Research in support of ASD's work for the EPA's FY 19 Reset Rule.
SYNOPSIS
Analysis of land use change around biorefineries attributable to biofuels and the RFS2.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Assessment and Standards Division (ASD), National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory (NVFEL), Ann Arbor, Michigan, intends to purchase an analysis of land use change around biorefineries attributable to biofuels and the RFS2.
The OAR NVFEL SACO anticipates awarding a single firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract to Northwestern University. EPA has identified Northwestern University as the only contractor able to meet the requirements of this acquisition because Northwestern has already performed this work for the Corn Growers Association (CGA) and is the only source that has performed the specific work that must be used for this requirement. Market research performed has determined that there is no other reasonably available and qualified provider of this information. Northwestern already has identified and created the necessary datasets needed for this project.
The EPA is required to assess the environmental impacts from biofuels as a part of Section 204 of the Energy Independence and Security Act, and in setting the required volumes under Reset and Set. Currently, biofuels in the U.S. come predominantly from conventional sources such as corn ethanol and soy biodiesel. One major factor influencing the environmental impacts from the cultivation of these crops for biofuels is the land use change that may occur. Land use change affects most environmental end points that are considered, including water quality and quantity, air quality, habitat for wildlife, and soil quality, among others. If feedstocks are sourced from existing agricultural lands already growing corn or soy, then small net effects may be expected. If feedstocks are sourced from uncultivated lands (e.g. grasslands), under-cultivated lands (e.g. rotational pasture), or lands in lower-intensity production (e.g. alfalfa), then conversion to corn or soy could have substantial net effects on the environment.
To date, the EPA lacks a robust estimate of the fraction of land use change occurring in the U.S. that is attributable to biofuels. There are newly available remote sensing tools that enable a fine-grained analysis that was not possible previously (e.g. the b Sentinelb satellite, confidence measures for the USDA Cropland Data Layer (CDL), and imagery from the National Agricultural Imagery Program). However, it is not feasible to conduct such an analysis for all 200+ biorefineries across the U.S. Some biorefineries are already surrounded by corn fields in the typical draw area (i.e. 50-mile radius), so little land use change within that area may be expected. Others may be on the fringes of agricultural areas, with mixtures of lands in corn, pasture, and other crops, that may be more vulnerable to large changes in land use. This work is focused on deriving a robust statistical subsample from the 200+ biorefineries in the U.S. to help select the roughly 10-20 that are representative of all biorefineries across the nation. That subset of biorefineries will then be used for subsequent analysis.
All work conducted under this PWS shall be performed pursuant to an EPA-approved Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) to be submitted by the offeror in response to the solicitation. The QAPP shall outline the approach and measures the offeror would implement to ensure a high standard of quality in data analysis and written deliverables. The QAPP shall be in conformance with EPAbs Requirements for Quality Assurance Project Plans (EPA QA/R-5) available from: http://www.epa.gov/quality/qs-docs/r5-final.pdf. The offeror must address in the QAPP how they would consider the use of existing data (also called secondary data).
The Contractor shall implement the approved draft methodology plan submitted with the proposal to derive a subsample of biorefineries that are representative of the nation. This may involve three basic steps: (1) assembling multiple geographic datasets that describe the characteristics of each biorefinery (e.g. production capacity, nearby land in corn or pasture, etc.), (2) conducting a multivariate clustering analysis to cluster biorefineries into 10-20 groups, and (3) selecting the individual biorefineries that are representative of those groups. This may include other potential additions, including automation of the protocols using Python, R, or other techniques. The Contractor shall work with the COR and TOCOR to jointly decide on the best course of action for expanding the core analysis to a wider region within the U.S.
This procurement will be accomplished under the simplified and commercial item procedures under FAR Part 12 and 13. Interested firms may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirements within 15 calendar days of the date of publication of this notice. THIS NOTICE OF INTENT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE 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 MUST submit documentation to the office identified above. This documentation shall establish the respondent has the ability to meet all the requirements identified above, and shall cite specific examples of previous similar work, including client names and contact information. Submit your documentation in writing to Angel Taylor via email to taylor.angel@epa.gov. Telephone requests will not be honored.
Taylor, Angel M.
