C--Nationwide A&E IDIQ For Dam Safety

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding Solicitation No. 140FGA26R0011, dated 03/30/2026. It clarifies requirements related to past performance evaluation, project definition, and task order grouping.

• Past Performance Evaluation (Factor 3): CPARS or Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ) forms are required and count towards the overall 60-page submission limit. This was previously addressed on March 19, 2026.
• Project Look-Back Period (Factor 2): The RFP maintains a five-year look-back period for projects. The government requires recent experience with modern Federal Guidelines for Dam Safety and Risk-Informed Decision Making (RIDM) protocols. This was previously addressed on March 19, 2026.
• Definition of a Completed Project: A project is considered complete when all primary contract deliverables have been formally submitted and accepted by the client. This includes, but is not limited to, Final Inspection Reports, Final Design Packages, or certified Record Drawings. Projects are not complete until final RIDM outcomes or construction certifications are validated and their performance periods concluded. This was previously addressed on March 19, 2026.
• Grouping Task Orders: Related task orders at the same site (e.g., phased work from inspection through construction) may be grouped as a single project in Section F to demonstrate full lifecycle expertise. Offerors must clearly identify specific task order numbers for each phase, and the combined description must not exceed page limits. This has been previously addressed on March 19, 2026.
• Geographic Scope: The government intends to award IDIQ contracts to firms capable of executing task orders across the full geographic scope, including the Continental US, Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. Territories. While local expertise of small businesses is recognized, firms must demonstrate their ability to manage and mobilize resources for remote or nationwide requirements. Selection is based on overall highly qualified firms, not geographic set-asides. This was previously addressed on March 16, 2026.
• Task Order Issuance: The government reserves the right to issue task orders for either single projects or batched groups based on program needs, funding, and safety urgency. Repetitive tasks may be grouped by geographic region, dam size, or hazard classification to maximize efficiency. Selected firms must be prepared to manage multiple sites under a single task order award when it is in the Government's best interest. This was previously addressed on March 19, 2026.

These clarifications do not appear to alter the core requirements or submission deadlines of the original solicitation but provide essential details for bidders to accurately prepare their proposals, particularly concerning past performance documentation and project scope definitions.

Amendment / Modification

This amendment (0002) to Solicitation 140FGA26R0011 provides clarifications and information for all offerors:

• SF 330 Page Limit and Formatting: Submissions are limited to 60 pages. Existing font type and size requirements remain unchanged. Offerors are encouraged to be concise and include only the most relevant information.

• Consolidated Questions & Answers: A consolidated Q&A document is included as an attachment. This document addresses common themes from vendor inquiries and supersedes previous ad hoc email responses.

• SF 330 submission guidelines (page limit).

• Q&A process and documentation.

• The SF 330 submission deadline remains April 10th, 2026, 12:00 PM ET.

• Submissions are to be sent via email to sanford_carson@fws.gov.

• All other terms and conditions of the solicitation remain unchanged.

Amendment / Modification

This amendment incorporates a consolidated list of Questions and Answers (FAQ) received from interested vendors to ensure all offerors have access to the same information and clarifications related to the solicitation. It also clarifies key dates.

• Questions and Answers (FAQ)

• Due dates for questions and SF 330 submission

• Questions Due: March 31st, 2026, 12:00 PM Eastern Time

• SF 330 Submission Due: April 10th, 2026, 12:00 PM Eastern Time

• Submission Method: Email to sanford.carson@fws.gov

• Period of Performance: 06/01/2026 to 06/01/2031

• Sanford Carson, Contract Specialist, sanford.carson@fws.gov

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding Solicitation No. 140FGA26R0011 for dam safety monitoring and related services.

