B--SAP - Teflon Filter Acceptance Testing

THIS IS A COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS PREPARED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FORMAT IN SUBPART 12.6, AS SUPPLEMENTED WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION INCLUDED IN THIS NOTICE. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONSTITUTES THE ONLY SOLICITATION. QUOTES ARE BEING REQUESTED, AND A WRITTEN SOLICITATION WILL NOT BE ISSUED. The solicitation number is PR-NC-08-10423, and the solicitation is being issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 05-25. The associated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541380 which has an annual size standard of ten million dollars. It is anticipated that the contract will be awarded as a result of full and open competition. The purpose of this notice is to inform all interested parties that the Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC intends to award a Firm Fixed Price type contract as a result of this solicitation. The period of performance will be one year from the date of award. PROJECT TITLE: ?Acceptance Testing Services for 46.2mm Teflon Filters. Background The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina is responsible for procuring, testing, and distributing teflon filters of high purity to the State/local air pollution control agencies. The teflon filters are used with a sampler to collect PM-2.5 (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to a nominal 2.5 micrometers) samples. This process assures filters with uniform characteristics and known quality assurance testing for the national particulate networks. EPA obtains the filters each year from a filter manufacturer and has them shipped to EPA for acceptance testing. The filters for a specific year must be made from the same lot of raw materials for distribution to the States. If the acceptance testing confirms that the filters meet EPA's specifications for physical and chemical properties, the contractor shall ship the filters to the State/local air pollution control agencies. Statement of Work The following procedures, references and standards apply to the testing of filters during both the base period and option period. The Government is under no obligation to exercise any part of the option requirement. During both of these periods, the contractor shall test 525 filters from the batch of Teflon filters provided by the manufacturer, where a batch is defined as the filters to be used in one calendar year, specified by the PO for acceptance testing by the physical and chemical test described below. All 525 filters shall be subjected to the visual inspection tests and then a certain quantity (specified in chart) shall be subjected to the other tests described below. The contractor shall use a random number generator to select twenty-five (25) boxes of fifty (50) filters each from the total delivery. The contractor shall then use a random number generator to select 525 filters (or more) for acceptance testing. Only filters that pass the visual and physical testing shall be used for subsequent testing. A. The contractor shall use the following test methods, which will be provided by the PO, to check the filters.! American Society of Testing Methods (ASTM) Method D645-92 (standard test Method for Thickness of Paper and Paperboard)! ASTM Method D828-93 (tensile Properties of Paper and Paperboard Using constant-Rate-of-Elongation Apparatus with Attachment for use on Hi-Vol Filters)! Filter Flow Rate Acceptance Test Procedure! Atmospheric Research and Exposure Assessment Laboratory (AREAL) Visual Inspection Test for filters! ASTM Method D2986-91 (Standard Practice for Evaluation of Air Assay Media by the Monodisperse DOP (Dioctyl Phthalate Smoke Test) 1. Physical Properties: the list can be viewed at http://www.epa.gov/oam/rtp_cmd. 1.a. Additional tests as required by 40CFR, Part 50, Appendix L, shall be performed on 50 filters. (1) Maximum moisture pickup: Not more than 10 ?g weight increase after 24-hour exposure to air of 40 percent relative humidity, relative to weight after 24-hour exposure to air of 35 percent relative humidity. (2) Collection efficiency. Greater than 99.7 percent, as measured by the DOP test (ASTM D 2986-91) with 0.3 ?m particles at the sampler's operating face velocity. (3) Filter weight stability. Filter weight loss shall be less than 20 ?g, as measured in each of the following two tests specified in 6.9.1 and 6.9.2 of Appendix L. The following conditions apply to both of these tests: Filter weight loss shall be the average difference between the initial and the final filter weights of a random sample of 50 test filters. The filters shall be weighed under laboratory conditions and shall have had no air sample passed through them (i.e., filter blanks). Each test procedure must include initial conditioning and weighing, the test, and final conditioning and weighing. Conditioning and weighing shall be in accordance with Part 50, Appendix L, and general guidance provided in the following reference: REFERENCE Quality Assurance Handbook for Air Pollution Measurement Systems, Volume II, Ambient Air Specific Methods (Interim Edition), EPA/600/R 94/038b, Section 2.12. Available from CERI, ORD Publications, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 26 West Martin Luther King Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio 45268. (Note: Prior to publication and inclusion of Section 2.12 as part of this Handbook, prepublication draft copies of section 2.12 will be available from EMAD/MQAG (C339-02), U. S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711.) (4) Test for loose, surface particle contamination. After the initial weighing, install each test filter, in turn, in a filter cassette (Figure numbers L-27, L-28, and L-29 from Appendix L) and drop the cassette from a height of 25 cm to a flat hard surface, such as a particle-free wood bench. Repeat two times, for a total of three drop tests for each test filter. Remove the test filter from the cassette and weigh the filter. The average change in weight must be less than 20 ?g. (5) Test for temperature stability. After weighing each filter, place the test filters in a drying oven set at 40 ?C ?2?C for not less than 48 hours. Remove, condition, and reweigh each test filter. The average change in weight must be less than 20 ?g. (6) Alkalinity. Less than 25 microequivalents/gram of filter, as measured by the procedure given in the above reference. 1.b. Trace Metal Analyses The contractor shall analyze 50 filters for the trace elements listed below. The acceptance criteria is that 90 percent (or 45 of the 50 filters) shall meet the following criteria. The average concentrations for the total of the 30 trace metals in 90 percent of the filters shall be less than the stated concentrations (which is twice the minimum detectable concentrations). The EPA shall reject the filters if any trace metal is ten times the minimum detectable concentration (or five times the concentrations stated below). Maximum Concentration (ng/cm2) forTeflon Filters for XRF Analysis Element Concentration (ng/cm2) Al 94.4Si 32.8P 22.6S 13.4Cl 9.4K 5.6Ca 8.2Sc 7.2Ti 13.8V 4.8Cr 2.2Mn 2.2Fe 5.8Co 4.0Ni 3.0Cu 2.8Zn 2.2Ga 1.8Ge 3.0As 2.8Se 1.6Br 2.0Rb 2.0Sr 2.2Y 14.6Zr 13.2Mo 11.6Rh 9.4Pd 9.6Ag 9.6Cd 10.8Sn 15.2Sb 14.4Te 16.2I 18.6Cs 25.0Ba 32.2La 87.6W 5.0Au 4.4Hg 4.4 Pb 4.8 2. Visual Inspection for Acceptance The maximum number of rejects allowed for all physical characteristics combined is 6 percent. No defect is permitted for filter identification, and the maximum number allowed for the visual is 10 percent for defective filters and 5 percent for rejected filters. The following descriptions of visual defects shall to be used in the acceptance inspection of the filters. Each filter is inspected, using a light screen or table or by viewing over a black surface, for the following defects: (a) Pinhole - a small hole appearing (1) as a distinct and obvious bright point of light when examined over a light table or screen, or (2) as a dark spot when viewed over a black surface. Such a filter is considered a reject or unusable filter. (b) Separation of ring - any separation or lack of seal between the filter and reinforcing ring. Such a filter is considered a reject filter. (c) Chaff or flashing - any extra attached residual material on the ring or heat seal area which would prevent obtaining an airtight seal when the ring is placed under compression. Such a filter is considered a reject filter. (d) Loose material - any extra loose material or dirt particles on the filter which would require removal by brushing prior to weighing. A filter with such a defect is considered a defective filter. Defective filters are considered usable. (e) Discoloration - any obvious visible discoloration which might be evidence of a contaminant. Such a filter is considered a reject filter. (f) Filter non-uniformity - any obvious visible non-uniformity in the appearance of the filter when viewed over a light table or black surface which might indicate graduation in porosity across the face of the filter. A filter with such a defect is considered defective. (g) Other - a filter with any imperfections not described above, such as irregular surfaces or other results of poor workmanship, may be considered defective. B. Distribution The contractor shall distribute approximately 196,000 filters, provided by EPA, to the State/local air pollution control agencies as soon as the testing has been completed and the filters are determined to be acceptable to EPA.The Teflon filters will be shipped by the manufacturer in one lot packed in sets of 50 filters per container in suitable clear hard dust-tight non-contaminating plastic. The contractor shall transfer the appropriate number of filter boxes from the manufacturer=s shipping cases to boxes provided by the contractor for distribution of the filters to the State/local air pollution control agencies nationwide. The contractor shall never ship a partial box, and the smallest quantity of filters to be shipped to any location shall be one (set