United States Postal Service (USPS)
Generic Statement Of Work
Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) regulations (29 CFR 1910.1200) require employers to communicate all pertinent hazards of chemicals in the workplace to their employees who handle those chemicals. This "hazard communication" standard originally applied only to manufacturers in Standard Industrial Codes 20-39. OSHA has subsequently extended this requirement to non-manufacturing workplaces as well.
Employees who work with or are otherwise exposed to hazardous materials on a regular basis are at greater risk of health problems and personal injury than other workers. Postal Service facilities frequently utilize substances such as oil, solvents, paints, inks, pesticides, acids, and other chemicals that are classified as hazardous by federal, state and local enforcement agencies. It is therefore prudent as well as legally and morally necessary to have a viable training program for all workers who are exposed to these substances, to include their managers.
Under OSHA, employees must be informed of any operations in their work area where hazardous chemicals are present, and the location and availability of the written hazard communication program, including the required lists of hazardous chemicals, and material safety data sheets (MSDS). Employee training must include at least the following:
Training is required to ensure that personnel understand the potential hazards of chemicals they may be exposed to in the workplace, and their responsibilities for the safe and environmentally sound management, handling, and disposal of hazardous chemicals. Training is also needed to ensure that emergency response teams are able to quickly and effectively react to hazardous material leak/spill emergencies. The key target audience for this training will include environmental coordinators and Postal personnel who serve on emergency response teams or who otherwise may be exposed to hazardous chemicals at an area, district, plant, or Vehicle Maintenance Facility. The goal of this training is to ensure compliance and to protect human health, the environment, the Postal Service and its employees.
Existing policies and detailed guidance are provided by the following Postal Service documents/publications:
The attached generic scope of work (SOW) may be used for solicitation of Postal Service 24 hour health and safety training for the management of hazardous materials and emergency response from appropriate contractors. It should be individually tailored as needed to meet the unique requirements of the requesting activity (e.g., number of trainees, specific content, location, etc.). The training may be provided at a Postal Service facility or at some other location to be provided by the contractor. Also, the Scope of Work specifies only a maximum targeted number of class hours. The contractor will develop a curriculum and recommend an appropriate course length for Postal Service approval. Similarly, the class size must be a site specific determination by the Postal Service. Ordinarily, a delivery/task order type of contract will be most appropriate for conducting environmental training programs.
1.1 Background
Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) regulations (29 CFR 1910.1200) require employers to communicate all pertinent hazards of chemicals in the workplace to their employees who handle those chemicals. This "hazard communication" standard originally applied only to manufacturers in Standard Industrial Codes 20-39. OSHA has subsequently extended this requirement to non-manufacturing workplaces as well.
Employees who work with or are otherwise exposed to hazardous materials on a regular basis are at greater risk of health problems and personal injury than other workers. Postal Service facilities frequently utilize substances such as oil, solvents, paints, inks, pesticides, acids, and other chemicals that are classified as hazardous by federal, state and local enforcement agencies. It is therefore prudent as well as legally and morally necessary to have a viable training program for all workers who are exposed to these substances, to include their managers.
Under OSHA, employees must be informed of any operations in their work area where hazardous chemicals are present, and the location and availability of the written hazard communication program, including the required lists of hazardous chemicals, and material safety data sheets (MSDS). Employee training must include at least the following:
Training is required to ensure that personnel understand the potential hazards of chemicals they may be exposed to in the workplace; and their responsibilities for the safe and environmentally sound management, handling, and disposal of hazardous chemicals. Training is also needed to ensure that emergency response teams are able to quickly and effectively react to hazardous material leak/spill emergencies. The key target audience for this training will include environmental coordinators and Postal personnel who serve on emergency response teams or who otherwise may be exposed to hazardous chemicals at an area, district, plant, or Vehicle Maintenance Facility. The goal of this training is to ensure compliance and to protect human health, the environment, the Postal Service and its employees.
Existing policies and detailed guidance are provided by the following Postal Service documents/publications:
This contract provides for the development and presentation of formal environmental training to ensure that targeted Postal Service personnel understand the potential hazards of chemicals they may be exposed to in the workplace; and their responsibilities for the safe and environmentally sound management, handling, and disposal of hazardous chemicals. Training is also needed to ensure that emergency response teams are able to quickly and effectively react to hazardous material leak/spill emergencies. Training will specifically address the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.120 et seq, as well as applicable state and local laws and regulations. The key target audience for this training will include environmental coordinators and Postal personnel who serve on emergency response teams or who otherwise may be exposed to hazardous chemicals at an area, district, plant, or Vehicle Maintenance Facility. The goal of this training is to ensure compliance and to protect human health, the environment, the Postal Service and its employees.
