How GDI Consulting Can Help You Win the Design Build Services Contract for the Western Region

Introduction

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is seeking proposals from qualified contractors to provide design build services for various projects in the Western Region of the United States. The solicitation number is 36C10F22R0032 and the estimated value of the contract is $3 billion. The duration of the term is one year base plus four one-year options. The projects include new construction, renovation, alteration, and repair of VA facilities such as medical centers, clinics, cemeteries, and offices.

This is a great opportunity for contractors who have experience and expertise in design build services for federal government projects. However, winning this contract is not easy, as it requires a thorough understanding of the VA’s requirements, expectations, and evaluation criteria. Moreover, the competition is likely to be fierce, as many contractors will be vying for this lucrative contract.

That’s why you need GDI Consulting, a leading provider of capture and proposal services for government contractors. GDI Consulting has over 20 years of experience in helping clients win federal government contracts in various industries and sectors. GDI Consulting has a proven track record of success, with a win-rate of 82% and over $16.6 billion worth of successful proposals written just in 2022.

In this article, we will explain how GDI Consulting can help you win the design build services contract for the Western Region by providing you with the following services:

• Capture management
• Proposal development
• Technical writing
• Graphic design
• Subject matter experts

Historical Background

The VA has been issuing requests for proposals (RFPs) for design build services for various regions and projects since at least 2010. Some of the previous RFPs that preceded the current one are:

• RFP No. 36C10F21R0001: Design Build Services Eastern Region
• RFP No. 36C10F20R0001: Design Build Services Central Region
• RFP No. 36C10F19R0001: Design Build Services Western Region
• RFP No. VA10116R0147: Design Build Services Nationwide

These RFPs have similar scope of work, evaluation factors, and selection process as the current one. However, they also have some differences in terms of specific requirements, project locations, and contract value. Therefore, it is important to review and analyze these previous RFPs to understand the VA’s preferences, expectations, and best practices for design build services.

GDI Consulting can help you with this task by conducting a comprehensive historical analysis of the previous RFPs and their outcomes. We can identify the key features, strengths, and weaknesses of the winning and losing proposals, as well as the lessons learned and feedback from the VA. We can also benchmark your capabilities and qualifications against those of your competitors and past winners. This will help you develop a winning strategy and a competitive edge for the current RFP.

RFP Description

The current RFP for design build services Western Region was issued by the VA on October 1, 2023. The RFP states that the VA intends to award multiple indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contracts to qualified contractors who can provide design build services for various projects in the Western Region. The Western Region includes Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

The RFP defines design build services as “the performance of architectural/engineering (A/E) services as well as construction under one contract”. The contractor is responsible for both designing and constructing the project according to the VA’s specifications and standards. The contractor is also responsible for obtaining all necessary permits, approvals, licenses, and certifications for the project.

The RFP states that the projects may include new construction, renovation, alteration, and repair of VA facilities such as medical centers, clinics, cemeteries, and offices. The projects may range in size from $2 million to $100 million each. The projects may involve various disciplines such as civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, communications, security, landscaping, and interior design.

The RFP states that the VA will issue task orders to selected contractors on an as-needed basis. Each task order will specify the scope of work, schedule, budget, and performance requirements for the project. The contractor will submit a proposal for each task order, which will include a design concept, a technical approach, a cost estimate, and a schedule. The VA will evaluate the proposals and award the task order to the contractor who offers the best value to the government.

The RFP states that the VA will use a two-phase selection process to award the contracts. In the first phase, the VA will evaluate the contractors’ qualifications and past performance based on their responses to the RFP. The VA will shortlist the most qualified contractors and invite them to participate in the second phase. In the second phase, the VA will evaluate the contractors’ technical and price proposals based on their responses to a sample task order. The VA will award the contracts to the contractors who offer the best value to the government.

The RFP states that the VA will use the following evaluation factors to assess the contractors’ proposals:

• Factor 1: Technical Approach
• Factor 2: Management Approach
• Factor 3: Past Performance
• Factor 4: Price

The RFP states that factors 1, 2, and 3 are of equal importance and are significantly more important than factor 4. The RFP also states that non-price factors, when combined, are significantly more important than price.

The RFP states that the deadline for submitting proposals for phase one is November 15, 2023. The RFP states that the duration of the term is one year base plus four one-year options. The RFP states that the estimated value of the contract is $3 billion.

Who Should Participate

The RFP is open to all contractors who have experience and expertise in design build services for federal government projects. However, not all contractors are equally qualified or competitive for this opportunity. To be successful, contractors should have the following characteristics:

• A strong track record of delivering high-quality design build projects for the VA or other federal agencies, especially in the Western Region
• A team of experienced and qualified architects, engineers, constructors, and subcontractors who can meet the VA’s standards and specifications
• A proven ability to manage complex and diverse projects within budget and schedule constraints
• A solid understanding of the VA’s mission, vision, values, and goals
• A customer-oriented approach that focuses on meeting or exceeding the VA’s expectations and satisfaction
• A competitive pricing strategy that offers fair and reasonable rates for design build services

Challenges

The RFP for design build services Western Region presents several challenges for contractors who want to win this contract. Some of these challenges are:

• High competition: The RFP is likely to attract many contractors who have experience and expertise in design build services for federal government projects. Some of these contractors may have existing relationships with the VA or other federal agencies in the Western Region. Therefore, it is essential to differentiate your company from your competitors by highlighting your unique value proposition, strengths, and competitive advantages.
• Complex requirements: The RFP has complex and diverse requirements for design build services for various projects in the Western Region. The projects may involve different types of facilities, disciplines, and specifications. Therefore, it is important to understand and address all the requirements of the RFP and demonstrate your ability to meet or exceed them.

Strict evaluation criteria: The RFP has strict evaluation criteria for assessing the contractors’ proposals. The VA will use a two-phase selection process that involves both qualifications and past performance and technical and price proposals. The VA will use multiple evaluation factors that are of equal or different importance. Therefore, it is crucial to prepare a comprehensive and competitive proposal that addresses all the evaluation factors and offers the best value to the government.

• Tight schedule: The RFP has a tight schedule for submitting proposals for phase one and phase two. The deadline for phase one is November 15, 2023, which gives contractors only about six weeks to prepare their qualifications and past performance proposals. The deadline for phase two is not specified, but it is expected to be within a few weeks after the invitation to participate. Therefore, it is essential to manage your time and resources efficiently and effectively to meet the deadlines.

Conclusion

The RFP for design build services Western Region is a great opportunity for contractors who have experience and expertise in design build services for federal government projects. However, it is also a challenging opportunity that requires a thorough understanding of the VA’s requirements, expectations, and evaluation criteria. Moreover, it requires a compelling and competitive proposal that offers the best value to the government.

If you are interested in working with GDI Consulting for this opportunity, please contact us today at www.gdicwins.com. We will be happy to discuss your needs and expectations and provide you with a customized solution that suits your budget and goals. We look forward to hearing from you soon, thank you for choosing GDI Consulting as your partner for success.