Sol_140G0225R0001.pdf

SEE ADDENDUMIS CHECKED

CODE 18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

CODE

FACILITYCODE

17b. CHECK IF REMITTANCE IS DIFFERENT AND PUT SUCH ADDRESS IN OFFER

OFFEROR

GDB

DENVER CO 80225-0046

204 DENVER FEDERAL CENTER

PO BOX 25046

USGS OAG DENVER ACQUISITION BRANCH

CODE 16. ADMINISTERED BYCODE

X

X

X

541380

SIZE STANDARD:

100.00 % FOR:SET ASIDE:UNRESTRICTED ORGDB

REQUEST FOR

PROPOSAL

(RFP)

INVITATION

FOR BID (IFB)

10. THIS ACQUISITION ISCODE

REQUEST FOR

QUOTE (RFQ)

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

13b. RATING

NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRY

CLASSIFICATION STANDARD

(NAICS):

SMALL BUSINESS

12/05/2024 1200 MS

10/22/2024

303-236-9321Jennifer Rollin (No collect calls)

INFORMATION CALL:

FOR SOLICITATION 8. OFFER DUE DATE/LOCAL TIMEb. TELEPHONE NUMBER a. NAME

4. ORDER NUMBER3. AWARD/ 6. SOLICITATION

140G0225R0001

5. SOLICITATION NUMBER

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS 1. REQUISITION NUMBER PAGE OF

1 80 OFFEROR TO COMPLETE BLOCKS 12, 17, 23, 24, & 30

TELEPHONE NO.

17a. CONTRACTOR/

15. DELIVER TO

DENVER CO 80225-0046

204 DENVER FEDERAL CENTER

PO BOX 25046

9. ISSUED BY

7.

2. CONTRACT NO.

EFFECTIVE DATE

$19

18b. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN BLOCK 18a UNLESS BLOCK BELOW

ISSUE DATE

DELIVERY FOR FREE ON BOARD

(FOB) DESTINATION UNLESS

BLOCK IS MARKED

11.

SEE SCHEDULEX

12. DISCOUNT TERMS THIS CONTRACT IS A RATED

ORDER UNDER THE DEFENSE

PRIORITIES AND ALLOCATIONS

SYSTEM - DPAS (15 CFR 700)

13a.

SERVICE-DISABLED

VETERAN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS

(SDVOSB)

HUBZONE SMALL

BUSINESS

8(A)

USGS OAG DENVER ACQUISITION BRANCH

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL

BUSINESS (WOSB)

ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL

BUSINESS (EDWOSB)

24.

AMOUNT

23.

UNIT PRICE

22.

UNIT

21.

QUANTITY

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

19.

ITEM NO.

Period of Performance: 01/13/2025 to 01/12/2030

Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) Analytical testing Services

1. This solicitation is issued as a Request for Proposals (RFP). This solicitation will utilize the policies contained in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 12, Acquisition of Commercial Products and Commercial Services, and in conjunction with the policies and procedures

(Use Reverse and/or Attach Additional Sheets as Necessary)

HEREIN, IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

X

XX

DATED

Jennifer Rollin

. YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION (BLOCK 5),

INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONS OR CHANGES WHICH ARE SET FORTH

COPIES TO ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND DELIVER

ARE

ARE

31c. DATE SIGNED

27b. CONTRACT/PURCHASE ORDER INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-5 IS ATTACHED. ADDENDA

31a. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (SIGNATURE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER)

30c. DATE SIGNED 31b. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

ALL ITEMS SET FORTH OR OTHERWISE IDENTIFIED ABOVE AND ON ANY ADDITIONAL

SHEETS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED.

27a. SOLICITATION INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE (FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION) FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-3

AND 52.212-5 ARE ATTACHED. ADDENDA

26. TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT (For Government Use Only)

OFFER

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 11/2021)

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

ARE NOT ATTACHED.

ARE NOT ATTACHED.

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE

30b. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

30a. SIGNATURE OF OFFEROR/CONTRACTOR

28. CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT AND RETURN

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

29. AWARD OF CONTRACT: REFERENCE

32e. MAILING ADDRESS OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

32c. DATE 32b. SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

ACCEPTED, AND CONFORMS TO THE CONTRACT, EXCEPT AS NOTED:

32a. QUANTITY IN COLUMN 21 HAS BEEN

RECEIVED INSPECTED

40. PAID BY39. S/R VOUCHER NUMBER38. S/R ACCOUNT NUMBER

37. CHECK NUMBER

FINALPARTIAL

36. PAYMENT

FINALPARTIAL

35. AMOUNT VERIFIED

CORRECT FOR

34. VOUCHER NUMBER33. SHIP NUMBER

COMPLETE

32g. E-MAIL OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

42d. TOTAL CONTAINERS42c. DATE REC'D (YY/MM/DD)

42b. RECEIVED AT (Location)

42a. RECEIVED BY (Print)

41c. DATE41b. SIGNATURE AND TITLE OF CERTIFYING OFFICER

41a. I CERTIFY THIS ACCOUNT IS CORRECT AND PROPER FOR PAYMENT

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 11/2021) BACK

24.

AMOUNT

23.

UNIT PRICE

22.

