SOURCES SOUGHT
M -- REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) AND SITE VISIT INVITATION: PLUM ISAND CENTERWIDE SUPPORT PROGRAM - Attachments
- Notice Date
- 3/13/2014
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 561210
— Facilities Support Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of Homeland Security, Office of the Chief Procurement Officer, Plum Island Animal Disease Center, 40550 Route 25, Orient Point, New York, 11957-1130, United States
- ZIP Code
- 11957-1130
- Solicitation Number
- HSHQPD-14-R-00002
- Archive Date
- 4/12/2014
- Point of Contact
- Joseph P. Pianese, Phone: 6313233281, Kimberly O'Neill, Phone: 6313233346
- E-Mail Address
-
joseph.pianese@hq.dhs.gov, kimberly.oneill@hq.dhs.gov
(joseph.pianese@hq.dhs.gov, kimberly.oneill@hq.dhs.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- PIADC NCIC Form PIADC Visitor Application Request for Information (Full Text) THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) AND SITE VISIT INVITATION, ONLY. This RFI has three distinct phases: Phase I - an initial assessment of industry interest and site visit registration; Phase II - a Plum Island Animal Disease Center site visit; and Phase III - a written response to the information contained herein, using the additional knowledge gained from attending the site visit. This RFI is issued solely for market research and planning purposes. It does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP. Furthermore, those who respond to this RFI may not receive feedback from DHS to their submissions. This RFI does not commit the Government to enter into any contractual agreement, nor will the Government pay for any information requested hereunder. By submitting a response and/or attending the site visit, each respondent agrees that any and all costs the respondent incurs in responding to this request or in support of activities associated with it shall be the sole responsibility of respondent. The Government shall incur no obligations or liabilities to anyone for any costs or expenses incurred by the respondent in responding to this RFI. Not responding to this request does not preclude participation in any future RFP. The information provided in this RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government or the respondent. All submissions become the property of the Government and will not be returned. 1.0 INTRODUCTION The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of National Laboratories (ONL) has responsibility to support the science mission and for the safe, secure, efficient, and compliant operations of the Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC). DHS is looking into the feasibility of undertaking a project to modify its historical acquisition approach of managing multiple contracts to provide products and services for scientific and operational support at the PIADC into an optimized strategy that will reduce the number of prime contracts used and improve contract management effectiveness and efficiency. Specific objectives for this project are: • Manage one contract and one contractor in order to optimize scientific and operational efficiency • Create clear organizational roles and responsibilities by maximizing the autonomy of the prime support contractor to execute their responsibilities under the contract • Enable the science mission to focus on the science program by reducing the operational burden (e.g. procurement) on scientific leadership and staff. • Decrease acquisition cycle time and increase operational resilience • Meet or exceed obligations and objectives with respect to small and disadvantaged business objectives Accordingly, DHS is seeking potential sources that are able to provide all labor, management, supervision, equipment and materials (except those items which are Government-furnished) for nearly all PIADC functions. This includes the purchase of supplies and services required to support safe, effective, efficient, and compliant PIADC mission under normal, abnormal/upset, and emergency conditions in accordance with requirements delineated below. The anticipated timeline for this procurement is 4QFY16. To this end, DHS seeks input to support acquisition strategy decisions, via open discussions during a site visit, and written responses to this RFI, with interested companies. Specific objectives for the site visit and RFI include: • Obtaining information from industry regarding capable and interested companies, to assist DHS in completing market research • Obtain industry perspectives on contract types (and hybrids) and incentive approaches that will lead to optimal affordability and performance • Obtain industry input on strategies that will balance cost and performance objectives while simultaneously meeting small and disadvantaged business objectives • Obtain industry input on solicitation/proposal evaluation criteria • Obtain industry ideas/suggestions on managing the transition to the new contract(s) • Obtain industry input on managing multiple Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA) Phase I - Initial Assessment of Industry Interest and Site Visit Registration Phase II - Plum Island Site Visit Phase II - RFI Written Response 2.0 BACKGROUND Plum Island is, an 840-acre island located approximately one and one-half miles from the eastern end of Long Island's North Fork. In 1898, the United States Army built Fort Terry as a coastal defense during the Spanish-American War. After Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreaks in neighboring countries (1948 in Mexico and 1952 in Canada), Congress directed FMD research to be conducted off the US mainland. As a result, Congress transferred Plum Island to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 1952, at which point old Army facilities were modified to accommodate FMD research facilities. In June 2003, operational responsibility for Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC) was transferred from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS). PIADC is a unique scientific research facility and a critical national asset. It provides