Opportunity: Caño Martín Peña Community Citizen monitoring of indoor fungal and bacterial mi

Description: The U.S. EPA intends to negotiate on a sole source basis, under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), with the University of Puerto Rico for a study involving local Citizen monitoring of Flood Damage. This effort will take place in Puerto Rico. The contractor shall have the ability to interact with the ENLACE program to recruit and train local citizens in the Cano Martin Pena community to sample for fungal and bacterial contamination within flood damaged homes as well as non-damaged homes. Additionally, the contractor shall have the ability to complete molecular analysis (DNA extraction, purification, next generation sequencing, and subsequent bioinformatic analysis) on the samples taken by the citizen scientists. The contractor shall also have a background in building science enabling the contractor to make suggestions based upon the molecular analysis the best path forward to make residential homes more resilient to flooding and microbial contamination. Lastly, the contractor shall have the experience to assist in meetings with the Cano Martin Pena citizens to inform them of the results of the study, future actions suggested, and giving the citizens ownership of the effort. EPA has identified the University of Puerto Rico as the only reasonably available source able to satisfy the Government¿s requirements. Specifically, the EPA requires a contractor that possesses the unique position and capability to work with the Martin Pena Community and EPA Region 2. This includes being on location when residences are chosen, providing a local contact, and a history of working in this community. This work also requires a contractor with intimate knowledge of dust sampling specifically for subsequent ERMI analysis. Most importantly, this acquisition requires a contractor with specific knowledge of fungal organisms, their sampling, and handling through next generation molecular characterization. The University of Puerto Rico (Dr. Carlos Rodriguez-Minguela) is the only entity with a prior experience in the use of EPA¿s ERMI and sequencing technologies that is located on site in the neighborhood of the Caño Martin Pena that can test, monitor, and train the citizens to monitor for the contaminants of flood damage. The anticipated award timeframe is April 2021. This procurement will be accomplished under FAR Part 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures. Interested firms may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirements. THIS NOTICE OF INTENT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETATIVE QUOTATIONS. A determination by the Government not to compete this acquisition based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Sources wishing to be considered by the agency MUST submit documentation to the office identified in this notice. Documentation must be submitted within 15 calendar days of the date of publication of this notice. Offerors must register with FedConnect as an interested party to submit questions and to view responses. Telephone requests for the request for quotation will not be honored. To register in FedConnect vendors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) at www.sam.gov. Please note that vendors MUST have their SAM profile set to `public,¿ otherwise FedConnect will not be able to access the SAM information required to validate vendor credentials. There is no charge for registration in FedConnect or SAM. 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. For technical issues or questions regarding FedConnect, either email support@fedconnect.net or call 1-800-899-6665. The FedConnect Support Center is staffed Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., EDT, except Federal holidays. You may also find the FedConnect Ready, Set, Go tutorial helpful for tips on setting up and managing your company¿s account: https://www.fedconnect.net/FedConnect/Marketing/Documents/FedConnect_Ready_Set_Go.pdf