Sole Source Synopsis
Technical Research, Engineering, and Development Services (TREDS)
for the Nevada Field Office (NFO)
Solicitation Number: 89233121RNA000113
August 23, 2021
The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) intends to award a contract to Nevada System of Higher Education [doing business as Desert Research Institute (DRI)] by means of other than full and open competition pursuant to statutory authority 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1), as implemented by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 6.302-1 entitled Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements , in support of the DOE NNSA Nevada Field Office (NFO).
This procurement is for a five (5) year period of performance, a one-year base period followed by four 1-year option periods. This procurement is contemplated to be a Cost No Fee follow-on contract to DOE NNSA Contract DE-NA0003590 for Technical Research, Engineering, and Development Services (TREDS) for the Nevada Field Office (NFO). This requirement provides technical research, engineering, and development services studies and operational support in a number of distinct areas to include: subcritical experiment safety; non-proliferation research; radiation safety; geology; hydrology; paleohydrology; meteorology and climatology; environmental protection, remediation, and monitoring; environmental regulatory compliance; cultural resources and historic preservation; atmospheric sciences; radioactive and non-radioactive transport mechanisms; assistance with consultation with Native American tribes; and community outreach assistance in support of DOE/NNSA activities on the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS), on the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR) including the Tonopah Test Range (TTR), and at over 24 community environmental monitoring locations throughout Nevada, Utah and California. In conducting these activities, interface with other contractors and the public is required to enhance DOE/NNSA credibility regarding its activities related to hydrologic; environmental; atmospheric; and human health issues at the NNSS. These efforts will help ensure that DOE, NNSA, and NFO will meet program and regulatory objectives/requirements. The scope of this requirement is further outlined in the attached DRAFT Performance Work Statement (PWS) entitled, Technical Research, Engineering, and Development Services (TREDS). The ability to obtain and maintain DOE L and Q clearances will be required for employees under this effort.
The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) Code for this effort is 541715 - Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology).
A Request for Information (RFI) was posted to Sam.gov on March 5, 2021. Of those businesses who submitted a response to the RFI, DRI, the current incumbent, was identified as the only one capable of fully meeting the requirements of the Performance Work Statement (PWS). DRI has the qualified staff with the necessary expertise to support the contract requirements. Due to these factors and the time and substantial duplication of costs involved in procuring and phasing in another contractor, DRI is considered the only contractor that can meet DOE NNSA's requirements.
Interested organizations may respond to this posting by email to ray.sisneros@nnsa.doe.gov no later than 3:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time on September 7, 2021. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open competition basis based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. All responsible sources may submit a capability statement, which shall be considered by the agency. No costs incurred as a result of replying to this notice will be reimbursed by the Government.
The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12.
Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.
Background
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) intends to award a contract to the Nevada System of Higher Education, doing business as Desert Research Institute (DRI), through a sole source procurement. This decision is based on the statutory authority 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1), which allows for contracts when only one responsible source can meet the agency's requirements.
The contract supports the DOE NNSA Nevada Field Office (NFO) and is intended to be a follow-on to an existing contract for Technical Research, Engineering, and Development Services (TREDS). The goal is to provide essential technical research and operational support in various areas critical to national security and environmental protection.
Work Details
The contractor will provide technical research, engineering, and development services in several key areas:
- Subcritical experiment safety
- Non-proliferation research
- Radiation safety
- Geology
- Hydrology
- Paleohydrology
- Meteorology and climatology
- Environmental protection, remediation, and monitoring
- Environmental regulatory compliance
- Cultural resources and historic preservation
- Atmospheric sciences
- Radioactive and non-radioactive transport mechanisms
- Community outreach assistance related to DOE/NNSA activities at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS), Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR), including Tonopah Test Range (TTR), and over 24 community environmental monitoring locations across Nevada, Utah, and California.
Responsibilities include interfacing with other contractors and the public to enhance credibility regarding hydrologic, environmental, atmospheric, and human health issues at NNSS. The contractor will also conduct studies, develop technical strategies, assist in program management, prepare cost estimates, support baseline development, review documents, prepare reports, conduct peer reviews of articles, maintain compliance with applicable laws and regulations, perform cultural resource assessments, engage with Native American tribes for consultations, manage community outreach programs including public education on radiological risks, and ensure effective environmental monitoring.
Period of Performance
The contract will have a total performance period of five years consisting of a one-year base period followed by four one-year option periods. There may also be an extension of up to six months beyond the initial five years if determined necessary.
Place of Performance
The work will be performed at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS), on the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR) including Tonopah Test Range (TTR), as well as at over 24 community environmental monitoring locations throughout Nevada, Utah, and California.