A04 - SOW 1232SA26Q0917.docx

US Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Statement of Work

Biohazardous, Large Animal Carcass, and Regulated Medical Waste Collection, Transportation, and Disposal Services

May 21, 2026

Contents

Project Title Biohazardous, Large Animal Carcass, and Regulated Medical Waste Collection, Transportation, and Disposal Services

General Information

1.0 Background and Purpose

ARS intends to select a high-quality contractor to award a firm-fixed price contract.

The Beltsville Location (BL) includes the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC), Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center (BHNRC), and the U.S. National Arboretum (USNA). These facilities generate diverse waste streams from laboratories, animal facilities, greenhouses, and research operations. The Safety and Occupational Health Unit (SOHU) oversees compliance and safety for all waste-handling operations.

The Contractor shall provide all labor, supervision, equipment, materials, transportation, permits, insurance, and incidentals necessary to collect, transport, treat, and dispose of regulated medical waste (RMW), biohazardous and large animal carcass waste generated across multiple facilities at the Beltsville Location, Maryland covered by this Scope. All Contractor and subcontractor employees must be trained and licensed where applicable for working in potentially hazardous, or hazardous conditions.

2.0 Definitions

The following acronyms are used though this performance work statement:

USNA U.S. National Arboretum

Contractor Requirements

3.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks

The Scope of Work include all or a combination of the following example requirements associated with this Scope of Work.

3.1 General Requirements

The Contractor shall:

· Collect, transport, treat, and dispose of all RMW, biohazardous, and large animal carcass waste

· Maintain all required federal, state, and local licenses

· Provide compliant containers and equipment

· Maintain chain-of-custody documentation

· Coordinate all activities with the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR)

· Provide immediate emergency spill response and facility cleanup to ensure safety, compliance, and minimal operational disruption

3.2 Waste Streams

Waste types include, but are not limited to:

· Regulated medical waste (RMW)

· Infectious waste

· Sharps

· Contaminated PPE

· Pathological waste (cow, sheep, turkey, chicken, mice)

· Animal carcasses (cow, sheep, turkey, chicken, mice)

· Waste volumes may fluctuate

3.3 Containers and Collection Equipment

The Contractor shall provide:

· 200-gallon collection carts (preferred)

· DOT/OSHA-compliant containers

· Leak-resistant, lined, and closable containers

· Puncture-resistant sharps containers

· Proper biohazard and container ID labeling

· Carcass body/Carcass truck or Dead animal removal truck to transport large whole animals (e.g. cows)

The Contractor shall maintain containers in sanitary condition and replace damaged units immediately.

3.4 Service Locations

Services will be performed at:

· BARC

· BHNRC

· USNA (Beltsville location)

A building list and map will be provided post-award or [attachment 1].

3.5 Pickup Schedule

· Minimum frequency: Weekly for biohazardous and medical waste – autoclave/incineration

· Schedule coordinated with the COR

· Contractor must adhere to pickup windows

· Contractor must notify the COR of delays

· Schedule adjustments may be required based on waste volume

3.6 Transportation and Disposal

The Contractor shall provide:

· Use licensed and permitted vehicles

· Maintain chain-of-custody documentation

· Deliver waste only to approved treatment/disposal facilities

· Treat waste via autoclave, incineration, or other approved methods

· Ensure final disposal complies with all regulations

· Transportation suitable for RMW and biohazardous waste

· Leak-resistant, sanitized, and closable truck bed

3.7 Regulatory Compliance

The Contractor shall comply with all applicable federal and Maryland regulations, governing medical waste including:

· Packaging and labeling per COMAR 26.13.11.05

· Tracking documentation/manifests per COMAR 26.13.11.07

· Delivery to MDE-permitted facilities

3.8 Health and Safety Requirements

The Contractor shall:

· Train personnel in OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens, biohazard handling, and HAZWOPER

· Provide appropriate PPE

· Follow all site-specific safety requirements

· Immediately report spills, exposures, or violations

· Contain and clean up spills resulting from Contractor operations

3.9 Contractor Management and Supervision

The Contractor shall:

· Provide an on-site or readily available supervisor

· Register all employees with the COR

· Report on personnel changes immediately

· Report damage, injuries, or hazards within one business day

4.0 Government Furnished

The Government will:

· Provide access to facilities

· Provide accumulation points

· Provide COR oversight

· Provide pick-up schedule for large animal carcass

· Notify Contractor of closures or emergencies

5.0 Deliverable / Schedule

· Waste manifests are provided at each pickup and serve as the chain‑of‑custody documentation.

· Certificates of treatment or disposal are also issued at each pickup and include details such as the container ID, treatment method, date, and facility.

· Incident reports are generated as needed to document spills, exposures, or violations.

· Monthly summary reports outline waste volumes, any issues encountered, and notable trends.

6.0 Travel

N/A

7.0 Contractor’s Key Personnel

The Personnel shall:

· Be trained and experienced in biohazardous, regulated medical, and large animal carcass waste handling

· Follow all ARS/BARC/BHNRC/USNA rules

· Wear appropriate PPE

· [Read and communicate in English]

8.0 Security and Access Requirements

· All Contractor personnel must obtain identification badges

· Personnel must comply with all security protocols

· Lost badges must be reported immediately

· Normal hours: 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Monday–Friday

· No service on Federal holidays

· After-hours service requires COR approval

· Inclement weather procedures follow Government closures

9.0 Data Rights

· The Contractor shall provide all data required for completion of annual biohazardous and RMW generator reports.

· All manifest information shall be neatly printed or typed and contain information required by applicable Federal, State, and local biohazardous and RMW waste regulations. All waste manifests (i.e., biohazardous and RMW) shall be submitted to the COR or designated representative for review and signatures during routine operating hours and prior to the shipment of waste off site. The manifest shall be signed by the Contractor's transporter in the presence of the COR or designated representative. The COR or designated representative shall sign the manifest as the generator.

· The COR shall receive all final manifest directly from the approved Facility.

· The Contractor is responsible for any errors associated with packaging, marking, labeling, segregation, and the actual shipment of all waste off-site. The Contractor shall remain fully responsible for the correction of errors in packing, labeling, or shipping. Additionally, the costs associated with identified errors are the sole responsibility of the Contractor.

10.0 Section 508 - Electronic and Information Technology Standards N/A

11.0 Period of Performance –

1 Year

12.0 Invoicing

IPP Platform

13.0 Contractor Point of Contact

TBD

Attachment 1

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