ESBD_446936_1755525939620_582-26-00024a_Sci Research Services Solicitation_FINAL.pdf

COVER PAGE

Date: 08/18/2025

Type of Solicitation: Request for Proposal (RFP)

Name of Solicitation: Scientific Expertise and Research Services

Solicitation Number: 582-26-00024

Class 926, Item 14

Class 926, Item 42

Responses Due: 09/19/2025 at 2:00PM Central Time

Pre-Proposal Conference: Tuesday, 08/26/2025 from 1:30PM to 3:30PM Central Time.

Pre-Proposal Conferences are held virtually, using Microsoft Teams Town Hall.

See Page 11 for further details.

The link for the Pre-Proposal Conference is provided below: MS Teams Town Hall Link

The Pre-Proposal Conference is not mandatory.

Deadline for Submission of Questions: 08/28/2025 at 2:00PM Central Time

Anticipated TCEQ reply to Vendor Questions (This date is only an estimate): 09/03/2025

Description:

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is seeking contractor(s) specializing in toxicological, modeling, risk assessment, and epidemiological analyses to assist TCEQ, as well as to pursue research that advances the science of risk assessment.

Such expertise is invaluable to provide state-of-the-science methods for determining chemical risk, for setting safe levels of chemicals in the environment, and for evaluating the work of other agencies.

Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Subcontracting Plan Note:

Subcontracting opportunities have not been identified. See additional information under the Respondent General Instructions.

Purchasing Authority:

Scientific & Technical Environmental Services (RFP) Texas Water Code Section 5.2291, Gov’t Code Section 2254.003.

TEXAS COMMISSION ON

ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

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SOLICITATION TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION 1: GENERAL INFORMATION

• Cover Page

• Solicitation Table of Contents

• TCEQ Points of Contact for This Solicitation

• Response Submission Procedure

• FTPS User’s Quick Guide for Solicitations

• Respondent General Instructions

SECTION 2: SCOPE OF WORK AND EVALUATION CRITERIA

• Scope of Work

• Evaluation Criteria o Executive Summary o Key Personnel Qualifications o Past Performance o Technical Approach to Performing the Scope of Work

Exhibit 1: Sample Work Order Format o Price

SECTION 3: DRAFT CONTRACT DOCUMENTS

• Contract Signature Page

• Contract Documents List

• Federal Terms and Conditions

• Special Terms and Conditions

• General Terms and Conditions

• Procedures for Work Orders

• Insurance Section

• Notices, Project Representatives, and Records Location

• Attachment A: Contract Release of Claims

• Attachment B: Work Order Budget

• Attachment C: Work Order Release of Claims

• Attachment D: Notice to Proceed

• Attachment E: List of Key Personnel

SECTION 4: RESPONSE DOCUMENTS – TO BE SUBMITTED WITH RESPONSE, UNLESS

OTHERWISE NOTED BELOW

• Respondent’s Signature and Information

• Response Contents (not submitted as part of Response)

• Signed Cover Pages of Addenda

• Statement of Qualifications

• Respondent’s Key Personnel Qualifications and Experience

• Technical Approach or Work Plan

• Price Form

• Preferences

• Federal Forms

• HUB Subcontracting Plan Forms

• Certifications (not submitted as part of Response)

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TCEQ Points of Contact for This Solicitation TCEQ Procurements and Contracts Representative

Primary Contact Name: Stacy Thompson Telephone: 512-239-0323 Email: stacy.thompson@tceq.texas.gov

Secondary Contact Name: Dinene “Dena” Rotan Telephone: 512-239-0367 Email: dinene.rotan@tceq.texas.gov

Please allow one business day before contacting the secondary contact.

Exception: If there is less than 24 hours before a solicitation deadline, you may contact the secondary contact after attempting to contact the primary contact.

Except for contacting the HUB Coordinator, all communication regarding this solicitation must be directed to the TCEQ Procurements and Contracts Representative. If this requirement is not met, then the Response may be disqualified.

Email for Vendor Questions: Procurements&Contracts@tceq.texas.gov

TCEQ Historically Underutilized Business (HUB)

HUB Coordinator Name: Claribel Diaz Email: Claribel.Diaz@tceq.texas.gov

Assistant HUB Coordinator Name: Maria Rodriguez Email: Maria.Rodriguez@tceq.texas.gov

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RESPONSE SUBMISSION PROCEDURE

VIA TCEQ’S FILE TRANSFER PROTOCOL SECURE (FTPS) SERVER

The Response (proposal) must be signed, and the Respondent must submit the Response to TCEQ as one Adobe portable document format (PDF) searchable file. [Note: In this Solicitation, TCEQ also may request submission of additional documents, such as, the Price Form as an Excel file.] Responses to the Solicitation may only be submitted to TCEQ’s FTPS server. The email address is listed below.

Respondent must:

a. Upload the file(s) to TCEQ’s FTPS site,

b. Select the file(s) and click the “Share” button. Note: Press the Share button to share files, not the Share- or the Share√ buttons.

c. Enter esbd-response@tceq.texas.gov as the email address. Click "Add" and then "OK".

