B -- COASTAL 2000 BENTHIC SAMPLES

Notice Date

October 4, 2001

Contracting Office

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

ZIP Code

27711

Solicitation Number

RFQ-RT-02-00013

Response Due

October 19, 2001

Point of Contact

JENNIFER HILL, Contract Specialist, 919-541-3083/Christopher Baker, Contracting Officer, 919-541-2501

E-Mail Address

click here to contact the contract specialist bia (hill.jennifer@epa.gov)

Description

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 RFQ-RT-02-00013, 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 97-27. The associated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code 541380, which has a size standard of $5 million to qualify as a small business, is applicable. The contract will be awarded as a result of full and open competition. A firm, fixed-price purchase order is anticipated to result from the award of this solicitation. This procurement is to conduct macrobenthic community analyses of sediment samples from the Coastal Monitoring Program from date of award through September 30, 2004. This procurement requires the contractor to perform analyses on 50 to 2000 sediment samples. The minimum number of samples provided in calendar year (CY) 2001will be 50. Additional samples analyses up to a maximum 200 during CY 2001 will be performed at the option of the government. Approximately 400-600 samples will be provided during the summer of each calendar year in one to four batches. All sample analyses above the initial 50 will be performed at the option of the government. 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 will be identified to the lowest level practical taxonomic level. A reference collection that represents all dominant taxa will be developed and retained for three years. QA/QC procedures for macroinvertebrate recounts and reidentifications will follow Frithsen et al. (1994). The contractor is required to submit a copy of their Quality Assurance/ Quality Control protocols to the EPA Project Officer as part of their submission. The contractor must 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 contractor 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 contractor 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 is required to transfer copies of all technical, fiscal, and programmatic files regarding this contract to the Project Officer. These files shall be boxed in accordance with Federal Record Keeping Standards in boxes required by the Records Center and labeled as "Coastal 2000 Benthic Samples -- Contractor Name / Contract Number" and contain an internal and external packing slip that identifies the specific contents of each box. The external packing slip shall be affixed to the exterior of the box. 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, reidentification and reenumeration, 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). The samples will be prioritized and analyzed in an order agreed upon by the contractor 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 contractor shall provide EPA with a price 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 price. The following FAR provisions apply to this solicitation: 52-212-1, Instructions to Offerors Commercial Items; 52.212-2, Evaluation -- Commercial Items. Evaluation criteria to be included in paragraph (a) of provision 52.212-2 are as follows: (i) TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES CRITERIA: 1) Provide a copy of QA/QC protocols including plans for sorting and identification; 2) Demonstrate previous experience with estaurine benthic samples; 3) Demonstrate previous analytical experience with NS&T, EMAP or similar programs; 4) Brief explanation of methods used 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 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 clauses apply to this acquisition: 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions -- Commercial Items; 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders -- Commercial Items and the following additional FAR clauses which are cited in Clause 52.212-5: 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities; 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. The completed Representations and Certifications should be included with the price proposal. All technical questions are to be forwarded via email to the Contract Specialist at the following email address: hill.jennifer@epa.gov. Offerors should review the Statement of Work and other information posted with this Request for Quotation on EPA's website at the following address: http://www.epa.gov/oam/rtp_cmd. Arrow down to the REQUEST FOR QUOTATION section and click on the solicitation. Arrow down below that section to COMMERCIAL BUY CLAUSES AND FORMS which are provided for your convenience. Please submit two copies of the technical proposal and price proposal to Jennifer B. Hill, 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: Jennifer B. Hill (MD-33), 79 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. All offers are due by October 19, 2001, 4:30 p.m., ET. No telephonic or faxed requests will be honored.

Web Link

Click here to visit the site that has informaiton about (http://www.epa.gov/oam/rtp_cmd)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20011009/BSOL002.HTM (W-277 SN510067)