1b. DRAFT Performance Work Statement.pdf

Performance Work Statement (PWS)

Barbados Laboratory Services and Flask Air Sampling

PURPOSE:

The northern tropical atmospheric research station at Ragged Point, Barbados (RPB) is located on the eastern edge of the island with direct exposure to the Atlantic Ocean. Precisely, it is located in the parish of Saint Phillip, about 1 km (0.6 mile) NNE of the village of Sealy Hall with geographical coordinates, latitude of 13.1650 N, longitude 59.432 W, and mean altitude above sea level of 15 meters (~49.5 ft). It experiences generally easterly winds disrupted occasionally by the passage of cyclones and anticyclones. The Ragged Point, Barbados station is an important site because observations of trace gases that influence stratospheric ozone and climate are sparse in that part of the world. NOAA has analyzed discreet air samples (flasks) for the major greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4, N2O) collected at the RPB site since 1987, and in 2022 began analyzing separate flasks for ozone-depleting substances and their replacements (~60 gases in total). Both the NOAA flask data and continuous observations provide an important link to NOAA’s trace gas observations in the Pacific Ocean basin (e.g. Mauna Loa, Hawaii and Kumukahi, Hawaii), and the continuous measurements provide a valuable comparison to the NOAA flasks records.

SCOPE OR MISSION:

The mission is to acquire, evaluate, and make available accurate, long-term records of atmospheric trace gases that influence stratospheric ozone and climate at the Ragged Point site, Barbados. Also included is flask air sampling at no more than two GML flask pairs per week (one pair each for halocarbons and major greenhouse gases) at Mace Head, Ireland.

LOCATION OF WORK:

1. Ragged Point, Barbados Station Postal Address: AEROCE Research Facility, Ragged Point, St Philip, BB18032, Barbados

2. Sealy Hall, Saint Phillip Parrish, Barbados

3. Mace Head Atmospheric Research Facility Postal Address: Mace Head, Carna, Co. Galway, Ireland

BACKGROUND:

The Advanced Global Atmospheric Gas Experiment (AGAGE) and its predecessors have operated continuously at this location since 1978. The University of Bristol has a history of

DRAFT

operations at RPB and has extensive experience with the highly-technical instrumentation needed to measure trace gases at parts-per-trillion levels. The instrumentation and facilities needed to measure the gases in Table 1 include: a) a gas chromatograph with multiple detectors, including an electron capture detector, b) a state-of-the-art gas chromatograph with mass selective detector (GC-MS) coupled with a cryogenic pre-concentration system, and c) a cavity ring-down spectrometer. AGAGE instruments, a dedicated trailer, power, and communications are present at the site.

WORK TO BE PERFORMED

a) Maintain the RPB observatory facility and instrumentation year-round to ensure instrument performance and data quality, security, and calibration. The site must be staffed 5 days a week in order to ensure data quality and site security. Facility maintenance includes, but is not limited to, general upkeep and rust mitigation for the AGAGE trailer, and maintenance of the inlet lines on the adjacent tower.

b) Flask air sampling at Mace Head, Ireland: A target sampling frequency of two GML flask pairs per week (one pair each for halocarbons and major greenhouse gases).

Instrument operations at Ragged Point, Barbados:

1. GC-MD instrument

● AGAGE uses gas chromatography (GC) with electron-capture detection (ECD), flame-ionization detection (FID), and mercuric oxide reduction detection (MRD) to measure five biogenic/anthropogenic gases. This instrument requires periodic maintenance (changing of carrier and calibration gases at least once a month), visual observation, checklists, and evaluation of data.

2. GC-MS instrument

● AGAGE uses gas chromatography (GC) with a mass selective detection, also called a mass spectrometric detector. This instrument requires periodic maintenance (changing of carrier and calibration gases at least once a month), visual observation, checklists, and evaluation of data.

