Attachment_1_-_PWS.pdf

SOL-CI-15-00023

Attachment 1

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

SUPPORT FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF MUNICIPAL

WASTEWATER AND DRINKING WATER PROGRAMS

I. BACKGROUND

Under the Clean Water Act (CWA) and the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), States, local communities, public water systems and Indian Tribes have significant responsibilities for the construction of facilities and the implementation of programs necessary to achieve water quality standards and to protect public health. To support this responsibility, the 1987 Amendments to the CWA authorized a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) program and in 1997, Amendments to the SDWA authorized a Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) program. These programs assist States, local communities, public water systems and Indian Tribes in financing the infrastructure necessary to achieve compliance with CWA and SDWA requirements. The SDWA Amendments also establish a strong new emphasis on State action in preventing contamination of source waters and for water systems management.

In 2014, the Water Resources Reform and Development Act authorized a new program under the title of the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act. This program authorizes EPA to provide credit assistance, in the form of loans or guarantees, to corporations, partnerships, joint ventures, trusts, Federal, State, or local government entities, agencies, or instrumentalities, tribal governments or consortiums of tribal governments, and State infrastructure financing authorities (State Revolving Fund programs), for the purpose of financing needed water infrastructure improvements, of national or regional significance.

Recognizing the importance of State and Local action, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is committed to working with States and local communities to assist in the prudent selection of technology and management necessary to promote effective water conservation and pollution prevention.

II. OBJECTIVE

The contractor shall provide the level of effort, material, equipment, and facilities necessary to provide timely, professional financial assessment, technical, logistical and ancillary support services to the EPA, Office of Water (OW). Under specific work assignments, the contractor shall communicate methodologies and alternatives to promote compliance with the CWA and SDWA requirements by States, local communities, and Indian Tribes, in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.

III. TASK DESCRIPTIONS

The contractor will provide support for the following tasks:

A. Finance

The contractor will conduct economic and financial analyses related to the preparation of draft guidance and evaluations associated with the development and implementation of water quality and drinking water activities.

1) The contractor will evaluate and prepare recommendations for EPA review and determination related to proposed legislation affecting water infrastructure funding program design, implementation, and management, including estimates of fiscal and financial implications of various changes to current approaches.

2) The contractor will provide technical review of proposed CWSRF financial proposals. All final decisions regarding funding of State Proposals shall be made by EPA. This work may specifically include:

(a) Identification of strengths and weaknesses of proposals, their long and short-term cost, and their compliance with applicable statutes, regulations, guidance, and financial evaluations.

(b) Identification of options to identify and/or improve upon alternatives which States or EPA might consider prior to taking action on a grant award.

3) The contractor will provide technical support and prepare analyses with recommendations of new proposals for the financing of environmental projects and the treatment of environmental debt financing under the federal tax code.

4) The contractor will monitor and prepare assessments regarding the potential impact of financial market conditions, current and proposed federal lax statutes, and other regulations and factors, as may affect applicable water programs.

5) The contractor will provide technical support to OW in estimating the cost to comply with infrastructure program requirements. Including the cost of designing, implementing, and managing water quality and drinking water programs and the cost of financing, constructing and operating facilities.

6) The contractor will provide technical support in preparing financial analyses of proposed State Revolving Funds and provide input for the review of programs and proposals, to include the evaluation of options that would modify or revise CWSRF and DWSRF programs.

7) The contractor will develop and modify methodologies for analysis of the relative financial health of CWSRF and DWSRF programs, including the assessment of the benefits of wastewater treatment facilities, drinking water facilities and other eligible activities.

8) The contractor will evaluate and/or recommend methods to allocate Headquarters, Regional, and State resources to manage base water quality and drinking water programs and other current and planned initiatives. Final decisions on the allocation of resources will be made by EPA and the States.

9) The contractor will conduct analyses of proposed changes to the CWSRF and DWSRF programs to enable EPA to determine the means for identifying and reducing procedural and paperwork burdens.

B. Technical Support for Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Programs

The contractor will provide technical support for the development, implementation, and management of CWSRF and DWSRF programs.

