U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Contracts Management Division (MD-33), Attention: OARSC, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711

D -- CORRECTIONS AND ENHANCEMENTS TO CMB8 SOFTWARE SOL RFQ-DC9570 POC Sandra Clark, Contract Specialist 919-541-2213/Sue Davis, Contracting Officer 919-541-2213 E-MAIL: click here to contact the contracting officer via, clark.sandra@epa.gov. The Environmental Protection Agency has a requirement to diagnose, repair, and reconfigure Version 8 of the Chemical Mass Balance (CMB8). The model code was written in a combination of FORTRAN and C languages using state-of-the-science compilers available at the time. In 1998, CMB7 was upgraded to CMB8, rewritten as a graphical Microsoft Windows application with several enhancements with respect to file access, output options, and visualization tools. Among the tasks involved with upgrading the CMB engine were: correcting a bug associated with using the AUTOFIT feature; enabling the Britt and Luecke exact least squares solution; providing additional source profile and fitting species combinations (arrays); optimize fitting (individual and AUTOFIT) so that sources with contribution estimates that are either negative or that are lower than their standard errors while appearing in an uncertainty/similarity cluster are eliminated; automatically eliminating species with missing values; and expanding optionsin the configuration and Output files. The Windows graphical user interface (GUI) provides menus that allow samples to be selected, sources and fitting species to be tagged, and input and output file formats to be modified; and provides graphical and tabular displays. When the model and its documentation were reviewed, several problems were observed. It is the purpose of this effort to address and solve the problems and develop a model that is stable and works properly in a Windows environment. Some of the problems observed relate to the Delphi-based (Borland) GUI, while others may involve coding errors. Some of the tasks involve verification or confirmation, which are needed to embellish the User's Manual (hereafter, Manual). As CMB8 was reviewed more extensively, several enhancements appeared to be in order to make the model more robust and user friendly. A key objective of this effort is to take a lot of the guess-work out of the operation of CMB8, and to eliminate or minimize surprises. Once the corrections and enhancements are done, EPA will update the Manual to make it reconcile with the model operation. A viable CMB8 and documentation are needed before they can be officially released for regulatory applications. This will require a careful reconfiguration of the model to make it more user-friendly, robust, and error-free. The successful contractor will have a genuine quality assurance discipline and execute quality control practices. EPA is anxiously awaiting the availability of this tool for implementation of its PM programs. This procurement shall be awarded based on the following best value' criteria: (a.) Quoted cost; (b.) demonstrated knowledge and experience in configuring and customizing GUIs using Borland's Delphi programming language (the successful candidate will demonstrate this by exhibits of working CMB or CMB-related systems); and (c.) past performance (the Government will exercise its option to weigh a candidate's bid against past performance for similar work). Whether or not quoted costs are comparable, the Government will give considerable weight to (b.) above as a discriminating factor. The award will be through small business set-aside. EPA anticipates the award of a fixed price purchase order. SIC No. 7371 applies, with a size standard of $18M in average annual receipts over the preceding three fiscal years. RFQ will be available via the Internet World Wide Web at http://www.epa.gov/oam/rtp_cmd. Firms are encouraged to access the RFQ and amendments via Internet. If you obtain a copy of the RFQ via Internet, it will be your responsibility to frequently check the same site where the RFQ is posted for any amendments. However, firms who do not have the capability to obtain the solicitation from Internet, may submit a written request for a copy of the RFQ from the contact point at the address above. If you request a copy of the RFQ, you will receive amendments by mail, unless you notify us otherwise. Telephone and fax requests will not be honored. Only one copy shall be sent to a corporate entity, regardless of the number of requests from one or more different geographic locations. All responsible sources may submit a proposal which shall be considered by the Agency. See Note 1. Posted 08/10/99 (W-SN365973). (0222)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0033 19990812\D-0013.SOL)