Attachment 4- Statement of Work.docx

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

BELTSVILLE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH CENTER

FACILITIES SERVICE

UTILITIES MANAGEMENT UNIT

BUILDING 426A, BARC EAST

10300 BALTIMORE AVENUE

BELTSVILLE, MARYLAND 20705-2350

STATEMENT OF WORK

CONTRACT FOR LABORATORY & TESTING SERVICES FOR BARC’s WATER AND WASTEWATER SYSTEMS

BELTSVILLE AGRICULTUREAL RESEARCH CENTER (BARC)

BELTSVILLE, MARYLAND

December 23, 2025

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

1. GENERAL

1.1. BACKGROUND

The United State Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Services (ARS), Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) owns and operates eight (8) Water Wells, a Raw Water System, a Water Treatment Plant (WTP), a Water Distribution System (WDS), a Wastewater Collection System (WWCS), and two Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP) located in Beltsville, MD. The WTP and both WWTP are permitted to operate by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) under the following permits:

· BARC WTP:

· State Water Appropriation and Use Permit No. PG1990G012(04)

· Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), Drinking Water Branch, Drinking Water Watch, Samples and Compliance Schedules, Water System No.: MD0160001

· Additional State and Local Regulations

· BARC Eastside WWTP:

· State Discharge Permit 15-DP-2525; NPDES Permit MD0020842

· Maryland Sewage Sludge Utilization (SSU) Permit No. 2020-SAG-4345

· Maryland Sewage Sludge Utilization Permit No. 2014-STF-5844

· BARC Westside WWTP:

· State Discharge Permit 17-DP-2787, NPDES Permit MD0020851

· Maryland Sewage Sludge Utilization (SSU) Permit No. 2021-STR-6123 Historically, all laboratory and testing services for these facilities have been contracted out to outside laboratory services either independently or under the Superintendent contract.

1.2. PROJECT LOCATION

Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) is located in Beltsville, MD. Work shall be performed within the entire BARC facilities, but the major facilities are as follows:

Water treatment plant – Building 310 Eastside Wastewater Treatment Plant – Building 218 Westside Wastewater Treatment Plant – Building 015

1.3. INTENT

The intent of this solicitation is to award one PERFORMANCE-BASED contract for the sample collection, storage, analysis, testing, documentation and communication of results as appropriate of BARC’s Water and Wastewater Systems as required by the Systems Permits issued by the regulatory agencies such as MDE.

1.4. CONTRACTOR’S QUALIFICATIONS

The minimum qualifications for a contractor to be qualified for this job are as follows:

A. Contracting Company

a. Minimum of 10 years as a contracting company

b. Minimum of 7 years performing similar management of laboratory testing contracts for water and wastewater systems, with minimum of 5 years of each water and wastewater systems.

B. Laboratory Services

a. Reputable laboratory with at least 15 years of experience of providing similar collection, testing, documenting, and reporting services to MDE C. Proof of qualifications should be submitted with contact names and numbers to verify qualifications.

a. Certificates and licenses of the laboratory services company (laboratory and individuals) shall be attached to the response.

b. References and similar experience shall also be attached to the response.

1.5. GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

A. Under this contract, Contractor Laboratory Services will be reporting internally to BARC’s Utilities Management Unit Manager (UMUM) and/or BARC Compliance Manager. In coordination with, and under the general supervision of the BARC’s management, BARCs Superintendent, and BARC’s Compliance Officer, the Contractor Laboratory Services shall be fully responsible for the collection, storage, testing, analysis, documentation and communication of compliance reporting of BARC’s Water and Wastewater Systems, the general responsibilities of this contract include but aren’t limited to:

1. Sample collection and storage

2. Testing and analysis of samples collected

3. Documentation of testing and analysis results

4. Communication of documented results as appropriate

2. ADMINISTRATIVE

2.1. SITE VISIT

A. All prospective offerors are strongly encouraged to attend a site visit per FAR 52.237-1, during which a full description of the systems will be provided and a site visit to major systems’ facilities and components will be provided. The site visit date and time are as follows:

B. All questions will be accepted only by email by the Contracting Officer by question deadline on solicitation, all submitted questions will be answered as an addendum to the solicitation documents.

C. Direct contact with any BARC personnel about this solicitation isn’t permitted during the advertisement period of this solicitation and will disqualify the offeror.

D. To register for the site visit, email the Contracting Officer at Elizabeth.calhoun@usda.gov. You must include the solicitation number and title in the subject line of the email.

2.2. SECURITY

All employees of general contractors and subcontractors shall comply with ARS security management program, obtain permission of the ARS Location Manager, be identified by project and employer by wearing contractor-issued identification badges at all times on ARS property, and restricted from unauthorized access.

