SOURCES SOUGHT
R -- HAZARDOUS WASTE METHODS SUPPORT
- Notice Date
- 3/23/2005
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- Contracting Office
- Bid and Proposal Room, Ariel Rios Building (3802R) 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20460
- ZIP Code
- 20460
- Solicitation Number
- PR-HQ-05-10902
- Response Due
- 4/1/2005
- Archive Date
- 5/1/2005
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Acquisition Management, Superfund/RCRA Regional Procurement Operations Division, Washington, DC, is seeking potential qualified small businesses able to perform the attached draft Statement of Work. The Government intends to award a contract by October 1, 2005. The anticipated NAICS code for this procurement is 541620. Interested contractors must demonstrate in their response experience in performing services outlined in the draft Statement of Work. All responses are limited to 10 pages, including attachments, on 8 X 11 pages, 12 font (pitch) written in English. Responses to this Sources Sought must be submitted electronically by 4:00 PM Eastern Time on Friday, April 1, 2005 to nilles.kevin@epa.gov . In the event that electronic submission is not possible, responses can be forwarded in hard copy to the following address: FOR US MAIL ONLY: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Superfund RCRA/Regional Procurement Operations Division, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20460, Mail Code 3805R, FOR COURIER or COMMERCIAL CARRIER: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Superfund RCRA/Regional Procurement Operations Division, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004, RM 61166. DRAFT STATEMENT OF WORK HAZARDOUS WASTE METHODS SUPPORT I. BACKGROUND The regulations promulgated under Section 3001, Subtitle C of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (RCRA) (40 CFR Parts 260 to 270) established the framework and the means by which to identify hazardous wastes. These regulations include lists of wastes and characteristics of waste which have been identified as hazardous. Once a solid waste is identified as hazardous, it is subject to control under Subtitle C of RCRA. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is continually involved in a variety of activities to support and expand the hazardous waste regulations. The EPA is responsible for developing, supporting, and maintaining the hazardous waste identification and management systems for regulations under RCRA. Specifically, EPA is responsible for method development and evaluation, quality assurance and control, regulatory actions related to the framework of the regulatory system, the regulations identifying hazardous waste, and other aspects of 40 CFR Parts 260 to 270. The Methods Team is the focal point within the EPA Office of Solid Waste (OSW) Economic, Methods and Risk Analysis Division (EMRAD) for expertise in analytical chemistry and hazardous waste characteristic testing methodologies, environmental sampling and monitoring, and quality assurance/quality control. OSW plays a vital role in implementing the hazardous waste management and contaminated site cleanup programs under RCRA. The Methods Team provides technical support to other OSW Divisions, EPA Program Offices and Regions, state regulatory agencies, and the regulated community. II. PURPOSE OF THE METHODS TEAM PROGRAM The purpose of the Methods Team program is as follows: develop and evaluate analytical and test methods to identify and characterize hazardous wastes, environmental samples and contaminated materials produce guidance documents and technical transfer programs to foster the development and use of innovative, cost-effective approaches (such as through Performance -Based Measurement Systems, PBMS) for waste and site characterization, monitoring and remediation analyze and interpret data from RCRA monitoring activities maintain "Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste, Physical/Chemical Methods, (SW-846)", a multi-volume manual of EPA-approved methods and monitoring guidance foster public outreach and communication regarding RCRA-related monitoring activities such as through the annual (NEMC) National Environmental Monitoring Conference (MICE) service line III. SCOPE The Contractor shall provide support services to the Methods Team program as delineated in this section. The Contracting officer will issue work assignments for all work products in a draft for review and approval by appropriate Government personnel prior to preparation and issuance as final, in accordance with terms and conditions of the contract. The Government shall make all final policy and regulatory decisions resulting from contractor-provided advice and assistance under this contract. Section IV provides detailed task descriptions. 1. Methodology Development and Evaluation 2. Manual Preparation and Revision 3. Public Involvement 4. Technical Support to Regulatory Development 5. Preparation of Analysis of Regulatory Options and Other Regulatory Impact Analyses Efforts 6. Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) 7. Sampling and Analysis - Waste Characterization IV. DESCRIPTION OF TASKS The following are general task areas that serve as the foundation for specific work assignments. Reports, analyses, recommendations and other written deliverables shall be in compliance with applicable minimum performance requirements specified under Section V of the Statement of Work. 1. Method Development and Evaluation The contractor shall: research the current literature for methods for hazardous waste leachability, reactivity, ignitability and corrosivity and other characteristics develop and/or evaluate analytical methods for specific compounds regulated under RCRA for which there are currently no generally accepted analytical methods, or for which, existing methods provide inadequate or inappropriate performance, or continue to develop more cost-effective methods for existing techniques. Examples of waste characterization methods currently under development or planned: Test Methods Ignitable solids test Leaching procedure improvements (TCLP) and other leaching procedures Reactivity of cyanide and sulfide due to gas generation Explosivity due to reactivity Liquid ignitables which flash but will not burn Air emissions estimation techniques Environmental sensors Cost-effective screening techniques Inorganic Analytical Methods Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AA) Inductively Coupled Plasma/Mass Spectrometry (ICP/MS) Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) Polarography X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Ion Chromatography (IC) Speciated Isotope Dilution Microwave Digestion Rapid, Low-cost Screening Methods for Inorganic Analytes Organic Analytical Methods Infrared Spectrometry (FTIR) Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) Ultraviolet/Visible Spectrometry (UV/VIS) Preparative Phase Liquid Chromatography Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS) Liquid/solid separation techniques High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) Immunoassay (IA) Rapid, Low-cost Screening Methods for Organic Analytes Pressurized Fluid Extraction (PFE) Immunosensors Microwave Extraction Bioaccumulation and Biodegradation Test Methods Microtox waste toxicity assay recommend new technologies or more cost-effective methods, such as: polarography a variety of chromatographic and spectroscopic or spectrometric techniques utilizing selective and mass spectrometric detectors microwave digestion apparatus innovative sample preparation techniques ion chromatography routine analytical techniques conduct single and multi-laboratory collaborative studies of new technologies prior to their use conduct specific tests of analytical procedures for testing a particular waste prior to single or multi-lab testing 2. Manual Preparation (Hard Copy, CD-ROM and Internet Versions) and Revision The contractor shall: identify and codify those standard physical, chemical, and biological test methods applicable to waste sampling and analysis into the Methods Team's testing manual, "Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste, Physical/Chemical Methods (SW-846)" maintain the SW-846 manual in hard copy, CD-ROM and Internet forms prepare training materials related to the manual (e.g., visual aids, teaching materials, training courses, Powerpoint or Freelance presentations) that will be made available to EPA and the regulated community prepare revisions to the manual on a continuing basis 3. Public Involvement The contractor shall: prepare brochures, fact sheets, pamphlets about new SW-846 methods prepare speeches for conferences regarding new SW-846 technologies maintain a methods service line known as the Methods Information Communications Exchange (MICE) to provide telephone/computer response and regulatory research services to educate the public concerning SW-846 test methods receives and responds to technical questions related to methods contained in SW-846 provides a dedicated telephone line, linked with a voice-mail system with sufficient capacity for the number of messages received in a 48-hour period maintains an e-mail address set up to receive and respond to e-mail messages on SW-846 responses to inquiries or comments over the e-mail address are researched and responded to the next business day conducts outreach activities by participating in the National Environmental Monitoring Conference (NEMC ) contractor is highly knowledgeable when responding to technical issues regarding SW-846 set up and run conferences, symposia, workshops and teleconferences: provide support in advertising prepare brochures, proceedings, mailing lists and labels contact and compile lists of prospective participants and interested groups physically set up the conference prepare response and evaluation vehicles provide symposium support as facilitators and scribes for technical sessions and workgroups. develop and prepare training materials maintain and update the OSW Methods Team Home Page on the Internet 4. Technical Support to Regulatory Development The contractor shall: conduct studies, provide first drafts of regulations and briefing packages for management in support of OSW's development of regulations provide research and administrative support to regulatory challenges: conduct necessary literature searches, EPA approved surveys and questionnaires prepare case studies gather and evaluate data, including collecting and analyzing wastes to support decision making perform on-line searches of various databases perform analyses of alternatives and pro/con options papers provide general support for work group committees: facilitate and provide technical input during meetings prepare meeting minutes. prepare technically sound background documents to support potential regulatory changes: collect pertinent data relevant to regulatory changes from sources such as the EPA, other Government