A--SPARC Model Development - Enhancement

THIS IS A COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS PREPARED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FORMAT IN FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (FAR) SUBPART 12.6 "SOLICITATION FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS", AS SUPPLEMENTED WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION INCLUDED IN THIS NOTICE. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONSTITUTES THE ONLY SOLICITATION AND QUOTATIONS ARE HEREBY BEING REQUESTED. A WRITTEN SOLICITATION WILL NOT BE ISSUED. This solicitation number is RFQ-RT-12-00106 and the solicitation is being issued as a 100% small business set-aside competition Request for Quotation (RFQ) using FAR Part 12 Commercial Items and FAR Part 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 05-55, effective February 2, 2012. The associated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code 541511 - Custom Computer Programming Services, which has a size standard of $25.0 million, is applicable. A firm fixed-price contract is anticipated to result from award of this solicitation. The EPA?s understanding of the chemical processes controlling the reduction and hydrolysis of chemicals containing reactive functional groups has grown significantly over the past 10 years. This includes the elucidation of transformation pathways, identification of molecular descriptors for QSAR (Quantitative Structure Activity Relationship) development and the identification of the dominant chemical reductants in anaerobic systems. In spite of this success, no models exist that allow for the estimation of reduction rates of chemicals with reducible functional groups in anaerobic systems. Also, the models for the estimation of hydrolysis rates are limited to carboxylic acid esters and epoxides. In support of the Ecosystems Research Division (ERD) environmental fate research program, work is being conducted to (1) Enhance/develop SPARC Performs Automated Reasoning in Chemistry (SPARC) calculators for the estimation of molecular descriptors required for the parameritization of QSARs for estimating reduction rate constants, (2) develop a SPARC calculator for reduction rates based on a model for electron transfer from surface complexed ferrous iron to the chemical of interest, and (3) extend the hydrolysis calculator to additional functional groups. The targeted chemicals are those listed in the Tables 1 and 2 and the chemicals included at the end of the Statement of Work (see Statement of Work and tables at http://www.epa.gov/oam/rtp_cmd). This requirement is being solicited with a period of performance for 12 months and with two (2) one-year option periods. The anticipated start date is October 1, 2012. FAR provisions and/or clauses referenced are available online at http://wwwarnet.gov/far. Solicitation Provision FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation - Commercial Items is hereby incorporated by reference with the fill-in for paragraph (a) of Technical App roach - Demonstrated technical approach to the Statement of Work (SOW): Specifically, provide a 1 to 2 page summary of the proposed technical approach to accomplishing the goals stated in the SOW; Qualifications of Personnel - Describe specific, relevant experience in providing services similar in scope to those described in the SOW. Provide educational background as it relates to the performance of the Statement of Work; Past Performance - Demonstrated successful past performance as evidenced by information gathered concerning the identified list of contracts and subcontracts completed during the past three years and those currently in process for similar work. Include client names, addresses, telephone numbers, contact persons, and nature of work performed. Past performance will be evaluated based on: quality of service, timeliness of performance, and overall customer satisfaction; and, Price - Provide an estimate of your total costs over a 3-yr time period for complet ing the objectives as stated in the SOW. The Government intends to award a single contract to the responsible offeror whose technically acceptable proposal offers the 'Best Value' to the Government, price and other factors considered. `Best Value' will be determined based on 1) - Technical Approach, 2) - Qualifications of Personnel, 3) - Past Performance, and 4) - Price. IAW FAR 15.304, the technical factors when combined are significantly more important than price. Contractors are reminded to submit a completed copy of the provision at 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items with their quote. Clause 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items is hereby incorporated by reference. Clause 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items is hereby incorporated by reference, as well as the following clauses cited in the clause which apply to this solicitation, 52.219-28, P ost Award Small Business Program Rerepresentation, 52.222-3, Convict Labor (E.O. 11755), 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities, 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Handicapped Workers (29 U.S.C. 793), 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer - Central Contractor Registration (31 U.S.C. 3332), 52.239-1, Privacy or Security Safeguards (5 U.S.C. 3332), and EPAAR 1552.211-79, Compliance with EPA Policies for Information Resources Management. Also within the solicitation are additional clauses for the Period of Performance and Option Periods. All technical questions should be forwarded via email to the Contract Specialist, Louis C. Williams, Jr., no-later-than August 28, 2012 at the following email address: contact@example.gov. Offerors should review any other information posted with this Request for Quotation on EPA's website at the following address: http://www.epa.gov/oam/rtp_cmd. Arrow down to the CURRENT SOLICITATIONS section and click on the solicitation . ALL FURTHER INFORMATION RELATED TO THIS SOLICITATION WILL BE LOCATED AT THE EPA WEBSITE. Signed and dated quotes referencing the number RFQ-RT-12-00106 must be submitted, no later than September 6, 2012, 12:00 PM (noon), Eastern Time to Louis C. Williams, Jr at FAX +1 (555) 000-0000 or contact@example.gov. Louis Williams is the point of contact regarding this solicitation and can be reached at +1 (555) 000-0000, or email contact@example.gov.