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

A -- EMISSIONS TESTING OF SUSPECTED NONCOMPLYING ENGINE FAMILIES AND FACILITY SHUTDOWN POC Lenora Hilliard, Contract Specialist (919) 541-4392, Kathleen H. Moore, Contracting Officer 919-541-3504 E-MAIL: Click here to contact the Contracting Officer via, Hilliard.lenora@epamail.gov. The Environmental Protection Agency has a current contract, 68D70007, with EG&G Emissions Testing Services, Inc., which is a level-of-effort, cost-plus-fixed-fee type contract expiring 9/30/99. The contract, which is in the final period of performance, provides emissions testing of suspected noncomplying engine families. Specifically, this contract supports the Vehicle Programs and Compliance Division's (VPCD) enforcement efforts pertaining to the in-use light-duty vehicle and light-duty truck fleet and supports the Engine Program and Compliance Division's (EPCD) emerging heavy-duty engine compliance efforts. The Government has a need to extend the contract period of performance in order to provide for an orderly shutdown of the VTL, and to assure continuity of services until the VTL's Vehicle Program & Compliance Division (VPCD) and Engine Programs & Compliance Division (EPCD) testing is transitioned to EPA's Ann Arbor, Michigan test facility. Under the extension, the contractor will continue to provide this support by procuring the required privately and commercially owned in-use vehicles and heavy duty engines and then supplying the VPCD with data produced from the performance of the Federal Test Procedures (FTP) test on these vehicles. The contractor will continue to provide data from non-FTPs, modified FTPs and Real-Time On-Road Vehicles Emissions Reporter (ROVER) tests that may be performed on some of the vehicles as well. For this work, new work assignments will be issued for new test classes (engine families), and work on some existing test classes (engine families) will also be included. VTL must be phased-out because new EPA regulations, more stringent emissions standards, revisions to the Federal Testing Procedures, and existing equipment currently being used at the laboratory is out-dated and nearing the end of its useful life. VTL is no longer capable of meeting VPCD's testing needs. The Government intends to extend the the existing contract's period of performance by two and one half years, from October 1, 1999 -- September 30, 2000 for Option Period III, from October 1, 2000 -- September 30, 2001 for Option IV, and from October 1, 2001 to March 31, 2002 for Option V. The estimated level of effort is 16,544 hours for Option periods III and IV. The work to be conducted during Option V relates to the effort required to shut down the VTL. Only the incumbent contractor has the knowledge and "know-how" to perform this effort wihtout extensive training, a start-up period and extensive cost associated with transferring the work from one contractor to another. Further, the contractor possesses unique expertise in conducting Real-Time On-Road Vehicle Emissions Reporter (ROVER) testing, a critical component of the work conducted at VTL. A new contractor would have to learn how to install the ROVER system on-light-duty vehicles and light-duty trucks and heavy-duty trucks and would also be required to learn how to operate the system. It is anticipated that it would take at least 6 months for another contractor to become familiar with the ROVER since it is not a common off-the shelf piece of equipment. Interested parties who believe they can provide the required services are invited to submit, in writing, an affirmative response demonstrating an ability to continue performing the required emissions tests of suspect noncomplying engine families without disruption to the current operations, and demonstrating a cost benefit to the Government in view of the short period of performance that would be remaining in the contract before VTL is phased-out. Any written response must be received no later than 15 days after publication of this synopsis. In order to be responsive, the correspondence must be accompanied by a written narrative statement of capability, including detailed technical information sufficient to permit agency analysis in order to determine a bonafide capability to meet the Government's requirements. Responses without the required documentation will be considered non-responsive. This isNOT a formal notice of solicitation. No telephone or facsimile request will be honored. See Number note 22.***** Posted 03/11/99 (W-SN307558). (0070)

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