RECOVERY – Analysis of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funded 604(b) planning projects

THIS NOTICE IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. NO SOLICITATION WILL BE ISSUED AGAINST THIS TASK ORDER. The purpose of this Task Order was to support the EPA Water Quality Management program in overseeing the implementation of ARRA by conducting an analysis of the ARRA-funded 604(b) planning projects. The period of performance for this task order is anticipated was from April 25, 2011 through April 30, 2012. It is now completed. The task order is funded reduced from $145,043.00 to $144,392.58. 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.