OSHA Technical Support_PWS_07.06.2026_FINAL.docx

For Request for Information (RFI)

Performance Work Statement (PWS)

Performance Work Statement (PWS)

OSHA Technical Support

Part 1 General Information

Description of Services/Introduction:

The contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to provide technical, analytical, and project support for OSHA’s rulemaking and guidance development support, economic analyses, literature search and information management, compliance assistance support, enforcement support, program and project management support activities as defined in this PWS. The contractor shall perform to the standards in this contract.

Background:

OSHA has multiple initiatives underway, including rulemaking and guidance development and projects requiring health effects evaluations, risk assessments, literature search and information management, economic and burden analyses, enforcement support, program and project management support activities, to name a few. OSHA seeks contractor assistance for these efforts.

Objectives:

To assist OSHA in furthering its mission by providing various program management support, economic analyses, rulemaking and guidance development, and other administrative functions as stated in the PWS.

Scope:

The contractor shall support OSHA’s mission objectives, including but not limited to, program management support, rulemaking and guidance development support, literature research; preparing analyses; drafting, editing, and reviewing materials and developing draft documents and tools necessary to support agency decision-making and public-facing products, and enforcement support.

Period of Performance:

To be determined.

General Information

1.6.1 Quality Control:

The contractor shall develop and maintain an effective quality control program to ensure services performed are in accordance with this PWS. The contractor shall develop and implement procedures to identify, prevent, and ensure non-recurrence of defective services. Contractor methodologies used to collect and evaluate data are subject to the approval of the Project Monitor and COR. Whenever estimates are based on professional judgment, the logic behind the judgment will be clearly presented. The quality of the work will be judged on responsiveness to OSHA direction, thoroughness of data collection efforts, validity of data sources, reasonableness of assumptions, completeness of analytical models, and general management of resources given time and budget constraints.

1.6.2 Quality Assurance:

The government shall evaluate the contractor’s performance under this contract action in accordance with the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan. This plan is primarily focused on what the government must do to ensure that the contractor has performed in accordance with the performance standards. It defines how the performance standards will be applied, the frequency of surveillance, and the minimum acceptable defect rate(s).

1.6.3 Government Remedies:

The contracting officer shall follow FAR 52.212-4, “Contract Terms and Conditions Commercial Items” or 52.246-4, “Inspection of Services-Fixed Price” for contractor’s failure to perform satisfactory services or failure to correct non-conforming services.

1.6.4 Recognized Holidays:

The contractor will not be required to work on Federal holidays.

Independence Day

1.6.5 Place of Performance:

The contractor is responsible for conducting work during normal working hours Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays or when the Government facility is closed due to emergencies, administrative closings, or similar Government-directed closures. The contractor must at all times maintain an adequate workforce for uninterrupted performance of all tasks defined within this PWS when the Government facility is not closed for the above reasons. When hiring personnel, the contractor shall keep in mind that stability and continuity of the workforce are essential.

1.6.6 Type of Contract:

To be determined.

1.6.7 Security Requirements:

1.6.7.1. Physical Security.

The contractor shall be responsible for safeguarding all government property provided for contractor use. At the close of each work period, government facilities, equipment, and materials shall be secured.

1.6.8 Special Qualifications:

Not applicable.

1.6.9 Post Award Conference/Periodic Progress Meetings:

The Contractor agrees to attend any post award conference convened by the contracting activity or contract administration office in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation Subpart 42.5. The OSHA Directorate of Standards and Guidance will initiate the project at a kickoff meeting, which the Contractor shall attend, along with the COR, Project Monitor, and other OSHA representatives to obtain a clear understanding of OSHA's specific requirements and to establish a project protocol and the timetable for completion. For this Call order, a conference call will be sufficient to initiate the project.

