RFP Number: 36C24825R0101 Amendment 0001 Page 2 of 2 RFIs/Questions and Government s responses: Page 15 of the solicitation asks us to Describe experience on steam generation systems and to provide certifications from its technical staff regarding steam generation systems installation. Can the experience on steam generation systems and the required certifications from technical staff be satisfied by subcontractor personnel, or must these qualifications be held by the prime contractor s in-house team? Gov t Response: The quoted statements refer to Factor 1 Technical Approach and Technical Qualifications. This factor does not limit the personnel to be used (subcontractor or in-house) to address it. When preparing the technical proposal, offerors shall follow the technical proposal preparation instructions and ensure that the technical proposal provides sufficient supporting rationale/details when responding to the solicitation factors. In addition, offerors shall comply with VAAR 852.219-75 VA NOTICE OF LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE FOR SERVICES AND CONSTRUCTION (JAN 2023) (DEVIATION) requirements. Page 16 of the solicitation states that offerors should provide projects for experience that Demonstrate experience constructing and managing steam generation projects including steam and condensate piping works. However, based on our review of the drawings and specifications, the scope of this project does not include work on steam generation equipment (e.g., boiler plant, burners, feedwater systems), but rather focuses on steam and condensate distribution piping from the existing boiler plant to the SPS area. Can the Government please confirm whether relevant past performance on projects that involved only steam and condensate piping systems (i.e., distribution work, not boiler/steam generation equipment) will be considered acceptable and fully responsive to this requirement? We ask this in good faith to ensure we are aligning our proposal to the evaluation criteria, as many contractors with extensive VA experience on similar steam distribution systems may not have installed new boiler plants, yet are otherwise fully qualified to perform this scope. Gov t Response: The cited statement refers to Factor 2 Specialized Experience. Offerors responses to this factor will be evaluated according on the criteria set forth in this factor. The offeror has the discretion to select which projects to submit to demonstrate experience that directly addresses the requirements of this factor.  Offeror is responsible for providing project descriptions in sufficient detail to permit evaluation of project relevancy to this procurement. Information shall be provided by completing Specialized Experience Form (Attachment 05). Under Factor 3 Past Performance, the Government states that it will consider the prime contractor s past performance more heavily than subcontractor past performance. Can the Government please confirm that Offerors are permitted to include relevant past performance projects completed by subcontractors or team members (not just the prime), provided these projects are clearly labeled as such in the submission? Additionally, can the Government confirm that while subcontractor experience is acceptable, past performance from the prime will be more favorably weighted in the evaluation? Gov t Response: The cited statement lacks important elements of the criteria established in this factor. Therefore, a copy of the factor is included for your information. When responding to this factor, please ensure that your response addresses factor s criteria.  Can the Government please confirm whether there is a recommended or minimum dollar threshold for the past performance examples to be evaluated as relevant? Gov t Response: See the copy of Factor 3 - Relevant Past Performance, included in the response to Question 3 for details. When responding to this factor, please ensure that your response addresses factor s criteria. Will the Government consider and evaluate past performance examples that meet or exceed that threshold but were not performed in an active healthcare or occupied environment? Gov t Response: See the copy of Factor 3 - Relevant Past Performance, included in the response to Question 3 for details. When responding to this factor, please ensure that your response addresses factor s criteria. Conversely, will the Government consider and evaluate past performance examples that were performed in an active and occupied healthcare environment, but are below the threshold? Gov t Response: See the copy of Factor 3 - Relevant Past Performance, included in the response to Question 3 for details. When responding to this factor, please ensure that your response addresses factor s criteria. Would the Government accept a portion of a larger contract (e.g., a specific phase or scope element of a multi-phase project) as a stand-alone past performance example, provided it is relevant and clearly described in the submission? Gov t Response: See the copy of Factor 3 - Relevant Past Performance, included in the response to Question 3 for details. When responding to this factor, please ensure that your response addresses factor s criteria. Would an active multi-year contract such as a regional preventative maintenance and service contract or BPA with discrete, completed task orders be considered compliant and relevant, provided it includes scopes of work that are directly applicable to the solicitation? Gov t Response: See the copy of Factor 3 - Relevant Past Performance, included in the response to Question 3 for details. When responding to this factor, please ensure that your response addresses factor s criteria. Page 17 of the solicitation states: Offerors should follow-up with clients/references to ensure timely submittal of questionnaires. If the client requests, questionnaires may be submitted directly to the Government s point of contact ivan.nieves-cruz@va.gov. Offerors shall specify which PPQ if any will be submitted by client with a valid and accurate email and telephone number information. We would appreciate confirmation or clarification on the following: Can the Government confirm that it is the preference to have the completed PPQs included as part of the proposal package if received back from the client? Gov t Response: Correct. If a client prefers to send their PPQ directly to the Government s POC, is that the scenario in which we are required to provide the client s name, valid email, and phone number? Gov t Response: Correct. Will the Government accept previously completed PPQs (from other solicitations) for the same or similar projects, as long as they reflect the same contract and within a reasonable timeframe (e.g., within the last 12 months)? Gov t Response: See the copy of Factor 3 - Relevant Past Performance, included in the response to Question 3 for details. When responding to this factor, please ensure that your response addresses factor s criteria.