the only U.S. research and confirmatory diagnostic capability for specific high-consequence foreign animal diseases, and is the only laboratory in the United States equipped with research facilities and livestock animal rooms that permits the study of these diseases in livestock, such as cattle, sheep, and swine. It is the only U.S. laboratory authorized to study foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). PIADC is vital to successfully implementing a national strategy for protecting U.S. agriculture from a bioterrorist attack involving the intentional introduction of foreign animal diseases. PIADC supports the mission of the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) Agricultural Research Service (ARS), and the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). The introduction of high-consequence animal diseases into the U.S. would have a devastating effect on the US economy and way of life. DHS and the USDA APHIS and ARS work collaboratively on Plum Island to protect the country from this risk. Specifically, the USDA conducts basic research to better understand these diseases and, based on that research, DHS is developing vaccines for FMD. The USDA also maintains and continues to develop foreign animal disease diagnostic and forensics capabilities and trains approximately 150 U.S. and international veterinarians annually to better diagnose diseases in the field. As part of the facility mission Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostician (FADD) Schools are conducted. In these schools, approximately thirty veterinarians are trained to recognize high consequence foreign animal diseases. Each school lasts two weeks and approximately five schools are held each year. As an island-based facility, unique in many respects, the operations necessary to support the science mission are similar to those that would be required to support a small town, with the added complexities of a maritime environment and a comparatively high risk biological research facility. PIADC is a Government Owned-Government Operated (GO-GO) facility, however many contractors are used to support the facility mission and operations. Of the approximately 400 people who work at PIADC, approximately 120 are federal employees who are employed by USDA and DHS and approximately 280 are contractor employees. Five (5) main service contracts are used by PIADC operations: 1) an operations and maintenance services contract; 2) a security contract; 3) an operational administration, business, and technical services contract; 4) an animal care contract; and 5) a scientific program administrative and technical support contract; along with dozens of contracts for IT, supplies, and miscellaneous services projects. It is the intent of DHS to optimize the most effective and efficient combination of these services/supplies actions for successful operation of the PIADC mission. Security is managed strategically at DHS Headquarters and is not expected to be included the optimization effort. The majority of research conducted at PIADC occurs within the bio-containment facility which is approximately 200,000 square feet and includes of Bio-Level 3, Bio-Level 3 Agricultural, and equipment and machinery spaces. A 55,000 square foot administrative building, which is connected to the bio- containment facility, provides office space, meeting rooms, an auditorium, ~3000 square feet of BSL-2 laboratory space, and a cafeteria. Approximately 70,000 square feet of additional support buildings provide space for systems, equipment, storage etc. to support the PIADC mission. The scientific work day typically occurs during normal business hours Monday-Friday (approximately 6am-6pm). However, the work is sometimes extended beyond those hours. Diagnostic capabilities must be available on-call on a 24/7 basis. Marine Transportation services operate on an extended workday approximately 6 AM - 12 midnight, with limited services on weekends and holidays. Security, operations and maintenance, and fire/rescue and EMS activities occur on a 24/7 basis. Pending full congressional appropriations, DHS will build the National Bio and Agro Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan, Kansas and transition the PIADC mission to that facility. DHS currently anticipates that transition will occur in approximately 2021. Current congressional appropriations language mandates that DHS sell Plum Island when the mission moves to the NBAF. 3.0 SCOPE The following are some of the primary functional areas for support services expected to be provided by the prime contractor. The details of these will be expanded upon during the site visit. Scientific Support Services: - Under the direction of DHS scientific leadership, conceive and conduct foreign animal disease research - Procure scientific materials and services - Procure and receive animals - Procure and deliver animal food - General administration - Coordinate and facilitate the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee processes - Coordinate and facilitate the Institutional Bio-safety Committee processes - Research library - Clinical services (e.g. daily assessments, blood samples) - Veterinarian Support Services - Develop and publish scientific program documents and procedures - Test and development of advanced technologies support Operations & Maintenance Support Services: - Biological Safety/Biological Containment Management and Services - Decontamination of waste, equipment and spaces - Water Plant - Waste Water Thermal Decontamination Plant - Boiler & Chiller Plant - Heating, Cooling and Ventilation - Electrical Distribution and Power Generation Services - Fuel and Oil Management (purchase, receipt, storage, and transfer) - Waste Management (biological, hazardous / universal / solid/radioactive) - Environmental sampling and remediation - Engineering Support Services - Crematories - Information Technology Services and software development - Fire Alarm and Fire Suppression - Fire, Rescue and Emergency Medical Services (FREMS) - Environment, Safety, and Health Services - Research Library Services - Buildings - Roads and Grounds - Transportation (Marine and Ground) - Harbor and Docks - Laundry Services - Food/cafeteria Services - Historic Structure maintenance and refurbishment - Erosion control - Project management and work control - Procurement of goods and services Administration, Business, & Technical Support Services: - Training Facilitation and Coordination - Exec. Admin Assistance - Administrative Assistance - Records Management and Document Control - Public Affairs - Budget Analysis - Finance/Accounting - Procurement Assistance Occupational Health and Clinical Support Services: - Occupational Health Clinic Operations - Industrial Hygiene Service - Employee Wellness Program 4.0 PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT Over the past several years DHS has been pursuing improvements in the management approaches used to drive sustainable and continual improvement in performance management (scope, schedule, cost, and quality) for Plum Island operations and maintenance services. Specifically, the use of ISO9001and its third party registration processes and the Project Management Institute's Body of Knowledge have been systematically deployed and matured. Earned value management techniques are used for well-defined "traditional projects". Tailored earned value techniques for service related functions have also been successfully deployed. The interrelationships of these three approaches are graphically shown in the diagram below. DHS intends to build on the progress that has been made including registration to additional ISO standards (e.g. 14001) and continued maturation of project management practices and the integration of tailored earned value measurement techniques for service delivery. There is also an expectation of high level corporate involvement to assure and attest to the adequacy and effectiveness of management processes to fulfill the obligations of the contract. Respondents are encouraged to succinctly discuss their corporate governance and assurance processes. 5.0 KEY/OVERARCHING MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES Key/overarching management objectives for the Center-wide Support services at PIADC are as follows: • A safe work environment is maintained for all federal employees and contracted/subcontracted staff. • Environmental aspects associated with support activities are understood, and managed to assure compliance and to minimize the associated impacts of achieving PIADC institutional objectives. • Employees work in a culture where they are treated fairly, innovation is fostered, learning is valued, and diversity is respected. • Research and operational staff (federal and contracted) continually report a high degree of satisfaction with the quality and timeliness of the support service delivery • The availability and reliability of critical infrastructure systems and components are maintained to provide uninterrupted services to the PIADC research mission. • The routine use of metrics and robust credible self-assessment provides a comprehensive objective basis for management assurance and leads to innovation, efficiency, and continual improvement • Systems and components are operated, maintained, and tested as applicable, in accordance with regulatory requirements, industry standards, and manufacturer's recommendations.. • Buildings and grounds are maintained to assure the health and safety of staff guests and visitors, the reliability of infrastructure, and reflect positively on the contactor and the Government. • Employee's guests and visitors are treated professionally, respectfully, and in a friendly manner. Their experiences reflect positively on the contractor and the Government. • Management systems and processes conform to regulatory requirements, industry standards, and where required or appropriate are independently certified. • Competencies, qualifications, licenses, and certifications are maintained to fully and continually execute the Center-wide support roles and responsibilities. • Interrelationships with stakeholder groups and other contracted organizations are strong and productive 6.0 ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS DHS intends to optimize the use of Small and Disadvantaged Businesses, to the maximum extent practicable. Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) rules, procedures and responsibilities as described in FAR Subpart 9.5 shall be applicable to any resultant contract and subcontracts. Any anticipated actual or perceived organizational conflicts of interest should be identified in your response. Interested parties submitting responses must possess a broad interdisciplinary staff with backgrounds pertinent to the environment in which the Center is expected to operate. Additionally, such parties must be able to work effectively and in a timely manner with Federal organizations, institutions, and personnel in the Washington, DC, Long Island New York and New London metropolitan areas, and with other contractors providing services to PIADC. All personnel supporting this program will be required to obtain and sustain a DHS Suitability Background Investigation (BI); Pre-employment and Random Health Exams and Drug Testing. Employees entering some areas of bio-containment laboratory have additional self-quarantine requirements and must avoid common livestock. Domestic pets are not part of the restrictions. All freight (materials, equipment, vehicles, supplies, etc.) is transported to and from Plum Island through Orient Point, NY only. Connecticut ferries out of Old Saybrook are strictly for passenger only. 7.0 PHASE I - INITIAL ASSESSMENT OF INTEREST & SITE VISIT REGISTRATION The objective for Phase I is to take an initial assessment of industry's interest in participating in the Center-wide Support Program in order to better manage the logistics of hosting a site visit at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center. Your response in this phase is important for registering for the site visit conducted in Phase II. If your company is interested in participating but not able to attend the site visit, you