Attachment_1_2025_SOW_BGNDRF_PFAS_Analyses.pdf

BGNDRF PFAS Analyses

STATEMENT OF WORK

BRACKISH GROUNDWATER NATIONAL DESALINATION RESEARCH FACILITY

PER-AND POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES (PFAS) ANALYSES

1. GENERAL INFORMATION

There are three objectives for the water analysis described in this Statement of Work. The first objective is to give the clients of the Brackish Groundwater National Desalination Research Facility (BGNDRF) thorough information concerning well water for the purposes of designing and configuring pilot scale water treatment technologies and measuring technology performance.

The second objective is to meet reporting requirements under the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) discharge permit, DP-1472 for concentrate in the BGNDRF evaporation ponds. NMED monitors potential groundwater contaminates discharged at this facility.

The third objective is to allow BGNDRF to monitor the performance of its PFAS removal equipment and research systems.

1.1 SCOPE OF WORK. The Contractor will analyze brackish water and solid samples provided by the BGNDRF for a suite of at least 16 compounds using either EPA method 537.1 Mod or 1633. Method of testing direction will be provided by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) when supplies are ordered. The contract will start using 537.1 Mod for up to three water sampling events including at least one event with both 537.1 Mod and 1633. It is possible that a set of samples will also be sent to another lab that has analyzed these samples for comparison purposes. Once results are available, the COR may request a transition to 1633 if it is determined to be superior for BGNDRF sample analysis. BGNDRF estimates 66 water samples per year and 15 field blanks spread over 15 sampling events. Additional optional tests include 48 water samples and 16 field blanks spread over 16 sampling events. Soil and other solid samples will be sporadic and based on operations and research. The number of soil or solids samples is expected to be 3-6 per year. The Contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, tools, materials, supervision and other items and services necessary to perform analysis of water and soil (or other solids) as described in this Statement of Work. Samples of water will come from a variety of sources including four brackish water wells, desalination concentrate, and evaporation ponds. Solid samples will come from evaporation pond sludge, soil, or PFAS removal media. The Contractor shall perform to the standards in this contract. Samples will be sent intermittently and will generally include 3- 10 samples and 1-3 field blanks per sampling event. Sample frequency will range from weekly to monthly and are dependent upon BGNDRF operations. The minimum set of PFAS analyses and suggested reporting limits are listed in Exhibit 1, however, if more compounds can be provided at a reasonable cost, it could be acceptable. Sample analysis turnround time (TAT) shall be no more than 25 business days.

During construction activities, faster (less than 1 week) TATs may be requested for commissioning purposes.

1.2 CONTRACTOR AND LABORATORY STANDARDS

1.2.1 Contractor’s employees performing analysis shall have current and valid certifications in the analysis methods required under this contract. Proof of these certifications shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer prior to starting work under this contract.

1.2.2 Laboratory shall be accredited in accordance with the most recent National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Conference (NELAC) standards for water analysis and certified by the state in which it is located. The laboratory shall be in good standing with both, and not be under review or investigation. The Contractor shall be participating in the EPA Quality Assurance Program. The Contractor will submit proof of laboratory certification and applicable QA sample results prior to starting work under this contract.

1.2.3 Laboratory shall provide method detection limits and reporting limits for the requested PFAS compounds in Exhibit 1, as well as others that may be part of a larger data set.

2. GOVERNMENT–FURNISHED PROPERTY AND SERVICES

2.1 The government will obtain samples of the water from its wells, evaporation ponds, treatment equipment, or solid sources using containers and procedures provided by the Contractor.

2.1.1 Procedures will include minimum well pump run times prior to sampling water from each well.

2.2 The government will ship the water samples to the Contractor using the chain of custody protocol and forms provided by the Contractor.

2.3 If requested, the government can provide historical data in the form of Excel spreadsheets for past analyses performed on BGNDRF water sources.

3. CONTRACTOR-FURNISHED ITEMS AND SERVICES

3.1 The Contractor shall provide clean sample containers (e.g., free of debris and residue, acid-washed, etc.) in double-bagged Ziploc-style plastic bags, PFAS-free water for field blanks (as requested), coolers, and arrange delivery of these containers via courier. Contractor shall also provide sample container labels, chain of custody forms, and any other necessary processing documents. The Contractor shall deliver the containers and necessary documents to the Brackish Groundwater National Desalination Research Facility at 500 La Velle Road, Alamogordo, NM 88310 within five days of the scheduled sampling date of required testing, unless other arrangements are made.

3.2 The Contractor will provide the COR with instructions regarding how to sample, pack and ship the samples to the Contractor and any time limits that shall be observed between the time of sampling and reception by the Contractor. Instructions will include chain of custody procedures.

3.3 The Contractor will provide check-in reports for samples received including information regarding the sample status, temperature, and other aspects related to quality control. If the samples do not meet temperature limits established by the laboratory or EPA method, the Contractor shall contact the COR prior to analyzing the samples.

4. DELIVERABLES

4.1 REPORTS

4.1.1 Well water, evaporation pond, and equipment monitoring test results will be reported together in one report. Solid samples will be reported separately from the water quality samples.

4.1.1.1 Contractor shall provide an electronic report after each test cycle. The electronic data report should be in PDF and include laboratory results along with a Level 2 or better report. Summarize any QC flags and describe any issues related to problems with analyses.

4.1.2.3 Contractor shall provide an updated electronic Microsoft excel spreadsheet of water test data after each complete cycle of testing. The spreadsheet shall include a key for QC flags and maintain formatting for QC, omitted analyses, and other items as provided in original spreadsheet.

