U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Program Contract Service Center (3803R), 401 M Street, SW, Washington, DC 20460-0001

R -- FACILITATION, ARBITRATION AND MEETING SUPPORT FOR TOLERANCE REASSESSMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE WORK GROUP MEETINGS SOL RFQ-DC-99-00084 DUE 072199 POC John J. Nanartowicz III, Contracting Officer, 202-564-4756 WEB: Facilitation, Arbitration and Meeting Support for Tolerance, http://www.epa.gov/oamhpod1/oppts_grp/dc9900084/index.htm. E-MAIL: Contracting Officer, nanartowicz.john@epamail.epa.gov. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) intends to award a firm fixed price purchase order using the Simplified Acquisition Procedures of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 12. THIS REQUIREMENT WILL BE PROCURED UTILIZING SMALL BUSINESS SET-ASIDE PROCEDURES WITH A SIC CODE OF 8743 ($5 million)! This is a combination synopsis/solicitation (RFQ-DC-99-00084) for commercial services in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice and the RFQ. STATEMENT OF WORK: Background: The Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) of 1996 amended the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act (FFDCA) to improve the registration of pesticides. FQPA mandates a single health-based standard for pesticides in all food; provides special protection for infants and children; expedites approval of safer pesticides; provides minor crop protection; and requires periodic reevaluation of pesticide registrations and tolerances. In April 1998, the Vice President directed EPA and USDA to work together to ensure that implementation of FQPA followed four guiding principles: apply sound science; provide reasonable transition for agriculture; develop transparent regulatory process; and consult with diverse stakeholders. The Tolerance Reassessment Advisory Committee (TRAC) was established under the Federal Advisory Committee Act to carry out the Vice President's directive. Co-Chaired by EPA's Deputy Administrator and USDA's Deputy Secretary, a large group (52 members) was formed consisting of senior-level representatives of a wide variety of stakeholders: environmental/public interest groups, farm worker representatives, pesticide industry and trade associations, farmer and grower organizations, food processors and distributors, State and Federal agencies, pediatricians and public health groups. Moreover, international observers from Canada and Mexico serve on the Committee, and a high number of congressional staff are included as meeting participants. The EPA Administrator considers this committee to be an essential part of EPA's implementation of FQPA. This group met five times between May and September 1998 and held 10 work group meetings during this time period. While originally it was envisioned that the Committee would complete its mission by September 1998, EPA's Deputy Administrator and USDA's Deputy Secretary agreed to continue the Committee for two more full meetings and about four additional work group meetings. Moreover, two "update" meetings one for the East Coast and the other for West Coast TRAC members were held in February and March 1999 to provide members with a current understanding of the many science policy and organophosphate risk assessment issues. A sixth TRAC meeting was held in April 1999 at which several concerns were raised by both TRAC members and public attendees about the desire to continue the stakeholder process as the Agency begins to make important risk management decisions affecting the organophosphate pesticides. Also, over the next several months, several key science policy issues, e.g., the cumulative risk policy, the FQPA child safety factor (or "10-X" policy), etc., will have been drafted and ready for public consultation. Many of the current TRAC members are especially interested in additional stakeholder meetings to have an effective forum to raise concerns to both EPA and USDA as these important decisions are unfolding. Compounding these circumstances, the environmental/public interest group and farm worker members recently resigned from the committee based on their concerns about the pace of Agency decision-making regarding tolerance reassessment and their view that children and other sensitive populations are not being adequately protected. Extensive media coverage included the Washington Post, several trade press and many other newspapers around the country through the Associated Press. While this group has resigned from the formal committee, they have committed to continue working with the Agency in addressing regulatory actions with the organophosphates. Thus, the issues and planning for future TRAC committee activities are highly sensitive and require an intimate understanding of the tolerance reassessment process, the science policies that serve to underpin the reassessment process, and the attitudes and viewpoints of the TRAC stakeholders. Furthermore, there is an even stronger need for experienced arbitrators who can push for consensus in a highly charged atmosphere among competing stakeholders. DESCRIPTION OF WORK: The Contractor shall provide convening, facilitation and management services for additional Tolerance Reassessment Advisory Committee meetings, work group sessions, conference calls and workshops during the Summer and Fall 1999. These sessions are being planned for July, August, September and October 1999. Task 1: Preparation for the Meetings (a). In consultation with the EPA PO, the contractor shall assist EPA and the Department of Agriculture to coordinate and arbitrate with members of the TRAC as well as with other affected interest groups, congressional staff and others to recommend and help set a strategic approach for risk management decisions affecting organophosphate pesticide tolerances, and ultimately all tolerances under reassessment. The contractor shall orchestrate discussions between the government and Advisory Committee members regarding the goals and purpose of the proposed consultative process and the technical and substantive issues involved in remaining work group sessions and full TRAC meetings. This will include committee recommendations regarding tolerance reassessment principles and approaches; risk assessment and risk management issues; relevant science policy developments; decision process and criteria; and transition strategies for agriculture. The contractor shall push for consensus among committee members with competing interests. (b). Working with the program office, the