The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region 10 has a requirement for Emergency and Rapid Response Services (ERRS) for fast, responsive environmental cleanup services associated with the release of hazardous substances/wastes/pollutants and contaminant/materials and petroleum products/oil. Environmental cleanup in response to natural and man-made disasters, terrorist activities, weapons of mass destruction, and nuclear, biological, or chemical incidents may also be required under this contract.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been delegated the responsibility to undertake response actions with respect to the release or threat of release of oil, petroleum products, hazardous substances, or pollutants and contaminants, that pose an actual or potential threat to human health or welfare, or to the environment. EPA is responsible for conducting evaluations and cleanups of uncontrolled hazardous substance disposal sites.

In addition, the EPA has the authority pursuant to Emergency Support Function (ESF) #10 and other laws to help and/or mitigate endangerment of the public health, welfare, or environment during emergencies or natural disasters and to support states and communities in preparing for responses to releases of oil, petroleum products, and hazardous substances and to provide response and removal services in response to incidents involving weapons of mass destruction, acts of terrorism, and nuclear, biological and chemical incidents and Federally Declared Disaster incidents.

• The Contracting Officer (CO) will issue task orders for all work required under this contract in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract. In emergency situations, a warranted EPA On-Scene Coordinator (OSC) may issue a verbal authorization to begin work. The contractor shall take any response, removal, and/or remedial action, under the direction of the OSC, Task Order Contracting Officer Representative (TOCOR) or Contracting Officer Representative (COR), consistent with the terms and conditions of the contract, and in accordance with the directions of the Task Orders. Task Orders may be issued verbally or in writing but if verbal will be formalized in writing within five business days or as soon as practical. The contractor shall provide personnel, labor, materials, and equipment required to perform response activities.
• General technical guidance by the CO, COR or TOCOR does not relieve the contractor of the responsibility for performance under the contract by the contractor or its subcontractors. Specific minimally acceptable standards will be identified in individual task orders. Task Orders as time and materials. The contractor shall take any actions required to mitigate or eliminate any hazard that poses an endangerment of the public health, welfare or environment resulting from:
  • A discharge or threat of discharge of oil, petroleum products, and release or threat of a release of hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants into the environment
  • The threat of fire and explosion and incidents involving terrorist acts, weapons of mass destruction, and chemical-biological-radiological and nuclear incidents; or natural or man-made disasters
• The contractor shall accomplish all storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of oil, petroleum products, hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants, including contaminated media, in accordance with and meeting all applicable or relevant and appropriate requirements (ARAR) at the Federal, state and local level. The contractor shall comply with applicable or relevant and appropriate requirements pursuant to CERCLA unless otherwise directed by Task Order requirements. The contractor shall be responsible for obtaining all necessary transportation and disposal permits, and/or transportation and off-site treatment permits.
• The contractor shall obtain (through leases, subcontract agreements, or rental agreements) special services, such as securing property for a staging area, specialized removal equipment or personnel with specialized qualifications, in a timely and costefficient manner.