U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Contracts Management Division (MD-33), Attention: OARSC, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711

L -- PHOTOCHEMICAL ASSESSMENT MONITORING STATIONS (PAMS) TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS (VOCS) SOL DAC083 POC Kelley Brown, Contract Specialist, (919)541-2125/Julio Lopez, Contracting Officer, (919)541-2125 E-MAIL: Click here to contact the Contract Specialist via E-mail., brown.kelley@epamail.epa.gov. EPA intends to award a sole source purchase order to ChromIan of Bethel, CT pursuant to 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1) -- Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements for a period of performance of one-year. Section 182 (c)(1) of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments (CAAA) required the Administrator to promulgate rules for enhanced monitoring of ozone to obtain more comprehensive and representative data on ozone air pollution. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has revised the ambient air quality surveillance regulations in Title 40 Part 58 of the Code of Federal Regulations (40 CFR Part 58) to include provisions for enhanced monitoring of ozone, oxides of nitrogen, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and monitoring of meteorological parameters. The revisions require States to establish PAMS as part of their existing State Implementation Plan (SIP) monitoring networks in ozone non-attainment areas classified as serious, severe, or extreme. The principal reasons for requiring the collection of additional ambient air pollutant and meteorological data are to aid in the successful attainment of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ozone, and obtain a more comprehensive data base for ozone and its precursors. Analysis of this data will help the EPA to understand the underlying causes of ozone pollution, track trends, devise effective controls, and measure improvements. An extensive national network of PAMS monitoring stations has been implemented by States to support the enhanced monitoring network. Many of these stations required the collection of VOC ozone precursors at high frequencies using "state-of-the-art" continuous, automated collection and measurement systems. There are 21 networks operated by State agencies that are currently collecting VOC measurements for the PAMS network. This network continues to expand as new areas come into non-attainment. The continuous, automated collection and measurement systems for VOC ozone precursors are unique to PAMS. The State agencies using these systems require specific technical support for successful implementation, operation, data collection, and instrument maintenance. In light of technological advances in continuous, automated VOC measurement techniques, not only is this support critical to existing PAMS, it is also critical to new PAMS that are implementing automated measurement technology. The contractor shall provide technical support and training to the PAMS sites in order to troubleshoot and resolve technical problems encountered using continuous, automated gas chromatography systems for the collection of VOC data. The contractor shall provide technical training in the operation and maintenance of the continuous, automated GC systems. This support shall be provided by phone, remote computerized access using pcANYWHERE or other remote connection software, and on-site as needed. The technical and training support is provided at the request of the State agencies and shall be documented in monthly progress reports. The support shall not exceed 300 hours, which includes no more than a total of 5 separate on-site visits, at a maximum of one week each in duration, within the continental United States. All responsible sources may respond by submitting a written narrative statement of capability within 15 days of this notice to Kelley Brown at the above address which shall be considered by the Agency. Responses must include detailed technical information and other technical literature demonstrating the ability to meet the requirement. Responses shall also include itemized pricing that is sufficient to make a determination that competition is feasible. If no affirmative responses are received within 15 days of this notice to determine whether a qualified source is more advantageous to the Government, an order will be placed with ChromIan. See Numbered Note 26.***** (0012)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0054 19980114\L-0001.SOL)