can skip to the instructions in Phase III. If interested in attending a site visit YOU MUST REGISTER BY (see Table of Events: Phase I - Registration for site visit) and receive PIADC confirmation by (see Table of Events: Phase I - PIADC to confirm registration) or you will not be authorized access to the island. The site visit will be held at the PIADC facility located on Plum Island, NY. The address is 40550 Route 25, Orient Point, NY 11957. Specific visitor details will be provided with the confirmation email from PIADC, but plan for (see Table of Events: Phase II - Site visit at PIADC) - between the hours of 8:00am - 4:00pm. Due to transportation and facility limitations PIADC may have to restrict attendance, or arrange for multiple site visits. For this reason also each company will be limited to 2 - 3 attendees, and may be limited to only two. These decisions will be made depending on the amount of interest received in response to this RFI. To register, carefully follow these instructions (forms are attached to the FBO announcement): - Step 1: electronically submit the PIADC National Crime Information Center (NCIC) Form, with complete information for all attendees (no more than 3) to PlumIslandSecurity@hq.dhs.gov, only. - Step 2: electronically submit the PIADC Visitor Application (top section only - Name, Us Citizen, etc., and Purpose of Visit, Company Name, Address, and Phone Number), with complete information for all attendees (no more than 3) to PIADC-CWSP@HQ.DHS.GOV. In your email, identify which of the support functions listed above in paragraph 3.0 your company is capable of directly supporting as the Prime contractor. Simply list those functions in bullet format. Do not submit Capability Statements at this time. These will be submitted later in Phase III of the RFI process. 8.0 PHASE II - PLUM ISLAND SITE VISIT / QUESTIONS In accordance with FAR 15.201, PIADC invites you to participate in the Center-wide Support Program Site Visit. The objective of Phase II is to exchange information to improve the understanding of the unique PIADC requirements and industry capabilities, while allowing potential offerors to judge whether if or how they can meet the Government's requirements. The site visit is also intended to improve the usefulness of the written responses in Phase III, enhance competition, and promote networking for subcontracting/ teaming/ or partnering opportunities. All questions relating to this RFI are to be submitted electronically to PIADC-CWSP@HQ.DHS.GOV no later than the registration suspense date. Verbal questions will not be accepted. 9.0 PHASE III - RFI WRITTEN RESPONSE The objective for Phase III is to improve the quality and obtain meaningful RFI responses. PIADC encourages attending the site visit; although it is not required for submission. It is requested that qualified parties interested in supporting the Center-wide Support services submit a written response, that includes a capabilities statement to perform the work as described in paragraph 3.0, and provide the following information (these are subject to change based on exchanges during the site visit - changes will be posted on FBO (see Table of Events: Phase III - DHS to post changes to RFI)): 1) Company size standard and NAICS code(s), 2) Capabilities Statement that demonstrates your company's experience performing those functions in paragraph 3.0, indicating your role as a "Prime", "Subcontractor", "Partner/Team", or "Other" (identify "other") 3) List which functional areas your company is not able to perform as the prime and how you would intend to accomplish that function - Subcontract / Partner/ Team / Other - while optimizing Small Business participation 4) Identification of any actual or perceived Organizational Conflicts of Interest 5) Suggestions for contract type(s), incentives, acquisition timeline, and other considerations 6) Recommendations for proposal instructions and evaluation criteria 7) Ideas/suggestions on managing the transition to the new contract(s) 8) Input on managing multiple Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA) Written submissions should not exceed 12 pages and must be in Arial 11 font. Efforts should be made to keep responses as succinct as possible, concentrating on substantive information. The Government will not pay for the cost of response submissions. Respondents are advised that government support contractors may be involved with the review of the submitted information in addition to DHS employees. All government support contractors required to review the information will be required to submit non-disclosure /confidentiality statements (if not already on file) with DHS. DHS will not consider or review unsolicited proposals submitted in response to this RFI. At this time, proprietary information is not being requested and shall not be included as part of your submission. Any response that intentionally or unintentionally includes proprietary information will be deleted immediately and therefore not considered for the purposes of this RFI. Responses will not preclude an offeror from submitting a proposal to DHS's forthcoming solicitation nor does it guarantee contract award. Submit responses electronically to PIADC-CWSP@HQ.DHS.GOV by (see Table of Events: Phase III - Written responses to RFI due). Table of Events EVENT DATE: (Midnight EST) Phase I (Registration for site visit), Friday March 28th, 2014 Phase I (PIADC to confirm registration), Friday April 11th, 2014 Phase II (Site visit at PIADC), 5th Week of April, 2014 Phase III (DHS to post changes to RFI), NLT Friday May 9th, 2014 Phase III (Written responses to RFI due), Friday May 16th, 2014 See Full Text RFI Attachment.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DHS/OCPO/PIADC/HSHQPD-14-R-00002/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC), 40550 Route 25, Orient Point, New York, 11957, United States
- Zip Code: 11957
- Zip Code: 11957
- Record
- SN03310036-W 20140315/140313235131-889eaf1ae5dbc87544214781ff116b91 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
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