Attachment_-_SOW.pdf

SCOPE OF WORK FOR IMPROVE CARBON ANALYSIS

CONTENTS

1 Introduction and Background

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Background

2 Objective/Purpose

3 Scope of Work. Carbon Analysis from IMPROVE Filters

3.1 Deliverables

3.2 Task 1. Filter Purchase, Preparation, Handling and Shipment

3.3 Task 2. Total Carbon Analysis

3.3.1 Sample Analysis

3.3.2 Quality Assurance

3.3.3 Data Reporting

3.4 Task 3. Organic Carbon and Elemental Carbon Analysis

3.5 Task 4. Additional Carbon Analysis

3.6 Task 5. Enhanced Quality Assurance and Method Development

3.7 Task 6. Filter Storage

4 References

5 Incorporation of the Technical Proposal and Proposal Length

6 Contingency of Operations

7 Government Owned Property

8 Transition Phase

9 Exhibits and Requirements ........................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.

9.1 List of Exhibits .................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.

9.2 Competency Demonstration ............................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.

1 Introduction and Background

1.1 Introduction

The National Park Service (NPS) is responsible for the protection of air quality related values in the areas it manages by ensuring compliance with directives, regulations, and applicable requirements of the NPS Organic Act of 1916 and the Clean Air Act. The Organic Act mandates the National Park Service to, "…conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations."

The Clean Air Act affords special air quality protections to certain national parks and wilderness areas, designating them as mandatory Class I Federal areas, and assigns to the Federal Land Managers (FLMs) of those areas "the affirmative responsibility to protect the air quality related values (including visibility)" of Class I lands. It also established "as a national goal the prevention of any future, and the remedying of any existing, impairment of visibility in mandatory class I Federal areas which impairment results from manmade air pollution." The Clean Air Act established a detailed program that provides guidance to the NPS in meeting these mandates.

On behalf of the NPS, the Air Resources Division (ARD) has an air quality monitoring program to help carry out these responsibilities.

The National Park Service administers 48 parks and wilderness areas that are designated Class I, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) administers 21 Class I wilderness areas, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) administers 88 Class I wilderness areas, and there is one international park that is Class I. Of these 158 mandatory Class I Federal areas, visibility is considered an important attribute in all but two USFS wilderness areas.

The Regional Haze Rule (RHR) established the regulatory framework by which the national visibility goal is to be met [United States Environmental Protection Agency, 1999] and requires monitoring representative of the 156 visibility-protected Class I areas. The Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments (IMPROVE) Program [Joseph et al., 1987; Malm et al., 1994] oversees the RHR monitoring efforts, providing particle sampling and analysis of the major aerosol components. The IMPROVE program establishes current visibility and aerosol conditions in mandatory Class I areas; identifies chemical species and emission sources responsible for existing man-made visibility impairment; documents long-term trends in visibility; and provides regional haze monitoring representing all visibility-protected federal Class I areas, where practical. Because the RHR requires tracking of trends over an extended time period, it is important that IMPROVE measurements produce comparable data over a period of many decades.

The IMPROVE Program is a cooperative measurement effort managed by a Steering Committee that consists of representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the NPS, the USFS, the FWS, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), four organizations representing state air quality organizations (the National Association of Clean Air Agencies, the Western States Air Resources

Council, the Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management, and the Mid-Atlantic Regional Air Management Association), and three Associate Members (the State of Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, Environment Canada, and the South Korea Ministry of Environment).

The National Park Service manages the IMPROVE monitoring contracts on behalf of the Steering Committee. The purpose of this contracting effort is to assist the NPS in these efforts by conducting carbon analysis of IMPROVE samples collected on IMPROVE filters, as detailed in the following sections. The contractor shall provide the results of the analyses specified in this solicitation to the IMPROVE Operations Contractor. This solicitation is managed by the NPS but covers the monitoring efforts for all mandatory Class I Federal areas, as well as other monitoring using the IMPROVE monitoring protocols (described further below). The successful offeror of this solicitation will work through the NPS on all contractual related matters; other agencies sponsoring IMPROVE and IMPROVE protocol sites will work through the NPS to access the resources available through this contract.

