Attachment_1_SOW.docx

Attachment 1. Statement of Work – CASTNET V

CASTNET V Statement of Work (SOW)

Project Background The Clean Air Status and Trends Network (CASTNET) is a long-term environmental monitoring network that measures changes in ambient air quality and assesses atmospheric deposition over broad geographic regions of the U.S. (http://www.epa.gov/castnet). Operating since 1987, CASTNET has evolved into a robust regional monitoring program which currently consists of approximately 95 monitoring stations nationwide. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) coordinates the operation of the network in cooperation with numerous federal, tribal, state and local partners. Figure 1 lists shows the location of CASTNET sites operating as of October 2015. A complete list of monitoring sites with coordinates is included in Appendix 1.

The primary monitoring objectives of CASTNET are to:

· Provide high quality data on atmospheric deposition, rural ground level ozone and other forms of atmospheric pollution;

· Support the primary and secondary ozone NAAQS and provide data on NAAQS compliance in rural areas;

· Monitor the status and trends in regional air quality and atmospheric deposition;

· Assess and report on geographic patterns and long-term, temporal trends in ambient air pollution and atmospheric deposition;

· Improve our understanding of PM and ozone formation;

· Validate and improve atmospheric models;

· Provide data for health-based research and epidemiology studies;

· Assess the effectiveness of EPA’s emission reduction programs; and

· Support science and ecosystem studies.

CASTNET sites measure weekly average concentrations of sulfate (SO42-), nitrate (NO3-), ammonium (NH4+), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitric acid (HNO3), chloride (Cl-) and the base cations (Na+, K+, Mg2+and Ca2+) using a 3-stage filter pack. In addition, each site may make ancillary measurements, including hourly ozone (O3), hourly meteorology, ammonia (NH3) gas using passive devices, and trace-level gases. Trace-level gas monitors include reactive oxidized nitrogen (NOy), nitric oxide (NO), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and carbon monoxide (CO). CASTNET O3, meteorological, and trace gas measurements follow the requirements in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and EPA’s Quality Assurance Handbook. A list of the ambient monitoring and meteorological measurement systems currently deployed at CASTNET sites is included as Appendix 2.

As a long-term regional monitoring program, CASTNET is critical for characterizing trends in deposition levels and identifying relationships among emissions, atmospheric loadings, ecological effects and human health. The EPA, other government agencies and the scientific community rely on the data and information from CASTNET, used in conjunction with information from other national monitoring networks (e.g., the National Atmospheric Deposition Program/National Trends Network (NADP/NTN), NADP’s Ammonia Monitoring Network (AMoN), NCore, the Chemical Speciation and Trends Network (CSN), and Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments (IMPROVE)), to evaluate the effectiveness of air pollution control strategies for regional areas and assess chemical changes in the atmosphere. Since atmospheric changes occur very slowly and trends are often obscured by the wide variability of measurements and climate, numerous years of continuous and consistent data are required to overcome this variability.

The EPA’s Office of Atmospheric Programs manages CASTNET and is committed to regional atmospheric monitoring to assess long-term environmental trends. The Clean Air Markets Division (CAMD), Office of Atmospheric Programs (OAP), is the lead in providing support and technical direction for CASTNET. Additional background information, current standard operating procedures (SOPs), and the CASTNET Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) are available at http://www.epa.gov/castnet.

Figure 1 Map of Active CASTNET Monitoring Sites (January 2016)

SOW Overview The Contractor shall provide the necessary technical support as described in this SOW to assist the EPA in the operation of the CASTNET program. The scope of this SOW includes specific requirements for the Core operation of the CASTNET program (Task 1) with additional Tasks issued to provide for specific activities at CASTNET sites. For these additional tasks, the monetary value, technical time and operational needs vary with the number of sites and activities performed at each site, and are reflected in this SOW. Tasks 1-21 are considered the Base Program. Task 22, Level of Effort/Special Studies, includes tasks that may include short-term research projects or indeterminate costs (land leases).

Task 1, Core Operations, includes requirements that do not vary in scope or cost with the number of monitoring sites. Task 1 will be exercised by EPA for each month in the Base Period and any subsequent option periods. Measurements made at each EPA-sponsored CASTNET site will be ordered through the remaining Tasks (2-21). For example, the Agency would order 1 unit for the operation of one filter pack at a typical CASTNET site (Task 2 or 3) for one month. Task 2 represents operating a filter pack flow system at a site with an operator that is a subcontractor to the Contractor. Task 3 represents with operating a filter pack flow system at a site without an operator (i.e. the operator is a partner, or supported through another agency, that performs on-site duties). Tasks 2 and 3 would include calibrating the mass flow controller, validating the flow and concentration data, and maintenance activities related to the tower, mass flow controller, data logger and pump. The Tasks are set up to allow flexibility in the operation of the network.

