RECOVERY - Managerial and Oversight Support for the EPA Clean Water State Revolving Fund (Modification 38)

The purpose of this Modification 38 is to obligate $620,000 in support of three work assignments (WA 3-100; WA 3-101; and WA 3-102). The period of performance for these work assignments will be from April 8, 2009 though March 31, 2010. The modification also incorporates into the contract clauses required for contracts involving ARRA funded activities. WA 3-100 is to develop tools to assist the EPA’s Office of Wastewater Management’s 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. 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. WA 3-102 is to provide support to EPA in developing and implementing a comprehensive strategy for the Green Project Reserve provisions of the ARRA. Key tasks include providing logistical support for EPA in responding to inquiries regarding new ARRA Green Project Reserve implementation, outreach and training, assistance to States soliciting Green Project Reserve applications, oversight and tracking and reporting. 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.