SOLICITATION NOTICE
R -- NEW SSC CONTRACT TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL LABORATORY S
- Notice Date
- 9/24/2015
- Notice Type
- Presolicitation
- NAICS
- 812990
— All Other Personal Services
- Contracting Office
- SRRPOD US Environmental Protection Agency William Jefferson Clinton Building 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N. W. Mail Code: 3805R Washington DC 20460 USA
- ZIP Code
- 00000
- Solicitation Number
- RFQ-DC-15-00265
- Response Due
- 10/23/2015
- Archive Date
- 11/7/2015
- Point of Contact
- Bell, Ron
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- REQUEST FOR QUOTE # RFQ-DC-15-00265 ANNOUNCEMENT AND SOW FOR STUDENT SERVICES CONTRACTS U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development National Exposure Research Laboratory Las Vegas, Nevada SECTION I GENERAL INFORMATION This solicitation is being issued pursuant to the personal services contracting authority granted by Congress in the Consolidated Appropriation Resolution for 2003 (P.L. 108-7). A firm-fixed-price purchase order will be issued to the successful student or recent graduate selected for the position. The base period of performance for this purchase order is twelve months with two twelve month options to extend the period of performance. This solicitation includes the following four attachments: ATTACHMENT 1 - Statement of Work (SOW) and Associated Attachments ATTACHMENT 2 - Evaluation Factors ATTACHMENT 3 - Student Proposal Form ATTACHMENT 4- Applicable Clauses ¿ Additional Terms and Conditions of the Order In an effort to clarify the terms student and recent graduate, the definitions of each are provided below. A student is an individual, at least 18 years of age, who is enrolled, in good standing, in a degree program (actively seeking a degree) at a recognized educational institution. A student is not required to carry a full course load, as long as the individual is a bona fide student, not merely someone who signed up for a class in order to work under these contract arrangements. A recent graduate is an individual, at least 18 years of age, who has graduated with a degree from a college or university within the last two years. The Government will make contract award based on evaluation factors other than price which will consider the following: Total months of relevant employment/volunteer service; Total years of study (includes undergraduate and graduate) in Biology, Chemistry, and/or Molecular Biology subjects; Total course hours in biology/chemistry laboratory training; and Cumulative grade point average. Submissions in response to this solicitation must be submitted before 5:00 p.m. EST, Thursday, October 23, 2015 via e-mail to Contracting Officer Claudia Armstrong, at Armstrong.claudia@epa.gov and Contract Specialist, Ron Bell at bell.ron@epa.gov. All email submissions must have ¿RFQ-DC-15-00265 ¿ in the subject line. Late submissions will not be considered eligible for award and incomplete submission may not be considered at the Contracting Officer ¿s discretion. No telephone inquiries will be accepted in response to this solicitation. Prior to applying for this position, applicants are encouraged to visit the following web page to access information related to this announcement: https://www.fedconnect.net/FedConnect/. Please follow the link located under the ¿Announcements ¿ header, entitled ¿RFQ-DC-15-00265 ¿Student Services Contract ¿ and review all of the attached documents. You are encouraged to visit this webpage periodically to check the status of this announcement and to see whether or not any amendments (changes to the requirement of the posted position) have been issued. Foreign national students are required to fulfill all of the requirements outlined in the eligibility section of this announcement. SPECIAL NOTE: Upon receipt of the contract award, the student contractor must go immediately to link http://cdx.epa.gov/warning.asp and register with the Central Data Exchange (CDX) and complete the iBoard application. The student contractor must enter the COR as the point on their iBoard application. The student contractor should notify the COR when they have completed their iBoard application. The student must complete iBoard before beginning work. The contract may be terminated if the background check reveals a risk to the interest of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and national security. In addition, the individual(s) selected will be required to register with System for Award Management (SAM) and Dun & Bradstreet to obtain a Data Universal Number System (DUNS number) or DUNS +4 number. To obtain a DUNS number, students or recent graduate contractors can call Dun & Bradstreet 1-866-705-5711 or contact D&B at http://www.dnb.com/updte. To register with SAM, contractors can call 1866-606-8220. There is no charge to register for DUNS or SAM. In addition, students or recent graduates who have been selected for this position will be required to sign an Acknowledgement of Special Terms before work can begin and are subject to these terms as outlined in Attachment 4 