It is my understanding for a firm to qualify for the 10% price evaluation under NAIS code 234990 heavy construction,the MAIN OFFICE of that firm must be located in a region approved for the 10% evaluation. These states being AL,AR,KY,LA,MS,OK TN and TX. If a firm has branch offices in one of the states but the main office not in one of the states, the firm does not qualify for the 10% adjustment.
Is my understanding correct?

By C Mercy on Thursday, February 01, 2001 - 11:20 am:

Its less a case of where the main office is then it is of the address used in the certified SDB application. Essentially you are correct but everything hinges on the address you see in PRONET.

By Anonymous on Friday, February 02, 2001 - 10:03 am:

Let me go one step farther with this discussion: When the solicitation was originally opened I went to pro-net to ascertain that the company was listed in pro-net under the state of MISSISSIPPI. This is the address that was listed on the SF1442. They were not listed as main office or branch office in MS. I started doing research and found that the company was issued a letter designating it as SDB at an address located in GA which is the main office for this company. The solicitation was issued nder NAICS code 234990 heavy construction.The question now arises as to whether this company is entitled to the 10% price evaluation for a small disadvantaged business since the code 234990 is only authorized on a regional basis and GA is not one of the states listed in the region. Another way to ask this question is what address governs whether a company is entitled to 10% evaluation when the company main office is not located in the region but a branch office is. Does that mean that a SDB certified in California can to move to Louisiana(one of the states in the region to qualify for 10% price evaluation)to open a branch office and bid jobs in New york and qualify for the price adjustment. This brings about another question: when originally checking pro-net and the company is listed with an address located in the region qualifying for the 10% is any further search required to determine where the main office is loccated?

By C Mercy on Friday, February 02, 2001 - 11:32 am:

If the address the company submitted on its certification application is in GA and GA is not a location where the regional preference has been established the firm does not get the benefit conferred by the eval scheme.Part of the trick here is looking at the provisions and clauses applicable to this concept. FAR 52.219-22 w/alt1 or 2 gives some insight related to addresses. The second point ,I guess,is it is irrelevant to us where his offices are as it is his application address which governs. And I know the SBA checks on such matters.(As do third parties) Since we know place of performance is not a factor we need only know its application address which is posted on the PRO NET. Of course if another vendor raises a doubt as to the legitimacy of that address I would send it to SBA. In the final analysis the address on a bid,or another address where payments are sent, are not governing here. The PRO NET address is. (and as the AMI protest confirms if PRONET does not list a specific NAIC/SIC for an SDB it does not mean that firm is inedible.

By C Mercy on Friday, February 02, 2001 - 11:35 am:

THAT'S INELIGIBLE

By C Mercy on Friday, February 02, 2001 - 11:44 am:

I had a second thought and although I do not want to be accused of putting words in your mouth is your concern with main offices and branch offices perhaps the result of your understanding of 8A construction? This is the only area I can think of where your observations are in play. Maybe?

By Anonymous on Friday, February 02, 2001 - 05:25 pm:

No, my concern is when is a company entitled to the 10% adjustment when the solicitation is NAICS code 234990 for heavy construction and the company has several addresses some of which are in the region eligible for the 10% for SDB concerns in that region and some addresses are not. I agree with you that I believe it is the address of the main office; however, SBA is checking to be sure and hopefully will have an answer for me on Monday. Yall have a great weekend.

By Anonymous on Monday, February 05, 2001 - 09:03 am:

If the SBA allows more than one address would you let us know?

By Anon2 on Monday, February 12, 2001 - 12:52 pm:

BTW, for DoD contracts, price evaluation adjustment has been suspended since 24 Feb 00 to 23 Feb 01.

The suspension will be extended another year from 24 Feb 01 to 23 Feb 02. Refer to DoD memo at: http://www.acq.osd.mil/dp/dars/deviations/2001o0001.pdf.

Please note that evaluation factors for SDB participation (FAR 19.12) will still apply, if applicable.

By Anonymous on Thursday, February 15, 2001 - 10:08 am:

Here is latest I received from SBA this AM: Ref FAR 52.219-22 Alt1, paragraph (b)Representations (1)General(c)states,"(c) it is identified, on the date of its representation, as a certified small disadvantaged business concern in the database maintained by the Small Business Administration(PRO-Net;".

Therefore unless someone has reason to question or formally challenge the certification, if it is Pro-Net it is accepted as SDB Certified. If SBA certify a "Branch" office address in PRO-Net then it is assumed that if that office is submitting the bid it has full application of SDB requirements including Price Evaluation Adjustment.

This is me talking now. It appears to me that a SDB from anywhere can come to any state that is in region that qualifies for 10% price adjustment under NAIC 234990 (heavy Construction), open branch office and then submit bids from that branch office and qualify for the 10% price adjustment.

By c mercy on Tuesday, February 20, 2001 - 08:37 am:

I think you are correct but the SDB is only going to get one address on PRO Net and that is the address that should be checked before applyibg the price evaluation factor.So if a firm opens a branch in a covered area they will not recieve the PEA at their other locations.

By Anonymous on Wednesday, February 21, 2001 - 08:22 am:

That is correct;however, if the bid is submitted from a branch office and that branch office is located in the region that qualifies for the 10% SDB preference then the PEA must be applied.