140R4025Q0033_Questions_and_Answers_as_of_2025-04-16_0002.docx

140R4025Q0033 – BGNDRF PFAS Analyses Questions and Answers as of 4-16-2025

1. Is there any incumbent/recompete, or is this a brand-new project?

ANSWER: The previous contract was 140R4024P0019 which was awarded to Symbio Laboratories.

2. Could you please confirm the anticipated start date for this project?

ANSWER: The estimated start date for this requirement is mid to late May 2025.

3. With reference to the Price Schedule, when completing the “Price Schedule Totals for Base and Four Option Years,” should we include only the planned samples, or should optional samples also be factored into the totals?

ANSWER: Totals should include both the planned and optional samples.

4. In reference to the Price Schedule, we report up to 40 PFAS compounds under Method 1633 and up to 47 PFAS compounds under Method 537.1mod. However, the current price schedule provides a single field for the “number of PFAS compounds included,” limiting pricing to 40 compounds for both methods. To accurately reflect the number of compounds analyzed under each method, would it be possible to revise the price schedule to include separate line items for each method and the corresponding number of PFAS compounds?

ANSWER: The Price Schedule has been updated so the number of compounds can be entered for each.

5. The price schedule only includes lines to price a water matrix. If the soil matrix should also be priced, please revise the price schedule to include soil sections.

ANSWER: The Price Schedule has been updated to include an item for both water and soil.

6. In reference to Section 1.2.2 of the Statement of Work, which specifies that the contractor shall participate in the EPA Quality Assurance Program, would our current accreditations under NELAP and/or ISO 17025/DOE/DoD meet this requirement?

ANSWER: Yes, these accreditations would be acceptable for this requirement.

7. As per section 2 of the scope of work: Item 2.2: The government will ship the water samples to the Contractor using the chain of custody protocol and forms provided by the contractor. Does this statement mean that the government will pay for the cost of shipping the water samples to the lab for testing (as well as other sample matrices)?

ANSWER: The shipping line indicated on the Price Schedule is for the return shipping back to the lab – usually priority overnight to ensure hold times and temperatures. Shipping to the BGNDRF should be built into the price of the rest of the sampling.

8. The Scope of Work states that “Solid samples will come from evaporation pond sludge, soil, or PFAS removal media. The contractor shall perform to the standards in this contract.” What are the requirements for analyte recovery from PFAS removal media? This media is designed to capture and hold on to PFAS – in order to evaluate actual PFAS concentration in treatment media, the lab may need to go above and beyond the procedures outlined in the analytical methods; this may include multiple extractions and analyses, or even a recoverability study of the media, and would warrant a completely different price structure; how should this be addressed in the proposal?

ANSWER: We can remove the PFAS removal media from the scope of this contract for solids analysis.

9. Please confirm that analytical turnaround time starts upon receipt at the laboratory (as opposed to immediately following collection in the field).

ANSWER: Correct, however, we are assuming that overnight shipping will be utilized, so the timing should only be off by one business day.

10. Could you please provide information about what other non-salt impurities may be present in the brackish water, desal concentrate and evaporation pond samples?

ANSWER: Water quality analysis for BGNDRF wells and evaporation ponds can be found at this website: https://www.usbr.gov/research/bgndrf/water.html.

11. Not all states participate in NELAC, and labs in non-participating states must be accredited by another state. Is this disqualifying for this bid?

ANSWER: That is acceptable.

12. Are subcontractors permitted, and if so, are there any additional requirements?

ANSWER: The use of subcontractors is permitted; however, this should be indicated in your quote and all requirements of the Statement of Work will need to be met.