--Technical Support for Assessing, Managing, and Communicating the Ecological and

The U.S. EPA intends to negotiate on a sole source basis, under the authority of the FAR 6.302-1 with Tetra Tech, Inc. to provide support services to the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Science and Technology (OST), Standards and Health Protection Division (SHPD) under contract titled ?Technical Support for Assessing, Managing, and Communicating the Ecological and Human Health Risks of Contaminants in Water, Fish and Sediments and Microbial Pathogens in Surface Waters?, EP-C-09-019, for an additional 6,500 level of effort labor hours to be utilized to extend the contract which expires March 31, 2014, by six months, until September 30, 2014. SHPD's responsibilities under the Clean Water Act of 1987 (CWA) and EPA's Strategic Plan include directing the national program for adoption of Water Quality Standards, developing prevention and remediation strategies to reduce the risk to human health and aquatic life resulting from contaminated fish and sediment, beach monitoring and advisories relating to microbial pathogens in surface waters, and preparing outreach and awareness materials including developing instructional material and presenting workshops. Contaminants in surface waters, sediments, and fish tissue pose threats to ecological and human health. Microbial pathogens in surface waters also pose threats to human health through bathing beach exposure. The Fish, Shellfish, Beaches, and Outreach Branch (FSBOB) is developing methods and guidance for EPA program offices, State agencies, local governments, and nongovernmental organizations to assess, remediate, or otherwise manage, and communicate the risks associat ed with exposure to these contaminates and microbial pathogens. FSBOB is also conducting studies to assess the national extent and severity of sediments and fish tissue contamination, as well as water borne pathogens present at bathing beaches. The contractor shall provide services to support risk based analyses; economic and statistical analyses; model development and applications; guidance and report development; compilation and analysis of national and international environmental data; methods development and validation; environmental assessments; field sampling; laboratory analytical services; workshops, conferences, training, and logistical support; expert/peer review support; public outreach and technology transfer; compilation, categorization, and summarization of comments; and preparation of presentation materials. EPA believes that Tetra Tech, Inc., with its experience in working the current contract, is uniquely qualified for this short term additional effort and Tetra Tech, Inc. is the only responsible source able to perform this 6-month effort due to its combination of expertise, knowledge of the equipment and facilities, and familiarity with ongoing projects required to meet EPA?s critical deadlines. THIS NOTICE IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. However, any firm believing itself capable of meeting this EPA requirement must submit technical documentation to establish its assertion. This documentation must be submitted to the POC within 15 days of the electronic posting of this notice. Telephone requests will not be honored. A determination not to compete the proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the EPA. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement or to proceed on a sole source basis. The anticipated award date for this modification to the existing contract is February 28, 2014.