C -- Map Modernization Program

This is a modification to a pre-solicitation notice originally published on March 23, 2004. The purpose of this modification is to make several changes to the language of the original pre-solicitation notice and to address some of the questions received to date. The major changes to the notice will address Factor 4 of the Selection Criteria. Prospective firms interested in participating in this procurement should review the revised version of the notice carefully before providing their submission. It will also be noted that the submissions are still due on April 6, 2004. Accordingly, the original synopsis, dated March 23, 2004, is hereby deleted in its entirety and in its place is the following in lieu thereof: The Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Region V intends to award one (1) or more multi-year performance-based contracts in Region V for FY 2004. These contracts are subject to the availability of funds and are for services associated with the Map Modernization Program map products. The performance-based service contract will be implemented under the Brooks Act (Public Law 92-582), FAR Subpart 36.6, Architect and Engineer Contracts and FAR Subpart 37.6, Performance-Based Contracting. The contracts are anticipated to be awarded by June, 2004. Task Orders will be awarded for communities subject to riverine and/or coastal flooding primarily in Region V (Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin). The following is the contract for which you may apply and this information must appear on the outside of your package: Solicitation #HSFE05-04-R-0001. Submittals by facsimile transmission will not be accepted and will be considered non-responsive. All contracts are to be capped at $30,000,000 over the life of the contract, which is one (1) base year with 4 option years. The minimum amount for each contract will be $50,000 over the life of the contract. This procurement is unrestricted competition and is classified under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code 541330. The small business size is (not to exceed) $4 million. If one or more large businesses are selected for contract award, they must comply with FAR 52.219-9 (Small Business Subcontracting Plan) and HSAR 3019.705-1 (Small Business Subcontracting Program). The Small Business Subcontracting Plan is not required with the initial submittal, but will be required with the second phase of the selection process prior to contract negotiations. The anticipated contract type will be Indefinite Delivery/ Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Service Contract with Performance-Based Task Orders. Task Orders may be firm fixed price, cost reimbursable or cost plus award fee. Only Firms who have an accounting system meeting the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) standards will be given consideration for contract award. To be eligible for contract award, a firm must be registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR). You may register via the internet at www.ccr.gov. Services: The services to be provided include the compilation of Flood Insurance Study (FIS) data, Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM) data, disaster recovery maps in Region V States and technical assistance related to joint mapping activities initiated under the Cooperating Technical Partner initiatives. Generally, assignments initiated under these Task Orders will be completed within a twelve (12) month period. The selected firm(s) may be required to provide all or some of the services as stated in Attachment A: Statement of Objectives. The Statement of Objectives may also be accessed through the Due Diligence Library at the internet address provided below. Application Process: Any Architect and Engineer firms interested in being considered to perform this work must submit one Standard Form (SF) 254 and SF 255 to include the prime firm and all consultants, showing project experience, and listing the personnel in both offices who would be assigned to perform the work (SF 255, Blocks 4, 6 and 7). (See evaluation factors below.) A performance based solution to meet the Statement of Objectives shall be requested from only those firms who are on the “short list”. DUE DILIGENCE sessions will be part of this procurement for only those firms notified that they are on the “short list”. The Due Diligence Library is available now. These sessions will be held in the FEMA Region V offices in Chicago (by appointment only) prior to the date for solution submittal estimated to be approximately April 26, 2004. The library may be accessed through www.fema.gov/regions/v/mit/idiq_due_diligence_library.shtm. Expenses for the solution preparation or for the due diligence process will not be reimbursed. Joint ventures must include a copy of the legal venture agreement signed by an authorized officer of each entity identified and must list the percentage and type of work that will be performed by each participating firm and state that this is a joint venture. Item Five (5) of the SF 255 must be completed in full for the venture to be considered. Only one (1) SF 255 shall be submitted for joint ventures. USE STANDARD PAGES OF THE SF 254 and 255 (Rev. 11/92) prescribed. All firms shall submit one (1) copy of the SF 254 and 255 in order to be considered. Ensure that resumes are provided for each of the key personnel. Each resume shall not exceed one page single sided in length using standard 12-point type size. Copy resume page as needed to provide all required resumes. When addressing team capabilities, clarify planned versus existing capabilities. Additionally, key staff submitted shall not be changed after award without prior written approval of the Contracting Officer. In the event the selected firm(s) decides to utilize other personnel in the performance of the Task Order(s) for this contract, submit their resumes to the Contracting Officer for approval. The qualifications of the substituted personnel must be equal to or better than those of the person that they are replacing. In Block 8, in addition to the ten (10) projects, attach the two examples of performance accomplishments as requested in Factor 4 (Past Performance). Item 10 of the SF 255 shall be limited to one (1) single sided page, also using standard 12-point type size. It should include a brief presentation of internal controls and procedures that you use to insure that a quality product is produced. All other material such as brochures and samples of work will not be considered and will be discarded upon receipt. Selection Process: Firms will be selected using procedures for acquisition of Architect-Engineer services set forth in FAR, Part 36 and the Brooks Act, 40 USC #5 (1988) as amended. The “Selection Criteria” will be in accordance with FAR, Section 36.602-1 “Selection Criteria”. If a firm has multiple offices, for each of the criteria requiring demonstrated abilities and experience, submit project experience for each specific office and list the personnel in the office who would be assigned to perform the work. The selection process will