The contractor shall brief the COR and Project Monitor as often as necessary on project status, including any foreseeable future issues of time and/or resources, particularly when such problems might delay deliverable progress. The briefings shall include recommended solutions, may be in person, by telephone, e-mail, or letters as mutually convenient, and shall be issue-specific. Appropriate action shall be taken to resolve outstanding issues. These meetings shall be at no additional cost to the government.

1.6.10 Contracting Officer Representative (COR):

A COR will be delegated separately.

1.6.11 Key Personnel:

To be determined.

1.6.12 Identification of Contractor Employees:

All contract personnel attending meetings, answering government telephones, and working in other situations where their contractor status is not obvious to third parties are required to identify themselves as such to avoid creating an impression in the minds of members of the public that they are government officials. They must also ensure that all documents or reports produced by contractors are suitably marked as contractor products or that contractor participation is appropriately disclosed. Not required to be badged or onboarded unless computer equipment is required.

1.6.13 Organizational Conflict of Interest:

Contractor and subcontractor personnel performing work under this contract may receive, have access to, or participate in the development of proprietary or source selection information (e.g., cost or pricing information, budget information or analyses, specifications or work statements, etc.) or perform evaluation services which may create a current or subsequent Organizational Conflict of Interests (OCI), as defined in FAR Subpart 9.5. The contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer immediately whenever it becomes aware that such access or participation may result in any actual or potential OCI and shall promptly submit a plan to the Contracting Officer to avoid or mitigate any such OCI. The contractor’s mitigation plan will be determined to be acceptable solely at the discretion of the Contracting Officer and in the event the Contracting Officer unilaterally determines that any such OCI cannot be satisfactorily avoided or mitigated, the Contracting Officer may effect other remedies as he or she deems necessary, including prohibiting the contractor from participation in subsequent contracted requirements which may be affected by the OCI.

1.6.14 Phase In/Phase Out Period:

N/A

Part 2 Definition & Acronyms

PWS. Performance Work Statement

Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). A representative from the requiring activity assigned by the Contracting Officer to perform surveillance and to act as liaison to the contractor

Defective Service. A service output that does not meet the standard of performance associated with it in the Performance Work Statement.

DOL. Department of Labor

Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). An organized written document specifying the surveillance methodology to be used for surveillance of contractor performance.

Quality Control. Those actions taken by a contractor to control the performance of services so that they meet the requirements of the PWS.

Quality Assurance. Those actions taken by the government to assure services meet the requirements of the Performance Work Statement.

Best Effort. That effort expended by the contractor to perform within the awarded ceiling price all work specified in this acquisition and all other obligations under this acquisition. This effort includes providing required qualified personnel, properly supervised, and following industry accepted methodologies and other practices. The effort is further characterized by operating at all times with the Government’s best interest in mind, using efficient and effective methods, and demonstrating sound cost control. The effort must be identical to the effort that would be expended if this were a firm-fixed price acquisition and the contractor’s profits were dependent upon reducing costs while meeting the Government’s requirements in terms and quality and schedule. Failure to provide this required effort may result in the withholding of payment for hours expended that do not qualify as best effort or a reduction in the rate per hour to reflect decreased value of services received.

OSHA Program/Project Monitor. The government technical staff person chiefly responsible for assigning tasks to the contractor, managing the workflow, and reviewing deliverables.

PWR. Performance Work Requirement.

PRS. Performance Requirements Summary

Part 3 Government Furnished Property, Equipment, And Services

3.1 General:

The government shall provide the facilities, equipment, materials, and/or services listed below.

3.2 Equipment:

If deemed necessary, the government may issue, at its discretion, supplemental equipment (e.g., computing equipment).

3.3 Services:

N/A

3.4 Facilities:

Remote - The contractor will furnish necessary equipment to perform the effort(s) outlined in this PWS remotely, at a location other than a government-owned or contractor-owned facility.

Part 4 Contractor Furnish Items and Services

4.1 General:

Except for those items specifically stated to be government furnished in Part 3, the contractor shall furnish everything required to perform this PWS.