UNIT

21.

QUANTITY

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

19.

ITEM NO.

for evaluation and award prescribed in FAR Part

15, Contracting by Negotiation, when applicable for this acquisition.

2. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC)

2024-026 Effective Date 8/29/2024.

3. The solicitation is set aside for small business. The North American Industry

Classification System (NAICS) code is 541380

-Testing Laboratories. The small business standard is $19M.

4. Offers providing less than 90 calendar day for

Government acceptance after the date offers are due will not be considered and rejected.

5. Offerors are required to be registered in

System for Award Management (SAM) when submitting a proposal. Register at https://www.sam.gov/index.html prior to submitting your proposal. See FAR provision

52.204-7(b)(1).

00010 Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) Analytical Testing

Services

Continued ...

32f. TELEPHONE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

32d. PRINTED NAME AND TITLE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

80 2 of

ITEM NO. SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

NAME OF OFFEROR OR CONTRACTOR

3 80

CONTINUATION SHEET

REFERENCE NO. OF DOCUMENT BEING CONTINUED PAGE OF

(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)

140G0225R0001

Commercial services, non-personal to provide all plant, equipment, supervision, labor, and materials (unless otherwise specified herein) necessary for the Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)

Analytical Services in accordance with the attached performance work statement (PWS), terms and conditions and appendices.

This line item represents a five (5) year period

Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ)

Contract.

Product/Service Code: B529

Product/Service Description: SPECIAL

STUDIES/ANALYSIS- SCIENTIFIC DATA

00020 Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) Analytical Testing

Services

Commercial services, non-personal to provide all plant, equipment, supervision, labor, and materials (unless otherwise specified herein) necessary for the Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)

Analytical Services in accordance with the attached performance work statement (PWS), terms and conditions and appendices.

This line item represents an option for up to six

(6) month extension in accordance with FAR

52.217-8.

Product/Service Code: B529

Product/Service Description: SPECIAL

STUDIES/ANALYSIS- SCIENTIFIC DATA

Period of Performance: 01/13/2030 to 07/12/2030

No funds are obligated by this contract. All funds shall be obligated by individual task/delivery orders citing applicable fiscal year and accounting data when issued. The Maximum

Ordering Limit for the five (5) - year period will not to exceed $9.3M.

Anticipated Type of Award: Firm-Fixed Price

Continued ...

NSN 7540-01-152-8067 OPTIONAL FORM 336 (4-86)

Sponsored by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.110

ITEM NO. SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

NAME OF OFFEROR OR CONTRACTOR

4 80

CONTINUATION SHEET

REFERENCE NO. OF DOCUMENT BEING CONTINUED PAGE OF

(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)

140G0225R0001

Solicitation POC: Jenn Rollin, jrollin@usgs.gov

NSN 7540-01-152-8067 OPTIONAL FORM 336 (4-86)

Sponsored by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.110

Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) Request for Proposal (RFP) – 140G0225R0001

Contents Performance Work Statement Quality Assurance Surveillance Procedures (QASP) / Performance Objectives:

Contract Type Schedule of Items and Prices Estimated Quantities Clauses 52.212-5 Contract Terms And Conditions Required To Implement Statutes Or Executive Orders - Commercial Products and Commercial Services (May 2024) 52.216-18 Ordering (Aug 2020) 52.216-19 Ordering Limitations (Oct 1995) 52.216-22 Indefinite Quantity (Oct 1995) 52.217-8 Option to Extend Services (Nov 1999) 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference (Feb 1998) GS0301 General Requirements (Jul 2001) GS0912 Effective Periods of Contract – Ordering (Jul 2001) GS0916 Period for Exercise of Option to Extend Services (Jul 2001) GS1101 Contract Administrative Office (Jul 2001) GS1131 Unilateral De-obligation of Unexpended Funds (May 2013) GS1330 Key Personnel (Jul 2001) GS1352 Restriction (Jul 2001) GS1364 Non-Personal Services – Supervision of Contractor Employees (Sep 2017) GS1397 Contractor Reports (Jul 2002) GS1406 Confidentiality of Data (Oct 2005) GS1430 Ordering Authority and Procedures (Jul 2001) GS1431 Contract Maximum (Jul 2001) GS1432 Contract Guaranteed Minimum (Jan 2020) GS1440 Wage Determination Applicable (Jul 2001) GS1446 Not-to-Exceed Instructions (Jun 2014) DIAR 1401.670 Contracting Officer’s Representative (Apr 2015) DIAR 1452.201-70 Authorities and Delegations (Sept 2011) DOI-AAAP-0050 Contractor’s Performance Assessment Reporting System (Dec 2015) DOI Electronic Invoicing and Payment Requirements - Invoice Processing Platform (IPP) (Apr 2013) Provisions 52.204-24 Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (Nov 2021) 52.204-26 Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services – Representations (Oct 2020) 52.204-29 Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act Orders – Representation and Disclosures (Dec 2023) .43 52.209-7 Information Regarding Responsibility Matters (Oct 2018) 52.209-11 Representation by Corporations Regarding Delinquent Tax Liability or a Felony Conviction under any Federal Law (Feb 2016) 52.212-2 Evaluation - Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov 2021) Basis of Award – Best Value Evaluation Process 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications – Commercial Items and Commercial Services (May 2024) 51 52.216-1 Type of Contract (Apr 1984) 52.219-1 Small Business Program Representations (Feb 2024) 52.222-22 Previous Contracts and Compliance Reports (Feb 1999) 52.222-25 Affirmative Action Compliance (Apr 1984) 52.252-1 Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference (Feb 1998)