Click OK again to confirm the file share.

d. “Notify Recipients” message will appear. Add the Solicitation Number, Solicitation Name, and the Due Date for Responses before the text in the box that says, “One or more files have been shared…” and send the message.

For quick instructions for using TCEQ’s FTPS Server, please visit:

LINK TO FTPS USER’S QUICK GUIDE FOR SOLICITATIONS

(https://www.tceq.texas.gov/downloads/agency/financial/contracts/ftps-respondent-user-quick-guide.docx)

The FTPS User’s Quick Guide is also attached below (after Instructions).

For more detailed directions for using TCEQ’s FTPS Server, please visit:

Please note: Responses uploaded to TCEQ’s FTPS server without completing the share file(s) steps will not be considered as submitted.

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FTPS USER’S QUICK GUIDE FOR SOLICITATIONS

HOW TO CREATE AN ACCOUNT

1. Enter https://ftps.tceq.texas.gov/ut.php into your web browser.

Note: it is important to use the same computer when creating an account and when accessing emails from the FTPS system.

2. Click on the “Sign up a new account” button.

3. Enter a name (company name, for example) and an email address. These two fields are required to be completed. Click the Submit button when done.

4. A confirmation box will appear with additional information. Click the OK button.

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5. Check for an email from ftp_account@tceq.texas.gov. To set up your password for your account, click on the link in the email. This will take you back to the FTPS site.

6. Reset your password, then click the “Reset Password” button.

7. A box appears, confirming that your password has been reset. Click “OK”.

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HOW TO USE FTPS TO UPLOAD DOCUMENTS

1. Enter https://ftps.tceq.texas.gov into your web browser.

2. Enter your Username and Password. Click “Login”.

3. Click on the “Upload Files” button at the bottom of the screen.

4. From your computer, find and click on the file or files you want to upload. You can upload multiple files at one time.

5. The uploaded file(s) will now appear in the list. Place a check in the box beside the file or files to be shared. Once the files are selected, click the “Share” button.

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6. In the pop-up “Share Files” box, enter esbd-response@tceq.texas.gov in the email address box and click the “Add” button. Confirm the correct email address was entered, and then click the “OK” button.

7. Another confirmation screen appears, displaying the file or files that have been uploaded and the email address. Click the “OK” button.

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8. IMPORTANT: The “Notify Recipients” box appears with pre-filled text. Insert the solicitation number and name in front of the pre-filled text. The text in the red box, below, is an example. Click the “OK” button.

confirmation that the email was sent appears. Click the “OK” button.

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9. You will be returned to the Home page. Click the “Logout” button in the top right corner.

-End-

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RESPONDENT GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

The terms response and proposal are used interchangeably to mean the submission by the Respondent to this Solicitation.

PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE

Pre-Proposal Conference will be held virtually (no physical location). The date and time are listed on the Cover Page of this Solicitation.

Participants can join the Microsoft Teams Town Hall for this conference by following the link on the Cover Page. Participants will be asked to either download the Windows application or view the presentation on the web.

Any scheduling changes to the Pre-Proposal Conference made after the posting of this Solicitation will be announced in an addendum posted on the Electronic State Business Daily (ESBD) link https://www.txsmartbuy.gov/esbd.

QUESTIONS REGARDING THE SOLICITATION

Deliver questions in writing no later than the Deadline for Submission of Questions listed on the Cover Page. Questions must be submitted to the following email address:

Procurements&Contracts@tceq.texas.gov.

Please include the following information in the subject line of the email: Solicitation Number, Solicitation Name, and the Due Date for Responses.

TCEQ will provide answers to questions in one or more addenda posted on the ESBD.

TCEQ may, at its sole discretion, extend the Due Date for Responses to provide Respondents additional time to make revisions.

ADDENDA

Any changes to the Solicitation, deadline/due dates, and all responses to questions will be posted as addenda on the ESBD. All addenda are part of the Solicitation. No other explanations, interpretations, or changes will be considered official or binding. It is Respondent’s responsibility to review all addenda.

CHANGES TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Exceptions that are not advantageous to TCEQ may result in the deduction of points in the evaluation or disqualification of the Response. Requested changes to the terms and conditions must be labeled and included behind Tab 8.

COST OF PREPARING THE RESPONSE

The Respondent is responsible for all costs incurred in the preparation and submission of a Response.

QUANTITY AND NATURE OF THE WORK

Respondents are required to inform themselves of all conditions which may affect the performance or the prices. By submitting a Response, Respondent expressly waives any claims that there was a misunderstanding concerning the quantities or the nature of the Work.

HISTORICALLY UNDERUTILIZED BUSINESS (HUB) SUBCONTRACTING PLAN (HSP)

A HUB Subcontracting Plan is not required because:

☒ TCEQ has not identified any subcontracting opportunities for this Solicitation.

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☐ TCEQ expects the value of the Solicitation to be less than $90,000, including all renewals.

If the Respondent’s proposal includes subcontracting opportunities or the potential value of any contract will exceed $90,000, including all renewals, then the Respondent must include a HUB Subcontracting Plan.

