Conditions: You are assigned as a Contingency Contracting Officer (CCO) and have access to current acquisition regulations, local procedures, and required automation and office supplies. You have been assigned to explain the A-E solicitation process.
Standards: Conduct mission analysis and properly identify and explain all of the key tasks and components related to the A-E solicitation process. Given a requirement for A-E services, developed a Request for Price Proposal (RFPP) in the Standard Procurement System/Procurement Desktop Defense (SPS/PD2). Properly determined whether the Service Contract Act (SCA) applied to the requirement.
Explained the purpose and topics to cover in an A-E pre-proposal conference. Reviewed a Statement of Work (SOW) and identified inconsistencies with the solicitation and any other items needing correction.
Correctly identified the requirement for, contents of and statutory limits of an A-E Independent Government Estimate (IGE).
Performance Steps:
1. Develop the Request for Price Proposal (RFPP).
a. RFPPs are typically created and issued on a Standard Form (SF) 33 in the SPS/PD2; however an A-E contract is awarded on a SF 252 “Architect-Engineer Contract” unless it is a special case as detailed in EP 715-7-1-7 Paragraph 3-15.
b. The RFPP will include the SOW (which will be included in Section C in the Uniform Contract Format (UCF; FAR 15.204-1 and EFARS 15.204(a)), proposal instructions, pre-proposal conference date (if needed), proposal due date, name(s) and telephone number(s) of the Government negotiator(s), and the solicitation provisions and contract clauses.
c. Read the SOW thoroughly, cross referencing it with the bid schedule or other contract requirements to make sure it is complete, accurate and biddable. If it doesn’t make sense to you, it probably won’t make sense to an A-E either. Some typical things to look for:
1) General responsibilities of the A E firm;
2) Project description, including estimated construction cost (ECC), if relevant; c. Scope of A E services;
3) Schedule and deliverables. Refer to the most recent guidance from the Tri-Service CADD/(Geographic Information System (GIS) Technology Center on sample contract language for Computer Assisted Design Development (CADD) and GIS deliverables;
4) Reviews and conferences;
5) Technical criteria and standards, including Government-furnished information;
6) Administrative instructions.
d. Make sure that any options that are listed in the SOW are included in the bid schedule, and number of calendar days that the Government has to exercise each option is clearly stated.
NOTE: See EP 715-1-7, Appendix Y for a Sample A-E Statement of Work.
NOTE: See EP 715-1-7, Appendix X, Request for Price Proposal Instructions
2. Determine if the SCA applies to your requirement.
NOTE: IAW FAR 22.10, the SCA applies to an A-E contract if the SOW involves the use of service employees (such as drilling and survey crews, clerks, CADD operators, photographers, and laboratory technicians) to a significant or substantial extent. If so, include the SCA Wage Decision in the RFPP for use by the firm in preparing its proposal. SCA does not apply to
3. Schedule, prepare for, and host a pre-proposal conference.
NOTE: When appropriate, a pre-proposal conference(s) may be held between the A-E firm and pertinent Government representatives to discuss and resolve questions concerning the contract requirements, SOW, and RFPP instructions. The project site may also be inspected if appropriate.
NOTE: See EP 715-1-7, 4-7, Preproposal Conference for topics to address.
4. Revise SOW (if needed).
NOTE: Sometimes the SOW will need to be revised after the pre-proposal conference or site visit. Issue the revised SOW via an amendment to the solicitation.
5. Explain the requirement for, contents of and statutory limits of an A-E IGE.
NOTE: In accordance with FAR 36.605(a), an IGE is required for each A-E contract action expected to exceed $100,000 (total absolute value of all elements of the action, including credits). An informal or working estimate is recommended for actions of $100,000 or less. An IGE will be prepared and approved in accordance with the procedures in outlined in EP-715-1-7 Appendices X and Y. Disclosure of the IGE will comply with FAR 36.605(b).
NOTE: IGEs must consider and include the following:
a. Six (6) percent statutory limitation for the “production and delivery of designs, plans, drawings and specifications” (FAR 15.404-4(c) (4) (i) (B) and 36.606(a), and EFARS 36.606-70(c))
b. Direct Labor Costs c. Overhead
d. Travel
e. Other Direct Costs
f. Profit. See EFARS 15.404-73-101 and EP 715-1-7 for Alternate Structured Approach to Weighted Guidelines Method for Profit – A-E contracts.
NOTE: The IGE is typically received prior to the A-E proposal. However, in the event that the A-E proposal is received first, do not release the proposal until the approved IGE is in hand.
Evaluation Preparation and Guidance: Setup: Brief the Soldier on local policies or procedures related to the A-E Solicitation process. Review clauses and provisions that are to be included in A-E contracts.
Provide guidance on creating an RFP for A-E services in SPS/PD2. Provide examples of an IGE for A-E services and review the content with the Soldier.
Chapter 2, p 150
Performance Measures: GO NO‐GO
1. Given a SOW for an A-E requirement, correctly determined whether the SCA applies _____ ______
2. Correctly identified the AE solicitation and contract forms _____ ______
3. Given an A-E requirement, developed an RFPP in SPS/PD2 _____ ______
4. Given a SOW for an A-E requirement, identified inconsistencies with the solicitation
and any other items needing correction. _____ ______
5. Explained the purpose and topics to cover in an A-E pre-proposal conference _____ ______
6. Correctly identified the requirement for, contents of and statutory limits related to an
A-E IGE _____ ______
References: (See DVD for References)
Open the NCO Contracting website at https://kme.usace.army.mil/CoPs/Contracting/default.aspx.
Accessing this site first will allow the hyperlinks to open.
1. EP 715-1-7, Architect-Engineer Contracting
2. FAR 15.4 /DFARS 215.4 /PGI 215.4/ AFARS 5115.4/ EFARS Part 15.4, Contract Pricing
3. FAR 36.6 /DFARS 236.6 /PGI 236.6 / AFARS 5136.6/ EFARS Part 36.6, Architect-Engineer Services 4. PROSPECT #4 A‐E Contracting Course Student Guide
5. SF 33, Solicitation, Offer and Award 6. SF 252, Architect-Engineer Contract
Task 4-4