Questions and Answers.docx

DFAS – CLEVELAND: IAQ INDUSTRIAL AIR QUALITY TESTING AND IH INDUSTRIAL HEALTH

1. Q1. The initial IAQ review and investigation in Section 4, subpart I of the PWS asks for focus on the investigation of VOC and mineral dust. Please clarify if the initial investigation is to be performed by visual assessment, by reviewing previous IAQ reports or by performing any type of testing for VOC. It is not clear what is the requirement for conducting the initial IAQ –Industrial Air Quality investigation. Does it just entails visual investigation or qualitative/quantitative sampling?

a. A1. Visual Assessment to determine the Sampling Plan. Requirement for conducting IH, Industrial Health investigation is to see the layout/square footage per facilities area and then floors and determine testing areas based on environmental facility- specifics. There is no current requirement for VOC or specific mineral/metallic/chemical dust testing.

2. Q2. Please clarify the number of direct read readings needed for the ‘Initial Air Quality Evaluation’ on each floor as mentioned in Section 4, subpart III of the PWS. The number of readings determines the amount of time spent in each floor affecting overall cost of the project.

a. A2. There is no specific number of Direct Readings. As the professional, you would determine based on square footage and knowledge of the Industrial Air Quality rules, regulations, guidelines, and mandates.

3. Q3. Please clarify if the sampling locations for Microbial air samples will be determined by the consultant or will be directed by the client as per Section 4, subpart IV.

a. A3. Sampling locations (numbers) are by floor. As an environmental consultant, you will determine the sampling locations that are most representative of the overall possible sources or common building conditions.

4. Q4. Please clarify the duration of the testing at the particular site in Site 1 and Site 2 for the airborne ambient particulate dust sampling as per Section 4, subpart V. The clarification is needed as to how long (1 reading for 30 seconds, 2 readings for 1 minute etc.) a direct reading is taken from a single site for airborne ambient particulate dust. There are 51 readings to be taken as per Appendix A at Site 1 and it is helpful to know so that a proper cost evaluation can be performed for number of instruments needed and the time needed to perform the readings.

a. A4. Site #1: Duration of Testing is should be determined by your current SOPs, policies and procedures for setting up, testing, recording, and reporting. The intent is to measure the particulate levels throughout the spaces in a manner that indicates typical employee exposure.

5. Q5. The airborne fiber sampling is for asbestos PCM samples and the samples are required to be analyzed on-site as per Section 4, subpart VI. Please confirm that the consultant would be provided an office space to analyze the samples and also what volume of air does the consultant needs to collect for the PCM samples. The volume of air collection is needed as that determines the time the samples are set to run and affect the proposal cost of the personnel to be on-site.

a. The ambient PCM air samples for fibers require the results to be reported at a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.01 f/cc. The volume required to meet this (LOQ) per the NIOSH 7400 method is what is needed for each sample. The samples do not need to be analyzed at the site. The samples can be analyzed at a laboratory or individual trained and/or certified to perform this method of analysis.

6. Q6 Section 4, subpart VI mentions PCB’s air testing. Please clarify if any PCB air testing is needed and what is the test method for PCB air testing.

a. A6 PCM – Phase Contract Microscopy is used to measure fiber concentrations that indicate asbestos (fibers) is present in the air. EPA/OHEPA/OSHA have established guidelines for acceptable PCM air borne levels. No testing for PCBs (air or surface) is required at this time.

7. Q7 According to Section 4, subpart VII, the lead wipe samples need to be collected but there is no number of samples provided in Appendix A for the Lead wipe samples. It is difficult to put the cost together for the lead wipe sampling without the number required. Please provide a number for Lead wipe samples.

a. A7. This subpar has been removed in the Updated PWS posted on 1/28/21.

8. Q8. It is mentioned in Section 4, subpart VII, subsection b., lead paint inspections by X-ray fluorescence Analyzer and lead risk assessments with HUD protocols but there is no number provided for number of inspections or assessments in Appendix A. Please clarify if any lead paint inspection would be needed for the project and provide a number.

a. A8. Please see A7.

9. Q9. It is mentioned in Section 4, subpart VII, subsection b., lead paint inspections by X-ray fluorescence Analyzer and lead risk assessments with HUD protocols. The sites to be inspected are not child-occupied facilities or living facilities for children under 6. The risk assessment would entail collection of wipe samples and also paint chip samples for confirmation. Please remove the risk assessment requirement with HUD protocols from the PWS.

a. A9. Please see A7.

10. Q10. Under Section 4, subpart VIII, there is requirement for collection of SWABS for bacterial testing. Please provide the type of testing method to use for the bacterial testing of the SWABS as there are many methods for the bacterial testing and the consultants would be providing variable costs. Please provide the test method to be used for this section.

a. A10. Surface samples are collected by wiping or swabbing: Absorptive media, wetting agent, and bags used for sample transport will be selected with input from the laboratory and collection procedures that your organization uses. Please indicate type laboratory-level and biosafety level of lab. Your testing method is based on your sampling-plan, lab, and experience with government buildings.

