SOLICITATION NOTICE
R -- Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
- Notice Date
- 10/18/2004
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- Contracting Office
- Environmental Protection Agency, Administrative Contract Service Center, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, Nw, Washington, DC 20460
- ZIP Code
- 20460
- Solicitation Number
- RFQ-DC-05-00010
- Response Due
- 10/21/2004
- Archive Date
- 11/21/2004
- Point of Contact
- Point of Contact, Isabelle Nguyen, Purchasing Agent, Phone (202) 564-1266
- E-Mail Address
-
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(nguyen.isabelle@epa.gov)
- Description
- NAICS Code: 541990 This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial services prepared in accordance with the format in FAR part 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. This Request for Quote number, RFQ-DC-05-00010, is for support services for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Agricultural Center and for Compliance Assistance and Compliance Assurance Activities for the Agricultural Community. The period of performance consists of a one-year base period with a one-year option period. The base period will be effective January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2005. The option will extend the period of performance from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2006. The award will be in the form of a fixed rate, time and materials purchase order. The primary place of performance shall be the U.S. EPA's Agricultural Center, 901 N. 5th Street, Kansas City, KS 66101. This procurement is a 100% small business set-aside under FAR part 19.5. The NAICS code is 541990 with a size standard of $6 million. The RFQ and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular FAC 01-24. The provisions 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial; 52.212-2, Evaluation-Commercial Items; 52.212-3, Offeror Representations & Certifications-Commercial Items; 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items; and 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items apply to this acquisition. These references may be viewed at www.arnet.gov. BACKGROUND. The Agriculture Division within the Office of Compliance/Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance has the responsibility for the implementation and maintenance of the National Agriculture Compliance Assistance Center and other compliance assistance activities for the agricultural community. To direct and support national compliance assistance, compliance assurance, and enforcement activities, EPA sets national compliance assurance and enforcement priorities through strategic planning and targeting; collecting and integrating compliance data; developing effective compliance monitoring programs to support inspections and self-reporting; building the capacity for more effective compliance assistance to the regulated community; improving the quality of regulations; and working with the Regions, States, municipalities, citizens groups and industry and supporting enforcement activity. PURPOSE. The purpose of this Purchase Order is to provide support, including some on-site support, for EPA in the activities of EPA's Ag Center and the Agriculture Division in its efforts to provide compliance assistance for the agricultural community and to provide support for compliance assistance and compliance assurance activities for the agricultural community. Support may include conducting needs analyses for the agricultural community, developing or editing compliance assistance materials and outreach documents; developing, revising, or evaluating reference or guidance manuals, inspection guidelines, and communications strategies; collecting and disseminating information; providing technical support; providing support for measuring success; providing support for the Ag Center's and Ag Division's outreach activities and mechanisms; arranging for or conducting training sessions or other meetings or workshops. Task 1: Support for Analysis or Information Management Projects, Needs Assessments, and Reach Analysis. The Contractor shall provide technical support to develop, maintain and implement information management projects, including: 1) update and maintain the communications list and database; 2) update the Ag Center's existing Reach Analysis identifying the Ag Center's primary and ultimate audience; 3) update the Ag Center's internal communications and activities lists. For planning purposes, the Contractor shall assume monthly updates to the communications list and database, monthly updates to the internal communication and activity lists, and quarterly updates to the Reach Analysis. Within 1 month of award, begin to update and maintain the Ag Center's external communications list and database and provide a hard copy and electronic copy to EPA. Thereafter, update upon receipt of technical direction and provide reports within 5 work days of update completion. Within 2 weeks of award, begin to update the Ag Center's existing Reach Analysis identifying the Ag Center's primary and ultimate audience and provide a hard copy and electronic copy to EPA. Thereafter, update upon receipt of technical direction and provide reports within 5 work days of update completion. Within 2 weeks of award, update the Ag Center's internal communications and activities lists, provide a hard copy and an electronic copy monthly, if updates are made during the preceding month. Task 2: Update, Maintain, and Implement Communications Strategy; Measure the Success of the Communication Strategies; Revise as needed. The Contractor shall provide technical support to update, maintain, and implement communication strategies and other related information to address needs identified by EPA and maintain communications with the agricultural community, including 1) updating, maintaining, and implementing the Ag Center's existing communication strategy; 2) developing, maintaining, and implementing communication strategies for the Agriculture Division, as needed; 3) revising the strategies as needed to improve effectiveness. As implementation of the Strategies progresses, the Contractor shall: 1) measure the success of the Ag Center's revised Communications Strategy; revise, if needed