agencies, industry, and the open literature. evaluate all data to insure accuracy and data quality identify any additional data, including resources necessary for data acquisition, and the impact this information will have on the quality of the final document coordinate with other program offices (e.g., Office of Water, Office of Emergency Response and Remediation, etc.) within EPA prepare technical background documents with associated editing from draft through final form integrate all of the above activities to insure information collected by EPA meets priority needs for background document preparation provide technical assistance in the preparation, review, and revision of all background documents prepared in accordance with the guidance given in the Federal Register (FR, Volume 45, No. 98, page 33113, May 19, 1980, 40 CFR 261). review and evaluate relevant comments, either in response to previous rule-making or from other activities compile, and prepare draft responses to those comments for final review and approval by EPA. 5. Preparation of Analysis of Regulatory Options and Other Regulatory Impact Analyses Efforts The contractor shall: provide administrative and data information gathering support for OSW's preparation of regulatory impact analyses (RIAs), including, for example: requirements under Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA), National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA), etc., benefits analyses economic impact analyses including requirements under the regulatory flexibility act (RFA) development of cost data identify and analyze regulatory outcomes collect pertinent data relevant to these analyses from available sources and identify areas where additional data is needed to make a decision 6. Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) The contractor shall: prepare and provide to OSW for review and approval, quality control samples for various test methods selected by OSW provide support in the operation of the OSW Quality Assurance Program: update Chapter One of SW-846 develop QA/QC training materials and guidance documents develop the OSW Quality Management Plan (QMP) and the Quality Assurance Annual Report and Work Plan(QAARWP) design and implement Performance Evaluation (PE) Studies conduct peer reviews of scientific, technical, and economic documents prepared by OSW: select potential qualified peer reviewers organize and summarize the comments submitted by the peer review panel(s) NOTE: contractor shall not peer review any document for which the contractor or its subcontractors were involved in either the preparation or development 7. Sampling and Analysis - Waste Characterization The contractor shall: develop draft materials for the modification and development of sampling techniques and analytical methods required for various study projects develop draft general sampling guidance to be incorporated into Chapters Nine and Ten of SW-846 provide the technical expertise and logistical resources necessary to overcome sampling and analytical problems encountered in specific land disposal and other environmental monitoring situations: prepare sampling and analysis plans collect and analyze samples monitor contaminated sites using both portable and laboratory monitoring equipment (e.g., gas chromatography,GC; gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, GC/MS; high performance liquid chromatography, HPLC; atomic absorption, AA, etc.), and column-type leaching devices, etc. V. PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS The contractor shall abide by the following performance requirements for each task: 1. Methodology Development and Evaluation literature searches, methods analysis, single and multi-lab study reports, and other written deliverables resulting from this task shall be clear, concise, well organized and complete. As a minimum, deliverable documents shall: summarize substance of the search and/or analytical results list sources relied upon clearly demonstrate and document that the actual method performance data generated by a particular method are consistent with the performance criteria claimed in the scope and application of the method. 2. Manual Preparation and Revision methods and manuals, both hard copy and electronic forms (i.e., CD-ROM and Internet), resulting from this task shall be clear, concise and complete and meet the criteria specified in the most current guidelines for electronic data deliverables (which can be found at http://www.gpo.gov/customer-service/guide3.pdf ) and the latest design standards and metadata requirements (which can be found at http://www.epa.gov/webguide). training course outlines and materials shall as a minimum: identify target audience(s), course objectives, major and supporting topics of instruction and the methods of instruction be clearly and directly in support of identified course objectives and address the needs of the identified target audience(s) 3. Electronic Deliverables Electronic Source Files. The contractor shall deliver the electronic source files used to create deliverables. All files shall be scanned for viruses prior to delivery to EPA. Unless otherwise specified, all source files developed in proprietary formats should be generated in the following formats depending on the type of file: Word Processing WordPerfect Spreadsheet Lotus 123 Presentation Lotus Freelance Database dBase For other applications not listed above, approval is needed in advance of use. 