2.1 General Requirements
2.1.1. The contractor, operating independently and not as an agent of the Postal Service, shall supply the necessary personnel, materials, equipment, services, facilities (except as otherwise specified), and all other things necessary for or incident to the performance of the assigned tasks.
2.1.2. The contractor will design, develop, and provide reference/resource materials with formats that lend themselves to effective formal classroom training.
2.1.3. The contractor shall also provide training visual aids and practical exercises where appropriate to reinforce the classroom training, presentations and resource materials.
2.1.4. The contractor shall administer and score a pre-test as well as an end of course examination.
2.1.5. For each course conducted, training documentation will be developed and forwarded to the Contracting Officer's Representative for approval in accordance with the following schedule:
| Action | Completion | Suspense |
|---|---|---|
| Outline submitted by contractor | 5 working days after notice to proceed (NTP) | |
| Postal Service review of outline | 5 working days after receipt | |
| First draft* submitted by contractor | 5 working days after receipt of Postal Service comments | |
| Postal Service review of first draft | * 5 working days after receipt of draft | |
| Final submission by contractor | 5 working days after receipt of Postal Service comments | |
| Postal Service review of final | 3 working days after submission receipt of final submission | Complete |
| Documentation delivered to Postal Service | 3 working days after receipt of Postal Service comments | |
| * Instructor's guide, workbooks, examination, practical exercises, etc. | ||
The Postal Service will provide a minimum of fifteen (15) days notice to the contractor of the requirement to teach a course. The course will be taught at the (specify geographic area or location as appropriate). The anticipated number of Postal Service Students is (specify expected class size/range number of students).
2.1.6. Prior to the presentation of any successive training courses or classes, the course content and reference/resource materials will be updated to reflect any changes to the applicable subject matter.
2.1.7. The contractor will formally document (for each course) all training presented and the results achieved. As a minimum, documentation will include a detailed outline, syllabus, or program of the instruction presented; a roster of students attending and successfully completing the course; a final course academic average and overall grade (or pass/fail if that is more appropriate); and final copies of the instructor's guide, student workbooks, videotapes, practical exercises, examinations, and other related materials.
2.1.8. The contractor will prepare all training documentation on diskette using a Postal Service-specified software program. After finalizing all documentation, the contractor shall provide the Postal Service with camera-ready copy and diskettes, which are identical to the printed document versions. All documentation developed and provided will become the sole property of the Postal Service.
2.1.9. The contractor will furnish each trainee a quick reference guide that provides a concise summary of the statutory and regulatory reporting, monitoring and compliance requirements for the subject matter being presented.
2.1.10. The classroom audience will consist of designated key Postal Service employees, to include:
2.1.11. The Postal Service reserves the right, at the time the order is placed, to require that Postal Service environmental reports and policy documentation be incorporated into the program of instruction and training documentation.
2.1.12. The contractor shall be responsible for providing all training materials and operating all equipment needed to conduct each training course or class (e.g., projectors, flip charts, documentation, etc.). Each trainee shall be furnished printed course materials by the contractor in a three-ring binder, which shall have a cover and cover page imprinted with the Postal Service logo, name of the course and the sponsor. Printed documentation shall include a table of contents and sections shall be separated by dividers. Each page shall be identified by a header with the course and section names, a footer with the latest date of revision, and the page number. Two-sided copying will be used where appropriate.
2.1.13. The contractor shall be responsible for the storage, delivery, and distribution of the course materials and equipment.
2.1.14. All course materials shall become the sole property of the Postal Service.
2.2 Specific Requirements
2.2.1. The contractor will develop and present 24 hour health and safety training for the management of hazardous materials and emergency response as specifically outlined in Attachment 1.
2.2.2. All instructors (including replacements) for this course must be "qualified" individuals as defined in 29 CFR 1910.120 (e)(5).
2.2.3. The contractor must replace any instructor and/or facilitator who is on vacation, sick or any other emergency leave, or who is incapacitated or unavailable for any other reason. Replacements will be trained, experienced instructors and/or facilitators. Additionally, the contractor must replace any instructor and/or facilitator if so directed for cause by the Contracting Officer's Representative.
2.2.4. The contractor will submit in advance all requests to replace an instructor and/or facilitator, together with the replacement's resume, to the Contracting Officer's Representative for approval. Such requests will be made only in writing, and will be timed so as to not delay the conduct of scheduled training.
2.2.5. The contractor shall provide a sign-in sheet for each training session conducted. The sheet will contain space for the Postal employee to sign his/her name, work location and telephone number. The contractor shall forward the sign-in sheet to the Contracting Officer's Representative at the conclusion of each class session.