to improve effectiveness; 2) measure the success of the Ag Division's Communications Strategies; revise, if needed, to improve effectiveness. Within 1 month of award, begin to update and implement the Ag Center's existing Communications Strategy to maintain communications with the agricultural community. Thereafter, upon receipt of technical direction, develop Communication Strategies for the Ag Division. As implementation of the Strategy progresses, upon receipt of technical direction, the Contractor shall measure the success of the Ag Center's revised Communications Strategy. Based on the results of the measurement, revise the strategy within 5 business days, if needed, to improve effectiveness. As implementation of the Strategy progresses, upon receipt of technical direction, measure the success of the Ag Division's Communications Strategies. Based on the results of the measurement, revise the strategy within 5 business days if needed, to improve effectiveness. Task 3: Electronic Distribution Mechanism. The Contractor shall provide technical support to develop, maintain, and measure the success of electronic distribution mechanisms, including support for regular, routine updating and additions to the Ag Center's list server. Support for the Ag Center's list server includes adding and deleting subscribers as necessary, conducting monthly checks to determine list size, formatting for distribution to the Ag Center's list-serve, the News and Alerts Updates. The Ag Center's list serve currently has approx. 1400 subscribers. Within 2 weeks of award, begin support for the Ag Center's list server. Task 4: Telecommunications Distribution Mechanism; Publications List and Database. The Contractor shall provide technical support to maintain and measure the success of the Ag Center's existing telecommunications distribution and response mechanism(s) and databases, including support for incoming requests for documents and other information. Using EPA's sources (NSCEP, clearinghouses, hotlines, etc.) the Contractor shall identify additional EPA ag-related documents to be added to the publications list, supporting distribution mechanisms and website. The Contractor shall develop and/or maintain publication lists targeted to particular audiences or topics, such as worker safety or agricultural animals. The Contractor shall maintain an on-site inventory of publications and a publications clearinghouse. For estimation purposes, include monthly updates to the publication list and associated web and database coordination. The Contractor shall assume monthly updates to the telecommunications list and database (estimate entering information on 600 telephone calls). Upon award, the Contractor shall identify additional EPA ag-related documents to be added to the Ag Center's publication system and supporting distribution mechanisms and website; maintain the list; provide a hard copy and an electronic copy monthly if updates are made during the preceding month; complete updates and revisions to other electronic communications systems and databases within one week of receipt of technical direction and submit to EPA for approval; identify additional EPA ag-related docs to the added to publication lists targeted to particular audiences or topics, such as worker safety or agricultural animals; maintain the list; provide a hard copy and an electronic copy monthly if updates are made during the preceding month; maintain an on-site inventory of publications and publications clearinghouse. Within one month of the award, begin monthly updates to the telecommunications list and tracking database. Task 5: Meetings, Workshops, Seminars and Conference Calls. The Contractor shall provide technical support for meetings, workshops, conferences, seminars, and conference calls. Examples of support include agenda development, arranging for speakers and presenters, identifying and securing gathering/meetings locations, development of materials for distribution before, during, and after gatherings/meetings, including arranging for displays and booth space, developing and distributing proceedings and materials, and on-site support during the gatherings/meetings. Costs shall be passed through the Contractor. For planning purposes, Contractor should include estimates for 1 two-day meeting in Kansas City with 60 attendees; 6 two hour conference calls; 6 booths/displays; and 2 one-day seminars/workshops. The Contractor shall provide support for conference calls and draft transcription of minutes of calls to be delivered 2 weeks after the call. Thereafter, activities to be initiated upon receipt of technical direction. Within one week of award, be prepared to support meetings, workshops, conferences, seminars and booths. Thereafter, activities to be initiated upon receipt of technical direction. Task 6: Materials Development, Outreach and Training Support. The Contractor shall develop, format, and provide editorial and graphic support in development or review of compliance assistance, pollution prevention, sector, training, and related materials. Examples include fact sheets, brochures, handbooks, documents, papers, compliance assistance packages, public service announcements, press releases, materials for electronic or telecommunications distribution, and other communications on topics determined by the Center to be of critical or routine importance to the agricultural community. The Contractor shall provide technical support for outreach, training, and other communications activities. Topics and types of materials will be identified by EPA through a variety of means, including the updating of the needs assessment document, sector profiles, information management projects, compliance assistance activities and projects, the communication strategy, public meetings, conferences, feedback or questions from the regulated community or those in contact with the regulated community. For planning purposes, Contractor should estimate costs for the development of 5 two-page fact sheets, 6 compliance assistance packages of 75 pages each, 5 one-page outreach communications/notifications; quarterly updates, regarding the Ag Center, to at least 5 newsletters or publications. Within one week of award, support development of compliance assistance packages, fact sheets, and