SOLICITATION NOTICE
R -- Air Quality Expert Services - SAP
- Notice Date
- 4/2/2007
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- NAICS
- 541990
— All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Contracting Office
- RTP Procurement Operations Division (D143-01) Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
- ZIP Code
- 27711
- Solicitation Number
- PR-NC-07-10356
- Response Due
- 4/16/2007
- Archive Date
- 5/16/2007
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- THIS IS A COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS PREPARED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FORMAT IN SUBPART 12.6, AS SUPPLEMENTED WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION INCLUDED IN THIS NOTICE. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONSTITUTES THE ONLY SOLICITATION. QUOTES ARE BEING REQUESTED, AND A WRITTEN SOLICITATION WILL NOT BE ISSUED. The solicitation number is PR-NC-07-10356, and the solicitation is being issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 05-16. The associated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541990 which has a $6.5 million dollar size standard, however, it is anticipated that the contract will be awarded as a result of full and open competition. The purpose of this notice is to inform all interested parties that the Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC intends to award a Firm-Fixed Price type contract as a result of this solicitation. Background: EPA?s Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS) is responsible for certain statutory requirements regarding air pollution outlined by The Clean Air Act (CAA). OAQPS maintains primary responsibility for guiding the nation?s air quality management and is responsible for developing programs to implement these standards. Since publication of the NRC report Air Quality Management in the United States in January 2004, EPA has been working with a Federal Advisory Committee to develop recommendations to improve the nation?s air quality management system. In January 2005, the first set of recommendations was presented to EPA from the Committee. EPA expects a second set of recommendations to be presented in May 2007. The final report from the CAAAC will be finalized by June 2007. The need for a multi-pollutant approach is highlighted in recommendations by the Air Quality Management Workgroup that encourage EPA to: (1) take an integrated, multi-pollutant approach to mitigating most significant risks, (2) development an integrated program for criteria and hazardous air pollutants, (3) consider multi-pollutant controls in the standard setting process, and (4) promote and improve integrated, multi-pollutant monitoring. Recently, OAQPS has begun emphasizing a multi-pollutant, sector-based approach to achieving additional air quality improvements. OAQPS has also maintained a central role in developing and articulating public communication about these programs and providing priority research needs to EPA?s Office of Research and Development (ORD) and other organizations conducting air-quality-related research. Purpose: To assist OAQPS in these areas, the Contractor will provide multi-disciplinary expertise to conduct scientific and technical assessments of air pollution causes and impacts; analyze the implications of these assessments for national air quality management strategies; and provide, through reports and communications materials, recommendations for OAQPS programs, communications strategies, research priorities, policies, training and regulations. The Contractor must have expert knowledge of technical, scientific, and policy issues regarding particulate matter (PM), criteria pollutants and the air quality challenges facing the nation. The contractor will provide expertise in the following areas: air quality science, pollutant heath and welfare effects, legislative history, national and international air quality issues, including pollutant transport, communicating technical information to varied audiences including Congress, industry, environmental groups, academia, The National Academies, national and international science organizations, the air quality community, and the public. In evaluating available information, performing science and policy assessments, and developing reports and deliverables, the Contractor will apply practices and methodologies currently accepted within EPA and/or the scientific community and, where needed, recommend improvements to such methodologies to meet specific project needs. Contractor will perform the work specified in the following tasks. The contractor will meet on a regular basis (at least bi-weekly) with OAQPS Policy and Communications staff to receive assignments under this task and to develop and implement its air quality program. STATEMENT OF WORK: THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PERFORM THE FOLLOWING TASKS: Task 1: The contractor shall provide expert scientific and technical review and recommendations concerning strategies and activities directed at evaluating the multiple impacts of and evaluating multi-pollutant and sector based approaches by targeting reductions in those pollutants that have multiple public health impacts. Specifically, the contractor shall perform the following tasks: 1.1 The contractor shall summarize and analyze OAQPS? current data needs and data flow, both within and from the organization, and provide written recommendations of steps that can be taken in the short term (1-2 years) and long term (3-5 years) to ensure that data is developed, presented and used in a manner that facilitates cross program integration and optimizes collateral benefits to the fullest extent possible. 