SOW IDIQ.DOCX

SCOPE OF SERVICES FOR

FY20 IDIQ Contract for Environmental Sampling, Assessment, And Analytical Services U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District

1. GENERAL

The Contractor shall furnish all personnel, equipment, and supplies to provide environmental sampling and analytical services for projects within the boundaries of the Great Lakes and Ohio River Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).

Contractor performance will be in accordance with this Scope of Services (Scope).

The primary objective of the Scope is to facilitate the overall environmental services and testing needs of the USACE Detroit District by conducting assessments, obtaining samples at project areas, and providing analytical services.

2. SCOPE OF SERVICES

This Scope of Services (Scope) describes the field and analytical services support that the USACE requires for the characterization of soils, sediments, sludges, ground waters, surface waters, tissues, oils, wastes, and other environmental sample types. Typically, projects involve the collection of samples at field sites and analyzing those samples to determine the concentrations of various pollutants. The USACE is concerned about these constituents at trace concentration levels. Concentrations of interest are those typical of ambient open water as well as standards and criteria for water and soil/sediment quality. In addition, samples are frequently required to undergo several predictive tests including leaching tests and bioassays. Other environmental services work including, but not limited to, Site Assessments, invasive species treatments, wetland delineations, and Archeological or biological surveys (fish, wildlife, birds, and mollusks) may also be requested. The work to be done hereunder consists of furnishing and delivering to the USACE all supplies and services necessary to conduct environmental investigations as requested by specific delivery orders.

The objective is to obtain technically valid and legally defensible environmental data that will meet or exceed the site-specific Data Quality Objectives (DQOs) as identified in each delivery order. The Scope describes the management policies, objectives, principles, and procedures that will be used to generate data of the required quality. It also defines the quality assurance program for oversight of the Laboratory activities and for the evaluation of the analytical data generated by the Laboratory. Work performed under this contract related to sampling and analysis of Hazardous, Toxic and Radiological Waste (HTRW) shall meet the applicable portions of the Department of Defense Quality Systems Manual (QSM) located here https://www.denix.osd.mil/edqw/documents/manuals/qsm-version-5-3-final/.

A typical USACE sampling and analysis project requires collection of sediment, water and/or benthos samples in harbors and connecting channels within the boundaries of the USACE Detroit District to include Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and portions of Indiana. Occasionally work may include sampling and analysis from project sites within other Districts in the Great Lakes and Ohio River Division. Sampling projects may involve deep borings using a drilling rig, gravity-drop cores, or grab samples of sediment and water. Most of the work would normally take place from mid-March to mid-December. However, some work might take place in the winter on ice formed. The Contractor must be prepared to perform sampling under adverse conditions, including sampling through ice, when directed.

A second category of work ordered is the monitoring of Dredged Material Disposal Facilities (DMDFs). A DMDF is a diked area, usually adjacent to shore, where dredge material is either hydraulically placed via a slurry of dredged material or mechanically placed. The DMDF fills with water as the solids settle. Overflow discharge is monitored to assure compliance with State and U.S. water quality regulations. Wells in the DMDF dikes are also monitored to assess the quality of water seeping through semi-permeable dike walls. There would be one to 10 of these projects that require monitoring in a given year.

Another category of work is GIS application. GIS work may include acquisition of spatial data including maps, aerial and satellite images, digital photography, and GPS ground control. GIS work may also include GIS development including database design, attribution, population and querying; linking of chemical and image data to sampling locations; development of maps, charts, cross-sections and other summary figures; conducting spatial and image analysis; translations between file formats and coordinate systems and maintaining and updating existing databases and production of digital and hard copy final products.

The USACE also operates several vessel maintenance facilities and is required to ensure environmental compliance for these operations. Projects at these facilities might involve soil sampling, storm water discharge monitoring, Petroleum Storage Tank (PST) sampling, hazardous waste sampling or property audits. Phase I/II Environmental Site Assessments, or Archeological Surveys may be required on upland property when proposed for dredged material disposal, or other construction projects within our project areas.

