RFI_PR0044015547_Phytoplankton_Identification___Enumeration_1.pdf

Sources Sought PR0044015547: Phytoplankton Microscopic Identification and Enumeration Services

Department of the Interior, United States Geological Survey (USGS)

California Water Science Center (CAWSC)

Request for Information (RFI): Phytoplankton Identification and Enumeration Services

All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary. The Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing or submitting information provided to the Government. Materials submitted to the Government for review will not be returned.

NAICS Code: 541380 – Testing Laboratories (Size Standard: $19 million) PSC Code: B504 – Studies/Analysis – Chemical/Biological

Introduction

The Department of the Interior, United States Geological Survey (USGS), California Water Science Center (CAWSC) is conducting market research to identify qualified vendors capable of providing laboratory services for microscopic identification and enumeration (tally, density, and biovolume) of phytoplankton species in surface water samples collected from the Sacramento San Joaquin River Delta and San Francisco Bay (Bay-Delta).

This RFI is issued under the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) for market research purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation for proposals or quotes.

Responses should be concise, relevant, and directly address the qualifications and capabilities outlined in this notice.

Submissions should avoid general marketing materials unrelated to the specific scope of work described. Responses that fail to address the technical requirements or do not adhere to specified guidelines will not be considered.

Scope of Work Summary

The services sought will support multiple water quality studies in the Bay-Delta region by providing:

• Microscopic identification and enumeration of phytoplankton using compound microscopes (100–1000X magnification).

• Concentration of cells on membrane filters according to McNabb (1960) and Standard Methods (2012).

• Enumeration of at least 400 phytoplankton units or up to 50 random fields per sample.

• Biovolume estimation using geometric shape methods (Hillebrand et al. 1999).

• Documentation of all chains-of-custody and analytical procedures.

• Annual submission of a taxonomic master list and photographic documentation of new taxa identified.

• Electronic delivery of sample results within 12 weeks of sample receipt.

Samples will be preserved in Lugol’s iodine solution and require processing through approximately October 2025.

Split replicates for quality assurance (5% of samples) and digital deliverables will be required.

Requested Vendor Information (3 PAGE MAXIMUM)

Interested vendors are requested to submit a capability statement that includes the following:

• Demonstrated experience with phytoplankton identification and enumeration, particularly in the Sacramento San Joaquin River Delta and San Francisco Bay (Bay-Delta).

• Expertise with methods outlined in Lund et al. (1958), McNabb (1960), Standard Methods (2012), and Hillebrand et al. (1999).

• Capability to perform biovolume calculations using geometric shape methods.

• Qualifications and experience of scientific personnel assigned to the project.

• Description of laboratory facilities, sample handling procedures, and capacity to meet a 12-week turnaround.

• Evidence of quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) measures, including split sample analysis protocols.

• UEI number, SAM registration status, and business size under the specified NAICS code.

Please do not respond if your organization does not have proven expertise in phytoplankton microscopic analysis under laboratory conditions following the methods described.

Submission Instructions

Responses must be submitted electronically by email to:

Joel Berberena Email: jberberena@usgs.gov Subject Line: "RFI Response – Phytoplankton Identification and Enumeration Services"

Disclaimer

This announcement is not a request for quote or proposal, and the Government is not committed to awarding a purchase order or contract pursuant to this announcement. The information resulting from this market research will assist the Government in determining its acquisition strategy.

mailto:jberberena@usgs.gov

PR0044015547 Phytoplankton Identification & Enumeration

PERFORMANCE-BASED WORK STATEMENT

Phytoplankton Microscopic Identification and Enumeration Services

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

A. Introduction

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) California Water Science Center (CAWSC) is requesting bids for microscopic identification and enumeration (tally, density, and biovolume) of phytoplankton species in surface water samples collected from the Sacramento San Joaquin River Delta.

B. Background

The CAWSC is conducting multiple studies in the Sacramento San Joaquin River Delta. Samples will be collected through October 2025. We expect to collect up to 200 samples for analyses during the project period. Once collected, samples are preserved with Lugol’s iodine solution (2-5%) and stored in a cool, dark environment until analysis.