1.2 The contractor shall review the list of 188 air toxics and recommend which compounds are also PM-2.5 precursors or direct emissions of carbon based PM-2.5. The recommended list shall be supported with the latest technical information including but not limited to, scientific literature citations, expert interviews. Deliverables: 1.1 One electronic copy and one hard copy of report providing a written assessment addressing each of the following topics: a. Current data bases and informational sources maintained by OAQPS including an analysis of how the information is being, and can be, used across the programs and OAQPS divisions in support of multi-pollutant strategies. b. Gaps in the data and information necessary to integrate emission reduction across the criteria and toxic air pollutant programs in a manner supportive of multi-pollutant and sector based approaches to air quality management. c. Recommendations of short- and long-term steps to fill data and information gaps in support of multi-pollutant and sector based approaches to air quality management. Delivered by 8 months from contract effective date. 1.2 One electronic copy and one hard copy of written report providing EPA with recommendations and supporting documentation. Delivered by 11.5 months from contract effective date. TASK 2: Review of Communication Strategies, and Communications Materials; Scientific Review of OAQPS Papers for Publication: The contractor shall ensure that the strategies and communications materials for OAQPS programs include background information necessary to provide an appropriate scientific and historical context. This may include overviews of EPA programs and associated rules, as well as a historical perspective on program development, including legislative history, if relevant. The contractor shall include explanations, appropriate to a given audience, of the science behind the program, rule or issue. 2.1 The contractor shall review and provide comment to improve strategies for communicating to a range of audiences the technical, historical and scientific aspects of OAQPS air quality programs, rules and issues (programs). The list of OAQPS programs includes regional haze, particle pollution, air toxics, long-range transport, and other air quality-related issues. 2.2 The contractor shall review and provide recommendations to improve the scientific and historical content of communications materials for OAQPS air quality programs. Communication materials include: briefings, including graphical representations of technical information, web presentations, fact sheets, talking points, questions and answers, and desk statements. OAQPS programs include regional haze, particle pollution, air toxics, long-range transport, and other air quality-related issues. For long-range transport, the contractor shall focus both on long-range transport of criteria pollutants and hazardous air pollutants, within the United States and internationally, with a specific emphasis on U.S. Canada transport. 2.3 The contractor shall review and provide recommendations to improve communications to a range of audiences the final OAQPS strategy to implement recommendations from the National Academy of Sciences (NRC) and the Clean Air Act Advisory Committee (CAAAC). The recommendations are for OAQPS to develop an integrated program for addressing criteria pollutants and hazardous air pollutants. The implementation strategy shall be based on the NRC report, Air Quality Management in the United States, and on a report developed by the Air Quality Management subcommittee of the CAAAC, ?Recommendations to the Clean Air Act Advisory Committee: Phase I and Next Steps.? 2.4 The contractor shall review technical papers not to exceed 8 papers, authored by OAQPS staff for publication in journals or for inclusion in meeting proceedings. The contractor shall review papers for scientific accuracy. Deliverables: 2.1 One electronic copy and one hard copy of each written report reviewing OAQPS strategies for communicating specific technical and scientific aspects of OAQPS air quality programs, rules and issues for the following: a. NAAQS review and Implementation - Particulate Matter, b. Long-range transport issues, c. NRC and CAAAC recommendations, & d. Air Toxics. Delivered by 11.5 months from contract effective date. 2.2 One electronic copy and one hard copy of each written report providing comments on the scientific information included in communications materials for OAQPS air quality programs. The communications materials include: briefings, including graphical representations of technical information, web presentations, fact sheets, talking points, questions and answers, and desk statements. The contractor shall provide written comments on OAQPS air quality programs, rules and issues including, the following: a. NAAQS review and Implementation - Particulate Matter, b. Long-range transport issues, c. NRC and CAAAC recommendations, & d. Air Toxics. Delivered by 11.5 months from contract effective date. 2.3 One electronic copy and one hard copy of written report providing comments on the scientific information included in communications materials for a plan and materials for communicating the final OAQPS strategy to implement recommendations from the National Academy of Sciences (NRC) and the Clean Air Act Advisory Committee (CAAAC). Delivered by 11.5 months from contract effective date. 2.4 One electronic copy of redline-edit reviews with appropriate notes and explanations of technical papers not to exceed 8 papers. Due within 2 weeks of technical paper receipt unless Government grants an extension. Delivered by 11.5 months from contract effective date. ? Task 3: The contractor shall summarize and present the results of above Tasks 1, 2, and 3 findings, and recommendations in a formal presentation using visual, graphics and handouts as appropriate to OAQPS senior management. Deliverable: One to one and one half hour formal briefing to Senior OAQPS leadership including preparation to answer questions. Delivered by 12 months from contract effective date. Task 4: EPA Air Quality Primer Training - 4.1 The Contract shall develop a 10 ? 