SOURCES SOUGHT
R -- Performance Based Oversight of Offsite Response Organization Emergency Preparedness
- Notice Date
- 3/17/2010
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541690
— Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
- Contracting Office
- Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Office of Administration, Division of Contracts, 12300 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, Maryland, 20852-2738, United States
- ZIP Code
- 20852-2738
- Solicitation Number
- RS-NSR-10-188
- Archive Date
- 4/10/2010
- Point of Contact
- Michael Mills, Phone: (301) 490-5696
- E-Mail Address
-
michael.mills@nrc.gov
(michael.mills@nrc.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- This is a "Sources Sought" synopsis. This is not a Request for Proposal The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is seeking technical assistance for determining the feasibility of using performance based methods for oversight of offsite response organization support of nuclear power plant emergency preparedness. This notice supports a market survey and analysis to determine the range of available contractors and their utility and capability to assist the NRC with the prospective work described below. The NRC does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this request or compensate responders for their information. The purpose of this announcement is to provide potential sources the opportunity to submit information regarding their capabilities to perform work for the NRC free of Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCOI). For information on NRC OCOI regulations, visit NRC Acquisition Regulation Subpart 2009.5, entitled "Organizational Conflicts of Interest" (http://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/contracting/48cfr-ch20.html). All interested parties, including all categories of small businesses (small businesses, small disadvantaged businesses, 8(a) firms, women-owned small businesses, service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, and HUBZone small businesses) are invited to submit a response to the market research questions below and submit the capability information as described below. Submission of additional materials such as glossy brochures or videos is discouraged. Responses are due no later than March 26, 2010, close of business, 4:30 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time). The Government will not reimburse respondents for any costs associated with submission of the requested information. Telephone inquiries or responses are not acceptable. Responses must be forwarded to Michael.Mills@nrc.gov) or responses may be mailed to: U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Attn: Mr. Michael Mills, Division of Contracts, MS TWB-01-B10M, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852. Background In SECY-06-0200, "Results of the Review of Emergency Preparedness Regulations and Guidance," dated September 20, 2006, the NRC staff proposed to begin activities to develop a voluntary performance-based regulatory concept. In the staff requirements memorandum (SRM) to SECY-06-0200, dated January 8, 2007, the Commission approved the request by the staff to begin exploratory activities in this area with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), conducting one or more public meeting(s), and providing a recommendation to the Commission on a path forward. The staff developed a conceptual description of a performance-based emergency preparedness (PBEP) regulatory regimen for the onsite portions of nuclear plant programs. The staff presented the conceptual description to internal stakeholders and FEMA. The proposed regimen was revised based on feedback and then presented at a public meeting conducted on March 5, 2008. The staff discussed aspects of the proposed regulatory regimen including program goals, design considerations, performance demonstrations, performance indicators, and oversight activities. Comments from the State stakeholders were supportive of the regimen and industry personnel asked several insightful questions (ADAMS Accession Number ML080940393 for a meeting summary). During the meeting, the staff identified additional developmental areas considered necessary before the regimen could be pursued in rulemaking. These areas include consensus performance standards, performance indicators, oversight process, and program implementation guidance. The staff conveyed to stakeholders that they would have a role in these developmental activities. On May 9, 2008, the Nuclear Energy Institute Director of Emergency Preparedness provided the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) a letter (ADAMS Accession Number ML081340523) stating that industry would not be supportive of development or implementation of the PBEP regimen in the near future because of competing priorities. However, the letter noted that after the current EP rulemaking is completed, the nuclear industry could give stronger consideration to developing the regimen. In the September 11, 2008, SRM COMDEK-08-0005 "FY2010 NRC Performance Budget Proposal," the Commission provided direction to support the development of a performance based approach to emergency preparedness. The SRM directed the staff to work with local communities and DHS to begin the next major EP enhancement of working to quantify the protection that EP plans and procedures should result in and codify them in regulations that are transparent, objective, and measurable. In a memo dated November 24, 2008, (ADAMS Accession Number ML082100042) the staff stated "Given this direction and funding, the staff intends to begin activities in this area in FY2010, by first focusing on the development of overarching goals for a proposed performance-based EP program to include consideration of offsite EP programs. The conceptual regulatory regimen will then be discussed with FEMA for alignment. Once that is achieved, the staff will take the opportunity to present and discuss the concept with the industry, State, and local emergency response professionals during regional meetings and at the annual National Radiological Emergency Preparedness Conference. Other outreach opportunities will also be incorporated to assure a wide range of stakeholders are engaged in the development of the proposed regulatory regimen. The staff will utilize consultant assistance in FY2010 to more fully develop the regulatory concept, identify implementation processes, and analyze the feasibility of quantifying the protection provided by nuclear plant EP. The results of this effort and recommendations on next steps will be reported to the Commission." This project will explore the use performance based oversight of offsite response organization (ORO) emergency preparedness programs that support nuclear power plants. 2. Contractor Competencies The contractor must have competencies in the following areas: • review proposed PBEP oversight processes and compare to current FEMA oversight processes • Develop oversight regimen which relies more fully on drill and exercise performance and less on federal review and approval of plans, procedures and processes • Assess efficacy of proposed process and ORO acceptance • Determine if performance indicators are practical and could contribute a PBEP oversight process • Identify and define potential performance indicators • Assist with FEMA interface during development of proposed performance based oversight process. Commercial organizations that are interested in supporting our technical assistance requirements should respond in writing to the market research questions below. Additionally you should provide information on your staff's qualifications and your firm's corporate experiences and qualifications on similar contracts or efforts. 3. Market Research Questions: • How long has your business been in operation? • What type of business is your company (i.e. 8(a), large, etc.)? • What is the size of your company in terms of employees and consultants? Provide a breakdown of the mix between the two categories. • List any companies, universities, or government agencies your company plans to perform work for related to civilian nuclear reactors or research and test reactors? • Has your company previously faced organizational conflict of interest issues with NRC? How were they resolved? • Does your company have experience in supporting and knowledge of the Federal Emergency Management Agency oversight of offsite response organization emergency response performance in support of nuclear plant biennial exercises and/or other evaluations of offsite response organization support of nuclear plant emergency preparedness? • Does you company have experience in the area of inspection (or evaluation) system development and performance indicator system development and use. • Does you company have experience with inspection system development or use for support of nuclear power plant safety • Does your company have experience in conducting studies for government agencies involved in commercial nuclear safety and/or commercial nuclear plant emergency preparedness? • Does your company's have experience in the development, implementation or management of state or local emergency preparedness programs in support of a nuclear power plant.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/NRC/OA/DCPM/RS-NSR-10-188/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 11545 Rockville Pike, rockville, Maryland, 20708, United States
- Zip Code: 20708
- Zip Code: 20708
- Record
- SN02095485-W 20100319/100317235515-a7a0107c1c7a77a9843ff148cb7791c8 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
| FSG Index | This Issue's Index | Today's FBO Daily Index Page |