This Scope also outlines the specifications for the collection, identification and/or analysis of other organisms such as fish, vascular plants, plankton, etc. Effects-based testing may include evaluating effects of a sediment or water samples on specified organisms in the laboratory.

Since litigation over possible environmental effects may arise, it is essential that field procedures and laboratory tests ensure that the production of data is to the highest degree of confidence, reproducibility, and reliability achievable by approved state-of-the- art methodologies. Full control over sample integrity and/or loss of sample constituents during the total process of sampling, sample handling and preservation, and testing, is necessary to obtain the quality of results the USACE requires. Pursuant to this, sampling and analysis must follow the approved procedures, quality assurance, and control requirements described in the following discussion of specifications for sampling, analysis, and services.

Analyses required may include any or all of the metals regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Clean Water Act, the Resources Conservation and Recovery Act, or Superfund. Nonmetallic analyses routinely consist of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), ammonia-nitrogen, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, total phosphorus, total residue, total volatile residue, total phenolics, total cyanide, hexane extractables, total organic carbon, particle size distribution, and pH. Analyses for organic compounds may include persistent chlorinated hydrocarbons such as polychlorinated biphenyls, dioxins, pesticides, herbicides, various volatile and semi-volatile compounds, and emerging contaminants of concern such as Per- and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances (PFAS). In addition to chemical analyses, physical and geotechnical analyses of samples for characteristics such as grain size distribution and/or Atterberg limits will be required. Microscopic examination of building materials may also be required for the detection of asbestos. In summary, investigations will consist, in part or total, of the following activities:

Performance of services will be from the time of receipt of the contract FOR a one (1) base year period not to exceed 12 months and four (4) option year periods each of which will not exceed 12 months. Performance time for each delivery order shall be negotiated individually. The period of performance reads as follows:

3.2. Request for Proposal

The USACE will attempt to keep the Contractor apprised of upcoming projects as much as possible. When feasible the USACE Project Coordinator will telephone the Contractor to inform that a work request is being prepared. The USACE Project Coordinator will prepare a draft Scope of Work (SOW) describing the work to be performed, products to be delivered, delivery schedule and other requirements unique to the project. The USACE will send a Request for Proposal transmitting the draft SOW. Negotiations, if necessary, will be scheduled after review of the Contractor's proposal.

The Contractor's proposal must be submitted to Contracting staff assigned to the particular delivery order. The submittal can be made in an e-mail, and marked Fee Proposal. Fee proposals are considered a sealed bidding process and are not to be mailed to the USACE Project Coordinator.

3.3. Point of Contact

The Contractor shall designate an individual to serve as the point of contact for the USACE on any contract issues. This person shall function as a liaison with the laboratory, field crew, QA Manager, and Finance and Accounting for projects under this contract. The point of contact shall ensure that the Contractor is responsive on any issues raised and that work is conducted according to the contract and delivery order specifications.

The USACE Project Coordinator may require the Contractor to mobilize a field sampling crew on short notice in the rare instance of a spill, dike rupture, or other unexpected event. In these instances the Contractor would be required to have a two- person sampling crew and sampling equipment on-site within 48 hours after notification.

4.1.2. Quality Assurance Project Plan and/or Sampling and Analysis Plan Development

In some instances the Contractor may be asked to develop Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAPP’s) and/or Sampling and Analysis Plans (SAP’s).

EPA Quality Assurance Planning Documents, Quality Assurance Project Plans (QA/G-5) (EPA 2002) and Requirements for Quality Assurance Project Plans (QA/R-5) (EPA 2001a) will be used as guidance in the development of QAPP’s. These documents are available on the web at: https://www.epa.gov/quality/epa-qar-5-epa- requirements-quality-assurance-project-plans

The USACE Engineering Manual, Requirements for the Preparation of Sampling and Analysis Plans (EM 200-1-3) will be used as guidance in the development of SAPs. This document is available on the web at: http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a402224.pdf.