1.2 Background

IMPROVE was established as a national visibility monitoring program in 1985. The IMPROVE network initially was funded by the NPS and consisted of 30 monitoring sites primarily located in national parks, 20 of which began operation in 1987. IMPROVE network operations were fully implemented in March 1988. Beginning in 1998 the EPA provided supplemental support to expand the IMPROVE network in order to provide representative particle speciation monitoring for all 156 visibility-protected Class I areas, as required under the RHR. In a site selection process [Malm et al., 2000; http://vista.cira.colostate.edu/improve/] which included input from all interested state air quality agencies, the IMPROVE Steering Committee identified locations for 110 monitoring sites that were deemed representative of the regional haze conditions for 155 of the mandatory 156 Class I areas, the Bering Sea Wilderness being the exception.

In addition to the 110 IMPROVE network sites that are used to represent Class I areas, a number of IMPROVE protocol sites are currently in operation that provide expanded spatial coverage in regions outside of Class I areas. Protocol sites are separately sponsored by state, regional, tribal, and federal organizations and use the same instrumentation, monitoring, and analysis protocols as IMPROVE. The use of identical samplers and analysis protocols by the same contractors ensures that data generated by IMPROVE and IMPROVE protocol sites can be treated as directly comparable. Site locations are shown in Figure 1. Most sites are located in rural areas. However, for the purpose of comparing differences in aerosol composition between rural and urban areas, there are currently three urban sites in Fresno, CA, Seattle, WA, and Phoenix, AZ. Likewise, to better facilitate intercomparison and integration of IMPROVE data with EPA’s Chemical Speciation Network (CSN), six sites are collocated with CSN sites.

Data from all IMPROVE sites are available on the Federal Land Manager Environmental Database (FED; http://views.cira.colostate.edu/fed/).

http://vista.cira.colostate.edu/improve/ http://views.cira.colostate.edu/fed/

Figure 1. Map of IMPROVE and IMPROVE Protocol Sites as of May 2022

To collect samples for the speciated particle measurements, IMPROVE currently employs a 4-channel (labeled A, B, C, and D) particle sampling system. A description of the current IMPROVE sampler and standard operating procedures can be found on the IMPROVE website

(http://vista.cira.colostate.edu/improve/). The PM2.5 (particles <2.5 m in diameter) samplers operate with a nominal flow rate of 22.8 liters/minute (LPM), while the PM10 sampler (particles

<10 m in diameter) runs at 16.9 LPM. Both collect samples for a 24-hour time interval, midnight to midnight local time, every third day. Channel A (PM2.5), operated with Teflon filters, is used for determining fine mass, elemental composition and optical absorption. Channel B (PM2.5) is operated with a nitric acid denuder and a nylon filter. The nylon filter is analyzed for the anions nitrite, nitrate, sulfate and chloride. Channel C (PM2.5), is currently operated using pre-fired quartz filters, and is used to determine elemental and organic carbon using the thermal/optical reflectance technique. Carbon Analysis from Channel C is the topic of this solicitation; potential changes to this method are described in greater detail below. Channel D is operated with a Teflon filter and PM10 inlet. The PM10 filters are analyzed for total mass.

Laboratory blanks are also utilized for each of the channels, and field blanks are employed to better assess detection limits and potential contaminants in the samples. For further details on all measurements and analysis, see the IMPROVE website, and the pages describing standard operating procedures (SOPs) contained therein (http://vista.cira.colostate.edu/Improve/sops/).

http://vista.cira.colostate.edu/improve/ http://vista.cira.colostate.edu/Improve/sops/

2 Objective/Purpose

The purpose of this contract is to assist NPS in all tasks related to carbon analysis for the IMPROVE network. The successful bidder will:

(1) Purchase, prepare and ship all filters needed for carbon analysis to the IMPROVE Operations Contractor;

(2) Analyze exposed fine (PM2.5) filters for carbon, as described in the following sections;

(3) Report results to the IMPROVE Operations Contractor on the schedule described below;

(4) Establish and conduct an internal quality assurance program;

(5) Participate in laboratory audits; and

(6) Store all carbon filters for the duration of the contract.

