B09_140G0224Q0097_Attch_2_PWS_20240606_0001.doc

140G0224Q0097 Attachment 2 (Replaces PWS on Pages 5-9)

PERFORMANCE-BASED WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Introduction – The Department of the Interior (DOI) United States Geological Survey (USGS) Kansas Water Science Center (KS WSC) , 1217 Biltmore Drive, LAWRENCE KS 66049 USA, requires sample analysis services for phytoplankton (including picoplankton) identification, enumeration, and biovolume; and semi-automated IFCB analysis.

Background – The USGS is conducting a study focused on the wetland complexes and slow-moving streams above and around Milford Lake to better understand the physical, chemical, and biological factors associated with harmful algal bloom initiation, development, transport, and duration. Beginning in July 2023 phytoplankton samples will be collected by USGS KS WSC from Milford Lake (and potentially other large lakes) and the surrounding wetlands and slow-moving streams either during routine visits or harmful algal bloom events. Additionally, routine samples will be collected at the Republican River inflow site above Milford Lake and the wetland complex. Replicates will be collected throughout the sampling season, resulting in an estimated 65 environmental samples and an estimated 8 replicate phytoplankton samples for identification, enumeration, and biovolume analysis. NOTE: The Government does not guarantee any quantities above the minimum $3,000.00. The preference is the samples collected from the Republican River inflow site would undergo semi-automated IFCB analysis to serve as an indicator of potential upstream harmful algal bloom events. The project has potential to collect additional samples depending on findings, scope, and continuation of funding. Phytoplankton samples will be collected using a vertical integration sample collection technique throughout one Secchi depth and preserved using glutaraldehyde in accordance with USGS protocols (https://water.usgs.gov/owq/FieldManual/).

Definitions/Applicable documents – U.S. Geological Survey National Field Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data Chapters: A7.4 Algal Biomass Indicators and A7.5 Cyanobacteria in lakes and reservoirs: toxin and taste-and-odor sampling guidelines (https://water.usgs.gov/owq/FieldManual/Chapter7/index.html).

Scope – Services, non-personal, to provide all plant equipment, labor, travel, supervision, and materials (unless otherwise provided herein) necessary for identification enumeration, and biovolume of phytoplankton, including the picoplankton, to the species level (when possible) by both manual identification and semi-automated IFCB analysis.

WORK REQUIREMENTS

Technical Requirements:

Task 1 The contractor must receive and monitor samples to the following quality standards within the following time standards:

· Chains-of-custody for all laboratory operations, and analyses for each sample, will be fully documented.

· Samples can be received by the Contractor Monday through Friday, and on Saturdays with advanced notification.

Task 2 The contractor must analyze samples to the following quality standards within the following time standards:

Task 2.1 When ordered by the Government, the contractor shall perform phytoplankton identification, enumeration, and biovolume analysis conducted by a trained expert analyst who has experience with algal communities in Kansas using the most current references, keys, and publications.

· Phytoplankton, including picoplankton, identified to lowest possible taxonomic level, ideally species level.

· The contractor shall provide picoplankton analysis from the submitted glutaraldehyde preserved periphyton and phytoplankton samples without the necessity of submitting separate samples.

· The analysis shall be performed using a research-grade compound microscopy with at least up to 1000x magnification.

· Phytoplankton concentrated using a membrane filtration technique.

· Identification shall include permanent archival slide mounting of soft algae that maintains fluorescence and permanent Naphrax slides for periphyton diatom identification. Slides shall be optically clear for analysis and archival purposes.

· Dominant taxa are photographed for archival purposes.

· Current literature used to determine biovolume, volume, and area formulas.

· Differential interference contrast and epifluorescence microscopy used to help distinguish and identify taxa.

· Identification and enumeration accomplished using a range of magnifications to ensure taxa that vary in size over several orders of magnitude are captured.

· A minimum of 400 natural units per sample identified and enumerated.

· A minimum of 10 natural units measured for biovolume calculations.

· A QA/QC recount is conducted on about 10% of all samples and results are submitted electronically along with regular sample data.

· Sample results provided to USGS electronically within 12-14 months for samples submitted in Year 1 and within 16-20 weeks of sample receipt for Years 2-5.

· Due to concerns on timeliness of data delivery for short duration projects, the contractor shall offer options for segmented billing:

· Task 2.1.1 Cost option for sample receipt, processing, and permanent slide mounting.

· Task 2.1.2 Cost option for phytoplankton identification, enumeration, and biovolume analysis conducted by a trained expert analyst who has experience with algal communities in Kansas using the most current references, keys, and publications.

Task 2.2 When ordered by the Government, the contractor shall perform phytoplankton identification, enumeration, and biovolume analysis conducted by semi-automated algal analysis using an imaging flow cytobot.

· Phytoplankton full assemblage are identified to the functional class and species group level.

· Current literature used to determine biovolume, volume, and area formulas.

· A QA/QC recount is conducted on about 10% of all samples and results are submitted electronically along with regular sample data.

· The semi-automated analysis and identification will be reviewed by a trained expert analyst who has experience with algal communities in Kansas using the most current references, keys, and publications.

· Sample results provided to USGS electronically within 16 weeks of sample receipt.

Task 2.3 When ordered by the Government, the contractor shall perform zooplankton identification, enumeration, and biomass analysis conducted by a trained expert analyst who has experience with communities in Kansas using the most current references, keys, and publications.