When the Contractor is tasked with selection of the sampling locations, the rationale for selection of sampling sites, including monitoring wells and shallow depth soil samples, shall be fully explained and diagramed. Sampling sites shall be chosen based on the hydrogeology and topography of the area, authorized Federal navigation channels, the location of buildings, drainage systems, underground tanks, disposal systems, visible evidence of contamination, results of previous on-site inspections by the USACE, and the nature of operations at the site.

In these instances the samples to be collected, sample media, sample locations, and chemical analyses required shall be summarized in tabular form. The resulting table shall include the travel blanks, sampling blanks, split samples, rinsate samples, background samples, and field duplicates to be collected and shall be provided in the QAPP/SAP.

The QAPP/SAP would typically be developed in a two-stage process. A Draft document would be submitted to the USACE and then a Final document would be published incorporating all comments.

4.1.3. Well Establishment

In the development of a SAP for wells and underground storage tanks, the following paragraphs contain general guidance on methods to use to collect the samples and the analytical parameters. The Contractor shall obtain and review Monitoring Well Design, Installation, and Documentation at Hazardous and/or Toxic Waste Sites (EM 1110-1-4000, dated 1 Nov 98) to determine requirements for well installation. This document can be found on the web at: http://www.publications.usace.army.mil/Portals/76/Publications/EngineerManuals/EM_1 110-1-4000.pdf

1) The collection and analysis of well boring samples for physical parameters must be fully described in the field report. Samples for chemical analysis will include groundwater and soil samples. Samples shall be collected continuously for the first ten feet and at five-foot intervals or stratum changes thereafter using a two- inch by 24-inch split spoon sampler. Sections of the coring shall be transferred directly to sample containers with as little disturbance of the core as possible. Two samples from each bore hole shall be submitted for physical analysis to verify soils classification. One of the two samples from each hole shall be from the lower one-third of the hole.

2) At each monitoring well installation site, the following information shall be recorded in a field notebook in indelible ink;

4.1.4. Petroleum Storage Tank Sampling

For Petroleum Storage Tank (PST) sampling, the USACE will provide available information on the location, size, and historical uses of each PST. When observable soil contamination is found adjacent to a PST, representative soil samples for possible analysis shall be collected at the surface. Another sample shall be collected at a 2-foot depth by using a 1-1/4 inch by 18 inch soil probe with a stainless steel, thin wall tube liner. Initially, a 4-inch diameter hole will be hand augered to a depth of approximately 12 inches. Then the soil probe will be pushed to the 2-foot depth. Each sample will be tapped out of the insert from the 22 to 26-inch depth interval into a separate 40 ml vial. Both purgeable samples shall be collected in duplicate. Between samples, the soil probe and inserts shall be washed using Liquinox and deionized (DI) water and rinsed with deionized water. The inserts shall be washed prior to and between sampling at each location with Liquinox and DI water and rinsed with DI water, reagent-grade methanol, and finally pesticide-grade hexane.

1) Rinsate Samples. At one of the soil sampling locations, a rinsate sample shall be collected and analyzed by the Contractor. The method for collection of this sample shall be as follows: After a sample is collected the sampling equipment is cleaned. Before the sample is collected, deionized water is poured over the sampling equipment into the appropriate sampling containers and preserved.

2) Background Samples. For PST or other hazardous materials sampling, a soil sampling location shall be chosen as outlined on a task order basis to represent background conditions. At this site, there shall be no evidence of any contamination with respect to the analytical parameters included task order.

3) Field Logging of Soil Samples. At each of the PST soil sample locations, the following information shall be recorded with indelible ink in a field notebook;

When driven core samples are indicated, the samples shall be taken directly beneath the tank at five foot intervals down to 30 feet below the lowest point of the tank or piping, however, no soil samples shall be taken in the saturation zone. Sample cores are to be capped airtight with Teflon and then placed in a refrigerated ice chest for transportation storage. Samples shall not be extruded in the field but only at the laboratory.

