The purpose of this announcement is to request updated and new A&E qualification information for the USDA Forest Service, Eastern Region, A&E Short Selection Database. WHAT IS THE SHORT SELECTION DATABASE USED FOR? The Forest Service utilizes the Short Selection database to award Architect-Engineer (AE) contracts, below $150,000, in all States included within the Forest Service Eastern Region, (including the States of, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin) and portions of the Southern Region (including the States of Kentucky and Virginia). The database contains all of the qualified, interested AE firms that respond to this notice for consideration for future approved projects falling within the NAICS codes indicated. Examples of some of the types of work include, but is not limited to; bridge and large culvert design, low volume road design, design of small warehouses and offices, historic preservation, rehabs to improved energy efficiency and safety concerns, energy audits and studies, design of repairs to small dams and impoundments, design of photovoltaic and other renewable energy systems, LEED consulting, design of HVAC systems, design of electrical systems and lighting, water and waste water system design, performance of sanitary inspections for water systems and safety inspections for bridges and dams, construction inspection, drafting services, surveying (construction and property), geotechnical investigation, and environmental (RCRA, CECRLA, CWA, etc.) investigations, reviews, inventories, audits and coordination of RCRA and other waste disposal. WHAT IS THE SHORT SELECTION PROCESS? The Short Selection Process utilizes the procedures set forth in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 36.602-5. For A/E projects with an estimated total fee under the Simplified Acquisition Threshold, $150,000, agencies may review current data files for eligible A/E firms, perform a technical review and evaluation to determine the 3 most highly qualified firms, and have discussions with the 3 firms to determine the best qualified firm for that particular project. A price proposal will then be requested from the highest technically rated firm. If a reasonable price cannot be negotiated, discussions will be held with the second best qualified firm, and so on. A/E data files will be maintained by State and NAICS code. The A/E's ability to provide licensed professionals in the State where the project is located (FAR 36.602-1(a)(1) and the firm's geographic proximity and knowledge of the local area (FAR 36.602-1(a)(5)) as identified on the A/E's SF330 and supplemental information, will be used for the first preliminary screening of firms when a large list of potential firms exist. All acquisitions utilizing the short selection database shall be set-aside for small business concerns unless requirements cannot be met and the Contracting Officer obtains a proper waiver. Firms are encouraged to update their data annually by responding to this announcement; however, the Forest Service will retain previously submitted data for a period of three years. WHAT DOES MY FIRM NEED TO SUBMIT TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY AND RECEIVE CONSIDERATION FOR FUTURE AE PROJECTS? All information shall be submitted on a CD/DVD capable of being read utilizing a Windows 7 operating system. Information shall be stored on the CD/DVD as a single *.pdf file no larger than 15 MB in size. Hardcopy data will not be filed or considered. Only the first thirty (30) pages of your proposal will be considered and retained. The following documents/information is required and is part of the thirty (30) page limit: 1. An electronic cover letter should precede your other data. The letter should outline the work your firm specializes in and include a brief description of your firm's capabilities specifically relating to the project examples stated above; 2. A completed Attachment A - A&E Submittal Cover Sheet; 3. SAM Entity Record Print Out: System for Award Management (SAM) registration is required for award of federal contracts. You must have an active registration in SAM to be considered for project work. Contractors may register for a DUNS number free of charge at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. Contractors may register in SAM free of charge at www.sam.gov. 4. SF330, Part 2 (Attachment B): The entire SF330 is posted for your reference (it includes instructions). SF330, Part 2 is the only required part that needs to be completed and included; and 5. Attach to the SF330 Part 2 - a list of the licensed professionals and the States of their licensing for each of the Function Codes identified in block 9 of the SF330, part 2. Submittals shall be brief and concise. Only the first thirty (30) pages of a firm's submittals will be evaluated and considered during the initial review. All submittal documents including the cover letter shall be included on the CD/DVD as a single PDF document, stored as a single file. MAIL CD/DVD TO: USDA FOREST SERVICE Eastern Region ATTN: Lance Blackwell 626 East Wisconsin Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53202 Receipt of submittals by 4:00 p.m. Central time, on April 3, 2015 is appreciated as this will facilitate timely establishment of qualifications database. Question related to this announcement shall be referred to Lance Blackwell at
[email protected] or Melissa Johnson at
[email protected].