2.2.6. The contractor shall provide training certificates to all participants who successfully complete the course. A copy of the certificate will be provided to the Contracting Officer's Representative, who then will take steps to have it placed in the employee's OPF.
2.2.7. At the conclusion of the training course, the contractor shall forward a listing of those personnel successfully completing the course and receiving certification and/or continuing education unit (CEU) credit (where applicable) to the Contracting Officer's Representative (see 2.1.7. above).
3.1 Period of Performance
3.1.1. The performance period and time of delivery will be specified in each delivery/task order issued under this contract.
3.2 Contract Term
3.2.1. The contract will be for a 12 month term, subject to the rights of termination specified herein subsequent to the official start date designated by the contracting officer. The Postal Service additionally reserves the right to extend the contract for two additional one year periods, provided the Postal Service exercises such option 60 days prior to said expiration date(s) by giving written notice to the vendor, and the vendor does not decline within 45 days prior to said expiration date(s).
3.3 Course Presentation
3.3.1. The number of courses to be conducted during the contract period is estimated to be (fill in appropriate number). Additional courses may be requested on a case-by-case basis with advance coordination. The length of the course will be determined by the contractor based on the time required to properly present the subject matter outlined in Attachment 1.
3.4 Places of Performance
3.4.1. The contractor will perform all services specified in Attachment A at locations designated and provided by the Postal Service within the (insert geographical area) at (specify specific location as appropriate).
4.1 Certification of Nonsegregated Facilities
4.1.1. A certification of nonsegregated facilities must be submitted before the award of a subcontract exceeding $10,000 that is not exempt from the Equal Opportunity clause. The certification may be submitted either for each subcontract or for all subcontracts during a period (quarterly, semiannually, or annually).
4.2 Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Program
4.2.1. The offeror, by checking the applicable block or blocks, represents that he:
4.3.1. This certification applies only if
As determined by contractor conducting training. Target will be a maximum of 24 hours; however, the contractor will ensure that adequate time is allocated to properly present the instruction as outlined below.
This course will be presented to an estimated (insert number) trainees. On average, total class size will not exceed (insert number). Attendees will include environmental coordinators, personnel who serve on emergency response teams, or others who may be exposed to hazardous chemicals at an area, district, plant, or Vehicle Maintenance Facility. Additional personnel may attend on a case-by-case basis.
The goals of this training are:
Course materials to be provided to students must include, as a minimum, the following:
Successful participants shall be certified that they have obtained instruction in accordance with OSHA rules and regulations (after completing the required course work and examination).
As a minimum, training will cover the following: (sequence can vary)
1.1 Offerors shall provide a proposal which, as a minimum, addresses those factors required in the section on evaluation factors. Each proposal shall address the requirements of the general scope of work. Format shall be as follows:
1.1.1. The offeror will submit three complete copies of the proposal, in separate parts, as shown below. All information pertaining to each part will be confined to the appropriate part.
1.1.3. Proposals, and all other documents, shall be submitted on recycled paper, with two-sided copying.
1.1.4. Page limitation is (insert number) pages total for Parts I and II inclusive (i.e., inclusive of personnel resumes and financial statement). Additional pages will not be reviewed and information contained therein will not be used in determining the rating.
2.1 Part I - Technical Area
2.1.1. Offeror is responsible for including sufficient details (without reference to cost) to permit a complete and accurate evaluation of the proposal strictly from a technical standpoint. If necessary, an index of the sections shall be included which contains the title of the matters under discussion, and referencing the paragraph of the statement of Work (SOW) as well as the proposal paragraph and page numbers which discuss the title. The narrative discussions shall be related to the applicable SOW paragraph by placing the appropriate number at the beginning of the discussion text.
2.1.2. When submitting their proposals, offerors are requested to address the following by submitting no more than ten (10) pages for general information and no more than five (5) pages for specific course information (lengthy items, i.e., resumes, may be included in appendices).
2.1.3. Offerors will demonstrate how their firm expects to train and educate Postal Service personnel on 24 hour health and safety training for the management of hazardous materials and emergency response. Training must be focussed specifically on USPS operations and procedures. This approach should be a well developed plan with tasks oriented by state.
2.1.4. Offerors will describe how their firm proposes to staff for the work, including the following points: How many and what types of training staff and support staff will be needed?; Would these individuals be available full time or part time to perform the proposed work?; Where would the individuals assigned to perform the work be located?; What type of management is planned for the work being performed?
