F--Emergency and Rapid Response Services VI (ERRS)
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY.ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY.REGION 5 CONTRACTING OFFICE · Response deadline: Fri, 13 Nov 2026
What the government is buying
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 is soliciting bids for the sixth iteration of its Emergency and Rapid Response Services (ERRS VI) contract. This is a recurring environmental services procurement that supports the agency's mission to respond to environmental emergencies and hazardous situations requiring rapid professional intervention.
NAICS code 562910 designates "Remediation Services," an industry category covering firms that clean up contaminated buildings, mine sites, soil, groundwater, surface water, and other environmental media. This work typically includes emergency response to oil spills, chemical releases, and other environmental incidents, as well as planned remediation projects. Firms in this sector may provide services such as site assessment, containment, removal and disposal of hazardous materials, treatment system installation and operation, and related project management.
"Emergency and Rapid Response Services" contracts are a well-established vehicle in EPA Regions, designed to provide on-call environmental remediation capabilities with quick mobilization requirements. The agency maintains these contracts to ensure rapid access to qualified contractors when environmental emergencies occur within the Region 5 geographic area, which covers Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin, and 35 Tribal Nations.
Key facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | EPA Region 5 Contracting Office |
| Notice type | Solicitation |
| Solicitation number | 68HE0526R0023 |
| NAICS | 562910 (Remediation Services) |
| Set-aside | Small Business Set Aside – Total |
| Response deadline | November 13, 2026, 5:00 PM ET |
| Place of performance | Chicago, IL |
Who can bid
This opportunity is set aside entirely for small business concerns under SBA size standards. For NAICS 562910, the applicable size standard see the solicitation or verify at SBA.gov—typically based on average annual receipts over three years. Your business must be registered in SAM.gov, classified as small under the applicable NAICS code, and meet any additional EPA qualifications for handling hazardous materials and emergency response work.
Given the nature of remediation services, bidders typically need demonstrated capability in one or more technical disciplines: hazardous waste operations, industrial hygiene, environmental engineering, or related fields. EPA ERRS contracts historically require contractor personnel to meet OSHA HAZWOPER training standards for hazardous waste operations and emergency response. If your firm lacks direct experience with EPA contracts, past performance on comparable state environmental agency or private-sector emergency response contracts may be relevant.
How to put together a competitive bid
Focus on demonstrating rapid response capability—mobilization timelines, 24/7 availability, and geographic proximity to Chicago and broader Region 5. EPA evaluates ERRS proposals heavily on technical merit and past performance rather than price alone.
Highlight your team's certifications and training matrix: HAZWOPER (40-hour, 8-hour refresher, supervisory), confined space entry, respiratory protection, and any specialized credentials for specific contaminants or response scenarios. Identify key personnel with proven EPA or comparable federal agency experience.
Document past performance with quantitative metrics: number of emergency responses completed, average mobilization time, projects delivered on schedule, and any safety record data (OSHA recordables, lost-time incident rates). EPA typically requests references from contracts of similar scope, complexity, and value.
Address equipment and resource inventory: spill response vehicles, personal protective equipment, air monitoring instruments, decon capabilities, and subcontractor relationships for specialized services like waste transportation or analytical laboratory support. See the solicitation for specific required capabilities and any mandated minimum equipment lists.
For small businesses, consider joint venture or mentor-protégé arrangements if you have gaps in geographic coverage or technical scope. Ensure your pricing captures all direct and indirect costs for on-call availability, surge staffing, and variable mobilization distances.
Next steps
Read the full solicitation documents on SAM.gov using solicitation number 68HE0526R0023. Review all attachments, including the statement of work, evaluation criteria, and any required EPA forms or certifications. Pay close attention to any pre-proposal conference dates, site visit requirements, or mandatory technical submittals. Note the firm deadline of November 13, 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time—late submissions are not typically accepted for negotiated procurements.
View the official notice on SAM.gov →