ESBD_388922_1736260896206_582-25-017881 Attachment A.pdf

Solicitation Name: Crystalline Silica Laboratory Analysis Solicitation Number: 582-25-017881

Attachment A Specifications for Crystalline Silica Laboratory Analysis

Description: The laboratory will analyze filter samples with collected particulate matter for silica, crystalline quartz, cristobalite, & tridymite (with total dust) by National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH) Method 7500. The laboratory will supply 47-millimeter (mm) pre-weighed polyvinylchloride (PVC) filters to the TCEQ for the collection of air samples at four sample locations during a 12-month period. Sample collection at the four locations may not be concurrent. The collected samples will be sent back to the laboratory for analysis, and the laboratory will provide monthly data results.

MINIMUM GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

1. The laboratory must be National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (NELAP) accredited for NIOSH Method 7500.

2. The laboratory must cover the cost of shipping the filters to the TCEQ and must include prepaid shipping for the TCEQ collected samples to be returned for analysis. All shipping must be two-day delivery.

3. The laboratory must supply up to 400 filters total for the four sample locations. The supplied filters require the following:

A. Must be 47 mm PVC filters with five-micron (µm) pore size;

B. Must be pre-weighed to the nearest 0.01 microgram (µg);

C. Must be shipped to the TCEQ in filter cassettes compatible with a Thermo

Scientific™ Partisol™ 2025i Sequential Air Sampler. The filter cassettes must be provided by the laboratory. The filter cassettes must be individually numbered and organized by sample location; and

D. Must be shipped to the TCEQ in a protective enclosure to prevent contamination during shipment.

E. The total number of supplied filters may be less than 400 and will be based on the quantity requested each month by the TCEQ point of contact (POC).

4. The laboratory must provide a chain of custody form that includes filter number and cassette number as well as spaces for the following information: sample date, sample location, and sample volume of air.

5. The laboratory must send the requested number of monthly filters to the TCEQ one week prior to the first business day of each month. TCEQ will submit the number of requested filters via e-mail by no later than at least two weeks prior to the first business day of the month. The number of monthly filters will not exceed 28 filters.

6. The TCEQ collected samples and chain of custody forms/field data sheets will be shipped back to the lab to be analyzed for silica, crystalline quartz, cristobalite, & tridymite (with total dust) using NIOSH Method 7500.

7. Upon laboratory receipt of samples, the laboratory must weigh and report the total particulate mass and calculated air concentration.

8. The laboratory must report total particulate mass in micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3) based on the volume of air provided in the chain of custody/field data sheet form, null codes for invalid samples, and all applicable data qualifiers.

9. Sample analysis for silica, crystalline quartz, cristobalite, & tridymite will be performed according to NIOSH Method 7500 by using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) with the following specifications:

A. Range: 0.02 to 2 µg silicon dioxide per sample B. Limit of quantitation (LOQ) per sample:

a. Crystalline quartz – 0.0050 µg or 0.00031 µg/m3

b. Cristobalite – 0.0050 µg or 0.00031 µg/m3

c. Tridymite – 0.020 µg or 0.0013 µg/m3

C. If the filters are overloaded during sampling, the laboratory will analyze a portion of the material on the filter and introduce a dilution factor to calculate the total mass and concentration of the target analytes on the filter.

10. Sample results from the previous month shall be submitted monthly by the 15th calendar day of the following month as described in Table 1.

A. The laboratory must review all analysis results prior to submittal to the

TCEQ POC. The laboratory will resolve all discrepancies identified by the TCEQ POC and resubmit the results within two business days of notification of the discrepancy. If the laboratory identifies an error or discrepancy in the results, the laboratory will notify the TCEQ within one business day of identifying the issue and resubmit all data files within two business days of identification. If the laboratory requires additional time to resolve discrepancies, a request for an extension may be made, not to exceed five total business days.

B. Sample results shall be submitted to the TCEQ POC in .pdf format as well as in .xlsx format. The .xlsx file shall be provided by the TCEQ and will include sample location, sample date, sample type (total particulate or silica), concentration in µg/m3, null data code, and data qualifiers. The laboratory shall not modify the format or formulas in the .xlsx file.

C. The sample results must correspond to the sample dates listed on the chain of custody/field data sheet.

D. Table 1. Sample results reporting schedule

Sample Dates Sample Results Report Date

January February 15th

February March 15th

March April 15th

Sample Dates Sample Results Report Date

April May 15th

May June 15th

June July 15th

July August 15th

August September 15th

September October 15th

October November 15th

November December 15th

December January 15th

11. The service period is up to 30 months from execution of the purchase order.

TCEQ may close out the purchase order before the 30 month period by providing two weeks’ notice.

ADDITIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. Filter delivery shall be made to the address below. The address may change with two weeks’ notice from the TCEQ POC.

Eugenia Velasco 3507 Cullen Blvd Science & Research 1, Room 312 Houston, TX 77204

2. Supplies must be shipped Freight on Board/Free on Board (FOB) Destination. The laboratory shall be responsible for the cost of transporting samples to the TCEQ delivery address provided in item #1.

The laboratory shall also be responsible for sample return postage to the laboratory for analyses.

3. Laboratory support must be available for TCEQ staff between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Central Standard Time (CST) during regular business days, Monday through Friday, by telephone and electronic mail (e-mail).

4. The Laboratory will provide primary and secondary points of contact, including telephone number and e-mail, for all correspondence with the TCEQ. The laboratory will respond to all inquiries within one business day of contact.

5. The laboratory shall submit monthly invoices for all analyses performed during the previous month by the 15th calendar day of the following month.

Specifications for Crystalline Silica Laboratory Analysis