SOLICITATION NOTICE
R -- SUPPORT FOR PHASE 2 OF NANORELEASE PROJECT
- Notice Date
- 9/7/2011
- Notice Type
- Presolicitation
- NAICS
- 541990
— All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Contracting Office
- HPODUS Environmental Protection AgencyHeadquarters Procurement OperationsAriel Rios Building1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NWWashingtonDC20460
- ZIP Code
- 20460
- Solicitation Number
- PR-ORD-11-03233
- Response Due
- 9/22/2011
- Archive Date
- 10/22/2011
- Point of Contact
- Honegger, Harold 202-564-6234, Honegger.Harold@epa.gov ; Honegger, Harold 202-564-6234, Honegger.Harold@epa.gov
- E-Mail Address
-
Honegger, Harold
(Honegger.Harold@epa.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), Office of Acquisition Management, intends to award a sole source purchase order to the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) for work on Phase 2 of the NanoRelease project. This work is a continuation and builds on the results of the Phase 1 workshop in May of 2011. Phase 2 of this project will evaluate the ?state of the science? for release measurement for multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) in polymer. The project will use information (methods, studies, guidance, etc) collected in response to a data call and literature search and provide that information to groups of subject matter experts selected by the Steering Committee. The information would be sought from both published and unpublished sources. The data collected for Phase 2 will include more specific data elements and will include a more detailed informatics design so that it can be used to inform the expert evaluations more directly so tha t data sets can be applied more directly to Phase 3 round-robin testing as ?updatable prior? understanding of the state of the science. The expert groups of Phase 2 would include, for example, materials, sampling, analytics, instrumentation, fate modeling, and informatics experts and will be convened in conference calls, meetings, and a workshop. The International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) is uniquely well suited to host three groups of experts for Phase 2 of this project. These expert groups will evaluate the ?state of the science? for release measurement for MWCNT in polymer. As such, EPA is looking to support this effort planned for the winter and spring of 2012. An output of this effort would be a database of material characteristics and measurement methods specific to MWCNT polymer applications. The database would be a corollary and expansion of the NanoRelease project's information catalogue. As a result of this work, the Agency will be closer to having more information on how to determine the potential for MWCNT in polymer to be released from products. This area of research is a high-priority need identified by Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP) and the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER).The ILSI Research Foundation is leading a multi-stakeholder project that will explore current understanding of methods for measuring release of nanomaterials from coatings and objects used in commercial products. These efforts are being planned and coordinated with several key partners including: US EPA, Office of Research and Development; Environment Canada; Health Canada; American Chemistry Council; the Society of Chemical Manufacturers & Affiliates; and the National Institute of Standards and Technology. There is no comparable meeting in the foreseeable future and the proceedings are well-timed to inform the consideration of Agency rulemaking that will provide a basic set of information on new nanoscale materials, such as chemical identification, material characterization, physical/chemical properties, commercial uses etc.. This information would help the Agency evaluate the intended uses of these nanoscale materials and to take action to prohibit or limit activities that may present an unreasonable risk to human health or the environment. ILSI Research Foundation is the sponsor of the work identified in the SOW, which includes a workshop. EPA?s Office of Research and Development does not have the option to select a vendor to host the workshop. EPA?s option is to support this work and advance our science and research goals through this venue. Additionally, sponsorship of the work will provide an exceptional opportunity to showcase EPA?s Office of Research and Development commitment to collaboration on advancing nanotechnology research, and will facilitate collaboration with a group of leading scientists, managers and decision makers in this important area of public health. The Office of Research and Development?s National Program Director for Nanotechnology Research wishes to support these efforts. Support will provide visibility of Agency?s commitment to collaborative research, and provide an opportunity to bring to EPA knowledge gained from collaboration with national and international experts. As stated above, EPA intends to award this procurement on a sole source basis. Nevertheless, if any contractor feels they are capable of performing in accordance with the Statement of Work, they must submit evidence of such capability within 15 days of this posting. All responses should be sent via email to Harold Honegger at honegger.harold@epa.gov Statement of Work International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) Research Foundation Title Support for Better Understanding the Release of Nanomaterials to the Environment Workshop (Phase 2) Background The use of nanotechnology in the consumer and industrial sectors is expected to increase significantly in the future. Nanotechnology offers society the promise of major benefits. The challenge for environmental protection is to ensure that, as nanomaterials are developed and used, unintended consequences of exposures to humans and ecosystems are prevented or