RECOVERY - Managerial and Oversight Support for State Revolving Fund Programs to support ARRA Implementation, Review, Tracking and Oversight Efforts, plus support to EPA in reviewing and promoting Green Project Reserve Efforts(CONTRACT EP-C-08-015 Mod 21)

THIS NOTICE IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY The purpose of this Modification 21 is to obligate $409,000 in initial funding in support of Work Assignments (WA 1-102 and WA 1-103). The period of performance for Work Assignment 1-102 will be from June 11, 2009 though December 31, 2009. The period of performance for Work Assignment 1-103 will be from June 15, 2009 though December 31, 2009. Under Work Assignment 1-102 the contractor is to provide support for the review of Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) project proposals received by the individual State for ARRA funding, determine whether or not those projects have a green component, and make recommendations for green practices (e.g., more efficient pumps, water conservation devices) that can be incorporated into the projects. A secondary purpose is to provide technical assistance to states in reviewing the "business cases" that are submitted along with projects in support of considering them as green projects. The work assignment will also advance the goal of encouraging the development and implementation of projects that provide the social, health and environmental benefits to be derived from "environmentally green" projects under the green project reserve of the ARRA. Under Work Assignment 1-103 the contractor shall provide expertise and support to assist EPA's effort to assure an effective, legal and appropriate expenditure of ARRA funds to achieve the objectives of the economic stimulus through significant program implementation and oversight. Support tasks include assisting in: reviewing EPA Regional ARRA implementation efforts including oversight of State ARRA programs; developing fact sheets and questions and answers (Q&As) on key ARRA aspects and issues such as flexibility in set asides and needed testing of financial tracking approaches; and providing training to EPA Regional and State drinking water staffs on the latest Agency ARRA policies. 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.