R--Professional Services - Notice of Intent

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Program Management and Regional Coordination Service Center (PMRCSC) on behalf of the Office of Research And Development (ORD) in RTP, NC intends to award a sole source purchase order to Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen (HMGU) to procure the services of a technical expert to conduct data analyses, prepare written data reports, and prepare publishable manuscripts. An epidemiologist from the German HMGU (Dr. Susanne Breitner) and her supervisor (Dr. Alexandra Schneider) shall conduct analyses of existing datasets, prepare written reports, and prepare reports or publishable manuscripts for human health effects research studies for which she has already completed a portion of the analyses as a visiting scientist. The proposed contractor (HMGU) is uniquely qualified to perform the services required. HMGU is a German government environmental research organization located in Munich that is the equivalent of the NIEHS in the US. The EPA has had a formal written agreement with them since 2000 to undertake a series of collaborative research projects of interest to both organizations. As visiting scientists under the auspices of the EPA/HMGU agreements, Dr. Schneider and Dr. Breitner have already performed a preliminary analysis on a small subset of the data and demonstrated the high likelihood that the study will succeed. As part of this analysis, they were given access to the EPA exposure models and the Duke database. It is now necessary to complete the analysis on the entire dataset. Dr. Schneider and Dr. Breitner have unique experience and insight into the analyses and interpretation of the study data that no one else has, since they have already completed a portion of the analysi s. No one else outside the EPA is known to have comparable qualifications. Dr. Schneider and Dr. Breitner shall complete the data analysis linking both acute cardiovascular changes in the Duke cohort with daily and changes in ozone, PM and PM components/sources. HMGU is the only known qualified entity to provide such a service with the necessary background and experience to complete this analysis for the EPA. The NAICS code used shall be: 541620, Environmental Consulting Services under FAR Part 13 and in accordance with FAR Part 6.302-1, Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The period of performance for this purchase order shall be for 12 months effective on the date of contract award. No payments for information, capability statements, etc. will result from this announcement. This announcement also in no way requests any form of proposal or quote. Notwithstanding, any firm that believes it is capable of meeting EPA's requirement may submit a capability statement, which if received within fifteen (15) calendar days of the date of this announcement 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 this purchase order based upon the responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Please refer all responses, comments, and questions to the Contracting Officer at email address: [email protected] no later than close of business July 26, 2013. NO PHONE CALLS WILL BE ACCEPTED.