Task 14, filter media analysis, will be exercised for each CASTNET site with a filter pack. Under this Task, the Contractor will perform the laboratory analyses for weekly filter packs and QC checks. Units exercised under this Task are based on the number of filters analyzed for each site, including samples and necessary QC analyses. Task 14 is a fixed price (per unit) Task. Task 14 will be exercised by EPA for each filter media analysis in the Base Period and any subsequent option periods for each filter pack CASTNET site. Additional units may also be ordered for special studies or sampling performed under the Level of Effort (LOE)/Special Studies Task (Task 22). Furthermore, independent laboratory audit samples will be analyzed and reported to the appropriate organization under Task 15, artificial precipitation audit sample. Task 15 is also a fixed price (per unit) Task.

Tasks 1-22, with the exception of Tasks 14 and 15 are fixed rate Time & Materials Tasks. The unit price proposed by the Contractor for each fixed rate Task is an estimate of labor, ODCs, travel, and G&A for the work described.

The following is an example of how units may be ordered for the Rocky Mountain National Park, CO (ROM206) EPA-sponsored CASTNET site for one year of operation (12 months). ROM206 includes a filter pack, an ozone analyzer, and a NO/NOy analyzer. For this example, we will also assume that EPA installed an NTN sampler 6-months into the option period. The Contractor would provide a site operator at this site.

Table 1 Example of units that would be ordered for a CASTNET site for a 12-month option period

Required Tasks

Task 1: Core Network Operations

The objective of Core Network Operations is to provide essential services for operating the network as whole. In general, these are activities that would be required regardless of the number of sites operating in the network, and include project management, data management, provisions for maintaining network property and quality assurance. The operation of individual site measurements and other activities that are routine activities for each site are provided through Tasks 2-21. Activities and tasks that are dependent on the number and type of monitoring locations, such as site utilities, telemetry to the site (e.g., phone or internet service) and site land leases, shall be provided through the Task 22 and shall not be included under Task 1 Core Operations. The following sections describe the specific requirements for this task.

1.1 Data Management and Analysis

The Contractor shall be responsible for data storage and reporting of all information acquired in this Statement of Work, including data acquired under Task 22.

EPA will provide an archive of historical operations, deposition and air quality data acquired during previous contract periods. The Contractor shall maintain these archives in conjunction with data and information acquired in this contract period.

To manage and report this information efficiently and accurately while continuing to acquire data from on-going operations, the Contractor shall manage a database management system (DBMS) in a development/testing/production environment.

The Contractor shall be responsible for managing all information described in this Statement of Work, including the data management activities required for data collection, processing, validation, storage, documentation and reporting. All data shall be identified, documented with appropriate metadata and stored in the database. The types of data include, but are not limited to:

· All continuous measurements, observations and equipment status data generated by the Network. All continuous data and equipment status data shall be stored in the database with a minimum time resolution of one hour.

· Field observations made by the site operators. Non-routine field observations maybe be transcribed from hard copy forms or field notebooks sent in by the site operator.

· Results of laboratory analyses, including those types for routine samples, routine quality assurance samples, samples for method development or special studies, internal and external laboratory audits, internal and external system audits, and inter-laboratory comparisons.

· Site status and location data for any sampling location, including latitude, longitude, elevation, political address (e.g., country, state, and county), conditions and surroundings within 1 km, site contacts, and site operators and their contact information.

· Site photos and maps. All site photos shall be stored as binary objects in the database or as references to electronic images. The referenced electronic image shall be considered part of the database.

· Measurements and criteria from field calibrations and audits.

· Model results.

· Special studies and non-traditional sampling methods.

· Quality assurance information from routine and non-routine sources.

· The National Park Service’s (NPS) and Bureau of Land Management Wyoming State Office (BLM-WSO) CASTNET data. The Contractor shall import and manage all available CASTNET data acquired by the NPS and BLM-WSO for the operation of their CASTNET sites for all types of data listed above. The NPS and BLM-WSO or their designee will deliver data electronically to the Contractor in a format agreeable to EPA, NPS and BLM-WSO.

The Contractor shall maintain a data dictionary of all objects within the database, including tables, columns, constraints, and data validation codes. The Contractor shall use established good data practices to ensure that database objects and applications developed by the Contractor have been properly tested and documented before use in the production environment. The Contractor shall ensure that all electronic data acquisitions and transfers into and from the database are accurate and complete by checksum comparisons, or equivalent methods.

The EPA currently uses the Oracle® Enterprise Database 11g Release 2 (11.2.0.1.0) DBMS in a UNIX environment. The EPA anticipates that this platform will be used throughout the life of this contract, although upgrades to the DBMS and operating system are likely. A description of the CASTNET schema is attached as Attachment 15. Upon award of the contract the EPA will provide the Contractor a complete and functional archive of the current contractor's Oracle database, and a complete and functional export of the EPA's Oracle schema.

