RECOVERY - Using ARRA Funds to Improve Water Quality on Tribal Lands (CONTRACT EP-C-05-046, Modification 35)

THIS NOTICE IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. No solicitation will be issued against this synopsis. The purpose of this Modification 35 is to obligate $51,000 in initial funding in support of Work Assignment (WA 2-201). The period of performance for this work assignment will be from July 29, 2009 though September 30, 2010. WA 2-201 of Contract EP-C-05-046 will have the contractor assist EPA in providing ways to increase information sharing and improve collaboration between EPA Regions, EPA Headquarters and the Indian Health Service (IHS) working on Clean Water Indian Set Aside (CWISA) projects using ARRA funds. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) contains specific acquisition requirements that must be met when using appropriated funds from the Act, including the need for acquisitions to be in accordance with the FAR and, to the maximum extent practicable, awarded as fixed-price (FP) contracts using competitive procedures. However, the Office of Management and Budget's guidance allows for the use of other than FP contracts. Although the Agency's Office of Water (OW) contracts were not awarded as FP contracts, they were awarded competitively, and each contract structure was selected to provide the contractor with the greatest incentive for efficient and economical performance, given the types of services to be performed. The existing OW contracts have sufficient qualified acquisition personnel to provide appropriate contract administration and oversight to monitor contract performance to mitigate the Government's risk. In order to meet the requirements of the Act in the most prudent business manner within the time constraints imposed, existing OW contracts are the most appropriate contractual vehicles consistent with Agency plans that promote the goals of the ARRA.