GS2101 Inquiries (Feb 2007) GS2150 Proposal Format and Submission Instructions (Aug 2001) GS2160 Non-Price/Technical Proposal Instructions (Sep 2008) GS2182 Price Proposal Instructions (Aug 2001) GS2301 Single Award (Aug 2001) Question Submission Proposal Submission Attachments: Appendices A-E

Performance Work Statement

1.0 Introduction and Background:

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Water Quality Laboratory (NWQL) conducts various types of scientific projects and has an obligation to provide analyses of environmental matrixes, to include waters, sediments, suspended material, tissues or extracts from animals for chemical constituents. The use of standard analytical methods from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), American Public Health Association (APHA), or Standard Methods for legally defensible data meeting strict quality control (QC) standards are required for the examination of USGS samples in accordance with the terms and conditions herein and the specifications set forth. The Contractor and subcontractors must provide analytical services, supplies, and deliverables for HABs analyses collected for USGS projects. The results from these samples will be used by the USGS in support of scientific and regulatory investigations and monitoring of project sites located throughout the United States.

The purpose of this contract is to obtain services as described in this Performance Work Statement (PWS) for:

(1) analysis for samples collected by USGS to study Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) and other biological activity.

(2) establish requirements to meet USGS data-quality objectives.

(3) documentation, data, metadata, and technical support for data users. The contract will specify the services with analytes, methods, schedules, and metrics to be used to evaluate successful performance.

2.0 Scope:

The Contractor must provide/furnish all labor, materials, equipment, supervision, and facilities in accordance with the terms, conditions, and specifications set forth herein that are required for the analyses. The Contractor is responsible for enforcing all terms and conditions applicable to their contract on all Subcontracted vendors. All required instruments and/or equipment, must be purchased, set-up, verified and approved for performance for the requested analyses, and on-line prior to award of contract or prior to the analysis of environmental samples from the USGS, if the instruments/equipment are purchased after award, under this contract. If the Government determines at any time during the contract performance that additional property or services should be provided, such property or services must be provided and documented by issuance of a contract modification. The requirement for the provision of additional property or services must be the subject of negotiations between the Government and Contractor. The contracting laboratory is to follow the 40 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) requirements (including parts 136). Analyses may be requested by the USGS for other regulatory-type projects located throughout the United States.

Mandatory terms of this Performance Work Statement (PWS) are as follows:

1. The government intends to order from the Contractor non-personal analyses specified herein for the USGS NWQL for HABs analyses of environmental and associated quality-control samples. The samples are collected by USGS Water Science Centers (WSCs) and other USGS customers for projects and require the use of USEPA methods or other standardized published analytical methods to meet 40 CFR 136 regulatory-level, project-specific analysis, quality-control requirements, and data deliverables. This PWS is for the testing and understanding of potentially harmful algal blooms (HABs) for which deviations to standard methods, such as non-routine extractions, preparation steps, method modifications, or non-standard documentation or data delivery formats are allowed, but modifications must be quality assured and approved by USGS COR before analyses. Any non-conformance due to issues during analytical processing is noted by data qualification and the addition of comment or non-conformance memo.

2. Subcontracting is allowed at one and only one additional level, and the subcontracted laboratory must be held to the same requirements and quality as the primary/awarded contract laboratory. The Contractor must be responsible for enforcing all terms and conditions applicable to their contract on all subcontracted vendors. (Refer to USGS Local Clause GS1352-Subcontracting Restrictions). The offeror must perform at least 50% of the amount paid by the Government for contract performance to subcontractors that are not similarly situated entities.

3. The Contractor must provide method documentation in the form of citable references.

and/or standard operating procedures. as described in Appendix D – Methods with Reporting Requirements. The Contractor must provide demonstration data showing capability of meeting quality-control requirements and performance criteria, as described in section 3.7 for internal and external QC, prior to performing analyses of environmental samples under this contract; these requirements also apply if the work is subcontracted.

3.0 Technical Requirements:

3.1 Use specified analytical methods to perform analysis of environmental samples.

3.1.1 The Contractor must use methods specified in the Appendix A – Pricing Schedule for the analysis of environmental samples collected for USGS projects. The Contractor must indicate which methods in Appendix A – Pricing Schedule can be provided by denoting a price. The methods listed in Appendix A — Pricing Schedule are USEPA analytical methods or other published, standardized analytical methods used commonly for the analysis of environmental samples of water, sediment, or tissue. It is estimated that at least 90 percent of the analyses for USGS projects will request analytical methods and procedures specified in Appendix A - Pricing Schedule of the contract.

Formal (published or promulgated) updates or revisions to existing analytical methods and associated method numbers included in Appendix A - Pricing Schedule may occur during the period of this contract. The Contractor must inform in writing within 5 business days to the COR when there are updates or revisions to the analytical methods and associated method numbers listed in Appendix A - Pricing Schedule.

