Publish Westat Articles SOW_7may10

Publish Westat Articles for the Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control

Regarding the Child Care Center Study and Comparison of

XRF and AAS Lead Dust Results and LSWP Training

Statement of Work

I. Introduction:

This work is to complete and publish articles to disseminate the information collected during the First National Child Care Center Study performed by Westat, Inc., in 2001-2002. The publication of these results would be of significant public benefit.

The articles to be completed and submitted for publication include the following:

1. XRF/AAS Comparison for Lead in Dust Wipes

2. Child Care Center Study Results vs. NSLAH (Environmental Health Perspectives)

3. Child Care Center Study Results (popular)

4. Evaluation of LSWP Training II. Background:

Westat, under contract with HUD, performed the National Survey of Lead and Allergens in Housing (NSLAH) in the 1999-2000 period, and the First National Child Care Center Study (CCC) as a follow-up in 2001-2002. Although the NSLAH results have been published and contribute to the important literature on lead-based paint (LBP) and LBP hazards in housing, the results of the CCC have not been published. This project is to publish and disseminate these results.

During the performance of the CCC, Westat conducted a side study using the samples collected for the CCC – a comparison of X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF) with laboratory atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) for the determination of the lead content of dust wipes. These results are of interest in the field of LBP risk assessment and clearance, particularly as the new EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (RR&P) takes effect. The results should be published.

As a separate Task Order to Westat at that time, Westat observed, followed-up and commented on the performance and effectiveness of lead-safe work practices (LSWP) training offered widely in support of the then comparatively new Lead Safe Housing Rule, 24CFR35. This evaluation of the LSWP training should be made available to trainers still doing LSWP training, and to new training being offered for the EPA RR&P rule.

III Statement of Work:

Task A: Develop a Management and Work Plan The Contractor shall meet with HUD to discuss the overall strategy proposed to carry out this assignment and ensure mutual agreement on the project scope. The Contractor shall then prepare a management and work plan for this project for HUD’s review and approval. This work plan should include:

· a detailed approach to ensure successful and timely completion of this project;

· a description of the tasks necessary to meet the objectives of this work;

· the staff that will be responsible for completion of each task;

· the project management structure;

· a schedule for completion of the major tasks.; and

· proposed journals for publication.

The Management and Work Plan shall be presented to HUD for review and approval.

Task B – Prepare Articles for Publication

Following the schedule in the Work Plan, Contractor will prepare the articles for publication. Articles will be prepared in formats acceptable by the target journals. Contractor will submit the draft articles to HUD for review and approval. Contractor shall modify the articles after discussion with HUD of the review comments.

The following article should be prepared and submitted for publication:

1. XRF/AAS Comparison of Lead in Dust Wipes – this work was performed as an interesting add-on to the CCC study. A submitted draft final report is dated April 1, 2002. A draft article was prepared following publication of the final report. (HUD has electronic files from 2005 and 2006.) The work compares the use of field XRF instruments to determine lead in dust with results obtained on the same dust wiper using laboratory analysis.

Because of the current interest in lowering the lead standards and the potential for the lowering of the floor dust lead standard, HUD would like to see some expansion of the scale between 0 and 40 µg/ft2 using the existing data to clarify the accuracy and precision in the lower range, and a discussion of the potential applicability of XRF to determine lead in dust at lower levels.

These articles should be of sufficient quality for publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals, and shall be submitted to HUD for review and approval.

Task C – Submit Articles for Publication

The Contractor will be responsible for submitting the final articles to the journals for publication. Costs imposed by the journal for publication, if any, will be born by the Contractor and must be included in the budget for this work.

Any comments and recommendations received from the journal editors and peer reviewers regarding the article will be dealt with and responded to by the Contractor, including consultation with HUD, if necessary.

Task D - Reporting

1. Quarterly Reporting – Contractor shall provide a short (1-2 page) quarterly report on the progress of the work. Quarterly reports will be due no later than 2 weeks after the end of the calendar quarter.

2. Final Report – Contractor shall submit a brief final report summarizing all of the work completed under this contract. Articles prepared or published may be attached as appendices. The final report shall be submitted initially as a draft for review by HUD. The draft final report will be due no later than 3 weeks after the end of the Period of Performance.

The final report will include the following:

· A summary of the preparation, submittal and publishing of the articles.

· Any problems encountered in the publication in target journals.

· Final disposition of the articles and estimated publication dates.

After review and approval by HUD OHHLHC, the Contractor shall prepare and submit the final report.

IV Travel - The Contractor’s key personnel will attend two meetings with OHHLHC at HUD Headquarters in Washington, DC. Travel shall be arranged for maximum efficiency and to minimize potential expenses.

V Deliverables and Schedule: Please see the following Table 1. - Deliverables and Schedule.

Table 1 – Deliverables and Schedule

Task Sub-task

Description Weeks After Task Order Issued

A

B

Prepare Articles for Publication

C

Submit Articles for Publication

D

Reporting