minimized. ORD?s Nanomaterial Research Strategy builds on and is consistent with the research needs identified by the Nanotechnology Environmental and Health Implications Working Group (NSTC 2008), and in the EPA?s Nanotechnology White Paper (EPA 2007). Hundreds of consumer products now contain manufactured nano-scale materials (?nanomaterials?). However, there continue to be uncertainties about the health and environmental impacts of nanotechnology. Given the rapid growth of nanotechnology and its applications, there is widespread agreement on the need for research. The ILSI Research Foundation is leading a multi-stakeholder project that will explore current understanding of methods for measuring release of nanomaterials from coatings and objects used in commercial products.The goals of the project are to: Compile laboratory analysis methods and data for understanding the potential for release of added engineered nanomaterials (ENM) from solid matrices, Identify gaps where additional methods development is needed, and Design and carryout methods-development plans to fill gaps so that generally accepted and useful methods are available. A more complete description of the project, the Steering Committee, and current status can be found at www.ilsi.org/ResearchFoundation/Pages/NanoRelease1.aspx Purpose Phase 1 of this project was to select the materials and methods to be studied. Phase 1 of the project was completed in the spring of 2011 and the Steering Committee has selected multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) in polymer as the material to use for methods evaluation in Phases 2-4. EPA benefits from support of this project through being provided information on how to determine the potential for nanoparticles to be released from products, which is a high-priority research need identified by Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP) and the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER). In Phase 2 the project will evaluate the ?state of the science? for release measurement for MWCNT in polymer. The project will use information (methods, studies, guidance, etc) collected in response to a data call and literature search and provide that information to groups of subject matter experts selected by the Steering Committee. The information would be sought from both published and unpublished sources. This information will also, to the extent it does not reveal confidential business information, be made available in the project?s information catalogue: (www.ilsi.org/ResearchFoundation/Pages/NanoReleaseInformationCatalogMainPage.aspx). The data collected for Phase 2 will include more specific data elements, and will include a more detailed informatics design so that it can be used to inform the expert evaluations more directly, and so that data sets can be applied more directly to Phase 3 round-robin testing as ?updatable prior? understanding of the state of the science. The expert groups of Phase 2 would include, for example, materials, sampling, analytics, instrumentation, fate modeling, and informatics experts and will be convened in conference calls, meetings, and a workshop to address the following: 1)Identify and elaborate processes or scenarios that may lead to MWCNT release from polymer applications. 2)Review data from each scenario and/or process and provide a perspective on its relevance to addressing exposure. 3)Prepare an evaluative ?state of the science? report of the findings of their reviews that identifies the most promising methods/approaches for assessing release and the key information-needs in methods or understanding. 4)Develop a scope of work and study designs for Phase 3 that would include identification of life cycle stages of greatest interest for current products, methods development needs, test materials, positive controls, informatics, and other items necessary to confidently assess release of MWCNTs from polymer in current applications in products under expected conditions of life cycle uses. Outputs of Phase 21.An online, openly accessible database of information relevant to measurement of the release of MWCNT from polymer applications, including material characteristics, scenarios of release, and methods for measuring release. 2.Notes of conference calls of the Steering Committee and expert groups as they prepare background documents for the workshop. In addition to the Steering Committee, and contingent on adequate funding, four expert groups will be formed. 3.An agenda and statement of purpose for the expert workshop.4.Draft white papers on the state of the science and methods needs as work products of the expert committees. 5.A workshop that provides a forum, assembly of expertise, and structure to review the available data and methods for measuring release of MWCNT from polymer applications. 6.A State of the Science report on the conditions that affect release and the methods to measure release of MWCNT from polymer, and the data and methods development that are needed to establish an understanding of the release of MWCNT from polymer applications. 7.A scope of work and study designs for Phase 3 that would include identification of life cycle stages of greatest interest for current products, methods development needs, test materials, positive controls, informatics, and other items necessary to confidently assess release of MWCNTs from polymer in current applications in products under expected conditions of life cycle uses. 8.A list of laboratories who have agreed to participate in the testing in Phase 3 and who are capable of performing the tests on the identified materials. Additional information on the NanoRelease project, such as overview, purpose, and steering committee, can be found on the website: http://www.ilsi.org/ResearchFoundation/Pages/NanoRelease1.aspx Period of Performance October 3, 2011 through June 30, 2012
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