Inactive Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Set-Aside (FAR 19.14)

Pre-solicitation Notice Pre-solicitation Notice Page 18 of 18 Pre-solicitation Notice *=Required Field Pre-solicitation Notice Page 1 of 18 This Pre-solicitation Notice is NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. ... Pre-solicitation Notice Pre-solicitation Notice Page 18 of 18 Pre-solicitation Notice *=Required Field Pre-solicitation Notice Page 1 of 18 This Pre-solicitation Notice is NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. ALL INFORMATION NEEDED TO SUBMIT SF330 DOCUMENTS ARE CONTAINED HEREIN. NO ADDITIONAL SOLICITATION PACKAGE OR TECHNICAL INFORMATION WILL BE ISSUED. Project: 509-24-701 Improve Campus Landscaping Work Location: Charlie Norwood Uptown Division of the Augusta VAMC, 01 Freedom Way, Augusta, GA 30904 Estimated/Target Completion Period: 90 Calendar days after award. Construction Magnitude: Between $500,000 and $1,000,000 NAICS: 541320- Landscape Architectural Services Small Business Standard: $9 million Set-Aside: 100% Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Site Visits will not be arranged during this phase. The anticipated award date of the proposed A-E Contract is on or before February 07, 2024 SF 330 Date of Receipt/Due Date: Interested firms having the capabilities to perform this work must submit one (1) electronic SF 330 and attachments (if any) no later than (NLT) 2:00 PM (EST) November 27, 2023. PROJECT OVERVIEW: Provide AE services to provide landscape / foliage / xeriscape options for main entrance and parking lot islands. The general scope of this project consists of installing/replacing previously shrubbed and grass areas with no and low-water usage xeriscaping and natural foliage. Work includes landscaping and irrigation design (if deemed necessary) and construction period services. All existing irrigation systems in construction areas should be evaluated, and design shall include modification, removal, repair, or potential replacement if deemed necessary. Any changes to the irrigation systems in construction areas shall not interfere with irrigation systems or other utilities outside of construction areas. All new landscaping should be equipped with the necessary irrigation to sustain it sufficiently as well as ample isolation valves and drains shutdown system before winter. The site shall be stabilized to prevent erosion and runoff of topsoil. Construction activity cannot infringe on sidewalks that must be maintained for ingress/egress where possible. If sidewalks must be covered, then Interim Life Safety Measures may be required if deemed necessary by the VA Safety Office. VA requirements prohibit existing trees to be removed, therefore all existing trees shall remain and be unharmed during construction. All xeriscaping shall be recessed below top of sidewalk grade with weed resistant geofabric underneath to allow for snowplows and lawnmowers to easily pass without picking up landscape rocks. If irrigation is needed, contractor shall include in their design of new landscaping infrastructure. SDVOSB SET-ASIDE: This requirement is a 100% set-aside for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 8127(d). To be eligible for award the SDVOSB you must be considered small under the relevant NAICS code. SDVOSB contractors must be verified prior to submission of proposal and prior to award of contract with VAAR 804.1103-70. Status as a qualified SDVOSB concern is under the authority of 38 CFR Part 74 in accordance with the VA Acquisition Regulation (VAAR) Part 819. Any person, persons, or business entity suspected of misrepresenting itself for the purpose of securing a government contract may be criminally investigated and prosecuted for fraud against the United States of America. Parties found misrepresenting their status also risk debarment from further Government contracts. Eligibility determination is performed by the Center for Veterans Enterprise (CVE). Eligible SDVOSB concerns must also be registered at the following websites: System for Award Management (SAM): https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/ VETS100/100A Report must be complete: http://www.dol.gov/vets/vets4212.htm Important Notice: Prior to submitting a proposal under this SDVOSB set- aside solicitation; offerors must apply for and receive verification from the Department of Veteran Affairs Center for Veterans Enterprise (CVE) in accordance with 38 CFR Part 74 and VAAR 819.70 by submission of documentation of Veteran status, ownership and control sufficient to establish appropriate status. All offerors are urged to contact the CVE and submit the aforementioned required documents to obtain CVE verification of their SDVOSB status if they have not already done so. For a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) to be considered as a prospective contractor, the firm, including Joint Ventures, must be verified and registered in the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) Vendor Information Pages (VIP), SBA VetCert, and registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database (www.sam.gov) at time of submission of their qualifications. Failure of a prospective SDVOSB to be verified by the Center for Veterans Enterprise (CVE) at the time the SF 330 is submitted shall result in elimination from consideration. All Joint Ventures must be CVE verified at time of submission and submit agreements that comply with 13CFR 125.15 prior to contract award. In order to assure compliance with FAR Clauses, 