outreach communications/notices. Task 7: Infrastructure Support. The Contractor shall conduct analyses of enforcement programs as well as develop and evaluate communication outreach strategies, including: 1) providing support for developing and implementing a strategy to increase awareness of the Center; 2) develop Mid and End-of-Year Reports, and quarterly reports as needed, characterizing and summarizing the Ag Center's activities for the current fiscal year; 3) develop a measurement report for measuring the progress and success of the Center in accordance with the Ag Center's Measurement Plan; 4) prepare draft responses to requests for documents and other materials (for planning purposes estimate 75 requests to the Ag Center for 250 outreach folders; 5) for the current year and the next five years, update and maintain a list of ag-related national meetings including those of the major ag trade organizations, EPA (including PREP, PIRT and CAFO training sessions) and USDA, and update the list as necessary; 6) develop reports, briefing materials, and other materials and documents such as overhead transparencies or power point presentations (estimate 2 status report briefings and 2 other briefings for management); 7) providing support for the Ag Center's existing measurement systems, including modifying and enhancing the systems/databases, conducting quality assurance activities, entering data into the measurement systems/databases, and developing and generating reports from the data (estimate generating information on 600 telephone calls, 200 distributions of publications and quarterly measurement reports). Within 4 weeks, develop and ultimately to implement a strategy to increase awareness of the Center. Update, expand, and implement a measurement strategy for measuring the progress and success of the Center. The Contractor shall support the Ag Center's existing measurement systems, including modifying and enhancing the systems/databases, conducting quality assurance activities, entering data into the Ag Center's and other Agency databases and tracking systems, measurement systems and databases, such as ICIS, and developing and generating reports from the data; develop mid year and End of Year reports, as appropriate, characterizing and summarizing the Ag Center's activities for the current fiscal year; provide mid-year reports for the fiscal year by April 10; provide End of Year reports for fiscal years by October 5. Any quarterly reports needed shall be due within one week of the request. The Contractor shall draft responses to requests for documents and other materials within 3 days of the requests for documents and other materials covering at least the current year and for the next 5 years; update a list of ag-related meetings including those of the major ag trade organizations, EPA (including PREP, PIRT and CAFO training sessions) and USDA; update the list; provide a hard copy and an electronic copy of the list monthly, if updates are made in the preceding month; provide Ag Center materials to all PREP, PIRT, CAFO and other ag-related case development, permit writers and inspectors training courses; develop drafts of reports, briefing materials, and other materials and documents such as overhead transparencies or power point presentations for briefings for management or other meetings. Within 4 weeks, develop a measurement report for measuring the progress and success of the Center in accordance with the Ag Center's Measurement Plan. Task 8: Quick Response Support. During the course of the contract, there are many activities that may arise that are time sensitive and may require a quick response time. Such activities might include a need arising from the Agricultural Issues Forum conference call, development of a fact sheet, brochure, or other type of communication or outreach material identified as a high priority, a need identified through the needs assessment, or a health or safety or other type of issue that might need immediate communication to, or input from, the agricultural community. The Contractor shall provide support for any activities identified directly or indirectly during the development or implementation of the needs assessment, communications strategies, compliance assistance support, or infrastructure development as EPA undertakes to develop, revise, or implement policies, compliance strategies, regulations or interpretations of existing regulations or the functions of the Agriculture Center, etc. For planning purposes, estimate 15 quick response activities, 15 hours each. Respond to Quick Response requests as indicated in the Quick Response Task. All deliverables must include one original and one copy. The Contractor shall also provide EPA complete electronic files of all materials. The Contractor shall submit monthly progress reports to EPA in accordance with the requirements of the contract to summarize work completed and projected, current and cumulative expenditures and professional hours worked. The Contractor shall transfer to the EPA all manuals, documents, and data on computer CDs. EVALUATION FACTORS. The Government intends to award a Purchase Order resulting from this solicitation to the responsible small business whose offer, conforming to the solicitation provisions, will be the most advantageous to the Government, cost and other factors considered. For this RFQ, all evaluation factors other than cost or price, when combined, are significantly more important than cost or price. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers and are weighted 25 points each: I. Technical Experience/Expertise/Approach: Offerors shall demonstrate ability to manage a publication inventory and clearinghouse of 200-plus documents. The Ag Cente NOTE: THIS NOTICE WAS NOT POSTED TO WWW.FEDBIZOPPS.GOV ON THE DATE INDICATED IN THE NOTICE ITSELF (18-OCT-2004); HOWEVER, IT DID APPEAR IN THE FEDBIZOPPS FTP FEED ON THIS DATE. PLEASE CONTACT fbo.support@gsa.gov REGARDING THIS ISSUE.
- Web Link
-
Link to FedBizOpps document.
(http://www.eps.gov/spg/EPA/OAM/HQ/RFQ-DC-05-00010/listing.html)
- Record
- SN00695397-F 20041020/041018211618 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps.gov Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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