4.2 Clearance:

DOL will conduct background investigations and issue PIVs for contractors requiring building access.

Part 5 Specific Tasks

5.1 Basic Services:

Orders will be issued and funded to a set dollar level for work to be performed at the direction of the Contracting Officer. The COR and/or Technical Task Monitor identified under each Order will direct work (i.e., Service Requests) against funded orders as necessary. All Service Requests will be in writing and communicated to the Contractor via email. The format of and the information to be contained within each Service Request will be determined by agreement between the COR and Contractor following contract award and prior to issuance of the each Service Request/Call Order.

The Contractor shall notify the COR when 70% of the funds on an Order are expended. In no event is the Contractor authorized to exceed the funding of any Order. Should the Contractor perform work above and beyond the level of funding under an Order, any work performed will be done at the Contractor’s own risk.

The Orders will include assignments in one or more of the following areas, including support for rulemaking and guidance development, compliance assistance, enforcement programs, and agency-wide program/project management.

5.2 Rulemaking and Guidance Development Support

Over the course of the rulemaking and guidance development processes, OSHA acquires large amounts of information and must address a variety of substantive issues before promulgating a final regulation or issuing guidance materials. The Contractor shall provide labor, materials, and incidental items needed to support this process, including:

5.2.1 Comparing observed health effects, injury and illness data, and industrial hygiene and safety practices among several industry sectors.

5.2.2 Analyzing public comments received in response to Advance Notices of Proposed Rulemaking, Requests for Information, and Proposed Rules concerning the selection of permissible exposure limits and action levels, adoption of consensus standards, and other regulatory provisions.

5.2.3 Analyzing public comment on draft guidance documents to ensure accuracy, readability, and appropriateness for target audiences.

5.2.4 Developing and editing preambles, questions for comment, requests for information, text of appendices, and related materials.

5.2.5 Identifying the need for, researching, and developing draft guidance products in accordance with OMB Bulletin 07‑02, “Agency Good Guidance Practices.”

5.2.6 Analyzing recommended strategies for reducing risks, identifying the most effective strategies, and assessing the limitations of control methods.

5.2.7 Conducting site visits and industry studies to collect information on exposures and control strategies.

5.2.8 Identifying methodologies for facilitating the development of standards and guidance.

5.2.9 Developing information, strategies, research needs, issue papers, testing protocols, or regulatory and non‑regulatory options.

5.2.10 Applying the principles of industrial/organizational psychology to the design and implementation of safety and health management systems.

5.2.11 Developing information for training, compliance, and outreach related to standards.

5.2.12 Appearing and testifying/presenting information at rulemaking hearings and related meetings.

5.2.13 Assisting in mediated rulemaking or guidance development, including stakeholder identification and meeting support.

5.2.14 Reviewing current regulations, consensus standards, and existing guidance materials; consolidating and analyzing comments; identifying changes; and prioritizing revisions.

5.2.15 Assisting in arranging and conducting workshops and stakeholder meetings.

5.2.16 Coordinating outside peer reviews of technical assessments in accordance with OMB’s Information Quality Bulletin for Peer Review.

5.2.17 Assisting in developing information and statements supporting OSHA positions in interagency processes and congressional inquiries.

5.2.18 Providing graphics and computer support to develop user‑friendly guidance products.

5.2.19 Providing technical input to ensure consistency between regulatory materials and OSHA compliance assistance products, enforcement guidance, outreach materials, and other agency communications.

5.3 Economic Analyses

Tasks in this area shall include gathering and analyzing data to:

5.3.1 Estimate the benefits and relative cost‑effectiveness of a potential standard or guidance activity.

5.3.2 Prepare exposure profiles of current employee exposures to various occupational hazards.

5.3.4 Prepare industry profiles identifying hazardous processes, employment levels, and financial characteristics of potentially affected establishments.