4.1.5. Station Establishment

Generally, sampling locations will be provided by the USACE within the delivery order’s Scope of Work. The Contractor will be responsible for reviewing National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Nautical Charts for the presence of buried cables, intakes, historic sites, or other structures that might interfere with sampling. The Contractor shall also perform coordination with local/state utility location services prior to sampling. If the Contractor is concerned about the proximity of any sampling station to a structure or utility, the Contractor should contact USACE Project Coordinator prior to departure for field sampling.

Sampling locations for sediment sampling are typically selected based on the presence of shoaling in the channel. Shoaling is most prominent at the toe of the slope that forms the side of the channel. If sampling is unsuccessful at a designated location, or there is no shoaling at the designated location, the contractor is expected to try sampling at additional points along the base of the navigation channel, remaining proximal to the original location. Any changes in the sampling location is to be coordinated with the USACE Project Coordinator and clearly described in the field report. The contractor shall collect longitude and latitude measurements accurate to one meter using a Global Positioning System (GPS).

4.1.6. Safety

Upon contract award the Contractor will submit a copy of their Corporate Safety and Health Plan for review by the USACE Safety Officer. Safety and Occupational Health Document Requirements for Hazardous, Toxic, and Radioactive Waste (HTRW) Activities (ER 385-1-92) shall be reviewed in the preparation of safety-related documents. Approval of the Corporate Safety and Health Plan would be required prior to any field activities. This document can be found on the web at: https://www.publications.usace.army.mil/Portals/76/Users/182/86/2486/ER_%20385-1- 92%20.pdf?ver=2019-03-13-091417-100

The Contractor and any subcontractors must comply with all applicable Federal and State safety requirements. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Safety and Health Requirements Manual (EM 385-1-1) shall be used as a reference in all field operations. This document can be found at: http://www.publications.usace.army.mil/Portals/76/Publications/EngineerManuals/EM_3 85-1-1.pdf

In accordance with EM 385-1-1 any projects involving hazardous, toxic, and radioactive waste site investigation, design, or remediation activities will require the development of a Site-Specific Safety and Health Plan (SSSHP). Under Hazardous, Toxic, and Radioactive Waste (HTRW) Guidance for Civil Works Projects (ER 1165-2-132, http://www.publications.usace.army.mil/Portals/76/Publications/EngineerRegulations/ER _1165-2-132.pdf) dredged material and sediments beneath navigable water proposed for dredging qualify as HTRW only if they are within the boundaries of a site designated by the EPA or a state for a response action under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), or if they are part of a National Priority List site under CERCLA. The contractor may also be required to prepare or review a SSSHP for sampling operations involving sampling from drilling rigs, on dredges or barges, or similar operations.

The field sampling manager shall be responsible for site safety for personnel on the site, including any subcontractors working under the Contractor. Personnel working on water shall have been trained in safety procedures on vessels and vessel handling.

Field mobilization time should include the time to prepare and provide the field crew with a safety briefing including a site-specific page with routes to hospitals, emergency phone numbers, etc.

4.1.7. Pre-field Coordination

Field and laboratory personnel shall review and discuss the delivery order Scope of Work before the field team departs for the project site. The laboratory manager shall determine the appropriate volumes of each media required to conduct the necessary analyses plus 20-30% extra to account for re-runs or modification to the original order. The field and laboratory manager shall coordinate to ensure that sufficient sample bottles have been supplied and that sample preservation and handling procedures are understood.

4.1.8. DMDF Discharge Monitoring

Monitoring of dredged material disposal facilities is periodically required to ensure compliance with water quality standards. The protocol for conducting DMDF Monitoring will be included in each delivery order.

