Monthly Laboratory Analytical Services for a total of 214 water quality samples sets per month…

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has awarded a twelve-month contract effective July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, valued at $466,862.40 to conduct monthly laboratory analytical services for offshore water quality monitoring. The contract encompasses analysis of 214 water quality sample sets per month collected from 119 inlet, reef, and outfall sites across nine Florida coastal locations: Government Cut, Bakers Haulover, Port Everglades, Hillsboro, Boca, Boynton, Lake Worth, Jupiter, and St. Lucie. Sample collection is performed by Nova Southeastern University, while analytical testing is conducted by the Broward County Environmental Monitoring Laboratory located at 3211 College Avenue, Davie, Florida (Department of Health Certification #E46053-40). The monthly service cost is $38,905.20, with deliverables consisting of complete data sets transmitted via email to the project coordinator by the end of each following calendar month.

The contract supports the continuation of a water quality monitoring program for the north Florida reef tract, designed to identify and reduce constituents and impacts of land-based source pollution on coral reef ecosystems. Analytical services include testing for Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen, Nitrite + Nitrate, Ammonia, Total Phosphorous, Orthophosphate, Silicate, Total Suspended Solids, Turbidity, Chlorophyll a, Secchi Depth, and Salinity. The program objectives are to provide coastal managers with data necessary to detect ecosystem changes, link observed variations with reef health conditions, and address public concerns regarding water quality degradation in the region. Contract administration is managed by Lara Bracci, with payment contingent upon service completion, Florida Department of Environmental Protection acceptance, and receipt of itemized invoices.