12 hour course providing students a broad understanding of the Air Quality issues that have impacted our nation and the EPA?s efforts in meeting those challenges. The target audience is new OAR employees or other EPA personnel requiring a strong understanding of the current challenges facing the EPA?s efforts to improve Air Quality and the history of the EPA defining its current culture. The training should be a mix of the historical and practical, and should include at minimum, information on the topics below. Contractor shall also consider the materials developed in the previous Tasks, available Federal information and information the contractor researches and compiles. Students should leave with a firm understanding of the history of air pollution and its control, the social dynamics surrounding this knowledge and history, and especially the health science of air pollution impacts on the human body. Contractor shall select the most appropriate presentation format with consideration given to current educational techniques and professional standards in education. Class size should be estimated at 10 - 25 students. Proposed Training Topics: a) History of Air Pollution Control: when air pollution laws developed; what drove their development; how that led over time to the passage of the Clean Air Act; who the major players were; who was regulating air prior to formation of EPA; social setting around formation of EPA and passage of original (and reauthorizations of) Clean Air Act; how major sources of air pollution have evolved, changed, or grown over time; key watershed moments (e.g., pollution episodes, public awareness, new technology developed, key laws,?). b) History (up to present day) of the Development of our Knowledge and Understanding of Air Pollution Health Effects: in-depth teaching of how different air pollutants affect our health (lungs, cardiovascular, asthma,?); how these impacts are affected by peak vs. chronic exposures; what we know vs. what we don?t know; when we learned what we know; what were (and who did) some of the seminal studies; how this science evolved over time. c) Major Air Pollution Successes/Case Studies: possible examples include lead, CO, and acid rain; the social setting of these regulations ? that is, what we knew and what was uncertain when we passed them, the legislative vs. regulatory drivers for them, key individuals and organizations that helped make these possible. d) Major Failures in the Regulating Air Pollution: possible examples include MTBE, NSR intent vs. implementation for 20 years, delays in phasing out leaded gasoline; the social setting of these regulations ? that is, what we knew and what was uncertain when we passed them, the legislative vs. regulatory drivers for them. e) Major Air Pollution Concerns Today: rural vs. urban; indoor vs. outdoor; season to season; developed vs. developing countries. f) Key Individuals in History of Air Pollution and Air Pollution Control: including those from government (local, state, federal, foreign), NGOs, industry, academia, inventors. g) Personal Experiences and Reflections by Senior EPA Staff: Presentation in person or by video taped interview by EPA or former EPA staff on their experiences over the past few decades similar to the adage - "If I knew then what I know now." 4.2 Contract shall present the entire final course including handouts for 10 students to an audience selected by the Government. Deliverables: 4.1. Three electronic copies of the completed course with presentation materials, lecture text, handouts, interview videos and/or other materials. Copies shall be on a CD along with one paper copy complete with color graphics and index. Delivered by 11.5 months from contract effective date. 4.2. .Presentation of course in its entirety to an audience selected by the Government at a government furnished facility. Delivered by 11.5 months from contract effective date. Task 5: Provide expert scientific and technical support for EPA?s response to litigation on the 2006 PM NAAQS Final Rule. OAQPS, the Office of General Counsel (OGC), and the Department of Justice (DOJ) have established a team to respond to 8 petitions for review filed with the D.C. Circuit Court in response to EPA?s September 21, 2006 final rule regarding the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter. Expert assistance on scientific, technical, and policy issues related to PM is needed to support the activities of this team. The contractor shall assist in summarizing and analyzing the critical scientific, technical, and policy related arguments contained in the briefs filed by the litigants. The contractor shall also prepare and deliver materials to provide EPA essential support needed to develop up to five Agency response briefs. The contractor shall review 3 drafts of each Agency response brief and provide written comments and recommendations to improve the clarity and effectiveness of each EPA response. Deliverables: 5.1 Provide written assessment of the critical scientific and technical and policy arguments contained in the litigants? briefs. Delivered by 11.5 months from contract effective date. 5.2 Provide written recommendations regarding effective scientific, technical, and policy responses to issues raised in petitions and lawsuits. Delivered by 11.5 months from contract effective date. 5.3 Provide written report containing expert scientific and technical advice on preliminary and final drafts of up to five Agency response briefs. Delivered by 11.5 months from contract effective date. OPTIONAL Task 6: Provide Expert Advice on Technical and Policy Issues to EPA as it Develops Strategies to Integrate the Control of Air Pollution from both Criteria and Hazardous Air Pollutants. 6.1 The contractor shall develop, for EPA?s consideration, a strategy for implementing recommendations from the National Research Council (NRC) and the Clean Air Act Advisory Committee (CAAAC), to develop an integrated program for addressing criteria pollutants and hazardous air pollutants. The implementation strategy needs to respond to the recommendations in the reports. The report presents EPA with options on how to implement an integrated air quality management system that includes written recommendations of short- and long-term steps that can be taken to integrate the criteria and hazardous air pollutant programs. 