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

B -- MACROBENTHIC COMMUNITY ANALYSES OF UP TO 1000 SEDIMENT SAMPLES SOL XQ8E42 POC Ramona G. Evans, Contract Specialist (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 Contract Specialist 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 XQ8E42, 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 97-17. 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 requires the contractor to conduct macrobenthic community analyses on each of from 50 to 1000 sediment samples collected during August 2000 through September 2001 from the Coastal 2000 Monitoring Program. A minimum of 50 samples is guaranteed; the remaining samples are optional. These analyses require the measurement of species composition and abundance of macroinvertebrate fauna found in the sediments. Samples will be sieved in the field through 0.5 mm sieves, placed in pre-labeled jars, and preserved in a formalin Rose Bengal-stained buffered solution. Basic sample processing steps include sieving, sorting, and species identification and enumeration. Each sample site includes one to three replicate samples. Procedures for sorting, counting, and identifying the estuarine benthic macroinvertebrates will follow EMAP-E procedures (Frithsen et al., 1994). Estuarine benthic macroinvertebrates shall be identified to the lowest level practical taxonomic level. A reference collection that represents all dominant taxa shall be developed and retained for three years. QA/QC procedures for macroinvertebraterecounts and re-identifications shall follow Frithsen et al. (1994). The vendor is required to submit as a part of the 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 contractor shall permit a QA audit of laboratory and/or data entry procedures by an authorized agent of EPA at any time during the conduct of analyses (given advance notification). The successful vendor shall have experience in the conduct of these analyses on freshwater and marine samples and shall employ methods equivalent to those utilized by EPA's EMAP (Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program). The vendor shall adhere to strict sample tracking procedures to ensure samples are handled in an expeditious manner. Details of the tracking procedures 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 (see references). A copy of the cover letter which accompanies the results shall be sent to the EPA Contracting Officer. The contractor shall also provide a hard-copy output of data files (i.e., EXCEL spreadsheets) for the purpose of quality assurance. A written report detailing the methods used discussing problems encountered shall be included as an appendix to this report. 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. The contractor shall provide EPA with a price estimate on a per sample (replicate) basis based on the number of samples projected. Costs for the retention of samples at the contractor's facility for two years following final report submission shall be included in the per sample price. Previous experience in conducting macrobenthic analyses on marine, estuarine and freshwater sediments from Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf of Mexico is required. A Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) program shall be in place at the vendor laboratory, and shall address, at a minimum the following topics: replicates, sorting efficiency, re-identification and re-enumeration, physical processing of samples, analytical methods utilized, QA/QC samples, and data reporting. Details on QA/QC for a similar scope project are available in the EMAP Estuaries Quality Assurance Project Plan (see references). At the time of contract award, the samples will be prioritized and analyzed in an order agreed upon by the vendor and EPA Project Officer. Results for the priority samples shall be reported to the EPA Project Officer no later than 90 days after contract award, while the remainder shall be due no later than 150 days after 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.) Provision of a copy of QA/QC protocols, including plans for sorting and identification; 2.) Demonstration of previous experience with estuarine benthic samples; 3.) Demonstration of previous analytical experience with NS&T, EMAP or similar programs; 4.) Brief 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. Offerors must satisfactorily meet all of the technical requirements to be considered "technically acceptable." 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. It is requested that the completed Representations and Certifications be included with the price proposal. Offerors are asked not to phone the contract specialist with questions. Technical questions are to be forwarded via email to the Contract Specialist at the following email address: evans.ramona@epa.gov . Offerors should frequently go to EPA's web site ( http://www.epa.gov/oam/rtp_cmd/ ) and click on this Request for Quotation, to check the status of this procurement and to ascertain if any amendments have been issued addressing technical questions and/or extending the due date for receipt of offers. The Contract Specialist will also try to notify any offerors who have emailed her expressing an interest in the solicitation when and if amendments have been posted to the web site (see email address above); however, it is each offeror's responsibility to frequently check this site for an updated status of the procurement and for any amendments that have been issued. Please submit two copies of the technical proposal and two copies of the price proposal to Ramona G. Evans, 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: Ramona G. Evans (MD-33), 79 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. All offers are due by June 1, 2000, 3:30 p.m. ET. No telephonic or faxed requests or offers will be honored. The list of References are posted with the RFQ at this same web site: http://www.epa.gov/oam/rtp_cmd . Posted 05/14/00 (W-SN454649). (0135)

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