1.1.1 Data Reporting

The Contractor shall deliver data to the EPA electronically for loading into the EPA database with a minimum amount of human intervention and sufficient quality assurance checks and procedures to ensure that each data transfer has been accomplished accurately and completely. If the Contractor requires connection to the EPA servers for data transfers, the Contractor must conform to requirements for access to the EPA servers described at http://www2.epa.gov/webguide/access-epa-servers-and-tssms-accounts#outside Table 2 lists the routine data deliverables the Contractor shall submit to the EPA Project Officer (PO) and Task Order Project Manager (TOPO). See Table 1-6 CASTNET Routine Data Reporting in the CASTNET QAPP v. 8.2 for a full list of the required data deliverables. Additionally, all data from laboratory analyses and special studies shall be delivered by the Contractor to EPA with 120 calendar days of sample collection.

Table 2 Delivery schedule for routine CASTNET measurements Delivery Schedule for CASTNET Data

(http://www.airnowtech.org/)

All ozone, trace gas and meteorological data shall be submitted to AIRNow through AirNow Tech by the Contractor. The data format specification may be obtained from http://www.airnowtech.org/Resources/AIRNow-I_AQCSV-Final.pdf.

All data collected utilizing 40 CFR Parts 50, 53, 58 requirements shall be submitted to the AQS database by the Contractor utilizing AQS protocols and reporting schedules. AQS manuals and guides may be obtained from http://www.epa.gov/ttn/airs/airsaqs/.

Final data acquired through this contract shall be available to the EPA on a routine schedule, or in response to ad hoc data requests from the TOPO. The EPA PO shall determine the timing and content of deliveries pursuant to the contract Technical Direction Clause. The Contractor shall deliver an electronic replica of the database and all supporting applications to the EPA annually. Documentation of all database objects shall be included within the database.

1.1.2 Data Archiving

The Contractor shall maintain historical archives of CASTNET data from its inception, including primary measurements from continuous monitors, sampling information, analytical results, laboratory quality assurance data, inter-laboratory comparisons, model results, site locations and configurations, data from special studies, and data from other organizations used in the CASTNET program.

1.1.3 Data Security and Disaster Recovery

The Contractor shall provide for data security and deliver a detailed disaster recovery plan to the COR within 60 calendar days after contract award. The disaster recovery plan shall include all elements of good data management practices, including an effective backup strategy; off-site storage of database backup files, critical software and electronic documents; and an effective data restoration plan that provides for a minimum of data loss in the event of a disaster. The Contractor’s Data Security and Disaster Recovery plan(s) will be subject to EPA review and approval upon receipt.

1.1.4 Data Analysis

CASTNET dry deposition fluxes are calculated as a product of measured ambient air concentration values and inferentially-derived deposition velocities. Historically, the Multi-layer Model (MLM) has been used to estimate deposition velocities, accounting for stomatal and boundary layer resistance to deposition at multiple levels in a canopy. Because EPA has discontinued development of the MLM, other Eulerian models such as the Community Multi-scaled Air Quality model (CMAQ) and Comprehensive Air Quality Model with Extensions (CAMx) have been proposed by the deposition science community for providing dry deposition estimates. Currently, EPA is using historical deposition velocities to replace missing or discontinued meteorological parameters. EPA is also using CMAQ to provide estimates of dry deposition from CASTNET measured concentrations. The Contractor shall be capable of running the MLM using existing CASTNET data and historical average deposition velocities. The Contractor shall also be capable of analyzing output from the Eulerian air quality models to provide dry deposition estimates.

The Contractor shall have the technical expertise to perform complex statistical analyses (e.g., principal component, cluster and time series analyses) using a robust statistical analysis package (e.g., SAS, S-plus, and R).

The Contractor shall be technically capable of performing basic geographic and geostatistical analyses such as calculating geographic means and creating interpolations of geographic data sets using Inverse Distance Weighted, Kriging and Co-Variant Kriging algorithms; and producing publication-quality maps from these analyses. The EPA will request that the Contractor perform geographic and geostatical analyses to report on long-term regional trends as measured by CASTNET.

1.1.5 Data validation

The Contractor shall screen and validate data from continuous field measurements for reasonableness using historical criteria, physical constraints, equipment status or other established and documented criteria. All data shall be screened by the Contractor for data anomalies by applying screening checks for physical maximum, minimum, reasonable boundaries, rate of change, allowable characters or other documented criteria. Any changes to raw data shall be recorded in the database and identified with a data validity code that identifies the circumstance or criteria by which the determination was made that the data is anomalous. All data entered by human data entry by the Contractor (or subcontractor) shall be validated either by independent double entry or statistically defensible means to document a minimum of 99.99 percent data accuracy. The Contractor shall screen, validate, code and submit all data collected in compliance with 40 CFR regulations to the EPA Air Quality System (AQS) database.

1.2 Quality Assurance

Quality Assurance (QA) includes, but is not limited to, those activities conducted by and for the Contractor’s management that assure and evaluate the effectiveness and appropriateness of all monitoring-related processes that might affect the quality of data delivered to the EPA under the contract. Typically, QA activities shall ensure that the Quality Control (QC) functions are carried out following the QAPP v8.2 into the operational functions of the work. The Contractor shall periodically evaluate the timeliness, effectiveness, and appropriateness of the QC activities, as outlined and specified in the QAPP v8.2 and EPA QA guidance (i.e. EPA’s Quality Assurance Handbook for Air Pollution Measurement Systems).

