Fully Executed V3262200 JOTFOC 8-24-26.pdf

V220T.12 (01/19)

Procurement Request No. V3262200

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY

VOLPE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS CENTER (VOLPE CENTER)

V326

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

A. Description of Supplies/Services. From 1992 to the present, the Sykesville, Maryland Property has been operated as a storage yard for Royal Electric, Inc. Prior to Royal Electric purchasing the Subject Property in 1992, the property was operated as an automobile junkyard by J&B Motors, Inc. No records of site use prior to J&B Motors’ ownership have been identified. The Springfield Hospital Railroad spur adjoins the Subject Property, but this spur has been out of use since the 1960s and is currently overgrown and in disrepair. Phase I activities, identified historic automotive junking activities and small, partially buried piles of automotive debris in the northern, wooded portion of the site. It was determined that there is a likely presence of hazardous substances or petroleum products associated with former automotive operations including used oils, brake and hydraulic fluids, gasoline and diesel fuels, mercury switches, asbestos brake parts, refrigerants, metals, batteries, and antifreezes.

The Volpe Center is tasked with assisting the EPA Targeted Brownfields Assessment (TBA) team in collecting and analyzing soil and groundwater samples to determine the presence or absence of site contamination and if present, to identify contaminated areas to help to minimize risk to people and the environment The purpose of this procurement is to purchase analytical laboratory services from Alpha Analytical (owned by Pace Analytical) to analyze these samples collected. The estimated amount is $51,265 and it is anticipated that a firm fixed price purchase order will be awarded.

Laboratories typically have set turnaround times for analysis, so we anticipate having sample results within these turnaround times after samples are submitted to the laboratory.

B. Market Research. Market research conducted by Michelle Heimgartner and Jacob Klaybor in June 2026 shows only two labs are approved to work under the Volpe generic Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) that is approved by EPA Region 3 (Mid-Atlantic). One of those labs is Alpha Analytical (who was purchased by Pace Analytical), and the other is EMSL. EMSL cannot complete this requirement as they do not provide the full suite of analysis needed. Therefore, only Alpha Analytical is capable of completing the required work in compliance with the EPA approved QAPP.

C. Supporting Rationale.

(1) Sole Source: Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

i. Only two labs are approved to work under the Volpe generic Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) approved by EPA Region 3 (Mid-Atlantic). One of those labs is Alpha Analytical, the other (EMSL) does not provide the full suite of analysis needed. Therefore, only Alpha Analytical is capable of completing the required work in compliance with the EPA approved QAPP. Alpha Analytical offers courier services and/or shipping services and is state and EPA certified in all of the analysis that we require.

ii. Alpha Analytical is the only laboratory approved in the QAPP that can analyze the full suite of contaminants that we are requesting in our PR.

iii. The QAPP document took many months and over $100,000 in labor was spent to complete this document for the EPA TBA Program. The EPA does not have the time or funding to request Volpe to complete an addendum to this document in order to get an additional laboratory approved when a quality, local laboratory already meets all of their requirements and is approved. The Sykesville Site in Sykesville, MD is a very important project and once the assessment is completed the site is planned for redevelopment.

(2) Brand Name: A specific brand that is available from multiple vendors. N/A

(3) Unusual and Compelling Urgency. N/A

V220T.12 (01/19)

D. Required Signatures.

PR Technical Initiator Date PR Technical Initiator’s Supervisor Date

Contracting Officer Date Chief, Contracts Branch (or designee) Date (Signature required for procurements over $25,000)