2.1.5. Offerors will list at least ten (10) professionals with experience in providing hazardous materials and emergency response training of the type described in this solicitation. List name, position in your firm, years of experience, project title and responsibility, location and availability (full/part time).
2.2 Part II - Management Area
2.2.1. Management And Training Staff, Education And Experience.
2.2.1.1. Offerors will furnish resumes of all personnel, including personnel of any subcontractor, whom they would propose to assign to conduct the training, whose time has been included under the Project Manager or other designated positions. Specify which professional category into which they fall and whether they are senior or staff employees, respectively.
2.2.1.2. Resumes should list name and address, educational background and degrees, previous experience (including number of years and training roles for public and private organizations), number of years with offeror, professional organization memberships, etc.
2.2.1.3. The offeror's proposal MUST provide certified instructor status for the individuals listed when required by Federal/state regulations for EPA/OSHA certification programs.
2.2.2. Hazardous Materials And Emergency Response Training Experience In The (Insert Geographic Area) Area.
2.2.2.1. Offerors will describe their firm's familiarity with the hazardous materials and emergency response programs and regulations of the federal government, states, and geographical areas for the (insert specific locations).
2.2.3. Training Capability/Ability To Provide Useful Resource/Training Materials.
2.2.3.1. Offerors will describe their firm's ability to accommodate this project within its present workload. Describe resources available to the firm for this project - either in-house or through a subcontractor, not covered elsewhere in this proposal. The ability to develop and utilize audio and videotapes and training manuals for the USPS hazardous materials and emergency response compliance program is a requirement.
2.2.3.2. Offerors will please reference and provide, when possible, sample training materials; e.g., manuals, flip charts, brochures, checklists, software programs, videos, audiotapes, etc., which are relevant to the Scope of Work identified herein. Additionally, please provide a listing of the audio visual equipment available for use in conducting this training.
2.2.4. Overall Hazardous Materials And Emergency Response Training Experience And Business Resources.
2.2.4.1. Offerors will describe the experience of their firm during the past five (5) years with respect to the requirements for solicitation. Emphasis should be placed on experience with the development and implementation of training programs which address operations and procedures similar to those of the USPS.
2.2.4.2. Offerors will provide a list of at least five (5) contracts of a type and nature similar to the work required by this contract, at least two of which shall date back less than two years from the date of proposal opening. The list shall contain:
2.2.4.4. Offerors will provide evidence of expertise in general environmental protection principles, as well as a description of how such principles can/will be integrated into the training that is to be presented.
2.2.4.5. The offeror shall demonstrate his commitment to the national environmental ethic by describing his firm's environmental protection/pollution prevention programs.
2.3 Part III - Price
2.3.1. The Postal Service will make award to a single, responsible offeror whose offer is technically acceptable, conforms to the solicitation and demonstrates the best value to the Postal Service in terms of price and past performance. Proposals will contain a schedule of prices for labor hours and materials identified in the plan prepared by the offeror.
2.3.2. Offerors will provide specific financial information; i.e., current financial statements (balance sheet and profit and loss statement), bank reference name, address, telephone number and contact person. This reference will be used to evaluate the offeror's ability to accommodate this project. Any audited statement that is over 180 days old shall be accompanied by an updated financial statement, which need not necessarily be audited.
1.1. Initial Evaluation of Proposals
1.1.1. All proposals will be given an initial review to determine if the offeror has had recent experience in conducting 24 hour health and safety training for the management of hazardous materials and emergency response, to determine the offeror's in-house expertise and experience, and to determine the offeror's capability to meet any state or locality certification or licensing requirements for conducting such training.
1.2. Careful, full and impartial consideration will be given to all proposals being considered for formal rating. Factors against which proposals will be evaluated are as outlined below. Steps taken to accomplish such evaluation may include any or all of the following:
1.2.1. Formal rating. Proposals will be evaluated by a team of Postal Service personnel as set forth below. Each evaluation area will receive a point score rating along with a short narrative description. The point score rating will then be combined into a merit rating. In addition, the cost proposal will be evaluated for reasonableness.
1.2.2. Competitive range. The contracting officer may elect to make the determination as to which proposals are in the "competitive range." If necessary, the competitive range shall be determined on the basis of the merit ratings and shall include all proposals which have a reasonable chance of being selected for award.
1.2.3. Discussion/"Best and final offers." If required, offerors selected to participate in discussions shall be advised of deficiencies in their proposal and shall be offered a reasonable opportunity to correct or resolve the deficiencies and to submit such price or cost, technical or other revision to their proposal that may result from the discussions. At the conclusion of discussions, a final common cut-off date which allows reasonable opportunity for submission of written "best and final" offers shall be established and those determined to be in the competitive range will be notified to submit best and final offers.
