R--List 1 Methods (EPA Methods 527 and 529) - Analytical Services Supporting the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Program

The United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water (OGWDW), Technical Support Center (TSC) requires contractor support for analytical laboratory services in conjunction with implementation of the second cycle of the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Regulation (UCMR2). The EPA has the responsibility to investigate chemical, radiological and microbiological contaminant occurrence in order to characterize drinking water threats. While EPA relies on independent research efforts, it also is heavily engaged in conducting drinking water occurrence studies to obtain new data. The largest of these studies is the monitoring program mandated by the UCMR. The UCMR is a 5-year cyclic monitoring program, which allows OGWDW to evaluate contaminant occurrence in finished drinking water. The anticipated strategy is to select the key contaminants identified as occurrence priorities, which when combined with health effects data and available drinking water treatment technologies, enable EPA to establish National Primary Drinking Water Standards and maximize the protection of public health. As a means to reduce the UCMR compliance burden on small public water systems (those serving less than 10,000 individuals), EPA selected a representative sample of 800 small systems that must comply with the UCMR monitoring requirements for List 1 contaminants. This procurement will specifically serve as the means for conducting these sample analyses relative to EPA Laboratory Approval for the List 1 Assessment Monitoring methods (EPA Methods 527 and 529). Successful offerors to PR-CI-06-10768 shall provide all necessary labor, materials, services, equipment, and facilities to support the tasked analytical services included in the Performance Work Statement. Tasks under this solicitation will include: 1) Conducting laboratory analyses, following all required QC using methods promulgated for UCMR2. An interested small business laboratory will need to have EPA Laboratory Approval for the List 1 Assessment Monitoring methods (EPA Methods 527 and 529). 2) Providing logistical support by logging, receiving, confirming appropriate preservation, and storing field samples received at their laboratory in support of this contract. 3) Reporting results in a timely manner using an EPA specified electronic format. 4) Preparing monthly reports identifying any problems encountered as well as the status of work completed and on-going analyses. Under an existing contract vehicle, EPA will coordinate the preparation of these kits and the collection of these samples. To reiterate, laboratories will not be responsible for sample shipping costs, unless these shipping costs are the direct result of chronic sample recollections due to gross laboratory negligence or incompetence. To ensure sufficient laboratory capacity, it is anticipated that multiple contracts will be established under this requirement as indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity type contracts. It is anticipated that three contracts may be awarded under this solicitation. The contract will be fixed rate for each Method Analysis. The anticipated contracts will have an ordering period of five years. Over the five year multiple award ordering period, EPA estimates a sum total (adding all methods individually and multiplying by the number of applicable Public Water Systems and anticipated sampling locations per PWS) of approximately 19,000 sample analyses will be ordered. The approximate total is comprised of an estimated 9,500 analyses for EPA Method 527 and 9,500 analyses for Method 529. The vast majority of these analyses will be conducted during the three year monitoring period for UCMR2 (extending from January 2008 through December 2010). Firms interested in this requirement need to recognize that it will need to have EPA-approval for List 1 Assessment Monitoring methods (EPA Methods 527 and 529). To attain EPA approval, UCMR2 laboratory application(s) must be complete without unresolved deficiencies and firms must have passed an EPA offered proficiency testing (PT) study for each of the respective methods. The standard EPAAR solicitation provisions (EPAAR 1552.209-70 and1552.209-72) require an offeror certify that it is unaware of any potential conflict of interest or disclose any potential conflict of interest which may impact their ability to impartially conduct work under the solicitation. The standard EPAAR solicitation provision (EPAAR 1552.209-71) requiring a contractor to make full disclosure of any actual or potential conflict of interest discovered after contract award will also be a part of the solicitation. THIS REQUIREMENT IS A TOTAL SMALL BUSINESS SET-ASIDE. The applicable NAICS code is: 541380 with a size standard of $11 million. The projected start date of the contract is August 1, 2007. The solicitation is expected to be posted to the internet on or about March 21, 2007, as Solicitation Number PR-CI-06-10768 and may be accessed through the direct link URL: http://www.epa.gov/oam/cinn_cmd. No hard copies of the solicitation shall be provided. It is the responsibility of the offerors to frequently check the EPA website for updates or changes. All responsible sources may submit a proposal which shall be considered by the agency. See Numbered Note: 1