MODIFICATION
C -- Comprehensive Facilities Master Planning Support, National Zoological Park
- Notice Date
- 7/21/2004
- Notice Type
- Modification
- NAICS
- 541310
— Architectural Services
- Contracting Office
- Smithsonian Institution, Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Office of Contracting, 750 9th Street, NW, Suite 6200, Washington, DC, 20560-0907
- ZIP Code
- 20560-0907
- Solicitation Number
- T0436SOL0035
- Response Due
- 8/2/2004
- Archive Date
- 8/17/2004
- Point of Contact
- Susan Engelhardt, Contract Negotiator/Attorney, Phone 202/275-0859, Fax 202/275-0624,
- E-Mail Address
-
engelhardts@contracting.si.edu
- Description
- Solicitation No. T0436SOL0035; Amendment No. 2 The following questions were raised during the Comprehensive Facilities Master Planning Support pre-submission meeting and tour at the National Zoological Park, July 13, 2004, and answers are provided for clarification. Please Note: Although it was announced at the pre-submission meeting that the Zoo plans to issue multiple awards, multiple awards will not be made. A single contract will be awarded. There were several questions at the meeting regarding multiple awards. Because a single contract will be awarded, these questions are not included below. (1) Q: When will interviews with short-listed firms be held? A: The Smithsonian anticipates that interviews will be held in the fall, probably sometime in September. (2) Q: How many firms will be placed on the short list? A: The short list will probably include 4-6 firms. (3) Q: How will the new director arriving at the end of the year interface with this project? A: It is difficult to predict what effect the new director's arrival will have. The Smithsonian leadership is fully supportive of the direction the Zoo is going and will be making the selection for the new director. Obviously, he or she will be involved in the master planning process. (4) Q: Will the public be involved? A: New procedure and regulations in the historic preservation process make provision for public consultation. Public involvement is also integrated in the NEPA process and the NCPC and CFA review processes. Regardless of requirements, the Smithsonian anticipates conducting neighborhood outreach meetings in which we invite public comment on this master planning project. (5) Q: Who is on the selection committee? A: The team is still being established, but it will be chaired by the Director of the Smithsonian Engineering and Design Division and include professional architects, engineers, and Zoo staff. (6) Q: When do we expect work to begin? A: We anticipate the contract to be awarded around the first of the year. (7) Q: Can the attendance list be made available? A: Yes. If you would like to request a copy of the attendance list, please do so via fax or e-mail to the attention of Susan Engelhardt, Office of Contracting, at engelhardts@si.edu or fax number 202-275-0624. (8) Q: Is the Zoo asking that firms directly address the six questions listed in the FBO announcement? A: We expect these questions to be addressed. It is up to the submitting firm to decide whether or not to address each question directly. (9) Q: Can firms submit information in addition to what is provided in the Form 330? A: Yes, but please limit any additional information to no more than 20 pages. (10) Q: Will the evaluation team be involved in the decision-making process throughout the project? A: Yes. (11) Q: Is there any special requirement for small businesses? A: Depending on the dollar amount of a particular work order, large businesses may be required to submit a small business subcontracting plan. (12) Q: Where can I get a copy of the form 330? A: Go to the Forms Library at http://www.gsa.gov. (13) Q: What is the size of the park that is developed? A: Approximately 70 acres of the 163 acres is devoted to public exhibits. (14) Q. Are Asia Trail, Phase I and II givens for the Master Planning process? A. Yes. (15) Q: Will the trees be considered in the planning process? A: Yes. Trees identified as ?Heritage Trees? will be preserved and protected during the design and construction process. A tree survey update will be required as part of the Master Plan. (16) Q: Will security be included in the Master Plan? A: Yes. We will provide the successful firm with the Smithsonian standards for security of collections and property. (17) Q: How many points of access are there to the park? A: There are eight gates to the park. This number includes four public entrances [i.e., separate walk in and drive in gates on Connecticut Avenue, and walk in/drive in gates at the Harvard Street Bridge and Beach Drive (Rock Creek Park)], two public gates where the Rock Creek Park bike trail passes through the Zoo, and a staff entrance at Adam?s Mill Road. (18) Q: Is there transportation available to visitors within the zoo? A: No, and the Master Plan should address this issue. (19) Q: Is there parking within the Zoo? A: Yes. There are five parking lots plus a bus drop-off area. (20) Q: Are the buildings considered historic? A: Yes. The National Zoo is registered in the National Register of Historic Places as a site and many of the older buildings are contributing structures. (21) Q: Where are the Zoo services housed? A: Most of the facilities for services are housed in one building located under parking lot C, out of sight and sound of the public. (22) Q: Does the Zoo have special events? A: Yes. Numerous special events and fundraising activities are held throughout the year and are a very important part of the Zoo and will be an important factor in the Master Plan. (23) Q: Why are vehicles on Olmsted Walk? A: In the original plan for the Zoo, Olmsted Walk was a public street and many of the exhibit buildings were oriented to be accessed from that street. As a result, there are limited service access opportunities without driving directly on Olmsted Walk. This is an element we are looking forward to improving through the Master Plan. (24) Q: How does the public access the Bird House? A: The Bird House is one of the main exhibits not on Olmsted Walk (Amazonia and Beaver Valley are also not directly on Olmsted Walk) and, as a result, receives fewer visitations. Historically, access to the Bird House was limited to three pathways leading through the Wetlands Exhibit, the Flight Cage, and the former Hardy Hoof area. Currently, due to the Phase I construction of Asia Trail, access is restricted to the service road from the top of Beaver Valley. With the completion of Asia Trail, there will be direct ADA accessible route to the Bird House for the first time, and planned renovation of the Wetland Exhibit will increase access. (25) Q: Will LEEDS certification be considered in the Master Plan? A: We will not require LEEDS certification; however, a core value of the organization outlined in the Strategic Plan is conservation, and that includes meeting sustainable goals responsibly. (26) Q: Will a zoo design firm be required to lead the team? A: No. The team, however, will require strong zoo design experience. (27) Q: What is the O-Line? A: The O-Line is a structure that allows orang utans to exhibit their natural locomotion abilities to travel between the Ape House and Think Tank. (28) Q: Why are there sculptures in the park? A: Art has been a part of the National Zoo since the Work Projects Administration (WPA) of the 1930?s. Animal sculpture and artifacts continue to be popular. (29) Q: Are the old master plans available? A: Former master plans are available for review in the Zoo library, or can be purchased if desired. (30) Q: Is there a scale map of the entire Zoo property available? A: An AutoCad drawing can be provided in WinZip format via E-mail if requested. Requests should be submitted to Susan Engelhardt, Office of Contracting, at the e-mail or fax number stated above. (31) Q: Is interpretation a required skill? A: Interpretation specifically is not required; however the team certainly needs to have a high level of understanding of how to create a learning environment for our visitors, since this is a key part of the mission of the Zoo. (32) Q: Is there any preference whether a lead firm is an architect or engineer? A: There is no requirement of professional specialty for a lead firm. NOTE: If this document is too difficult to read as posted, you may request a copy of the document via fax or e-mail to Susan Engelhardt at the address/fax number stated above. - END -
- Place of Performance
- Address: Washington DC
- Record
- SN00628092-W 20040723/040721213000 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
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