11. Q11. Section 4, subpart IX, mentions that sub-contract testing needs to be performed by an accredited laboratory and then mentions EMSL. Please confirm that the EMSL is to be used as the accredited laboratory for the project and all samples need to be submitted to EMSL for testing.

a. Q11. EMSL laboratory testing has a commitment to quality and is used by numerous government agencies. If you do not have in-house ability to conduct the IAC (Industrial Air Quality) tests (laboratory analysis), DFAS need you to use an accredited laboratory, such as EMSL as a subcontractor. The exclusive use of EMSL is not required.

12. Q12. Section 4, subpart X mentions that the “Sub-contract Microbial Air testing by an Accredited Laboratory is to be performed to document SARS-COV-2 decontamination activities already performed throughout the areas and to identify existing conditions in the designated rooms/floors in order to identify the presence of viable bacteria. Required is specialized laboratory testing, aerobiology and environmental biology that specializes in AIHA and EMPAT to perform microbial air samples.” Please provide a testing method for the SARS-COV-2 microbial air testing samples. Also please provide a laboratory that needs to be used for this testing and the turnaround time for these samples.

a. A12. The sampling and lab analysis is surface testing, not air. In an effort to assist DFAS in obtaining confirmation that procedures used for sanitizing surfaces are being performed effectively, microbial laboratories offer a culture based method of swab sample analysis that determines a qualitative bacterial result. Swab samples will be collected after cleaning and disinfectant procedures have been completed. Aliquots from the samples should be plated and analyzed for the presence of bacterial colonies. If bacteria is detected, a report defining the Total Aerobic Bacteria Count should be provided. If no bacterial colonies are detected, the final report will show “No Aerobic Bacteria Detected.” Although the test is not specific for the SARS-COV-2 virus specifically, knowing that sanitized surfaces have no bacteria present can be an indication that there is a small likelihood that other microorganisms could remain viable. Standard turn-around is acceptable.

Based on your recent experience, SARS-COV2 testing lab methods can be at your discretion listing name and test. Many organizations have nine (9) months of testing/reporting experience with their lab choice, lab’s recommendation(s), and have included them in their SOPs and IH safety protocols. We have daily cleaning and disinfectant of surfaces frequently touched. NIOSH, CDC, and OSHA have the recommendation for commercial buildings testing. We follow all AIHA and EMPAT guidelines, as they are OEHS experts. If you do internally and do not subcontract out, please notate.

13. Q13. Section 4, subpart X mentions the testing of Microbial air samples to document SARS_COV-2 decontamination activities but it does not provide the number of samples for this in Appendix A. Please provide the number of samples needed for Microbial air testing for SARS-COV-2.

a. A13. The bacterial air samples referenced in subpart X are surface samples. Reference response #12 for more detail. The total number of these samples is 180 for the entire year. This calculates to 11.25 per floor with a total of 16 floors being evaluated and tested.

14. Q14. Please clarify if initial IAQ review/investigation mentioned in the Section 4, subpart I, the walk-through survey mentioned in Section 4, subpart II and the initial air quality evaluation mentioned in Section 4, subpart III is to be performed each time or only once a year to act as the baseline for the rest of the year sampling and testing.

a. A14. Visual Assessment to determine the Sampling Plan for IAQ review/investigation is once per year. Requirement for conducting IH – Industrial Health investigation is to see the layout per facilities, then floor access and determine testing areas based on facility specifics and environment.

15. Q15. Please provide a format of the report that is required for this project as it would provide an idea to the lay about of the report that the consultant has to prepare.

a. A15. Report is your standard environmental/industrial hygiene reports to conform to IH guidelines and specifications. Reports will contain quantitative and qualitative results with summary information for DFAS-CL Industrial Health (IH) specialist, facility experts and their chain of command.

16. Q16. Please clarify if the cost for report preparation, project management and vehicle and instrument cost should be included in the sample cost as in schedule of items or it could be submitted separately by the consultant.

a. A16. Report cost is included as a testing results deliverable. The report deliverables should include sampling and testing methodologies, quantitative and qualitative data by test/floor/area – and summary information (conclusions and recommendations) by an environmental engineer. This is an output deliverable and should have no cost for report creation/report interpretation – an Industrial Health report.

17. Q17. Please clarify if the consultant would be provided a secure location at the sites to store the equipment overnight as the testing may take more than 1 day.

a. A17. There is no secure location at the site to store equipment overnight.

18. Q18. Please clarify if there are parking spots available at the site that the consultant can utilize to park the vehicle or would the consultant need to utilize public parking. Also can the consultant utilize the loading docks for equipment load/unload it would require some time to load/unload the equipment.

a. A18. There no parking spots available at site #1 – AJC FOB-Federal Office Building; There are parking spots at site #2 – Bratenahl location. A loading dock may be accessed for 30 minutes to load/unload at site #1. Security Dock Access form with you license plate, list of tools/equipment and personnel must be submitted to SME 48 hours prior to building access for both facilities.

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