• Scope of Work: Future task orders may require evaluation of existing systems, installation of new monitoring hardware, and data interpretation. The geographic scope is nationwide and not restricted to the CONUS, including any domestic or territorial areas necessary to support the Service's or DOI bureaus' mission.
• Contract Awards: The government intends to award two contracts to small businesses and two on an unrestricted basis, but reserves the right to adjust this mix based on offeror qualifications.
• Knowledge of Locality: This factor will be evaluated based on the firm's approach to executing task orders in various regions, not on maintaining a physical office. Offerors must explain how they will ensure technical accuracy regarding local conditions.
• Experience: Prior DOI or USFWS facility experience is highly regarded but does not outweigh broad technical expertise on similar dam structures. Factors 4 (Capacity) and 5 (General Project Approach) are considered equal in importance.
• Task Order Details: The government does not have anticipated ranges for task order size, frequency, or work distribution. Issuance is budget-dependent and prioritized based on Risk-Informed Decision Making (RIDM) protocols.
• Dam Inventory: All inventory dams or levees within the Department of the Interior (DOI) portfolio, including earthen, concrete, and hydraulic structures, may be serviced under this IDIQ.
• Project Focus: Task orders may focus on high, significant, or low hazard dams for inspections and evaluations.
• Staffing: Additional staff resumes may be included, but firms must balance this against the 60-page limit. Staff may be designated for multiple disciplines if they possess the requisite qualifications, but this may be restricted by individual DOI bureaus.
• Page Limits: The 60-page limit applies to the entire submission, including Part I, Part IIs, CPARS, PPQs, and supplemental materials. Section tabs and divider pages do not count unless they contain substantive information.
• Completed Projects: A 'completed project' requires submission and acceptance of all primary deliverables (e.g., Final Inspection Report, Final Design Package, Record Drawings).

These clarifications provide essential details for bidders to understand the scope, evaluation criteria, and submission requirements, particularly regarding geographic reach, experience, task order execution, and proposal formatting.

Amendment / Modification

This document is Amendment 0001 to Solicitation 140FGA26R0011, with an effective date of March 10, 2026. It extends the specified hour and date for receipt of offers.

• Item 11: This item only applies to amendments of solicitations. The amendment extends the specified hour and date for receipt of offers.

• The deadline for SF 330 Submission has been extended to March 31, 2026, 12:00 PM ET.

• Vendors must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the specified hour and date for receipt of offers.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

To provide comprehensive technical support for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (FWS) dam safety program and other civil engineering and water resource related responsibilities, including levees. This contract may also support other DOI bureau dam safety programs.

Services may include, but are not limited to:

• Inspection, risk analysis, and Potential Failure Mode Analysis (PFMA)
• Preparation and exercising of Emergency Action Plans (EAPs)
• Engineering analyses, planning, and design
• Construction supervision, repair, modification, new construction, and reconstruction of dams, levees, and other hydraulic structures.
• Safety Evaluation of Existing Dams (SEED) Inspections
• Pre-Title I (Project Identification/Planning/Feasibility Analysis)
• Title I (Conceptual Design)
• Title II (Final Design)
• Title III (Construction Management)
• NEPA Compliance studies and documentation

Services are to be performed at various locations throughout the United States, as specified in individual task orders.

• Obtain necessary permits and licenses.
• Secure consent for ingress/egress on non-Government property.
• Prepay shipping charges for submitted documents.
• Coordinate work with Government personnel.
• Check and recommend approval/rejection of construction contractor submittals during construction phase.
• Assist Government in coordinating with state and local agencies.
• May be required to be a member of the final inspection team.

Deliverables will vary by task order but may include:

• AutoCAD files for drawings
• Input/output files from analytical software
• Specifications in Word format (CSI format)
• Accurate and realistic cost estimates
• Catalog cuts for specified equipment
• Design summaries and calculations
• Other reports as detailed in task orders.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is Standard Form 330 (SF330), "Architect-Engineer Qualifications." It is used by federal agencies to obtain information from architect-engineer (A-E) firms regarding their professional qualifications for contracts.

• Part I - Contract-Specific Qualifications: Collects information relevant to a particular contract, including:
  • Contract Information (Title, Public Notice Date, Solicitation Number)
  • Architect-Engineer Point of Contact
  • Proposed Team (Firms, roles, addresses)
  • Organizational Chart of Proposed Team
  • Resumes of Key Personnel (including experience, education, registration, and relevant projects)
  • Example Projects illustrating the team's qualifications
  • Key Personnel Participation Matrix
• Part II - General Qualifications: Gathers general information about the firm or a specific branch office, including:
  • Firm Name and Address
  • Year Established, Unique Entity Identifier
  • Ownership and Small Business Status
  • Point of Contact
  • Employee Disciplines
  • Profile of Firm's Experience and Annual Average Revenue (last 5 years)
  • Annual Average Professional Services Revenues (last 3 years)
• Discipline Codes and Experience Categories: Provides lists of codes and descriptions for various engineering disciplines and experience categories to standardize responses.

