U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Design-Bid-Build Services, Modernization of the Agricultural Research Technology Center (ARTC) in Salinas, California

This additional Sources Sought Notice is being issued for informational purposes only and shall not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation on the part of the USDA, ARS. ARS is extending and revising our Market Survey to identify the availability and interest of all interested contractors that can meet the minimum evaluation factors below as potential sources for Design-Bid-Build for the ARTC Modernization, located in Salinas, CA. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this project is 236220 (Construction) with a Size Standard of $36.5 million. The mission of the Crop Improvement and Protection Research Unit at Salinas, CA is to improve germplasm of lettuce, celery, spinach and melon, determine basic biology of viral, fungal and bacterial diseases affecting these crops, develop alternatives to methyl bromide as a soil fumigant for control of soilborne pests in strawberry and vegetables, reduce post-harvest losses of lettuce, develop scientifically based organic crop production practices, develop methods for control of weeds, and improve artichoke production practices including insect and disease control. The existing facilities at ARTC are inadequate for addressing its expanding research program. The four wood framed laboratory/office buildings constructed in the 1940s are deficient in interior air quality, and in meeting current seismic safety engineering, mechanical, electrical and building code standards. A fully completed design for the D-B-B project was completed in 2007 but the project had to be delayed. The design drawings and specifications are currently being updated by an AE firm to meet current building codes and regulations. It is ARS intention to have this construction project certified as LEED Silver. The project scope includes the demolition of outdated buildings and constructing new facilities in 3 phases (with estimated cost of construction) as shown immediately below: Phase 1 - West Lab/Office, 31,600 GSF, ECC approximately $30M Phase 2 - East Lab/Office, 39,400 GSF, ECC approximately $35M Phase 3 - Headhouse/Greenhouse, 37,000 GSF, ECC approximately $25M NOTE: It is ARS' intention at this time to issue three separate solicitations for the three phases. If anything changes, such as combining phases or a significant change in ECC, a new or revised sources sought will be posted in this location. THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE ONLY. Interested firms are invited to respond to this announcement by providing responses to the following evaluation factors: 1. Firm's name, address, point of contact, phone number, and e-mail address. 2. Firm's level of interest in competing on the solicitation when it is issued. 3. Firm's Business Size - Large, Small, SDB, SDVOSB, HubZone, WOSB, Certified 8(a), or SBA approved mentor-prot'g. 4. Firm's Bonding Capacity (construction bonding level per contract and aggregate construction bonding level, both expressed in dollars). Note - Interested firms must meet minimum bonding requirements to be considered a potential source. If not currently bonded for $30M for a single project a letter from a surety stating the firm's capacity for obtaining a sufficient bonding amount for Phase 1 must be included. 5. Firm's experience in successfully completed Design-Bid-Build projects of similar size and scope, specifically two-story new construction, lab spaces, and demolition. 6. Which phase(s) the firm is interested in. NO SOLICITATION EXISTS. THIS REQUEST IS INTENDED ONLY TO IDENTIFY SOURCES OF PROSPECTIVE DESIGN-BID-BUILD FIRMS. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this sources sought announcement. The deadline to respond to this notice is 22 March 2017 by 3:00 pm EST. No site visits to the facility are permitted. Requested information shall be limited to no more than 10 pages. Interested firms are instructed to submit written responses by e-mail to Stephen.Stolte@ars.usda.gov. NO HARD COPY OR FACSIMILE SUBMISSION WILL BE ACCEPTED. Cover letters and extraneous materials (brochures, etc) will not be considered. No reimbursement will be made for any cost associated with providing information in response to this announcement or any follow-up information provided. All interested sources must respond to future solicitation announcements separately from responses to this market survey.his Sources Sought Notice is being issued for informational purposes only and shall not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation on the part of the USDA, ARS.