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

B -- ANALYSIS OF UP TO 1000 SAMPLES FOR SEDIMENT TOXICITY AND RELATED MEASUREMENTS SOL XQ8E41 POC Ramona G. Evans, Contracting Officer (919/541-4749) WEB: Click here to visit the site that has information about, http://www.epa.gov/oam/rtp_cmd. E-MAIL: Click here to contact the Contracting Officer via, evans.ramona@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 XQ8E41 and the solicitation is being issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 97-15. The associated Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code is 8734 which has a size standard of $5.0M to qualify as a small business; however, it is anticipated that the contract will be awarded as a result of full and open competition. A firm-fixed-price purchase order with optional quantities is anticipated to result from the award of this solicitation. This procurement is for the analysis of up to 1000 samples for sediment toxicity and related measurements. Aminimum of 50 samples is guaranteed. 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. The contractor shall supply EPA with a price estimate on a per sample basis, assuming an estimated number of samples in the range of 50 to 1000. The contractor is required to submit as a part of its contract proposal a copy of its Quality Assurance/Management Plan and Quality Assurance Project Plan that meet Agency document requirements (See http://es.epa.gov/ncerqa/qa/qa_docs.html ). The protocols shall conform, at a minimum, to those specified in the EPA EMAP-Estuaries Laboratory Methods manual (see references at the site referenced below). Furthermore, acceptable performance in the conduct of these tests shall be demonstrated to the EPA project 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. It is expected that samples will be forwarded to the contractor from early August through the end of September 2000. Under no circumstances shall the 30-day holding time be exceeded before the contractor performs the toxicity tests. The contractor shall be required to adhere to strict sample tracking procedures to ensure samples are handled in an expeditious manner. It is expected that 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 shall be associated with the 7-digit sample ID provided with the sample. The contractor shall 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 shall 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 shall 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. Details regarding invoicing will be negotiated at contract award. 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 capabilities criteria: 1.) QA/QC protocols, including plans for analyzing reference materials; 2.) Demonstrated previous experience with estuarine sediment toxicity samples; 3.) Demonstrated previous analytical experience with NS&T, EMAP, or similar programs; 4.) Explanation of methods used for each CLIN, with references; 5.) Experience with similar size/scope projects; 6.) Ability to meet the deadlines for the project; 7.) Plan to submit a final report (electronic format) as required; and 8.) Description of laboratory record management program); (ii) past performance -- provide 3 references (quality of product or service, timeliness of performance -- ability to adhere to deadlines, and overall customer satisfaction); and (iii) price. Award will be made to the offeror whose offer is the lowest priced offer meeting all of the technical requirements. 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; 52.222-41, Service Contract Act of 1965, As Amended. Any applicable wage determination(s) will be made a part of the resultant purchase order. Price and technical information should be submitted in separate proposals. Representations and Certifications shall be included with the price proposal. Please submit two copies of the technical proposal and two copies of the price proposal to Ramona G. Evans, Contracting Officer, 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: Ramona G. Evans, 79 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. All offers are due by May 19, 2000, 3:30 p.m. ET. No telephonic or faxed requests or offers will be honored. The list of References can be found online at the following address: http://www.epa.gov/oam/rtp_cmd . Posted 05/02/00 (W-SN450329). (0123)

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