R--A-E Studies, Geotechnical Engineering Services IDIQ Contract (Small Business)

Solicitation No. W9128F-14-R-0026 (Small Business set-aside) Modification (11 Sep 2014): Revision to Section 3d. and to include the Contract Specialist's email address. 1. CONTRACT INFORMATION This contract(s) is being procured in accordance with the Brooks A-E Act as implemented in FAR Subpart 36.6. Firm(s) will be selected for negotiation based on demonstrated competence and qualifications for the required work. A-E services will consist primarily of preparation of investigations, studies, analyses, designs, and engineering construction support services for dams, levees, military facility construction, and military airfields. A-E Services may include, but are not limited to: Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology investigations, studies, designs, and engineering construction support; drilling and subsurface investigations; laboratory testing of soil, rock, aggregate, and concrete/asphalt materials; computer analysis/modeling; geophysics; land-based surveying; computer-aided drafting and design (CADD); and geographical information systems (GIS). These services will be provided for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) districts of Northwestern Division and their respective customers. One (1) indefinite delivery indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract will be negotiated and awarded with a five-year ordering period (three (3) year base with a two (2) year option period) and $4,950,000 in capacity. There is no specific task order limit except the limit of the contract. Work will be issued by negotiated firm-fixed-price task orders. North American Industrial Classification System code is 541330, which has a size standard of $15,000,000 in annual average gross receipts over the past three years. Competition for this procurement is restricted to Small Business concerns. Selected and successful firm will be required to comply with the subcontracting limitations as set forth by the FAR Clause 52.219-14 LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING, wherein stated in pertinent part, quote mark Services (except construction). At least 50% of the cost of contract performance incurred for personnel must be expended for employees of the concern. quote mark When two or more indefinite delivery contracts (IDCs) available to the procuring agency contain the same or overlapping scopes of work so that a particular task order might be issued under more than one IDC, the contracting officer will consider the following factors in deciding which contractor will be selected to negotiate an order: performance and quality of deliverables under the current contract, current capacity to accomplish the order in the required time, uniquely specialized experience, and equitable distribution of work among the contractors. The minimum guarantee amount for this contract is $2,500.00. To be eligible for contract award, the Contractor must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM). Registration is free and can be accessed at: http://www.sam.gov. 2. PROJECT INFORMATION Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology investigations, studies, designs, and engineering construction support work may include literature search/existing data compilation; field reconnaissance; determining design and study parameters; site characterization/exploration planning; producing project work plans; design and study data acquisition; obtaining work permits; soil and rock mechanics analyses; ground water characterization including field permeability testing; in situ concrete/asphalt testing; design computations; developing technical input to contract documents; developing project plans and specifications; project cost estimates; technical oversight of construction activities; project progress and completion reporting; and expert services. Drilling and subsurface investigations work may include geotechnical drilling utilizing auger, fluid rotary, percussion, rotosonic, and direct push techniques; cone penetrometer testing; excavated test pits; subsurface instrumentation placement such as monitoring wells, piezometers, inclinometers, remote sensing instruments, etc.; in-situ soil and rock testing; disturbed and undisturbed soil sampling; rock/concrete/asphalt coring; and field logging subsurface materials. Laboratory work will be performed by a USACE certified laboratory and may include typical geotechnical testing of soil, rock, aggregate, concrete, asphalt, etc., materials in accordance USACE guidelines, standards, and regulations or other appropriate industry standards. Computer analysis/modeling will be performed utilizing commercially available software and work may include analyses for slope stability, ground water, dewatering, seepage, consolidation/settlement, foundation design (pile, pier, footing, excavation, etc.), retaining walls, drains, material strengths, and site optimization. Geophysics work may include borehole/downhole, surface, and airborne surveys employing nuclear, electrical resistivity, electromagnetic, ground conductivity, seismic, magnetometer, gravity, thermal, and radar techniques. Land-based surveying work may include determining geospatial reference data (coordinates and elevation) for key project features with both traditional land surveying equipment and techniques as well as Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) techniques. Computer-aided drafting and design (CADD) work may include developing design drawings, site plans, interpretive subsurface logs and cross-sections, and figures for reports and presentations. CADD work products will be produced utilizing the most recent version Microstation, AutoCAD, gINT, or other commercially available software as specified in each task order. Geographical information systems (GIS) work may include integrating project information on to GIS platforms for comprehensive data interpretation, analysis, manipulation, and archiving. All specifications shall be developed and edited using the SpecsIntact automated specifications processing system. All work will comply with USACE standards, guidelines, regulations or industry standards as appropriate. Offerors are advised that there could be requirements for performance of work on U.S. Government Federal Properties or Military Installations requiring proper identification and appropriate clearances for personnel to gain access. 