Description
LIMITED SOURCES JUSTIFICATION/SOLE SOURCE FAR 8.405-6 1. AGENCY INFORMATION: Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Contracting Activity: Office of Acquisition Management (OAM) Superfund RCRA/Regional Procurement Operations Division (SRRPOD) Emergency Response Service Center (ERSC) Program Office: Office of Solid Waste & Emergency Response (OSWER) Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation (OSTRI) 2. DESCRIPTION OF ACTION BEING APPROVED: Nature/Description of Action(s): The U.S. EPA?s Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation has a requirement to procure technical assistance services in support of the Technical Assistance Services for Communities (TASC) program, that provides free, non-advocacy technical assistance services to communities impacted by environmental issues and Agency actions to empower them to substantively participate in addressing these issues and actions. The goal of technical assistance services being procured is to empower communities impacted by environmental issues related to Superfund site contamination and remediation, by facilitating an understanding of environmental laws, policies and procedures, and the technical and scientific issues, essential to the cleanup and decision-making processes at the hazardous waste site impacting their community. The scope of support being procured ranges from providing minor assistance reviewing technical documents, to providing more in depth assistance that involves supporting communities in their efforts to become more aware of environmental issues and more effectively and sustainably engaged in all aspects of the environmental issues impacting them. Description of the services required to meet the agency?s needs: The general scope of services being procured involve providing supplemental, non-advocacy, technical assistance services at no cost to communities to empower them to substantively participate in addressing environmental issues and actions which impact their community. The specific types of technical support provided include but are not limited to the following: Information Assistance and Technical Expertise, Community Education, Technical Assistance Needs Assessment and Plan Development, Community Involvement Infrastructure Support, and TASC Program Coordination and Support Activities. Refer to the attached Performance Work Statement (PWS) for a detailed description of the scope of services required to support this requirement. The anticipated period of performance for this task order will not exceed three months. Estimated Value: $ 227,750.00 IV. IDENTIFICATION OF JUSTIFICATION RATIONALE: This Limited Sources is being issued pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation Subpart 8.405-6 (a)(1)(i)(A). An unusual and compelling need exists for the technical assistance services provided through the TASC program, and following standard procurement procedures would result in unacceptable delays for Government and the communities these services are in place to support. The follow-on TASC contract, which is a seven year contract, is in the process of being reprocured with an anticipated award date around March 2013. TASC?s ultimate goal is to provide community members with technical assistance so they can better understand technical issues, decision-making processes, EPA policies and regulations, etc., in order to participate substantively in environmental decisions affecting their community. The Program?s experience based on many ongoing projects supported through the TASC Program has shown community participation in the decision-making process is a critical component of hazardous waste site cleanup. Furthermore, experience shows that technical assistance should be available continuously throughout the cleanup process in order for communities to be effectively engaged, involved, and considered in the decision-making process. When engaging with communities who have and are presently dealing with the actual and/or perceived impacts of environmental contamination and the resulting implications on their personal and family?s health, jobs, schools and property value, continuity of technical assistance services is essential. The many projects supported through the TASC program cannot be disrupted without causing a significant harm to the trust and communication levels between EPA and the communities. In addition, continuity of support helps to build institutional knowledge in the community about complex Superfund site issues and facilitates, over time, the development of invaluable relationships with community stakeholders. Over the life of the current contract, the Program has observed trends where gaps in community trust have arisen due to inconsistencies (i.e. delays, turnover in EPA site staff, misperceptions of site technical information, etc.), and such trust gaps were detrimental to progress, presenting issues which disrupted moving forward in the site cleanup process. V. BEST VALUE DETERMINATION: After thorough review and analysis of the TASC requirement and in consideration of the facts presented in the above section, the Contracting Officer has determined award of a fixed rate task order to Skeo Solutions represents the best value to the Government based on the following: The technical assistance support services provided through the TASC Program increases the effectiveness of EPA programs and the Agency?s perception in communities impacted by hazardous waste contamination. Experience has shown if communities have the technical capacity to understand the information that EPA provides, then they will be able to engage with the Agency and, in doing so, provide the agency with ideas, comments and concerns that EPA can use to make effective decisions and to further enhance our programs. Building capacity within communities is challenging and can be a long process. Disruptions and inconsistencies can prove extremely detrimental when shepherding communities through the site cleanup process. The types of assistance services provided through the TASC Program are a conduit for shaping the public perception related to the Agency?s role and image. It is critical to provide long-term, uninterrupted consistency when engaging communities and providing supp ort, in order to develop the relationships that will increase the effectiveness of the technical capacity-building assistance under the contract; this in turn will foster an informed public that informs the Agency. In addition GSA has already determined the prices of fixed rates for services offered at hourly rates, under schedule contracts, to be fair and reasonable. As such by placing an order against Skeo Solution?s schedule contract using the procedures in 8.405, the Contracting Officer has determined the order represents the best value (as defined in FAR 2.101) and results in the most advantageous overall cost alternative (considering this contractor has intimate knowledge of TASC Program operations and established relationships with communities on active project, and is capable of estimating costs based on their historical perspective) to meet the Government?s needs. VI. DESCRIPTION OF MARKET RESEARCH CONDUCTED: The extent of market research consisted of searching GSAs e-Library to determine if Skeo Solutions held a schedule contract under the Category 899-1, Environmental Consulting Services. Once located, the GSA contract was reviewed to determine if the labor categories and types of support offered were suitable for the Government?s urgent requirement. This task order will serve as a ?bridge? contract between the current TASC contract and the follow-on. Based upon the aforementioned research efforts, it has been determined that the required technical assistance support services are presently available through Skeo Solutions Federal Supply Schedule contract number GS-10F-0309N. PLEASE NOTE: During the pre-solicitation stages of the reprocurement, an RFI and Sources Sought were also issued via the Government Point of Entry in December 2011and March 2012 respectively to solicit feedback and identify potential sources of service. Documentation pertaining to the review and analysis of interested firms is included in the pre-award file for solicitation number SOL-HQ-12-00004. VII. ADDITIONAL FACTS: None. VIII. A STATEMENT OF THE ACTIONS, IF ANY, THE AGENCY MAY TAKE TO REMOVE OR OVERCOME ANY BARRIERS TO COMPETITION: The Government is presently engaged in the active reprocurement of a seven contract to provide the technical assistance services offered through the TASC program. This contract is being procured competitively under FAR part 15 requirements and will be awarded by March 2013. IX. EVIDENCE THAT ANY SUPPORTING DATA THAT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF TECHNICAL OR REQUIREMENTS PERSONNEL (E.G., VERIFYING THE GOVERNMENT?S MINIMUM NEEDS OR REQUIREMENTS OR OTHER RATIONALE FOR LIMITED SOURCES) AND WHICH FORM A BASIS FOR THE JUSTIFICATION HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED AS COMPLETE AND ACCURATE BY THE TECHNICAL OR REQUIREMENTS PERSONNEL.