SOLICITATION NOTICE
B -- Draft Guidance New Home Indoor Air Quality Specifications
- Notice Date
- 9/6/2005
- 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-05-00399
- Response Due
- 9/21/2005
- Archive Date
- 10/21/2005
- Description
- NAICS Code: 541620 This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, and Subpart 13.106 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; offers are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. Request for quotation number RFQ-DC-05-00399 shall be referenced on any quotation. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect thru Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-05. The NAICS and small business size standard for this project are 541620/$6.0 million. Only one award will result from this solicitation, via the issuance of a time-and-materials purchase order. Statement of Work: Draft Guidance New Home Indoor Air Quality Specifications. This Statement of Work outlines tasks for the identification and assemblage of technical information that will assist the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the development of an indoor air quality (IAQ) labeling program for new homes. Specifically, the Contractor shall gather technical information regarding construction methods and materials that will meet the IAQ specifications for new homes developed by the Agency. The Contractor shall survey and assemble existing home construction technical texts, technical guidance documents of various professional organizations supporting the home construction industry, building code supportive materials and existing housing-related construction training materials, to include energy efficiency, civil engineering, air quality and general construction methods developed by Federal and state agencies, universities, and private organizations. The Contractor will assemble the appropriate technical guidance for home builders that will address each of the technical specifications as outlined in EPA's proposed "ENERGY STAR with Indoor Air Package" initiative. The specifications can be found at http://www.energystar.gov/homes; then, under "quick links", click on "Technical Resources", "Indoor Air Specifications". ESTIMATED PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The estimated period of performance for this requirement is from the date of award through January 20, 2006. BACKGROUND: The Indoor Environments Division of the Office of Radiation and Indoor Air, and ENERGY STAR for New Homes of the Office of Atmospheric Programs are jointly developing a voluntary labeling program for newly constructed homes. The proposed new program will offer home builders that meet specific indoor air quality (IAQ) specifications for new home construction the opportunity to obtain an IAQ label comparable to the existing ENERGY STAR label for new homes. EPA recognizes that many of the causes of diminished air quality in homes can be avoided by construction methods that specifically address these issues. Also, construction methods and materials that address energy efficiency and indoor air quality are often interrelated. The label's specifications are designed to: help avoid moisture and mold problems; resist the entry of soil gasses into the foundation; assist in pest management; address combustion-safety issues; provide improved filtration of the home's air and reduce the potential for entry of contaminants, provide adequate ventilation with fresh outside air, and assist homeowners in maintaining their home's air quality. While these criteria reduce the potential for moisture and pollutant problems in the home, they also provide the added benefits of improved durability of the home's structure, and improved comfort of the occupants. Builders adopting these specifications will be able to offer an improved product to the home buyer and also may avoid buyer complaints that often relate to moisture and comfort issues. OBJECTIVES: This Statement of Work has five objectives: 1) Develop a draft guidance document that will provide home builders practical technical information to assist them in implementing EPA's IAQ specifications for new homes. 2) Guidance will be based upon learning elements, that will be developed first, from the existing IAQ specifications. 3) Guidance will specifically address each specification (or related group of specifications), describing construction methods or materials necessary to meet the specification. Because of the myriad products in the marketplace, not every product/method can be described. Therefore, guidance will consist of at least one example that illustrates the principle/objective of the individual specification. Guidance will also address the differing methods necessary because of climate differences. 4) The guidance will provide illustrations derived from existing technical guidance materials. Guidance will also provide references to related internet web sites where builders may access additional technical guidance. 5) The guidance will be user-friendly, providing clear technical guidance using terminology commonly directed to professionals in the home construction industry. TASKS: Task 1: Project Plan and Conference Calls The Contractor shall provide the EPA Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) with a project plan and a schedule of activities within two weeks (14) days of receipt of contract. During the course of the contract, the contractor will make bi-weekly conference calls to the COR to report progress and to refine product development. Task 2: Develop Project Plan Together with the COR, develop a list of learning elements, derived from the individual IAQ specifications (attached version will be an update of that found at the aforementioned web address), that home builders should understand to be able to implement the specifications. To undertake this task, the contractor shall provide the services of a residential building science national expert. Along with the COR, establish a schedule for developing the various sections (and addressing specific learning elements) of the draft guidance document. Provide the COR a proposed list of informational sources that will be utilized in developing the guidance document. The list should include technical guidance and/or training materials from, but not limited to: industry trade associations and others representing the various aspects of the construction industry, building scientists, Federal and state agencies, manufacturers, and construction training entities. No new guidance/training materials will be developed under this contract. Task 3: Information Collection & Analysis Based upon the learning elements developed in Task 2 and also consistent with the approved Research Plan in Task 2, the Contractor will: Identify and collect technical information that describes/illustrates how to accomplish the elements of the specifications. The contractor will draw from existing materials and expertise appropriately tailored for home-building professionals. All information shall include a complete citation of the source of the information (including document name, author's name, volume, edition, page numbers, etc.) as they apply to each source material; Provide the services of a residential building science national expert and meet with the COR to discuss the relative merits of available information and agree on format for the