A--RFQ-W-13-0001

This solicitation is being issued pursuant to the personal services contracting authority granted by Congress in the Consolidated Appropriation Resolution for 2003 (P.L. 108-7). A firm-fixed-price purchase order will be issued to the successful student or recent graduate selected for the position. The base period of performance for this purchase order is for a period of twelve months. One optional period of performance for this purchase order is for an additional twelve months. There are two optional periods for this student service contract. This solicitation includes the following four attachments: ATTACHMENT 1 - Statement of Work (SOW) and Associated Attachments ATTACHMENT 2 - Evaluation Factors ATTACHMENT 3 - Student Proposal Form ATTACHMENT 4- Applicable Clauses ? Additional Terms and Conditions of the Order In an effort to clarify the terms student and recent graduate, the definitions of each are provided below. A student is an individual, at least 18 years of age, who is enrolled, in good standing, in a degree program (actively seeking a degree) at a recognized educational institution. A student is not required to carry a full course load, as long as the individual is a bona fide student, not merely someone who signed up for a class in order to work under these contract arrangements. A recent graduate is an individual, at least 18 years of age, who has graduated with a degree from a college or university within the last two years. The Government will make contract award based on evaluation factors other than price which will consider the following in order of importance: total months of relevant experience working with DNA molecular techniques; total months of relevant experience in general microbiological techniques and water quality analysis; total months of field sampling experience; total course hours in biological; and grade point average. Please see these evaluation factors outlined in the SOW (Attachment 1) and Evaluation Factors (Attachment 2). Submissions in response to this solicitation must be submitted on or before 4:30 p.m. EST, Monday, January 14, 2013 via e-mail to Contracting Officer Nicole Hairston at contact@example.gov and Contract Specialist Dionne Wright at contact@example.gov. Late submissions will not be considered eligible for award and incomplete submission may not be considered at the Contracting Officer?s discretion. No telephone inquiries will be accepted in response to this solicitation. Any proposal received at the Government office designated after the exact time specified for receipt is "late" and will not be considered and: If an emergency or unanticipated event interrupts normal Government processes so that proposals cannot be received at the office designated by the exact time specified, and urgent Government requirements preclude amendment of the announcement, the time specified for receipt will be deemed extended to the same time of day specified on the first work day on which normal Government processes resume. The Government will make contract awards based on all other factors outlined in Attachment 2 Evaluation Factors. Prior to applying for this position, applicants are encouraged to visit the following web page to access information related to this announcement: http://www.epa.gov/oam/srpod/. Please follow the link located under the ?Announcements? header, entitled ?RFQ-W-13-0001?Student Services Contract? and review all of the attached documents. You are encouraged to visit this webpage periodically to check the status of this announcement and to see whether or not any amendments (changes to the requirement of the posted position) have been issued. Foreign national students are required to fulfill all of the requirements outlined in the eligibility section of this announcement. SPECIAL NOTE: Upon receipt of the contract award, the student contractor must go immediately to link http://cdx.epa.gov and register with the Central Data Exchange (CDX) and complete the iBoard application. The student contractor must enter the COR as the point on their iBoard application. The student contractor should notify the COR when they have completed their iBoard application. The student must complete iBoard before beginning work. The contract may be terminated if the background check reveals a risk to the interest of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and national security. In addition, the individual(s) selected will be required to register with System for Award Management (SAM) and Dun & Bradstreet to obtain a Data Universal Number System (DUNS number) or DUNS +4 number. To obtain a DUNS number, students or recent graduate contractors can call Dun & Bradstreet +1 (555) 000-0000 or contact D&B at http://www.dnb.com. To register with SAM, contractors should visit www.sam.gov. There is no charge to register for DUNS or SAM. In addition, students or recent graduates who have been selected for this position will be required to sign an Acknowledgement of Special Terms before work can begin and are subject to these terms as outlined in Attachment 4 of this solicitation. Application Package Checklist for Applicants Submissions in response to this announcement MUST include the following: ? Resume or Statement of Qualification (not to exceed 2 pages) ? Completed Student Proposal Form (refer to Attachment 3) ? Copy of college/university transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable, if it is apparent from the transcript copy that is a copy of an official document and that the school is identified) ? Two letters of Recommendations (not to exceed 2 pages per letter ) ? Hourly Rate Certification (refer to Attachment 3) Failure to submit the required documents may be determined nonresponsive and eliminated from consideration. SECTION II: ANNOUNCEMENT DETAILS OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT Location: Athens, Georgia Required Level of Education Master in Microbiology, Ecology, Environmental Health Science, Toxicology, Biological Science, Biochemistry, or related disciplines. Anticipated Start Date: February 6, 2013 Rate of Pay: $28.48 Total Hours Per Week: 40 hours per week first year, 25 hours per week optional period Response Date: January 14, 2013 4:30 pm EST The mission of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) is to protect human health and the environment. This mission is accomplished by conducting leading-edge research and fostering the sound use of science and technology. The Ecosystems Research Division (ERD), Athens, GA of the National Exposure Research Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, is seeking individuals, at least 18 years of age who have met the requirements for graduation with the required degree stated above from a college or university within the past two years, to provide full-time services under a contractual agreement in support of a research project focusing on microbial fate and transport in aquatic ecosystems. Note: Students or recent graduates, who are EPA ORD employees, or the spouse or child of an EPA ORD employee, are not eligible to participate. 1. Project Description The student contractor will assist the mentor and others with conducting studies to provide data that will be used to improve understanding of processes that determine microbial fate and transport from terrestrial environments into freshwater and marine coastal environments. The student will assist the mentor in testing DNA-based markers for fecal indicator bacteria and fecal pathogens in a variety of matrices. The tasks to be performed include, but are not limited to: provide support for field sampling activities, process environmental samples for fecal bacterial counts and isolation of environmental microbial indicators, perform PCR and qPCR for identification and quantification of microbial indicators, extract bacterial isolates and community DNA, assist in DNA analysis to determine genotypic variability of isolates, assist with DNA cloning and sequencing analysis, and provide support for implementation of new molecular approaches. The student contractor will also be respo nsible for laboratory management, data management and analysis, and report preparation. The student contractor may be asked to participate in conferences or seminars in support of the statement of work. Work will be performed both in a laboratory and at a variety of field sites. All necessary instructions and training will provided by Dr. Marirosa Molina who will serve as the student's mentor. Personal interviews may be conducted with the most promising candidates. 2. Required Knowledge, Skills, Work Experience/Education The student contractor must be a recent graduate in good standing who was enrolled in an advanced degree program at a recognized educational institution within the past two years. The student/recent graduate contractor must have completed a M.S. degree program in microbiology, ecology, environmental health science, toxicology, biological science, biochemistry, or related disciplines. The candidate is required to have knowledge in molecular biology techniques (DNA extraction and clean-up, PCR , qPCR and cloning and sequencing experience) and general microbiological techniques. Use of field multiprobe meters, automatic samplers, and measurements of water chemistry parameters is desirable. The candidate is also required to have a valid driver?s license to drive a government owned vehicle (GOV) to/from sampling locations. Best qualified candidates will have had experience conducting research in these areas. Excellent oral and written English communication skills are required. E xperience with common computer operation and software usage (e.g., Microsoft Office Professional Suite, including Excel, Word and PowerPoint.) is required. The candidate is also required to have a valid driver?s license to drive a government owned vehicle (GOV) to/from sampling locations. Excellent oral and written English communication skills are required. Experience with common computer operation and software usage (e.g., Microsoft Office Professional Suite, including Excel, Word and PowerPoint.) is required. For additional information regarding ERD, visit its home page at http://www.epa.gov/athens/. 3. Estimated Number of Work Hours This initial contract will be for 12 months to begin approximately February 2013. Hours are not to exceed 1,928 hours for the first 12 months. The hourly rate of pay is $28.48. It is anticipated that the student will work an average of about 30 hours per week. The minimum amount of work hours per week are 20. The maximum amount of work hours per week are 40.The first option period will not exceed 1,928 for the duration of the 12 months. The second option period will not exceed 1,410 hours for the duration of the 12 months. 4. Approximate Start and End Dates This contract is to begin on or about February 6, 2013. The contract duration will be for 12 consecutive months with two options to extend the contract period of performance. Each optional period duration is 12 months. Each option will be exercised separately and consecutively. 5. Evaluation Factors to be Used to Evaluate Resumes The Government will make the contract award based on the following items listed in order of importance; total Months of Relevant Employment/Volunteer Service; total Years of Study (includes undergraduate and graduate) in Biology, Chemistry, Molecular Biology, Environmental; total Course Hours in biology/chemistry laboratory training; and cumulative graduate grade point average. 