Trace Atmospheric Gas Analyzer (TAGA)Request for Information (RFI) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) to: 1. Gather industry input on the referenced TAGA specifications. 2. Request information on any industry changes or improvements that the Government should consider when looking to achieve best value by improving quality and reducing costs. 3. Request information on other possible changes and potential barriers as a result of those changes. 4. Request costs estimates. Disclaimer This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP), Invitation for Bid (IFB), or an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any services. Responses to this RFI are not offers and will not be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract of any nature. The Government will not award a contract based on this RFI. The Government reserves the right to determine how it should proceed as a result of this notice. Responding parties should not anticipate Government feedback on their respective submissions. The Government will not pay any cost incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the responding party's expense. If a solicitation is released, it will be via FedBizOpps (http://www.fedbizopps.gov). It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor the website for any information that may pertain to this RFI or a future solicitati on. All information solicited and received in this RFI will be treated as information only. Responses to this RFI will not be returned. The information provided in this RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. The Government requests that you read through this RFI, and provide thoughtful responses to the questions below. Responses to this RFI may be evaluated by the Government technical experts drawn from staff within EPA and/or by selected support contractor personnel. Support contractors will be bound by appropriate non-disclosure agreements to protect proprietary and source selection information. Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and must be clearly marked. Responders are encouraged to avoid use of excessive marketing lexicon; submission of fancy brochures; and other unnecessary sales literature or product puffery. What Should Be Included in Your Response 1. Do submit succinct, thoughtful responses to the questions listed in this RFI. 2. Do submit comments that address the Government's requirements, assumptions, conditions or contemplated approaches to this future acquisition. 3. Do submit information and suggestions that may encourage new, different, or innovative approaches that would result in direct cost savings to the Government. 4. Do submit capability statements. What Should Not Be Included in Your Response 1. Do not submit proposals or offers. 2. Do not submit past performance information or general descriptions of corporate experience. 3. Do not submit requests to be considered for award or to be notified of a future solicitation. 4. Do not submit requests to be added to a mailing or distribution list. 5. Do not submit questions or comments not related to the RFI. 6. Do not respond via telephone. How to Respond Please submit your response to this RFI via e-mail to
[email protected] with the words "TAGA RFI Response" in the e-mail subject line. The closing time for responses is 4:00 P.M. EDST, on May 30, 2012. Due to server limitations, please limit the size of each e-mail to no more than 2MB. Telephonic and mail/courier responses will not be accepted. The full Request for Information and all attachments can be found on the EPA website at http://www.epa.gov/oamsrpod/ersc/TAGA/index.htm. NO PHONE CALLS will be accepted regarding this announcement. Thank you for your participation in this request. Elizabeth Fuller Contracting Officer US Environmental Protections Agency