The HUB Subcontracting Plan (HSP) forms and additional information about the HUB program are found at the Texas Comptroller’s website:

(https://www.comptroller.texas.gov/purchasing/vendor/hub/forms.php).

Responses become TCEQ records and cannot be returned, except for Responses withdrawn by the Respondent prior to the due date and time for Responses.

Responses must be in the format of one (1) electronic searchable PDF document of the entire Response and shall not be password protected. In order for the Response to be deemed responsive, the electronic version must contain the entire Response.

Additionally, the electronic version must contain a signed Respondent’s Signature and Information page. If these requirements are not met, then the Response may be disqualified.

Prepare the Response as follows

• Include all information listed on the Response Contents page.

• Obtain any missing applicable forms from TCEQ with sufficient time to complete and submit them in the Response.

• Complete the applicable, required forms in this Solicitation.

• Create any other applicable documents.

• Insert all applicable documents behind cover pages for the specified tabbed sections. If there is no information to include behind a tab, include a page behind the cover page for the tab stating “Not Applicable”.

• All pages of the Response shall be submitted to allow for printing on standard 8.5-inch X 11-inch paper. Any maps may be submitted to allow for printing on 11-inch X 17-inch paper. Standard font size for the Response shall be 10- to 12-point.

Charts and maps may use smaller font size, but not less than 8-point. Language shall be American English.

• If page limits are specified, any information provided by the Respondent in excess of the allowable page limits will not be evaluated.

• Each page of the Response shall be labeled with the Respondent’s name and the Solicitation number.

• Sign all documents that require a signature, including the Response on the Respondent’s Signature and Information page. Create a PDF of each signed document and place behind the required tab. Responses not containing a PDF of a signed Respondent’s Signature and Information Page may not be considered.

• Create a searchable PDF of the entire Response for email submission to the TCEQ.

SUBMISSION OF RESPONSES

• Submit the Response by the due date and time on the Cover Page using File Transfer Protocol Secure (FTPS), as specified under Submission Procedures section. TCEQ will not consider Responses submitted via any other method.

• If the Response lacks required information or does not follow these instructions, the Response may be considered non-responsive and disqualified. TCEQ is not

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• Responses cannot be altered, amended, or withdrawn after the Due Date and Time.

To withdraw a Response prior to the Due Date and Time, the Respondent must submit the request to: Procurements&Contracts@tceq.texas.gov

DUE DATE/LATE RESPONSES

It is the Respondent’s responsibility to ensure timely delivery of the Response to TCEQ by the date and time on the Cover Page of this Solicitation. Except under extreme circumstances beyond the control of the Respondent, late Responses will not be considered. TCEQ will not be responsible for the failure of email services.

TCEQ’S ACCEPTANCE OF RESPONSES

TCEQ may reject Responses that do not comply with requirements in the Solicitation and state and federal laws. TCEQ may accept or reject all or any part of any Response, waive procedures for submitting Responses, waive formalities and/or minor technicalities, and award by item or groups of items, whichever best serves the interests of TCEQ. TCEQ may also cancel this procurement and withdraw this Solicitation at any time before a contract is signed by TCEQ. TCEQ shall have sole discretion of what is in the best interests of TCEQ.

EVALUATION

The pricing and all terms and conditions of Responses are fixed for 120 days from receipt by TCEQ. Best and Final Offers (BAFOs), if requested by TCEQ, are fixed for 60 days. To determine the most advantageous Response, in addition to price, TCEQ may consider other relevant criteria, which are described more fully in Section 2, Evaluation Criteria. TCEQ may use information regarding the Respondent’s performance on past TCEQ contracts in the evaluation of qualifications. In addition, TCEQ will use the information contained in the Texas Comptroller of Public Account’s vendor performance tracking system in the evaluation of qualifications.

SELECTION

Depending on the applicable procurement method and solicitation type, in order to secure the best value for the State, TCEQ may take one or more of the following actions in the selection process:

• Accept the highest scoring Response without changes.

• Request clarifications, assurances, and corrections.

• Modify the selection criteria and apply it to BAFOs, provided that the modifications do not materially affect initial applicant eligibility or invitation to submit a BAFO.

Conduct discussions on Responses scoring within a competitive range and request Best and Final Offers (BAFOs).

• Select the highest scoring BAFO and accept it without changes or negotiating acceptable terms.

• Award one or more contracts based on the amount of work that TCEQ foresees needing performed.

• Award contracts to other contractors at a later date under this Solicitation or through another appropriate method, including another solicitation.

• In the case of a tie that cannot be resolved by application of one or more statutory preferences, make a selection, in the best interest of the State, by drawing lots, 582-26-00024 Scientific Expertise and Research Services Page 13 of 93 mailto:Procurements&Contracts@tceq.texas.gov tossing a coin, or drawing names with two witnesses to oversee the tiebreaking activity.

