B08_Performance_Work_Statement.docx

PERFORMANCE-BASED WORK STATEMENT

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

Analyses for Methyl-Isoborneol (MIB )and geosmin, are needed for long-term water quality monitoring projects in the Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center. MIB and geosmin are compounds produced by certain species of phytoplankton and bacteria and can cause taste and odor issues in drinking water supplies. The projects for which these analyses are needed are conducted in lakes and reservoirs that serve as the water supply for various Texas cities. Project objectives include: (1) assessing water-quality trends in these reservoirs over time, (2) comparing field and lab methods for the presence and concentrations of cyanobacteria, cyanotoxins, and taste-and-odor compounds, and (3) and determining the biological, physical, and environmental processes that may cause taste and odor issues in the drinking water supply. The results of this assessment may help water resource managers understand and predict potential taste and odor events and implement measures to resolve taste and odor issues in drinking water in a timely manner.

These projects require current technology and methods, including Solid Phase Microextraction (SPME) coupled with Gas Chromatographic/Mass Spectrometric analysis using method 6040 D of the Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater.

II. WORK REQUIREMENTS

The basic requirement of the requested work is to identify and quantify MIB and geosmin concentrations in about 98 samples a year over a period of 5 years and 6 months from water collected in reservoirs and their tributaries across Texas. The USGS Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center personnel will collect water samples on a regular basis (monthly or quarterly, depending on location) or as needed subject to project objectives. Samples will then be properly preserved and shipped to vendor for analysis. The vendor shall perform these analyses as follows:

MIB and geosmin:

Water samples shall be analyzed for presence and concentration of geosmin and MIB with a method detection limit (MDL) of 1.0 nanogram per liter (ng/L). Samples shall be measured in duplicate (two separate aliquots of water withdrawn from one vial) via Solid Phase Microextraction (SPME) / Gas Chromatography / Mass Spectrometer (GC/MS) using method 6040 D of the Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater 22nd Edition. A second vial will be sent in case one vial breaks during shipment, or a rerun is necessary due to instrumentation error. The vendor shall provide and send to USGS, at laboratory’s expense, the required sample bottles in advance in quantities requested by USGS.

Results shall be received by the USGS Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center no later than 48 hours after receipt of samples. Results will be submitted via email in electronic format. Each sample report shall include results for MIB and geosmin concentrations (calculated from the two separate aliquots of water), concentrations for each separate aliquot, and a detailed description of QA/QC results (such as reference samples and method blanks), associated to the sample set. The quoted cost includes all costs associated with the scope of work described herein.