FAQs about the SF330
General Questions
Form Usage
| Part I |
| 1. |
Can you use individual experience in the example projects section F? Do we need to indicate as IE?
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| 2. |
Part 1, Section 24 - Brief Description of Project. I'd like more clarification on what "cost" refers to; is it the total construction cost of the project, or just the consultant's fees?
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| 3. |
Part I, Section F Block 24, should the project photos be inserted on the page, as an attachment, or an appendix?
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| 4. |
Part I, Section G:
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| Part II |
| 5. |
In Part II, Block 8a, does former firm name(s) refer to acquisitions or corporate name changes?
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| 6. |
In Part II, Block 8b, should the year established be the year representing the current firm name (e.g.: if it is an acquisition office) or the year the branch office was originally established?
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| 7. |
In Part II, Block 9b, does Discipline refer to the Function Code description (e.g. 07 - Biologist)?
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| 8. |
In Part II, Block 10b, does Experience refer to the Profile Code description (e.g. B02 - Bridges)?
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| 9. |
In Part II, Block 11, do the revenue index numbers refer to Company wide work or branch office work?
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| 10. |
With 40 offices, will there be a time when a firm as a whole needs to submit a Part II? Or, does each Part II need to be only for branch offices?
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| 11. |
Part II, Section 9:
- We are limited to 20 discipline codes- and we have to list the number of staff in each code in the same box, one column for the entire firm (9c(1)), and one column for the branch(s) (9c(2)) submitting the proposal. So if we use all 20 code blocks for the entire firm, it leaves no code blocks to list any specialty codes the branch wants to include. What should we do?
- For instance, let's say we list a function code and disciplines in all available blocks, and enter staff numbers in 9c(1) for the entire firm, but those codes and disciplines don't include "Geologist" and the branch wants to show their staff geologists on a separate line, because it's an important specialty for the proposal or their branch. What should we do?
- Can we change the firm staff discipline numbers with each proposal to reflect the needs of the work involved, or can have different firm staff discipline numbers for each agency, or whatever is allowed to make it work for us?
- OR- Does the entire firm's breakdown have to be the same for every submission, or every submission to the same agency? Can we have a different breakdown for one agency (like NJDOT) versus another state (NYDOT) or agency (MTA)?
- In order to allow for some "specialty" codes for different branches, do we have to limit the entire firm's breakdown to perhaps 15 codes?
- How are other firms handling this problem?
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General Questions and Answers
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Question:
When will firms be required to begin using the SF 330?
Answer:
Firms and government agencies will begin using the SF 330
on the "official SF330 implementation date", June 8, 2004.
On the "Official
Implementation Date", use of the SF 254 and SF 255 will cease,
and use of the SF 330 will begin. Currently, only the SF 254 and
SF 255 should be used, and firms should continue to submit copies
of their SF 254 to the ACASS team.
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Question:
When will I be able to see the official version of the SF 330?
Answer:
A finalized copy of the SF 330 is available on the
ACASS/CCASS web site and on the
www.gsa.gov
web site.
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Question:
Which form should firms and government agencies use during the six-month transition period?
Answer:
Firms and Government agencies should only use the SF 254 and
SF 255 prior to the June 8, 2004 “Official Implementation Date”. After that
date, only the SF 330 should be used.
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Question:
How can I prepare for the use of the SF 330 form?
Answer:
The six-month window between the time the SF 330 was published,
and when it replaces the SF 254 and SF 255 should be used by
firms and government agencies to familiarize themselves with the
SF 330, and for software to be developed to accommodate the
SF 330 form.
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Question:
Will training be available?
Answer:
Currently, there are no plans for the federal government to
provide formal SF 330 training. However, the form includes
complete instructions. There are also a number of private firms
offering SF 330 training. As always, the ACASS team will be
available to provide guidance to firms with questions about the
completion of the SF 330 Part II. The ACASS firm information
number is 503-808-4591.
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Question:
Should a copy of my firm’s SF 330 be sent to the ACASS Center, after it becomes the official form to use?
Answer:
The answer to this is still unclear, but will be decided and
published to this site before the official implementation of the
SF 330. If possible, an automated link will be developed
between the CCR and the ACASS database, eliminating the need to
submit the SF 330 to two places. Contracting officers may still
request a hard copy of the SF 330, as part of the solicitation
package.
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Question:
The SF 330 uses the DUNS number. The SF 254 uses the ACASS number. What will happen to my firm’s ACASS number, once the SF 330 becomes the official form?
