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

A -- GULF ECOLOGY DIVISION ANALYTICAL SERVICES -- TOXICITY TESTS SOL QQ9E15 DUE 082098 POC Sya Mayes (919) 541 3416 WEB: click here for references, http://www.epa.gov/oam/rtp_cmd. E-MAIL: click here to contact the contract specialist via, mayes.sya@epa.gov. THIS IS A COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS PREPARED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FORMAT IN SUBPART 12.6, AS SUPPLEMENTED WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION INCLUDED IN THIS NOTICE. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONSTITUTES THE ONLY SOLICITATION; QUOTES ARE BEING REQUESTED AND A WRITTEN SOLICITATION WILL NOT BE ISSUED. The solicitation number is QQ9E15 and the solicitation is being issued as a Request for Quote (RFQ). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 97-03. This competitive acquisition is 100% set-aside for small businesses. The associated Standard Industrial Code (SIC) is 8734, and the small business size standard maximum is $5m in annual receipts. A firm-fixed-price contract is anticipated to result from the award of this solicitation. This procurement is for the analysis of up to 60 samples (Minimum = 20) for sediment toxicity and related measurements. Ten-day static acute toxicity tests with the east coast amphipod Ampelisca abdita shall be conducted in accordance with standard ASTM guidelines and EPA methods. In addition, to the routine measurements made during the test (e.g., pore water ammonia, temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen), the contractor shall also perform Microtox tests on each sample, following accepted protocols. The contractor shall provide EPA with a cost estimate for the minimum number of 20 samples projected. A separate cost estimate shall be provided on a per sample basis for batches of 10 samples up to the projected maximum number of 60 samples. These additional samples will be batched and funded separately from the base number. Exercising this option will be at the discretion of EPA. A copy of the contractor's Quality Assurance/Quality Control protocols shall be submitted with the proposal. The protocols shall conform, at a minimum, to those specified in the EPA EMAP-Estuaries Laboratory Methods manual. Furthermore, acceptable performance in the conduct of these tests shall be demonstrated to the EPA Contracting Officer prior to the initiation of testing. At a minimum, control charts of toxicity results for reference toxicant tests utilizing Ampelisca abdita shall be provided to document acceptable performance. The contractor shall agree to allow a QA audit of laboratory and/or data entry procedures by an authorized agent of EPA at any time following advance notice. The contractor can expect to receive a steady stream of samples via Federal Express from August 1998 through October 1998. Under no circumstances shall the 30-day holding time be exceeded before the contractor performs the toxicity tests. The vendor shall adhere to strict sample tracking procedures to ensure samples are handled in an expeditious manner. Details of the tracking procedure will be negotiated within 10 days of contract award, but shall include, at a minimum, immediate notification of shipment arrival followed, within 24 hours, by an electronic listing of the samples received. Results shall be reported in an electronic format detailed in the MAIA-Estuaries Data Format Manual (available upon selection). All data must be associated with the 7-digit sample ID provided with the sample. The contractor will also provide a hard-copy output of the data files (i.e., spreadsheets) for the purpose of quality assurance. The contractor shall also include a written report (and electronic copy, e.g. WordPerfect) detailing the methods used and the results of Quality Assurance measures. Any laboratory notes discussing problems encountered must be included as an appendix to this report. A copy of the cover letter which accompanies the results shall be sent to the EPA Contracting Officer. Original records, such as laboratory notebooks, shall be retained for at least three years following final report submission, as they may be requested to be sent to EPA. All testing must be completed within 40 days of receipt of the last sample. Data and the report shall be delivered to EPA within 90 days of receipt of the final sample. Technical proposals must contain adequate information and details for evaluation of the technical capabilities criteria. Proposals will be evaluated using the following technical capabilities criteria: 1.) QA/QC protocols, including plans for analyzing a reference toxicant; 2.) Demonstrated previous experience with sediment toxicity testing with organisms requested; 3.) Demonstrated previous testing experience in similar analyses (i.e. NS&T, EMAP, similar programs); 4.) Brief explanation of methods used; 5.) Experience with similar size/scope projects; 6.) Past performance -- provide 3 references; 7.) Report preparation and records management; and 8.) Adhering to deadlines. Award will be made to the lowest priced offer meeting all of the technical requirements. The following FAR provisions apply to this solicitation: 52.212-1, Evaluation-Instructions to Offerors-Commercial; 52.212-2, Evaluation-Commercial Item. Evaluation criteria to be included in paragraph (a) of provision 52.212-2 are as follows: (i) technical capability to meet the Government requirements; (ii) past performance; (iii) price, in decreasing order of importance. Technical and past performance, when combined, are significantly more important than price. All offerors are to include with their offers a completed copy of provision 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items. The following FAR clause applies to this acquisition: 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items. The following additional FAR clauses which are cited in clauses 52.212-5 are applicable to the acquisition: 52.203-6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government, with Alternate I; 52.203-10, Price or Fee Adjustment for Illegal or Improper Activity; 52.219-14, Limitation on Subcontracting; 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity, 52.222-35, Affirmative Action for Special Disabled and Vietnam Era Veterans; 52.222-36 Affirmative Action for Handicapped Workers; 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Special Disabled Veterans and Veterans of the Vietnam Era; 52.225-3, Buy American Act -- Supplies; 52.222-41, Service Contract Act of 1965, As Amended. Cost and technical information should be submitted in separate proposals. Please submit three copies of technical proposals and one copy of cost proposal to Sya M Mayes, Contract Specialist, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, MD-33, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711. Courier Delivery Address is: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Receptionist-Administration Bldg. Lobby, Attn: Sya M. Mayes, 79 Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. All offers are due by August 20, 1998, 4:30 p.m. EST. Offers/bids received after the exact time specified will not be considered. No telephonic or faxed requests will be honored. References can be found at http://www.epa.gov/oam/rtp_cmd. Posted 08/07/98 (W-SN234268). (0219)

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