Scientific and Technical Support for the Engineering and Analysis Division

THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT SYNOPSIS FOR WRITTEN INFORMATION ONLY. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION ANNOUNCEMENT FOR PROPOSALS AND NO CONTRACT WILL BE AWARDED FROM THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is performing a market research for large and small businesses in preparation for a future procurement.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency has a need for a contractor to provide sampling and analytical services to the EPA for its consideration in the development, assessment and revision of effluent limitation guidelines and standards that are under the Clean Water Act.

Specific areas to be addressed in capability packages are as follows:
-Coordination of Sampling Activities
-Assessment and Development of revised or new industrial Effluent Limitation Guidelines (ELG)
-Laboratory Coordination Support
-Quality Assurance/Quality Control Support
-Data Management Support
-Samples/Chemicals Handling Support
-Technical Support for Regulations, Enforcement, Litigation and Cooperative Monitoring Efforts
-Preparation and Provision of Standards (i.e., performance evaluation standards)
-Field/Analytical Sampling Support
-Test Methods Development and Evaluation Support
-Development and Review of Technical Documents
-Statistical Analysis Support
-Meeting and Workshop Support
-Preparation of Outreach Materials

Potential organizations must possess:
-Technical and analytical support experience related to analytical methods and sampling
-Experience with analysis, data review, and data handling of water and water-related samples, such as wastewater, biosolids, drinking water, microorganisms, and fish tissue
-Technical expertise in the fields of analytical chemistry, microbiology, methods of analysis for water-related matrices, sludge and sediments, analytical laboratory quality control, automated management information systems, and field sampling.
-Experience in the development, assessment and revision of industrial effluent limitation guidelines and standards;
-Experience in the development of single and multi-laboratory validation of analytical methods;
-Experience in the development, implementation and audits of quality assurance/quality control procedures
-Experience in the development and management of databases for effluent guidelines and/or other environmental programs

This is a follow-on to current contract EP-C-17-024. The successful contractor shall supply all necessary labor, materials, services, equipment, and facilities in support of the efforts delineated by the Performance Work Statement (PWS). A draft PWS is attached to this synopsis. The government is still considering which task order type(s) will be utilized, and is contemplating Firm Fixed Price and Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee task orders. The base period is expected to begin on August 1, 2022. The base period and each available option period will consist of 13,500 direct labor hours with each period having the potential of an additional 13,500 direct labor hours. It is anticipated that the contract will have one (1) base period with four (4) option periods consisting of 12-months each for a total maximum potential performance period of five (5) years and a total maximum of 135,000 direct labor hours. The applicable NAICS code is 541620 with a size standard of $16.5 Million.

It is anticipated that the following firms will be excluded from consideration for award:
-Firms that own or operate an analytical laboratory
-Firms that act in consulting, advisory, or legal capacities with, or for, firms trying to overturn or circumvent regulations on Part 136 Analytical Methods, effluent guidelines and wastewater.

Additionally, all offerors will be required to disclose any business or financial relationships with the following firms, which may be directly or indirectly impacted by the work under the resulting contract:

-Firms that are engaged in conventional and unconventional oil and gas extraction
-Firms that are engaged in energy production
-Firms engaged in petroleum refining
-Firms engaged in metal finishing
-Firms engaged in chemicals manufacturing, formulating or packaging
-Firms engaged in nanomaterials manufacturing or product formulation
-Firms engaged in PFAS (Per and polyfluoroalkyl substances)
-Firms engaged in meat and poultry industry
-Firms that are engaged in seafood processing

Draft COI clauses are attached to this synopsis as well.

Any interested firms should submit a capability statement which demonstrates the firm¿s ability to perform the key requirements described above. Standard company brochures will not be considered a sufficient response to this Source Sought Synopsis. In the capabilities statements, contractors should provide their size status for the above referenced NAICS code, (i.e. large, small) and whether or not they are a certified hubzone, 8(a), women-owned, small disadvantaged and/or disabled veteran owned concern.

As a reminder, small businesses are required to perform at least 50 percent of the costs of the contract performance with their own personnel (FAR 52.219-14 (March 2020)). The EPA reserves the right to set this action aside for small businesses. Capabilities Statements in response to this Sources Sought Synopsis MUST BE SUBMITTED THROUGH THE FEDCONNECT PORTAL MESSAGE CENTER by 4:00 p.m. EST, on August 13, 2021. Any questions regarding the content of this Sources Sought Synopsis announcement must be submitted through the FedConnect portal. You must register with FedConnect to submit documents, questions, and to view responses. FedConnect can be accessed at https://www.fedconnect.net/Fedconnect/. FedConnect is a web portal that connects agencies and vendors to streamline the process of doing business with the federal government. Through FedConnect contractors will be able to receive, review and respond to contract pre- and post-award actions and documents such as correspondence, request for proposals, tasking instruments and contract modifications. The use of FedConnect also furthers the EPA's commitment to moving towards a paperless acquisition environment by reducing its carbon footprint and conducting its business in an ecologically friendly manner. There is no charge to use FedConnect. Vendors can register with FedConnect at www.fedconnect.net/FedConnect/. For assistance in registering or for other FedConnect technical questions please call the FedConnect Help Desk at (800) 899-6665. In addition, all vendors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM), as this facilitates registration for FedConnect. Please note that vendors MUST have their SAM profile set to ¿public,¿ otherwise FedConnect will not be able to access the SAM information required to validate vendor credentials. Registration may be completed and information regarding the registration process may be obtained at http://www.sam.gov. There is no charge for registration in SAM.

A separate synopsis will be issued for the Request for Proposal (RFP) resulting from this Sources Sought Synopsis.