Answer:
The ACASS number is used to uniquely identify a firm for the
life of the firm. It also tracks firm hierarchy. It is still
unclear whether information associated with the DUNS number will
provide the same capabilities. The government is committed to
maintaining the information integrity currently provided by the
ACASS number. Once a decision about the future of the ACASS
number is made, it will be posted to this web site.
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Question:
Who will have access to my firm’s ACASS information?
Answer:
The security and confidentiality of the ACASS system will not
change. Firm’s corporate headquarters will be able to review
all ACASS information relating to their firm. Branch offices
will only be able to view information about their specific
office. Authorized government users will be able to view
information about all firms.
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CCR Registration:
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Question:
How do I access the CCR?
Answer:
The CCR web site is found at: http://www.ccr.gov.
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Question:
Do we have to register Part II electronically in the CCR? If so, when will it be available on the CCR web site to do so?
Answer:
The decision to enter Part II into the CCR has not been finalized. If and when this decision is made, it will be publicly announced along with a description of the process.
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|
Question:
Should we wait until it is available, or register now with our base information and add Part II later (our corporation will be registering about 30+ offices)?
Answer:
Registration of basic corporate information in CCR is currently required. The SF 330 Part II data would be a supplement to the basic CCR registration.
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|
Question:
Our company is registered in CCR, but again, each branch is not. Should each branch be registered in CCR?
Answer:
Each branch office that will have a key role in performing a Federal contract must register in CCR.
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Question:
What is the Central Contractor Registration’s (CCR’s) role in the implementation of the SF 330?
Answer:
To do business with the Federal Government, all firms will be
required to register their DUNS number on the web site.
A&E firms will also enter their own SF 330 information on the
CCR web site (www.ccr.gov).
The information must be updated annually.
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Question:
How will Firm Mergers, Joint Ventures, and Novations be handled by the SF 330 and the CCR web site?
Answer:
The SF 330 filed on the CCR web site should reflect the firm’s
current information. This information should be updated at
least once a year. The details of how this will be integrated
with the ACASS system are not finalized at this time. However,
the continued ability to accurately capturing and maintaining
firm information will be a critical requirement of the new
process.
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Question:
Who will have access to my firm’s CCR information?
Answer:
Firms and government users must register for a login and
password to access information in the CCR. System security will
restrict other firms from viewing your firm’s information.
Government users will be granted access to information on a
need-to-know basis.
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|
Question:
Will my firm’s performance history be available through the CCR?
Answer:
No. Performance evaluations will continue to be submitted
directly to the ACASS system. In the future, the ACASS
performance evaluations will be transmitted to the Past
Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS).
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Question:
Can a firm with multiple offices have a DUNS number just by region? For example, several offices in Southeast with one DUNS? Or would you like a separate DUNS for each branch?
Answer:
A separate DUNS number is assigned by Dun & Bradstreet to each physical location (branch office) of a firm.
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|
Question:
Editable version of SF330: The form is available in both pdf and FormNet versions on the GSA website. Are there plans for an MS Word version?
Answer:
No MS Word format will be provided, however, the GSA website has a link to free FormNet software which can be used to fill the FormNet version of the SF-330.
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Question:
What is the Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS)?
Answer:
PPIRS is a new centralized repository for retrieval of all types
of performance evaluations, including A&E, Construction, Service
& Supply, etc. A number of past performance collection
systems transmit their evaluations to PPIRS. Although ACASS
evaluations are not currently transmitted to PPIRS, this
capability is being developed.
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|
Question:
How do I access the PPIRS web site?
Answer:
The PPIRS web site is found at http://www.ppirs.gov.
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Question:
Who can see the PPIRS information about my firm?
Answer:
Firms may view their information by requesting a logon and
password from the PPIRS web site,
www.ppirs.gov.
(Firms are not permitted to view information about firms other
than themselves). Government agencies may also access
information in the PPIRS database by applying for a logon and
password. Security of the site is strictly controlled.
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|
Question:
Why all these changes?
Answer:
These changes are part of the President’s Management Agenda and
E-Government Initiatives. Quite simply, the goal is to
streamline the government by simplifying its forms, web sites,
and business processes, and eliminating redundancy. This will
make it easier and less costly to do business with and within
the government. More information is available at
www.egov.gov.
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SF-330 Part I
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|
Question:
Can you use individual experience in the example projects section F? Do we need to indicate as IE?
Answer:
Individual experience is best shown in Section E. The example projects in Section F are intended to illustrate projects performed by some or all of the firms on the project team.
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|
Question:
Part 1, Section 24 - Brief Description of Project. I'd like more clarification on what "cost" refers to; is it the total construction cost of the project, or just the consultant's fees?