The QA/QC program shall provide a uniform basis for sample handling, analysis, instrument and/or methods calibration and maintenance, equipment and method acceptance testing, performance evaluation, analytical data gathering, data processing and analysis, and reporting. In many instances where methodologies are available, specific QC procedures shall be incorporated into the method documentation (i.e. Standard Operating Procedures) by the Contractor.

The Contractor shall perform quality assurance activities independent of project management. The Contractor’s quality assurance team shall prepare and deliver to the EPA four quarterly reports within 30 calendar days after the end of the calendar quarter for the base period and each option year of the contract. The quarterly reports will briefly describe and summarize systematic data quality issues identified and remedial actions taken during the quarter. Systematic data quality issues are defined as procedures or equipment within the project that may be introducing unacceptable bias or uncertainty into the data. The Contractor’s quality assurance team shall also prepare and deliver to the EPA an annual report summarizing the current quality state of the CASTNET program, as measured by the various quality control indicators identified in the QAPP v.8.2.

1.3 Equipment Depot/Equipment Repair and Maintenance

The Contractor shall purchase new equipment and parts for the on-going operation and enhancement of the network on behalf of the EPA. Equipment and parts shall be delivered to the Contractor’s facility or installation sites. Prior to deploying equipment for service, the Contractor shall ensure that field equipment is operating properly by performing and documenting acceptance testing of all the equipment purchased by EPA delivered to the Contractor’s facility. Acceptance tests shall include comparisons of instrument outputs to known, calibrated values and checks of zero, span, and drift, noise levels, response time, and detection limits. The Contractor shall notify the EPA TOPO and should return to the manufacturer any equipment that fails acceptance testing.

The Contractor shall ensure sufficient spare parts are on hand to meet or exceed the requirements of this contract and shall purchase spare parts on a periodic basis to ensure sufficient spare parts are available at all times. The Contractor shall be responsible for affixing property tags properly to all EPA-purchased equipment and parts.

The Contractor shall maintain and update a database inventory of all EPA capital equipment. The current equipment inventory is included in Attachment 2. At a minimum, the inventory database shall contain the following fields: equipment description, manufacturer name, model number, serial number, EPA property number, location, purchase price, month and year of purchase, current condition and disposition. For quality assurance purposes, the history of all ozone analyzers and transfer standards shall be traceable using this database. The Contractor shall provide a written report on equipment inventory to EPA annually, and upon request by the PO.

The Contractor shall be responsible for the maintenance and repair (including costs) of all instruments, shelters, and data acquisition systems. Routine maintenance and repair expenses of task-specific equipment and instruments shall be included in the relevant task pricing. The Contractor shall insure that all equipment is in good working condition, is conducive to a safe work environment and is provided appropriate protection and security. The equipment shall be Government Furnished Property (GFP) or Contractor Furnished Property (CFP). The EPA may require equipment to be upgraded as new techniques, instrumentation, and improved components become available, and may require the replacement of outdated equipment that has reached the end of its operating lifetime. New or replacement equipment shall be government furnished equipment.

1.4 Data Acquisition System

The Contractor shall use an automated data acquisition system (DAS).

1.5 Training (site operators)

The Contractor shall provide standard substantive, hands on training to each new site operator. Training topics shall include, but not be limited to, an overview of the CASTNET program, equipment operation and maintenance, sampling procedures, safety, documentation and quality assurance as described in the QAPP v. 8.2. The Contractor shall evaluate operator performance in these activities, and provide adequate training until the site operator is proficient, in accordance with the data quality objectives described in the QAPP. The Contractor shall maintain the training records for each site operator at the site and at the Contractor’s facility.

1.6 Field Calibrations

The Contractor shall visit each active CASTNET monitoring station at least twice per year to perform routine calibration and maintenance of all CASTNET field equipment. The preparation (i.e. maintaining calibration laboratory), data management, and coordination of the field calibrations are included under Task 1. The preparation and travel hours, equipment, and materials necessary to actually perform the calibration shall be included under the relevant Task (e.g., hours to perform trace gas calibrations shall be included under Tasks 8 – 13).

In preparing for site visits, the Contractor shall coordinate with site operators and notify the TOPO of all scheduled site visits no less than 2 weeks prior to the visit. Upon arrival at each monitoring site and before any adjustments are made to any instruments, the Contractor shall conduct and record complete performance checks on all air quality systems, meteorological sensors, and data acquisition systems.

The Contractor shall perform the field calibrations listed in Table 2-5 Acceptance Criteria for CASTNET Field Calibrations included in the CASTNET QAPP v. 8.2 at each site using the specified method, or an equivalent or better method that meets the acceptance criteria. The Contractor shall operate all data collection activities in accordance with the quality assurance documentation described in section 1.2 of this SOW (i.e QAPP v.8.2, 40 CFR Part 50, EPA’s Quality Assurance Handbook for Air Pollution Measurement Systems).