3.1.2 Within the general scope of this contract, it may be necessary to modify existing methods specified in Appendix A - Pricing Schedule to meet project specific data-quality objectives, quality-assurance project plans, or Department of Defense, USEPA, or other regulatory requirements for specific USGS projects. The Contractor must discuss this with the COR and receive formal COR and CO approval in advance before modifications to the methods or procedures specified in Appendix A - Pricing Schedule are used for USGS projects. Use and cost of modified methods and procedures must be the subject of negotiations between the Government and Contractor. Formal updates or revisions to analytical methods in Appendix A - Pricing Schedule are not considered to be “modifications,” as described in this subsection.

3.1.3 Because of the need to meet project-specific requirements, Federal and State requirements, new USEPA requirements, or new technology, there may be situations where USGS projects will need to request methods not listed specifically in Appendix A - Pricing Schedule. The Contractor must discuss this with the COR and receive formal COR and CO approval in advance and in writing before methods or procedures not specified in Appendix A - Pricing Schedule are used for USGS projects. Use and cost of these miscellaneous methods and procedures must be the subject of negotiations between the Government and Contractor.

3.1.4 The Government may seek consideration from the Contractor for unacceptable performance if the USGS is required to recollect samples or if the analyses are determined to be unacceptable based on the project data-quality objectives or regulatory-program requirements because the Contractor used non- specified methods that were not approved by the COR. Analyses of the recollected samples by approved methods must be completed within the specified holding-time limits and must be at no cost to the Government.

3.2 Perform requested analyses of USGS environmental samples sent to Contractor.

3.2.1 The environmental samples to be analyzed by the Contractor will be collected by the USGS to meet project objectives or regulatory-program requirements and will be sent to the Contractor as they are collected. Sample collection and shipment will vary in both quantity and type of analyses needed. Field quality-control samples such as ambient blanks, equipment blanks, field-spiked samples, and trip blanks are to be treated and tested as environmental samples under the scope of this contract.

3.2.2 Advance notice of planned sampling schedules for a given Government fiscal year (October 1 through September 30) for individual USGS projects will be provided to the Contractor by the COR, if adequate information is available to the COR. Every effort will be made by the COR to provide this information to the Contractor by the end of November. Sampling schedules for new projects or modifications for existing projects will be provided to the Contractor as soon as possible.

3.2.3 Information regarding appropriate sample containers for each method must be provided to the Government by the Contractor. The Government will procure and supply containers to be used for sampling through the USGS National Field Supply Service (NFSS).

3.2.4 The environmental samples for HABs analyses must be sent to the Contractor directly from the USGS project sites through an overnight delivery service. The samples should be delivered to the Contractor within 24 to 48 hours of sample collection. The samples should be in the appropriate sample bottles, properly preserved and labeled, and generally shipped in sample coolers with sufficient ice to maintain integrity. The Contractor must be accountable for all the USGS samples received at their laboratory facilities and must notify the CO and COR before the quantity exceeds 60% of the contract ceiling and individual task orders. The Contractor must be available Monday through Friday (excluding Federal holidays) 8AM to 5PM, Contractor’s Local Time to receive sample shipments. Coolers that are property of the USGS and are used for sample shipment to the Contractor must be returned to the designated address within ten (10) business days of receipt at the USGS's expense via pre-paid return label.

3.2.5 Some samples collected by the USGS may contain hazardous materials. The concentrations of hazardous materials in any sample are expected to be low (micrograms to milligrams per liter levels for aqueous samples); however, some samples may contain concentrations high enough to be harmful, and all samples must be handled with appropriate safety procedures to minimize exposure to personnel. The USGS will attempt to keep the Contractor informed of the samples that may contain high concentrations of such materials. It is the responsibility of the Contractor to take the appropriate safety precautions to ensure the safety of employees in the event that a sample does contain unexpectedly high concentrations of hazardous materials.

3.2.6 The Contractor must obtain the appropriate approval and permits from the Deputy Administrator, Plant Protection and Quarantine Programs, U.S. Department of Agriculture to be able to handle the soil samples collected by the USGS from outside the continental United States or from regulated areas within the United States. Disposal of any remaining sample and sample extracts must meet regulatory guidelines and is the responsibility of the Contractor.

3.2.7 The method requirements and the number of sample containers for each environmental sample must depend upon the needs of each USGS project. The specific analyses requested for each sample sent to the Contractor will be documented on an analytical services request (ASR) form, commonly used in lieu of a chain-of-custody (COC) record form sent by the USGS NWQL separate from the environmental samples; see Appendix E – ASR for an example of the ASR. The presence of an applied barcode to the ASR denotes approval from the NWQL for the Contractor to proceed with the defined testing. The Contractor must perform all the specific analyses of environmental samples that are properly requested and documented on the ASR form.

3.2.8 The Contractor must notify on a weekly basis to the USGS COR of samples received the previous week and indicate issues with the ASR information and/or samples. If sample analyses are properly requested and documented on a ASR form but are not analyzed by the Contractor, the Contractor must notify the COR in writing with the reason (lost sample due to accident, etc.) and consideration for Unacceptable Performance will be requested if USGS is required to recollect samples. Analysis of the recollected samples must be completed within the specified holding-time limits and must be at no cost to the Government. Excessive failures to test sample(s) due to Contractor lab accident >10% within a span of one month warrants a discussion and may lead to contract termination.

