POTENTIAL ACQUISITION OPPORTUNITY FOR HUBZONE - CONSTRUCTION PROJECT TO REHABILITATE AND EXPAND THE IRRIGATION SYSTEM AT THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY NATIONAL CEMTERY LOCATED IN GUSTINE, CALIFORNIA. Please e-mail your response to this message to Ms. Lenora Stephens under the title heading "San Joaquin Valley Irrigation Expansion - [Place Company Name Here, Hubzone", no later than 2:00 p.m., EST, Thursday, March 9, 2006, at the following address:
[email protected] In an effort to enhance opportunities for HUBZONEs and increase the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) accomplishments in this important socioeconomic category, VA's National Cemetery Administration is performing preliminary market research to gauge the level of interest and capabilities of HUBZONEs with regards to an upcoming acquisition for Construction Services at the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery, Gustine, California. The findings of the preliminary market research will be used in considering a 100% set aside for HUBZONEs, pursuant to the set-aside authority contained in Public Law 19.13, as implemented in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 19.14. NAICS code for this acquisition is 237990. The Size Standard is $31 Million. The magnitude of this project is between $1,000,000 and $2,000,000. Project is subject to the availability of funds. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT: The contractor shall provide construction services for irrigation system rehabilitation and expansion of the existing cemetery of approximately 100 acres. Construction includes but is not limited to, demolition, installation of pump station, irrigation lines, irrigation heads, control valves, central control system and a weather station, as per the contract specifications and drawings that will be provided. Performance period is approximately 365 calendar days from date of receipt of the Notice to Proceed. REQUIRED RESPONSES: Your review of this information and response to the following questions will be very helpful in determining if this acquisition may be set-aside exclusively for competition among HUBZONEs. (1) Has your firm, as a prime contractor, whether individually or through a formal joint venture or teaming agreement, or under subcontract to a prime contractor, provided construction services for projects of similar size and scope (Government or commercial) within the last five years as described in the brief description of project above? If yes, please provide the following information on your three most recent projects: (a) Contracting Agency Address & contracting officer's name and telephone number. (b) Contract Number, date and amount of award, date of completion (c) Description of Items/Services provided under the contract. (d) If any bonding was provided, what was the amount of bonding? (e) If performance was as a subcontractor, please provide the name, address and telephone number of the point of contact at the prime contractor. (f) State whether or not there were any performance issues under the contract which resulted in the issuance of a Cure Notice or Show Cause Notice by the contracting officer. (2) In order to determine if an acquisition can be set-aside for HUBZONEs, the contracting officer must determine that there are a sufficient number of HUBZONEs capable of performing the contract requirement and that award can be made at a reasonable, fair market price. To that end, please provide your firm's individual and aggregate contract bonding capacity. (3) Has your firm ever been terminated for cause or default from a contractual arrangement, whether Federal or private sector, as a result of failure to perform, poor quality and workmanship provided, etc.? If so, please provide the specifics. (4) Has your firm, or any firm that you would potentially joint venture or team with for a large acquisition of construction services or for any acquisition, ever bid on a Federal acquisition and been determined non-responsible by the contracting officer and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) failed to issue a Certificate of Competency (COC) to your firm or teaming partners when the matter was referred to SBA for review and consideration? Please e-mail your responses and any relevant information regarding specific performance or other qualifications regarding the construction services requested, no later than Thursday, March 9, 2006, at the following address:
[email protected] Do not send hard copy advertising or promotional materials. Please ensure that all responses are comprehensive and provide a name and point-of-contact for your firm for follow-up by this office or the procuring contracting officer. If you have responded to any previous e-mail messages or had other communications with our office regarding preliminary market research for this construction project, please be advised that it will be necessary for you to respond to this e-mail and the questions contained therein. Although responses are not required, the information will be helpful in assisting this office, as HUBZONE advocates, in trying to influence the acquisition strategy for the construction project in California by ensuring maximum practicable opportunities for HUBZONEs. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED AS SUCH. All information is to be provided on a voluntary basis at no charge to the Government. There is no entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs related to or arising out of responding to this request for information. All information provided becomes property of the Government. There is no guarantee, expressed or implicit, that the market research for this acquisition will result in a HUBZONE set-aside or HUBZONE sole source award, or any other guarantee of award or acquisition strategy.