Scientific and Technical Services

Sources Sought for Defense Threat Reduction Agency Defense Contingency Operations Scientific and Technical Support Classification Code: NAICS Code: 541990 - All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Contracting Office Address Defense Threat Reduction Agency 8725 John J. Kingman Road, MSC 2601 Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-6201 Synopsis This is a SOURCES SOUGHT SYNOPSIS Announcement (SSA). SSAs are issued to assist the agency in performing market research to determine industry interest and capability. No proposals are being requested or accepted with this synopsis. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION FOR PROPOSALS AND NO CONTRACT SHALL BE AWARDED FROM THIS SYNOPSIS. A. DTRA CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS BACKGROUND DTRA's mission is to safeguard America and its allies from weapons of mass destruction by reducing the present threat while preparing for the future threat. DTRA/CSC is comprised of military, scientific, and technical personnel who provide equipment, training, scientific (on-site Subject Matter Expertise, (SMEs)), technical, and operational support to COCOMS apportioned forces and/or OGA's, and if necessary, can augment their personnel. DTRA/CSC maintains a 24/7 reach-back capability to the DTRA Operations Center and through the Center, provides a linkage to numerous U.S. Government Laboratories. The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) is seeking interested sources capable of providing support to the DTRA Contingency Operations Branch (CSC). The DTRA/CSC provides the Combatant Commanders (COCOMS) and other government agencies (OGAs) with the capability to counter the threat of radiological and nuclear (RN) smuggling and devices. B. SOURCES SOUGHT SUMMARY The purpose of this SSA is to identify viable sources with experience/personnel capable of providing scientific and technical support services which will augment DTRA/CSC and is operational elements in RN related contingency operations and events; RN equipment and technical training; RN equipment designs, development, testing and evaluation; RN specialized detection equipment maintenance and the RN aspects of health physics. This support will also include the participation in DTRA/CSC exercises that support real world operations for all operational environments. Potential sources must be able to demonstrate that the ability to provide scientific and technical personnel to staff 13 positions, five (5) of which will be located in Northern Virginia (Fort Belvoir), four (4) in Stuttgart, Germany and four (4) in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The required quantity, type, and location of personnel are as follows: Northern VA Two (2) Scientists, Two (2) Electronic Repair Technicians, One (1) Data Technician, Stuttgart Germany Two (2) Scientists, Two (2) Electronic Repair Technicians, Pearl Harbor HI Two (2) Scientists Two (2) Electronic Repair Technicians, In order to demonstrate their qualifications, interested sources shall submit a White Paper, not to exceed twenty (20) pages, providing the following information: 1) Personnel Requirements - Sources shall provide a short narrative detailing their experience and or ability meeting the Requirements identified in Section C below. 2) Past Performance - Sources shall submit a detailed narrative explaining their company's experience providing scientific and technical support to operating forces. This narrative shall include the contract number, period of performance, agency or entity supported, dollar value, and a short synopsis of the scope of the effort. C. PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS SCIENTIST: The Scientist serves as principal technical advisor to the Technical Support Group Commander on all nuclear and radiological aspects of the mission, including interpretation of gamma ray spectroscopy. Duties include performance of data analysis and preparation of a variety of technical and non-technical reports, procedures, and plans. The Scientist should be able to provide expert interpretation of governmental rules and regulations relating to Radiological and Nuclear matters. The Scientist will serve as a member on a federal emergency response team and deploy on exercises and real world events, requiring the ability to maintain and operate data acquisition systems in field environments, including the ability and willingness to perform operator level installation, calibration, characterization, and repair of radiation detection systems. The ideal candidate will: - Have a Ph.D. (preferred) or Master's Degree in Physics, Health Physics, Nuclear Engineering, Nuclear Chemistry or field related to the position, or equivalent training and experience, plus a minimum of four years' experience in radiation sciences. - Be capable of managing projects and act as a back-up to the supervisor as needed. - Must possess effective interpersonal communication skills and strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to explain technical concepts to a non-technical audience and to interface effectively with technical personnel from outside organizations and government agencies. - Must possess computer skills with common computer applications such as MSOffice as well as knowledge or the ability to learn specialized computer programs related to their area of expertise (GADRAZ, Peakeasy, etc). - Must be able to perform duties in all weather and climate conditions and be capable of carrying loads in up to 50 