5.3.5 Determine costs and impacts on small firms, identify alternatives to alleviate impacts, and prepare materials to assist employers in compliance.

5.3.6 Determine economic and technological feasibility, compliance costs, and economic impacts of proposed standards, guidance, and alternatives.

5.3.7 Review, evaluate, and update economic studies produced by other contractors or OSHA.

5.3.8 Conduct analyses supporting enforcement initiatives, National and Local Emphasis Programs, compliance assistance campaigns, and emerging hazard evaluations.

5.3.9 Develop economic, technological, and feasibility assessments applicable to enforcement policy, small business assistance, and OSHA program implementation.

5.4 Literature Search and Information Management

Tasks in this area shall include:

5.4.1 Analyzing information requirements and developing improved methods for acquiring, indexing, and extracting information supporting OSHA programs.

5.4.2 Cross‑referencing available data by hazard type and industry classification.

5.4.3 Performing literature searches and data analyses to augment existing reference materials.

5.4.5 Retrieving and providing copies of identified literature relevant to standards and guidance.

5.4.6 Summarizing literature on specific topics.

5.4.7 Providing logistics support for advisory committee meetings.

5.4.8 Evaluating commercially available software supporting information retrieval for docket submissions.

5.4.9 Assisting with abstracting and summarizing testimony and docket comments.

5.4.10 Providing information management support for compliance assistance products, enforcement documentation, and program/project management needs.

5.5 Compliance Assistance Support

The Contractor shall provide technical and communication support for OSHA’s compliance assistance and outreach programs, including DCSP, OTI, Regional Offices, NEPs/LEPs, and national campaigns. Tasks include:

5.5.1 Developing plain‑language compliance assistance materials, including fact sheets, QuickCards, small business guides, eTools, templates, and digital content.

5.5.2 Translating regulatory and technical requirements into accessible materials for workers, employers, and small businesses.

5.5.3 Supporting National and Local Emphasis Programs with outreach materials and industry‑specific compliance guides.

5.5.4 Assisting in stakeholder engagement, outreach campaigns, webinars, training events, and technical presentations.

5.5.5 Identifying best practices and effective control strategies across industry sectors to support proactive employer compliance.

5.6 Enforcement Support

The Contractor shall provide technical and analytical support for OSHA’s enforcement activities, including DEP, DWPP, Regional Offices, and field staff. Tasks include:

5.6.1 Providing expert consultation for complex inspections involving chemical, biological, ergonomic, heat, infectious disease, PSM, robotics, AI‑enabled systems, and other hazards.

5.6.2 Supporting review of case files, exposure data, hazard assessments, and feasibility analyses.

5.6.3 Developing technical content for enforcement memoranda, directives, field operations guidance, and inspection tools.

5.6.4 Analyzing enforcement data to identify trends, emerging hazards, and opportunities for program improvement.

5.6.5 Providing technical input or expert testimony supporting enforcement actions, when required.

5.6.6 Assisting in rapid‑response activities for emerging hazards or national‑level events.

5.7 Program and Project Management Support

The Contractor shall provide programmatic and project management support across OSHA directorates and regions. Tasks include:

5.7.1 Supporting project planning, scheduling, milestone tracking, workflow management, and quality assurance.

5.7.2 Developing performance metrics, dashboards, and data visualizations to support program oversight and decision‑making.

5.7.3 Preparing briefing materials, leadership reports, congressional responses, and interagency coordination documents.

5.7.4 Supporting logistics for advisory committees, stakeholder meetings, workshops, and public events.

5.7.5 Assisting in strategic planning, organizational assessments, program evaluations, and continuous improvement initiatives.

5.7.6 Providing surge capacity for high‑priority assignments, emerging hazards, and cross‑directorate initiatives.

5.2.7 Providing services of recognized experts in subjects relevant to OSHA for the various areas outlined in the specific tasks of this Performance Work Statement.

Part 6 Applicable Publications

To be determined.

N/A