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

H -- TECHNICAL QUALITY ASSURANCE SUPPORT FOR THE NATIONAL HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS RESEARCH LABORATORY SOL PR-NC-99-12746 DUE 042899 POC Sya M. Mayes (919) 541-3416 WEB: click here for the site that has information about, http://www.epa.gov/oam/rtp_cmd. E-MAIL: click here to contact the Contract Specialist via, mayes.sya@epa.gov. SMALL BUSINESSES: NOTE REQUIREMENT FOR CAPABILITIES STATEMENT BELOW. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) located in Research Triangle Park, NC has a requirement for a comprehensive Quality Assurance (QA) program. The contract will support The National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory (NHEERL). The scope of work includes conducting independent instrument performance evaluations, focused on the operation, maintenance, and calibration of measurement instruments to help ensure the quality of the most common and/or critical types of measurement data. The primary objective of this effort is to support EPA through independent/external assessments of research measurements. An independent/external assessment is defined as an assessment of a measurement/research program prior to and/or during the actual program or research task operation, conducted by staff not affiliated with the research program, and therefore independent of the collection of data and able to conduct such an assessment free from any real or apparent conflict of interest. The purpose of an assessment is to detect those activities that may result in poor quality research data and to recommend corrections. A QA performance evaluation (PE) is a quantitative analysis or check made with a material or device of known properties or characteristics to determine the accuracy of a measurement system. PEs may require the identification or the quantification of specific elements or compounds, or both. The audits shall normally consist of a quantitative evaluation of the measurement process using high-accuracy audit test materials and standards, as available and approved by EPA. The contractor shall provide audit materials of known properties for the determination of the quality parameters of specific measurement systems. A formal or informal qualitative appraisal may also be included. The successful offeror shall provide all necessary materials and equipment and special QA-competent technical staff as specified for providing routine and nonroutine PEs in support of EPA's research projects. Routine assessments (i.e., periodically scheduled) will address laboratory instrumentation used in support of biological measurements, dose-exposure measurements, chamber systems, and/or research support areas as may be appropriate for the specified project. The contractor shall maintain up-to-date standard reference materials obtained from or certified by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) or other sources as specified by the Agency. The contractor shall prepare reference samples, perform sample analysis, and verify standard reference samples used in quantitative audit programs. The auditable inventory typically includes pH meters, balances, spectrophotometers, etc. used throughout the Laboratory and audited twice annually, plus gaseous analyzers and temperature and humidity sensors used in animal inhalation exposure facilities and audited quarterly. Occasionally, performance evaluations may be requested of other instruments, including, for example, optical plate readers, fluorescence spectrophotometers, infrared spectrophotometers, and chromatographic instruments (e.g., HPLC, GC) that are used for specific applications in measuring selected chemicals or assay results. For nonroutine PEs, the contractor shall provide manpower and reference materials or devices to determine the accuracy of a measurement system or a number of measurement systems at a single location on a one-time basis. Nonroutine audits are designed to handle special one-time audits that are not covered by the routine semiannual audits. Examples might include, but are not limited to the following: (1) re-audit of instruments that are part of the routine audit list, but for which an extra audit is requested due to suspected errors, (2) audits of recently repaired instruments that were not available for PE at the scheduled time, (3) audits of instruments that are in present use but have not been regularly used for studies for which QA evaluation has been deemed warranted, and (4) audits of newly acquired instruments, not yet scheduled for routine audit. It is anticipated that a fixed price/IDIQ contract will result from the award of this solicitation. The period of performance shall be for one year with four one-year option periods. Currently, EPA anticipates that this will be awarded as a result of full and open competition; however, EPA reserves the right to set this action aside for small businesses. The applicable SIC code is 8748 with a size standard of not more than $5,000,000. (ALL INTERESTED SMALL BUSINESSES SHOULD FURNISH STATEMENTS AND DOCUMENTATION DEMONSTRATING THEIR CAPABILITIES TO PERFORM THIS EFFORT WITHIN FIFTEEN (15) DAYS OF THIS NOTICE). The documentation submitted should address as a minimum the (a) facilities, capabilities, and other resources necessary to develop, obtain, and maintain standard reference materials for use in performance evaluations; and (b) technical expertise/approach to conduct routine and nonroutine PEs. Please submit capability statements 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 statements are due by April 28, 1999, 4:00 p.m. ET. Capability statements received after the exact time specified will not be considered. No telephonic or faxed requests will be honored. Anticipated release date for the solicitation is on/around May 21, 1999, closing 30 days thereafter. Posted 04/12/99 (W-SN318516). (0102)

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