CERTIFICATION OF INTERESTED PARTIES

Section 2252.908 of the Texas Government Code states that a state agency may not enter into certain contracts with a business entity unless the business entity submits a disclosure of interested parties (Form 1295) to the state agency at the time the business entity submits the signed contract to the state agency. The contract is voidable if the business entity fails to provide the disclosure of interested parties as required by statute.

The Texas Ethics Commission has provided a list of Frequently Asked Questions for your review. A link to the electronic filing application that must be used to file Form 1295 is on their web site at https://www.ethics.state.tx.us/filinginfo/1295/.

The selected Respondent(s) for a contract that meet the requirements to provide a Certification of Interested Parties will be given instructions at the time of award on how to submit the certification form.

PROTEST PROCEDURES

An actual or prospective Respondent or Contractor who is aggrieved in connection with the Solicitation, evaluation, or award of a contract by TCEQ may formally protest to the TCEQ Manager of Procurements and Contracts. TCEQ Protest Procedures can be found at 30 Texas Administrative Code Part 1, Chapter 11, Subchapter B, § 11.2.

PUBLIC INFORMATION

The Response is a public record. By signing and submitting a Response, Respondent hereby acknowledges:

• That the Response and subsequent documents submitted to TCEQ are subject to the Texas Public Information Act (PIA);

• That it is Respondent’s obligation to specifically identify information it contends to be confidential or proprietary and accepts that TCEQ may in its sole discretions deem a Response as non-compliant; and

• That Respondent grants a royalty-free, irrevocable, world-wide, perpetual license to reproduce any copyrighted portions of the Response and subsequent documents to comply with LBB reporting requirements, PIA disclosures, or any other reporting requirements mandated by law or statute.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Respondent shall disclose apparent, potential, or actual conflicts of interest known with the Response in Tab 8. Respondent has a continuing obligation to disclose conflicts of interest during this Solicitation, and if awarded a contract, during the Contract Period. TCEQ may refuse to contract with Respondent or terminate any Contract due to an apparent, potential, or actual conflict of interest.

-The rest of the page is intentionally blank.

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SECTION 2

SCOPE OF WORK AND EVALUATION CRITERIA

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SCOPE OF WORK

I. BACKGROUND

The mission of Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is to protect public health and natural resources in Texas consistent with sustainable economic development. The goal is clean air, clean water, and the safe management of waste.

To accomplish this, TCEQ bases decisions on the law, common sense, sound science, and fiscal responsibility. To help facilitate TCEQ’s mission through sound science, there is a need to utilize scientific expertise outside of the agency. Such expertise is invaluable to provide state-of-the-science methods for determining chemical risk, for setting safe levels of chemicals in the environment, and for evaluating the work of other agencies. Those activities, in turn, provide benefits for TCEQ’s toxicology, permitting, air monitoring, remediation, and compliance programs, among others.

TOXICITY FACTOR DERIVATION

Toxicity factors are chemical-specific short- and long-term health- and welfare-based concentrations or doses that are set to protect human health and welfare (odor and vegetation effects), including susceptible subgroups. TCEQ staff prepares chemical-specific Development Support Documents (DSDs) that outline the hazard assessment and dose-response processes used to derive chemical-specific inhalation or oral toxicity factors. The toxicity factors are developed using RG-442 “Guidelines to Develop Toxicity Factors” (TCEQ, 2015) (hereafter referred as RG-442 Guidelines).1

Inhalation toxicity factors derived by TCEQ include reference values (ReVs), effects screening levels (ESLs), and unit risk factors (URFs). Health-based ESLs are calculated from ReVs and URFs. Air monitoring comparison value (AMCV) is a collective term for all chemical-specific short- and long-term air concentrations that are used to evaluate air monitoring data (consisting of ReVs and ESLs). Both ESLs and AMCVs are chemical-specific ambient air concentrations set to protect human health and welfare. Short-term ESLs and AMCVs are based on data concerning acute health effects, odor potential, and vegetation effects, while long-term ESLs or AMCVs are generally based on data concerning chronic noncarcinogenic or carcinogenic health effects, or both, and occasionally on long-term vegetation effects.

ESLs are used in the evaluation of air permit applications as well as proposed rules and regulations (e.g., Permits by Rule). AMCVs are used in the evaluation of air monitoring data. TCEQ also derives oral toxicity factors that are used in the development of protective concentration levels (PCLs) to establish cleanup levels for remediation sites and in the development of thresholds protective of human health for application to surface water.

Derivation of these chemical-specific toxicity factors involves systematic review, hazard assessment, and dose-response analyses. TCEQ is seeking a Contractor

1 https://www.tceq.texas.gov/downloads/toxicology/publications/rg-442.pdf

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COMMENTS ON FEDERAL RULES

TCEQ reviews and provides public comments on documents released by the US government as part of federal rulemaking, and TCEQ gets only a brief window of time in which to prepare these comments. TCEQ most often provides comments on US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) rulemaking documents, including for the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Because TCEQ and the State of Texas are impacted by the USEPA’s rules, it is important that those rules are based on rigorous and objective review of the available scientific evidence. There are still significant gaps in knowledge in some of the science used as the basis for federal rules, such as in evidence integration, interpretation of epidemiology study results, and risk modeling. TCEQ is seeking a Contractor with expert knowledge in areas such as causality determinations, risk assessment methodologies, and epidemiology.

