U--Pesticide Applicator Certification and Safety Training Course Development

The Department of the Interior is seeking market research through a Sources Sought notice to develop a comprehensive, standardized Pesticide Applicator Certification and Safety Training (PAC&ST) program compliant with EPA regulations under 40 CFR Part 171 and aligned with DOI’s Integrated Pest Management policy (517 DM 1). The effort aims to resolve inconsistencies across bureau-level training programs by creating a unified, scalable framework applicable to all DOI components, with deliverables including a regulatory gap analysis, benchmarking report, program blueprint, core and category-specific training modules, instructor and participant materials, written and practical assessments, safety standard operating procedures, and an EPA approval-ready documentation package. The contractor will be responsible for designing all materials to meet federal standards for plain language, Section 508 accessibility, and quality assurance, with iterative feedback required through coordination with DOI IPM coordinators, safety officers, and EPA regional contacts. Performance will occur primarily remotely at the contractor’s facilities with occasional on-site visits to DOI bureaus, and government-furnished equipment including PIV cards and laptops must be properly managed and returned. All deliverables must be submitted for formal review and acceptance by DOI prior to external submission to the EPA, placing the government as the final authority on approval. The solicitation, identified as DOIDFBO260050, is currently in the pre-solicitation phase with a response deadline of May 14, 2026, and no formal contract award, pricing, or evaluation criteria have been established. Responses must be submitted as a single capability statement not exceeding ten pages via email to Joan Clarkston at the Ibc Acq Svcs Directorate in Herndon, VA. Vendors are requested to provide their business size classification, existing government-wide contracts, and whether they have prior experience with EPA-approved training programs, though no UEI, CAGE codes, or formal certifications are required at this stage. The anticipated period of performance is 12 to 18 months post-award, with no fixed delivery locations or packaging requirements specified, as the scope is entirely focused on training content development and regulatory compliance. The government has not yet determined the acquisition strategy, competition type, or award basis, and there are no option periods, FOB terms, or invoice procedures defined; any future procurement will be entirely at the government’s discretion based on findings from this market research effort.