4. Public Involvement brochures, speeches and other written deliverables resulting from this task shall be clear, concise and complete to meet stakeholder (e.g., laboratory managers, QA officers, sampling experts, state and other federal agency personnel) needs training course outlines and materials shall as a minimum: identify target audience(s),course objectives, major and supporting topics of instruction and the methods of instruction be clearly and directly in support of identified course objectives and address the needs of the identified target audience(s) electronic deliverables resulting from this task (e.g., MICE and Internet Home Page) shall be clear, accurate, complete, appropriate ,meet the criteria specified in the most current guidelines for electronic data deliverables (which can be found at http://www.gpo.gov/customer-service/guide3.pdf ) and the latest design standards and metadata requirements (which can be found at http://www.epa.gov/webguide), and: MICE service line personnel must identify themselves as contractor personnel when answering the telephone or making calls, and when performing their duties. MICE service line personnel must document each call received, including, at a minimum, the type of caller, the subject of the call, and the date of the call. This information shall be provided in the monthly report. when the MICE service line receives a request for policy or regulatory interpretation for which there is no existing written policy position, the MICE service line personnel must refer those calls to EPA for a response. conferences, symposia, workshops, teleconferences and other meetings resulting from this task shall be scheduled sufficiently in advance to allow for organization of the meeting (e.g., NEMC symposium is held every July, SW-846 workgroups are held every July and December) 5. Technical Support to Regulatory Development studies, research, data collection activities, background documents and other written materials resulting from this task shall be clear, concise and complete and delivered in accordance with specific delivery schedules studies, research, data collection activities, background documents and other written materials resulting from this task shall respond to the appropriate issues delineated by EPA 6. Preparation of Analysis of Regulatory Options and Other Regulatory Impact Analyses Efforts data collection and analysis and other written materials resulting from this task shall be clear, concise and up-to-date data collection and analysis and other written materials resulting from this task shall respond to the appropriate issues delineated by EPA 7. Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) QMP, QAARWP, PE studies, peer reviews and other written materials resulting from this task shall describe the procedures used to arrive at the recommendations and make clear the methods upon which conclusions are based. 8. Sampling and Analysis - Waste Characterization data collection and analysis, study designs, QAPPs, SAPs and other written materials resulting from this task shall be clear, concise and complete contractor shall demonstrate and document the appropriateness of the methods to meet the data quality objectives (DQOs) of the project VI. REFERENCE DOCUMENTS Documents referenced in this SOW are available for public viewing at: EPA Headquarters Library Room 3340W - Mail Code 3404T 1200Pennsylvania Avenue N.W. Washington, D.C. 20460 (202) 566-0562 Documents referenced in this SOW are also available for viewing on the following website: http://www.epa.gov/SW-846. THE LIBRARY WILL NOT PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE RFP OR THE REFERENCE DOCUMENTS. Contact the Contracting Officer with any questions concerning the reference documents. VII. LIST OF ACRONYMS AA Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy CD-ROM Compact Disc Read Only Memory CFR Code of Federal Regulations DQO Data Quality Objective EMRAD Economic, Methods and Risk Analysis Division EPA Environmental Protection Agency FR Federal Register FTIR Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectrometry GC Gas Chromatography GC/MS Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry HPLC High Performance Liquid Chromatography IC Ion Chromatography ICP Inductively Coupled Plasma ICP/MS Inductively Coupled Plasma/Mass Spectrometry IA Immunoassay LC/MS Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry MICE Methods Information Communications Exchange NAA Neutron Activation Analysis NTTAA National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act OSW Office of Solid Waste PBMS Performance -Based Measurement System PE Performance Evaluation PFE Pressurized Fluid Extraction QA Quality Assurance QAPP Quality Assurance Project Plan QAARWP Quality Assurance Annual Report and Work Plan QC Quality Control QMP Quality Management Plan RCRA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act RFA Regulatory Flexibility Act RIA Regulatory Impact Analyses SAP Sampling and Analysis Plan SBREFA Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act SFE Supercritical Fluid Extraction SPE Solid Phase Extraction SOW Statement of Work SW-846 "Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste, Physical/Chemical Methods, (SW-846)" TCLP Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure UV/VIS Ultraviolet/Visible Spectrometry WTQA Waste Testing and Quality Assurance Symposium XRF X-Ray Fluorescence
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