State/OBO Management

4.
From your perspective, what is the purpose and usefulness of the pre-qualification process?

 
What factors do you consider in deciding whether or not to compete for a State/OBO contract?

5.
Are the costs of preparing bids for State/OBO typically greater than, less than, or about the same as those of preparing bids for other types of contracts?
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Based on your past experience, roughly how much does it cost your office to prepare a proposal/bid for a State/OBO contract?

6.
How much, if at all, does the activity level of the construction industry in the United States affect your firm's decision to compete for State/OBO building projects?
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7.
How much, if at all, does the activity level of the international construction industry affect your firm's decision to compete for State/OBO building projects?
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8.
Do exchange rate fluctuations affect or not affect your firm's decision to compete for State/OBO building projects?
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What are other factors that lead you to apply to build projects for State/OBO?

9.
In general, how would you characterize State/OBO management of its construction program from 2001 through 2007?
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10.
We understand the current State/OBO building process to be Design-Build-Delivery using a Standard Embassy Design under firm fixed-price contracting. In terms of effectiveness and economy, how would you characterize this process for delivering new embassies?

How does it compare with or differ from other (standard) processes in the construction industry?

11.
On your NEC construction projects, to what extent, if any, have you experienced delays when dealing with the following State entities:
 
    No extent Some extent Moderate extent Great extent Don't know/ No basis to judge
11a.
ALM Contracting
11b.
OBO/Design & Engineering
11c.
OBO/Construction & Commissioning
11d.
Diplomatic Security
11e.
OBO/Project Directors On-site
11f.
OBO/Project Executives in Washington
11g.
Overseas Posts
11h.
Regional Bureaus
11i.
Other
   

 
Please explain your answers, e.g. which projects were delayed, how long were the delays, how were delays resolved.

12.
In general, does State/OBO define its requirements in contract solicitation documents clearly or not clearly?
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Which requirements are clear and which are not clear?

What changes are needed to make the requirements clear?

13.
Overall, how would you rate State/OBO's definition of site conditions in its contract solicitation documents?
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What information about the site does State/OBO currently provide and has the level and/or type of information changed over time?

14.
In general, do you feel that State/OBO's construction timeframes provide not enough, too much, or just about the right amount of time?
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If "Not enough," how much extra time is needed for successful project completion?

 
What do you as a contractor have to do to meet State/OBO's timeframes?

15.
In terms of requirements, site conditions, and timeframes, how would you characterize State/OBO's process as a whole?
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What changes would make the process more reasonable?

16.
During project construction, did State/OBO or any other State office provide any ongoing interim evaluations of your firm's performance?
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If "Yes," approximately when did these evaluations occur?

What were the key points of the evaluations? If you still have any copies of the evaluations, may we obtain copies?

17.
After your firm completed the project(s) did State/OBO or any other State office provide any evaluations of your firm's performance?
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What were the key points of the evaluations? If you still have any copies of the evaluations, may we obtain copies?

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