contractor shall provide a draft agenda to the PO for each meeting. Upon receipt and incorporation of the PO comments, the contractor shall distribute the final agenda to the PO, committee members, official observers, congressional staff, and others determined by the PO. Task 2: Facilitation of the Meetings (a). The facilitator shall communicate in person, by phone or in writing with committee members and other participants, including environmental/public interest groups and farm worker representatives to ensure that issues and concerns have been communicated accurately and that the committee members are adequately prepared for forthcoming meetings. Where appropriate, the facilitator shall serve as arbitrator in pushing for consensus among parties with competing interests. (b). The contractor shall facilitate all plenary and workgroup sessions. As facilitator, the contractor shall assist participants in articulating their interests, identifying areas of agreement, and developing consensus solutions to the problem areas that divide them. As facilitator, he/she shall keep the parties talking, listening, and moving as much as possible towards the goals of the process. Task 3: Follow-up to the Meeting(s) (a). The facilitator shall provide draft meeting summaries to the EPA PO and the committee members within two weeks following each meeting. Upon receipt and incorporation of comments, the facilitator shall distribute final meeting summaries to the EPA PO, Committee members and other participants designated by the PO. (b). The facilitator shall provide a process evaluation that analyzes the preparation and conduct of the meeting(s) and makes recommendations on changes that would make the process better for the future. Task 4: Final Report (a). At the conclusion of the final TRAC meeting, within one month the contractor shall prepare a draft report of the Committee's findings and recommendations to EPA and USDA. This report will include an overview summary of the entire TRAC process and all meetings and work group sessions held since May 1998. Following review by EPA and USDA, the PO will provide the contractor with revisions. Within two weeks, the contractor will prepare a final report for dissemination to TRAC members and others designated by the PO. EVALUATION CRITERIA (1) PROPOSAL/Technical Approach: The contractor shall provide a proposal describing their technical approach to achieving the tasks in the statement of work and the time frame he/she could accomplish these tasks. (2) PERSONNEL: (a) Specific experience and capability to provide senior-level arbitration, facilitation and mediation expertise and to serve as consensus builders among parties with competing interests regarding Food Quality Protection Act implementation issues, especially as it concerns tolerance reassessment; (b) Specific knowledge of the legislative history of pesticide and food safety issues. Also, specific experience of the proposed individuals to establish strategic partnerships, based on their trusted relationships with senior-level officials within EPA, USDA and among the various stakeholder experts in the pesticide/food safety and environmental fields to provide the most effective project teams possible; A demonstration of the experience and reliability of company to perform this type of facilitation and arbitration; and in designing and facilitating multi-party, problem-solving and conflict resolution processes, and to integrate environmental, pesticide/food safety and health, economic and social issues into public policy-making; (d) Identification of key personnel who demonstrate the ability and prior experience with senior-most decision-makers (within the Federal Government and private sector) to carry out described work and ability to meet the time commitment for duration of this project; (e) A demonstration of the ability to be knowledgeable about the Food Quality Protection Act, and, in particular, the tolerance reassessment process and relevant science policies, within a very tight time frame; (f) Resumes to be submitted must include years and level of experience of the proposed individuals who will provide these senior-level facilitation, mediation, problem-solving and conflict resolution services. (3) PAST PERFORMANCE: The contractor should submit three references capable of addressing their experience in working with the company for the same or similar services provided to the Government or private sector within the last two years. References must provide summary of specific services performed, dates of performance, and points of contact for confirmation. Selection of a successful contractor will be determined based on technical criteria (inclusive of Past Performance) and best value. The contractor is reminded that in discussing information with parties outside the EPA, the contractor will identify him/her as a contractor to EPA -- not an EPA employee. The contractor shall provide input or make recommendations based on the information gathered; however, decisions on all substantive issues will be made by EPA. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL NOT INTERPRET EPA POLICY ON BEHALF OF EPA NOR MAKE DECISIONS ON ITEMS OF POLICY, REGULATION OR STATUTE. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL NOT TAKE A STAND ON THE MERITS OF SUBSTANTIVE ITEMS UNDER DISCUSSION. For copies of the complete Request for Quotation, please visit the U.S. EPA Website at http://www.epa.gov/oamhpod1/oppts_grp/dc9900084/index.htm, or E-mail the Contracting Officer at "nanartowicz.john @epamail.epa.gov" for a copy of the solicitation package. The Contracting Officer can be reached at 202-564-4756. You may be able to retrieve a copy of the request for quotation package on or about July 7, 1999. RFQ Submissions: Please provide the following information with your quotation: 1) FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial; (2) FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications -Commercial Items. Quotes are due in writing no later than July 21, 1999, 12:30 pm EST. An original and one copy of all quotations should be delivered to the following address (fax/e-mail copies will not be accepted): U.S. EPA, 401 M Street S.W., Mail Code 3803R, Washington, D.C. 20460 Attn: Mr. John J. Nanartowicz III -- -HAND CARRY ADDRESS TO -- - 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Bid and Proposal Room 6th floor, Washington, D.C. 20003 Attn: Mr. John J. Nanartowicz III. Posted 07/06/99 (W-SN350484). (0187)

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