1.9 Third Party Audits

The Contractor shall provide State and local agencies with access to CASTNET sites for the purpose of audits, installation of data loggers or installation and operation of additional monitoring equipment as space permits. EPA requests that any agency that plans to perform an audit contact the EPA CASTNET program manager and the CASTNET contractor. The contractor may work with the site operator for site access. It is estimated that no more than 50 EPA managed CASTNET sites will be visited by State or local agencies per year.

1.10 Laboratory Accreditation Requirements

The Contractor’s proposed laboratory methods shall comply with EPA’s policies on measurement competency under acquisition agreements during the performance of the contract.

The Contractor must be accredited by a nationally recognized organization for the analytical procedures listed in Table 3 to meet EPA’s requirements for CASTNET. The Contractor must participate in inter-laboratory comparison programs for the analytical measurements listed in Table 3. The inter-laboratory comparison programs must submit samples at concentrations similar to the CASTNET measurement levels (trace). The results of these inter-laboratory comparisons will be evaluated during the laboratory accreditation/renewal.

Table 3 Laboratory accreditation requirements for CASTNET

The Contractor’s accreditation shall be maintained (active) for the entire contract period of performance. The Contractor shall notify the CO and the PO prior to any lapse in accreditation for any of the required analyses. If there is a lapse, the PO will determine how to address any impacts to the scope of work being performed under the contract.

Task 2: Dry Deposition Filter pack with an operator

The Contractor shall be responsible for the operation of a 3-stage filter pack to collected particles and gases at a site. Particles and selected gases shall be collected by passing air at controlled flow rates through a sequence of Teflon®, nylon, and base-impregnated filters. The Contractor shall perform filter pack sampling 10-meters above ground surface using a tilt-down tower. Filter pack flow shall be maintained with mass flow controllers at standard conditions of 25°C and 101.33 k Pascal (760 mmHg). Flow shall be maintained at 1.5 liters per minute (LPM) at sites having higher concentrations of analytes (generally sites in the Eastern U.S.) and 3.0 LPM at sites having lower concentrations (generally sites in the Western U.S.) or at other flow rates upon technical direction from the TOPO. Filter packs shall be replaced at each site every Tuesday at approximately 0900 hours by a site operator employed by the Contractor or as a subcontractor. In order to calculate the flow rate, the Contractor shall make continuous 9-m temperature measurements at each filter pack site. The temperature measurements shall be stored by the Contractor as hourly averages.

Under this task, the Contractor shall perform semi-annual field calibrations on the flow system, data acquisition system and 9-m temperature probe. During each field calibration, ‘as found’ and ‘as left’ values shall be recorded in the database.

SOPs and the CASTNET QAPP describing filter pack operations are available at http://www.epa.gov/castnet.

Task 3: Dry Deposition Filter pack without an operator

The Contractor shall operate a dry deposition filter pack as described in Task 2, except under Task 3 the operator will provide independent support to the network (i.e. EPA will not pay for site operator support. The site operator will be supported by an outside agency or organization). Under this task the operator may be a government employee where their time and support is covered by another agency.

Task 4: Ozone Monitoring with operator

The Contractor shall operate an ozone analyzer and on-site transfer standard in accordance with 40 CFR Parts 50, 53 and 58; the guidance in “Quality Assurance Handbook for Air Pollution Measurement Systems”, Volumes I, and II (http://www3.epa.gov/ttn/amtic/qalist.html); “Transfer Standards for Calibration of Air Monitoring Analyzers for Ozone” (EPA-600/4-79-056); and “Technical Assistance Document for the Calibration of Ambient Ozone Monitors” (EPA-600/4-79-057) (http://www3.epa.gov/ttn/amtic/cpreldoc.html). Daily zero, span and precision check shall be performed by the Contractor to verify data meeting the acceptance criteria. See Table 4-12 in the CASTNET QAPP v 8.2 for CASTNET ozone acceptance criteria.

Under this Task, the Contractor is responsible for maintaining shelter temperature in accordance with 40 CFR Part 58. The Contractor shall perform field calibrations of the ozone analyzer, on-site ozone transfer standard, and shelter temperature probe bi-annually (every 6-months). Under this Task, the site operator will be a employee of the Contractor or subcontractor for the Contractor.

The Contractor shall be responsible for submitting regulatory compliant hourly ozone data and 1-point precision checks to AQS quarterly.

SOPs and the CASTNET QAPP describing CASTNET ozone monitoring are available at http://www.epa.gov/castnet.

Task 5: Ozone Monitoring without operator

The Contractor shall operate an ozone monitor as described in Task 4, except under Task 5 the operator will provide independent support to the network (i.e. EPA will not pay for site operator support. The site operator will be supported by an outside agency or organization).