3. SELECTION CRITERIA The selection criteria for this particular project are listed below in descending order of importance(Criteria a-e). Page restrictions are outlined per criterion. A page is defined as a single side of an 8 -inch by 11-inch sheet with print font no smaller than 10. (a) Specialized Experience and Technical Competence (SF 330, Part I, Section F & G): Section F will provide examples of not more than 10 projects completed within the last 5 years that best demonstrate experience and competency in the areas outlined below. All projects cited will identify start/completion dates as well as the project size (cost and scope). Project examples will not exceed 1 page per example. Demonstrated experience and competency to complete: Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology services Drilling and subsurface investigations Geotechnical laboratory testing Computer analysis/modeling Geophysics Land-based land surveying CADD GIS Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) for engineering support during construction Section G will list key personnel proposed for this contract and their respective roles in example projects cited in Section F. Section G will not exceed 2 pages. (b) Capacity (SF 330, Part I, Section H): Capacity is the ability to effectively complete task orders. Firms shall demonstrate the capacity to accomplish at least two (2) $250,000 simultaneous individual task orders within a one-year period. Evaluation will consider resources, team organization, coordination of in house disciplines and consultants, and prior experience of the prime firm and any of their significant consultants on similar projects. The evaluation will consider the key persons identified in Sections D, E, and G of the SF330, as well as other available staff and information provided in Section H. A proposed Management Plan shall be presented that includes an organization chart (reference SF330, Part I, Section D) and addresses team organization (reference SF330, Part I, Section C), any anticipated sub-contractors or entities to supplement the in-house team, quality control procedures, cost control, coordination of in-house disciplines and consultants required to meet work capacity, and interaction with USACE. The SF 330 shall clearly indicate the primary office where the work will be performed and the staffing at that office. Additionally, key equipment assets (e.g. drill rig(s), laboratory testing facilities/equipment, geophysical instruments, etc.) will be acknowledged and respective locations identified. If necessary, the organization chart may be presented on a single side of an 11-inch by 17 inch sheet neatly fold to an 8 -inch by 11-inch format. (c) Knowledge of Locality Knowledge of locality will mean knowledge of regional or local geology, hydrology, soils, topography, climatic conditions, local methods that are unusual or unique, etc. The firm's office location(s) is not necessarily indicative of knowledge of locality. The location of Engineering Services will include USACE districts of Northwestern Division and their respective customers. (d) Professional Qualifications (SF 330, Part I, Section E): Evaluation of education, training, registration, certifications, overall and relevant experience, and longevity with the firm of key management and technical personnel. This criterion is primarily concerned with the qualifications of key personnel, not the number of personnel. Certifications and/or licensing are required for the following key personnel: Professional Engineer (Geotechnical/Civil), Professional Geologist, Driller, Professional Land Surveyor/Registered Land Surveyor, and Project Management Professional (PMP). Other key personnel that will be identified include: laboratory manager, laboratory technician, GIS professional, geophysicist, CADD professional, and technical editor. At a minimum, a resume shall be submitted for the individual that will be directly responsible for the performance of this contract for each of the eleven key personnel positions listed above. If after submission of the proposal or after award of a contract, the proposed individuals are unable to fulfill the obligation of the solicitation, any proposed replacements will have similar or greater education and experience credentials. Those credentials shall be provided in writing to the Contracting Officer for review and approval. Professional qualification information will not exceed 1 page per key personnel position and will not exceed 20 pages cumulatively. (e) Past Performance: Past Performance on DoD and other contracts with respect to cost control, quality of work, and compliance with performance schedules, as determined from ACASS and other sources. (May be evaluated from ACASS information obtained by the Omaha District Office) Past Performance Questionnaires (PPQ) may be used to provide or supplement a firm's past performance with other than U.S. Governmental clients. Firms which choose to use the PPQ may obtain a PPQ standard form by submitting a request to the below referenced POC to the Contract Specialist. Evaluation Ratings The following ratings will be used to evaluate the submitted information: Exceptional. All or almost all of the significant disciplines and attributes are rated quote mark exceptional. quote mark No discipline or attribute should be quote mark marginal quote mark or quote mark unsatisfactory quote mark in an quote mark exceptional quote mark performance evaluation. Very Good. A majority of the significant disciplines and attributes are rated quote mark exceptional quote mark or quote mark very good. quote mark No significant discipline or attribute should be quote mark marginal quote mark or quote mark unsatisfactory quote mark in a quote mark very good quote mark performance evaluation. Satisfactory. No significant discipline or attribute should be quote mark unsatisfactory. quote mark Quality of final work is acceptable in an overall sense; however, it may have been necessary to get the firm to correct some unacceptable work. Marginal. One or two significant disciplines or attributes are rated quote mark unsatisfactory, quote mark or all or almost all disciplines or attributes are rated quote mark marginal. quote mark An unusual amount of extra effort and follow-up on the part of the Government was required in order to get an acceptable product. Unsatisfactory. Several significant disciplines and attributes are rated quote mark unsatisfactory. quote mark This rating is appropriate for a firm that does not produce acceptable work despite extensive effort by 4. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS: Interested firms having the capabilities to perform this work must submit five (5) copies of SF 330 Part I, and five (5) copies of SF 330 Part II for the prime firm and all consultants/subcontractors, to US Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, ATTN: Tyler Hegge (CENWO-CT-M), 1616 Capitol Ave., Omaha, NE, 68102, not later than 2:00pm Central time on the 6th of October, 2014. SUBMITTAL PACKAGES MUST ALSO INCLUDE A CD CONTAINING A COMPLETE COPY OF THE SUBMITTAL (AN SF 330 PART 1 + SF 330 PART II FOR THE PRIME FIRM AND ALL CONSULTANTS/SUBCONTRACTORS), AS A SINGLE PDF FILE. Regulation requires that the Selection Board not consider any submittals received after the specified time and date. Late proposal rules in FAR 15.208 will be followed for submittals received after 2:00pm Central time on the closing date specified in this announcement. The SF 330, 03/2013 edition, must be used, and may be obtained from the following web site: http://www.gsa.gov/portal/forms/download/116486. Include DUNS number and CAGE code in SF330 Part I, Section B, Block 5. Additionally, the DUNS number and CAGE code should be identified in SF 330 Part I, Section C, Block 9, for EACH TEAM MEMBER. The submittal shall have a page limit of 100 pages. A page is one side of a sheet. Blank sheets/Tabs separating the sections within the SF 330 will not count against the maximum page count. All fonts shall be at least 10 pitch or larger. Pages shall be 8-1/2 inches by 11 inches. Organizational charts may be presented on a sheet up to 11 inches by 17 inches. If an 11 inch by 17 inch sheet is used it shall be neatly folded to 8-1/2 inches by 11 inches, bound in the SF 330 at the proper location, and counted as one page. A Part II is required for each branch office of the prime firm and any consultants/subcontractors that will have a key role in the proposed contract (i.e. a Part II is required for all entities identified in SF 330 Part I, Section C of the submittal). Cover letters, company literature and extraneous materials are not desired and will not be considered. Sections E and G of SF 330 Part I must include only individuals proposed to perform the anticipated work, including all consultants/subcontractors. In SF 330 Part I, Section G, Block 26, along with the name, include the firm with which the person is associated. A maximum of ten (10) projects including the prime and consultants/subcontractors will be reviewed for SF 330 Part I, Section F. Use no more than one page per project. When listing projects in SF 330 Part 1, Section F, an Indefinite Delivery Contract (IDC) with multiple Task Orders as examples is not considered a project. A task order executed under an IDC contract is a project. For all types of contracts, do not include for consideration options that have not been exercised. Joint ventures shall submit the following additional documentation of the evidence of a joint venture entity: 1) Firms shall provide a copy of a legally binding joint venture agreement, and 2) Identification of the party who can legally bind the joint venture. Facsimile and email submissions will not be accepted. Solicitation packages are not provided and no additional project information will be given to firms during the announcement period. This is not a request for proposal. Contract Specialist Email Address: contact@example.gov ALL QUESTIONS SHALL BE SUBMITTED VIA THE BIDDER INQUIRY PORTAL in ProjNet at http://www.projnet.org/projnet. Questions should be submitted no later than 26 SEPTEMBER 2014 at 2:00 p.m. Central Time to allow time for a response. On this date and time the portal will be closed. For questions, no other means of communication, e-mail, fax, or telephone will be accepted. To submit and review inquiry items, prospective vendors will need to use the Bidder Inquiry Key presented below and follow the instructions listed below. A prospective vendor who submits a comment/question will receive an acknowledgement of their comment/question via email, followed by an answer to the comment/question after it has been processed by our team. All timely questions and approved answers will be made available through ProjNet. To submit and review inquiries, firms will need to be current registered users of the ProjNet system. Registration for ProjNet Bidder Inquiry Access (If you are already registered, go to Entering Bidder Inquiries in ProjNet Bidder Inquiry System below.) 1. From the ProjNet home page link above, click on Quick Add on the upper right side of the screen. 2. Identify the Agency. This should be marked as USACE. 3. Key. Enter the Bidder Inquiry Key listed below. 4. Email. Enter the email address you would like to use for communication. 5. Click Continue. A page will then open saying that a user account was not found and will ask you to create one using the provided form. 6. Enter your First Name, Last Name, Company, City, State, Phone, Email, Secret Question, Secret Answer, and Time Zone. Make sure to remember your Secret Question and Answer as they will be used from this point on to access the ProjNet system. 7. Click Add User. Once this is completed you are now registered within ProjNet and are currently logged into the system. Entering Bidder Inquiries in ProjNet Bidder Inquiry System 1. For future access to ProjNet, you will not be emailed any type of password. You will utilize your Secret Question and Secret Answer to log in. 2. From the ProjNet home page link above, click on Quick Add on the upper right side of the screen. 3. Identify the Agency. This should be marked as USACE. 4. Key. Enter the Bidder Inquiry Key listed below. 5. Email. Enter the email address you used to register previously in ProjNet. 6. Click Continue. A page will then open asking you to enter the answer to your Secret Question. 7. Enter your Secret Answer and click Login. Once this is completed you are now logged into the system. 8. Follow online screen instructions to enter specific bidder inquiries for the project. The Solicitation Number is: W9128F-14-R-0026 The Bidder Inquiry Key is: 22D9QR-NGEJB5 Firms are requested to review the Bidder Inquiry Portal for previous questions and responses, prior to submission of a new inquiry in the Portal. Caution: Any inquiry submitted and answered within this system will be accessible to view by all interested firms on 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.