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting (DEVIATION 2019-01) and VAAR 852.219-10, VA Notice of Total Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside (JUL 2019) (DEVIATION), all firms submitting a SF 330 for this pre-solicitation notice are required to indicate what percentage of the cost of contract performance will be expended on the concerns employees and in which discipline(s) and percentage of cost of contract performance to be expended (and in what disciplines) by any other consultant/subcontractor or otherwise used small or large business entity(s). Any consultant/subcontractor or otherwise business entity(s) used must be identified by name, office location and size/type of business (i.e. SDVOSB, VOSB, 8(a), small, large, etc.). Failure to provide this information will deem the firm s SF 330 submittal as nonresponsive and preclude further evaluation. Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 36.6 (Brooks Act) selection procedures apply. The A-E Services listed herein is being procured in accordance with the Brooks Act (Public Law 92-582) as implemented in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 36.6 and VAAR 836.6. Pursuant to FAR, the firm responding to this requirement must be permitted, by law, to practice the professions of architecture or engineering and meet all required qualifications for the state of South Carolina. SF 330 SELECTION CRITERIA: The VA will utilize the following selection criteria in descending order of importance. Specialized experience and technical competence in the type of work required. Submission requirements: SF 330 information shall be provided per the latest format from the GSA Library located at https://www.gsa.gov/forms-library/architect-engineer-qualifications. Complete using blocks F. and H. of the SF330 form. Complete block F. for each relevant project. Complete block H. summary sheet for the Offeror and each key consultant; each summary sheet shall be not more than one (1) page in length, and no more than ten (10) pages total. Submit no more than five (5) projects like work in the solicitation from the date the solicitation closes to five (5) years prior. At minimum, three (3) projects must have construction completed or construction substantially (50%+) complete. Projects/data submitted shall be projects with total construction costs of $500,000 dollars and greater; Projects may include Federal, State, or local Government, as well as private industry projects. Offerors are responsible for providing project description and applicable information in sufficient detail to permit evaluation of project relevancy versus these minimum requirements. Basis of Evaluation: Specialized experience pertains to the types, size, volume, budget, and complexity of work previously or currently being performed by the Offeror that is comparable to the work covered by this solicitation. Specialized experience may also include unique conditions, considerations, or circumstances encountered that are relevant to this solicitation. Specialized experience does not include overseas offices for projects outside the United States, its territories, or possessions; nor does it include subsidiaries that are not normally subject to management decisions, accounting, and policies, or a holding or parent company or an incorporated subsidiary that operates under a firm name different from the parent company. Technical competence includes construction and design projects similar in project scope, size, construction features, dollar value, and complexity of that listed in the solicitation. Technical competence also includes experience in energy conservation, pollution prevention, waste reduction, and the use of recovered materials. Similar complexity is considered projects of an operational, construction, or design likeness to the work covered in this solicitation. Specific emphasis of experience and technical competence shall be geared towards landscaping improvements. Offerors unable to demonstrate proven specialized experience and technical competence may be considered non-responsive or scored negatively. Failure to provide requested data may negatively impact an Offeror's rating. Past Performance on contracts with Government agencies and private industry in terms of cost control, quality work, and compliance with performance schedules. Submission requirements: Complete using block H. of the SF 330 describing the Offeror s past performance. The summary sheet shall be not more than two (2) pages in length. Provide a Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ) for each submitted project under Specialized Experience criteria, above. PPQs must be incorporated into the submission; PPQs will not count towards page limitations. CPARS are acceptable. Data from other projects not included under Specialized Experience criteria are acceptable (such as cost control or schedule delays) in tables or charts. Basis of Evaluation: Past performance is a measure of the degree to which an Offeror satisfied its customers needs and requirements and compliance with applicable codes, standards, laws, and regulations. The evaluation of past performance will include but is not limited to: The customer s assessment of the Offeror's commitment to customer satisfaction. Timely delivery of quality work. The Offeror's record of conforming to contract requirements and applicable codes, standards, laws and regulations. Successful implementation of a quality control plan and quality control procedures. Addressing design