of this solicitation. Application Package Checklist for Applicants Submissions in response to this announcement MUST include the following: ¿Resume or Statement of Qualification (not to exceed 2 pages) ¿Completed Student Proposal Form (refer to Attachment 3) ¿Copy of college/university transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable, if it is apparent from the transcript copy that is a copy of an official document and that the school is identified) ¿One letter of Recommendation (not to exceed 2 pages per letter ) ¿Hourly Rate Certification (refer to Attachment 3) Failure to submit the required documents may be determined nonresponsive and eliminated from consideration. This contract is expected to begin approximately (January 2016). The hourly rate is $18.47 per hour for a student who has 3 years of college or greater. The student contractor must be currently enrolled in a degree program at an accredited University/College or a recent graduate within the last 24 months. The student contractor will be paid the basic hourly rate only for the number of hours worked and will not receive overtime pay for any hours worked beyond the 40-hour work week. The student contractor does not accrue leave or holiday benefits and are not paid for any non-work days, regardless of the reason. The student contractor is considered an independent contractor; therefore, Federal, State, Local, Social Security, and Medicare taxes will not be withheld. The student contractor is responsible for reporting income to authorities and paying all taxes. The student contractor is responsible for all costs of transportation to and from the principal duty station location. EPA does not provide housing, meals or other living expenses while working at the principal duty station. Non-U.S. citizens may be eligible to participate, depending on their immigration status and the applicable regulations of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). All non-US citizens must submit, as part of their proposal package, evidence of their immigration status that allows them to work in the United States. Students should possess a current US Visa and be able to obtain US work authorization in a timely manner if offered a contract. Students without a US Visa are not eligible. Academic degrees fulfilled outside of the United States must be judged to be equivalent to that achieved in accredited U.S. education programs in order to be acceptable for this contract. More information about the evaluation of foreign education can be found at the U.S. Department of Education's web site at http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html If applicable, applicants shall submit all necessary documents to a recognized private U.S. organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials, usually named a credential evaluation service. To be suitable, the foreign credential evaluation must include and describe (i) type of education received by the applicant (i.e., conventional, by mail, or online), (ii) degree of education relative to the U.S. education system, and testify that its comparability recommendations follow the general guidelines of the U.S. National Council for the Evaluation of Foreign Educational Credentials, (iii) the content of the applicant's educational program earned abroad and the standard obtained, (iv) the ranking of the awarding foreign schools ¿ credit and authenticity in its own country's education system, (v) what the evaluation service did to obtain this information, (vi) the qualifications of the evaluator, and (vii) any indications as to other concerns such as falsification. Foreign credential evaluations that do not include all the above information or indicate there is not enough information on which to make a sound evaluation will not be accepted. INTERESTED PARTIES MUST COMPLETE ATTACHMENT 3, ¿STUDENT PROPOSAL FORM FOR RFQ-DC-15-00265. Please provide a one or two page resume or statement of qualifications, this proposal form and attach a copy of all your college/university transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable, if it is apparent from the transcript copy that is a copy of an official document and that the school is identified), and submit to Ron Bell, Contract Specialist, via email at bell.ron@epa.gov or fax to: 202-565-2558. The submission deadline will be listed at the website shown below. Questions regarding this student contract should be directed to the Contract Specialist at bell.ron@epa.gov. Questions regarding the technical aspects of the contracted duties and responsibilities should be directed to Tammy Jones-Lepp, the EPA technical mentor for the contracted activities at jones-lepp.tammy@epa.gov, 702-798-2144. Tammy Jones-Lepp will serve as the Contracting Officer Representative (COR), and John Zimmerman as the Alternate COR. SECTION II: ANNOUNCEMENT LocationLas Vegas, NV Required Level of Education 3 Years of College or greater. Anticipated Start Date of ContractJanuary 2016 Rate of Pay$18.47/hour Average Hours per week20hrs per week during Academic Year and 40hrs per week during summer months