CHEMICAL RISK ASSESSMENT

Chemical risk assessment is a process for evaluation of risks to defined populations caused by chemicals in different media. Chemical risk assessment includes identification of hazards, determination of the dose-response between the chemical and the effect, evaluation of the exposure to the chemical, and integration of this information to estimate the risk from the chemical. The conclusions from these risk assessments are used by risk managers at TCEQ to make decisions about protection of public health and the environment. Often the concerns of citizens and legislators about risk from exposure to chemicals in the environment will come down to decisions in, or conclusions from, chemical risk assessments.

Application of chemical risk assessment at remediation sites is one example where chemicals of concern (COCs) are evaluated in air, water, and soil to aid in risk management decisions. Another area of active work in the risk assessment field is the choice of appropriate chemical hazard and dose-response determinations. This includes determinations for many chemicals present in water, such as disinfection byproducts, heavy metals such as lead, and chemicals that are typically regulated to prevent unpleasant odor or taste (such as sulfates) but that may also have health effects at high enough concentrations.

Some of the open questions about a chemical’s’ risk can be addressed with a thorough review of the literature and analysis of available knowledge. Other questions require development of new methods of risk assessment itself to address problems that cannot be solved with current methodologies. To address the considerations of data review and risk assessment method development, TCEQ is seeking scientific expertise to pursue research that advances the science of risk assessment.

II. DESCRIPTION OF WORK

Work will be proposed in written Work Orders to which the Contractor will respond with a Work Order Budget and, if required by the Work Order, a written Work Plan. All Work must be completed by the Work Order expiration date. The

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Work Order process is defined in the Procedures for Work Orders Section.

A. Contractor must provide specialized toxicological, modeling, risk assessment, or epidemiological analyses to assist TCEQ, as well as to pursue research that advances the science of risk assessment. The goal of the resulting contract is as follows:

• to assist TCEQ in providing the necessary data to help answer questions posed by stakeholders such as concerned citizens, legislators, and the scientific community;

• to assist TCEQ in the development of toxicity factors, in writing comments for federal rulemakings, and in conducting risk assessments;

• to advance knowledge and methods in these fields; and

• to assist in organization of data for analysis. To accomplish this goal, TCEQ is seeking additional scientific experts in subjects such as: water quality, systematic review, dose-response modeling, epidemiology, the Texas Risk Reduction Program (TRRP), physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling, and associated software programs such as R, Microsoft Access, or SAS.

B. The Contractor shall provide scientific expertise for support of, and interaction with, TCEQ scientists. At the discretion of TCEQ, activities described below may be included in any or all Work Orders, in whole or in part:

• Specialized analyses in toxicity factor derivation, which may include assistance with or method development of systematic reviews, hazard identification, dose-response analyses, advanced mathematical modeling, or analysis of epidemiology studies.

• Drafting comments on regulatory documents, particularly on portions of the documents related to causality, risk assessment methodologies, and epidemiology study analyses.

• Performing advanced statistical analyses of toxicological or epidemiological data, which may require the use of specialized software.

• Review and synthesis of chemical-specific literature.

• Conducting original research in the areas outlined in bullets 1-3.

• Contributing to writing and publishing of the Work performed under this contract.

• Provide training to TCEQ staff in areas where TCEQ staff may lack expertise, such as epidemiological assessments or statistical analysis of toxicological or epidemiological data. The Contractor will develop original work to address the above areas of interest.

Contractor shall assess or conduct systematic reviews, literature reviews, document reviews, statistical analyses, database development, risk assessments, and other related activities. This may involve researching and presenting background information on risk assessment of chemicals of concern, toxicity factor derivation, or advanced statistical analysis of toxicological and epidemiological data. Contractor may be required to produce Work within a short time frame (e.g., 30 days).

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III. KEY PERSONNEL RESPONSIBILITIES AND MINIMUM

QUALIFICATIONS

Contractor shall provide competent, suitably qualified personnel to perform the Work. Such qualifications include post-graduate degrees in toxicology, risk assessment, data sciences, statistics, or related scientific fields, and experience with toxicology, statistics, or risk assessment.

KEY PERSONNEL SUBSTITUTIONS AND ADDITIONS

Contractor will ensure that any substitution and/or addition of Key Personnel meet or exceed the minimum requirements of the personnel listed in the List of Key Personnel as proposed during Contract negotiations and Contractor’s original solicitation response. The Contractor must submit the Curriculum Vitae (CV) or resume of any Key Personnel to the TCEQ PM for approval, and document it in an updated List of Key Personnel, within 10 business days of the substitution or change.

PROGRAM MANAGER RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Shall be authorized to legally bind the contracted company/institution/organization for all issues regarding the Contract.

• Responsible for maintaining a complete and effective project team by notifying TCEQ of the addition or substitution of personnel and subcontractors. Changes to the project team must be in accordance with the Contract Documents.

