Y--Lake Pontchartrain and Vicinity Project to Protect the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal (IHNC) Seabrook Gate Complex Orleans Parish

The solicitation will be a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a Firm Fixed-Price Base with a Fixed-Price Incentive option requirement in accordance with FAR SubPart 16.403 utilizing Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) also known as Construction Manager at Risk. The project is critical to the Hurricane Storm Damage Risk Reduction System (HSDRRS) and must be completed by June 1, 2011. The proposed project will be an essential component of the IHNC Hurricane Protection Plan. The proposed floodgate will be a structure with a moveable gate of approximately 3500 sf, with the top of structure at +18.0 and a maximum sill elevation of -16.0 that will provide safe navigation for marine vessels. The structure will tie back to the existing floodwalls on the East and West side of the IHNC Canal. The project site is located on the south side of Lake Pontchartrain, at the northern end of the IHNC. The IHNC is flanked on both sides with an existing levee/floodwall protection system, varying in height from elevation +13.5 feet to +18 feet. At the southern end of the IHNC near the Mississippi River is an existing navigation lock, planned to be replaced by a new 110-foot-wide by 1,200-foot structure currently under design and construction. At the northern end of the IHNC are the Senator Ted Hickey Bridge, a dual bascule bridge, and the Seabrook Railroad Bridge, a single bascule bridge opening. These bridges are equipped with lift spans to permit passage of taller waterborne vessels. The majority of the protection along the federal system is floodwall. The western floodwalls tie into a levee on the south side of the railroad, with several floodgates located along the existing federal line of protection, including a roadway gate for a lower access road and a railroad gate on the west end of the channel. There is a scour hole located in the northern part of the IHNC south of the railroad. This scour hole spans the channel with a width of approximately 350 feet. It is approximately 1,050 feet long and 86 feet deep. Evaluation will be based on the Tradeoff Process (Best Value Continuum) in accordance with FAR SubPart 15.101-1 and Source Selection SubPart 15.3. The evaluation criteria consist of five (5) Technical (non-cost) factors, each of which has additional sub-factors for evaluation, and a Price Factor. The Technical (non-cost) factors are: (1) Technical Experience; (2) Past Performance; (3) Preconstruction Services Management Plan; (4) Construction Approach; and (5) Small Business Subcontracting Plan. Technical (non-cost) factors when combined are significantly more important than Price. The basis of award will be made to the Offeror who provides the best value to the Government. The resulting award will be a contract that includes a Firm Fixed-Price Base portion for preconstruction services and Fixed Price Incentive Option(s) for the construction phase. Extent of participation of small businesses (SB), small disadvantaged businesses (SDB), women-owned small businesses (WOSB), veteran-owned small businesses (VOSB), service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SD VOSB), HUBZone small businesses, and minority institutions on the proposed contract are measured as a percentage of the total planned subcontracting dollars. The selected firm, if a large business firm, must comply with FAR SubPart 52.219-9 regarding the requirement for submitting and negotiating a subcontracting plan. The subcontracting goals for this District are: (1) at least 70.00% of the subcontract amount be placed with SBs, which include SDBs and WOSBs; (2) at least 6.2% of the subcontract amount be placed with SDBs; (3) at least 7.0% of the subcontract amount be places with WOSBs; (4) at least 9.8% for HUBZone SB; (5) 3.0% for VOSB; and (6) at least 0.9% for SD VOSB. Solicitation is anticipated to be issued on or about May 6, 2009. Point of contact for this notice is Virnelda J. Lewis, Contract Specialist at +1 (555) 000-0000 or e-mail: contact@example.gov.