Clinton River Microbial Source Tracking

SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE FOR MARKET RESEARCH ONLY – This notice does not constitute a solicitation announcement or restrict the Government to an ultimate acquisition approach and NO AWARD will occur from this notice. NO SOLICITATION, SPECIFICATIONS, OR DRAWINGS are available for this Notice.

This is a SOURCES SOUGHT Notice to determine the capabilities of universities as well as small AND large business firms. Small firms interested in performing this work are strongly urged to respond to this Notice. Two or more small firms capable of performing this work will help to guide the acquisition strategy and influence a potential set-aside. Responses to this Sources Sought Notice will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions. This is NOT a Request for Proposal (RFP) or Invitation for Bid (IFB).

No basis for claim against the Government shall arise as a result of a response to this Sources Sought Notice. The Government will not pay for information or comments provided and will not recognize any cost associated with the submission of responses or comments.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

Analyses will be conducted in order to determine where E. coli is present in the Clinton River Area, located in Macomb and Oakland Counties, Michigan. The positive E. coli samples will be mapped and then select samples will be passed on for microbial source tracking (MST) testing. The MST testing will help determine whether the E. coli hits are from human sources. If the MST sample results show that they are from human sources, those areas will be further investigated with in-person reconnaissance and additional sampling to try and locate the source. The main goal is to determine the source of the human E. coli which will then allow Macomb County an opportunity to locate and eliminate the source(s). This study will help to further develop the existing Macomb County Clinton River Water Quality Monitoring Plan. The area of performance for this contract is in Macomb and/or Oakland County(s) and the outline of work shall include, but not be limited to, the following tasks:

1. Project Management, Monthly Reporting, and Invoicing
2. Quality Control Plan, Kick-off/Quarterly/Monthly Update Meetings
3. Laboratory Testing / Reporting

This Study is in support of the Michigan Water Strategy, a State of Michigan 30-year plan, to protect and restore aquatic ecosystems. One of the main goals of the Michigan Water Strategy is for communities to monitor water systems.  Michigan seeks to develop and fund a coordinated, long-term monitoring strategy to provide baseline and trend information about surface and groundwater quality and quantity. This information is necessary to base decisions and best direct actions and future investments to support healthy people, ecosystems, communities, and economies.

The contract is expected to be solicited during the third calendar quarter of 2024.

The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code is 541380 – Testing Laboratories and Services, which has a small business size standard of $19.0 million.

SURVEY:

The responses received to this notice shall be in summary format and shall not exceed five (5) pages, including the Sources Sought Information Form. In order for the Government to determine the extent of industry interest and experience in the project, interested contractors shall complete the information attached to this Sources Sought. Respondents will not be contacted regarding their submission or information gathered as a result of the Sources Sought.

Responses shall be submitted via email to Contract Specialist Joseph Orlando at joseph.orlando@usace.army.mil and Contracting Officer Kari Tauriainen at kari.tauriainen@usace.army.mil no later than 2:00 PM Eastern Time on Tuesday 23 July 2024. Please reference in the subject line "SOURCES SOUGHT Clinton River MST".