Scientific, Technical, and Engineering Support (STENS) for the Plum Island Animal Disease Center Decontamination and Closure Project

In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 5, this synopsis, posted by the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Procurement Operations (OPO) on behalf of the DHS Directorate of Science and Technology (S&T) Office of National Laboratories (ONL) Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC) Plum Island Closure and Support (PICS) Program, is for support services at a senior- and technical-levels of expertise for the Scientific, Technical and Engineering Support (STENS) for the PIADC Decontamination and Closure Project. PIADC PICS STENS project needs support services to collaborate in planning/executing applied scientific activities for decontamination method assessment and development, develop decontamination and validation plans, deliver engineering and logistics to implement methods, and provide third-party verification testing. This work focuses on, but is not limited to the major facility buildings (Buildings 257, 102, 101, and 111) and exterior areas (as needed) on Plum Island off of Eastern Long Island in New York. A solicitation or Request for Proposals (RFP) with an updated Government Fiscal Year 2023 identification number is in progress; however, identification numbers 70RSAT22RFI000003 and DRAFT_RFP_70RSAT22R00000022 as associated with this requirement. This acquisition will be conducted as a full and open competitive procurement in accordance with FAR Part 15 and will included small business opportunities. The solicitation will be made available via the publicly accessible on-line Government Point of Entry (GPE) System for Award Management (SAM.gov) at http://www.sam.gov in early November 2022 with proposals anticipated to be due roughly 30 calendar days later. A Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type award is anticipated. Award will be based on best value using trade-offs. The corresponding North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this requirement is 541620 for Environmental Consulting Services and the corresponding Product Service Code (PSC) is B504 for Special Studies/Analysis - Chemical/Biological. The 10-year Period of Performance is expected to consist of a one-year base period and nine (9) one-year options periods with an end date, including all options if exercised in early 2033. This is a new requirement, so there is no incumbent contractor. In terms of context and background information, PIADC, located on Plum Island, New York, has been operated by the Federal Government since 1954 for the purposes of agricultural research, training and diagnostics involving transboundary (foreign) animal diseases threatening United States agricultural production systems. In 2003, in accordance with the Homeland Security Act, ownership of PIADC was transferred from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to DHS, including the - assets and liabilities of the Center (6USC190). The mission of PIADC is now being transferred to the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF), which is currently under construction in Manhattan, Kansas. Pursuant to the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriation Act of 2009, Congress directed DHS to sell Plum Island through the United States General Services Administration (GSA) given the decision to transition the scientific mission to the NBAF (P.L. 110-329 - Section 540). Ultimately, as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, which was enacted in December 2021, the prior sale requirement was repealed and revised to ensure that the Plum Island property - be disposed of as a single consolidated asset by GSA (P.L. 116-260 - Division FF Title V Section 501). To prepare the Plum Island for cessation of Government activities, the DHS PICS program will ensure closure of the Plum Island property in a manner that reduces risks to an acceptable regulatory level for release to any public entity. The PICS program defines requirements for the island's end-state to satisfy applicable, related laws and regulations and will oversee the execution of the activities necessary for its closure and conveyance. Due to the nature of scientific activities conducted at PIADC during its operation, it is necessary for the PICS program to collaborate with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and the USDA Division of Agricultural Select Agents and Toxins (DASAT) regarding the end-state determination of decontamination for the facility and island, prior to its conveyance by GSA. A Request for Information (RFI) for this PIADC PICS STENS requirement was posted on SAM.gov on December 10, 2021. The Advanced Acquisition Plan (AAP) number is F2022057042, was posted to the Acquisition Planning Forecast System (APFS) (see http://apfs.dhs.gov). Lastly, a draft RFP was posted on SAM.gov on September 30, 2022 titled DRAFT_RFP_70RSAT22R00000022. A pre-solicitation/pre-proposal site visit was conducted on June 29, 2022. There are no attachments or links associated with this pre-solicitation notice/synopsis. No response is required as a result of this pre-solicitation notice/synopsis; however, all responsible sources may submit a bid, proposal, or quotation which shall be considered by the agency, once the final solicitation is released. Finally, this pre-solicitation notice/synopsis does not commit the Government to the issuance of a solicitation or award of a contract. No paper copies of the solicitation will be available. No phone calls or facsimile transmissions will be accepted.