A14_RFI-Sources_Sought_Attch1_Draft_Picoplankton_SOW_1.docx

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) & SOURCES SOUGHT 140G0223Q0022

DRAFT WORK STATEMENT

Work Statement for Picoplankton Sample Analysis

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

A. Introduction The Central Midwest Water Science Center (CMWSC) has a requirement for periphyton, water sample phytoplankton, and picoplankton identification and analysis services related to the Next Generation Water Observing Systems’ (NGWOS) Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Algal Community element. Specifically, this element requires the identification and enumeration of periphyton and phytoplankton samples with picoplankton analysis preserved with glutaraldehyde from the Illinois River Basin.

B. Background Phytoplankton (drifting algae) and periphyton (benthic algae) are a major source of primary production in aquatic systems and can be significant contributors to the food web in large river systems. However, under certain conditions specific species can produce toxins that are harmful to both wildlife and people. Toxin production has been occurring more frequently in many freshwater ecosystems, but the occurrence of toxin producing species and drivers of toxin production are not well understood, especially in rivers. The Illinois River has experienced several toxic algal blooms in recent years and there is ongoing work by USGS and partners to investigate the drivers of these occurrences. The Illinois River NGWOS HAB project began in 2021 and is expected to continue through 2025. During 2022 there were approximately 36 phytoplankton and 26 periphyton samples collected. The total number of samples annually will be dependent on algal bloom and other field conditions.

C. Scope CMWSC requires species identification and enumeration of taxa including picoplankton analysis of phytoplankton and periphyton samples preserved with glutaraldehyde collected within the Illinois River Basin. We require a trained and experienced taxonomist using a research-grade compound microscopy that includes an analysis of the picoplankton community, estimates of species biovolume, volume, and surface area, and reports diversity indices and summary statistics. Identification should include permanent archival slide mounting of soft algae that maintains fluorescence and permanent Naphrax slides for periphyton diatom identification. We expect that the organism will be identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level. The ability to provide picoplankton analysis from the submitted glutaraldehyde preserved periphyton and phytoplankton samples without the necessity of submitting separate samples is necessary.

The taxonomist should have experience identifying and enumerating periphyton and phytoplankton samples using the most current references, keys, and publications. Previous experience working with riverine phytoplankton and periphyton (especially within the Illinois River region and watershed) is preferrable.

II. WORK REQUIREMENTS

A. Technical Requirements

1. The identification and enumeration of taxa in glutaraldehyde preserved phytoplankton and periphyton samples is required with permanent archival mounts of soft algae that retain fluorescence and permanent Naphrax slides of periphyton diatoms. Archival slides will be stored at the laboratory facility without additional fee unless a request is made for the slides to be shipped to the client. The majority of counting should be completed using magnification 1000x for diatom dominated samples and 200-400x for soft algae dominated samples. Sample turn-around time should approximate 16 weeks. For each sample the vendor shall furnish the complete dataset in Excel format that includes

· Identification of each sample to the lowest possible taxonomic level including analysis of picoplankton community

· Taxa abundance

· Taxa biovolume estimates

· Estimates of species volume

· Estimates of species surface area

· Diversity indices calculated on abundance, total biovolume, biomass, volume, and area

· Summary statistics

2. A laboratory quality assurance plan must be in place including taxonomic verifications, recounts, and distribution checks. Uncertain taxonomic identifications should be indicated in the taxonomic report. A chain of custody for each sample should be maintained and documented. All samples and archival slides should be available to the CMWSC upon the completion of the contract if requested.

3. All datasets must be submitted in digital format with appropriate metadata documentation to

TBD