Attachment 4 Questions and Answers FA670322Q0003.pdf

Questions and Answers for FA670322Q0003 Environmental Sampling

Question 1 7 Outfalls, (1,3,4,5,6,7 and 8) No Sample from Outfall #2 or #9, Duplicates for 3,4,5 (Trip Duplicates), trip blank and field blank, this makes 12 samples per sampling, not 10. Is the contractor responsible for the 2 extra, need to know so we can plan for our total costs in this project.

Answer: Reference the SOW - "Section 2.4.1.5. DUPLICATE SAMPLES for OUTFALLS 3, 4 and 5. The Contractor shall collect a duplicate set of samples during each sampling event from sampling points Outfall 3, 4, or 5. The duplicate samples shall be identified under a unique sample number for quality control of sample collection. The duplicate results shall be reported in the Analytical Report."

***Contractor should note that the text says "or" not "and". Therefore, 10 samples is correct.

Question 2 Section 2.1.2, Waste Characterization taken from waste containers, but also other locales, the sampling protocol and required equipment may change, do we need to accommodate for costs related to these potential changes? In another words, do we imbed that into the cost model?

The purpose of waste characterization is to ensure proper disposal (e.g. non-hazardous or hazardous waste). Historically, over 95% of waste characterization samples are taken from containers/drums of waste that need disposal. Due to the unlikely event that other locales will need sampling, the costs do not need to be imbed.

Question 3 (2.4.1.2) Will Dobbins ARB, be providing us with the forms for Visual (From Dobbins newly edited SWPPP), layout of outfalls (we have map – but no photos of these areas) to determine good sampling equipment needs? Will Dobbins be providing us the NOI form, so that the latitude and longitude will be properly and consistently noted on reports?

Answer: A map showing locations of the outfalls with the SOW was provided with the SOW as Attachment 1. No photos were provided in the SOW, as Dobbins has not provided these with past SOWs

Question 4 (2.3) Sampling equipment will change, but what level of detail does the RFP require to provide for, eg (PPE, sampling tubes, collawassas, glass or plastic drum thiefs, etc). Does Dobbins expect to have automated storm samplers do the sampling (solar powered?) Or are we ok with trained sampling personnel doing the sampling, without machines. Machines do not always cooperate.

Answer: Automatic storm samplers aren't required. This is a performance based contract. CEV doesn't dictate what equipment the contractor uses to complete their sampling, it just has to be allowed by the state/federal requirements. Reference the following Sections of the SOW.

"SECTION 2 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

GENERAL. The Contractor shall furnish all labor, supplies, transportation, equipment, materials, and office support necessary to collect, analyze, and report findings for industrial waste water, storm water, facility materials, and industrial waste from Dobbins ARB, GA"

1.3 QUALIFICATIONS. The Contractor and any sub-contractors shall have all appropriate licenses and/or certifications necessary to perform the work prior to the bid date.

1.3.1. The Contractor shall be responsible for using qualified, trained and experienced employees to take the samples required. Contractor shall submit (reference submittal section 2.5.1.) copies of current qualifications and/or certifications for the employee(s) to be designated to take the samples on Dobbins

ARB.

Question 5 (2.4.1.6) Site Walks or Site evaluations are also included in the requirements for quarterly reporting, but no mention of these in this RFP, is Dobbins doing these and the Nonstormwater discharge evaluations, Annual Reports, etc?

Answer: The contractor for storm water sampling only evaluates the outfalls in the SOW provided.

Other inspections are conducted by the Natural Resource Program manager or completed under a different contract.

Question 6 (2.4.1.6.1) Report is to be submitted 7 days flowing the end of the quarter, can these reports be emailed and followed by hard copy in mail?

Answer: Email/electronic format is what is stated in the SOW. If the document is too large for an email attachment, use the DoD SAFE site (request a link) as space for storage of hard copies is limited.

Reference the SOW:

2.5.7 Storm Water Analytical reports shall be submitted to 94 MSG/CEV at the end of each quarter where in at least one sampling event occurred. Analytical reports shall be in electronic format, adobe (pdf). Signed hard copy documents (i.e. chain of custody logs) shall be scanned as adobe (pdf) files as well.

Question 7 (2.4.2.1) Turn-around time for waste analysis is expected to be less than five days, most laboratories keep a 7-10 day normal TAT, if this is immovable, do we want to place a charge for 72 hour or 48 hour TAT upcharge, if the normal 7-10 day TAT is unacceptable?

Answer: The 7-10 day TAT is acceptable. All samples must be analyzed within holding times. No need for 48 hour or 72 hour rush.

Question 8 Under (2.4.2.2) Toxicity, RCRA Metals, TCLP Volatiles, TCLP Semi-volatiles and Reactivity are listed, but the Waste Characterization Sample Parameters Table lists TCLP Extract and TCLP Metals, rather than Total Metals, no listing for TCLP metals under Section 2.2.2.2 (We are a little confused). And TCLP Extract is not the same as TCLP (D004-D043) with herbs & pests. So the table will need to be edited to include these two additional tests along with TCLP Extract costs?