C. Definitions/Applicable Documents

• Lund, J.W.G., Kipling, C., & Le Cren, E.D. (1958). The inverted microscope method of estimating algal numbers and the statistical basis of estimations by counting. Hydrobiologia, 11, 143–170.

https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00007865

• McNabb, C.D. (1960). Enumeration of Freshwater Phytoplankton Concentrated on the Membrane Filter.

Limnology and Oceanography, 5(1), 57–61. https://doi.org/10.4319/lo.1960.5.1.0057

• American Public Health Association. (2012). Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 22nd Edition. APHA, Washington, DC. ISBN 978-087553-013-0.

• Hillebrand, H., Durselen, C.D., Kirschtel, D., Pollingher, U., & Zohary, T. (1999). Biovolume calculation for pelagic and benthic microalgae. Journal of Phycology, 35, 403–424. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1529- 8817.1999.3520403.x

II. WORK REQUIREMENTS

A. Performance Objectives

• Phytoplankton will be enumerated using a compound microscope at magnifications ranging 100-1000X.

• Cells will be concentrated on a filter using a method similar to McNabb 1960 and Standard Methods 2012.

• At least 400 phytoplankton units or phytoplankton in up to 50 random fields will be enumerated to the lowest possible taxonomic level.

• An entire strip of the filter will be counted at approximately 630X, and half the filter counted at 400X for any organisms missed during random fields.

• Biovolumes will be estimated using the geometric shape method described in Hillebrand et al. 1999.

• Biovolumes per cell will be estimated on measurements from at least 10 cells per taxon for each sample.

• Chains-of-custody for all laboratory operations and analyses for each sample will be fully documented.

• Samples can be received by the Contractor Monday through Friday, and on Saturdays with advanced notification.

https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00007865 https://doi.org/10.4319/lo.1960.5.1.0057 https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1529-8817.1999.3520403.x https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1529-8817.1999.3520403.x

• Phytoplankton identification and enumeration will be conducted by expert analysts who have experience with phytoplankton identification.

• Sample results must be provided to USGS electronically within 12 weeks of sample receipt.

• At least annually, a master list of the taxonomic classification of all algal taxa identified in this project will be provided. The list will include the higher groupings used (e.g., superphylum, phylum, class) and the genus and species identities. Any taxonomic names that have changed in the last year will also be identified, showing the old and new names.

• At least annually, contractor will provide photographic documentation of taxon (species or genus) identification when first encountered. A taxon will be photographed only once. If the same taxon is encountered in subsequent samples, it does not need to be photographed. This includes all algal taxa and all non-algal protists. Do not photograph zooplankton. Each photograph should have a scale bar with the length given in micrometers. There may be more than one organism in the photograph if they are all the same taxon. For each unidentified organism, provide photographic documentation. For each photograph, note the type of microscope and camera, and the magnification at which it was taken. Images must be in digital format.

B. Performance Standards

• 100% of deliverables shall be submitted within 12 weeks of sample receipt.

• Enumeration shall meet minimum sample counts and random field counting requirements.

• All required fields shall be completed in data submissions.

• Photographs shall meet the documentation standards specified.

• 5% of samples must undergo split replicate QA analysis.

C. Deliverables

Final deliverables for all work/products shall be completed and delivered no later than June 30, 2025

Deliverables shall include an Excel, CSV, or text file containing the following for each sample:

• Unique sample ID provided by USGS

• Analyst

• Station

• Sample date

• Sample time

• Sample aliquot (mL)

• Fields

• Genus

• Division

• Tally of natural units

• Tally

• Density (cells/mL)

• Average length

• Average width

• Average depth

• Cymbelloid

• Average measurements used to calculate the biovolume of gomphonemoid shaped organisms

• Average cymbelloid measurement used to calculate the biovolume for cymbelloid shaped organisms

• Biovolume (BV) factor

• Total BV (um3/mL)

• Lab comments

D. Performance Monitoring

• Contractor’s work will be monitored through periodic deliverable reviews for accuracy and completeness.

• Results from split replicate QA checks will be used to verify enumeration accuracy and consistency.

III. SUPPORTING INFORMATION

A. Place of Performance

Location of Contractor’s facility.

B. Period of Performance

May 5, 2025 – December 31, 2025.

C. Government Furnished Property (GFP)

None.

D. Special Considerations

Recent and long-term experience in the taxonomic identification and enumeration of phytoplankton species in the Sacramento San Joaquin River Delta and San Francisco Bay (Bay-Delta) is required.