Request For Qualifications (RFQ)
for
Restoration Services
Frequently Asked Questions
Questionnaire Objectives
1. What is the rationale behind the Questionnaire?
~ To allow the engineers/contractors to indicate the specific project locations and types of projects they are qualified for and want to partner with RI. Example: If a particular engineer/contractor would rather not work on EQIP stream projects, let us know. If the engineer/contractor only wants to work in specific NC counties, let us know that too. If you do work outside the stream restoration arena, let us know. The answers will not eliminate anyone but helps RI better understand a firm’s desires, capabilities, and objectives.
Project Location-Related Questions
1. What states are included in your regions?
~ The Southeast States include the following: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, & Virginia
2. Is future project work anticipated outside of North Carolina? Yes
3. Do you anticipate any projects in the Mid-Atlantic region?
~ Yes – when partners outside NC contact RI for assistance, RI will suggest vetted engineering and contracting firms willing and able to assist them. We are currently working with partners in several southeastern states that have expressed an interest.
4. Do you anticipate any projects in Pennsylvania, Maryland, or Virginia?
~ Possibly – Currently, RI does not have any projects in progress in Pennsylvania or Maryland, but there is an ongoing discussion with agency personnel in Virginia.
5. The RI website only highlights projects completed in North Carolina. Has RI been involved with projects outside North Carolina, and is this option to provide qualifications outside North Carolina a new option?
~ Yes- RI is and has been involved in projects outside of North Carolina; providing your qualifications outside of NC allows RI to match engineering/contractor firms with our partners outside NC
6. Approximately how many jobs per year are performed outside of North Carolina?
~ Currently - less than three (3) projects per year. However, RI anticipates growth in this area.
Format/Data Related
1. Is a graphical front cover allowed and excluded from the page count? Yes
2. The Cover Letter has a maximum length of one page but then asks for a financial statement, litigation information, and the one-page Questionnaire. Can we include those documents in an Appendix at the end of the submittal, or must these fit within the one-page limit?
~ Yes- the one-page reference is for the “cover letter” only. RI realizes the other information referenced will take additional pages to document elsewhere within the response.
3. How many Service Agreements are you looking to enter implement?
~ There is no minimum or maximum number of Service Agreements. Typically, RI has had 8-10 service agreements for engineers and contractors specific to stream restoration projects. RI wants to form a vetted team of engineers and contractors who share a passion for this work and understand the parameters and restrictions of working projects funded through private, state, or federal funded contracts. RI anticipates additional agreements with firms outside the stream restoration area.
4. Is there a minimum or maximum to how many references you’d like us to provide?
~ No-no minimum or maximum, the only limitation is one page for all references.
5. Can we create a graphic/table demonstrating how our company meets the qualifications for the General Overview section? Could we include one 11”x17” page to ensure the graphic is readable?
~ Yes – A graphic/table can be used. However, please use a format reviewers can easily read to confirm your qualifications.
6. Do tables have to have a font size of 12?
~ RI encourages 12 font for tables, but it is not required. Readability is the concern.
7. Page 4 requirements to meet the following criteria - “Providing effective Community outreach through the presentation of complex and sometimes misconceived information.” Please explain?
~ A project may involve presenting the goals/objectives to a community on behalf of a partner when citizens may not understand the merits of, for example: stabilizing/restoring a stream. Provide an example of a presentation(s) to a community, group, citizens, county commissioners, etc., about a project.
8. How many firms are currently prequalified by Resource Institute to perform these services?
~ 8-10 Design and Construction firms
Training/Certification Requirements Related
1. Requirement for Rosgen training through Level IV.
~ RI requires Rosgen Levels through Level IV for those engineers/contractors responding to this RFQ for stream restoration/stabilization projects. Other areas of expertise ‘outside the stream restoration arena” may not require this training, i.e., dam removals, greenways, parks, or infrastructure projects.
2. Can a sub-consultant complete the qualification of having TSP accreditation if the prime is not a TSP?
~ Yes- sub-consultants with specific qualifications are encouraged to submit information for the RFQ.