Answer: The purpose of the waste characterization is to meet the requirements of 40 CFR 261 Subpart C

– Characteristics of Hazardous Waste. Test methods for each characteristic (e.g. ignitability, corrosivity…) are listed in 40 CFR Subpart C.

A solid waste exhibits the characteristic of toxicity if, using the TCLP, test Method 1311, in EPA SW-846, as incorporated by reference in 40 CFR 260.11, the extract from a representative sample of the waste contains any of the concentration equal to or greater that the respective value given in Table 1 of 40 CFR

261.24. The analytical results for metals should be reported in “mg/L” for comparison to the “Regulatory Level (mg/L)” listed in Table 1 of 40 CFR 261.24. For clarification, change “RCRA Metals” to “TCLP RCRA Metals”.

TCLP pesticides and herbicides are not needed.

Question 9 (2.4.2.2) Reactivity is determined at many different levels. Usually, this entails Cyanides and or Sulfides.

If so, if cyanides are positive, usually waste facilities request Total/Amenable Cyanides testing. Do we need to include a line item for those two additional?

Answer: Per 40 CFR 261.23, Characteristic of reactivity, the properties are listed. One of the properties is listed as: “If It is a cyanide or sulfide bearing waste which, when exposed to pH conditions between 2 and 12.5, can generate toxic gases, vapors or fumes in a quantity sufficient to present a danger to human health or the environment.” The PWS states, “Reactivity [methods to detect properties which will meet 40CFR261.23].” If waste disposal facilities require Total/Amenable cyanides for waste characterization, then it should be included.

Question 10 (2.5.1) Sampling Employee Qualification – will the employee CV be adequate to satisfy this requirement?

Answer: Reference the SOW for qualification requirements:

1.3 QUALIFICATIONS. The Contractor and any sub-contractors shall have all appropriate licenses and/or certifications necessary to perform the work prior to the bid date.

1.3.1. The Contractor shall be responsible for using qualified, trained and experienced employees to take the samples required. Contractor shall submit (reference submittal section 2.5.1.) copies of current qualifications and/or certifications for the employee(s) to be designated to take the samples on Dobbins

ARB.

Question 11 (2.5.2) Laboratory Qualifications – will a lab stipulation be adequate along with a certification # for

NELAP/NELAC?

Answer: They should reference the SOW requirements already stated:

2.4.3.1 The Contractor shall arrange for analyses, and deliver the samples to, a Georgia certified laboratory IAW GA R&R, Rule 391-3-26-.04 Approval and Rule 391-3-26-.05 Procedures. The Contractor shall ensure the laboratories selected for use maintain current accreditation under NELAC during the performance period of this contract. Samples shall be analyzed using federally approved and/or state-approved methodologies. The laboratories providing analytical services must be NELAC certified and hold any other current certification(s) recognized by the GAEPD for all analyses to be performed under this contract. The Contractor shall submit proof of certification (reference submittal 2.5.2.) before any work under this contract is permitted. The Contractor's laboratory(s) must be able to achieve the minimum detection limits (MDL) for all contaminants. Any published revisions of MDLs during the time period of this contract must be adhered to.

Question 12 (2.5.4) Do you want all equipment, including the sampling equipment, PPE, coolers, vests, boots and sampling containers, or are there automatic samplers that you would like included in the proposal.

Answer: Automatic storm samplers aren't required. This is a performance based contract. CEV doesn't dictate what equipment the contractor uses to complete their sampling, it just has to be allowed by the state/federal requirements. Reference the following Sections of the SOW.

"SECTION 2 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

GENERAL. The Contractor shall furnish all labor, supplies, transportation, equipment, materials, and office support necessary to collect, analyze, and report findings for industrial waste water, storm water, facility materials, and industrial waste from Dobbins ARB, GA"

Question 13 (2.5.7.1) Conflicts with the Statement in (2.4.1.6.1) that reports are submitted within 7 days of the end of the quarter? Under 2.5.7.1, is this a different report that you need within the 7 day period? We would like to have clear direction on this?

Answer: 2.5.7.1 is the same requirement as 2.4.1.6.1.

Question 14 During the Periods of Performance suggested, how often (daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly) will sampling occur?

Answer: For Stormwater sampling, see Section 2.2 in the SOW. For Waste, see Section 2.4.2.1

Question 15 What is the substance or material we are testing?

Answer: Stormwater - see Section 2.4.1.1 through 2.4.1.5 in the SOW. For Waste see Sections 2.1.2 and

2.4.2.1 and SOW Attachment 2 (page 10).

Question 16 What specifically are we testing for? (chemicals, contaminants, etc)

Answer: For Stormwater - See Section 2.4.1.3 and Attachment 2 in the SOW. For Waste, see Section

2.4.2.1 and Attachment 2.

Question 17 What is the turnaround time for results?

Answer: For Stormwater - See Sections 2.4.1.6 and 2.5 through 2.5.8 in the SOW. For Waste, see Sections 2.4.2.1, and 2.4.2.4.1 through 2.4.2.4.3 and 2.5.9