Public Health Support Services for ATSDR Public Health Assessment Activities
Added: Jan 20, 2017 9:13 am
Title of Project: Public Health Support Services for ATSDR Public Health Assessment ActivitiesIntroduction: This is a Small Business Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding: (1) the availability and capability of qualified small business sources; (2) whether they are small businesses; HUBZone small businesses; service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses; 8(a) small businesses; veteran-owned small businesses; woman-owned small businesses; or small disadvantaged businesses; and (3) their size classification relative to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the proposed acquisition. Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible. An organization that is not considered a small business under the applicable NAICS code should not submit a response to this notice. The NAICS code for this acquisition is 541690 with a size standard of $15M dollars.Background. This procurement is entitled "Public Health Support Services for ATSDR Public Health Assessment Activities". The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) was created under Sections 104, 107, and 120 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) as amended by Section 110 (P.L. 99-499) of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA). ATSDR was created to implement the health-related sections of CERCLA as amended by SARA.Purpose and Objectives. The purpose of this indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ)contract is to facilitate the procurement of regularly and repeatedly scientific, technical, expert, and logistical services (e.g. outreach and education services) for ATSDR in support of its public health mission with regards to public health assessment activities such as, but not limited to, public health assessments, public health consultations, exposure investigations, biomonitoring activities, health studies, training, and related outreach, education, and evaluation activities. ATSDR public health assessments, health consultations, and other Agency activities are mechanisms to respond to community and public health concerns associated with human exposure to hazardous and/or industrial substances at sites and projects. Public health assessments, health consultations, and other ATSDR activities evaluate and oftentimes collect relevant environmental and biological data, health outcome data, and community and public concerns associated with a site where hazardous and/or industrial substances have been released. The public health assessment process identifies populations living or working on or near hazardous waste and/or industrial release sites and determines which public health actions are warranted, such as, but not limited to, public health assessments and consultations, exposure investigations and biomonitoring activities, emergency response, technical assists, health studies, public participation and education, and chemical-specific studies and evaluations. ATSDR, where warranted, may evaluate current, past, and/or future exposure to hazardous waste and/or industrial substances to communities living near hazardous waste/industrial release sites. The community associated with a site can be broadly defined as the population(s) living around the site/project and all others who can provide or disseminate relevant information on that site/project during the public health assessment process. The involved community may include individual residents living near the site or organized community/public groups and their representatives. Contacting populations living around the site and interacting with community-based organizations allows for awareness of community/public health concerns and for obtaining other relevant site information. Scope of Work. The unique nature, scope, and complexity of the scientific, technical, expert, operational, and logistical services needed to support ATSDR's public health assessment activities will vary from site to site and project to project. Some public health assessment activities may be completed within 12 months whereas other public health assessment activities may require several years to complete. Project/site support may include, but not be limited to, the following activities: data gathering, evaluation, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination, environmental and biological sampling and monitoring and evaluation, data quality control and assurance, analysis, consultation, report preparation, training, and general and public logistical coordination. Areas of expertise needed to supplement existing agency efforts are classified in the "Statement of Work" as "Expert and Scientific Assistance" and "Technical Assistance" and may include, but not be limited to, such diverse skills and expertise in the following areas: demographics, computer programming for public health assessment purposes, instructional design/technology, graphic design/artistry, statistics, mathematics, environmental and biological modeling, geographic information systems technology, medicine, physiology, engineering (chemical, environmental, industrial, process, mechanical), ecology, geology, hydro-geology, chemistry, health physics, biology, epidemiology, toxicology, environmental science, laboratory science, veterinary science, environmental and biological sampling/monitoring, biomonitoring, meteorology, economics, nutrition, soil science, health education, health risk communication, training, research, program evaluation and decision making, public relations, writing and editing, case study development, distance learning applications, web-delivered health assessment training, conference planning, and administration and clerical.Often, in response to unpredicted events or public concerns, project/site priorities may change. These unpredicted changes, along with existing and planned projects, lead to fluctuating requirements for expert, scientific, technical, operational and logistical consultant services. Because the timing and level of effort cannot be entirely predicted, the work plan, skills, expertise, and deliverables required of the Contractor may fluctuate during the year and from year to year. Emergency and other unforeseen events may also require additional Contractor support. Therefore, the ATSDR Contracting Officer's Representative (COR), with the CDC/ATSDR Contracting Officer's (CO) approval, may add projects and sites to work requests