3.2.9 The Contractor must notify within 72 hours to the USGS COR of any issues with the ASR information and/or samples. Upon receipt of the samples, the Contractor must complete the Appendix C – Sample Receipt File and send to the COR every Monday, or the first workday after a Monday holiday, by email. If no samples are received the previous week, a report is to be sent to the COR stating this. This log is to maintain a record of all samples received, condition of the samples, and any issues with ASR such as analyses requested or other documentation, or potential difficulties performing requested analyses. If sample analyses are properly requested and documented on an ASR form but are not analyzed by the Contractor, the Contractor must notify the COR in writing with the reason (lost sample due to accident, etc.) and consideration for Unacceptable Performance will be requested if USGS is required to recollect samples. Analysis of the recollected samples must be completed within the specified holding-time limits and must be at no cost to the Government.

Excessive failures to test sample(s) due to Contractor lab accident >10% within a given quarter warrants a discussion and can lead to contract termination.

3.2.10 A USGS, NWQL employee will assign a unique combination of station identification (ID) number with sample medium, date and time of sample collection to each environmental sample sent with an ASR and this sample identifying information will be documented on each sample bottle label and ASR form. The unique sample identifying information assigned by the USGS must be used by the Contractor on all records, analytical reports, and deliverables pertaining to the sample. The Contractor must maintain an internal tracking system with a unique identification for each sample to always ensure traceability of the samples and data.

3.2.11 The Contractor must properly document the custody of USGS samples on the ASR form by recording the date, time, cooler temperature upon sample receipt and note any problems with the condition of the samples received. The signature of the person receiving custody of the samples should also be included on the ASR. The Contractor must enter into their Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) system the unique identifier (linked to the station ID, date and time), the name of the person receiving custody of the samples, the status of custody seal, and the cooler temperature.

3.2.12 The Daily Sample Receipt report must include the date of receipt, the contract laboratory ID, work order number (if applicable), the USGS station ID number, date collected, time collected, method name, analyte name (lab schedule, when applicable), status of sample (A=acceptable, U=unacceptable), general comments, and non-conformance comments for unacceptable samples.

The Contractor must also send the COR the following: (1) a copy of the sample confirmation report and (2) a copy of the USGS ASR form, within a business day.

3.2.12.1 The primary Contractor must require the delivery of the same report from its subcontractor in the same file, under a separate tab with the same information as the primary Contractor.

3.2.13 Samples analyzed by USEPA methods or other published, standardized methods must be in compliance with 40 CFR 136, and the requirements of those methods.

3.2.14 The Contractor must store all USGS samples and sample extracts chilled at 4 ± 2 degrees Celsius or frozen at -20 or -80 degrees Celsius as appropriate until analysis, unless specified otherwise in the method documentation. Storage temperatures must be tracked and documented following an approved quality-assurance plan.

3.2.15 The unused portion of the sample remaining after completion of all analyses must be properly stored by the Contractor for ninety (90) days following submission of the laboratory analytical-results report to the USGS. After ninety (90) days, both the sample and the sample container must be disposed of properly at Contractor's expense. It must be the sole responsibility of the Contractor to ensure that all applicable regulations are followed in the disposal of samples, containers, and related chemicals. If the USGS should request return of a sample(s) prior to the expiration of the ninety (90)-day interval, they must be returned at USGS expense in a manner that meets Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations.

3.3 Perform analysis of environmental samples within holding-times specified by analytical method or procedure, or applicable regulatory program.

3.3.1 The Contractor must analyze the environmental samples within the preparation and analysis holding-time limits specified by the method or procedure.

3.3.2 If samples are not received by the Contractor within 24 to 48 hours of collection, and the Contractor cannot meet specified holding-time limits, the Contractor must qualify the data produced.

3.3.3 If the Contractor knows in advance that sample analyses will not be completed within specified preparation or analysis holding-time limits, the Contractor must discuss anticipated sample preparation or analysis delays with the COR within one (1) business day in writing. The USGS may request the Contractor to proceed with the analyses even though holding times cannot be met.

3.3.4 If sample analyses are not completed within specified holding-time limits due to errors or delays by the Contractor, refund for Unacceptable Performance can be requested. The USGS may instead recollect samples for the analyses determined to be unacceptable. Analyses of the recollected samples will be completed within the specified holding-time limits and must be at no additional cost to the Government.

3.4 Provide analytical results of environmental sample analyses in specified reporting limits, reporting conditions, and reporting units.

3.4.1 The Contractor must determine method detection limits (MDLs) for the target analytes for the methods listed in Appendix D – Methods with Reporting Limits. In most cases, MDLs will be established using procedures and requirements as described in 40 CFR 136 Appendix B revision 2, where applicable. The Contractor is to report MDL values for all analytes reported every six months, see Appendix D – Methods with Reporting Limits. Additionally, associated documentation supporting the establishment of the MDLs, such as chromatograms and calculations, must be made available to the COR upon request at no additional cost to the government.