pounds. Must be willing and able to accept worldwide deployments which include elements presenting reasonable risks to personal safety. - Must submit to immunization for worldwide travel. - Must have or be eligible to obtain and maintain TOP SECRET/ Special Compartmented Information (SCI) and Critical Nuclear Weapons Design Information (CNWDI) (or DOE Q) clearance. - Must be able to travel on short notice, work non-standard hours and take on-call duty. - Will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter. - Military experience a plus. ELECTRONICS REPAIR TECHNICIAN: These positions are responsible for troubleshooting, operating, installing, testing, calibration, characterization, electronic and mechanical repair, and checkout of radiation detection and communications systems. The electronics Technicians are required to maintain quality assurance records for equipment, an equipment and inventory data base. The Electronics Technicians are responsible for all shipping and receiving functions, which includes hazardous materials. They serve as members of a federal emergency response team and deploy on exercises and real world events with minimal external support. The ideal candidate will: - Have an Associate Degree in Electronics or field related to the position or equivalent and a minimum of six years' progressive experience that provided a working knowledge of component-level troubleshooting. - Possess the ability to work from schematics, technical manuals, handbooks and other technical documentation. - Possess demonstrated ability as a technical instructor. - Be certified as a shipper of Dangerous and Hazardous Materials and as a driver of vehicles transporting dangerous and hazardous materials, or be able to obtain such certifications within six months of employment. - Possess computer skills with software applications such as MS Office (Word, Excel). - Must be able to perform duties in all weather and climate conditions to include arctic, temperate, tropic, and desert while using field rations and improvised berthing arrangements. Must be willing and able to accept worldwide deployments which include elements presenting reasonable risks to personal safety. - Must be able to perform duties in all weather and climate conditions and be capable of carrying loads in up to 50 pounds. - Must submit to immunization for worldwide travel. - Must be able to travel on short notice, work non-standard hours and take on-call duty. - Must have or be eligible to obtain and maintain TOP SECRET/ Special Compartmented Information and Critical Nuclear Weapons Design Information (CNWDI) (or DOE Q) clearance. - Military experience a plus. DATA TECHNICIAN: This position must have knowledge of radiation measuring instrumentation and methods. Responsible for providing advice and assistance to field operators. Must be able to interpret field data based on Federal and State radiation control regulations. Must be able to perform a quality check of field data. Must be able to generate quick final data products using ESRI ArcView software. Assist with troubleshooting, operating, installing, testing, calibration, characterization, electronic and mechanical repair, and checkout of radiation detection and communications systems. Serve as a member on a federal emergency response team and deploy on exercises and real world events with minimal external support. The ideal candidate will: - Possess an Associate Degree in Geographic Information Systems or other field related to the position or equivalent experience and a minimum of eight years' progressive experience that provided a working knowledge of GIS systems and data processing. - Radiological Control Technician experience a plus. - Possess the ability to work from technical manuals, handbooks and other technical documentation. - Be certified as a shipper of Dangerous and Hazardous Materials and as a driver of vehicles transporting dangerous and hazardous materials, or be able to obtain such certifications within six months of employment. - Computer skills with software applications such as MS Office (Word, Excel). - Must be able to perform duties in all weather and climate conditions to include arctic, temperate, tropic, and desert while using field rations and improvised berthing arrangements. Must be willing and able to accept worldwide deployments which include elements presenting reasonable risks to personal safety. - Must be able to perform duties in all weather and climate conditions and be capable of carrying loads in up to 50 pounds. - Must submit to immunization for worldwide travel. - Must have or be eligible to obtain and maintain TOP SECRET/ Special Compartmented Information and Critical Nuclear Weapons Design Information(CNWDI) (or DOE Q) clearance. - Must be able to travel on short notice, work non-standard hours, and take on-call duty - Military experience a plus. D. RESPONSES: Responses to this Source Sought shall not exceed twenty (20) pages in total. In addition to the data requested under Section C above, responses shall include the following information: company name, address, point of contact, telephone number, email address, business size and small business status such as disadvantaged, 8(a), HUB Zone, Woman Owned, Minority Owned, and/or Veteran Owned. The information should be sent to DTRA by 4:00 PM, JUNE 30, 2009, via email, to Wanda.Chandler@dtra.mil. Any questions can also be directed to wanda.chandler@dtra.mil. Reimbursement will not be made for any costs associated with responses to this Sources Sought announcement.