6.2 The contractor shall develop a written report that presents EPA with recommendations on how the process of setting non-attainment boundaries could be improved. The report should take into consideration the discussions and papers produced by the Clean Air Act Advisory Committee that previously considered the boundary issue. Deliverables: 6.1 One hard bound copy and one electronic copy of the Strategy Report including all attachments meeting formatting standards. 6.2 One hard bound copy and one electronic copy of the Non-attainment Boundaries Report including all attachments meeting formatting standards. The deliverable due date will be determined if this option is exercised. Optional Task 6) The Government reserves the right to exercise the optional task as funds permit. The performance period may change or be extended accordingly. The Government (without prior written notification) may exercise the optional task by issuing a contract modification. Performance Period: Approximately 12 months from date of award (not including the optional task). Place of performance is the contractor's facility. EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD: The Government will make an award to the responsible offeror(s) whose offer conforms to the solicitation and is most advantageous to the Government, cost or other factors considered. For this Request for Quotation, all evaluation factors other than cost or price when combined are significantly more important than cost or price. 1. Technical Approach to performing the work. Submit a brief summary of your proposed technical approach for this project. 2. Staff must have demonstrated nationally recognized expertise and experience in performing air quality analyses (especially in relation to national impacts) to include technical, scientific, and policy issues regarding particulate matter (PM), criteria pollutants and the air quality challenges facing the nation. The contractor shall demonstrate expertise in the following areas: air quality science, pollutant health and welfare effects, legislative history, national and international air quality issues, including pollutant transport, communicating technical information to varied audiences including Congress, industry, environmental groups, academia, The National Academies, national and international science organizations, the air quality community, and the public. 3. Past performance. Each offeror submitting a technically acceptable proposal shall be evaluated on performance under existing and prior (within the past 3 years) contracts/subcontracts/orders for services similar to that described in the Statement of Work for this requirement. Provide at least 3 - 5 references for related projects conducted in the last 3 years. Include project description, contact person and telephone number. Past performance will be used for responsibility determinations and as a factor against which offerors relative rankings will be compared to ensure the best value to the Government. 4. PRICE. Award will be made to the offeror whose offer represents the best value to the Government, price and other factors considered. Price each task separately. Technical approach capability and past performance when combined are significantly more important than cost and price. PAYMENT: Partial payment will be authorized upon acceptance and approval of each deliverable by the Project Officer. Contractor must provide a price for each deliverable separately. The government intends to award a Firm-Fixed Price contract to the responsible offeror whose proposal represents the best value to the government. Only offerors submitting technically acceptable proposals shall be considered for award. The following FAR provisions apply to this solicitation: 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Item; 52.212-2, Evaluation-Commercial Item. All offerors are to INCLUDE WITH THEIR RESPONSE a completed copy of provision 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items which can be found on EPA's web site. Arrow down to the section of COMMERCIAL BUY CLAUSES AND FORMS which are provided for your convenience. The following FAR clauses apply to this acquisition: 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items, 52.246-11, Higher Level Contract Quality Requirement, 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders--Commercial Items and the following additional FAR clauses which are cited in clauses 52.212-5: 52.222-1, Child Labor; 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities; 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity, 52.222-35, Affirmative Action for Special Disabled and Vietnam Era Veterans; 52.222-36 Affirmative Action for Handicapped Workers; 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Special Disabled Veterans and Veterans of the Vietnam Era; 52.222-41, Service Contract Act of 1965, As Amended, and 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer. Any applicable wage determination(s)(if required) will be made a part of the resultant purchase order. In addition to this Request for Quotation, offerors should check periodically EPAs web site at http://www.epa.gov/oam/rtp_cmd for additional postings. Arrow down to the REQUEST FOR QUOTATION section and click on the solicitation number. Technical questions are to be forwarded via email no later than 12:00 p.m. noon, EST, 09 April 2007 to the Contract Specialist at the following email address: kimble.joy@epa.gov. Please submit two copies of the technical proposal and two copies of the price proposal to Joy Kimble, Contract Specialist, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, RTP-POD, E105-02, 109 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711. Courier Delivery Address is: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, RTP-POD, 4930 Page Road, Attn: Joy Kimble, E105-02, Research Triangle Park, NC
- Web Link
-
The Environmental Protection Agency
(http://www.epa.gov/oam/solicit)
- Place of Performance
- Address: 79 T.W. ALEXANDER DR. DURHAM NC Durham, NC
- Zip Code: 27709
- Country: UNITED STATES
- Zip Code: 27709
- Record
- SN01264602-W 20070404/070402224500 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
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