Scientific Review Panels

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration, Risk Analysis Division, proposes to enter into a contract with the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS), for services that are necessary to perform independent reviews of scientific and technical data used to develop flood hazard information for the National Flood Insurance Program's Flood Insurance Rate Maps. The services provided will be specific to administering and convening Scientific Resolution Panels of experts from the public and private sectors. The Panels will determine whether scientific or technical data submitted by an appellant community is a more correct estimate of base flood elevations than the scientific or technical data used by FEMA. The specific expertise would be utilized to review riverine, lacustrine, and coastal flood hazard studies based on surveys, topographic information, hydrologic analyses, hydraulic analyses, coastal analyses, and any other pertinent data presented. These services are only available through NIBS as an independent body authorized by the U.S. Congress in the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, Public Law 93-383. In establishing the Institute, Congress recognized the need for an organization that could serve as an interface between the Government and the private sector. The Institute carries out these functions by convening committees consisting of knowledgeable experts in the respective program areas. The committee members are broad ranging and have an independence in judgment that relies upon evidence obtained through scientific research and investigation. This balance and blend of public and private professionals focus on the identification and resolution of issues presented before them without bias to assure the safety of the public in the built environment. The requirement for the Scientific Resolution Panels to be independent of FEMA in their review and decision making is critical. The advice offered by the Institute to federal agencies is valued as noted in Section 809(g) (2) of Public Law 93-383, where agencies are encouraged to accept advice based on the findings of the Institute. This section in particular identifies programs that involve federal assistance in the form of loans, grants, insurance, or technical aid, or in any other form. The assistance to be provided here affects flood insurance. The statutory authority for procuring this requirement by other than full and open competition is FAR 6.302-5, which states that full and open competition need not be provided for when a statute expressly authorizes or requires that the acquisition be made through another agency or from a specified source. The issuance of non-competitive contracts to NIBSwas authorized by Congress in the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, Public Law 93-383. The Government anticipates awarding a cost reimbursable-no fee, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract for a base year (Fiscal Year (FY) 2011) with four one-year options (FY 2012 through FY 2015). Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort in writing to the identified point of contact not later than 3:30 p.m. local time on July 27, 2010. Such documents should be limited to 10 pages. Any stated capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.