• Responsible for the company/institution/organization's compliance with the HUB Subcontracting Plan (HSP).

• Prepares, reviews, and approves contract documents, including subcontracts, Work Order Budgets and Work Plans.

• Manages Contractor staff and subcontractors.

• Reviews Contract documents and ensures compliance with contractual and legal requirements.

• Maintains communications with the TCEQ Project Manager.

• Prepares reports and participates in conference calls with program staff at TCEQ.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• Ph.D. in Epidemiology, Toxicology, Biological Sciences, Risk Assessment, Mathematics, Data Sciences, Public Policy, or a related field as determined by the TCEQ Project Manager.

• A minimum of seven (7) years’ experience in management of research contracts.

• Five (5) or more years’ experience in at least three (3) of the following:

o Inhalation or oral toxicology;

o Development of toxicity factors and systematic review;

o Reviewing and critiquing federal rulemaking documents related to causality determinations, risk assessment methodologies and epidemiology study analyses;

o Regulatory toxicology;

o Chemical risk assessment;

o Development of Protective Concentration Levels for remediation sites;

o Advanced mathematical modeling/statistical analyses of toxicological or

582-26-00024 Scientific Expertise and Research Services Page 19 of 93 epidemiological data; and o Past experience working with TCEQ or another government entity in a similar capacity (please describe).

PROJECT MANAGER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for overall management of project resources, budget, and schedule;

• Responsible for timely response to TCEQ;

• Supervises the technical and administrative implementation of the project;

• Interfaces with the TCEQ Project Manager, as necessary; and

• Reviews deliverables for quality, completeness, and compliance with contract requirements. Ensures the deliverables are accessible.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• Ph.D. in Epidemiology, Toxicology, Biological Sciences, Risk Assessment, Mathematics, Data Sciences, Public Policy, or a related field as determined by the TCEQ Project Manager.

• A minimum of five (5) years’ experience in management of research contracts.

• Three (3) or more years’ experience in at least two (2) of the following:

o Inhalation or oral toxicology;

o Development of toxicity factors and systematic review;

o Reviewing and critiquing federal rulemaking documents related to causality determinations, risk assessment methodologies and epidemiology study analyses;

o Regulatory toxicology;

o Chemical risk assessment;

o Development of Protective Concentration Levels for remediation sites;

o Advanced mathematical modeling/statistical analyses of toxicological or epidemiological data; and o Past experience working with TCEQ or another regulatory government entity in a capacity similar to the activities outlined in the Scope of Work.

SENIOR SCIENTISTS, JUNIOR SCIENTISTS, RESEARCH ASSOCIATES

RESPONSIBILITIES

As required by Work Orders, assesses or conducts chemical risk assessment;

derives toxicity factors; performs systematic review; provides specialized toxicological, modeling, risk assessment, or epidemiological analyses; or performs other tasks required in the work order.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

Senior Scientists

• Ph.D. in Epidemiology, Toxicology, Biological Sciences, Risk Assessment, Mathematics, Data Sciences, Public Policy, or a related field as determined by the TCEQ Project Manager; and

• Three (3) or more years of relevant experience in the tasks required in the work order.

Junior Scientists

• Ph.D. in Epidemiology, Toxicology, Biological Sciences, Risk Assessment, Mathematics, Data Sciences, Public Policy (or a related field as determined

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• Master’s degree in Epidemiology, Toxicology, Biological Sciences, Risk

Assessment, Mathematics, Data Sciences, Public Policy (or a related field as determined by the TCEQ Project Manager) with a minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience in the tasks required in the work order.

Research Associate

• Masters’ degree in Epidemiology, Toxicology, Biological Sciences, Risk Assessment, Mathematics, Data Sciences, Public Policy (or a related field as determined by the TCEQ Project Manager); or

• Bachelors’ degree in Epidemiology, Toxicology, Biological Sciences, Risk Assessment, Mathematics, Data Sciences, Public Policy (or a related field as determined by the TCEQ Project Manager) with a minimum of two (2) years of relevant experience in the tasks required in the work order.

CONTRACT MANAGER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensure timely and correct invoicing for work.

• Addresses invoicing issues, including subcontractor’s invoices;

Required Experience

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Business or Accounting.

• A minimum of three (3) years’ experience in invoicing of research contracts.

Specifications and Standards for Performance

Electronic copies of the deliverable shall be emailed to TCEQ Project Manager by the deliverable date. TCEQ’s software standards are Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint).

IV. DELIVERABLES

TCEQ shall issue Work Orders which will define specifications and due dates of deliverables.

ARTICLES FOR PUBLICATION

Contractor may be asked to summarize the results of analyses in white papers or manuscripts suitable for submission to a peer-reviewed journal indexed on PubMed. The Contractor shall submit the manuscript to TCEQ for review before submitting to publishers. The Contractor will discuss the appropriate publication type with TCEQ. Before submission to a journal, the Contractor may be required to address comments from TCEQ, and after submission to a journal may be required to address comments from peer reviewers.