This form is essential for A-E firms seeking to bid on federal contracts. It requires detailed information about the firm's structure, personnel, past performance, and qualifications. Bidders must accurately complete this form to demonstrate their capability to perform the required architectural or engineering services. The agency uses this information, along with other sources, to evaluate firms and select the most highly qualified for contract negotiations.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

To provide comprehensive technical support for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (FWS) dam safety program and other civil engineering and water resource related responsibilities, including levees. This contract may also support other DOI bureau dam safety programs.

The scope includes, but is not limited to:

• Safety Evaluation of Existing Dams (SEED) Inspections
• Pre-Title I (Project Identification/Planning/Feasibility Analysis)
• Title I (Conceptual Design)
• Title II (Final Design)
• Title III (Construction Management)
• NEPA Compliance
• Preparation of Emergency Action Plans (EAPs)
• Risk analysis and Potential Failure Mode Analysis (PFMA)
• Engineering analyses, planning, design, construction supervision, repair, modification, new construction, and reconstruction of dams, levees, and other hydraulic structures.

Services will be provided for projects at various locations throughout the United States.

Services will be provided at various locations throughout the United States, as specified in individual task orders.

• Services must comply with Federal, State, and bureau requirements, including the Federal Guidelines for Dam Safety and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
• The Architect/Engineer (A/E) is responsible for obtaining necessary permits, licenses, and approvals.
• Deliverables (drawings, specifications, cost estimates, design summaries) must adhere to specific formats and standards (e.g., AutoCAD, CSI format, Class I cost estimates).
• Cost estimates are confidential and intended for government use only; they cannot be shared with prospective bidders.
• Task orders will be issued for specific projects, with firm fixed-price task orders including specific statements of work.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for Architect and Engineering (A/E) Services to support the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Dam Safety Program. The FWS is anticipating awarding four (4) Firm-Fixed Priced, Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts. The services will support approximately 16 high and significant-hazard dams and over 300 low-hazard dams across the Continental United States and Hawaii.

The awarded contracts will require A/E Services for tasks including, but not limited to:

• Safety Evaluation of Existing Dams (SEED) Inspections

• Pre-Title I, Title I, Title II, Title III services

• National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Compliance Services

• Analysis, Design, Preparation of Drawings, Specifications, and Other Construction Documents

• Field Investigations

• Stability Studies

• Risk Analyses and Potential Failure Mode Analysis (PFMA)

• Hydraulic and Hydrologic Studies

• Biological and Cultural Studies

• Construction Supervision, Consultation

• Clean Water Act Certification and Permitting

• Contract Type: Firm-Fixed Priced, Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ)

• Contract Term: Five (5) year ordering period per contract.

• Maximum Value: Not to exceed $20,000,000 per contract over the five-year period.

• Minimum Guarantee: $500 per contract.

• Submission Method: Electronic submission of SF 330 proposal.

• Proposal Due Date: April 10, 2026, by 12:00 PM EST.

• Questions Due Date: March 31, 2026, by 12:00 PM EST.

• Evaluation Factors (in descending order of importance):

  1. Key Personnel, Professional Qualifications (SF 330, Part I, Section E & G)
  2. Specialized Experience and Technical Competence (Projects) (SF 330, Part I, Section F)
  3. Past Performance (SF 330, Part I, Section H)
  4. Capacity to accomplish the work
  5. General Project Approach (SF 330, Part I, Section H)
  6. Knowledge of Locality (SF 330, Part I, Section H)

• Evaluation Method: Adjectival ratings (Outstanding, Excellent, Acceptable, Unacceptable) for non-price factors.

• Interviews: Selected firms will be scheduled for interviews.

• Award: Up to four (4) IDIQ contracts will be awarded.

• Full and Open Competition strategy.

• Intent to reserve at least two awards for small businesses (unrestricted awards and set-aside awards).

• NAICS Code: 541330, Engineering Services.

• Small Business Size Standard: $25.5 million.

• Small Business firms selected will be required to perform work in accordance with 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting.

• Offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM).

• SF 330 page limit: 60 pages (excluding cover page and small business participation plan).

• Fonts: Minimum 11pt for Part I, 7pt for Part II.

• Email submissions subject line: "140FGA26R0011_(Company Name) (UEI #)"

• Point of Contact: Sanford Carson, Contract Specialist, sanford_carson@fws.gov