3.4.2 The Contractor must use reporting limits (RLs) for USGS sample analyses that are commonly referred to as practical quantitation limits (PQLs). PQLs are identified as the lowest reporting level that can be reliably achieved within specified limits of precision and accuracy during routine laboratory operating conditions. In most cases, PQLs are based on method detection limits established for individual analytes. Established RLs for individual analytes must be made available to the COR upon request. The Contractor must notify the COR of any changes in the existing or established RLs for any of the target analytes for the methods listed in Appendix D – Methods with Reporting Limits.

3.4.3 Project-specific reporting limits (PSRLs) may be required for some USGS projects when Applicable or Relevant and Appropriate Requirements (ARARs), Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs), or project- specific data quality objectives (DQOs) are required. In advance of sample delivery to the Contractor, the COR will notify the Contractor if PSRLs are needed for a USGS project.

3.4.4 Unless notified in advance by the COR to not perform this requirement, the Contractor must report analytical results of USGS sample analyses down to the established MDLs for the individual target analytes for the analytical methods listed in Appendix D – Methods with Reporting Limits. The Contractor must include the established RLs with the analytical results for each target analyte analyzed.

The appropriate MDLs and(or) RLs for each target analyte analyzed also must be reported with the analytical results. All analytical values reported below the established RL, and at or above the MDL, must be qualified by the Contractor with some type of flag code in accordance with a qualifier code list provided by the Government such as, for example, “J” and documented as an “estimated result” or similar comment. Results will be reported in two Tab Delimited text files also known as Electronic Data Deliverable (EDD) file, see Appendix B – Example of EDD for an example of this deliverable. A qwresult.txt and qwsample.txt file pair described in the attached example_ qwresult.txt and example_ qwsample.txt files.

3.4.5 Some USGS projects may require that the analytical results of sample analyses are not reported below the established RLs. In this case and in advance of sample delivery to the Contractor, the COR will request that the Contractor not report analytical results below the established RL.

3.4.6 The Contractor must report all analytical results of solid-sample analyses on a wet-weight basis unless notified in advance by the COR. A moisture content determination must be completed and reported with all solid-sample analyses as specified in Appendix A – Pricing Schedule, and Appendix D – Method with Reporting Limits (line 88).

3.4.7 The Contractor must use the specified reporting units when reporting the analytical results of USGS environmental samples for the following general types of analyses:

Sample Matrix

General Types of Analyses Reporting units

Aqueous Organics micrograms per liter (µg/L) Solids Organics micrograms per kilogram (µg/kg)

3.4.8 Other reporting units may be required to meet project-specific or regulatory requirements for some USGS projects. For selected low-level analyses, other measurement units such as nanograms per liter (ng/L) or picograms per gram (pg/g) may be needed depending on the analytical methods used, project data quality objectives, or regulatory requirements.

3.5 Provide analytical results of environmental sample analyses and other required data results in specified data deliverables.

3.5.1 The Contractor must provide the results of USGS samples and other specified and associated data results for analyses in the following data deliverables: (1) results report (PDF), (2) raw-data report (Microsoft Excel or CSV), and (3) two electronic data deliverable (EDD) files (TXT). Data deliverables for results must include similar analytical report and EDD files. Unless requested in advance for specific USGS projects, all the data deliverables must be sent to the COR. These specified data deliverables must be included in the price for the methods.

The Contractor must be able to produce the following data elements in routine results reports:

a) Cover page including client name and address, client designated individual receiving the report, laboratory name and address, project name/number, laboratory order #, date received, date reported, number of samples received, notes applicable to the types of samples, signature, and title of reviewer.

b) Title and Laboratory Order #

c) Sample Identification Contract Lab ID

d) USGS Station ID

e) Date of Collection

f) Time of Collection

g) Matrix

h) Air Volume Information – where applicable

i) Test Name

j) Method Name References

k) Analytes Reported and Reporting Units

l) Final Results including surrogate recoveries and control limits – where applicable.

m) Detection Limits: LOQ percent recovery, Reporting Limit, and MDL.

n) Method blank concentration

o) Date and Time Analyzed

p) Analyst

q) Dilution Factor

r) Qualifier Flags

s) Page Numbers

t) Chain of Custody Record

u) Definitions

v) Quality Control (QC) summary that includes, where applicable, the results, percent recovery and control limits for; Method blanks, Laboratory Control Samples (secondary source standards), Matrix Spike/Matrix Spike Duplicates (RSD percent recovery), Duplicate samples (where applicable), and other QC samples such as ICV, CCV, ICB, CCB, Dilution, etc.

w) Sample Summary – when requested

x) Dates Report – when requested. Includes preparation, extraction and analysis dates for holding time verification.

y) Case Narrative

3.5.2 If requested by the COR, the specified data deliverables must be prepared by the Contractor on the basis of a sample delivery group (SDG). An SDG usually consists of a set of environmental samples (commonly of the same matrix and processed/analyzed using the same methods, procedures, reagents, and standards within the same time period) from one USGS project that is received by the Contractor on a single day. An SDG must be assigned a unique SDG number by the Contractor. For some USGS projects, an SDG may include samples received by the Contractor over multiple days. In advance of sample delivery to the Contractor, the COR will notify the Contractor if samples that are shipped to the Contractor over multiple days need to be batched into one SDG. The above procedure for an SDG remains the same as other routine samples.