Data requirements for this requirement differ from those in the current IMPROVE Network. As such, the Offeror will not be expected to use current SOPs for carbon analysis. Instead, Offerors shall provide a detailed description of the proposed methods in their proposals. As new methods and quality measures evolve, the contractor shall incorporate these new methods into the IMPROVE routine operations through the development and modification of SOPs, as approved by the IMPROVE Steering Committee and directed by the NPS Contracting Officer Representative (COR). At the direction of the COR, the contractor will ensure that all pertinent information developed for routine operations are available to other organizations as needed.

As part of this effort, the successful bidder will work closely with the IMPROVE Operations Contractor. The IMPROVE Operations Contractor is responsible for receipt of unsampled filters from the successful bidder of this contract, shipment of exposed, blank and quality assurance filters to the successful bidder of this contract for analysis, and incorporation of the carbon data into the larger IMPROVE dataset.

3 Scope of Work. Carbon Analysis from IMPROVE Filters

Period of Performance: The period of performance for the IDIQ is a 5-year ordering period with an option for an additional six months.

For each year, work is estimated on the current network (~18,000 filters per year). The successful Offeror will (Task 1) purchase, prepare and ship the filters to the IMPROVE Operations Contractor, and will conduct carbon analysis on the exposed filters. The exact number of filters to be purchased and analyzed annually is subject to change. Carbon Analysis is separated into individual Tasks, described in detail below. Not all tasks will be implemented each year. All filters (~18,000 filters per year) will be analyzed for Total Carbon (Task 2); pricing for Total Carbon Analysis should be given on a per filter basis. Filters will be analyzed for (Task

3) Organic Carbon (OC) and Elemental Carbon (EC) only when Task 3 is implemented. For Task

3, pricing should be given on a per filter basis. Task 3 will only be implemented in conjunction with Task 2, and as such pricing should only reflect the additional cost for measurements of OC and EC. The Offeror shall provide analysis for Task 3 assuming ~18,000 filters per year. For Task 4, the Offeror will be responsible for Additional Carbon Analyses to provide additional information related to carbon-containing samples; the cost proposal for Task 4 shall again include costs for the total network (18,000 filters per year). Task 5 focuses on enhanced quality assurance and method development. The Offeror shall include fully loaded labor rates for relevant personnel. Finally, Task 6 covers refrigerated storage and archiving of carbon filters, including filters from previous contracts. For Task 6, Offerors shall be responsible for storage of all filters on an annual basis.

3.1 Deliverables

• Task 1. Filters prepared for sample collection of carbon containing particles in the IMPROVE Network and shipped to the IMPROVE Operations Contractor at a minimum of once every-other month.

• Task 2. Mass concentration data for Total Carbon on each filter, to be delivered to the IMPROVE Operations Contractor. The contractor shall submit the results of the analyses for the samples in each batch within sixty (60) calendar days of the receipt of the filters

• Task 3. Mass concentration data for Organic Carbon and Elemental Carbon on each filter, to be delivered to the IMPROVE Operations Contractor when/if this task is implemented. The contractor shall submit the results of the analyses for the samples in each batch within sixty (60) calendar days of the receipt of the filters

• Task 4. Additional carbon analysis data, to be delivered to the IMPROVE Operations Contractor when/if this task is implemented. The contractor shall submit the results of the analyses for the samples in each batch within sixty (60) calendar days of the receipt of the filters

• Quality assurance report: a summary report on quality assurance plan and quality control data shall be provided to the COR once per year.

• Up to date records on system calibrations and changes to procedures shall be maintained and submitted to the COR upon request.

• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Total Carbon Analysis, Organic and Elemental Carbon Analysis, and Additional Carbon Analysis shall be developed, maintained and updated on the IMPROVE website initially and as changes occur. The contractor must obtain written approval from the COR before any changes to analysis procedures are implemented within 90 days of the start of the contract.

• Technical and scientific progress reports presented annually at IMPROVE Steering Committee Meetings.

3.2 Task 1. Filter Purchase, Preparation, Handling and Shipment

The successful bidder of this contract will be responsible for purchasing and preparing the filters needed for Carbon Analysis. This task includes acceptance testing of the proposed filters.

The successful Offeror is also responsible for shipping these filters to the IMPROVE Operations Contractor. The current method for IMPROVE Carbon Analysis uses quartz filters (Pallflex Tissuquartz 25 millimeter diameter quartz-fiber filters, Grade: 2500QAT-UP), and filter preparation procedures are described in detail (http://vista.cira.colostate.edu/Improve/carbon-analysis/). The Offeror may propose alternative filters or alternative methods for preparing filters; these proposals must include a detailed description of the proposed filters/method. A detailed SOP shall be submitted by the successful Offeror to the COR. The successful bidder of this contract shall ship the prepared filters to the IMPROVE Operations Contractor. All proposals shall include a description of methods for minimizing contamination during filter preparation, handling and shipment. Filter preparation and shipment will be done at a rate sufficient to supply all IMPROVE samplers with the necessary filters; this equates to approximately 1600 filters per month. Upon receipt of the filters, the IMPROVE Operations Contractor will prepare filter cassettes with the quartz filters, ship filters to the field, receive the sampled filters from the field, and ship the sampled filters back to the IMPROVE Carbon Analysis Contractor for analysis on at least a monthly basis. These shipments will include field blanks and quality assurance filters (replicate samples) to be analyzed in addition to the field samples. The Carbon Analysis Contractor shall identify each sample using a unique code, established in collaboration with the IMPROVE Operations Contractor. Each batch of exposed filters delivered to the Carbon Analysis Contractor shall be analyzed within sixty (60) calendar days from the receipt of each batch. For any proposed method, it is desirable, although not required, to preserve a portion of the filter for possible re-analysis. When applicable, the Carbon Analysis Contractor shall store the remainder of each sample (see 3.7 Task 6 below) for possible re-analysis.

3.3 Task 2. Total Carbon Analysis

3.3.1 Sample Analysis

The contractor shall analyze PM2.5 filters for total carbon (TC). Total Carbon is defined as the sum of organic carbon and elemental carbon but does not include carbonate. The current method for determining TC is described in the SOP (http://vista.cira.colostate.edu/Improve/carbon-analysis/); TC is currently determined using the DRI Model 2015 thermal/optical carbon analyzer, which is commercially available (Magee Scientific). This method includes measurements of organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) and their respective fractions. However, for this task, the awardee shall only report data for TC; OC and EC are not to be included. This task differs from the existing SOP http://vista.cira.colostate.edu/Improve/carbon-analysis/. A detailed SOP shall be submitted by the successful Offeror to the COR within 90 days of the start of the contract. Equivalence is defined as an analysis method that has a comparable minimum detection limit (MDL) and falls within the precision of the current method (see SOP). The MDL is derived from field blanks and is ~0.42 µg cm-2 for TC (see SOP). Systematic biases between the proposed method and current TOR method may be acceptable but must be well characterized so that any necessary corrections can be made. For any proposed method, it is desirable, although not required, to http://vista.cira.colostate.edu/Improve/carbon-analysis/ http://vista.cira.colostate.edu/Improve/carbon-analysis/ http://vista.cira.colostate.edu/Improve/carbon-analysis/ preserve a portion of the filter for possible re-analysis while producing comparable MDLs. The contractor shall measure across the range of anticipated concentrations. The upper limit for total carbon mass on a filter is expected to be ~3,000 g. This equates to ~100 g m-3 ambient concentration, sampled for 24 hours from the fine (PM2.5) particle inlet.