Response Date:October 23, 2015 1.Project Description 1. Project Description The National Exposure Research Laboratory (NERL) is responsible for conducting studies of exposure of ecosystems and humans to environmental stressors. Emerging contaminants (ECs) are among the stressors of concern and NERL is developing methodologies to assess occurrence data. Occurrence data is necessary for developing risk assessments, whereby risk from a particular exposure is considered and estimated as to its impact on ecosystems and ultimately human health. As a part of this effort, the NERL-Environmental Chemistry Branch, Las Vegas, Nevada, is developing specific approaches to develop standardized methods where analytical gaps are identified for specific ECs in a variety of environmental matrices, and ground-truth those standardized methods. 2.Description of Student Services: The student will work within a multi-disciplinary research team and will provide technical laboratory support for research projects characterizing emerging contaminants (i.e., algal toxins, pharmaceuticals, HF compounds, etc.) in a variety of environmental matrices (e.g., biosolids, wastewater, surface and ground water, soils, sediments, plants). Specific duties will include assisting research staff in: (1) preparation of environmental samples, including hazardous environmental samples, for extraction; (2) perform environmental sample extractions using solid-phase liquid extractors, centrifuges, and accelerated solvent extractors; (3) operation and analyses of environmental extracts using a liquid chromatography/mass spectrometer (LC/MS), and/or gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MC)and/or ICP/MS, and/or scanning electron microscope (SEM); and (4) compilation and summarization of experimental data and literature references into organized computer files. General laboratory support duties may include maintaining research supplies and materials, routine maintenance of laboratory equipment, solution preparation, and other duties necessary to carry out the studies. The student will perform duties, as requested, according to specifications and instructions provided by the mentor. Where appropriate, the student will maintain careful and accurate records in designated laboratory notebooks. These notebooks, and all other data produced under this order will be the property of the Environmental Protection Agency. The student contractor will be well-versed, and adhere to, proper quality assurance (QA) laboratory procedures. The student contractor shall perform duties, as requested, according to specifications and instructions provided by the mentor. Where appropriate, the student contractor shall maintain careful and accurate records in designated laboratory notebooks. These notebooks and all other data produced under this order will be the property of the Environmental Protection Agency. All necessary instructions and training will be provided by the EPA mentor. As indicated in the Statement of Work, the student contractor may be expected to participate in conferences and seminars. 3. Required Expertise, Skills, Education and/or Experience: The student needs to have completed three years of college in the areas of chemistry, biology, environmental sciences, or related field. The preferred student will have training and/or experience in advanced laboratory techniques, and/or environmental studies. The student should be familiar with solid-phase liquid extraction procedures using automated laboratory equipment, high pressure solid extraction procedures using automated laboratory equipment, and manual extraction procedures of animal tissue (i.e., fish and rat plasma) using manual extraction procedures (i.e., liquid/solid, liquid/liquid, and centrifugal operations). The student should also be familiar in operation of liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometers, such that the student can change the gases, pump oil, load the autosamplers, initiate and startup mass spectrometer for successful operation. The student will need to know basic laboratory safety requirements and will be given additional safety training at the Environmental Sciences Division. 4. Required Background Investigation and Suitability Determination: Student contractors awarded a contract will have to undergo a background investigation, a check of FBI fingerprint files, and a suitability determination by the Environmental Protection Agency. Upon receipt of the contract award, go immediately to link http://cdx.epa.gov/warning.asp and register with the Central Data Exchange (CDX) and complete the iBoard application. Notify the Contracting Officer ¿s Representative (COR) as soon as this process is completed. (Tammy L Jones-Lepp, jones-lepp.tammy@epa.gov) The student contractor must review and complete the requirements before beginning work on-site at the EPA. If a background check reveals information to indicate the student contractor represents a risk to the interests of EPA and the national security, the contract may be terminated. Students or recent graduates, who are EPA ORD employees, or the spouse or child of an EPA ORD employee, are not eligible to participate. 