3. If a prime does have TSP accreditation, but our sub-consultants don’t, will that hinder eligibility for winning the work?
~ No - the prime engineer will be responsible for designing, site layout, construction oversight, and certifying practice codes are completed for NRCS related projects.
4. Once our TSP application has been sent, what is the turn-around for having it processed/approved/denied?
~ NRCS is updating the TSP process. If the RFQ respondent confirms they have applied to NRCS for TSP certification, that will be considered. RI realizes that potential TSP applicants must provide adequate information to become certified as a TSP, which may take time.
5. TSP certification on the NRCS website is currently down, with no estimated re-launch date. Would you consider extending the February 1, 2022, deadline if the website continues to be unavailable?
~ Yes -Provide documentation the NRCS/TSP certification process has been initiated, and you are awaiting results.
6. Would you be able to provide a list of common certifications that you’d like to see?
~ Stream corridor related practices: 342 – Critical Area Planting, 390 – Riparian Herbaceous Cover, 391 – Riparian Forest Buffer, 612 – Tree/Shrub Establishment, 578 – Stream Crossing, 580 – Streambank and Shoreline Protection, 584 – Channel Bed Stabilization, 572 – Spoil Disposal, 395 – Stream Habitat Improvement, 396 – Aquatic Organism Passage
7. Would you be able to provide a list of states or regions that you’d like TSP’s to be certified in?
~ Currently, North Carolina is the only state where we have a cooperative agreement with NRCS. If there are other partners in other states that reach out to RI for assistance, we will encourage the existing TSP’s with service agreements with RI to consider work in the other states and would work with the TSP’s and respective TSP coordinators in those states for certification.
8. On Page 3 – “Individual/s performing the design and giving final approval shall be the Individual/s responsible for field oversight and will document multiple onsite visits each week during construction phases.” Does this sentence mean the individual/s who design the project must, in addition to oversight, physically visit the site multiple times each week, or be in constant contact with those who are on-site during construction and be available during the construction phases?
~ Yes - the engineering person providing the approval of the design will also be the person responsible for field oversight and documenting each visit. The service agreement indicates construction observation of “at least once per week as part of the minimum thirty-three (33) percent of the total time during construction to answer design-related questions, provide guidance, and document progress.”
9. If a submitting firm, nor any of its employees, is not currently TSP-certified and the submitting firm has completed over $20,000,000 of restoration projects directly for NRCS according to their policies, requirements, and specifications, would Resource Institute consider waiving the TSP-certification requirement?
~ Yes -the TSP certification with NRCS allows NRCS to accept the design, layout, and certification the practice(s) meet NRCS standards/specifications. Without the TSP certification, NRCS personnel with appropriate job approval authority must review and approve the design (per policy) and the same applies for certification of the practice. The TSP certification allows NRCS to indicate the TSP who designed/certified the respective practice. There are numerous instances where practices have been implemented that met NRCS standards using third-party engineers/contractors. The TSP requirement helps ensure the engineers understand the standards/requirements of NRCS practices. RI would encourage the firm to initiate the TSP process with NRCS)
10. On page 3 of the RFP under qualifications, “Rosgen training through Level IV” is identified as an area of certifiable experience.
a. Does this represent a required certification?
Yes -specifically for stream restoration projects. However, not for projects outside pure stream restoration.
b. If not, how heavily weighted is this qualification?
Mandatory- for stream restoration projects.
c. Will RI consider equivalent training or experience in place of this qualification?
Perhaps- please provide evidence of equivalent training for all four levels of Rosgen training for consideration.
Type(S) Of Projects Related
1. Do you anticipate that the mix of projects in the coming years will match the trend in 2020? That is, do you expect most of the projects will be mountain/piedmont stream restoration projects? Or do you foresee a significant number of other types of projects (stormwater infrastructure, SCMs, Urban stabilization, etc.)?
~ Our partners reach out to RI for assistance on many types of projects)-while many projects are associated with stream projects, RI anticipates numerous water resource projects within our mission scope will surface soon.