Total carbon analysis shall include field samples, laboratory blanks, field blanks, and quality assurance filters. In addition to sample analysis, the contractor shall:

• Perform replicate analyses on the network filters at a rate sufficient to establish measurement precision;

• Characterize the sensitivity, accuracy, and precision of the analytical techniques;

• Routinely analyze laboratory and field blanks; and

• Document any changes to the analytical techniques, equipment, or processing procedures needed to properly interpret and understand the quality of the delivered analytical data.

3.3.2 Quality Assurance

The contractor shall follow, and develop where appropriate, strict quality assurance protocols.

The IMPROVE Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) provides guidance related to the expected quality measures: http://vista.cira.colostate.edu/improve/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMPROVE-QAPP-Signed_3_2016_updated.pdf. The contractor will be required to contribute to the IMPROVE QAPP as it is updated, specifically as it relates to carbon analysis.

As part of quality assurance efforts, the contractor shall:

• Test new filters for filtration characteristics and analytic suitability (especially trace contamination);

• Ensure that written procedures and protocols are followed;

• Certify that the reported data have been collected using the established criteria for accuracy and precision;

• Validate the carbon analysis results via formal third-party protocols;

• Perform reanalysis of stored samples to assess temporal stability;

• Participate in laboratory audits, as specified in the IMPROVE QAPP;

• Maintain records on system calibration and comparison to standards, and document all routine procedures and changes to the procedures;

• Assist the IMPROVE Operations Contactor in determining analytical uncertainties and artifacts; and

• Re-analyze samples, as needed, identified by the IMPROVE Operations Contractor based on inconsistencies with the larger IMPROVE dataset.

http://vista.cira.colostate.edu/improve/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMPROVE-QAPP-Signed_3_2016_updated.pdf http://vista.cira.colostate.edu/improve/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMPROVE-QAPP-Signed_3_2016_updated.pdf

3.3.3 Data Reporting

3.3.3.1 Data Reduction and Reporting

The contractor shall be responsible for data reduction. Data reduction is limited to Task 2, Task 3, and Task 4. The contractor shall also determine accuracy and precision of the analysis procedures. The contractor shall submit the results of the analyses for the samples in each batch within sixty (60) calendar days of the receipt of the filters. Reduced data shall be submitted to the IMPROVE Operations Contractor. The results shall include the sample identification code and carbon masses in micrograms. The contractor shall include relevant quality assurance data, including comparisons to standards and results of re-analysis. The IMPROVE Operations Contractor is responsible for determining uncertainties and calculating ambient concentrations.

3.3.3.2 Documentation

The contractor shall maintain up-to-date documentation of:

• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for preparing filters and total carbon analysis.

Initial SOPs shall be submitted within 90 days of the start of the contract;

• Records on system calibrations and changes to procedures; and

• Quality Assurance Reports, submitted to the COR once annually, covering all aspects of laboratory operations.

• Upon request, the contractor shall provide the detailed quality control test data.

Examples of quality control tests might include calibrations against standards, replicate analyses, blank analyses, cross-comparisons of analyzers, and analyses of independent audit samples.

All documentation must be made available upon request from the COR. The contractor shall obtain written approval from the COR before any changes to carbon analysis procedures are implemented.

3.3.3.3 Steering Committee Meetings

The contractor shall provide technical and scientific progress reports at IMPROVE Steering Committee Meetings, held annually.

3.4 Task 3. Organic Carbon and Elemental Carbon Analysis

The contractor may be asked to analyze the filters for organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC), where OC + EC = TC. Price proposals should only address the additional cost for measurement of OC and EC, and not include costs associated with Task 2. Measurements of OC and EC shall include identical quality assurance, data reduction and reporting requirements as outlined for TC in Section 3.3.

OC and EC are currently determined using the DRI Model 2015 thermal/optical carbon analyzer.