Task 6: Meteorology with an operator

Wind speed, wind direction, 2 meter temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation, precipitation and surface wetness measurements shall be made by the contractor in accordance with the “Quality Assurance Handbook for Air Pollution Measurement Systems Volume IV: Meteorological Measurements Version 2.0 (EPA-454/B-08-002) available at http://www3.epa.gov/ttn/amtic/qalist.html”.

Under this Task the site operator will be provided by the Contractor. Data shall be polled and stored as hourly averages in the database by the Contractor. Level I data shall be delivered to the EPA by the Contractor no more than 12 hours after data collection ends each day.

The calibration of each of the meteorological sensors shall be included under this Task. Sensors shall be calibrated twice per year by the Contractor using the acceptance criteria in Table 2-5 (Acceptance Criteria for CASTNET Field Calibrations) in the CASTNET QAPP v. 8.2.

SOPs and the CASTNET QAPP describing the operation of the meteorological sensors are available at http://www.epa.gov/castnet.

Task 7: Meteorology without an operator

The Contractor shall operate a suite of meteorology sensors as described in Task 6, except under Task 7 the operator will provide independent support to the network (i.e. EPA will not pay for site operator support. The site operator will be supported by an outside agency or organization).

Task 8: Continuous NOy/NO with an operator

The Contractor shall operate a NOy/NO analyzer according to the manufacturer’s manual and recommendation. The operation shall be consistent with 40 CFR Parts 50, 53 and 58, the “Quality Assurance Handbook for Air Pollution Measurement Systems, Volume II (EPA-545/B-13-003)” and the “Technical Assistance Document (TAD) for Precursor Gas Measurements in the NCore Multi-pollutant Monitoring Network” (EPA-454/R-05-003) available at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/amtic/ncore/guidance/tadversion4.pdf.

Under this task the site operator will be provided by the Contractor. The Contractor is responsible for maintaining shelter temperature in accordance with 40 CFR Part 58. The Contractor shall perform field calibrations of the NOy analyzer and shelter temperature probe quarterly. Acceptance criteria for the NOy analyzer can be found in Table 6 of the CASTNET QAPP v. 8.2 Appendix 11.

The Contractor shall be responsible for submitting regulatory compliant NOy data and QC results to AQS quarterly.

SOPs and the CASTNET QAPP describing NO/NOy operations are available at http://www.epa.gov/castnet.

Task 9: Continuous NOy/NO without an operator

The Contractor shall operate a continuous trace gas NO/NOy analyzer as described in Task 8, except under Task 9 the operator will provide independent support to the network (i.e. EPA will not pay for site operator support. The site operator will be supported by an outside agency or organization).

Task 10: Continuous SO2 with an operator

The Contractor shall operate a SO2 analyzer according to the manufacturer’s manual and recommendation. The operation shall be consistent with 40 CFR Parts 50, 53 and 58, the “Quality Assurance Handbook for Air Pollution Measurement Systems, Volume II (EPA-545/B-13-003)” and the “Technical Assistance Document (TAD) for Precursor Gas Measurements in the NCore Multi-pollutant Monitoring Network” (EPA-454/R-05-003) available at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/amtic/ncore/guidance/tadversion4.pdf.

Under this Task the site operator will be provided by the Contractor. The Contractor is responsible for maintaining shelter temperature in accordance with 40 CFR Part 58. The Contractor shall perform field calibrations of the SO2 analyzer, MFC calibrator and shelter temperature probe quarterly. Acceptance criteria for the SO2 analyzer can be found in Table 6 of the CASTNET QAPP v. 8.2 Appendix 11.

The Contractor shall be responsible for submitting regulatory compliant SO2 data and QC results to AQS quarterly.

SOPs and the CASTNET QAPP describing SO2 operations are available at http://www.epa.gov/castnet.

Task 11: Continuous SO2 without an operator

The Contractor shall operate a continuous trace gas SO2 analyzer as described in Task 10, except under Task 11 the operator will provide independent support to the network (i.e. EPA will not pay for site operator support. The site operator will be supported by an outside agency or organization).

Task 12: Continuous CO with an operator

The Contractor shall operate a CO analyzer according to the manufacturer’s manual and recommendation. The operation shall be consistent with 40 CFR Parts 50, 53 and 58, the “Quality Assurance Handbook for Air Pollution Measurement Systems, Volume II (EPA-545/B-13-003)” and the “Technical Assistance Document (TAD) for Precursor Gas Measurements in the NCore Multi-pollutant Monitoring Network” (EPA-454/R-05-003) available at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/amtic/ncore/guidance/tadversion4.pdf.

Under this Task the site operator will be provided by the Contractor. The Contractor is responsible for maintaining shelter temperature in accordance with 40 CFR Part 58. The Contractor shall perform field calibrations of the CO analyzer, MFC calibrator and shelter temperature probe quarterly. Acceptance criteria for the CO analyzer can be found in Table 6 of the CASTNET QAPP v. 8.2 Appendix 11.

