Solicitation Number:

RFQ-DC-08-00112

Notice Type:

Presolicitation

Synopsis:

NAICS Code: 541620 *****THIS IS A RFQ/RFP - NOT A PRESOLICITATION AS NOTED******* The U.S. Enivornmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4 has requested that the Environmental Response Team (ERT) support the Anniston PCBs site by providing technical assistance for the ecological riskassessment and related processess within the Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study (RI/FS). Support will be provided through the review of deliverables submitted by Solutia, Inc., the attendance of ERT at meetings when appropriate, and through field oversight. Due to the magnitude of this project, ERT will require contract support to provide the level of assistance needed by Region 4 on this site for the next three years. The contract will run through May 2, 2011. BACKGROUND: PCBs were produced at the former Monsanto plant (facility) in Anniston, Alabama from 1929-1971. Production was initially started by Southern Manganese Corp., which was later renamed Swann Chemical Company and subsequently purchased by Monsanto Company. Solutia, Inc., the present Facility owner, was created in 1997 as a spin-off of Monsanto. The migration of PCBs away from the Facility occurred as a result of surface water transport. During precipitation events, surface water flowed through areas containing PCBs and into various drainage ditches leading to Snow Creek. Subsequently, PCBs absorbed to suspended solids settled out in some areas of the floodways of these drainage ditches and Snow Creek. Solutia has made significant improvements to the Facility by covering areas with PCB-contaiing soil and controlling surface water run-on and off from the Facility. These controls were implemented to prevent PCBs from migrating away from the Facility and adjoining areas. PCBs have also been found as a result of direct disposal of PCB-containing materials or the relocation of PCB-containing sediment, foundry sand and/or flood plain soils. EPA began sampling residential properties at the Anniston PCB site in 1999. EPA collected samples from approximately 570 residences. Samples from churches, common areas, vacant lands, parks, commercial/industrial sites, schools and other public lands were also collected. Solutia began sampling residential properties as specified in an agreement with EPA (the Time-Critical Removal Order) in May of 2001. The removal action level was set at 10 parts per million (ppm). Since that date, Solutia has completed sampling activities at all the residential properties where access has been granted. Solutia has requested access for conducting removal actions from 28 properties under provisions of the Time-Critical Removal Order. Access was granted for 15 of the properties and denied for 13 of the properties. At the time this fact sheet was prepared, Solutia had completed cleanup at all the properties where access was granted and cleanup was required. Activities performed at these properties included sampling for PCBs, soil removal and disposal, placement of clean fill material and re-vegetation. A Partial Consent Decree (PCD) for the site was entered by the US District Court for the Northern District of Alabama on August 4, 2003. The PCD requires Solutia to continue under the Time Critical Removal Order and begin a Non-Time Critical Removal (NTC) and a Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study (RI/FS). The NTC Removal Action is being used at the Anniston PCB Site to achieve immediate risk reduction on residential properties not addressed by the Time-Critial Removal Order while the RI/FS is completed and the final remedy is selected. There are multiple short term deadlines (Court imposed and/or negotiated with Solutia) that require expedited review and revision. The contractor shall perform the following duties: (1) Review baseline ecological risk assessment documents for Operable Units 1+2 and Operable Unit 4. This will be a critical review of four (4) separate documents; (2) The critical reviews of documents shall include review of the text and a technical review of the sampling plans and results. This critical technical review will include, at minimum: a)Confirmation that sample designs are statistically and scientifically valid and will provide the data necessary to make decisions; b)Confirmation that proper, decision-oriented analytical techniques are used; c) Evaluation of data from sampling efforts and bioassays; d) Confirmation that appropriate risk models and proper in-put parameters and exposure factors are used in the risk assessments; and e) Confirmation of risk calculations. (3) Travel for appropriate site meetings and/or field oversights purposes. The contractor will need to accompany the ERT representatives on two occasions; (4) Prepare summary reports containing comments from the critical reviews; (5) Assist in the derivation of Data Quality Objectives on future components of the RI; (6) Provide support to ERT on issues related to coordination and communication with State and Federal Trustees; (7) Provide technical review and comment letters to ERT on documents related to ecological risk; and (8) Assistance in developing risk based ecologically relevant cleanup goals for all operable units related to the Anniston Site. The NAICS Code is 541620. Offeror shall provide a fixed price quotation via email for the aforementioned SOW by 2PM, EST on April 30, 2008. Quotations must include a plan describing the offeror's technical capability and proposed methodology for performing the tasks in the SOW. The offeror shall also provide three past performance references which may be contacted by the Contracting Officer. The Government may also obtain past performance information from other sources. The technical proposal plan should not exceed 5 pages total (including attachments). To receive full consideration for award, respondents must completly address all of the following evaluation factors. (1) Technical Capability: Demonstrated ability to perform the tasks and/or services in the SOW. The soundness of the contractor's proposed methodology to accomplish the tasks in the SOW; (2) Past Performance: Relevant past performance with particular emphasis on timeliness, responsiveness, professionalism and cost control; (3) Price. The evaluation factors are listed in order of importance. Finally, please provide general business information such as Tax Identification NUmber (TIN), business classification or socioeconomic status. Please submit quotes/proposal to: scott.elaine@epa.gov. Please direct all questions and/or comments to this email address as well.

Contracting Office Address:

Environmental Protection Agency, Emergency Response Service Center, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., Nw, Washington, DC 20460

Point of Contact(s):

Point of Contact, Elaine Scott, Purchasing Agent, Phone (202) 564-4478 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency