Description
THIS NOTICE IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY NO SOLICITAION WILL BE ISSUED AGAINST THIS SYNOPSIS The purpose of this Modification 48 is to obligate $612,216 in support of four work assignments (WA 3-100; WA 3-101; WA 3-103; and WA 3-104). The period of performance for work assignments 3-100; 3-101; and 3-103 is from April 13, 2009 through March 31, 2010. The period of performance of work assignment 3-104 is from July 30 2009 through March 31, 2010. The purpose of WA 3-100 is to develop tools to assist the EPA's Office of Wastewater Management's (OWM) State Revolving Fund Branch to properly manage and provide oversight for funds provide to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) under the ARRA. The tools to be developed under this work assignment include a checklist to be used by EPA Regional SRF staff to review and monitor ARRA funds provided to CWSRF borrowers to ensure that the funds are being used properly and effectively. The contractor shall also develop guidelines for State SRF programs to monitor and oversee how the federal ARRA funds are being used and to ensure that all federal and State requirements are being followed. The current value of WA 3-100 is $759,460 with additional funds to be required for Amendment 2 to the work assignment. The purpose of WA 3-101 is to support EPA in ensuring that States and EPA Regions understand data entry issues associated with ARRA reporting in the existing CWSRF Benefits Reporting (CBR) database. This will include supporting EPA's efforts to facilitate reporting transparency, and to develop, update, and expand a portfolio of reports on the environmental and economic impact of CWSRF loans made with ARRA funds. The current value of WA 3-101 is $103,129 with additional funds to be required for Amendment 3 to the work assignment. The purpose WA 3-103 is to support the development of tools and training aligned with the unique aspects of the ARRA for Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) State programs and the borrower community of the DWSRF. This support will include: (a) participating in and providing support to a full day working session with the DWSRF program to support the development of a program oversight strategy for the unique needs of the ARRA funds. The contractor shall provide its expertise in program management, financial management, auditing and risks, and data management; (b) developing a means to transfer data from the DWSRF's Project Management System to the Office of Management & Budget's (OMB) Recovery.gov website; and (c) supporting two (2) web seminars on the DWSRF and ARRA. This support for the webinars shall consist of getting a web seminar service, managing registration, and recording questions and answers during the web seminars. The current value of WA 3-103 is $84,517 with additional funds to be required for Amendment 2 to the work assignment. The purpose WA 3-104 is to support OWM by working with the EPA, Oklahoma Water Resource Board (OWRB) and other relevant parties to identify, develop, and refine metrics that capture the environmental, social, and economic benefits of ARRA funded projects. The contractor's efforts shall also focus on developing the appropriate reporting mediums for the metrics that will allow the State of Oklahoma to communicate ARRA related benefits to its stakeholders, and improve internal program management. Upon completion of project, Oklahoma's process for capturing and utilizing the benefits of ARRA funded projects will serve as a case study for other interested CWSRF programs. The current value of WA 3-104 is $76,497. 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.