The Contractor shall be responsible for submitting regulatory compliant CO data and QC results to AQS quarterly.

SOPs and the CASTNET QAPP describing CO operations are available at http://www.epa.gov/castnet.

Task 13: Continuous CO without an operator

The Contractor shall operate a continuous trace gas CO analyzer as described in Task 12, except under Task 13 the operator will provide independent support to the network (i.e. EPA will not pay for site operator support. The site operator will be supported by an outside agency or organization).

Task 14: Filter Media Analysis

The Contractor shall be responsible for providing sample preparation and analytical services for two types of samples: 1) sample filters, and 2) precipitation samples for inter-laboratory comparisons (Task 15). The Contractor shall maintain the technical capability to perform the required sample preparation and analytical services required and provide an acceptable level of personnel, equipment, and support systems (i.e. deionized water system). The Contractor’s responsibilities shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

· Purchasing, maintenance, and pre-sampling treatment of all required filter media;

· Appropriate shipping containers and shipment of all filter media to the field, including field blanks;

· Analysis of all samples, laboratory quality control samples, blanks, calibration standards, filter production-lot acceptance testing and performance evaluation samples;

· All sampling and analysis data entry;

· Purchase and maintenance of laboratory instruments and consumable supplies; and

· Storage and archival of all sample extracts and filter media.

The following filters and parts are used for the filter pack assembly:

· A 47 mm PTFE (polypropylene backed) membrane Teflon filter with a 1.0 µm pore size is manufactured by Whatman® (catalog number 7590 004).

· A 47 mm Nylon membrane NylasorbTM filter with a 1.0 µm pore size is manufactured by PALL Life Sciences (P/N 66509).

· A 47 mm cellulose Whatman® ashless paper filter is manufactured by Whatman (catalog number 1441 047) and identified with a 41 on the box.

The estimated number of samples that may be analyzed for the base year and each of the four option years is provided in Appendix 3.

14.1 Media Acceptance

The Contractor shall be responsible for the purchase and preparation of all filter media. Each three-stage filter pack shall contain a Teflon® filter, a nylon filter, and two base-impregnated cellulose Whatman® filters. The Contractor shall be responsible for impregnating the cellulose filter with potassium carbonate. Upon direction by the PO, the Contractor shall coordinate the purchase of filter media with other monitoring networks to ensure consistency in sample results.

The Contractor shall perform extraction and analysis acceptance tests on all filters before assembly. The Contractor shall perform acceptance testing on a sufficient number of filters from each type of filter box to determine with 95 percent confidence that analyte contamination for the box of filters does not exceed 2 times the method detection limit. Laboratory blank samples shall be prepared by the Contractor as the filter packs are prepared. In addition, filter blank samples shall be sent to the field by the Contractor quarterly in order to evaluate the effects of preparation and shipping on sample media.

14.2 Filter pack Preparation and Analysis

Prior to loading of filters, each three-stage filter pack assembly shall be cleaned with deionized water, oven-dried, assembled and inspected for damage by the Contractor. The Contractor shall ship filter packs to field sites for sampling. Filters shall not be used more than 30 days after preparation.

After sampling in the field, filter packs shall be shipped from the field sites to the Contractor and disassembled for extraction and analysis by the Contractor. The Contractor shall extract all filters using methods that produce extraction efficiencies comparable to historical CASTNET filter extraction methods. Sample extracts shall be stored at 4 degrees Celsius for at least 8 hours prior to analysis.

The Contractor shall analyze filter media for anions (SO42- and NO3-), base cations (Na+, Ca2+, K+, and Mg2+) and ammonium (NH4+). Each sample shall be analyzed for the complete set of analytes. The Contractor shall analyze filter extracts using the methods specified in the CASTNET QAPP v. 8.2 Table 3-2 or an equivalent or better method which has been approved by the EPA.

14.3 Sample Management

After field sampling is complete, samples shall be sent back to the Contractor’s laboratory where they shall be received, labeled, and inspected for damage. Samples shall be stored by the Contractor at 4°C before and after analysis. Extracts shall be stored for a minimum of two years after the collection of the sample. The Contractor shall track and manage samples using an automated tracking system such as bar codes or optical character recognition.

The Contractor shall use a laboratory information management system (LIMS) for automatic data acquisition, efficient sample tracking and laboratory data management to the fullest extent practicable. The Contractor shall use an automated data acquisition system or provide for and document a minimum 99.99 percent data accuracy of manually entered data for all laboratory data acquisition. All data entered by manual data entry shall be validated either by independent double entry or statistically defensible means to document the minimum data accuracy.

14.4 Laboratory Quality Assurance

In order to maintain an acceptable quality of data and to establish estimates of accuracy and precision, the Contractor shall have quality assurance procedures for laboratory analysis in place. The Contractor shall randomly replicate 5% of the samples within an analysis to assess precision.