errors/omissions timely. Providing Construction Period Services satisfactorily to customers Adherence to approved schedules; and, History of timely and professional communication and cooperative behavior. Include information on problems (errors/omissions) found, how the problems were corrected, and the impacts to the successful completion of the project (time delays, cost impacts, design modifications, etc.). Provide information supporting favorable cost control, quality of design submissions, and schedule compliance. Offeror risks receiving a lower rating if fewer than three (3) PPQs/ CPARS are provided or if the PPQs?CPARS were not completed by project point of contact. Include a discussion on the Offeror s record of significant claims for improper or incomplete design services. Higher ratings may be given for work performed on VA Medical Center campuses. Failure to provide requested data or to provide an accessible point of contact (POC) may negatively impact an Offeror's rating. Failure to demonstrate proven competence to perform projects like the requirements of the solicitation may be considered ineligible for award. Professional qualifications necessary for satisfactory performance of required services. Submission Requirements: Complete using block E. of the SF 330. Submit personal resumes and relevant information for key and responsible personnel. Block E. shall be not more than one (1) page in length per individual, and not more than fifteen (15) total pages. Basis of Evaluation: Evaluation of professional qualifications will include but is not limited to the subjective assessment of the Offeror's individual resumes. The Offeror shall have a professional engineer, currently registered in any state or territory of the United States, knowledgeable in their registered design discipline, to be the lead designer responsible for reviewing and approving design submissions. The Offeror shall have a professional engineer, qualified and knowledgeable of state and local regulations, be the lead designer responsible for reviewing and approving design submissions and facilitating permit documentation (depending on the nature of the design i.e. environmental, stormwater, etc.). Key personnel to provide qualifications to meet this criterion include Principal(s), Project Manager(s), key consultants, individuals responsible for implementation of the Design QA/QC Plan, and other individuals that are responsible or accountable for design submissions. Physical Security Subject Matter Experts shall meet the requirements of Section 10.1.5 of the Physical Security & Resiliency Design Manual. The Offeror shall describe and/or depict which projects and how well key personnel of the design team have worked together. Higher ratings for this criterion may be given when the Offeror's specific personnel demonstrate relevant credentials, such as involvement and degree of involvement in professional organizations, research/publications, code/standard body involvement, etc. Offerors unable to demonstrate professional qualifications necessary to perform designs may be considered non-responsive . Failure to provide sufficient data supporting professional qualifications may negatively impact an Offeror's rating. Experience in construction period services. Submission Requirements: Complete using block H. of the SF 330. Provide a narrative that describes the Offeror s performance completing Construction Period Services (CPS) for construction for each submitted project under Specialized Experience criteria, above. Narrative shall be not more than two (2) pages in length. Basis of Evaluation: Includes professional field inspections during the construction period, review of construction submittals, support in answering requests for information during the construction period, and support of construction contract modifications to include drafting statements of work, and cost estimates shall be included as an evaluation criterion when construction period services is included in the statement of work for A-E services. Evaluation of the Offeror s knowledge, skills, and abilities to complete necessary CPS to support successful project completion. Provide a narrative describing the below services, but not limited to: Professional field inspections, both scheduled and emergent. Maintaining a comprehensive submittal log inclusive of material data, shop drawings, certifications, etc. Review of construction submittals for design conformance, variance, and applicable code/standard compliance. Providing timely and complete responses to requests for information. Providing supporting documentation (statements of work, cost estimates, technical reports, etc.) for construction modifications. Providing record drawing documentation. Process for correcting design errors/omissions identified during construction; and, Other requirements defined under CPS in the Statement of Work. Capacity to accomplish the work in the required time. Submission Requirements: Complete using block H. of the SF 330. Provide a narrative that describes the Offeror s work capacity. Narrative shall be not more than one (1) page in length. Basis of Evaluation: Identify the Offeror s past, present and projected future workload, including VA contracts over the previous 12 months. Describe the Offeror s capacity to incorporate this solicitation s work while meeting prescribed dates for current workload. Each key team member to include % of available capacity to take on new projects. Evaluation of this factor will be an assessment of the Offeror