be accomplished in two (2) phases: (Phase 1) Review, rating and ranking of the SF 254 and SF 255. Those firms rated as most highly qualified in the first phase will be notified and requested to submit their solutions for fulfilling the Statement of Objectives. The solution package shall include the Program Management Plan, Technical Work Plan, Quality Assurance Plan and Small Business Subcontracting Plan. The solution for meeting the Statement of Objectives shall not exceed seventy five (75) pages. Due Diligence sessions will be available prior to the due date for submittal. (Phase 2) The Solutions and plans of the firms on the Short List (3 or more) will be reviewed, rated and ranked. The Selection Criteria listed below will be used for the rating and ranking in both phases of the process. The firm may be requested to provide additional information or clarification concerning their solution. The opportunity to revise your solution may be provided after these discussions. Firms selected for consideration of an IDIQ contract will be notified. Negotiations will be conducted beginning with the most preferred firm(s) in the selection, and will proceed until an award or awards are made or all of the short-listed firms have been rejected. Responses shall reference “Synopsis Number HSFE05-04-R-0001” on the face of both the SF 254 and SF 255 as well as the outside of the envelope. SELECTION CRITERIA: Six (6) factors will be used in the selection of the firms. Factors 1 and 2 are considered critical and both are of equal value; the remaining four factors are listed in descending order of importance. FACTOR 1. PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND CAPABILITIES: a) Demonstrated experience of the firm and key personnel in hydrology and open channel hydraulics for purposes of flood risk assessment and floodplain maps. b) Demonstrated experience of the firm and key personnel in working with state and local governmental authorities in floodplain or storm-water management. c) Demonstrated understanding in the use of technical data, preferably flood hazard data, for application in state or local regulatory programs. d) Experience working with local officials or public interest groups to increase public understanding of complex technical issues and achieve a greater participation in decision-making. e) Demonstrated integration of engineering and GIS staff in project implementation. FACTOR 2. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE AND TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES a) Demonstrated experience of the firm and the key personnel in the application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology specific to production of flood hazard mapping, including automated hydrologic and hydraulic applications in Flood Insurance Studies. b) Experience in implementation of strategies for data collection, maintenance and display designed to motivate partners to share data. c) Experience in the collection, compilation and analysis of data used in the DFIRM database or geo-spatial platforms similar to the DFIRM database. d) Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of data typically input to digital flood hazard map projects. e) Experience in management, quality assurance planning and quality control reviews in similar projects. f) Capability for quality oversight and assurance for work performed by other contractors, and federal, state, and local government entities. g) Ability to perform value engineering in order to find efficiencies and reduce project costs. h) Ability to build effective partnerships between various levels of government, the public and the private sector. i) Ability to configure engineering and geo-spatial data in order to accommodate multiple platforms. FACTOR 3. CAPACITY TO ACCOMPLISH THE WORK IN THE REQUIRED TIME. The government will evaluate the firm’s ability to perform multiple complex projects, in multiple states concurrently, while accomplishing the work within required time limits. FACTOR 4. PAST PERFORMANCE IN CONTRACTS WITH GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND PRIVATE INDUSTRY IN TERMS OF COST CONTROL, QUALITY OF WORK, AND COMPLIANCE WITH PERFORMANCE SCHEDULES. The government will evaluate two examples of actual performance accomplishments on efforts of similar scope to this project. These will be attachments to Block 8. The description should address the size, scope and complexity, the performance metrics, incentives used and the actual results achieved against those metrics. Indicate accomplishments in managing, implementing, and monitoring these projects in terms of cost controls, work quality, and performance schedules. Also provide references and official past performance reporting documents. Firms with no past performance to report will receive a neutral rating. FACTOR 5. LOCATION IN THE GENERAL GEOGRAPHIC AREA OF THE PROJECT AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE LOCALITY. a) Familiarity and experience working with the state and local government entities and other professional organizations within Region V. b) Ability to produce and obtain products compliant with all national, regional, state and local rules and regulations; and with all necessary certifications. c) Ability to identify and assess multiple hazards and unique or specialized flood risk situations within Region V. FACTOR 6. SUBCONTRACTING AND SOCIO ECONOMIC BUSINESS STRATEGY. Describe the approach to subcontracting including providing subcontracting opportunities for small, disadvantaged, women-owned, veteran-owned, HUBZONE firms, historical black colleges and universities, and federally-recognized tribal organizations and American Indian-owned enterprises. Final Instructions: All firms interested in the FY 2004 work, regardless of prior submissions, shall furnish new forms as indicated above in order to be considered. Solicitation packages will not be provided for IDIQ A&E contracts. No other announcement is anticipated solely for the Map Modernization Program in Region V in FY 2004. FEMA encourages, to the maximum practicable extent, the subcontracting to small and/or disadvantaged business concerns. All initial information requested by this announcement must be received by the Contacting Officer no later than 3:00PM local time in the Contracting Office on April 6, 2004 at the following address: Federal Emergency Management Agency, 536 South Clark St., 6th Floor, Chicago, IL 60605-1509, ATTENTION: Catherine E. Mc Namara, Contracting Officer (phone 312-408-5513). Firms submitting responses must allow sufficient time for delivery. Late submissions will not be considered except as noted in Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Part 14.304. Short listed firms can make an appointment for the Due Diligence sessions by telephoning Ms. Maria Poremba at 312-408-5512. For planning purposes, it is anticipated that these sessions should not take longer that than two (2) hours. ALL QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE ABOVE WILL BE DIRECTED TO THE FOLLOWING BY E-MAIL ONLY: Catherine Mc Namara, Contracting Officer: [email protected].