The Contractor shall analyze the following quality control standards:

· A NIST-traceable Calibration Verification Standard produced by an independent lab shall be run after every 10 environmental samples and at the end of the batch to track instrument drift;

· A NIST-traceable reference standard produced by an independent lab shall be analyzed at the beginning and end of each run to assess accuracy;

· One method blank shall be analyzed with each extraction; and

· For Ion Chromatography analyses, internal injection standards shall be prepared to assess shifts in retention time and sample injection volume.

The Contractor shall be generate calibration curves for all analyses, and all samples must fall within range of the calibration curve. Quality control standards, calibration curves, sample replicates, and filter blanks must meet the specified acceptance criteria (See the CASTNET QAPP v. 8.2 Table 3-4). The Contractor shall document in the Quality Assurance Project Plan corrective actions for samples that do not meet these acceptance criteria. Quality assurance analyses shall be reported to the EPA by the Contractor quarterly using accepted laboratory methods for aggregating and calculating statistics.

To minimize the occurrence of instrument failure and system malfunctions, the Contractor shall be responsible for instrument calibration, inspection, testing, and maintenance including, but not limited to, lubrication of pumps, prevention of instrument leaks, and maintenance and replacement of valves and fittings.

14.5 Laboratory Accreditation

The Contractor’s proposed laboratory shall comply with EPA’s policies on measurement competency under acquisition agreements (http://www.epa.gov/measurements/ensuring-measurement-competency). See section 1.10 of this SOW for more information.

Task 15: Inter-laboratory Comparison Samples

The Contractor shall analyze precipitation and natural water laboratory inter-comparison samples for anions (SO42- and NO3-), base cations (Na+, Ca2+, K+, and Mg2+), ammonium (NH4+), and pH using the methods specified in the CASTNET QAPP v. 8.2 Table 3-2. Each sample shall be analyzed for the complete set of analytes by the Contractor. Inter-laboratory comparison studies are necessary for the documentation of laboratory performance and coordination of results with other North American monitoring networks, including the Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments (IMPROVE) Network, the Canadian Acid Precipitation Monitoring Network (CAPMoN), and the National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP).

Task 16: Operation of NADP Ammonia Monitoring Site Co-located with CASTNET

The NADP is structured as a cooperative program that represents coordinated efforts of many interested individuals and organizations to operate monitoring sites, report data, and oversee research activities related to atmospheric deposition. For more information on NADP, visit: http://nadp.isws.illinois.edu.

Each NADP site has a sponsoring agency and an operating agency. For some sites the sponsoring and operating agencies may be the same. Site sponsors and operating participants are responsible for ensuring that the equipment, facilities, materials, resources, and people are available to operate and maintain the site. Uniformity is essential to obtain data on how the chemical climate in the nation’s ecological regions is changing over seasons, years, and even decades. This helps ensure the data are geographically representative and comparable from site to site and are an essential part of any long-term environmental monitoring network. Sites must conform to fixed site selection and installation criteria and follow standard procedures for collecting, handling, and measuring samples (NADP 2003). The EPA currently sponsors and provides operational support for several NADP network sites as well as supports a quality assurance program. The program provides information on the conditions of each site and helps determine if site equipment is functioning properly and samples collection and data provided by the site operators are in conformance with NADP standard operating procedures.

16.1 Purpose

The primary purpose of Task 16 is to provide site operation and maintenance of EPA-sponsored NADP/AMoN sites collocated with CASTNET sites (Appendix 4).

The site operator has primary responsibility for bi-weekly sample change-outs, sample documentation, sample shipments and maintenance of the site (e.g., maintaining NADP local siting criteria). Excluding travel to the site, site operators generally spend 30 minutes performing the required bi-weekly (every other Tuesday) duties.

Site Operator responsibilities include:

· Travel to the site every other Tuesday.

· Collect AMoN sampler(s) from rain shelter and record any observations on the field form.

· Install a new sampler(s) in the rain shelter.

· Ship the sampler and field observation form back to the Central Analytical Laboratory (CAL) in the prepared shipping container.

16.2 Site Operation Support

Site operation and maintenance tasks associated with operating AMoN sites listed in Appendix 4 will be provided by the Contractor under this Task.

The Contractor shall ensure that an available and trained site operator is performing the site operator duties as specified in the NADP Site Operation Manual (NADP 1999-01). This also includes identifying a designated back-up site operator for each site in the event the primary site operator is not available.

Task 17: Operation of NADP/NTN Site Co-located with CASTNET

17.1 Purpose

The primary purpose of Task 17 is to provide site operation and maintenance of EPA-sponsored NADP/National Trends Network (NTN) sites co-located with CASTNET sites (Appendix 4).

The site operator has primary responsibility for monitoring equipment operation and maintenance, physical maintenance of the site (e.g., maintaining NADP local siting criteria), weekly collection and measurement of samples, sample documentation, and submission of samples and documentation to the Central Analytical Laboratory (CAL). One or more observers may assist the site operator in these responsibilities (i.e. a backup site operator). Excluding travel to the site, site operators generally spend about 2 hours performing the required weekly (every Tuesday) duties.