Northern Electrical Interconnect (NEI), Pul-e-Khumri, Afghanistan   2

The Transatlantic Afghanistan District (TAA), utilizing full and open competition, has a requirement for the design and construction of a high voltage power system (220kV) from the existing Pul-e-Khumri/Karkar Substation to the 209th Corps Garrison Baghlan (also known as the Kelaghai Area), Baghlan Province, Afghanistan. The project will expand the high voltage power system at Karkar substation and transmit that power via 20kV transmission lines to the power plant at the 209th Corps Garrison. This new substation shall distribute power to the Afghanistan National Army installation (209th Corps Garrison Baghlan). The project will also include the material, labor, and equipment to complete the expansion of the Pul-e Khumri/Karkar substation, transmission system towers, power distribution system, and all other components of the project as shown in the plans and specifications. Any and all deficient work will be repaired or replaced. The Contractor shall provide a complete and fully functioning power system. These electrical power distribution system and substation shall be designed and constructed in accordance with current electrical and building codes, safety, and security standards, and applicable to local standards. Unexploded Ordnance clearance has not been achieved.

This procurement is a full and open two-phase design-build solicitation in accordance with FAR Subpart 36.303 and FAR Subpart 15.101-2. The Government intends to award one firm fixed price (FFP) contract.

One solicitation will be issued for this requirement consisting of a Request for Qualification (RFQ) during Phase One and Request for Proposal (RFP) for Phase Two. All offerors can submit under Phase One and proposals will be evaluated in Phase One using the process in FAR 36.3 to determine which offerors will receive an amendment with the final Request for Proposal (RFP) and be requested to submit proposals for Phase Two. Phase Two proposals will be evaluated based on the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) source selection process.

In Phase One, a RFP will be issued requesting qualification proposals from interested firms based on the overall scope of work and the phase-one evaluation factors. Up to five (5) of the most highly qualified firms will be selected to submit Phase Two proposals based on the phase-one evaluation factors. In Phase Two, a final RFP will be issued and require the submission of technical and price proposals based on phase-two evaluation factors developed in accordance with FAR 15.304.

The qualification proposal submitted under Phase One which will be evaluated using these three (3) evaluation factors: Factor 1 - Experience, Factor 2 - Past Performance, and Factor 3 - Technical Approach. Those offerors selected to submit Phase Two proposals will be will be requested to submit a technical proposal (volume 1) and price proposal (volume 2). The Phase Two proposal will be evaluated using these four (4) evaluation factors: Factor 1 - Milestone Schedule, Factor 2 - Key Personnel, Factor 3 - Rough Design and Factor 4 - Price.

Award will be made to one Offeror who is deemed responsible in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), conforms to the solicitation requirements, and whose proposal, judged by an overall assessment of the evaluation criteria and other considerations specified in this solicitation meets or exceeds the technical requirements and provides the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable proposal to the Government.

Offerors are advised that an award may be made without discussion or any contact concerning the proposal received. The NAICS code for this project is 237130. Estimated cost range of this project is between $10,000,000.00 and $25,000,000.00 USD. The expected period of performance is 720 days. Issue date for Request for Proposals (Phase One) is August 30, 2015 with proposals due by 3:00 pm, Kabul local time, on September 30, 2015. Complete evaluation criteria will be conveyed within the RFP.

All responsible sources may submit a proposal. Solicitations documents for Phase I will only be be available on the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) home page located at www.fbo.gov. Hard copies will not be provided. No written or faxed requests will be accepted. Contractors are responsible for printing hard copies of the solicitations. All amendments issued for the Phase I evaluation will be posted to FBO at the above address. Hard copies of amendments will not be furnished. It is the contractor's responsibility to monitor the web site for any amendments to this solicitation. Contractors are required to download the solicitation (including specifications and drawings) and all amendments. Liquidated damages will be specified.

All offerors are advised that this requirement may be cancelled or rescinded at any time during the solicitation, selection, evaluation, and/or final award process. This acquisition is unrestricted. Defense Base Act (DBA) Insurance will be required.

The point of contact for this procurement is Mr. Ralph La Rosa, Contracting Officer and Ms. Thuy Le, Contract Specialist, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Transatlantic Afghanistan District, Bagram AFB, APO AE 09354. You may reach Mr. La Rosa at Ralph.J.LaRosa@usace.army.mil and Ms. Le at Phuong-Thuy.T.Le@usace.army.mil. Please send all correspondence to both points of contact.