1.2.4. Competitive range reduction. The initial number of proposals considered as being within the competitive range may be reduced when, as a result of the written or oral discussions, any such proposal has been determined to no longer have a reasonable chance of being selected for award.
1.2.5. Final evaluation of proposals. The initial evaluation of the proposals within the competitive range may be revised in light of any additional information/data provided during subsequent discussion and/or furnished with the best and final offer, if utilized in evaluation.
1.2.6. Consideration shall be given to the offeror's use of recycled paper and two-sided copying for all submittals.
2.1. In addition to other factors, proposals will be evaluated on the basis of advantages and disadvantages to the Postal Service that might result from making more than one award (multiple awards).
3.1. The Postal Service will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose proposal conforming to the solicitation offers the best value to the Postal Service, considering price, price-related factors, and/or other evaluation factors specified elsewhere in this solicitation.
3.1.1. The Postal Service may reject any or all proposals, and may waive informalities and minor irregularities in proposals received.
3.1.2. The Postal Service may accept any item or group of items of a proposal, unless the offeror qualifies the proposal by specific limitations. Unless otherwise provided in the solicitation, proposals may be submitted for quantities less than those specified. The Postal Service reserves the right to make an award on any item for a quantity less than the quantity contained in a proposal, at the unit cost or prices proposed, unless the offeror specifies otherwise in its proposal.
3.1.3. A written award of acceptance of proposal mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the proposal will result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the proposal's specified expiration time, the Postal Service may accept a proposal (or part of a proposal as provided in part 3.1.2 above), whether or not there are discussions or negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award. Discussions or negotiations conducted after receipt of a proposal do not constitute a rejection or counteroffer by the Postal Service.
3.1.4. Neither financial data submitted with a proposal, nor representations concerning facilities or financing, will form a part of the resulting contract. However, if the resulting contract contains a clause providing for price reduction for defective cost or pricing data, the contract price will be subject to reduction if cost or pricing data furnished are incomplete, inaccurate, or not current.
4.1 If the Postal Service elects to exercise an option simultaneously with award, proposals will be evaluated for purposes of award on the basis of total price for the basic quantity and the option quantity exercised with award. Otherwise, proposals will be evaluated for purposes of award by adding the total price for all option quantities to the total price for the basic quantity. Evaluation options do not obligate the Postal Service to exercise the option or options.
4.1.1. Any proposal that is materially unbalanced as to prices for basic and option quantities may be disregarded as unacceptable. An unbalanced proposal is one that is based on prices significantly less than cost for some work and prices that are significantly overstated for other work.
5.1. To evaluate offers for award purposes, the Postal Service will apply the offeror's proposed fixed-prices/rates to the estimated quantities included in the solicitation (and add other direct costs, if applicable). The total evaluated quantities (plus other direct costs) represent the maximum that may be ordered under a resulting contract. This estimate is not a representation by the Postal Service that the estimated quantities will be required or ordered.
6.1. The Postal Service is more concerned with obtaining superior technical or management features than with making an award at the lowest overall cost. However, the Postal Service will not make an award at a significantly higher overall cost to the Postal Service to achieve slightly superior technical or management features.
6.2. The primary areas to be used in determining which proposal offers the best value to the Postal Service are listed below in descending order of importance:
6.2.1. Curriculum development, documentation and training approach, plan and schedule.
6.2.2. Management and staff training, education, and experience, and the offerors in-house environmental protection/pollution prevention program in place.
6.2.3. Hazardous materials and emergency response training experience in the (specify geographic area) area.
6.2.4. Training capability and ability to provide useful resources and training materials.
6.2.5. Overall training experience and business resources.
6.2.6. Certification programs.
6.2.7. Environmental protection training program expertise.
6.3. The above descending order as relates to technical proposals can further be defined as to areas of greater relevance/significance for evaluation purposes as follows:
6.3.1. Items 6.2.1. - 6.2.3. are equal in weight and carry more significance for evaluation purposes than items 6.2.4. - 6.2.7. Items 6.2.4. and 6.2.5. are equal in weight and carry more significance for evaluation than items 6.2.6. and 6.2.7.
6.4. Cost/price will be considered in the award decision, although the award may not necessarily be made to that offeror submitting the lowest price.
6.5. Subcontracting plans, if required, will be reviewed for acceptability in the types and amounts of subcontracts to small, minority-owned, and woman-owned business concerns. If this solicitation results in a contract for more than $1 million, the otherwise successful offeror must have an acceptable small, minority-owned, and woman-owned business subcontracting plan to receive award of the contract.
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Last Updated: March 12, 1996