Inactive Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)

The USDA, Agricultural Research Service, is issuing this Two-Step Invitation for Bids (IFB) for the modernization of the Grassland, Soil, and Water Research Laboratory (GSWRL) in Riesel, Texas. The GS... The USDA, Agricultural Research Service, is issuing this Two-Step Invitation for Bids (IFB) for the modernization of the Grassland, Soil, and Water Research Laboratory (GSWRL) in Riesel, Texas. The GSWRL Modernization will be a Design-Bid-Build onstruction project using the Two-Step Sealed Bidding process as detailed in FAR 14.5. The USDA has developed a complete set of Construction Documents (plans and specifications) showing and describing the project's requirements. This solicitation will be a Total Small Business Set Aside. BACKGROUND: The mission of the current research program at GSWRL is to develop technology and solutions that increase efficient use of soil and water resources, enhance forage and crop production, and support sustainable agricultural production in healthy ecosystems. This mission is accomplished by research that enhances decision support tools for crop and forage production and watershed management, develop improved soil, water, and crop management techniques, develop sustainable crop, forage, and biofuel production systems, increase rangeland productivity and quality, and mitigate global change effects. The existing research facilities at Temple, and also at the satellite facility at Riesel, are approximately 40 years old and have exceed their service life. Numerous building deficiencies exist and must be addressed. NOTE: Modernization of the main GSWRL facility in Temple, TX will be solicited separately under solicitation number 1232SA19B0003. REQUIREMENT: The project scope includes major remodeling of a 3,700 square foot office building that was constructed in 1937 that has some features of historical significance. It requires considerable modernization, generally including accessibility enhancements, foundation stabilization, masonry repair, new office finishes, an added meeting room on the second floor with a new exterior stair, renovated restrooms, refurbished historical windows and upgrading and replacement of the HVAC and electrical systems. GENERAL: The contract Period of Performance is approximately 200 calendar days (Base and all Optional Items) after the issuance of the Notice to Proceed. The Magnitude of Construction is between $1,000,000 and $5,000,000. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 236220 (Construction), with a Small Business Set Aside size standard of $36.5 million. The contract will be awarded, based on the Two-Step Sealed Bid process. The Contracting Officer will award a firm fixed price contract to the responsive and responsible Bidder, whom the Government determined had an "Acceptable" Step-One proposal, conforms to the solicitation, is fair and reasonable, and bids the lowest overall price. Bid Bonds are required. Performance and Payment Bonds will be required by the successful offeror. Plans and specifications, which will be made available to firms progressing to Step Two, will NOT be provided in hard paper copy. This procurement requires the use of biobased products to the extent that such products are reasonably available, meet agency or relevant industry performance standards, and are reasonably priced. Where available, these products should first be acquired from among qualified products that fall under the umbrella of items designated through the USDA BioPreferred SM Program". It is the responsibility of the contractor to check www.fbo.gov frequently for any amendments or changes to the solicitation. The Government is not responsible for any loss of internet connectivity or for an offeror's inability to access the documents posted at the referenced website.

Inactive

This 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 conducting a Market Sur... This 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 conducting a Market Survey to identify the availability and interest of interested small business contractors that can meet the minimum evaluation factors below. "Interested contractors" would include qualified Small, Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB), Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HubZone), Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB), certified 8(a) firms, and SBA approved Mentor-Protégé firms as potential Offerors for the Design-Bid-Build Construction Solicitation for the GSWRL facility located in Riesel, TX. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this project is 236220 (Construction) with a Size Standard of $36.5 million. Background: The mission of the current research program at GSWRL is to develop technology and solutions that increase efficient use of soil and water resources, enhance forage and crop production, and support sustainable agricultural production in healthy ecosystems. This mission is accomplished by research that enhances decision support tools for crop and forage production and watershed management, develop improved soil, water, and crop management techniques, develop sustainable crop, forage, and biofuel production systems, increase rangeland productivity and quality, and mitigate global change effects. The existing research facilities at Riesel (which is a satellite facility of the GSWRL facility in Temple, TX) are approximately 40 years old and have exceeded their service life. Numerous building deficiencies exist and must be addressed. The original lab spaces cannot effectively support modern research activities. The research programs housed therein would benefit greatly from Modernization efforts. Requirement: The project scope includes major remodeling of existing buildings in an active research facility. Approximately 4,000 SF of administrative and laboratory space will need to be renovated including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and other upgrades/ replacements. THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE ONLY. Interested firms are invited to respond to this announcement by providing the following information: 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 - Small, SDB, SDVOSB, HubZone, WOSB or Certified 8(a). 4. Firm's Bonding Capacity (construction bonding level per contract and aggregate construction bonding level, both expressed in dollars). Interested firms must meet the minimum bonding requirement of $2M single / $3M aggregate to be considered as a potential source. The surety providing the bonding must be clearly identified and listed in the Department of Treasury's Listing of Approved Sureties which can be found at https://www.fiscal.treasury.gov/fsreports/ref/suretyBnd/c570.htm. If not currently bonded, a letter from a listed surety stating capacity for obtaining a sufficient bonding amount must be included. 5. Firm's experience in successfully completed Design-Bid-Build projects of similar size and scope. To demonstrate similar projects, at least two examples completed in the last seven (7) years should be provided. Examples should be of multi-story laboratory/ research building renovations on active campuses containing laboratories and associated equipment such as Fume Hoods, Biological Safety Cabinets, Autoclaves, etc. NO SOLICITATION EXISTS. THIS REQUEST IS INTENDED ONLY TO IDENTIFY SOURCES OF PROSPECTIVE DESIGN-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 March 8, 2019 by 3:00 p.m. 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 and michael.thompson@ars.usda.gov. NO HARD COPY OR FACSIMILE SUBMISSIONS 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.