USDA-ARS Knipling-Bushland Research Laboratory Modernization Project   4

SOURCES SOUGHT SYNOPSIS
For
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) - Agriculture Research Service (ARS) Knipling-Bushland Research Laboratory Modernization Project Renovation

This is a SOURCES SOUGHT announcement; a market survey for information only, to be used for preliminary planning purposes. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION FOR PROPOSALS AND NO CONTRACT WILL BE AWARDED FROM THIS SYNOPSIS, THEREFORE NO PROPOSALS ARE REQUIRED AT THIS TIME. No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this synopsis or any follow up information requests. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the Sources Sought or resulting market research.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District has been tasked to solicit for and award a project for a Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insect Research Laboratory (KBUSLIRL)). The proposed project will be a competitive, firm-fixed price, Design-Bid- Build contract. The Government intends to issue a solicitation; however, the results and analysis of the market research will finalize the determination of procurement method. The type of set-aside, if any, decision to be issued will depend upon the capabilities of the responses to this synopsis.

The purpose of this synopsis is to gain knowledge of interest, capabilities and qualifications of various members of industry, to include the Small Business Community: Small Business, Section 8(a), Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZone), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Woman Owned Small Business. The Government must ensure there is adequate competition among the potential pool of responsible contractors. Small business, Section 8(a), HUBZone, Woman Owned, SDVOSB and businesses are highly encouraged to participate.

Statement of Work:

The USDA has engaged USACE SWF to lead the modernization upgrades and replacements for the research programs at the Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory (KBUSLIRL) in Kerrville, Texas. The KBUSLIRL is a sprawling campus of 34.9 acres of small buildings constructed incrementally in the 1960's. The facilities house the Livestock Arthropod Pest Research Unit, and will provide important tick and blood-feeding fly research capabilities to the long-standing cooperative efforts between the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal Plant Health Inspection Service Veterinary Services (APHIS-VS), and the U.S. cattle industry.

Contract work consist of Construction A new laboratory/office facilities for the Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insect Research Laboratory (KBUSLIRL) Unit at Kerrville Texas. The project involves a combined Administration and Laboratory Building of approximately 46,000 gross square feet, a Fly and Tick Research Building of approximately 8,000 gross square feet, and approximately 18,000 gross square feet of ancillary building space. The new facility will require demolition of existing structures and removal of hazardous materials.

In accordance with (IAW) FAR 236.204(ii) the magnitude of construction is between $25,000,000 and $100,000,000. The estimated duration of the project is 1095 calendar days.

The North American Industry Classification System code for this procurement is 236220, Commercial and Industrial Building Construction which has a small business size standard of $39.5M.

Small Businesses are reminded under FAR 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting, they must perform at least 15% of the cost of the contract, not including the cost of materials, with their own employees for general construction-type procurement. If a large business firm is selected for this announcement, they must also comply with the FAR 52.219-9 clause regarding the requirement for an approved subcontracting plan.

Prior Government contract work is not required for submitting a response under this source sought synopsis. However, all construction performance must be in compliance with the USACE Safety and Health Requirements Manual, (EM 385 1-1, and must also comply with all Federal, State and local laws, ordinances, codes and/or regulations.

The type of solicitation to be issued will be a Design-Bid-Build RFP. No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this synopsis or any follow up information requests. Anticipated solicitation issuance date is about or around February 2021. The official Synopsis citing the solicitation number will be issued on Beta.SAM.gov and inviting firms to register electronically to receive a copy of the solicitation when it is issued.

Firm's response to this Synopsis shall be limited to 5 pages and shall include the following information to be completed in the Sources Sought Response document included as an attachment to this Sources Sought:

1. Firm's name, address, point of contact, phone number, and e-mail address.

2. Firm's interest in bidding on STATEMENT OF WORK of the subject solicitation when it is issued.

3. Firm's capability to perform a contract of this magnitude and complexity, including the firm's capability to execute construction comparable work performed within the past five years. Incorporate a brief description of the project, customer's name, timeline of performance, customer satisfaction and dollar value of the project - provide at least three examples.

4. Firm's Size: Large, small business category and business size, (Small Business, HUB Zone, Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, Woman Owned Small Business, or 8(a)).

5. Firm's Joint Venture information if applicable - existing and potential.

6. Firm's Bonding Capability (bonding level per contract and aggregate bonding level, both expressed in dollars, via letter from the bonding company).

Interested Firms shall respond to this Sources Sought Synopsis no later than 8 January 2021 via email only. All interested firms must be registered at www.sam.gov to be eligible for award of Government contracts. Email your response to Clyde Gardner at clyde.l.gardner@usace.army.mil