BI-MONTHLY PROGRESS REPORTS AND CONFERENCE CALLS

When there are active Work Orders, the Contractor will provide a progress report via email to the TCEQ Project Manager by the first Tuesday of every other month, starting on the first Tuesday 45 days after a Work Order becomes effective. This bimonthly report will include project status and estimated completion date of the current task. At TCEQ’s request, the Contractor will participate in a conference call (e.g., video meetings via Microsoft Teams) held at any time to discuss the progress

582-26-00024 Scientific Expertise and Research Services Page 21 of 93 of the Work. Generation of bi-monthly progress reports and participation in conference calls will not be invoiced as separate items.

CONTRACTOR IN-PERSON MEETINGS

Contractor may be required to attend in-person meetings with TCEQ staff at TCEQ headquarters in Austin, Texas. Most interactions are expected to occur via Microsoft Teams and email.

The frequency of interactions with TCEQ scientists at TCEQ headquarters in Austin may vary depending on the nature of the tasks under each work order and the length of the work order activities. TCEQ would not expect more than one in-person meeting per month, with up to three (3) Contractor personnel. Specific requirements for the meetings will depend on the nature of the tasks under the work order.

All travel costs associated with attending a mandatory in-person meeting with TCEQ scientists at TCEQ headquarters shall be included in the line-item price for Meeting Travel Costs on the price form. Contractor may not bill travel costs associated with Contractor In-Person meetings as itemized travel costs.

QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAM AND PROCEDURES

Contractor’s Quality Assurance Program or Procedures (QAPP) must include an internal peer review process on written reports from Key Personnel other than the Project Manager. The QAPP must specify multilevel review and confirmation of calculations and conclusions by Key Personnel.

Reference:

TCEQ, 2015. RG-442 Guidelines to Develop Toxicity Factors.

https://www.tceq.texas.gov/downloads/toxicology/publications/rg-442.pdf

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EVALUATION CRITERIA

Proposals and Best and Final Offers will be scored on the basis of factors constituting the best value and best interest of the State using the following general categories for which maximum possible scores are shown. The maximum score is one hundred (100).

Responses must include all requested information, or the Response may be disqualified.

Category

Maximum Points to be

Awarded

1. Executive Summary - Qualifications of Company/Institution/

Organization 5 Points

2. Statement of Qualifications - Key Personnel 20 Points

3. Past Performance – Company/ Institution/Organization 30 Points

4. Technical Approach to Performing the Scope of Work 35 Points

5. Price 10 Points

Total Maximum Score 100 Points

TCEQ may consider, for the assignment of points for Qualifications or Past Performance, information regarding the Respondent’s past performance for TCEQ, other governmental entities, and businesses.

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - QUALIFICATIONS OF COMPANY /

INSTITUTION / ORGANIZATION (5 POINTS)

Place information behind TAB 2 of the Response. The Executive Summary is to provide TCEQ with a broad understanding of the proposal and provide the Respondent with an opportunity to describe any unique features of the Response.

Describe the Company’s organization, including at a minimum: type of business organization (e.g., corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship), date established, state of incorporation (if applicable), Texas authorization(s) to conduct business, location of company headquarters and/or relevant branch offices, equipment and other resources deemed necessary to fulfill the requirements of the scope of work.

2. STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS - KEY PERSONNEL (20 POINTS);

Place Information behind TAB 3 of the Response.

Provide a description of the company's key personnel deemed necessary to fulfill the requirements of the Scope of Work. Provide a general explanation and/or chart that specifies project leadership and reporting responsibilities and indicates which team members will interface with TCEQ management.

Complete the List of Key Personnel (Contract Attachment E) listing all key personnel who are proposed to provide services described in the Scope of Work. For each key personnel listed, the Respondent shall describe specific, relevant experience(s) including: contract numbers, dates, and project officers/team leaders for projects listed.

The Respondent shall also provide detailed Curriculum Vitae for all key

582-26-00024 Scientific Expertise and Research Services Page 23 of 90582-26-00024 Scientific Expertise and Research Services Page 23 of 93 personnel. The Respondent shall include the same information for any subcontractors to be engaged as key personnel under this Contract, and should differentiate between employees, independent contractor, and subcontractor employees. If an individual is being proposed for more than one key personnel position, they should be listed under the appropriate heading for each position.

Respondent must use the key personnel preferred qualifications set out in Section III of the Scope of Work. The Respondent may provide titles used within the Respondent’s own organization, but if those titles are used, the Respondent must relate the titles to the key personnel and preferred qualifications described in Section III of the Scope of Work. A Conflict of Interest statement, as described in General Terms and Conditions 8.3, should be included for the organization and the key personnel. A personal conflict of interest exists if an individual or member of the individual’s household has specific personal or financial interests that may be directly affected by the results of the individual’s work. Disclose known apparent, potential, or actual conflicts of interest with the response.

Respondent has a continuing obligation to disclose conflicts of interest during this Solicitation, and if awarded, during the Contract Period. TCEQ may refuse to contract with Respondent or terminate any Contract due to an apparent, potential, or actual conflict of interest.