2.3. SAFETY/OSHA CERTIFICATION

A. Prior to commencing work, the general contractor shall provide proof that an OSHA identified “competent person” (CP) (29 CFR 1926.32(f) will be present when Contractor’s personnel access any BARC sites that require such designation.

"Competent person" means one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.

B. The BARC facilities identified above and the work to be performed under this contract may include locations and activities that will require certain safety measures (confined space, trip hazard, fall hazard, chemical hazard, …etc.), the contractor is required to have OSHA Certified personnel enter such facilities or perform such activities.

C. Training:

1. All employees of the general contractor or subcontractors shall have the 10-hour OSHA certified Construction Safety course and /or other relevant competency training.

2. Submit training records of all such employees to the Contracting Officer for approval before the start of work.

3. SCOPE OF WORK

3.1. DESCRIPTION OF WORK

A. The US Department of Agriculture, BARC is seeking a Contractor Laboratory Service for BARC’s Water and Wastewater Systems, including, Water Wells, Raw Water System, Water Treatment Plant (Building 310), Water Distribution System, Wastewater Collection System, and Wastewater Treatment Plants (Buildings 218, 015), located at the USDA BARC Campus.

B. The Contractor Laboratory Service shall be responsible for the collection, storage, testing, analysis, documentation, reporting and management of samples of the water and wastewater systems noted above, within the applicable rules and regulations of the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) and the permits for these facilities.

C. The Contractor Laboratory Service availability at the facilities shall be as follows:

1. As required by the Water and Wastewater System’s permits requirement for collection, storage, testing, analysis of samples.

D. The Contractor Laboratory Service shall represent and act on behalf of USDA BARC on all permit related samples collection, storage, testing, analysis, documentation, reporting and communication to the appropriate entities identified in this SOW. The Contractor Laboratory Service shall include the BARC’s Compliance Officer, BAARC’s Superintendents, the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and any other BARC employees or contractors designated by the Compliance Officer in all correspondence.

E. Communication of results of periodic testing and analysis of samples collected by the Contractor Laboratory Service for the purposes of compliance reporting shall be as follows:

1. The main copy of all reports and documentation shall be communicated to the BARC Superintendents.

2. A copy of all reports and documentation shall be communicated to BARC Compliance Officer.

3. A copy of all reports and documentation shall be communicated to the COR.

4. A copy of all reports and documentation shall be communicated to any BARC’s employees or contractors designated by the Compliance Officer to receive such reports.

F. Report of testing results shall be communicated in both Portable Document Format (pdf) and MS Office Excel format.

G. Raw water, Water Treatment Plant water, treated water and Distribution System water samples collection and analysis shall be planned, scheduled, and executed in coordination with the BARC Superintendents (BARC has a separate superintendent for water and one for wastewater) contracted by USDA, BARC to satisfy all conditions to provide full reporting as required by the:

1. Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), Drinking Water Branch, Drinking Water Watch, Samples and Compliance Schedules, Water System No.: MD0160001.

2. Samples collection and analysis shall also conform to the requirements for semi-monthly iron testing as required by Prince George's County System Engineer.

H. Sample collection, storage, analysis, and documentation of Collection System wastewater; Wastewater Treatment Plants influent, effluent and through the plants processes wastewater shall be planned, scheduled and executed in coordination with the BARC Superintendent contracted by USDA, BARC to satisfy all conditions to provide full reporting as required by the following permits:

1. BARC Eastside WWTP

a. State Discharge Permit 15-DP-2525; NPDES Permit MD0020842

b. Maryland Sewage Sludge Utilization (SSU) Permit No. 2020-SAG-4345

c. Maryland Sewage Sludge Utilization Permit No. 2014-STF-5844

2. BARC Westside WWTP:

a. State Discharge Permit 17-DP-2787, NPDES Permit MD0020851

b. Maryland Sewage Sludge Utilization (SSU) Permit No. 2021-STR-6123 I. The Contractor Laboratory Services shall HIGHLIGHT any results violating permit requirements or identify such results in their written correspondence cover letter/email that accompanies these results. The Contractor Laboratory Services shall report any existing, new, unusual problems, deficiencies and deviations from standards encountered to the BARC Superintendents and BARC’s Compliance Officer.

3.2. QUALITY ASSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

Quality Control Requirements:

The Contractor shall provide a comprehensive Quality Control (QC) Plan as part of their quote submission. The QC Plan must outline the methods, procedures, and processes the Contractor will use to ensure all work performed meets the specifications and requirements outlined in this Statement of Work (SOW). The QC Plan will be evaluated for acceptability during the quote review process. Failure to provide an adequate QC Plan may result in the quote being deemed non-responsive.

The QC Plan should include, at a minimum:

· Inspection and Testing Procedures: How the Contractor will verify compliance with specifications.

