EP16W000059_Notice.pdf

NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE

Enhancements to the VELMA Model for

Simulating Effects of Climate and Land Use on Ecohydrological Processes

In accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b), Soliciting from a Single Source, the U.S. Environmental Protection

Agency’s Office of Superfund Regional Procurement Operations Division, intends to award a sole source time & materials purchase order for supplies and services to enhance the VELMA Model for Simulating

Effects of Climate and Land Use on Eco hydrological Processes. The EPA’s intent is to issue the purchase order to The Marine Biological Laboratory, located at 7 MBL Street Woods Hole, MA 02543-1015.

The Government requires contractor support to provide facilities, equipment and services to enhance the VELMA Model for Simulating Effects of Climate and Land Use on Ecohydrological Processes.

Enhancements shall include phosphorus cycling; isotope cycling and fractionation for C, N, P, O and H;

and dynamic adjustment of resource acquisition and allocation by plants in response to changes in climate and land use. Specifically, enhancements shall be based upon concepts and algorithms represented in the Multiple Element Limitation model (MEL) developed to include state of the science algorithms for simulating cycling of phosphorus, nitrogen carbon and other elements in ecosystems.

Enhancements shall also be based on the isotope simulation model, NESIS, for tracing the transport and fate of stables isotopes of water, nutrients and contaminants within ecosystems and across ecosystem boundaries. Both MEL and NESIS are proprietary methods developed by a scientist of The Marine

Biological Laboratory, Dr. Edward Rastetter. The final product shall be an enhanced VELMA model that more accurately (relative to version 2.0) simulates the effects of multiple stressors on the acquisition, allocation and movement of water and nutrients (N and P) within plots, hillslopes and watersheds and, ultimately, to receiving waters such as streams and estuaries. This acquisition permits a seamless continuity of operations for the Government.

The Marine Biological Laboratory is the only vendor who is uniquely qualified to provide these services.

NO SOICITATION OR REQUEST FOR QUOTE (RFQ) IS AVAILABLE. Notwithstanding, any firm that believes it is capable of meeting EPA's requirement as stated below may submit a capability statement, which if received within 5 calendar days of the date of this announcement will be considered. Responses to this posting must be in writing and provide clear and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to the Government. A determination not to compete the proposed purchase order based upon the responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. All questions and comments regarding this procurement shall be addressed in writing to Meghan Thomas Meyers, Contracting Officer, at thomas.meghan@epa.gov. No telephone inquiries will be accepted.

The specifications of the support services are as follows:

All current and potential contractors must use FedConnect which is available at https://www.fedconnect.net/FedConnect/. There is no charge to use FedConnect. FedConnect is hosted by Compusearch, vendor/contractor questions relating to FedConnect will be answered by

Compusearch, and contact information is provided at the FedConnect web site.