chem_SOW_1.pdf

PERFORMANCE-BASED WORK STATEMENT

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

A. The U.S. Geological Survey, Southwest Biological Science Center, Canyonlands

Research Station uses data from the analysis of soil and plant samples for the determination of their chemical composition as an on-going and integral part of research being performed. Failure to procure soil and plant testing would be extremely detrimental to the current research programs, and in some cases, it would bring research to a complete stop. The results of our research will help USGS scientists support DOI land management agencies, as well as decision makers across multiple agencies, on to options for preserving, utilizing and maintaining our public lands.

B. The scope of the research conducted by Canyonlands Research Station encompasses a wide geographic area where multiple ecological and physiology questions are addressed by a suite of experimental studies. Several of the larger experimental projects that have utilized or will utilize a lab for analysis include an experimental investigation of controls over plants and soils, determining successful reclamation treatments for oil and gas pads, and effects of land management options and grazing on plants and soils and the services they provide.

II. WORK REQUIREMENTS

A. Technical Requirements.

1. The work needed varies depending upon the scientific questions that we are posing for a particular project. While some experimental designs require a suite of analytical analyses, others require only one or two tests. The general progression of sample analysis begins with the prepping of samples by USGS science technicians at the USGS research station. The samples are then packaged and shipped by FedEx to the lab. One or more of the following tests will be performed by the lab as requested by CRS:

Soil Analysis: Nitrate; Phosphorous; Potassium; Organic Matter; Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu;

pH & salinity; pH, EC, SAR; CEC; Texture; Total Nitrogen; Exchangeable ions;

Total Carbon; Particle size analysis; Sand size fractions; Calcium carbonate;

ANP; Mineralizable N; Resin capsules with or without incubation; Resin bags;

ICP total elements; Moisture Saturation

Plant Analysis: Plant Nutrient Analysis %/ppm P1- N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Na, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu, B; P2 ICP Total Elements; Nitrate; Root CEC; Total N; Total C

2. The USGS needs confidence that the analysis of samples will be performed within a reasonable period of time from when the samples are sent to the lab. Any statistical outliers in the data will need to be run again after USGS scientists review the data.

C. Deliverables

1. We estimate sending approximately 5,100 plant and soil samples to the lab for analysis. Samples are usually sent in sets of 100-500 samples, depending upon the project. The results of the lab testing are relayed back to the station as attachments in emails called reports that indicate and differentiate the specific sample values correlated to the lab work order, sample ID, and lab ID given for each analytical run.

2. Each report shall be delivered to the Technical Liaison within three months of receipt of samples, but sample result reports are often returned in a quicker time period.

III. SUPPORTING INFORMATION

A. This work will be done at a contracted lab facility that meets all our quality assurance measures.

B. The analyses performed by the lab occur year-round, depending upon how often samples are sent from USGS.

C. There will be no Government Furnished Property (GFP) issued to the testing facility.

D. This work requires that the lab director have an advanced degree in soil chemistry and plant nutrition and experience in analyzing desert soils in particular.