Notice of Intent to Negotiate on a Sole Source Basis for 6 Month Extension to E

Notification of the Government¿s intent to negotiate on a sole source basis to extend EP-C-16-017 ¿Technical Support for Developing and Approving Water Quality Standards and Criteria¿ for six-months in accordance with FAR 6.303- 1(a)(1) ¿ (One Responsible Source).
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Water (OW), Office of Science and Technology) intends to extend contract EP-C-16-017 for an additional six-months period with contractor Horsley Witten Group.

In accordance with FAR 6.303-1(a)(1), there is the only responsible source available that can satisfy agency requirements to provide uninterrupted support to essential requirements under EP- C-16-017, which ends on July 31, 2021. The proposed action would extend EP-C-16-017 to January 31, 2022 and anticipates extending work for (2) Work Assignments with a total maximum level of effort of 3000 hours. This extension is needed to ensure the continuation for essential work that primarily focuses on outreach, communications, and comment response support for the rulemaking efforts currently in process to be conducted under this contract. It is imperative that HW, with its history of support for these specific rulemaking efforts for OW in all periods under the contract (WA¿s 0-01, 1-01, 2-01, 3-01, 4-01 and 4-17), continue to provide uninterrupted support to these efforts under the short extension. Any delays in the support required for the rulemaking process could result in unresponsiveness to stakeholders involved, the inability to meet fast-paced mandated timelines and priorities set by the OW and the agency.

Under the current contract, Horsley Witten Group provides support to the Standards and Health Protection Division (SHPD), under the Office of Science and Technology (OST), within EPA's Office of Water (OW) with multiple responsibilities under the Clean Water Act of 1987 (CWA), as amended, and the BEACH Act of 2000. These include directing and overseeing the national program for adoption of water quality standards (WQS) and application of those standards to beach, fish, and shellfish monitoring and advisory programs. In accomplishing this mission, the program provides management strategies, guidance, assessments, technical support, and tools for use by States and Indian Tribes in developing their water quality standards programs. The continued support is required for outreach, communication, and comment response support for various rulemaking efforts currently in process under this contract and cannot accommodate a lapse in support as they are in critical stages. Also, planning, and logistical support for conferences/training programs is required under this contract. The Contracting Officer has determined that in accordance with FAR 6.303-1(a)(1) ¿ ( One Responsible Source), Horsley Witten Group is the only responsible contractor to provide uninterrupted support of the essential work during the six-month extension period because of its expertise, resources, and experience performing the current contract requirements.
Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort in writing to the identified point of contact no later than 12:00 p.m. EST on July 29th, 2021. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. Please submit any responses via email. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. All responsible sources may submit a capability statement which shall be considered by the agency. For questions, please contact Angela Lower (Contracting Officer) at lower.angela@epa.gov.