s ability to complete design documents within the period of performance and meet solicitation requirements. Data is acceptable in tables or charts. Higher ratings may be given for this criterion when information provided exceeds the minimum requirements. Location in the general geographical area of Augusta, GA, and knowledge of the locality of the Charlie Norwood VA facility: Submission Requirements: Complete using block H. of the SF 330. Provide a narrative that describes the Offeror s experience in the Augusta, GA geographical area. Narrative shall be not more than one (1) page in length. Basis of Evaluation: Offerors will be subjectively evaluated based on their knowledge (and the knowledge of subcontractors) of unique conditions or variables, such as familiarity of applicable codes, regulations, construction market & labor conditions, geotechnical, seismic, weather, environmental, or other unique considerations found in Augusta, GA and the geographical area. If prior experience in Augusta, GA is minimal, describe how the design team plans to obtain specific knowledge of local conditions or project features required for a compliant design. Data from other projects and locations are acceptable to highlight knowledge of the Augusta, GA geographical area or areas of similar nature. Offerors that submit relevant projects outside of the Augusta, GA geographical area may be given a lower rating than projects within the Augusta, GA geographical area. The extent to which potential contractors identify and commit to the use of service-disabled Veteran-owned small businesses, Veteran-owned small businesses, and other types of small businesses as subcontractors: Submission Requirements: Complete using block H. of the SF 330. Provide a narrative that discusses the Offeror s approach. Narrative shall be not more than one (1) page in length. Offeror s shall complete and submit the following statement in block H. : I [signatory authority], of [Offeror Company or Joint Venture] certify that the team proposed to perform under this requirement demonstrates the capability of 50% SDVOSB performance in compliance of 48 CFR 852.219-10 . Basis of Evaluation: Offerors shall be evaluated based on their utilization plans for service-disabled Veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSBs), Veteran-owned small businesses (VOSBs), or other types of small businesses. Offerors shall be evaluated on the expected amount of work versus key personnel to verify the above signatory statement. If less than 50% of work is estimated to be performed by the prime SDVOSB, the Offeror may be given a lower rating. Offerors shall submit qualifications for proposed consultants per other criteria in this solicitation. All SF330 submittals and questions must be sent electronically to the attention of Pamela Moffitt, Contract Specialist Pamela.Moffitt@va.gov . Please provide Pre-Solicitation Number, Project Number, Project Title, and Firm Name in Subject Line of email. When submitting SF330s, if more than one email is sent, please number emails in Subjects as 1 of n . Submittals received after the date and time identified on page one (1) will not be considered. Firms not providing the required information may be negatively evaluated. Facsimile submittals will not be accepted. All information must be included in the SF330. Complete one set of letters and forms for each project identified in your firm s SF 330 Section F, Example Projects Which Best Illustrate Proposed Team s Qualifications for This Contract. Additional space or blank sheets may be added to answer any question. Transmittal Letter to Accompany Past Performance Questionnaire FROM: [Insert Company Official Name, Title, and Company Name] SUBJECT: Past Performance Questionnaire for Contract(s): [Insert Company Name] is currently responding to Department of Veterans Affairs (NCO 7) request for SF 330, Architect-Engineer Qualifications for a complete design to provide landscape / foliage / xeriscape options for main entrance and parking lot islands. The general scope of this project consists of installing/replacing previously shrubbed and grass areas with no and low-water usage xeriscaping and natural foliage. Work includes landscaping and irrigation design (if deemed necessary) and construction period services. This Request for SF 330 s requires respondents to identify customers and solicit their response regarding [Insert Company Name] performance. [Insert Company Name] is providing past performance data to NCO 7 relating to our performance on contract [Insert contract name/number] and have identified [Insert name of reference] as the point of contact for this contract. The request for SF 330 instructs that the respondents will provide customers with the attached questionnaire. Please complete the questionnaire and submit it by____ directly to the NCO 7 Contracting Office Contracting Officer. The requested data may be submitted by mail, but the preferred method is email to the Government representative identified below. If the Past Performance Questionnaire is emailed, DO NOT send a hard copy via mail. Pamela Moffitt, Contract Specialist VISN 7 Network Contracting Office (NCO7) 6439 Garners Ferry Road Columbia, SC 29209 E-mail: Pamela.Moffitt@va.gov The information contained in the completed Past Performance Questionnaire is considered sensitive and cannot be released to [Insert Company Name]. Please direct any questions about the acquisition or the attached questionnaire to the VISN 7 NCO point of contact identified above. Thank