5. Description of Working Conditions: Work will be performed in a laboratory. Students will be required to wear safety apparel and to closely observe safety requirements. Quality Assurance/Quality Control: The student contractor will be governed by the USEPA Quality System, as described in the approved Quality Management Plan (QMP) for the organization where the student contractor is working. Approved QMPs and Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAPPs) must be in compliance with the US EPA ¿s Quality System requirements as expressed in these two documents: Policy and Program Requirements for the Mandatory Agency-wide Quality System, EPA Order 5360.1 A2, May 2000; and EPA Quality Manual for Environmental Programs, EPA Order 5360 A1, May 2000. Work performed by the student contractor must be in compliance with the following QMP: National Exposure Research Laboratory (NERL), Integrated Information and Quality Management Plan (IIQMP), published 2005; and an approved QAPP [and/or Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)] which must be in place prior to the initiation of the students ¿ research activities. The student contractor must complete the NERL online IIQMP training. 6. Duration and Compensation: Work will begin on or about January 2016. The initial contract will be for one year, with an two options for an additional 24 months, in two option increments, if funds are available. It is anticipated that the student contractor will/may work up to 40 hours per week during the summer months and up to 20 hours/ week during the academic year. The rate of compensation includes the cost of self-employment taxes for Social Security and Medicare. The rate of compensation for this position includes the cost of self-employment taxes for social security and Medicare. 7. Resume and Other Application Requirements Interested students and recent graduates shall provide a one or two page resume or statement of qualifications, including a copy of the transcripts and documentary evidence from USCIS, if applicable. In addition to the resume and transcripts, individuals applying to this announcement must complete Attachment 3 of this solicitation, entitled ¿Student Proposal Form ¿ and submit as a part of their application package. Students must also submit a statement certifying the student accepts hourly rate of is acceptable for the duration of their employment. A student or recent graduate is required to submit three letters of recommendation. The letters may be from an academic advisor, major professor, or other professional associate familiar with the applicant ¿s skills and performance. Foreign National students must submit the required documents outlined in the eligibility section of this announcement. 8. Number of Awards Projected This is only for a single student position. Only one position will be awarded. 9. Eligibility Non-U.S. citizens may be eligible to participate, depending on their immigration status and the applicable regulations of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Service (BIS), formerly known as the Immigration and Naturalization Service. All non-US citizens must submit, as part of their proposal package, evidence of their immigration status that allows them to work in the United States. Students should possess a current U.S. Visa and be able to obtain U.S. work authorization in a timely manner if offered a contract. Students without a U.S. Visa are not eligible. Academic degrees fulfilled outside of the United States must be judged to be equivalent to that achieved in accredited U.S. education programs in order to be acceptable for this contract. More information about the evaluation of foreign education can be found at the U.S. Department of Education's web site at http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. If applicable, applicants shall submit all necessary documents to a recognized private U.S. organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials, usually named a credential evaluation service. To be suitable, the foreign credential evaluation must include and describe (i) type of education received by the applicant (i.e., conventional, by mail, or online), (ii) degree of education relative to the U.S. education system, and testify that its comparability recommendations follow the general guidelines of the U.S. National Council for the Evaluation of Foreign Educational Credentials, (iii) the content of the applicant's educational program earned abroad and the standard obtained, (iv) the ranking of the awarding foreign schools ¿ credit and authenticity in its own country's education system, (v) what the evaluation service did to obtain this information, (vi) the qualifications of the evaluator, and (vii) any indications as to other concerns such as falsification. Foreign credential evaluations that do not include all the above information or indicate there is not enough information on which to make a sound evaluation will not be accepted.
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