Technical Support for Peer Review Services

Added: Jun 07, 2012 3:18 pm FEDBIZOPS Synopsis

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Water (OW); Office of Science and Technology (OST) has a requirement for peer review consultation and support. All peer review procedures, products and responsibilities shall be per the U.S. EPA Peer Review Handbook. The purpose of peer review is to uncover any technical problems or unresolved issues for use in revising a preliminary product so that the final work product will reflect sound technical information and analyses. These processes enhance the quality of, and provide for, objective review and evaluation of scientific or technical work by knowledgeable experts who have no vested interest in related policy or implementation issues.

The successful contractor will supply all necessary labor, material, services, equipment, and facilities in support of the effort delineated by the performance work statement. Scientific and technical work products identified for peer review may address one or more of the following: Selection/coordination of peer reviewers; Preparation of peer review reports, including uncovering any technical problems or unresolved issues and incorporating comments into a report so that the final work product will reflect sound technical information and analysis; Coordination of peer review meetings, workshops, conferences, scientific meetings, and public forums including facilitating, recording, and reporting on results as necessary, and logistical meeting support as needed.

General categories of scientific and technical work products which are subject to peer review includes: Criteria methodologies/criteria and advisories; Engineering and technical studies; Reports to Congress; Technical guidance and methodologies; Economic evaluations; Statistical analyses; Environmental models; Technical publications, products and approaches; Analytical methods; and Policies and strategies.

The standard EPAAR solicitation provisions (EPAAR 1552.209-70 and 1552.209-72) require and offeror certify that it is unaware of any potential conflict of interest or disclose any potential conflict of interest which may impact their ability to impartially conduct work under the solicitation. The standard EPAAR solicitation provision (EPAAR 1552.209-71) requiring a contractor to make full disclosure of any actual or potential conflict of interest discovered after contract award will also be a part of the resultant solicitation.

The current contractor supporting this requirement is The Eastern Research Group, Inc. under Contract EP-C-07-059. The Government anticipates to award the new contract as an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (ID/IQ) multiple award firm fixed price and cost plus fixed fee contracts with an ordering period of 5 years. The EPA intents to award up to two (2) contracts using full and open competition. The applicable NAICS code is 541611, with a size standard of $ 14.0M. The solicitation is expected to be issued in June 2012 on EPA?s website: http://www.epa.gov/oam/cinn_cmd. The office does not intend to mail hard copies of the solicitation. It is the responsibility of the offerors to frequently check the EPA website for updates or changes. All responsible sources may submit a proposal which may be considered by the agency. The point of contact is Katie Rechenberg at 513-487-2853, rechenberg.kathleen@epa.gov.