Answer:
The meaning of “cost” will depend on the nature of the work. If the work was for the design of a construction project, then “cost” is the construction value. If the work was a study or similar consultation not directly related to a construction project, then “cost” is the fee earned.
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Question:
Part I, Section F Block 24, should the project photos be inserted on the page, as an attachment, or an appendix?
Answer:
Project photos are optional, unless requested by the agency. Photos would typically be inserted in Block 24, unless the agency requested the photos be attached separately.
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Part I, Section G:
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Question:
A new firm, comprised of very experienced engineers, submits a SF330. Because they are a new firm, their Section G will be blank. Will they be penalized?
Answer:
Agency selection boards consider both the experience of the key persons and the overall team. Generally, a new team would not be ranked as highly as a team that has work together successfully before. But that depends on the particular project and the agency’s selection criteria. The introduction of the SF 330 does not change the importance of team experience in A-E selection.
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Question:
A prime has a bad experience working with a sub-consultant. A year later they pursue a new project using the SF330. If they pick a much more highly recommended firm, with whom they have no prior experience, their Section G will be blank. Will they be penalized?
Answer:
Firms have to make business decisions about continuing with current but weak partners, or selecting new partners. Whether selection of a new subcontractor will affect a firm’s selection ranking will depend on the importance of that sub to the project. The introduction of the SF 330 does not change the importance of team experience in A-E selection.
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SF-330 Part II
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Question:
In Part II, Block 8a, does former firm name(s) refer to acquisitions or corporate name changes?
Answer:
Both. This information is used to research past performance
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|
Question:
In Part II, Block 8b, should the year established be the year representing the current firm name (e.g.: if it is an acquisition office) or the year the branch office was originally established?
Answer:
It should be the year the firm name was established. This information is used to research past performance.
|
|
Question:
In Part II, Block 9b, does Discipline refer to the Function Code description (e.g. 07 - Biologist)?
Answer:
Yes.
|
|
Question:
In Part II, Block 10b, does Experience refer to the Profile Code description (e.g. B02 - Bridges)?
Answer:
Yes.
|
|
Question:
In Part II, Block 11, do the revenue index numbers refer to Company wide work or branch office work?
Answer:
Branch office work.
|
|
Question:
With 40 offices, will there be a time when a firm as a whole needs to submit a Part II? Or, does each Part II need to be only for branch offices?
Answer:
Generally, a Part II is prepared for each branch office having a key role in a Federal contract. An overall corporate Part II could be prepared for general marketing purposes, but it wouldn’t be submitted in response to a contract announcement.
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Part II, Section 9:
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|
Question:
We are limited to 20 discipline codes- and we have to list the number of staff in each code in the same box, one column for the entire firm (9c(1)), and one column for the branch(s) (9c(2)) submitting the proposal. So if we use all 20 code blocks for the entire firm, it leaves no code blocks to list any specialty codes the branch wants to include.
Answer:
When completing Section 9, focus on the disciplines in the particular branch office. Hence, the list of disciplines for one branch office will likely be different from the others.
|
|
Question:
For instance, let's say we list a function code and disciplines in all available blocks, and enter staff numbers in 9c(1) for the entire firm, but those codes and disciplines don't include "Geologist" and the branch wants to show their staff geologists on a separate line, because it's an important specialty for the proposal or their branch.
Answer:
When completing Section 9, focus on the disciplines in the particular branch office. Hence, the list of disciplines for one branch office will likely be different from the others.
|
|
Question:
Can we change the firm staff discipline numbers with each proposal to reflect the needs of the work involved, or can have different firm staff discipline numbers for each agency, or whatever is allowed to make it work for us?
Answer:
The staffing of a branch office would not vary with individual project submissions, unless the staffing actually changed due to hiring and departures.
|
|
Question:
OR- Does the entire firm's breakdown have to be the same for every submission, or every submission to the same agency? Can we have a different breakdown for one agency (like NJDOT) versus another state (NYDOT) or agency (MTA)?
Answer:
This form was developed for use by the Federal Government; it is not mandated for use by state and local agencies. For the Federal Government, the staffing of a branch office would not vary with individual project submissions, unless the staffing actually changed due to hiring and departures.
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|
Question:
In order to allow for some "specialty" codes for different branches, do we have to limit the entire firm's breakdown to perhaps 15 codes?
Answer:
When completing Section 9, focus on the disciplines in the particular branch office. Hence, the list of disciplines for one branch office will likely be different from the others.
|
|
Question:
How are other firms handling this problem?
Answer:
Unknown since the form is not yet in use. Follow the above guidance.
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