The current method for determining OC and EC is based on the preferential oxidation of OC and EC compounds at different temperatures when exposed to different gases and is described in the SOP (http://vista.cira.colostate.edu/Improve/carbon-analysis/). Its function relies on the fact that organic compounds can be volatilized from the sample deposit in a non-oxidizing helium (He) atmosphere, while EC must be combusted with an oxidizer. Details of the current method can be found in the SOP and in Chow et al., 2015. The optical component of the analyzer (laser reflectance and transmittance) corrects for pyrolysis, i.e. charring, of OC compounds into EC. The correction for pyrolysis is made by continuously monitoring the filter reflectance and/or transmittance throughout an analysis cycle. The reflectance and transmittance, largely dominated by the presence of light absorbing EC, decrease as pyrolysis takes place and increase as EC is liberated during the latter part of the analysis. By monitoring the reflectance and transmittance, the portion of the EC peak corresponding to pyrolyzed OC (referred to as OP) can be assigned to the OC fraction. The method currently used in IMPROVE includes seven temperature fractions, as well as the charring correction, following the IMPROVE_A temperature protocol (Chow et al., 2007). However, for this solicitation, the Offeror should propose a method that only includes measurements of total OC and total EC and should not include the temperature fractions. Additional data needed for calculation of OC and EC (e.g. OP or related variable, depending on the analysis method) shall be included in the proposal and in the delivered dataset

The Offeror may propose an alternate carbon analyzer or an alternate, equivalent procedure. A proposal utilizing an alternate technique must address the issue of equivalence of data that would be generated by the proposed system. Equivalence is defined as an analysis method that has comparable minimum detection limits (MDLs) and falls within the precision of the current method (see SOP). The MDLs derived from field blanks are ~0.41 µg cm-2 for OC and ~0.11 µg cm-2 for EC (see SOP). Systematic biases between the proposed method and current TOR method may be acceptable but must be well characterized so that any necessary corrections can be made. The contractor must provide an SOP for any alternate method within three months of receiving the award. As with TC, it is desirable, although not required, to preserve a portion of the filter for possible re-analysis, while producing comparable MDLs. The offeror should be able to measure across the range of anticipated concentrations. The upper limit expected for organic carbon mass on a filter is ~3,000 g, which equates to ~100 g m-3 ambient concentration, sampled for 24 hours from the fine (PM2.5) particle inlet. The upper limit expected for elemental carbon mass on a filter is ~300 g, which equates to ~10 g m-3 ambient concentration, sampled for 24 hours from the fine (PM2.5) particle inlet.

Organic carbon and elemental carbon analyses shall include field samples, laboratory blanks, field blanks, and quality assurance filters. In addition to the analyses, the contractor shall:

• Characterize the sensitivity, accuracy, and precision of the analytical techniques;

• Perform replicate analyses on the network filters at a rate sufficient to establish measurement precision;

• Routinely analyze laboratory and field blanks; and

• Document any changes to the analytical techniques, equipment, or processing procedures needed to properly interpret and understand the quality of the delivered analytical data.

Proposals should specify the frequency and type of quality control and replicate analyses to be performed.

3.5 Task 4. Additional Carbon Analysis

The Offeror may be asked to carry out additional analysis to provide more detailed information about the carbon containing samples. This additional analysis will entail be based on one of two possible approaches. First, the additional analysis could include measurements of OC and EC sub-fractions (e.g. OC1, OC2, OC3 ,OC4 ,OP, EC1, EC2, EC3), as is currently provided in the IMPROVE Network. Alternatively, the contractor may provide measurements of the ratios of organic mass to organic carbon mass. The Offeror shall include a summary of all measurement capabilities but shall only include a technical and price proposal for one of these additional analyses. If this task is implemented, the Offeror shall be responsible for providing the additional data obtained using the proposed method. Price proposals shall only address the additional cost for the additional measurements and should not include costs related to Tasks 2 and 3.

Additional carbon analyses shall include field samples, laboratory blanks, field blanks, and quality assurance filters and shall include identical quality assurance, data reduction and reporting requirements as outlined for TC in Section 3.3.