1) The contractor will provide technical support for the implementation of new program direction found in appropriation and reauthorization bills, to include, technical assistance with the development and implementation of regulations, guidance, and background materials; and the preparation of background and training materials for, and the organization of, briefing, orientation, and training sessions for program stakeholders and for the general public.

2) The contractor will assist with the conduct of program management reviews, regional and state SRF evaluations and state SRF audits to include compiling and analyzing findings with recommendations.

3) The contractor will compile comments submitted on proposed rulemakings and draft proposed responses to those comments, as well as provide support in the preparation of draft guidance on OW programs.

4) The contractor will provide technical support regarding the maintenance, updating, implementation, and quality assurance and control of management information systems necessary to prepare regular program status reports and to respond to Congressional and other inquiries regarding the CWSRF and DWSRF programs.

5) The contract may potentially upon authorization of the CO and the Office of Water’s Information Management Official include the development of information technology products for EPA such as on-line tools and mobile applications. All technology products must be conducted in adherence to Agency policy and procedures. All development if approved by the CO and IMO must be conducted on systems that have an approved Authority to Operate (ATO) in accordance with the Federal Information Security Management Act. (FISMA)

6) The contractor will develop drafts of revised CWSRF and DWSRF program guidance to implement new/modified CWA and SDWA reauthorization requirements.

7) The contractor will assistant with the development and implementation of a national marketing and outreach initiative that expands the customer base of the program and accelerates its growth, to include the preparation of marketing strategies, training materials, case studies, fact sheets, webcasts; and the conduct of marketing events such as training sessions and focus groups.

8) The contractor will provide technical support for the development and management of Agency recognition programs for outstanding State and local water quality and drinking water programs.

9) The contractor will provide technical support for the evaluation of current water infrastructure funding program operations, including:

(a) Support in resolving issues pertaining to program implementation, program management, and the assessment of program effectiveness, including the identification and analysis of environmental, financial, and other factors that may impact public acceptance and program implementation.

(b) Research, compilation, and summarization of historical and current information describing trends that affect OW activities.

(c) Conduct analyses, evaluations, literature searches, and other research in examining and recommending improvements to the base programs.

(d) Recommendation of options/alternatives to proposed changes in EPA or State water programs that may adversely impact water quality standards

C. Technical Support for State Programs

The contractor will provide technical support in identifying issues and options relating to State capabilities in management of water programs.

1) The contractor will identify and evaluate options for funding State programs and, as appropriate, alternative funding strategies.

2) The contractor will estimate State financing needs for administration of drinking water and water quality program management activities.

3) The contractor will develop case studies and other information materials describing successful program funding approaches.

4) The contractor will develop draft strategies and recommendations for enhancing State-capacity to provide support to municipalities regarding evaluation and implementation of alternative financing methods, including Public-Private Partnership arrangements.

5) The contractor will review selected training, outreach, and other programs related to financing and management of environmental infrastructure including the identification of opportunities and options for program improvement.

D. Technical Support for Green Infrastructure, Smart Growth, Livable Communities and Other New Initiatives

1) The contractor will provide technical support to several new program initiatives intended to increase SRF support of green or nontraditional projects, smart growth and livable community objectives, and innovative regional programs to include preparing analyses of new technologies, ideas and low impact alternatives; and preparing presentation and training materials, fact sheets, and case studies.

2) The contractor will provide technical support for analyses of policy, proposals and issues dealing with water efficiency, energy efficiency, green infrastructure, smart growth, and livable communities.

3) The contractor will provide technical implementation support for various regional and state water efficiency and energy efficiency programs, green infrastructure Programs, smart growth and livable community programs.

E. Technical Support for the Special Appropriation Act Projects (SAAP)

1) The contractor will conduct analyses of proposed changes to the SAAP grants to enable EPA to determine the means for identifying and reducing procedural and paperwork burdens.

2) The contractor will provide technical support to OW and, through OW, to the Regions with respect to the development, implementation, and management of SAAP grants.

3) The contractor will provide technical support for the evaluation of project management by SAAP grantees.

