Purchase Order 1232SA26P0065

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service (USDA ARS) awarded a $573.6K purchase order for laboratory and testing services to Lab Leasing Co., Inc., operating as Chesapeake Labs, a small business headquartered in Stevensville, Maryland. This total small business set-aside contract, effective February 13, 2026, with an ultimate completion date of February 12, 2031, supports the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) in Calverton, Maryland. Under the firm fixed price agreement, Chesapeake Labs will provide comprehensive water and wastewater laboratory testing services, including sample collection, storage, analysis, documentation, and reporting for BARC's water infrastructure comprising eight water wells, a raw water system, a water treatment plant, water distribution system, wastewater collection system, and two wastewater treatment plants.

Chesapeake Labs was selected based on a lowest price technically acceptable evaluation following the February 2026 competitive solicitation. The contractor demonstrates substantial relevant experience, having provided multiple water and wastewater management services to the USDA ARS Northeast Area since 2021 and currently holding a $3.7M indefinite delivery contract for chemicals and supplies at BARC. All contractor personnel must obtain BARC security clearance and maintain OSHA-certified competent person designation and ten-hour Construction Safety certification, with wage rates established under Service Contract Labor Standards at $21.04 per hour plus fringe benefits for laboratory workers.