· Corrective Action Process: Steps to address deficiencies or non-conformance.

· Documentation and Reporting: How QC activities will be recorded and communicated.

· Personnel Responsibilities: Identification of staff responsible for QC oversight.

3.3. DESCRIPTION OF FACILITIES

A. Raw Water System The BARC’s raw water system consists of Eight (8) Water Wells and a Raw Water piping that conveys water from the Eight (8) wells to the BARC Water Treatment Plant. Each well has a Well House which houses a check valve, isolation valves, a meter, a sampling point, pressure gauges and switches.

B. Water Treatment Plant & Distribution System BARC’s Water Treatment Plant draws water from the 8 water wells described above. Water is permitted under the State Water Appropriation and Use Permit No PG1990G012(04). The Water Plant is permitted for 750,000 gpd average flow and 1,000,000 gpd average flow at maximum month flow. Its Processes include:

· Aeration Tower

· Chemical addition (Soda Ash for PH)

· Chlorination

· Raw Water Wet Well and Transfer Pumps

· Filtration (6 Pressure Media Filters)

· Treated Water Storage Tank and High Service Pump Station

· 3 Elevated Storage Tanks (elevated towers)

· Distribution Network C. Wastewater Collection System BARC’s Wastewater Collection System consists of a network of separate sanitary sewer and in portions of the area it has a combined storm/sanitary sewer system. In addition to the sanitary sewer system, the collection system includes:

· 6 satellite lift stations (194, 304, 308C, 1008, 1500, and 1286)

· Eastside WWTP lift station

· Westside WWTP lift station

· Overland Flow Storage Pond/Lagoon D. Westside WWTP The Westside WWTP serves the west side of the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center. It is a small Package Plant rated at an Annual Average Flow of 0.2 MGD. Its major processes and equipment include:

· A duplex influent lift station

· A dual grit removal facility

· A flow equalization tank

· Two treatment units each consist of:

· Activated sludge aeration basin

· A clarifier, and

· An aerobic digester

· WAS/RAS Pump Stations

· Two effluent filters

· A two battery Ultra-violet disinfection followed by cascade aeration

· Effluent pump station

· A sludge holding tank

· Other ancillary equipment E. Eastside WWTP The Eastside WWTP is the major WWTP of the complex and is currently permitted for 0.62 MGD average daily flow. The plant’s main process is an Enhanced Nutrient Removal (ENR) treatment plant, its major processes and facilities include:

· Overland flow storage pond

· Two comminutor channels and a bypass screen channel

· A duplex influent lift station

· A fine bar screen and a bypass channel

· A grit removal unit

· A 5-stage ENR Bardenpho Process

· Two final clarifiers

· WAS/RAS pump stations

· 3 effluent filters

· Chlorination basin

· Sulfur dioxide de-chlorination

· Outfall pumps

· Chemical processes include:

· Pack feed

· Supplemental carbon feed

· Sodium Hydroxide to be replaced with Magnesium Hydroxide

· Two 180,000 gallons sludge holding tanks

· Other ancillary equipment

4. POTENTIAL CONTRACT MODIFICATIONS

Currently MDE is working to release the Draft Permit for the Eastside WWTP and they are also working on the new permit of the Westside WWTP.

A. The Eastside WWTP new draft permit is anticipated to be released in the first quarter of 2026. When the draft permit is released, a copy of it will be shared with the contractor to start working on the modifications of this contract based on any new or revised testing requirements in the new permit B. The Westside WWTP permit application have been submitted to MDE since 2024. MDE noted that they will work on this permit after the issuance of the Eastside WWTP. When the draft permit is issued, a copy of it will be shared with the contractor to start working on the modifications of this contract based on any new or revised testing requirements in the new permit.

5. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

The period of performance for the Contractor Laboratory Services Contract is ONE (1) year with the option to renew the contract for FOUR (4) additional option years.

6. ATTACHMENTS

The following is attached for offerors to fully understand the scope of work and performance expectations based on permit requirements, limitations, required testing and lab services, frequencies, …

· BARC WTP:

· State Water Appropriation and Use Permit No. PG1990G012(04)

· Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), Drinking Water Branch, Drinking Water Watch, Samples and Compliance Schedules, Water System No.: MD0160001

· Additional State and Local Regulations

· BARC Eastside WWTP:

· State Discharge Permit 15-DP-2525; NPDES Permit MD0020842

· Maryland Sewage Sludge Utilization (SSU) Permit No. 2020-SAG-4345

· Maryland Sewage Sludge Utilization Permit No. 2014-STF-5844

· BARC Westside WWTP:

· State Discharge Permit 17-DP-2787, NPDES Permit MD0020851

· Maryland Sewage Sludge Utilization (SSU) Permit No. 2021-STR-6123

6 | Page