of 50 Teflon) box. EPA will provide to the contractor shipping labels and a master letter (one-sided, 10 page document to the State/local agencies). The contractor shall make copies of this letter and include one copy in each shipment to the agencies. After the filters are distributed, it is anticipated that 16 boxes of filters, measuring 16" x 20" x 14", will remain. The contractor shall store the remaining filters until the PO notifies the Contractor in writing to either (a) send to State/local agencies whose filters were damaged in shipment, or (b) to dispose of them. If a State/local agency receives the filters from the Contractor in a condition where contamination is suspected due to a shipping mishap and the Contractor is notified, the Contractor shall immediately notify the EPA PO to get written consent to ship another set of filters to the participant. V. Deliverables A. The contractor shall submit two copies of all test results to the PO within 75 days after receipt of the filters.B. The contractor shall ship the filters to the designated State/local agencies within 5 days after notification by the PO. C. The contractor shall store the remaining filters for up to 12 months. Evaluation Factors for Award The Government will make an award to the responsible offeror(s) whose offer conforms to the solicitation and is most advantageous to the Government, cost or other factors considered. This procurement will be awarded on a ?best value? basis per the following evaluation criteria: 1. Technical approach (submit a brief summary of your proposed technical approach for this project.). 2. Past Performance will be use for responsibility determinations. Each offeror submitting a technically acceptable proposal shall be evaluated on performance under existing and prior (within the past 3 years) contracts/subcontracts/orders for efforts similar to that described in the Statement of work for this requirement. The contractor shall provide three (3-5) references which demonstrate previous experience performing similar type of work (testing of filters). Include telephone number, name of contact, service provided, and date(s) service was provided. 3. Price ? Award will be made to the offeror whose offer is the lowest price technically acceptable. The specifications in the Statement of Work represent the Government?s minimum needs. Proposals must include sufficient material to permit the Government to determine that the proposed approach will meet the requirements set forth in the Statement of Work. Any specific variances from the specifications shall be addressed by the offeror with respect to how the offeror?s proposal provides alternative equivalence. Failure of an offeror to demonstrate that the proposed services will meet the Statement of Work requirements shall render the offeror ineligible for further consideration for award. All offerors are to include with their response a completed copy of provision 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items. The following FAR provisions apply to this solicitation: 52-212-1, Instructions to Offers/Commercial Items; 52.212-2, Evaluation-Commercial Items, The following FAR clauses apply to this acquisition: 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items, 52.246-11, Higher Level Contract Quality Requirement, 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders--Commercial Items and the following additional FAR clauses which are cited in clauses 52.212-5: 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities; 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity, 52.222-35, Affirmative Action for Special Disabled and Vietnam Era Veterans; 52.222-36 Affirmative Action for Handicapped Workers; 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Special Disabled Veterans and Veterans of the Vietnam Era; 52.222-41, Service Contract Act of 1965, as amended. Any applicable wage determination(s) (if required) will be made a part of the resultant purchase order. Technical questions are to be forwarded via email no later May 20, 2008 to the Contract Specialist at the following email address: contact@example.gov. In addition to this Request for Quotation, offerors should check the web site for any updated information on EPA's web site at http://www.epa.gov/oam/rtp_cmd until the closing date. Arrow down to the REQUEST FOR QUOTATION section and click on the solicitation. Arrow down below that section to COMMERCIAL BUY CLAUSES AND FORMS which are provided for your convenience. Please submit two copies of the technical proposal and two copies of the price proposal to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, RTP-POD, 109 T.W. Alexander Dr., Attn: Natalia Fisher Jackson, E105-02, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711. Courier Delivery Address is: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, RTP-POD, 4930 Page Road, Attn: Natalia Fisher Jackson, E105-02, Research Triangle Park, NC 27703. All offers are due by May 29, 2008, 12:00 noon, EST. No telephonic or faxed requests or offers will be honored.