throughout the year and from year to year. In addition, the COR, with CO approval, may modify targets, deliverables, work requests, and funding distributions, depending on the availability of site/project information and priorities of ATSDR.Technical Requirements. Within the two general areas of support, the Contractor may be required to perform the types of tasks listed below. Performance of all areas of support and tasks may be required concurrently on multiple projects, sites, and tasks. Contractor personnel may be required travel to accomplish project/site activities. Although the successful Contractor will be expected to provide all services ultimately listed in the SOW, it is not expected that the successful Contractor(s) will have the capabilities to perform all of the required services included in the scope of work for this acquisition. Therefore, the Government anticipates that subcontracting for some limited services (e.g. laboratory services, expert panel members, highly specialized expertise) may be necessary.A. Expert and Scientific AssistanceATSDR requires expert and scientific assistance in its mission to prevent exposure and adverse human health effects and diminished quality of life associated with exposure to hazardous substances from waste sites, industrial releases, unplanned releases, and other sources of pollution present in the environment. Examples of such assistance include, but are not limited to, the evaluation of data and information on the release of hazardous/industrial substances into the environment to assess any past, current, or future impact on public health, and identify actions needed to evaluate and mitigate or prevent human health effects. Contractor required expert and scientific assistance shall be, but not limited to, advice, consultation, development, evaluation, analysis, reporting, and interpretation of environmental public health issues using scientific knowledge, methodology, principles, and practices approved by ATSDR.More specifically, the following are the core components that the Contractor may be requested by the Government to undertake in performance of scientific and expert assistance:1. Analyze, interpret, and evaluate environmental, biological, chemical, radiological, and health data, selecting and using the best science, techniques, and standards most appropriate to the problem at hand. Assist ATSDR in development of standard operating procedures and guidance materials. Assist ATSDR in the development of public health assessments, public health consultations, exposure investigations, outreach and education products, technical assists, technical/scientific reports, environmental/biological/biomonitoring modeling and public health assessment activities, and all other ATSDR public health assessment activities.2. Generate estimates of the number of individuals in the populations at risk of exposure, as well as actually being exposed to site-related contaminants.3. Design and evaluate sampling/monitoring plans, protocols, manuals, and conduct environmental and biological sampling for contaminants of concern (exposure investigations and biomonitoring activities).4. Evaluate and interpret toxicological information and literature to assess adverse health outcomes resulting from exposure to toxic substances. Follow current analytical or interpretive methods, as described by ATSDR's Public Health Assessment Guidance Manual while using the Public Health Assessment Site Tool (PHAST), or as directed by ATSDR.5. Provide epidemiologic support for analysis of health outcome data (cancer registries, etc). Consult with and advise ATSDR on design and analysis of studies and investigations to determine potential associations between toxic exposures and adverse health outcomes (planning through execution and evaluation).6. Design, execute, and evaluate outreach and education activities in communities that will inform all appropriate parties about the health risks from exposure to hazardous/industrial release substances and provide preventive actions.7. Provide expert statistical, modeling, evaluation, and interpretation support for evaluation of data and methodology as needed.8. Provide national and international experts versed in tasks listed in this statement of work.9. Organize and host expert panel discussions on specific topics and compile results of discussions.10. Provide other expert and scientific assistance for public health assessment activities as requested by the COR.B. Technical AssistanceTechnical support in this area will primarily entail, but not be limited to, assistance in gathering, collecting, analyzing, reporting, evaluating, interpreting, training, disseminating, and processing data and information relative to the public health implications posed by contamination at sites and projects. Assist in obtaining, interpreting, and evaluating information on site history, site processes and releases, the types and levels of contamination at the site, site-specific environmental transport mechanisms, routes of human exposure, pathways of exposure, morbidity and mortality data, community/public health concerns, medical and toxicological implications of site related chemicals and substances.This evaluation is an iterative dynamic process that considers available data and information from varying perspectives. The interrelationship of the steps in this process will vary from site to site and project to project depending on the project/site's individual and unique characteristics. Contractor-required technical assistance shall be in the form of select data gathering, analyzing, evaluating, interpreting, reporting, disseminating, and processing in accordance with ATSDR's requirements.More specifically, within the area of "technical assistance" the Contractor shall be required to:1. Obtain site-specific data and information (preferably electronic media format) on relevant sites. Identify appropriate sources of environmental health data for specific projects such as, but not limited to, sources of environmental data maintained by State and Federal agencies; and identify means of acquiring these data. Assist ATSDR staff in using, evaluating, analyzing, summarizing, reporting, disseminating, and presenting these data in agency draft and final reports. Assist ATSDR in report, document, and briefing development.2. Conduct environmental and/or biologic sampling, monitoring, biomonitoring, and exposure investigations for sites and projects. Provide technical assistance, advice, and expertise