3.5.3 For each order, the Contractor must provide the results of the environmental samples and associated laboratory QC results and data on an EDD file in one standard text format (spreadsheet compatible), and if needed, one optional format. Appendix B shows the EDD example and the type and format of data needed in the EDD files might change and to be determined jointly by the Contractor and the Government at the beginning of a project. Additional EDD files in other optional formats may be requested for specific USGS projects with applicable charges as per the Price Schedule. The Contractor must have the capability to generate EDD files of the results for each order in the following required EDD file formats:

(a) The current version of the USGS National Water Information System (NWIS) format for entering data into the NWQL LIMS water-quality system.

3.5.4 If requested by the COR, the Contractor must provide an additional copy of the results report and raw-data report in a portable document format (PDF) file at no additional charge.

3.5.5 As requested by the COR, the Contractor must provide the requested EDD files either via email, or other electronic file transfer protocol (FTP).

3.5.6 Advance notice about the type and number of the data deliverables required for individual USGS projects will be provided to the Contractor by the COR in some type of data-deliverable summary listing. If there are changes to the data-deliverable requirements for an individual USGS project, the COR will provide revised data-deliverable information to the Contractor within three (3) business days of notification.

3.5.7 Under certain circumstances, the USGS may require data deliverables to be prepared in non- specified, custom formats to meet project-specific or regulatory needs. The COR will notify the Contractor in advance on any specialized, custom data deliverables needed for specific

USGS projects. Use and cost of non-specified, custom data deliverables must be negotiated between the Government and the Contractor.

3.6 Provide analytical results of environmental sample analyses and data deliverables within specified time schedules.

3.6.1 The Contractor must complete the requested analyses and required data deliverables within 45 Calendar days (not including contract-specified holidays) after receipt of samples at the Contractor laboratory facility. The Contractor must notify the COR when work orders are completed for portal retrieval or email a copy of data deliverables within 45 days after sample receipt.

3.6.2 For emergency USGS projects, preliminary (before final review by Contractor) and final analytical results may be requested to be sent to the COR by email before the final data deliverables at no additional cost to the Government. If the files are too large to be delivered by email, it is acceptable to notify the COR that the results can be retrieved online.

3.6.3 If the Contractor cannot meet the standard turn-around time (TAT) and data deliverables will not be completed within specified time schedules, the Contractor must formally notify the COR in writing within one day, by email, of anticipated delays in the delivery of the data deliverables.

3.7 Perform all analytical services under an established and documented quality system with specified quality-control procedures and measures.

3.7.1 The Contractor and subcontractors must perform all services required in this contract under an established and well-documented quality system. The quality system must meet or exceed requirements set forth in the 40 CFR (including part 136), USEPA, accrediting body, and must include quality assurance (QA) policies, quality-control (QC) procedures, and laboratory acceptance criteria used for data approval and release, which must be described in the Contractor’s Laboratory Quality Manual (LQM) or similar QA document and followed to ensure and document the quality of the data.

3.7.2 The LQM must describe in detail the quality system(s) implemented at individual laboratory facilities (for contract labs and subcontract labs) and must be in compliance with published EPA approved methods with the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (NELAP), or ISO 17025 accreditation for methods. The Contractor must provide the COR a copy of the LQMs for all labs performing testing and updated copies if there are new revisions within one month of implementation of new LQM revision.

3.7.3 The Contractor must prepare and use standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all methods and procedures performed in the laboratory facilities. SOPs must provide clear and comprehensive directions for the step-by-step execution of an operation, procedure, or analysis. Copies of the SOPs must be available to the COR on request.

3.7.4 The Contractor must have detailed written protocols for and must apply and monitor the following essential quality-control measures, where applicable:

(a) Positive and negative controls such as blanks and spikes to monitor methods and results.

(b) Duplicate and replicate analyses to define and evaluate the variability and repeatability of the results.

(c) Measures including initial calibration, continuing calibrations, use of certified reference materials, secondary source standards and proficiency test samples to ensure the accuracy of the methods and results.

(d) Use of appropriate measures such as regression analysis, comparison to internal and external standard calculations, and other statistical analysis to reduce raw data to final results.

(e) Monitoring of precursor ions and at least one fragment (preferably two) for any mass spectrometry-based methods.

3.7.5 The Contractor must evaluate continually the quality-control measures and acceptance criteria used to assess the quality of the results. Unless specified by regulatory program or project-specific requirements, the Contractor must use historical data to statistically establish and continually re-evaluate the QC acceptance limits for individual methods. If the laboratory-derived QC limits are less precise than the method-specified QC limits, the method-specified QC limits must be used.

3.7.6 When USGS projects require regulatory-type compliance, the Contractor will be notified and must follow the QC measures and data requirements specified by each program. For all other USGS projects not requiring specific regulatory-program compliance, the Contractor must follow the QC data requirements and guidance for USEPA or other published, standardized methods.

