Continuation of Study of Emergency Health and Safety Issues of Female Firefighters

The Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency/U.S. Fire Administration (DHS/FEMA/USFA) intends to negotiate and award a purchase order on a sole source basis (IAW FAR 6.302) with the Women in Fire (WIF), 1707 Ibis Dr. Buffalo, MN 55313.

The USFA, in coordination with other organizations, has maintained a program of support, including meeting specialized needs of both the fire service and EMS Responders.  The proposed action is for services, for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate under the authority of FAR 6.302-1, only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

The objective of this action is to have Women in Fire ( https://www.womeninfire.org/) study unique, critical, and emergent issues related to female firefighter occupational health and safety and develop initiatives, programs, and strategies to enhance their health and safety.  This study would also examine health and safety challenges among both career and volunteer women firefighters.  The information obtained in this study will be incorporated into the previous version (2016) of the USFA, Emerging Health and Safety Issues Among Women in the Fire Service.

WIF is the one organization that speaks specifically for women in their profession.  Hundreds of women firefighters and officers from urban fire departments and state or federal wildland agencies belong, as do EMT’s, paramedics, inspectors, dispatchers, and fire service educators. Their website is used by many professional and volunteer first responders and leaders, both female and male.  It provides the latest news and current resources pertaining to health, safety and anti-harassment issues. The WIF has a standing relationship with the International Association of Fire Chiefs; together they published, “Guide for Creating a Diverse & Inclusive Environment”.  This requirement builds upon the work and deliverables under the previous project with WIF.  To award to any other vendor would require development of a new study at a substantial duplication of cost to the Government.  Therefore, WIF is the only responsible source capable of providing this requirement.

Based on the above information, the only organization known which can provide technically acceptable services and maintain the Responder Safety website is the CVVFA.

FEMA determined that the CVVFA is uniquely qualified to perform this work.  This purchase order will be awarded using simplified acquisition procedures in accordance with FAR Part 13.

This notice is NOT a request for quotation (RFQ) for competitive quotes/proposals and no solicitation document exists for this requirement.  However, parties interested in responding to this notice shall submit technical data, including cost, sufficient to determine capability in providing the same services.  All capability statements received by the closing of this notification of this synopsis will be considered by the Government.  A determination by the Government not to compete based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.  Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. 

Submit email capability statements (using PDF, MS Word, Excel attachments) to Jane Huwig-Leister, Contract Specialist at jane.huwig-leister@fema.dhs.gov.  Statements are due not later than 12:00 p.m. EST on September 13, 2022. 

Primary Point of Contact:  Jane Huwig-Leister

Contracting Office Address:

DHS/FEMA/NETC

Building D, Room 122

16825 South Seton Avenue

Emmitsburg, MD  21727

Place of Performance:

Nationwide

Classification Code:  B550

NAICS Code:  813920