telephone number and email address of knowledgeable customer contacts. Offerors are authorized and encouraged to provide information on problems encountered on the identified contracts and the Offeror's corrective actions. The Government may also consider information obtained from any other sources when evaluating the offeror's past performance. 4. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS: Interested Architect-Engineer firms having the capabilities to perform this work are invited to submit one original and three (3) hard copies of a completed Standard Form 330 to include your proposed team, including the prime contractor, consultants, subcontractors, and joint ventures to the attention of Olena Evans, Sr. Contract Specialist (Contractor Representing MCC) at Millennium Challenge Corporation, 875 Fifteenth Street, 2nd floor, NW, Washington, DC 20005. In addition to the hard copies, one (1) electronic version of all data shall be submitted electronically in a single PDF file to contact@example.gov. However, if such PDF file exceeds 10 MB in size it can be separated into no more than two (2) PDF files including: (a) Proposal Body file; and (b) Resumes of Key Personnel file. Joint ventures must clearly identify their intention to form a legal joint venture partnership, but are not required to provide documentation of legal agreements until contract award. The SF330 version (6/2004) must be used, and may be obtained from the Government Printing Office or from the following website: http://www.gsa.gov/. The SF330 must be received no later than July 15, 2009 at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). Offerors shall submit the SF330 written in English using Font Size: 10 to 12 with each page numbered consecutively. SF330 must contain Part I and Part II complete and current. Firms may be rejected for submitting incomplete SF 330s, or for incorrect or missing elements Prospective offerors may submit questions in response to this Combined Synopsis/Solicitation in writing no later than June 23, 2009 by 12:00 p.m. EDT. Questions must be sent to Olena Evans via e-mail at contact@example.gov. The subject line must read: Questions for Independent Engineering Services for Access to Markets Program in Benin. Issuance of this solicitation notice does not constitute an award commitment on behalf of the U.S. Government (USG). The USG reserves the right to reject any and all offers received. Contracting Office Address: Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), 875 Fifteenth Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20005. Point of Contact(s): Olena Evans, Sr. Contract Specialist, Email contact@example.gov James R. Blades, Contracting Officer, Email contact@example.gov