SEMSWA Request for Statements of Qualifications, RFQ 2014-1

Frequently Asked Questions, October 17, 2014

  1. Can I submit for more than one service?

Yes, please submit as many Statement of Qualifications (SOQs) as you have experience in providing professional services, and are capable of performing high quality work.

  1. What is the difference between the On CallServices shortlist and the Invite List?

The On-Call services list is for a select group of pre-qualified firms to perform tasks less than $30,000. The pre-qualified Invite Listis for projects that exceed a $30,000 fee for the associated task, and will allow the selected Consultants to be placed on SEMSWA’s invitation list for Stormwater Facility Design projects that are larger in scope and don’t qualify for a short list process. The under $30,000 shortlist provides an opportunity for firms new to SEMSWA to beevaluated on a task by tasks basis. The Invite List provides a similar opportunity for those firms presently on the shortlist to become invitees for the larger design projects.

  1. What is the difference between Section I, Stormwater Facilities Design Services and Section A, Invite List for Stormwater Facilities Design?

There is no difference in the type of services provided; the difference is in the designation of an On Call services shortlist (under $30,000) and an Invite List (over $30,000), related to the size of the design project, as further explained in Question #2.

  1. Should Section I and Section A discuss a team of consultants or highlight just the submitting firm?

SOQs don’t need to commit to a team with this RFQ, and should focus on highlighting the submitting firm’s compliance with (or exceeding) the submittal requirements however they accomplished this in previous projects - with the same team or different team members.

  1. Does being on the On Call Services shortlist exclude a firm from being on the Invite List?

No. Firms that qualify can be selected for multiple On Call Services shortlists and can also be on the Invite List.

  1. Do you have to be on the Invite List in order to be pre-qualified for design projects larger than $30,000? Is this the only way to bid on larger SEMSWA projects?

The Invite List will pre-qualify consultants to receive additional information about proposing for larger projects. UDFCD’s Master List and future, specifically requested SOQs for a project, can also be utilized. However, the Invite List is the best means for future correspondence regarding project proposals.

  1. Since there is a list of specific consultants pre-qualified for each services section, can consultants overlap and be on more than one On Call Services shortlist?

Yes

  1. How does SEMSWA’s On Call Services shortlist and Invite Listrelate to other jurisdiction, agency or UDFCD’s shortlists?

The firm does not need to be on SEMSWA’s Invite List to be selected by UDFCD for a UDFCD-lead project, or for any other partner agency-lead project. The On Call Services shortlist provides a group of pre-qualified firms to conduct discrete tasks for SEMSWA.

  1. Can a firm pre-qualified for Section IV also be used for tasks under Section VIII even if they have not been shortlisted for that Section?

No, the firm needs to be pre-qualified for each section in order to perform tasks under that services section.

  1. Will every engineering and related services Section have tasks to be performed in 2015? Can you tell us which ones have the most tasks available?

No and No. Work tasks under each services section are dependent on budget availability, and SEMSWA makes no guarantee about the number of tasks.The type and number of tasks are unknown at this time.

  1. In your previous RFQ, Surveying was split into two separate Sections, one for major surveying services and one for minor surveying services. Why are they now a single services section?

The firms that submitted under the Minor classification were equivalent to the firms submitting for Major, and SEMSWA felt that it was a burden to submit two qualification documents when one appeared to be sufficient. All firms submitting should be able to perform major (survey associated with a stormwater facility design/construction project) and minor (Elevation Certification preparation) surveying tasks.

  1. Under Land Development Review Services, Section VI, you indicate that there are only a few instances where site application review will be tasked to a consulting firm. Should we concentrate our submittal on As-Builtand Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Manual review?

It will be rareto have a task associated with the LD review services section since the task is closely related to expertise in SEMSWA’s criteria manual and will require some additional training; however, in an emergency situation we may require those services. There may be greater opportunities for As-Built and O&M review, since review checklists are available and work well in these reviews.

  1. In Section VII, Geotechnical Engineering Services, you indicate “groundwater and seepage investigations” as part of the anticipated work tasks. What type of investigations are you anticipating?

Typical on-call geotechnical services are assumed to be related to location of groundwater (i.e. depth). However, in some unique cases more detailed groundwater investigations, including analysis of potential groundwater issues and recommended remediation, may be required. A groundwater investigation may include several discrete and phased tasks, including analytical testing and groundwater level monitoring over time.A geotechnical firm may do a few of the tasks or all of them, depending on the investigation scope.

  1. Will there be a Pre-submittal meeting this year?

No. This FAQ will provide many answers for the expected questions, and questions may be emailed per the Instructions.

  1. Special Projects Services is very wide-ranging. Can you explain a bit more about what you are expecting as an ‘experienced firm’?

This section in intended to narrow specialists and general engineering stormwater services specifically with respect to water quality, innovative treatment technologies, permit compliance with an emphasis on natural systems,retrofits, and pilot projects. While the focus of this section will be water quality design and MS4 permit compliance, this section also pre-qualifies those firms with specialized ancillary services that may be required to present the innovative technology in its best light.

  1. Is there a cap on the number of tasks that can be performed by a pre-qualified consultant?

No

  1. Do you have to compete for tasks if selected as an On Call Services shortlist for a section?

No. Consultants on the on-call list will be selected based on expertise and experience on a task-by-task basis. SEMSWA Managers may discuss the scope of tasks with multiple on-call consultants in a section.

  1. How should total billing be identified in the Relevant Experience section for projects that are not publicly funded, and the contract maybe confidential?

Confidential billings associated with projects highlighted in the Relevant Experience section can be noted as “private improvements with billing information unavailable due to confidentiality”. However, if available, the project cost and applicable contact may still be included.

  1. Are minor edits to the SEMSWA standard contract allowed?

SEMSWA’s contract is standard, and acceptance of the contract is 5-points towards the total 100. If minor non-substantive changes are desired, these changes should be noted in the SOQ package. SEMSWA reserves the right to reject SOQs based on substantive exceptions to its terms and conditions. Non-substantive changes may be considered, but selection criteria points may be adjusted.

  1. If selected as an On-Call consultant for a Section, will the contract automatically be renewed after a year?

The On-Call term for each selected consultants is through December 31, 2016, or a two year term subject to satisfactory performance. At the completion of 2015, consultants will be asked to submit updated Rate/Fee Sheets. SEMSWA, at its discretion, may renew contracts for an additional year (2017).

  1. Can you explain the electronic submittal process through the SEMSWA website?

There will be a RFQ Submittal Form available on the SEMSWA website, on the Customer Service page, that can be completed by the firm, and an option to upload the SOQ(s) in the form. This form can also be accessed from the “Latest News” link for the RFQ Submittal process.

Questions not addressed in this FAQ should be directed in writing toErin Donnelly at