3. Cavity ring-down instrument

● AGAGE uses laser-spectroscopy to measure methane and carbon dioxide. The instrument requires periodic maintenance and inspection of calibration gases.

4. Physical laboratory upkeep.

● Air conditioning filter changes, phone and internet line maintenance, site security, and maintenance of inlet lines on the adjacent tower. A NOAA halocarbon flask sampling module is housed in the trailer and is used for weekly NOAA flask collection. Occasional logistical support and minor troubleshooting of the flask sampling module may be needed.

Flask sample operations at Mace Head, Ireland

1. Flask sample collection, with a target frequency of 2 flask pairs per week.

2. Interaction with NOAA on logistics, flask filling procedures, and sample quality to ensure high-quality, long-term data records.

Table 1. Continuous trace gas measurements at Ragged Point.

Compound Abundance (ppt)

Typical Precision (%) Compound Abundance

(ppt) Typical Precision

CF4 85 0.15 H1211 3 0.5

C2F6 4.9 0.9 H2402 0.4 2 C3F8 0.5 3 CH3Cl 550 0.2 SF6 11 0.4 CH3Br 6.6 0.5

SO2F2 1 1.6 CH3I 0.5 2

HFC23 32 0.7 CH2Cl2 50 0.8 HFC32 24 5 CHCl3 10 0.6 HFC134a 120 0.4 CHBr3 ~2 0.6 HFC152a 7.2 1.2 CCl4 75 1 HFC125 35 1 CH3CCl3 1 0.7 HFC143a 26 1.2 CHClCCl2 0.8 2.5 HFC365mfc 1 10 CCl2CCl2 5.5 0.5

HCFC22 250 0.3 C2H2 10-200 0.5

HCFC141b 25 0.4 C2H4 50-500 2 HCFC142b 22 0.6 C2H6 500 0.3

HCFC124 1.6 2 C6H6 10-100 0.3

CFC11 220 0.15 C7H8 <1-10 0.6

CFC12 490 0.05 C7H8 <1-10 0.6

CFC13 3.5 2 CO2 420 (ppm) 0.005 CFC113 70 0.2 CH4 1900 (ppb) 0.005 CFC114 16.5 0.3 N2O 330 (ppb) 0.05 CFC115 8.4 0.8 CO 130 (ppb) 0.2 H1301 3.3 1.5 H2 500 (ppb) 0.6

(ppt = parts per trillion, ppb = parts per billion, ppm = parts per million)

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:

Contractor performance will be assessed based reports on observatory operations and data quality.

DELIVERABLE SCHEDULE:

Item Performance Objective (Minimum Acceptable Standard)

Performance Standards

Method of Surveillance

Frequency

1.0 Maintain observatory Maintain full

observatory suite of instrumentation*

Target instrument operational status is > 75% monthly

COR inspect and accept

Monthly DRAFT

Item Performance Objective (Minimum Acceptable Standard)

Performance Standards

Method of Surveillance

Frequency

1.1 Scientific Data

Reporting

Report data quality summary to NOAA

GML COR

Report findings in 1-2 pages

COR inspect and accept

Once a quarter (every 3 months)

1.2 Report on overall

operations

Report on data, facilities, and scientific findings to NOAA GML

COR

Report findings in a 1-5 pages

COR inspect and accept

Once a year

*It is acknowledged that disruptions in operations due to weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances are possible.

DATA/MATERIALS/EQUIPMENT TO BE PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT:

The government does not provide any equipment or laboratory. That is the responsibility of the contractor.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. The RPB instrument suite is highly specialized and requires a skilled technician to operate. The government does not provide training on the instrumentation listed above.

2. Vehicle access is required by the contractor to meet the NOAA mission at Ragged Point, Barbados and Mace Head. NOAA cannot grant access to Ragged Point, Barbados for the completion of the work. The contractor is responsible for securing access separately. Access will be verified during the evaluation of the proposals.

3. The contractor is responsible to vehicle access at the Mace Head site.