Drinking Water Testing Analysis Services for the Defense Centers for Public Health

Subject: Drinking Water Testing Analysis Services for the Defense Centers for Public Health - Aberdeen (DCPH-A) THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) OR A REQUEST FOR QUOTATIONS (RFQ); IT IS STRICTLY A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI). NEITHER UNSOLICITED PROPOSALS NOR ANY OTHER KINDS OF OFFERS WILL BE CONSIDERED IN RESPONSE TO THIS RFI. NO CONTRACT WILL BE AWARDED PURSUANT TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. DISCLAIMER: This is a Request for Information (RFI), as defined in FAR 15.201(e), to ascertain whether a commercial item exists that provides the capabilities described herein. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. Neither unsolicited proposals nor any other kind of offers will be considered in response to this RFI. Responses to this notice are not offers and will not be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. In keeping with the standards of FAR Part 10, the Government may request additional information from responders. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI or any follow-up information request. All information received in response to this RFI or any follow-up information request that is marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. At this time, questions concerning the composition and requirements for a future request for proposal will not be entertained. PROGRAM BACKGROUND: The DCPH-A is part of the Defense Health Agency (DHA) with a mission to Advance Joint Force health protection with agile public health Enterprise solutions in support of the National Defense Strategy. As part of the DCPH-A mission, the Lab Sciences (LS) Directorate requires support for the analysis of samples for PFAS contamination collected at various locations to support the Installation management Command (IMCOM) mission. The Lab Sciences Directorate performs sample analyses of drinking water matrix in Army operating environments and military bases to ensure the safety and security of all who work there. The LS Directorate currently analyzes water samples for organic, inorganic, and biological organisms in support of the DCPH-A mission. However, the LS does not currently have the analytical capacity to perform all required sampling analyses including analyses on deployment locations and in natural or man-made disaster locations. CAPABILITY: If your organization has the potential capacity to perform these services, please provide the following information: 1) Organization name, address, email address, Web site address, telephone number, and size and type of ownership for the organization; and 2) a tailored capability statement addressing the particulars of this effort, with appropriate documentation supporting claims of organizational and staff capability. If significant subcontracting or teaming is anticipated to deliver technical capability, organizations should address the administrative and management structure of such arrangements. Respondents should address the following in their capabilities statement: Shall meet all qualifications as defined in the TNI Standard (most current version) Shall meet all qualifications as defined in ISO 17025 (most current version) Shall have experience in quality systems management within an environmental laboratory Shall be able to evaluate data objectively and perform assessments without outside (e.g., managerial) influence Shall have a general knowledge of the analytical methods for which data review is performed Shall have documented training and/or experience in QA/QC procedures and the laboratory's quality system ELIGIBILITY: The applicable NAICS code for this requirement is 541380 - Testing Laboratories, with a Small Business Size Standard of $19M. The Product Service Code is B533, Special Studies/Analysis- Water Quality. Businesses of all sizes are encouraged to respond; however, each respondent must clearly identify their business size in their capabilities statement. THIS DOCUMENTATION MUST ADDRESS AT A MINIMUM THE FOLLOWING ITEMS: 1) What type of work has your company performed in the past in support of the same or similar requirement? 2) Can or has your company managed a task of this nature? If so, please provide details. 3) Can or has your company managed a team of subcontractors before (if subcontractors would be needed)? If so, provide details. 4) What specific technical skills does your company possess which ensure capability to perform the tasks? 5) For small businesses, please note that under a Small-Business Set-Aside, in accordance with FAR 52.219-14, the small business prime must perform at least 50% of the work themselves in terms of the cost of performance. Provide an explanation of your company's ability to perform at least 50% of the tasks. 6) Provide a statement including current small/large business status and company profile to include number of employees, annual revenue history, office locations, SAM Unique Entity ID, etc. 7) Respondents to this notice also must indicate whether they qualify as a Small, Small Disadvantaged, Women-Owned, HUBZone, or Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Concern. 8) Include in your response your ability to meet the requirements in the Facility and Safeguarding requirements. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND SUBMISSION DETAILS (CAPABILITIES STATEMENT): Interested parties are requested to submit a capabilities statement of no more than three (3) pages in length in Times New Roman font of not less than 10 pitch. The deadline for response to this request is no later than 10:00 AM, Eastern Time, 01 July 2023. All responses under this Sources Sought Notice must be e-mailed to Benjamin.t.marcus2.civ@health.mil. No phone calls will be accepted. The estimated period of performance consists of a 12-month base period and four (4) 12-month option periods. The period of performance shall tentatively commence on or around 01 September 2023. The contract type is anticipated to be Firm Fixed Price. Upon evaluation of the capability statements, if it is determined that this requirement will be an unrestricted competition, the Government intends to evaluate the Small-Business responses and conduct further market research to identify a subcontracting goal. Responses to this Sources Sought, including any capabilities statement, shall be electronically submitted in either Microsoft Word or Portable Document Format (PDF). All data received in response to this Sources Sought that is marked or designated as corporate or proprietary will be fully protected from any release outside the Government. All questions must be submitted to the Contract Specialist identified above. The Government is not committed nor obligated to pay for the information provided, and no basis for claims against the Government shall arise resulting from a response to this Sources Sought.