U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 26 W. Martin Luther King Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45268

A -- REVIEW OF NATIONAL AMBIENT AIR QUALITY STANDARDS FOR PARTICULATE MATTER DUE 040698 POC Ellie Speh, EPA Point of Contact, (919)541-0643 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is performing a "market search" for 10-15 qualified scientists to provide support for the National Center for Environmental Assessment in Research Triangle Park, NC (NCEA-RTP). NCEA-RTP has need for contractor support to help prepare an Agency document describing the scientific basis for review and possible revision of the current National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter (PM). A previous assessment of the scientific basis for the PM NAAQS appeared in the 1996 PM air quality criteria document (AQCD) entitled, Air Quality Criteria for Particulate Matter (EPA/600/P-95/00/1aF-cF). NCEA-RTP is seeking the professional services of scientists who have extensive knowledge of particulate matter and are able to provide EPA with high quality assessment of the latest available scientific information to be used in support of the next PM NAAQS review. Although emphasis will be placed on the presentation of health effects data, other scientific areas to be covered are the nature, sources, distribution, measurement, and concentration of PM in the environment, as well as the measurement of population exposure to PM. It is anticipated that multiple purchase orders will be issued utilizing simplified acquisition procedures in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation Part 13. Each purchase order for professional services will cover a period of approximately 24 months during the 1998-2000 period and will involve the completion of several key tasks. Tasks will include: (1) authorship of one or more technical draft sections of the new PM AQCD to be prepared starting in mid-1998; (2) participation in scientific peer-review meetings/conferences (travel will be required); (3) attend CASAC Review Meeting and assist in revision of the draft PM AQCD in response to CASAC review and public comments; and (4) assist in developing response to comments received from the public and from the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee of EPA's Science Advisory Board. A Statement of Work providing more specific details of the tasks, the deliverables, and time schedules required of the contractor will be made available to qualified experts at a later date. NO REQUEST FOR QUOTATIONS WILL BE ISSUED AS A DIRECT RESULT OF THIS SYNOPSIS. Scientists with the ability to provide the professional services listed above are encouraged to respond. Please submit copies of a curriculum vitae, publication history or other written materials that describe your scientific expertise, and any evidence of previous contributions to similar assessments. Responses should also indicate willingness to travel to workshops and meetings, as needed. All information from interested scientists should be forwarded by APRIL 6, 1998, to: Project Manager, Air Quality Criteria for Particulate Matter, U.S. EPA, NCEA (MD-52), Research Triangle Park, NC 27711. (0050)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0010 19980224\A-0010.SOL)