2-Attachment B Scope of Work.docx

Attachment B SCOPE OF WORK

NC26-85

Cyanobacteria Harmful Algal Blooms (cHABs) Identification & Enumeration Summary The Division of Water Quality is issuing this solicitation to provide laboratory services for the identification and enumeration of cyanobacteria. Standard terms and conditions from the vendor’s WQ Services approved vendor list agreement will apply.

Objective:

To rapidly process samples (Up to ∿24 hours upon receipt for IFCB CHAB analysis) that are used to identify and enumerate phytoplankton, and more specifically, cyanobacteria associated with cHAB events in Utah waterbodies. The data is used to monitor cyanobacteria concentrations from targeted sites that prioritize public exposure and sentinel sites that are used to track blooms.

Work Activities

a. Rapid confirmation of cyanobacteria composition and enumeration of a suspected cHAB (IFCB cHAB) and follow-up IFCB Total Assemblage (with biovolume) when specifically requested.

b. Taxonomic identification and enumeration of cyanobacteria comprising confirmed bloom. The level of identification (typically the lowest taxonomic resolution) and the type of quantification (phytoplankton concentration by taxon as both Natural Units and cells/mL) will be determined by UDWQ and the contractor depending on the conditions of each bloom event. If UDWQ determines complete assemblage information is required at a higher resolution, or colony size limits analysis by IFCB, a manual count will be conducted from permanent HPMA mounts to the species level (where possible) without biovolume.

c. Taxonomic identification and interpretation of suspected bloom of qualitative samples from either planktonic or benthic blooms

d. Phytoplankton taxonomy, particularly associated with cyanobacteria, is in constant flux. Along with the taxonomic nomenclature changing, these organisms may also have the classifications changed from one genus to another or from one family to another as phylogeny develops. Not keeping taxonomy updated creates inconsistency within and between laboratories, which is extremely challenging for UDWQ to maintain a functional database. The contractor will carefully follow these taxonomic changes as the current state of phycology evolves. The contractor will make taxonomic identifications based on updated literature and other documented changes and will strive for consistency with other labs or agencies with regard to taxonomic classification or nomenclature. Further, the contractor will identify these changes to UDWQ as they occur or at least on an annual basis.

Outputs

a. Reports will be prepared detailing the results of the above tasks (composition, identification and enumeration) for each sample. A sortable spreadsheet (MS Excel or tab-delimited text file) will include enumeration of all phytoplankton taxa present (depending upon the lab method-see table below) and the classification hierarchy. Identification will be made to the lowest possible taxonomic level practical to the method, and enumeration will include phytoplankton concentration by taxon as both Natural Units and cells/mL.

b. Enumeration results will additionally be added, within the turnaround time window (24-72 hours), to a shared Google Sheets document for each sample.

c. A unique sample identifier, site identifier, site name or description, collection date, taxonomic name, standardized taxonomic code, and relative abundance will be provided. Additional interpretive information and lab notes are also encouraged to be attached to the electronic file at the discretion of the contractor.

d. Reports of phytoplankton samples as described above will be submitted in electronic form by email to DEQ by the agreed upon turnaround time.

e. List of services requested:

Budget The budget for this five-year contract is $385,000

The contractor must guarantee pricing for the first 12 months of the contract. For any subsequent price increases the contractor must provide comprehensive market research justifying an increase and receive approval from the project Manager. Each approved rate adjustment will remain fixed and guaranteed for a minimum of 12 months from its effective date.

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