Questions and Answers.pdf

1. What is the total number of employees under the scope of this audit?

The total number of facility employees, contractors, students, and interns changes regularly. Assume the facility includes approximately 500 or more employees.

In consultation with the COR/POC, the contractor shall be responsible for identifying key Government individuals for interviews. Identifying staff associated with an audited facility’s operations and scheduling employee interviews is the responsibility of the contractor and should be initiated as early as possible in the audit planning. While the assigned facility point-of-contact should assist in this effort, the contractor bears responsibility for directly-contacting, arranging, confirming, and interviewing staff during performance of the environmental compliance audits.

2. Through our research, we found there are 18 labs on property, is this the correct number and will all 18 labs be included in the scope?

The scope of the EC is the entire facility. There are 17 total laboratory units and various facility support units at the facility.

In consultation with the COR/POC, the contractor shall be responsible for identifying key Government individuals for interviews. Identifying staff associated with an audited facility’s operations and scheduling employee interviews is the responsibility of the contractor and should be initiated as early as possible in the audit planning. While the assigned facility point-of-contact should assist in this effort, the contractor bears responsibility for directly-contacting, arranging, confirming, and interviewing staff during performance of the environmental compliance audits.

3. Can you provide a layout/diagram of areas to be included in audit (property boundary or property parcel information for inclusion)

See attached boundary map

4. What is the total number of compliance years to be evaluated. We typically review 5 years of data, but is determined by customer requests.

It may be necessary to evaluate data that is several years old to determine current compliance status depending on the media area. The goal is current compliance status.

5. What is the maximum number of days available for onsite evaluations?

Onsite evaluations can go on as long as needed but should be within schedule of deliverables.

6. Are PFA’s required to be evaluated?

If referring to PFAS the audit should include evaluation based on current regulations. BARC understands that PFAS regulations are rapidly developing and continue to change frequently.

7. Will pictures/photo log be allowed during the on-site evaluations?

Pictures are allowed and encouraged to be included in audit report.

8. Is Human Nutrition Research Center (BHNRC) included in the project scope?

The scope of the EC is the entire facility including BHNRC. There are 17 total laboratory units and various facility support units at the facility.

In consultation with the COR/POC, the contractor shall be responsible for identifying key Government individuals for interviews. Identifying staff associated with an audited facility’s operations and scheduling employee interviews is the responsibility of the contractor and should be initiated as early as possible in the audit planning. While the assigned facility point-of-contact should assist in this effort, the contractor bears responsibility for directly-contacting, arranging, confirming, and interviewing staff during performance of the environmental compliance audits.

9. Is the goal to become certified to 14001:2015 The goal is to complete an environmental compliance audit and assist the BARC facility in developing and re-establishing all aspects of an Environmental Management System (EMS) program including an EMS policy, framework, and manual in conformance with ISO 14001 Standards. The goal is not necessarily to become certified, but the EMS should conform to ISO standards.

10. Missing from the Scope of Work is reference to Internal Auditing. Are the BRAC plans to include an auditing team? Or will they contract out Internal Auditing?

Assume internal Auditing component of EMS will be completed in house.

11. What are the security requirements for facility access?

Contractors will need to sign in at the front desk and obtain a visitor badge.

12. Will the contractor(s) require a full-time escort while on the BARC campus?

Escorts are required for contractors when inside buildings. Outdoor locations do not require escorts, but the contractor is still required to sign in and obtain a visitor badge.

13. Are contractor(s) cell phones / personal laptops allowed on campus?

Yes

14. Will the contractor(s) have an office / cubicle space while at the BARC facility?

A conference room can be made available for contractors while at the facility

15. How will the deliverables (Section 7 of Scope) be provided to BARC? Will email suffice?

Electronic delivery is acceptable. Hard copies are not required.

16. Regarding Safety, what are the most stringent laboratory safety requirements?

Some laboratories are BSL2

17. Is animal / insect management within the Scope of Work?

The contractor shall apply its knowledge of environmental regulations and management to audit environmental compliance and to identify opportunities for environmental management system improvements, correction of deficiencies and/or the elimination of any would-be legal and financial liabilities. Generally, anything covered under 40 CFR or Maryland COMAR regulations directly related to environmental management at a federal facility. Proper pesticide management should be evaluated.

18. If animal / insect management is within the Scope of Work, what are the safety protocols?

This may not apply. Generally, anything covered under 40 CFR or Maryland COMAR

19. Is the acreage management / plant production part of the Scope of work?

Generally, anything covered under 40 CFR or Maryland COMAR regulations directly related to environmental management at a federal facility. Proper pesticide management should be evaluated.

20. If the acreage management is part of the Scope of work, what are the safety protocols?

This may not apply. Generally, anything covered under 40 CFR or Maryland COMAR

21. Include Procurement of chemicals for pest control (acreage management)?

22. Include Procurement of chemicals for laboratory controls (experimental)?

23. Include Maintenance for laboratory needs and other facility requirements (such as acreage and animal management)?

environmental management at a federal facility.

