Description
The U.S. EPA has a requirement for the EPA?s Office of Air and Radiation (OAR); Office of Transportation and Air Quality (OTAQ); Assessment and Standards Division (ASD). ASD has rulemaking responsibilities under the Clean Air Act Amendments of November 1999, which include conducting economic impact and benefit analyses in support of the development of various mobile source air pollution control regulations and standards. The objective of this solicitation is to provide OTAQ support for conducting economic impact and benefit analyses, as well as other related tasks in support of the development of various mobile source air pollution control regulations and standards promulgated under the Clean Air Act Amendments of November 15, 1999. The mobile source standards to control air pollution may include standards for onroad and nonroad engines and equipment, air toxics standards, renewable fuels standards, fuels standards and other regulatory standards. Such support may include: rulemaking benefit analyses; economic impact analyses; industry characterization; analyses of air quality modeling results; emission control strategy analyses; information collection analyses; regulatory impact analyses; the reviewing, developing and reporting of economic analysis tools, techniques and methods; sensitivity, uncertainty/variability characterizations; conducting surveys and focus group sessions; developing analytical computer models; graphical information systems support; the conducting of training on models or methods and providing support for modeling and software development; reviewing data inputs and technical support documents; preparing docket materials and reference documents; developing support for responses to public comments; revising analyses and related documentation; providing technical and administrative support for workshops, seminars, meetings, public hearings and peer review panels. Significant potential exists for an organizational conflict of interest under this procurement. Therefore, it is considered in the best interest of the Government to exclude all motor vehicle manufacturers, motor vehicle engine manufacturers, nonroad vehicle and nonroad engine manufacturers, fuels and/or fuel additive producers, all firms in the field of emission control/reduction from consideration for award as prime contractors or subcontractors. Furthermore, all offerors will be required to submit a COI plan requiring them to identify the projects they are working on and explain how potential or actual organizational conflicts of interest can be mitigated, avoided or neutralized. The solicitation will contain the following provision, ?Industries Prohibited from Being Considered for Award.? The text of this clause will be as follows: Whereas this procurement requires that the contractor provide support for economic impact and benefit analysis activities directly affecting the motor vehicle manufacturers, motor vehicle engine manufacturers, nonroad vehicle and nonroad engine manufacturers, fuel and/or fuel additives producers, and firms in the field of emission control/reduction, the Contracting Officer has determined that a COI will result. Therefore, any motor vehicle manufacturers, motor vehicle engine manufacturers, nonroad vehicle and nonroad engine manufacturers, fuel and/or fuel additives producers, and firms in the field of emission control/reduction, will be considered ineligible for award of any contract resulting from this solicitation. The specific determination whether any other offeror is to be considered ineligible for award will be made by the Agency on a case-by-case basis. The solicitation and resulting contract shall also contain the clause, ?Limitation on Future Contracting.? The text of this clause will coincide with Limitation of Future Contracting, (EPAAR 1552.209-74 (MAY 1994), Alternative V (Headquarters Support), except for paragraph (c). Paragraph (c) of the clause shall read as follows: ?Unless prior written approval is obtained from the EPA Contracting Officer, the contractor agrees not to enter into a contract with or to represent any party, other than EPA, with respect to the specific activities performed under this contract. Specifically, the contractor may not enter into contracts with, or represent any motor vehicle manufacturers, motor vehicle engine manufacturers, nonroad vehicle and nonroad engine manufactures, fuel and/or fuel additives producers; and firms in the field of emission control/reduction that are affected by the policy and regulations generated from this contract if the purpose is to contest, oppose, or otherwise influence such policies or regulations, or to avoid or circumvent their applicability. These restrictions apply during the life of the contact.? The government anticipates award of a cost-plus-fixed-fee, term, Level of Effort (LOE) contract. The estimated LOE includes one, 12-month base period of 2,270 hours, plus four, 12-month option periods of 2,270 hours each. In addition, quantity options totaling 4,540 hours for each contract period will be included. The total potential LOE for each period is 6,810 hours. The maximum total LOE for all periods (five years) on the contract is 34,050 hours. The NAICS code is 54162. The solicitation will be issued on a full and open competitive basis; it will not be a small business set-aside. Copies of the solicitation will be available to all offerors on the Internet at the following website: www.epa.gov/oam/cinn_cmd. Interested parties are expected to download the solicitation and subsequent amendments from the website and to monitor the status of the RFP. All responsible sources may submit a proposal which will be considered by EPA. The anticipated release date is early May and the close date is approximately 30 days thereafter. Contract award will be made in accordance with Far Part 15, Contracting by Negotiation.