The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued a small-business-sources-sought (SBSS) notice that in part addresses BIM. The department emphasized that the SBSS notice is not a solicitation or request for proposal, abstracts or quotations.
The purpose of the notice is to obtain information regarding the following: the availability and capability of qualified HUBZone small businesses; service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses; and 8(a) small disadvantage businesses. Responses are expected to assist the federal government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible.
The contract vehicle for this construction quality management (CQM) service is anticipated to be a firm-fixed price indefinite delivery-indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract. The procurement will include a base year with provision for four one-year option periods, and the total contracts awarded including all option years will not exceed $50 million. The government intends to award up to five multiple IDIQ CQM contracts with a minimum guarantee of $10,000 each for the base period.
The following examples are projects that may be issued to the contractor for performance (the CQM contractor/construction manager, or CM, is expected to provide the project):
Design Phase Services - These services include, but are not limited to, providing design technical reviews, code compliance reviews, constructability reviews using BIM, analysis of value engineering proposals, preparation of cost estimate, cost analysis, cost control/monitoring, site surveys, scheduling, review of design scope changes, etc.
Project Procurement Phase Services - These services include, but are not limited to, providing assistance in contract procurement, recommending answers to bid/RFP questions, accompanying government officials in attending/participating in site visits/pre-bid conferences, preparing and issuing solicitation amendments for review and approval by the government contracting officer, etc.
Project Construction Phase Services - These services include, but are not limited to, providing temporary field offices, setting up job files, working folders, and record-keeping systems as well as scheduling and assisting the government in conducting preconstruction meetings, monitoring the submittal review process, maintaining marked up sets of project plans and specifications for future as-built drawings, performing routine inspections of construction as work proceeds, etc.
Projects also may involve commissioning services, testing services, post-construction services, and claims services.
For additional information, refer to solicitation No. HHS-NIH-ORF-SBSS-11-001 when calling National Institutes of Health Senior Contract Specialist Debbie Loftin at (301) 433-7184.