3.7.7 Where applicable, the Contractor must analyze the appropriate laboratory QC samples, including method blanks, laboratory control samples, surrogate spikes, and matrix spikes with the analyses of all USGS environmental samples. At a minimum, the Contractor must analyze the laboratory QC samples specified at the frequency indicated by the published method or specified by the regulatory program. The Contractor may supplement the laboratory QC samples required by the method to ensure accurate and precise data. For some USGS projects, other types of laboratory QC sample analyses also may be requested based on project-specific needs and requirements. The cost to analyze these project-specific, specialized QC samples must be negotiated between the Government and the Contractor and agreement must be conducted in writing.

3.7.8 Where applicable, the Contractor must analyze method blanks every 20 samples that are prepared, extracted or tested per matrix type for each method a minimum of one within 24 hours.

The method blank results are used to identify any potential interferences or contamination of the analytical system that may cause the reporting of elevated analyte concentrations or false positive data. Unless other criteria are specified by the regulatory program, project-specific requirements, or method (1) target analytes detected in the method blanks at values at or greater than the MDLs must be reported and the associated environmental and laboratory QC sample results must be reported with appropriate data-qualifying codes, and (2) the presence of analytes in the method blanks at concentrations greater than the established reporting limits must indicate the need for corrective action and reanalysis of the samples associated with the method blanks must be performed before reporting the data. Unless required for a specific method, no results of USGS environmental samples must be corrected for the presence of analytes detected in the method blanks.

3.7.9 The Contractor must analyze laboratory control samples (LCS, secondary source standard) when applicable for the preparation or extraction of a batch of 20 or less samples per matrix type for each method; except for analytes for which spiking solutions are not available and not requested by the published method. The results of the LCS analyses are used as a positive control to monitor the method performance in terms of analytical accuracy. Whenever an analyte in a LCS does not meet the QC acceptance criteria, the problem must be evaluated, and the analytical system restored to meet the acceptable criteria by the method before any USGS samples are analyzed and reported. If there is no more sample volume to conduct a repreparation and re-testing of the samples, the Contractor will report the data with appropriate qualifier. If the samples must be reanalyzed because the quality of the results is compromised, the COR must be informed of the problem as soon as possible so that the need to collect another sample can be evaluated. Excessive number of samples result in batches reported with LCS qualifiers are grounds for meeting with the COR to resolve the issue and might lead to a contract termination.

3.7.10 The Contractor must analyze surrogate spikes for all organic chromatography methods in adherence with the published method, except when the published method does not require it.

For non- published methods the COR can approve not using them if the sample matrix precludes their use or when surrogate compounds are not available. Surrogates are added to the appropriate environmental samples and laboratory QC samples to monitor the success of sample preparation and the effects of sample composition on the accuracy of the analytical process on an individual sample basis.

3.7.11 The Contractor must analyze one matrix spike (MS) and matrix spike duplicate (MSD) at the frequency required by the published method, typically every 10 samples. Exceptions apply in congruence with the published method requirements. The results of the MS/MSD analyses are used as a positive control to monitor the effect of the sample matrix on the accuracy and precision of the method performance. USGS projects may collect and designate environmental samples for matrix spiking. The MS/MSD are part of the routine QC required for methods;

therefore, the price must be included in the method charge per analyte/sample. If the USGS does not designate the environmental samples to be matrix spiked, the MS/MSD samples selected by the Contractor should be rotated among the environmental samples received so that various matrix problems may be evaluated or addressed.

3.7.11.1 The COR may request from the Contractor matrix spike information such as spiking information; spike manufacturer, manufacturer lot number, certification date, expiration date, analyte(s) spiked, volume spiked, and the concentration spiked for each analyte. Acceptable file formats are .txt, .csv, Word, Excel, or other formats agreed by the COR prior to delivery. The expected turn-around-time for this request is ten (10) business days. An example of an acceptable file is available on request.

3.7.12 The Contractor must implement corrective actions whenever laboratory QC sample results do not meet the published method established criteria or specified QC acceptance criteria for non-published methods and as a last resort apply appropriate data-qualifying codes to the associated sample results. All corrective actions must be documented, the records maintained by the Contractor, and reported the COR in writing if they affect the integrity or quality of the results.

3.8 Perform analyses using established and specified analyte identification and quantitation procedures.

3.8.1 The Contractor must calibrate all analytical instruments in accordance with the methods used, instrument manufacturer's specifications, and regulatory-program requirements. The multipoint calibration curve must include a standard at a concentration at or below the established reporting limits. Records of standard preparation and instrument calibration must be maintained that unambiguously trace the preparation of standards, their use in calibration, and the quantitation of sample results. Calibration standards must be traceable to materials certified by the manufacturer, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), or other appropriate sources. Second-source standards must be required as stated in the published methods.

3.8.2 The Contractor must use analyte identification and quantitation procedures in accordance with 40 CFR (including part 136), the method, and regulatory-program requirements.

3.8.3 For Chlorophyll analyses, Contractor will ensure that proper parameter and method terms are used as defined. For the “EPA 445 acidification” method, parameters “chlorophyll a, uncorrected for pheophytin”, “pheophytin”, and “chlorophyll a, corrected for pheophytin” should be used. The term “chlorophyll-total” should not be used.

3.8.4 For organic analyses by gas chromatography (GC) or high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analytical methods that require second-column confirmation per published methods, the Contractor must perform confirmation analysis of target analytes detected with concentrations greater than or equal to the established MDLs.