5. SCHEDULE

5.1 NMED Report Samples

5.1.1. If samples are sent for analysis for NMED reports, analyses shall be completed in time for BGNDRF to complete its report. NMED requires a semi-annual report from BGNDRF in accordance with discharge permit DP-1472. In order to meet NMED reporting requirements, the Contractor’s final report from testing of evaporation pond and irrigation concentrate shall be completed by the following dates each year: May 1st and November 1st of each year.

5.2 Most sampling events will occur intermittently throughout the year and with advance notice as required by the analytical laboratory.

5.3 The standard turnaround time (TAT) shall be no more than 25 business days, with a preference towards 15 business days. The TAT shall be met for each sample set sent to the contractor. The COR and Contracting Officer (CO) shall be notified within three days of receipt of the samples if the TAT will not be met for the submitted samples. Only the CO can permit a temporary change in TAT for submitted samples. A change in TAT can only be granted once per quarter.

5.4 Contractor for each test cycle shall coordinate with the COR regarding the sampling date and shipping date for shipping samples to the Contractor’s laboratory. The Contractor shall provide the government sampling containers, sampling protocols, shipping containers, and chain of custody forms within 5 days of scheduled sampling date. Contractor shall arrange and pay for shipping to the BGNDRF Facility and possibly for return shipping. Contractor shall begin analysis of samples within 3 days after receipt of such samples. Upon receipt of samples, the Contractor shall complete analysis and submit required deliverables within 25 business days.

BGNDRF WATER AND SOIL ANALYSIS

Exhibit 1: Minimum Suite of Water Tests

There are thousands of PFAS compounds, and it is recognized that each lab may have its own suite of PFAS chemicals for a given price. Below are the minimum requested PFAS compounds. Additional compounds are useful if they can be included for the same or similar price of the minimum set. As of 2023, BGNDRF has used EPA 537.1 MOD, however, will transition to EPA 1633 soon (likely within the first year of the contract). Contractor shall provide its list of compounds along with detection and laboratory reporting limits for each as part of their proposal. Contractor shall indicate whether brackish water (1-6 g/L total dissolved solids) poses analytical challenges and how they will be addressed.

Contractor shall indicate whether they are able to perform both EPA Method 537.1 MOD and 1633.

Table 1. Minimum PFAS Suite for Water Samples

Acronym Compound CAS

Suggested Reporting Limit (ng/L)

6:2 FTS 6:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid 27619-97-2 ≤ 5 HFPO-DA (also known as GenX)

Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid

13252-13-6 ≤ 2

NEtFOSAA N-ethyl perfluorooctanesulfomidoacetic acid

2991-50-6 ≤ 5

PFBS Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid 375-73-5 ≤ 2 PFBA Perfluorobutanoic acid 375-22-4 ≤ 4 PFDA Perfluorodecanoic acid 335-76-2 ≤ 5 PFHpS Perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid 375-92-8 ≤ 5 PFHpA Perfluoroheptanoic acid 375-85-9 ≤ 5 PFHxS Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid 355-46-4 ≤ 2 PFHxA Perfluorohexanoic acid 307-24-4 ≤ 5 PFNA Perfluorononanoic acid 375-95-1 ≤ 2 FOSA Perfluorooctanesulfonamide 754-91-6 ≤ 5 PFOS Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid 1763-23-1 ≤ 2 PFOA Perfluorooctanoic acid 335-67-1 ≤ 2 PFPeS Perfluoropentanesulfonic acid 2706-91-4 ≤ 5 PFPeA Perfluoropentanoic acid 2706-90-3 ≤ 5

BGNDRF WATER AND SOIL ANALYSIS

There will be occasional solid samples from the BGNDRF ponds, soil, or other sources. Table 2 summarizes the range of concentrations found on the New Mexico Environment Department’s Risk Assessment Guidance for Investigations and Remediation from 2022. As of this solicitation, the BGNDRF does not have mandatory sampling requirements for solid samples, so there is a possibility of the list changing. Please provide the detection limits or indicate whether the concentrations shown in Table 2 are achievable.

Table 2. Minimum PFAS Suite for Solid Samples

Compound Risk-based

SSL, DAF 1

(mg/kg)

Risk-based SSL, DAF 20 (mg/kg)

Screening Level Cw (mg/kg)

Perfluorobutanesulfonate 1.04E-03 2.09E-02 2.09E-02 Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS) 1.04E-03 2.09E-02 2.09E-02 Perfluorohexanesulfonate 6.95E-05 1.39E-03 1.39E-03 Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) 6.95E-05 1.39E-03 1.39E-03 Perfluorononanoate 2.51E-04 5.02E-03 5.02E-03 Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) 2.51E-04 5.02E-03 5.02E-03 Perfluorooctanesulfonate 1.04E-05 2.09E-04 2.09E-04 Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) 1.04E-05 2.09E-04 2.09E-04 Perfluorooctanoate 9.13E-04 1.83E-02 1.83E-02 Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) 9.13E-04 1.83E-02 1.83E-02 Potassium perfluorobutanesulfonate 2.85E-03 5.70E-02 5.70E-02 Potassium perfluorooctanesulfonate 1.04E-05 2.09E-04 2.09E-04 https://www.env.nm.gov/hazardous-waste/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/NMED_SSG_VOL_I_Nov_2022.pdf https://www.env.nm.gov/hazardous-waste/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/NMED_SSG_VOL_I_Nov_2022.pdf