RECOVERY-NEW CONSTRUCTION FOR THE NIST NATIONAL FIRE RESISTANCE LABORATORY ADDITION

RECOVERY- This Sources Sought Notice is issued under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 and is for information and planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation on the part of the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). All responsible sources are encouraged to respond to this notice; however, sources that do not respond shall not be precluded from responding to any subsequent solicitation. NIST is seeking to identify the availability and interest of qualified Small, Small Disadvantaged, Small Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZones), and certified 8(a) firms as potential sources of construction for the NIST National Structural Fire Resistance Laboratory Addition, Gaithersburg, Maryland. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 236220 with a size standard of $33.5 million. The DOC, NIST has a requirement for the new construction of an addition to the National Structural Fire Resistance Laboratory. The project includes the construction of a new +/-20,000gsf addition to and partial renovation of NIST Building #205 - Fire Research. The new structure will feature an open bay with approximately 50-feet clear space to allow maximum flexibility for constructing experimental large fire specimens, to test structural connections and assemblies under realistic building fire conditions, and to load specimens in three dimensions under fire conditions. The facility also includes a 60-foot by 90-foot strong floor and an associated reaction wall system for attachment of specimens and/or hydraulic actuators. (Actuators and hydraulic equipment to be purchased under a separate contract.) Test specimens will be exposed to fire conditions under a large fire protected metal hood supported by a combination of one existing and one new Environmental Control System (ECS). New ECS to add an additional 10MW to the current 10MW fire size capacity of the NIST large fire research facility. Ancillary and support spaces are also planned. Minor renovations to existing structure to include fire protection upgrades and renovation of several existing office and support spaces. The anticipated period of performance is 12 - 18 months. The estimated cost of construction is between $15 and $20 million. Also, the Contractor shall have a current Experience Modification Rating (EMR) of 1.0 or less. Interested parties shall provide proof of their current EMR from the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) or the corresponding State Agency with their response to this SSN. The estimated schedule to start construction work is October 18, 2010 with an estimated schedule for completion of the construction project to be November 1, 2011. A site visit is planned after the release of the solicitation. A performance and payment bond shall be required and must equal 100 percent of the original contract price. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this sources sought notice. The deadline to respond to this notice is December 28, 2009. Interested firms are instructed to submit written responses by electronic/Email to albert.petto@nist.gov, with cc to beverly.roberts@nist.gov, in order for receipt at the email addresses no later than December 28, 2009.