Industrial Hygiene Support Services

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding the "Industrial Hygienist Consulting Services" opportunity.

• Incumbent Services: This is a new requirement, not a continuation of incumbent services.
• Period of Performance: The contract is for a one-year period.
• Maryland-Specific Training: No Maryland-specific training or certifications are required for a Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) at a federal facility; federal agencies fall under NRC jurisdiction.
• Staffing: A part-time Industrial Hygienist (IH) and Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) will not be considered as a substitute for one full-time CIH.
• Equipment: The Government will provide or rent all necessary equipment for industrial hygiene services, including sampling devices, and will cover calibration and maintenance.
• Security Clearance: Personnel will require a background check and PIV card, as detailed in AGAR Clause 452.204-71.
• Work Hours: While a standard 8-hour shift is expected, the IH may need to adjust schedules for non-standard hours or emergency responses, with advance discussion and compensation for overtime.
• Weekend/On-Call: Routine weekend work and 24/7 on-call support are not expected, but the IH may be called in for emergency operations or previously agreed-upon sampling needs.
• Sampling Estimates: The Government does not have an estimate for the type or number of sampling events for the first year, as the IH program is new. Contractors should base quotes on labor, as the Government will furnish sampling media, lab analysis, and equipment.
• CLIN Structure: Sampling events are part of the IH's routine duties and will not have a separate CLIN.
• Page Limit/Resumes: There is no page limit for responses, and resumes are not specifically required, though a comparative evaluation of quotes will be conducted.
• Site-Provided Resources: All sampling equipment, lab analysis, and media will be provided by the site. Government vehicles will be available for transport between sites for licensed drivers.

These clarifications provide essential details for bidders to accurately estimate labor, understand operational expectations, and prepare their proposals. Key points include the provision of equipment and analysis by the government, and the lack of specific estimates for sampling events, requiring bidders to base quotes on labor needs.

Statement of Work (SOW)

To provide Industrial Hygiene (IH) support services to the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) to maintain a safe, compliant, and health-protective work environment.

• Provide one qualified Industrial Hygiene consultant.
• Conduct routine safety, occupational health, and environmental exposure assessments across various facility types.
• Perform noise monitoring and recommend appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the Hearing Conservation Program.
• Conduct annual qualitative and quantitative respirator fit testing and prescribe appropriate PPE.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive radiation safety program, including waste assessments and a radiation dosimetry program.
• Provide rapid, 24/7 on-call response to safety, occupational health, and environmental concerns, including hazardous materials incidents.
• Prepare timely and comprehensive incident reports.
• Conduct annual reviews of existing Safety, Occupational Health, and Environmental Management (SHEM) Unit programs, policies, and standard operating procedures, providing gap analysis and corrective actions.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for the Occupational Medical Surveillance Program (OMSP) enrollment.
• Perform annual industrial hygiene inspections of laboratories, facilities, and administrative spaces.
• Serve as the Chemical Hygiene Officer (CHO), managing the chemical inventory, developing and overseeing the Chemical Hygiene Plan, conducting laboratory inspections, and coordinating training.

One (1) year from the date of award.

• Consultant expected to work 40 hours per week, onsite Monday through Friday, with potential rotation across shifts and workdays on Saturdays and Sundays.
• Must possess a bachelor's degree in a STEM field (chemistry, biology, physics, environmental engineering, or similar).
• Minimum 4-years professional, full-time, Certified Industrial Hygienist accreditation is highly desired.
• Experience must include recognition, evaluation, and control/mitigation of workplace hazards.
• Must demonstrate hands-on knowledge of various industrial hygiene monitoring instruments and proficiency in their inspection, calibration, functional testing, and maintenance.
• All work must comply with applicable federal regulations, USDA policies, ARS safety directives, and recognized industrial hygiene standards.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a solicitation for Industrial Hygiene Support Services. The government is procuring these services as described in the attached statement of work.

• The primary deliverable is "Industrial Hygiene Support Services."

• Specific details of the services required are provided in an attached statement of work.

• The contract type is not explicitly stated, but it is for commercial items.

• The offer due date is May 4, 2026, at 10:00 AM.

• The solicitation number is L232SA26Q0444.

• The North American Industry Classification Standard (NAICS) code is 541620, with a size standard of $19 million.

• The acquisition is set aside 100.00% for Small Business.

• Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses 52.212-1, 52.212-4, and 52.212-5 are incorporated by reference and attached.

• The issuing office is USDA ARS NEA BARC, located in Beltsville, MD.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items, issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for Industrial Hygiene Support Services. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; offers are being requested, and a separate written solicitation will not be issued.

• The requirement is for Industrial Hygiene Support Services in accordance with the attached Statement of Work (Attachment 2).

• Vendors must be active and registered in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) at the time of quote submission and award.

• Quotes must include a detailed description of the capability to perform the required services, qualifications, and relevant experience. Quotes merely offering services will not be considered.

• Anticipated Award Type: Firm-fixed price contract.

• Period of Performance: 12 months from the date of award.

• The Government intends to make one award.

• Quotes are due no later than 10:00 am Mountain Daylight Time on Monday, May 4, 2026.

• Quotes must be submitted electronically via email to frank.palmer@usda.gov.

• The final day for question submission is 10:00 am Mountain Daylight Time on Thursday, April 23, 2026.

• Award will be made to the responsible offeror whose quote offers the best value to the Government, based on a comparative evaluation of technical capabilities, relevant experience, past performance, and price.

• Evaluation Factors:

  • Technical Capabilities (Knowledge and Skill)
  • Relevant Experience
  • Past Performance (recency, relevancy, quality)
  • Price (fair and reasonable)

• This acquisition is set-aside for small business concerns.

• Applicable NAICS Code: 541620.

• Small business size standard: $19.0 million.

• All responsible sources may submit a quotation.

• See "Attachment 1 - Solicitation Terms and Conditions" for applicable clauses, instructions, and evaluation criteria.

• Payment will be made utilizing the Department of the Treasury Invoice Processing Platform (IPP.gov).

• Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and United States Department of Agriculture Acquisition Regulation (AGAR) clauses and provisions are incorporated by reference.