Solicitation Questions and Answers (Lab Water Testing).docx

· Should we price the Legionella samples by assuming they will all be positive for Legionella and thus all will require speciation and cryogenic freezing, or just assume X amount will require the extra analysis?

We have not had a positive legionella result in over four years, so we do not anticipate needing the speciation and cryogenic freezing often, if at all. Please assume once per year though, just in case.

· Will Maryland drinking water certifications be needed for any or all of the analyses?

No, drinking water certifications will not be needed, as the water being tested is only for industrial use (steam, chilled water for cooling, and condenser water).

· Will alternative methods for some of the analytes be acceptable? We can also provide a list of alternatives for select analytes if requested

Copper Testing must follow EPA 200.8 methodology, and Legionella testing must follow ISO 11731. Alternative methodologies for other analyses will be considered and should be included in the proposal if NOT able to provide methodology specified in the SOW.

· Regarding laboratory certification, would NELAP certification be an acceptable alternative to ISO certification?

Yes, NELAP certification is acceptable as an alternative to ISO 9001.

· The bid at times references the number of monthly samples that we'll be taking but results are expected weekly. Just to confirm, will the vendor be sampling weekly and sending results off weekly. Is that correct?

The only sample being taken weekly is the BLDG 10 amine in water. All other samples are monthly. Results are expected within (1) week though unless otherwise noted in the SOW.

· One of the deliverables is for a COC on each sample taken including information such as the name of the sampler and the time it was taken. The government though is expected to take all samples except legionella. Does that mean the COCs will be provided to the vendor for all non-legionella samples?

Chain of Custody forms should be provided by the vender ahead of time, and NIH will fill out the sample collection information and provide to the vender when they pick up the samples.

· How would the government want the results: Weekly, uploaded to the cloud, live presentations?

Results shall be uploaded to an online workspace (Box) managed by NIH. Frequency is monthly, with the exception of Building 10 amine samples which are collected weekly.

· Can ISO 17025 certification be provided in place of ISO 9000 to demonstrate sufficient laboratory quality standards?

Yes, ISO 17025 is acceptable.