3. PAST PERFORMANCE – COMPANY/INSTITUTION/ORGANIZATION (30

POINTS)

Place information behind TAB 4 of the Response.

Describe recent and significant instances of past performance of the Respondent that are the same or similar to the Work described in the Scope of Work.

Examples of past performance include past contracts, published peer-reviewed papers, or preparing briefings or whitepapers on toxicity factor derivation, systematic review, advanced mathematical modeling, epidemiology, statistics, or risk assessment.

If the Respondent’s experience includes less than three relevant published papers/white papers, then one-third of the eligible points for this category may be deducted from Respondent’s score for every missing published paper/white paper (e.g., one-third deducted if there are only two relevant published papers/white papers provided, two-thirds deducted if there is only one relevant published paper/white paper provided, etc.). If the Respondent’s experience does not include any Past Contracts, then an additional minimum one-third of the eligible points for this category may be deducted from Respondent’s score.

1. Publications (10 Points): The Respondent shall provide PDF files of at least three (3) published papers or whitepapers that the Respondent has prepared.

Two of the three shall be the most recent the Respondent has performed that are for work similar to the Scope of Work for this Solicitation. The scope of work for the whitepapers/published papers must also be submitted.

2. Past Contracts (10 Points): The Respondent shall provide at least one (1) example of a completed contract. Examples may include contracts with federal, State, or local governments, non-profit entities, or with commercial businesses. For each completed contract, the Respondent must provide the following information:

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a) Project Name and Location: Include the names and phone numbers for Respondent’s and Client’s Project Managers.

b) Client Information: Provide name, address, and telephone number of the Client. Verify this contact information prior to submitting the Proposal and provide a secondary contact if the primary contact is frequently unavailable.

c) Scope of Work: Describe the project's Scope of Work.

d) Nature of Respondent’s Responsibility: Describe the nature of the

Respondent’s responsibility on the project, including whether the Respondent functioned as the prime contractor, consultant, subcontractor, or other.

e) Period of Performance: Provide beginning and end dates. Indicate whether the project was completed within the original schedule.

Describe any delays that occurred and how you responded to them.

f) Dollar Value of the Contract: State the dollar value of the contract.

g) Subcontractors: List subcontractors utilized, if any, and what they were utilized for.

Note: If the Respondent has no relevant past performance history, a Respondent must affirmatively state that he or she has no relevant, directly related, or similar past performance history. If a Respondent does not indicate whether past performance history exists, the Respondent’s Response may not be considered.

3. Past Texas Government Experience (5 Points): The Respondent must identify any work performed by Respondent and any proposed subcontractors that has been completed for the TCEQ or other Texas State Agencies. The TCEQ may take into consideration when evaluating past performance any information gained about a Respondent from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (CPA) Vendor Performance Tracking System (VPTS). For each instance of work, provide the information required under 2 above, plus the contract number, if any.

4. Client References (5 Points): The Respondent shall submit at least three (3) client references including names, contact addresses, email addresses and phone numbers for clients whom the Respondent has performed work that is similar to that described in the Scope of Work. These references may be for published papers/white papers or contracts listed under 1, 2 or 3 above. The Respondent shall not submit the following as references:

a) References whose names may not be listed.

b) References whose names cannot be released under the Texas Public

Information Act.

c) References that will not be willing to have their evaluations released under the Texas Public Information Act.

Note: If clients cannot be contacted because the information supplied is erroneous or incomplete, points may be deducted from the Respondent’s score.

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4. TECHNICAL APPROACH TO PERFORMING THE SCOPE OF WORK (35

POINTS);

Place information behind TAB 5 of the Response.

Following are four (4) example work orders that represent the types of Activities that TCEQ anticipates the Respondent may complete as separate Work Orders under the umbrella contract. Respondents shall submit a Work Plan and Work Order Budget that demonstrates the Technical Approach for each of the four (4) Example Work Orders for Evaluation. Each Work Plan should be formatted as described in the Procedures for Work Orders section of the Sample Contract. Use the line items from the Budget in Attachment B: Work Order Budget to break out the various costs. For- profit organizations do not need to break out the profit in the Budget as it is understood to be included in each of the Price/Cost amounts.

1. Example Work Order 1: Use of probabilistic risk methods in toxicity factor development.

a. Background TCEQ’s Guidelines to Derive Toxicity Factors outlines methods for deriving levels of chemicals in the environment that confer no or minimal human health risk from exposure. A subset of these values are based on chemicals and health effects that are assumed to have a threshold dose-response, meaning that there are concentrations/doses that confer no increased risk from exposure. To provide protection against these chemicals/health effects, TCEQ derives reference values (reference concentrations (RfCs) or reference doses (RfDs) that are set at levels that will confer no increased risk with exposure. These reference values are single, deterministic values that provide assurance of safety if measured concentrations are below the value, but they provide no information about risks if concentrations are above the value. To provide more information about chemical risk, probabilistic methods can be used that provide a continuum of risk, rather than a single deterministic value.

Such probabilistic reference values help provide…