presentation of materials; Secure permission for use of materials from authors when necessary; Identify any existing code citations or trade/industry/association standard practices that apply to the IAQ specifications requirements, but that were not included in the current draft specifications as "References"; Provide all training and guidance materials in Microsoft Word, and Adobe Acrobat pdf or jpg file formats; Identify informational gaps that exist because of the lack of guidance/training information relating to various specifications/learning elements, and determine potential actions and costs to fill these gaps. Task 4: Draft Guidance Document The contractor will assemble the materials into a draft guidance document in a format that follows the structure of the IAQ specifications. The complete citations, described in Task 3, shall also be included for the information contained in the document. The draft document shall be reviewed and approved by the national expert noted in Task 3 before the contractor submits it to EPA for final approval. Task 5: Final Report The contractor shall develop a final report that summarizes the process that was followed in completing the project, the informational sources utilized, and the rationale for the selected structure for the draft guidance document. It shall also include a summary of the informational gaps that exist and a projected approach for filling specific gaps and estimated costs for generating the information. DELIVERABLES (3 hardcopies and 1 electronic of each deliverable to the COR) 1) Within 14 days of receipt of contract, a project plan and a schedule of activities for the successful completion of the contract (Task 1). 2) Lists of proposed learning elements, detailed work schedule, and recommended informational sources (Task 2). 3) Hard copy versions of all guidance and training materials and also Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat pdf or jpg file formats of each (Task 3) 4) Drafts of specific sections of the guidance and training materials according to the approved schedule of Task 2. 5) Draft guidance document, organized in the sequence of issues occurring in the IAQ specifications, and containing all the compiled training materials, including citations (Task 4). 6) Final written report at the completion of the project (Task 5). BASIS FOR AWARD: The Government will make award to the responsive, responsible firm, whose quotation is most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. This is a best-value procurement. The Government may or may not award to the low price quotation. For this requirement, all evaluation factors other than cost or price are of relative equal importance. The Government will utilize the following evaluation criteria: 1) Technical Expertise and Past Performance- The Government will evaluate each offeror's demonstrated experience in (each must relate to residential housing construction applications): a) Training, housing professionals: Providing technical assistance, information and training to home builders, energy contractors, trade professionals, code officials, and other home-construction professionals; providing training on a nationwide basis, accounting for regional differences such as climate and soil types; b) Development of curriculums, courses and training modules; c) The residential building-codes development process, and/or consensus-standards development; d) Working with nationally recognized experts in residential building science; e) Housing technology research and design and construction of homes: conducting or evaluating research into housing construction methods and materials, work with manufacturers in product development, and evaluations of housing performance and system failures and interventions; f) Indoor air quality technical issues in housing, and work with indoor environment experts. 2) Cost-Price: The Government will evaluate the total expected cost of performing this work. The Government anticipates award of a purchase order on a time and material basis. The Government's estimated level of effort for this requirement is approximately 736 hours. The provision at FAR 52.212-1 "Instructions to Offerors-Commercial" applies to this acquisition. Offerors are to include a completed copy of FAR provision 52.212-3 "Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items" with their response. The following FAR clauses also apply: 52.212-4 -"Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items", 52.212-5 "Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders - Commercial Items", with the following clauses cited in 52.212-5 being applicable to this acquisition: 52.222-3 "Convict Labor", 52.222-21 "Prohibition of Segregated Facilities", 52.222-26 "Equal Opportunity", 52.222-35 "Equal Opportunity for Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans", 52.222-36 "Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities", 52.222-37 "Employment Reports on Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans", 52.225-13 "Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases", and 52.232-33 "Payment of Electronic Funds Transfer - Central Contractor Registration" and 52.232-34 "Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer - Other than Central Contractor Registration". The aforementioned provision and clauses can be accessed electronically at http://www.arnet.gov/far and http://www.gsa.gov/far. Prospective sources are reminded that award can only be made to a Contractor who is registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS REQUEST FOR QUOTATION: Offerors shall provide a project plan (no more than 5 pages) that describes the Offeror's ability to satisfy the Government's requirements as set forth in the Statement of Work, including the labor classifications/technical expertise to accomplish each section of the work plan. The Offeror shall also indicate their "Technical Expertise", (described in the Evaluation Factors) that applies to each section of the work plan. In addition, Offerors shall submit a labor-hour quote by task, including indirect costs, and other direct costs (ODC's), including travel and a ceiling price for this requirement. For ODC purposes the Government estimates four trips for travel to Washington, DC to meet with the COR to discuss the organization of the project and then information being collected and integrated into the guidance document. Finally, Offerors shall provide a completed FAR 52.212-3. All questions concerning this RFQ must be submitted in writing and faxed to (202) 565-2554 or e-mailed to roberson.denise@epa.gov. No telephonic response to this solicitation will be accepted. Due date for receipt of responses to this RFQ will be 5:00 PM/EST, 09-21-05 to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, ATTN: Denise Roberson 3803R, Washington, DC 20460 via U.S. mail; or U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, ATTN: Denise Roberson, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Reagan Building Room 71271, Washington, DC 20004 via commercial delivery; or e-mail at roberson.denise@epa.gov. Electronic responses are preferred. Point of contact: Denise Roberson, Contract Specialist, Phone (202) 564-4899.
- Record
- SN00887388-W 20050908/050906212424 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
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