24. Include Material Handling processes for Hazardous Materials and Waste Management?

Yes. Generally, anything covered under 40 CFR or Maryland COMAR regulations directly related to environmental management at a federal facility. Proper pesticide management should be evaluated.

25. Include Safety and Environmental Training?

Implementation support could at a minimum include the following items:

• Development of EMS Training Materials

• Development of EMS Training Tracking System

• Development of EMS Environmental Objective and Regulatory requirements

Tracking

• Development of EMS Significant Environmental Aspects and Operations Controls

Tracking

• Review of Environmental Permits and their Requirements

26. Include a Centralized Document Control system?

Not necessarily. If referring to tracking system for EMS training, it could be an excel sheet or similar.

27. What is BARC designated Generator Classification?

LQG

28. Does BARC utilize City Sewer Systems?

BARC water is provided by an onsite BARC controlled water treatment plant. WSSC is occasionally used as backup for parts of campus;

29. Or do they utilize septic tanks?

BARC WW is treated in two on site BARC managed WWTPs

30. Clarification: BARC has two water plants. Describe the purpose of these two water plants.

Three total plants, one water treatment, two wastewater treatment.

31. Is there another Government Agency that provides oversite to these two water plants?

BARC has WWTP and WTP operators, there is not a separate agency responsible.

32. What is the purpose of storing oil? Is it Virgin oil or used oil or both?

Heating Oil, Gas, and Diesel are stored for various purposes. Some tanks serve as fuels stations for GOVs, others are backup oil for boiler plant operation.

33. Considering current BARC staffing, who is currently managing the BARC environmental program?

Contact info for this project is the following:

CO is Dilynn Rogers dilynn.rogers@usda.gov COR for this project is John Houston john.houston@usda.gov

34. Where are Safety Data Sheets stored?

Online Database

35. How are SDS Sheets managed?

Online Database

36. There are approximately 390 employees, are there training protocols in place for hazardous materials

/ waste identification?

37. Does the material handling require a forklift to move hazardous materials?

No

38. Does BARC utilize the facility Tractor to move hazardous materials?

No

39. Which department responsibility manages Chemical inventory and storage?

Can be discussed post award

40. Which department responsibility manages the Waste minimization and/or recycling program?

41. Which department is responsible for managing / inspecting the Underground and above-ground storage tanks?

42. What are these tanks used for?

Heating Oil, Gas, and Diesel are stored for various purposes. Some tanks serve as fuels stations for GOVs, others are backup oil for boiler plant operation.

43. Which department is responsible for managing / inspecting / testing the Drinking water, wastewater and stormwater management programs?

44. Which department is responsible for managing animal waste (feces, urine, bedding, etc.)?

45. Are there current Water Permits in place?

Two NPDES WWTP permits

46. Are there any laboratories that require air permits?

BARC facility operates under synthetic minor permit.

47. Regarding the BARC Boilers, is BARC considered an “AREA SOURCE” per EPA? (NESHAP 40

CFR part 63, subpart JJJJJJ )

48. Are the BARC boilers regulated?

49. What energy sources are used for the BARC boilers?

Natural Gas and some use Oil as backup

50. Are the boilers operated on oil?

Natural Gas and some use Oil as backup

51. Do the BARC Boilers emit carbon monoxide, hydrochloric acid, mercury (from coal-fired boilers), and trace amounts of other heavy metals?

BARC facility operates under synthetic minor permit. An emission report is generated annually.

52. Clarification: Does Inventory Data include asset management as well as warehouse management of raw materials (consumables)?

Facility inventory may include transformers, boilers, generators, USTs, ASTs, WWTPs, WTPS, Etc.

53. Clarification: Does Facility Assessment include preventive maintenance measures?

environmental compliance and to identify opportunities for environmental management system improvements, correction of deficiencies and/or the elimination of any would-be legal and financial liabilities. Generally, anything covered under 40 CFR or Maryland COMAR regulations directly related to environmental management at a federal facility.

54. Which Department is responsible for the Facility Assessment Schedule?

55. Does BARC’s Super Grade Committee address these types of considerations?

56. Or does the current acting director determine priorities and plans of actions?

57. Are the other required Government Stakeholders outside of the BARC staffing or do they represent the Super Grade Committee (8 of 11 members are in confirmed BARC Scope)?

58. What program / project requires the use of radiation equipment?

X-ray machines are used in some research.

59. What type of equipment is used to generate radiation?

X-ray machines

60. Is BARC required to report Tier 2 (Hazardous Chemical Inventory)?

61. Is BARC on or near Tribal lands?

environmental compliance and to identify opportunities for environmental management system improvements, correction of deficiencies and/or the elimination of any would-be legal and financial liabilities. Generally, anything covered under 40 CFR or Maryland COMAR regulations directly related to environmental management at a federal facility.