EPA Remedial Acquisition Framework: Environmental Services and Operations (ESO)

Added: Sep 19, 2014 4:33 pm Modified: Oct 03, 2014 10:52 amTrack Changes The purpose of this modification is to postpone the Remedial Acquisition Framework (RAF) Webinar dated October 8, 2014. The RAF Webinar has been rescheduled for Tuesday, October 28, 2014, from 2:30-4:30 PM EDT.

Added: Sep 19, 2014 4:33 pm THERE IS NO SOLICITATION BEING ISSUED AT THIS TIME. NO CONTRACT WILL BE AWARDED FROM THIS SOURCES SOUGHT/REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (SS/RFI). NO REIMBURSEMENT WILL BE MADE FOR ANY COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH PROVIDING INFORMATION IN RESPONSE TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND/OR ANY FOLLOW-UP REQUESTS. No communications that request additional information or a solicitation will be accepted or acknowledged.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing this Sources Sought/Request for Information (SS/RFI) as a means of conducting market research to identify parties having an interest in the Environmental Services and Operations (ESO) portion of the Superfund Remedial Acquisition Framework (RAF).

This ESO SS/RFI is in addition to the Sources Sought/Request for Information -- Superfund Remedial Acquisition Framework (RAF) posting dated February 27, 2014, under SOL-R3-13-00006. As explained in the SS/RFI for the RAF, full service Remedial Action Contracts (RACs) will no longer be used to deliver Superfund remedial program requirements. Instead, requirements will be met with three (3) different suites of contracts:

- Design and Engineering Services (DES) (SOL-HQ-14-00022) contractors will perform professional services of a scientific, architecture and engineering nature for remedial investigations, feasibility studies; remedial designs; and general technical assistance;

- Remediation Environmental Services (RES) (SOL-HQ-14-00023) contractors will perform remedial and removal action services, which may include significant construction components; and

- Environmental Services and Operations (ESO) (SOL-R1-14-00003) contracts are explained in detail below.

Questions have been raised to the EPA regarding the differences between the DES and ESO contract requirements and how they will be used by the EPA Superfund Remedial program.

The DES contract is acquiring professional architect and engineering services under FAR Part 36 and the Brooks Act. These professional services will be used to deliver activities that require this expertise which include: remedial investigation/feasibility studies, remedial designs, treatability studies, and some oversight of environmental remediation work provided by responsible parties, other Federal Agencies, states, and tribes where professional services are necessary.

The ESO contract is acquiring services under FAR Part 15. These contracts will primarily be used to operate remedies (e.g., groundwater pump and treat systems) and provide a majority of the oversight of environmental remediation work provided by responsible parties, other Federal Agencies, states, and tribes. The ESO Statement of Work (SOW) also contains work areas that would typically be handled under the DES contract, but do not require the professional architecture and engineering services acquired under Part 36.

This SS/RFI only pertains to the ESO requirement. For more information regarding the RAF, please view the Federal Business Opportunities (fbo.gov) Solicitation Number SOL-R3-13-00006. The purpose of this SS/RFI is to notify the contracting community of the proposed ESO suite of contracts, identify potential offerors via capability statements, and request feedback on the proposed process.

The primary purpose of the contracts awarded under the Remedial Acquisition Framework will be to provide national support through multiple award contracts to the EPA remedial program and its responsibilities under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA); the Superfund Act of 1980, as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA); the Robert T. Stafford Natural Disaster Act pursuant to the Federal Response Plan (FRP); and other laws to help address and/or mitigate endangerment to public health, welfare or the environment during emergencies and natural disasters. The purpose is also to support states, tribal governments, local governments, and communities in preparing for and responding to releases of hazardous substances, pollutants, and contaminants. These contracts may also be used to support other EPA programs and perhaps federal agencies requiring similar services (e.g. Federal Facilities program, Su perfund removal program, Brownfields program, etc.).

In the "Search Criteria" field in FedConnect.net, please change the dropdown to "Reference Number" and type in SOL-R1-14-00003.