on sites/projects that may present unusual and/or unique sampling and/or monitoring challenges. Assist ATSDR in protocol design, development, and method selection. Assist ATSDR in conducting, collecting, staffing, using, evaluating, analyzing, reporting, and presenting information in agency draft, final, and other reports. Provide equipment and supplies, maintenance, storage, housing, and back-up capacities needed to support these activities. Purchase equipment for Agency use when requested and approved by the ATSDR COR.3. Provide environmental, biologic, and biomonitoring laboratory services. Assist ATSDR staff in collecting, using, evaluating, interpreting, analyzing, reporting, and presenting these data in agency draft and final reports. Provide analyses, equipment and supplies, and expertise needed to support these activities when requested and approved by the ATSDR COR.4. Design, develop, implement, maintain, and evaluate environmental, administrative, and/or health databases for specific projects in terms of data quality, time frames, environmental, administrative, and/or public health factors using established guidelines.5. Conduct surveys (e.g., fish consumption, well locations and use, health education needs and understanding).6. Design, develop, and produce data collection forms, including abstract forms, survey instruments, and questionnaires, needed for surveillance and epidemiologic and other public health assessment activities.7 Coordinate and facilitate the preparation of documents for quality professional presentation including, but not limited to, review, editing, desktop publishing, and preparation of camera ready originals.8. Develop curricula and other materials for health professional education and public health education and outreach. Develop meeting materials (reports, factsheets, posters, attendance lists, and other meeting materials as required. Provide other meeting logistical support as required.9. Develop and disseminate general and site/project-specific fact sheets and informational material for communities surrounding hazardous waste and/or industrial release sites. Develop meeting materials, reports, factsheets, posters, attendance lists, and other meeting materials as required. Provide meeting support in the form of providing meeting facilitators and moderators, transcripts, and reports, etc. Provide other meeting logistical support as required.10. Conduct impact assessments, needs assessments, program evaluations, and other instruments for program enhancement and evaluation purposes.11. Develop and assist with on-site and distance learning and training materials and programs, conduct public health and technical training, develop and deliver web-based training applications and other distance learning applications12. Maintain, develop, and evaluate databases of products, services, cost recovery data, Sequoia data, environmental data, training data, and other data for time studies, cost effectiveness and program/research evaluation purposes, quality review efforts, and training review efforts.13. Provide national and international experts versed in tasks listed in this section. Organize and host expert panel discussions on specific topics and compile results of discussions.14. Provide other technical assistance for public health assessment activities as requested by the COR.Anticipated period of performance. The period of performance shall be for a base period of 12 months from the contract award date and will also include four 12-month option periods.Other important considerations. None Capability statement /information sought. The information requested below is the only information the government will review in response to this sources sought notice. Therefore, please explain, in detail, your experience, knowledge and ability to provide the following:a. Your opinion about the difficulty and or feasibility of the potential requirement or proposed acquisition, possible solutions and approaches that may currently exist in the marketplace, and information regarding innovative ideas or concepts.b. Your staff expertise, including your availability, experience, and formal and other training. Your current in house capability and capacity to perform the work.c. Your completed projects of similar nature.d. Your corporate experience and management capability.e. Provide any examples of prior completed Government contracts, reference, and other related information.The Government will not return capability statements received.Information Submission Instructions: Please include a cover page with the following business information:a) DUNS:b) Organization name and addressc) Do you have a Government approved accounting system? If so, please identify the agency that approved the system.d) Business size and type of business, (e. g., small business, 8(a), woman owned, veteran owned, etc.) pursuant to the applicable NAICS code_____________ with a size standards of __________.e) Point of Contact, phone, fax and email address of individuals who can verify the demonstrated capabilities identified in the response.f) Can this acquisition be purchased through GSA? If so, which GSA schedule do you recommend?Page Limitation: Capability Statements shall be provided in writing and limited to 8 single-spaced pages excluding cover page. Pages shall be formatted as follows: MS Word, 8 ½ x 11, 12 pitch, Times New Roman font with one (1) inch margins. The Government will not accept oral presentations of capability statements.Response Due Date: Submit capability statements via email to Sherrie A. Blackmon, Contracting Officer at kuj1@cdc.gov. Should you have any questions concerning this sources sought, also direct your questions directly to the aforementioned Contracting Officer. Responses must be submitted not later than 2:30 pm, Eastern Standard Time (EST) by 2 February 2017. Capability statements will NOT be accepted after the due date.The Government will not return capability statements received."Disclaimer and Important Notes. This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization's qualifications to perform the work. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a pre-solicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in Federal Business Opportunities. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation.Confidentiality. No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s)."
2017-N-18107 Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Office of Acquisition Services
1/20/17, 9:13 AM