U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Request for Information Regarding EPA’s Superfund Remediation Acquisition Framework (RAF) Contracts
PURPOSE
The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to perform market research in preparation for EPA’s upcoming contracting efforts that support the Agency’s Superfund clean-up programs, specifically RAF.
BACKGROUND
The EPA Superfund Program, authorized under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), is responsible for cleaning up some of the nation’s most contaminated land and for responding to environmental emergencies, oil spills and natural disasters. Cleaning up Superfund sites is a complex, multi-phase process. Information on the clean-up process and the overall Superfund Program is available at: https://www.epa.gov/superfund.
The basic components of the services sought in support of the Superfund clean-up process are:
• Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Studies (RI/FS), risk assessments, treatability studies, as well as provide technical assistance.
• Design and engineering services, including architecture and engineering (A&E) services to prepare the remedial design (RD).
• Personnel, materials and services necessary to implement EPA-led remedial or non-time critical removal actions at Superfund sites.
• Personnel, materials and services necessary to implement remedial operations, including long-term response actions and preliminary assessment/site investigation activities.
• Technical support to EPA to oversee EPA contractor-implemented remedial services or removal actions under the remedial action contract
• Technical enforcement support (e.g., oversight) of the environmental clean-up work financed and performed by other parties including Federal agencies, states, tribes or PRPs.
EPA’s existing RAF established in 2016 acquires, among other things, national response services to support the Superfund remedial program. Part of the acquisition strategy for these current RAF contracts was to promote performance-based contracting using FAR subpart 16.5 at the task order level in coordination with FAR subpart 36. Resulting from those acquisitions, the current RAF includes (among other things) three types of multiple award indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contracts:
1. Remediation Environmental Services (RES). Full and open contracts with reserves for small business options providing remedial cleanup services with elements of construction;
2. Environmental Services and Operations (ESO). Small business set-asides providing remedial cleanup operations and oversight; and
3. Design and Engineering Services (DES). Full and open contracts with reserves for small business contracts providing A&E professional services and oversight of complex sites.
RFI AREAS OF INTEREST
This RFI seeks to gather feedback from:
(1) Existing RAF contractors: EPA seeks specific input from current RAF contractors on the RES, DES, and ESO contracts’ successes, challenges, and opportunities to enhance or streamline any aspect of these contracts. We would like to hear your thoughts about what worked and what has not worked in the competition, award, and administration of the RES, DES, and ESO contracts and other areas discussed below.
(2) The environmental remediation industry in general: EPA seeks input from industry in general regarding the upcoming iteration of EPA’s Superfund clean-up suites of contracts. We would like to hear your thoughts about the areas discussed below or other relevant areas you consider useful to include in your comments.
When responding, please indicate whether or not you are a current EPA RAF contractor and if so, which specific RAF contract suite(s) and CLIN(s)/region(s) you supported. Please also indicate if you are responding from the perspective of a prime contractor, subcontractor or forming a joint-venture or mentor-protege arrangement.
QUESTIONS FOR VENDORS
1. What adjustments to the current RAF approach would be needed for you to participate in any future RAF contracts?
2. In what ways has EPA missed opportunities to target small business including those within EPA’s target socioeconomic categories under RAF? How can we better target those small businesses moving forward?
3. If EPA were to adjust the current RAF contract structure, what would be a preferred approach to obtaining these services? (e.g., did the national approach and CLIN structure allow you to present your best proposals and encourage you to participate? Were the labor categories appropriate; Were the timeframes adequate. etc)
4. Did the previous RAF solicitations/sources sought notices allow you to provide the best responses possible for the work required? (e.g., did they provide adequate guidance? Necessary historical information? Enough time? Was the required documentation appropriate? Etc.)
5. Did the previous order-level competitions allow you to provide the best responses possible for the work required? (e.g., did they provide adequate guidance, information, time, etc? Is there something that would have increased your participation in task order competitions? Is there a way to make this process and/or use of the SF330 more efficient?)
6. Has EPA’s communication around competition and contract/task order management sufficient and clear?
7. Please share your takeaways from your experience supporting RAF. What should continue or remain under the next contract? What should be excluded from the next contract?
8. Are there any specific industry technologies or best practices to improve the Superfund business approach you would suggest?
9. If you have other relevant information or suggestions you would like to share, EPA is interested in hearing them. Please feel free to share anything you think would assist EPA in successfully creating the next round of Superfund clean-up services contracts.
Thank you for taking the time to respond to this RFI. EPA greatly values your input.
RESPONSE SUBMISSIONS
Responses must be received on or before December 6, 2024.
Submit all responses in writing using FedConnect® web portal (www.fedconnect.net) only (using reference number 68HE0P25R0001). No email submissions, phone calls or faxes will be accepted.
In order to submit RFI responses, your company must register in FedConnect® at www.fedconnect.net, see main page of FedConnect® website for registration instructions. For assistance in registering or for other FedConnect® technical questions please call the FedConnect® Help Desk at (800) 899-6665 or email at support@fedconnect.net. Registration with FedConnect® is free.
NOTES
This RFI is solely for informational, planning and market research purposes and does not constitute a Request for Proposals (RFP), Invitation for Bids (IFB), Request for Quotations (RFQ) or an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire services. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this RFI are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract nor do they affect a potential offeror’s ability to respond to any future synopsis/solicitation. The U.S. Government reserves the right to determine how it should proceed as a result of this notice. Furthermore, those who respond to this RFI should not anticipate feedback with regards to this process. All data gathered shall remain the property of EPA. All cost associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the responding party’s expense. The information collected in response to this notice may or may not be used to assist with developing the acquisition strategy.
