Application of Advanced Receptor Models for Evaluating the Sources of Water and Air Pollution, Notice of Intent for Sole Source Procurement Procurement Office : United States Environmental Protection Agency, Superfund Regional Operations Division (3805R) 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004 Response Date: February 25, 2014 at 3:00 pm est. Background The U.S. EPA National Exposure Research Laboratory (NERL) develops, applies and evaluates receptor models that are used to identify and quantify pollution sources using measurements of pollutant concentrations. Application of two advanced receptor modeling approaches is needed for two studies, one focused on sources of water pollution in rivers and the other on traffic-related sources of air pollution. Surface water data were collected as part of EPA's Study of Hydraulic Fracturing and Its Potential Impact on Drinking Water Resources. The sources of pollution are being evaluated using a number of mathematical receptor models including EPA Unmix. Unmix is a multivariate receptor modeling and analysis software module (Copyright 1998, 1999, 2001, 2003 by Ronald C. Henry). The U.S. EPA has supported the development of Unmix under Cooperative Agreement No. CR822072 to the University of Southern California, and Purchase Order Numbers 9D-17226-NATX, 2D-6043-NATX, and 3D 6126 NATX to Ronald Henry. A new Unmix algorithm has recently been developed under EPA Purchase Order Number EP-14-W-000017 to Ronald Henry which will provide more flexibility in the analysis since it provides feasible solutions with a numerical measure of the quality of the solution. The U.S. EPA NERL and National Risk Management Research Laboratory (NRMRL) collected air pollutant and meteorological data at multiple locations in Detroit as part of a research study investigating the impact of traffic-related sources on near-roadway air quality, human exposures and human health. Time-resolved (e.g. 5 minute) data were collected during the study in order to quantify the impact of traffic-related emissions on air pollutant concentrations near major roadways. Since emissions from other roadways and other sources of these pollutants can contribute to the measured levels, a data analysis methodology is needed to identify and quantify local impacts from the roadway compared to other sources. Previously, the Non-parametric Trajectory Analysis (NTA) receptor modeling approach was developed and applied to air pollutant data from multiple locations near a major roadway in Las Vegas, NV under Purchase Order Number EP08D000560 to Dr. Ronald Henry. The NTA model (He nry et al., 2011) uses short-time resolution data (1 to 5 min average) for pollutant concentrations and wind speed and direction to construct back-trajectories. Using nonparametric regression, NTA is able to determine the local geographical regions that are the source of high concentrations of pollutants observed at the monitor locations (i.e., receptors). Scope or Objective The primary goal of this contract is to apply advanced receptor modeling approaches to measurement study data collected by EPA to identify the various sources contributing to the measured levels and quantify their relative impacts. The measurement data from both studies are unique and present challenges beyond the standard application of receptor models, thus modifications or refinements to the model codes may also be needed. Sole Source Justification This procurement is recommended to be processed without full and open competition for the professional consulting services of Dr. Ronald Henry for applying Unmix and Nonparametric Trajectory Analysis (NTA) algorithms. Unmix is a multivariate receptor modeling and analysis software module (Copyright 1998, 1999, 2001, 2003 by Ronald C. Henry) and the development was supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development (ORD) and Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards under multiple contracts with Ron Henry (Cooperative Agreement No. CR822072 to the University of Southern California, and Purchase Order Numbers EP-14-W-000017, 9D-17226-NATX, 2D-6043-NATX, and 3D 6126 NATX). NTA is used to identify air pollution sources impacting receptor sites by combing wind direction and measurement data and its development was supported ORD through EP08D000560 with Ronald Henry. Dr. Henry developed Unmix and NTA, he also has extensive experience in receptor modeling and NTA, and has participated in numerous published Unmix and NTA projects (see attached Vitae, and receptor modeling publication list). Dr. Henry?s application of the Unmix and NTA algorithms would be of major benefit to the EPA in allowing for improved evaluation of air and water pollution sources. AUTHORITY AND FAR REFERENCE The basis for this recommendation is 13.106-1(b). Dr. Ronald Henry is located at 24017 Ingomar Street. Canoga Park, CA. 91304-6113. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541620. Small business $14 million-Yes. The EPA's determination is that there is only one responsible source capable of satisfying this requirement. There is NO SOLICITATION for this requirement. Any firm that believes it is capable of meeting these requirements will be considered. Responses to this posting must be in writing and provide clear and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to the Government. A determination not to compete the proposed purchase order based upon the responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Written responses must be submitted via email to the sole point of contact, Frank Bottalico, Contracting Officer at
[email protected] no later than 3:00 pm Washington DC local time on Tuesday, 25th February 2014. No telephone inquiries will be accepted.