4) The contractor will develop and maintain database information on the SAAP grants and assist Regions and Office of Wastewater Management (OWM) in entering and extracting data from other sources.

F. Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) Development and Implementation Support

1) The contractor will support the organization and execution of marketing and informational sessions throughout the country, as needed.

2) The contractor shall provide initial support in the development and implementation of the WIFIA loan process, subsidy reserve modeling, and financial guidelines for creditworthiness analysis.

3) The contractor shall prepare outlines for EPA review and prepare full drafts of the following documents for EPA review: WIFIA loan process description; subsidy reserve model report; and creditworthiness analysis guidelines.

4) The contractor shall develop educational and marketing materials suitable for the purpose of gaining widespread awareness and understanding of WIFIA among the community of eligible recipients of its assistance. Such materials shall include initially the development of materials for a website for the pilot fully describing in plain English its purposes, eligibilities, schedule and registration information for the marketing or informational sessions, contact information, and the schedule for full implementation. Other promotional materials to be developed will include a four page fact sheet on the pilot and a quarterly newsletter for widespread distribution by OW.

5) The contractor shall develop and present webinars on the WIFIA loan process for the community of eligible recipients.

G. Informational Materials

1) The contractor will prepare draft guidance documents, case studies, brochures, handbooks, reports, fact sheets, training guides, models, program descriptions, outreach materials, and other written informational materials.

2) The contractor will provide technical support for the preparation of public information documents about the CWSRF and DWSRF programs, to include:

(a) Graphics support services, to include without limitation, charts, and tables for presentation enhancement.

(b) Searches for graphic and photographic images, which may be available from existing sources or in the public domain.

(c) Design and layout of documents and position papers.

(d) Design of Internet web pages.

3) Preparing information materials under this contract:

(a) The contractor will evaluate the quality of current information materials and recommend additional products.

(b) The contractor will conduct information and literature searches for technical and non-technical information relating to program finance, design, infrastructure, water efficiency, and/or management of water quality and drinking water programs.

4) The contractor will maintain an online discussion forum for program stakeholders.

H. Audio-Visual Materials

1) The contractor will prepare slide shows, videotapes, interactive computer-based modules, and other audio-visual information and training materials for SRF and SAAP workshops and conferences.

2) All materials prepared will be review and approved by the Work Assignment Manager prior to acceptance. All applicable regulations pertaining to the reproduction of materials will be adhered to.

I. Meetings, Briefings, Workshops, and Conferences

1) The contractor will organize regional and national meetings, briefings, workshops, seminars and conferences on program development, issues, and opportunities, to include the preparation of meeting materials; securing the meeting rooms; and assessing, collecting, and disbursing the necessary fees to cover meeting expenses.

2) The subject of the meetings will be related to statutory and regulatory issues, program design, financing, construction/implementation, operation and management of environmental facilities and activities, water efficiency and energy efficiency, green infrastructure and new program initiatives.

3) Such meetings may be intended to obtain public input in the development of OW policy and regulations, to explain OW policy and program requirements, or to train interested program managers.

4) The contractor will support EPA by preparing draft agendas, arranging meeting facilities, and preparing briefing materials. The contractor will provide a list of speakers for the PO's approval, invite participants, and document meeting results.

5) Specific guidance will be provided by EPA Work Assignment Manager (WAM) concerning the agenda, speakers, the number of attendees, time and location, and any requirement for visual aids, graphics support, and the level of meeting documentation required.

IV. Information Technology

All work performed under this contract shall adhere to EPAAR 1552.211-79 "Compliance with EPA Policies for Information Resources Management", which requires the adherence to all Agency directives for performance of any IRM related work.

V. Quality Management Plan

A Quality Management Plan (QMP) must be prepared in accordance with the specifications provided in EPA Requirements for Quality Management Plans or documentation determined by EPA to be equivalent to R-2, which describes the quality system implemented by the contractor.

Information relevant to EPA requirements for the preparation of QMPs may be found at http://www.epa.gov/quality/qs-docs/r2-final.pdf http://www.epa.gov/quality/qs-docs/r2-final.pdf