3.6 Task 5. Enhanced Quality Assurance and Method Development

Enhanced quality assurance methods are intended to assess measurement artifacts and improve interpretation and understanding of the data. The contractor may be asked to conduct studies to enhance and improve the carbon analysis methodologies or to measure individual or classes of organic compounds. All enhanced quality assurance and method development efforts initiated by the COR are included as part of this task. A list of personnel is included in Attachment - Pricing Schedule.

3.7 Task 6. Filter Storage

All samples from carbon filters, including those collected during previous Carbon Analysis contracts, are to be stored for the length of the contract. The IMPROVE Program has operated for over 30 years, and since the expansion of the IMPROVE network in 2000, ~18,000 filters have been analyzed per year. This equates to up to four hundred and fifty thousand archived filters from the IMPROVE program which are currently archived and are to be stored for the duration of this contract. All archived carbon filters must be refrigerated. All samples shall be stored in a way that will not allow contamination of filter media at detectable levels.

Detectable levels are defined to be consistent with the sensitivity of the proposed analytical technique. Filters shall be archived in a systematic way to allow for identification and retrieval of these filters for possible reanalysis. In addition to filters that are stored from previous contracts, all new filters used for carbon analysis during the contract must also be stored and cataloged.

The COR may direct the contractor to conduct additional analysis, or to make the stored filters available to another laboratory to conduct additional analysis. At the end of the contract the contractor shall work with the COR to transfer the filters to an alternate archive. No filters are to be discarded without written approval from the COR.

4 References

Chow, J.C., X. Wang, B.J. Sumlin, S.B. Gronstal, L.-W.Antony Chen, D.L. Trimble, S.D. Kohl, S.R.

Mayorga, G. Riggio, P.R. Hurbain, M. Johnson, R. Zimmermann, and J.G. Watson, Optical calibration and equivalence of a multiwavelength thermal/optical carbon analyzer, Aerosol and Air Research Quality, 15, 1154-1159, 2015.

Chow, J.C., J.G. Watson, L.-W.Antony Chen, M.C.O. Chang, N.F. Robinson, D. Trimble, S. Kohl, The IMPROVE-A temperature protocol for thermal/optical carbon analysis: maintaining consistency with a long-term database, JAWMA, 57, 1014-1023, 2007.

Joseph, D. B. J. Metza, W. C. Malm, and M. L. Pitchford, A federal program to monitor visibility in class I areas, in Visibility Protection: Research and Policy Aspects; P.J. Bhardwaja, Ed., Air Pollution Control Assoc., Pittsburgh, PA, 1987.

Malm, W. C., J. F. Sisler, D. Huffman, R. A. Eldred, and T. A. Cahill, Spatial & seasonal trends in particle concentration & optical extinction in the U.S., J. Geophys. Res., 99, 1347-1370, 1994.

Malm, W. C., J. F. Sisler, M.L. Pitchford, M. Scruggs, R. Ames, S. Copeland, K.A. Gebhart, and D.E.

Day, IMPROVE (Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments): Spatial and seasonal patterns and temporal variability of haze and its constituents in the United States: Report III, CIRA Report ISSN: 0737-5352-47, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 2000.

United States Environmental Protection Agency, Regional Haze Regulations: [40 CFR Part 51.308-309].

5 Contingency of Operations

The offeror shall provide a contingency of operations plan in the event of a catastrophe or catastrophic failures of computer systems, hard drives, etc. This shall include plans to replace key personnel, recovery of data, alternate locations, and methods of contingency data validation and processing.

6 Government Owned Property

All filters collected from previous IMPROVE Carbon Analysis contracts are the property of NPS.

The successful offeror shall store these filters, as described in detail above, for the length of the contract.

7 Transition Phase

An incumbent contractor is currently providing the services described in this Statement of Work under contract. Upon contract completion or termination, the incumbent contractor shall work to ensure a smooth and coordinated transition to the successful offeror by making staff and resources available to ensure timely transfer of existing inventories to the new contractor. The incumbent contractor shall also make available to the new contractor any data collected through the previous contract which may assist the successful offeror during the transition phase.