SOURCES SOUGHT
B -- JOB ANALYSIS/TRAINING MANUAL
- Notice Date
- 11/3/2004
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- Contracting Office
- Bid and Proposal Room, Ariel Rios Building (3802R) 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20460
- ZIP Code
- 20460
- Solicitation Number
- PR-HQ-05-10192
- Response Due
- 11/19/2004
- Archive Date
- 12/19/2004
- Small Business Set-Aside
- Total Small Business
- Description
- NA TITLE: "Job Analysis and Training Manual for Pesticide Applicators Seeking Initial Certification to Apply Fumigants to Mediums other than Soil" The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Acquisition Management (OAM) is conducting market research, FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY, to identify small and/or small disadvantaged businesses that possess the necessary technical capabilities to provide technical support in the evaluation and development of training materials for EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs. Background EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs is responsible for approving programs to certify pesticide applicators as competent. Generally, this is done through delegation of the program to a state lead agency, whereby applicators are required to pass a core exam, followed by a category exam. While most categories differ significantly between states, standards of competency for fumigation of mediums other than soil is inherently similar throughout the country. In order to promote consistency in training throughout the country, the EPA is committed to developing training materials on fumigation to be distributed to the states for use in their certification and training programs. Additionally, the EPA agrees with and supports the recommendations of the Certification and Training Assessment Group (CTAG), and is committed to producing verified training and testing materials. Valid examinations are legally defensible, give reliable results and provide a solid foundation for certification and licensing. A valid exam is developed by using measurement standards [established by the American Psychological Association (APA) and the National Council on Measurement in Education (NCME)]. The process begins with the development of a job analysis, which is then used to develop a valid exam and manual. While the cost of producing materials and exams using this method is initially higher, the defensibility of the exam and the high caliber training manual are valuable in the long-term and ensure a higher percentage of those certified are truly competent. During the pesticide re-registration process for the active ingredients Aluminum (Al) and Magnesium (Mg) Phosphide, EPA noted its concern regarding the toxicity of the chemicals and the need for clear guidance in the form of training materials to prepare users of these fumigants. The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between EPA and registrants of Al and MG phosphide calls for cooperation between registrants and "representatives of EPA, USDA, academia, the states and the user community in the development of training modules and validated certification examination questions that can be used by the states in their Certification and Training programs." General Scope of Work EPA seeks to establish a contractual relationship to meet the terms set forth in the MOA and to provide states with adequate materials to ensure competent applicators are certified to use fumigants. The purpose of this contract is to support the Environmental Protection Agency in the evaluation of existing training materials, the development of a job analysis, and the production of a training manual, PowerPoint training tool and video/DVD for pesticide applicators seeking initial certification to apply pesticides in any medium save soil. Other Detailed information on the requirement is provided via a draft copy of the Statement of Work (SOW) and its associated appendices which are posted to the following web-page on or about November 05, 2004: http://www.epa.gov/oamhpod1/oppts_grp/0510192/index.htm The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541620 with a size standard of $6.0 million for potential small and small disadvantaged businesses. The potential contract is anticipated to be a Firm-Fixed-Price type with an estimated period of performance of one (1)?twelve month Base Period; plus two (2)?twelve month option periods. Any interested small business concerns are advised of the language in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Clause 52.219-14 "Limitations on Subcontracting" paragraph (b)(1) which states that under a small business set-aside contract for services "at least 50 percent of the cost of contract performance incurred for personnel shall be expended for employees of the concern." Therefore, the Capabilities Statement should realistically demonstrate how the small business concern would be able to comply with this clause which would be included in any potential contract. Please also note that consultants are considered subcontractors and not employees of the prime contractor. Interested small business concerns who believe they have the capability of providing services as defined in the SOW are invited to submit, in writing, a Capabilities Statement with sufficient information within a 15 page limitation. Responses shall demonstrate capabilities/expertise with consideration to the SOW requirements. Responses, including the vendor's business status (e.g. small, small disadvantaged, minority-owned, 8(a), etc) should be mailed to the following: (1) U.S. POSTAL SERVICE ADDRESS: U.S. EPA - Ariel Rios Building ATTN: Dennis James Bushta (Mail Code 3803R) 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20460; or (2) HAND CARRY/COURIER/OVERNIGHT CARRIER ADDRESS: U.S. EPA - Ronald Reagan Building ATTN: Dennis James Bushta (Mail Code 3803R) 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W., Washington, DC 20004. CAPABILITY STATEMENTS SHALL BE SUBMITTED NO LATER THAN 2:00 PM EST November 19, 2004. Information contained in the Capability Statements will be used to determine the qualifications of the small business community with respect to this requirement. DEPENDING ON THE RESPONSES TO THIS SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE/MARKET RESEARCH, THIS REQUIREMENT WILL BE SET-ASIDE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES OR PROCURED THROUGH FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION. No feedback or evaluations will be provided to companies regarding their individual Capability Statement. NOTE: THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION ANNOUNCEMENT FOR PROPOSALS AND NO CONTRACT WILL BE AWARDED FROM THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. NO REIMBURSEMENT WILL BE MADE FOR ANY COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH PROVIDING INFORMATION IN RESPONSE TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND/OR ANY FOLLOW-UP INFORMATION REQUESTS. NO TELEPHONE CALLS AND/OR REQUESTS FOR A SOLICITATION WILL BE ACCEPTED OR ACKNOWLEDGED. RESPONSES SHALL NOT EXCEED 15 PAGES AND STANDARD COMPANY BROCHURES ARE NOT DESIRED. INFORMATION SHALL FOCUS ON THE CAPABILITY TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL SERVICES AS DEFINED IN THE SOW.
- Web Link
-
The Environmental Protection Agency
(http://www.epa.gov/oam/solicit)
- Record
- SN00703406-W 20041105/041103212244 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps.gov Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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