H--Support Services for Vehicle & Engine Testing

This synopsis for this procurement action is being amended to add the following comments: Significant potential exists for an organizational conflict of interest under this procurement. Therefore, it is considered in the best interest of the Government to exclude all automotive manufacturers, nonroad vehicle and engine manufacturers, fuel refineries and distributors, and air emissions testing equipment manufacturers and dealers that may be affected by the policies or regulations for which the contractor has provided, is providing, or has work assignments to provide support under this contract. Furthermore, all offerors will be required to submit a COI plan requiring them to identify the projects they are working on and explain how potential or actual organizational conflicts of interest can be mitigated, avoided or neutralized. The solicitation will contain the following provision, ?Industries Prohibited from Being Considered for Award?. The text of this clause will be as follows: ?Contractor support is required in the area of testing support for various engines, fuels and vehicles. The contractor will be required to perform testing, statistical, and technical services to support the development of regulatory and non-regulatory programs. The contractor will also be involved in performing analyses to provide the Office of Transportation and Air Quality (OTAQ)with sound scientific and business research to determine the effectiveness and potential benefits of current and proposed air quality improvement programs. The contractor that provides such support must be free from actual organizational conflicts of interest in order to ensure the integrity of the rule-making process. Controversy has already ensued relative to implementation of the Clean Air Act. The results of the work performed under this contract may have a significant impact on the rules and regulations applicable to certain regulated industries. Therefore, all automotive manufactures, nonroad vehicle and engine manufacturers, fuel refineries and distributors, and emission testing equipment manufacturers and dealers are ineligible for award of any contract resulting from this solicitation. The specific determination whether any other offeror is to be considered ineligible for award will be made by the Agency on a case-by-case basis.? The solicitation and resulting contract shall also contain the clause, ?Limitation of Future Contracting?. The text of this clause will coincide with Limitation of Future Contracting, (EPAAR 1552.209-74 (MAY 1994), Alternative V (Headquarters Support), except for paragraph (c). Paragraph (c) of the clause shall read as follows: ?Unless prior written approval is obtained from the EPA Contracting Officer, the contractor agrees not to enter into a contract with or to represent any party, other than EPA, with respect to the specific activities performed under this contract. Specifically, the contractor may not enter into business or financial relationships with any automotive manufacturers, nonroad vehicle and engine manufacturers, fuel refineries and distributors, and air emissions testing equipment manufacturers and dealers that may be affected by the policies or regulations for which the contractor has provided, is providing, or has work assignments to provide support under this contract. These restrictions apply during the life of the contract and extend 3 years beyond the life of the contract.? The anticipated release date is early May, and the close date is approximately 30 days thereafter.