you, [Insert Company Official Name and Title] GENERAL INFORMATION A-E FIRM TO BE EVALUATED: Firm Name: Phone: Address: Email: Point of Contact: Firm Cage Code: ______________________________ Firm Tax ID Number: __________________________ Firm DUNS Number: _________________________________ Project Title: _______________________________________ Description of Project: Description of A-E Firms Responsibilities: Contract Number: ________________________________________________________ Dollar Amount: _____________________ _____________________________________ Contract Period of Performance: _____________________________________________ A-E Firm performed as: Prime Contractor/Sub-Contractor/Consultant/Team Member ______ Percent of work performed by A-E Firm:___________________________________________ Other (Please describe) ________________________________________________________ EVALUATION INFORMATION: Evaluator s Company or Agency Firm Name: Evaluator s Name: Address: Title: Phone: Email: SEND COMPLETED QUESTIONAIRE (SECTIONS B through D) TO: (Email Only) Pamela Moffitt, Contract Specialist VISN 7 Network Contracting Office (NCO7) 3469 Garners Ferry Road Columbia, SC 29209 E-mail: Pamela.Moffitt@va.gov PERFORMANCE INFORMATION: Choose the appropriate rating that most accurately describes the A/E s performance or situation. PLEASE PROVIDE A NARRATIVE EXPLANATION FOR ALL RATINGS OF Marginal or Unsatisfactory on page 7 under Narrative Summary. Exceptional (5) Very Good (4) Satisfactory (3) Marginal (2) Unsatisfactory (1) N/A -Performance meets or met contractual requirements and exceeds or exceeded many of your company s expectations. The contractual performance reflects or reflected few minor problems and corrective actions taken by the contractor appear to be highly effective or corrective actions taken were effective. -Performance meets or met contractual requirements and exceeds or exceeded some of your company s expectations. The contractual performance reflects or reflected some minor problems and corrective actions being taken by the contractor appear to be effective or Corrective actions taken were effective. -Performance meets or met contractual requirements. The contractual performance reflects or reflected some minor problems. Corrective actions being taken by the contractor appear to be effective or Corrective actions taken were effective. -Performance does or did not meet some contractual requirements. The contractual performance reflects or reflected serious problems(s) for which the contractor has not yet identified acceptable corrective actions or did not provide acceptable corrective actions. -Performance does or did not meet most contractual requirements and recovery is not likely or did not occur. The contractual performance contains or contained serious problem (s) for which the contractor s corrective actions appear ineffective or were ineffective. -Not applicable or rater has not observed performance in this area. A-E FIRM S NAME: PROJECT NAME: Contract Period of Performance: Note: Include this information on each page of the questionnaire form to ensure there is no mix up in information among contracts surveyed for respective primes/subs, etc. Place an X in the appropriate column using the definitions matrix on page 4. Item FACTORS TO BE RATED Exceptional (5) Very Good (4) Satisfactory (3) Marginal (2) Unsatisfactory (1) N/A Design Services: 1. Overall skill level and technical competence of A/E s personnel. 2. A/E s ability to identify and resolve design issues expeditiously. 3. A/E s responsiveness to design review questions. 4. A/E s ability to effectively coordinate, integrate and manage their consultants/subcontractors/team 5. A/E s effectiveness and responsiveness in interfacing with the Client s staff 6. Overall accuracy, completeness and coordination of final design documents. (Quality) 7. A/E s ability to provide detailed, accurate cost estimates. 8. A/E s ability to meet contract schedule. Follow-On Construction Support Services: 9. Thoroughness and timely review of construction submittals. 10. Timely resolution of construction design issues. 11. Overall quality, responsiveness and timeliness of A/E follow-on construction support services. LEED (If Applicable): 12. Overall accuracy, completeness, timeliness and coordination of LEED documentation. 13. A/E s ability and understanding of the overall LEED process. BIM (If Applicable): 14. Overall accuracy, completeness, timeliness and coordination of BIM documentation. 15. A/E s ability and understanding of the overall BIM process. Owner s Representative on Design/Build Projects (If Applicable): 16. Overall accuracy, completeness, timeliness and coordination of requirements documents and bridging documents. 17. A/E s ability, thoroughness, timeliness and support as Owner s Representative throughout the project. Overall: 18. How would you rate the A/E s ability to control cost? 19. How would you rate the A/E s overall management performance on this contract? 20. How would you rate the A/E s overall technical/quality performance on this contract? 21. Would you use this A/E again? (If No , please comment in the Narrative Summary) YES NO CONTRACTOR S NAME: PROJECT NAME: CONTRACT PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE Note: Include this information on each page of the questionnaire form to ensure there is no mix up in information among contracts surveyed for respective primes/subs, etc. NARRATIVE SUMMARY (Use this section to explain any rating from the previous page) ITEMS COMMENTS