6. Hourly Rates Applicable The hourly rate for this position is $28.48, which is commensurate with the minimum required level of education and experience. Student contractors will be paid the basic hourly rate only for the number of hours worked and do not receive overtime premium. Student contractors do not accrue leave or holiday benefits and are not paid for any non-work days, regardless of the reason. Federal, State, Local, and Social Security taxes will not be withheld; student contractors are responsible for reporting income to authorities and paying all taxes. Student contractors are responsible for all costs of transportation to and from the principal duty station location. EPA does not provide housing, meals or other living expenses while working at the principal duty station. 7. Principal Duty Location The principal duty location is U.S. EPA, Ecosystems Research Division, NERL, 960 College Station Road, Athens, GA 30605. 8. Resume and Other Application Requirements Interested students and recent graduates shall provide a one or two page resume or statement of qualifications, including a copy of the transcripts and documentary evidence from USCIS, if applicable. In addition to the resume and transcripts, individuals applying to this announcement must complete Attachment 3 of this solicitation, entitled ?Student Proposal Form? and submit as a part of their application package. Students must also submit a statement certifying the student accepts hourly rate of $28.48 is acceptable for the duration of their employment. A student or recent graduate must submit two letters of recommendation from an academic advisor, major professor, or other professional associate familiar with the applicant?s skills and performance. Foreign National students must submit the required documents outlined in the eligibility section of this announcement. 9. Deadline and Address for Submission of Resume and Application Materials The deadline for submission is 4:30 p.m.EST, January 14th, 2012. 10. Number of Awards Projected This is only for a single student position. Only one position will be awarded. 11. Eligibility Eligible student contractors must have completed a M.S. or equivalent degree in microbiology, ecology, environmental health science, toxicology, biological science, biochemistry, or related disciplines within the last 2 years. The student will need to know basic laboratory safety requirements and will be given additional safety training. The student contractor may be currently enrolled in another degree program at an accredited University/College or a recent graduate within the last 2 years based on the closing date for submissions to this announcement. The student or recent graduate must also be at least 18 years of age by the time of the award. Non-U.S. citizens may be eligible to participate, depending on their immigration status and the applicable regulations of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Service (BIS), formerly known as the Immigration and Naturalization Service. All non-US citizens must submit, as part of their proposal package, evidence of their immigration status that allows them to work in the United States. Students should possess a current U.S. Visa and be able to obtain U.S. work authorization in a timely manner if offered a contract. Students without a U.S. Visa are not eligible. Academic degrees fulfilled outside of the United States must be judged to be equivalent to that achieved in accredited U.S. education programs in order to be acceptable for this contract. More information about the evaluation of foreign education can be found at the U.S. Department of Education's web site at http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. If applicable, applicants shall submit all necessary documents to a recognized private U.S. organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials, usually named a credential evaluation service. To be suitable, the foreign credential evaluation must include and describe (i) type of education received by the applicant (i.e., conventional, by mail, or online), (ii) degree of education relative to the U.S. education system, and testify that its comparability recommendations follow the general guidelines of the U.S. National Council for the Evaluation of Foreign Educational Credentials, (iii) the content of the applicant's educational program earned abroad and the standard obtained, (iv) the ranking of the awarding foreign schools? credit and authenticity in its own country's education system, (v) what the evaluation service did to obtain this information, (vi) the qualifications of the evaluator, and (vii) any indications as to other concerns such as falsification. Foreign credential evaluations that do not include all the above information or indicate there is not enough information on which to make a sound evaluation will not be accepted. SPECIAL NOTE: Students or recent graduates, who are EPA ORD employees, or the spouse or child of an EPA ORD employee, are not eligible to participate 12. Required Background Investigation and Suitability Determination: Student contractors awarded a contract will have to undergo a background investigation, a check of FBI fingerprint files, and a suitability determination by the Environmental Protection Agency. Using the HPSD-12 "Contract People Template" found at http://epa.gov/oam, student contractor will electronically submit information to the Contracting Officer's Representative immediately upon contract award. In addition, the student contractor must review and complete the requirements outlined in Attachment 1 to Work Statement before beginning work on-site at the EPA. The student may begin work once the background investigation has commenced. If a background check reveals information to indicate the student contractor represents a risk to the interests of EPA and the national security, the contract may be terminated.