· Zooplankton identified to lowest possible taxonomic level, ideally species level.

· Identification shall include permanent archival slide mounting. Slides shall be optically clear for analysis and archival purposes.

· Current literature used to determine biomass and area formulas.

· A QA/QC recount is conducted on about 10% of all samples and results are submitted electronically along with regular sample data.

· Sample results provided to USGS electronically within 12-14 months for samples submitted in Year 1 and within 16-20 weeks of sample receipt for Years 2-5.

· Due to concerns on timeliness of data delivery for short duration projects, the contractor shall offer options for segmented billing:

· Task 2.3.1 Cost option for sample receipt, processing, and permanent slide mounting.

· Task 2.3.2 Cost option for zooplankton identification, enumeration, and biomass analysis conducted by a trained expert analyst who has experience with communities in Kansas using the most current references, keys, and publications.

Task 2.4 When ordered by the Government, the contractor shall perform periphyton identification, enumeration, and biovolume analysis conducted by a trained expert analyst who has experience with communities in Kansas using the most current references, keys, and publications.

· Periphyton identified to lowest possible taxonomic level, ideally species level.

· Identification shall include permanent archival slide mounting of soft algae that maintains fluorescence and permanent Naphrax slides for periphyton diatom identification. Slides shall be optically clear for analysis and archival purposes.

· Dominant taxa are photographed for archival purposes.

· Current literature used to determine biovolume, volume, and area formulas.

· A minimum of 400 natural units per sample identified and enumerated.

· A minimum of 500 valve count for calculations.

· A QA/QC recount is conducted on about 10% of all samples and results are submitted electronically along with regular sample data.

· Sample results provided to USGS electronically within 12-14 months for samples submitted in Year 1 and within 16-20 weeks of sample receipt for Years 2-5.

· Due to concerns on timeliness of data delivery for short duration projects, the contractor shall offer options for segmented billing:

· Task 2.4.1 Cost option for sample receipt, processing, and permanent slide mounting.

· Task 2.4.2 Cost option for periphyton identification, enumeration, and biovolume analysis conducted by a trained expert analyst who has experience with communities in Kansas using the most current references, keys, and publications.

· Task 2.4.3 Option to add-on laboratory removal of periphyton from substrate at additional cost when ordered.

Task 2.5 When ordered by the Government, the contractor shall expedite sample analysis and receipt of results to meet timeliness needs, generally at the conclusion of a project (additional cost acceptable).

· Sample results provided to USGS electronically within 4 weeks of sample receipt.

· Options to expedite both manual algal analysis and semi-automated algal analysis.

Deliverables: The contractor must submit all results electronically in addition to prepared slides. These deliverables include:

· A report that includes summary data and graphics for the taxonomic composition (as abundance and biovolume) of each sample.

· An Excel file that contains the following for each sample as applicable for each type of analysis:

· All taxonomic information for each organism including classification, growth form, and structure.

· Taxonomic authority for each organism.

· Alternate taxonomic names for each organism.

· Organism abundance in natural units per milliliter.

· Organism abundance in cells per milliliter.

· Organism biovolume in cubic micrometers per milliliter.

· Relative organism abundance as natural units per milliliter.

· Relative organism abundance as cells per milliliter.

· Relative organism biovolume in cubic micrometers per milliliter.

· Measurements used in biovolume calculation (such as greatest axial linear dimension).

· Calculated diversity indices (Shannon, Margalef, Alpha and Berger Parker), species richness, and species evenness.

· Photomicrographs of dominant taxa.

· For each set of samples, submission of results to USGS is required within specified timeframe as detailed in individual technical requirements of the different requested tasks.

· Optically clear permanent slides (1–3 per sample). Slides retained by the Contractor until the completion of the study or requested by the Government.

The contractor shall provide a Quality Control Plan (QCP) with its proposal and adhere to the QCP when performing the services. A laboratory QCP must be in place including taxonomic verifications, recounts, and distribution checks. Uncertainty of taxonomic identifications shall be indicated in the taxonomic report. A chain of custody for each sample shall be maintained and documented.

I. SUPPORTING INFORMATION

1. Place of Performance – Location of Contractor’s facility.

2. Periods of Performance:

a) Base 5-year Period

06/01/2024 to 05/31/2029

b) Option Up to 6 Months Extension 06/01/2029 to 11/30/2029

3. Government Furnished Property (GFP) – N/A

4. Special Considerations. – N/A

QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN

The contractor is responsible for laboratory quality control (QC) and shall adhere to its QC Plan.

The Government is responsible for quality assurance (QA) and shall monitor the contractor’s performance to assure that the performance quality standards and time standards are met or exceeded by the contractor for the PWS tasks by taking the following efforts:

Task 1 Sample Reception. The Micro-Purchase Technical Liaison (TL) or Task Order Manager (TOM) will review the data for completeness and ensure all required deliverables are provided in acceptable digital formats.

Task 2 Sample Analysis- The Micro-Purchase Technical Liaison (TL) or Task Order Manager (TOM) may submit blind samples, including the analysis of replicates, and will evaluate their consistency using known published analytical results. Replicate data and lab QC data will be compiled into a Lab Evaluation Plan that will be updated biennially after initial compilation (usually within first 1-2 years depending on volume of submitted samples). Should it be deemed necessary, a USGS scientist will be permitted to visit the laboratory facility to view the materials handling and measurement workflow of the contracting lab.