Description
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION Superfund Technical Assessment & Response Team 4 (START IV) Contract Request for Information (RFI) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) to: 1. Gather industry input on the attached draft Performance Work Statement (PWS) 2. Request information on any changes in industry that the Government should consider to achieve direct cost savings 3. Request information on possible contract pricing considerations 4. Request information on other possible contract changes 5. Inform prospective offerors of the general acquisition timeline Background Historically, EPA Region 8 has relied on the Superfund Technical Assessment and Response Team (START) contractor to provide nationally consistent advisory and assistance services to EPA On-Scene Coordinators (OSC) and other Federal officials implementing EPA's responsibilities under the national response system. The START contractor is responsible for duties within Region 8, as well as outside the region on cross regional responses, national responses, and trans-boundary international responses. Additionally, the contractor provides advisory and assistance services to other programs, such as site assessment, brownfields, and remedial support activities. For each assigned task, the contractor is required to provide appropriately experienced, trained and accredited personnel with current credentials/certifications as well as the supplies, materials, tools and equipment necessary to complete the job. These support services are currently being provided under the R8 START-3 contract by URS Operating Services, INC. The contract has a maximum potential period of performance of 7 years, with an expiration date of 11/05/2012. EPA is anticipating soliciting and awarding the START IV contract as an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (ID/IQ) contract with a three-year base period with two (2) two-year option periods, for a total of seven (7) years. The purpose of the follow-on procurement will be to obtain the services of fully-trained contractor personnel to provide technical support services to EPA for emergency responses, site assessment activities, removal actions, prevention and preparedness activities, and technical support activities as defined by the contract PWS. These services will be in conformance with the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (40DFR300); Section 311 of the Clean Water Act, as amended by the Oil Pollution Act of 1990; Section 104 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) of 1986; other Applicable Relevant and Appropriate Requirements (ARARs); and Federal, state and local statutes and regulations. EPA Region 8 is currently in the acquisition planning phase of this procurement and is seeking ways to realize greater cost savings and continue to ensure quality performance and deliverables through the START program. Disclaimer This RFI is for planning purposes only and is not a Request for Proposals (RFP), Invitation for Bid (IFB) or an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any services. The Government does not intend to hold an industry day for START IV. Therefore, interested parties are encouraged to submit any questions, comments, or suggestions regarding START IV in response to this RFI. Responses to this RFI are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. The Government reserves the right to determine how it should proceed as a result of this notice. Furthermore, those who respond to this RFI should not anticipate feedback with regards to its submission. The Government will not pay any cost incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the responding party's expense. If a solicitation is released, it will be via FedBizOpps (http://www.fedbizopps.gov). It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor the website for any information that may pertain to this RFI or a future solicitation. The information provided in this RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. Please see the attached RFI and Draft PWS for further details and instructions for responding.