4.1.9. Well Sampling

Standard procedure for the collection of well water samples shall include rinsing the entire contents of each sample container with the water to be sampled prior to filling and capping the sample container. An exception to this rule is that sample containers for petroleum hydrocarbons and polychlorinated biphenyls shall not be rinsed since a film may be transferred to the sample container, biasing the results.

The collection of well water samples shall take place after the wells are developed. The water level in each well shall be measured prior to purging and each well purged a minimum of three times its standing water volume. Prior to purging, the temperature, pH, and specific conductance will be recorded on the first 500 ml of water removed from the well. Temperature, pH, and specific conductance will be monitored and recorded during purging. The water samples will be collected after temperature, pH, and specific conductance have stabilized to within 10% of the previous two readings.

A Teflon bailer or stainless steel submersible pump shall be used for the collection of well samples. Samples shall be transferred from the bailer or submersible pump directly to each sample container. The pumps, bailers, and all other equipment (not including sample containers) used in collecting the well samples shall be cleaned and rinsed with deionized water and Liquinox, then rinsed with deionized water, reagent- grade methanol, and finally pesticide grade hexane prior to, and between wells.

The Contractor shall preserve well water samples in the field. Guidance on sample containers, preservation, and maximum holding times are listed in the USACE Engineering Manual, Requirements for the Preparation of Sampling and Analysis Plans (EM 200-1-3). This document can be found at: http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a402224.pdf. Preservation shall be done at the collection location directly after collection, if possible. Samples for metals analysis will be filtered through the 0.45µ filter prior to preservation with nitric acid. All samples shall be placed in insulated containers and iced for transportation to the laboratory.

4.1.10. Subsurface Sampling

At the discretion of the USACE, the Contractor may be asked to obtain long sediment or soil cores requiring a hammer and/or drilling rig, or work with a USACE- provided drilling Contractor. In either event, the Contractor will manage sample site establishment and methodology of core collection. The Contractor will accept suitably obtained cores and appropriately handle and maintain them for the required testing.

The Contractor will assume responsibility for the overall process of core sampling as appropriate for the testing objectives of the delivery order. Subsurface samples shall be collected as specified in the task order. Contaminating substances, including petroleum products, shall not be used during sampling.

4.1.11. Sampling Vessel

Most of the USACE environmental sampling will involve collecting sediment and water samples in harbors and open waters of the Great Lakes. The contractor will be required to procure a sampling vessel equipped to handle the described conditions. For a typical project this would involve a vessel with a minimum length of 21 feet appropriately equipped with operating equipment (i.e. trailer, motor, winches, anchors, etc.), navigation equipment (i.e. GPS, maps, etc.), and safety equipment (radio, air horn, flares, etc.). A hand- or electronically-operated winch and davit to aid in lifting the samplers is required to efficiently collect samples.

4.1.12. Containerized HTW Sampling

The Contractor may be asked to participate in projects related to Containerized Hazardous and Toxic Waste (ConHTW) removal projects at other sites. These projects might involve walkthroughs of buildings and property to identify transformers, drums, and petroleum storage tanks, etc.; development of plans to sample these containers; and/or sampling of containers using suitable equipment and monitoring devices. In addition to the equipment previously mentioned this might involve use of:

Sampling crews and laboratory personnel must remain cognizant of the fact that several non-indigenous organisms now exist in Great Lakes water and sediment, and caution must be exercised to prevent the spread of these organisms. Three primary invaders are the zooplankton Bythotrophes cederstroemi, the zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha, and the New Zealand mudsnail, Potamopyrgus antipodarum. Zebra mussels look like small clams with a yellowish and/or brownish "D"-shaped shell, usually with alternating dark and light bands of color. The zebra mussels firmly attach to solid objects, including boat hulls. New Zealand mudsnails are small aquatic snails, approximately 4-6mm in length, and are known to attach to boots, waders, and boats. Therefore, sampling vessels and sampling equipment should be thoroughly cleaned (rinsed with hot water that is at least 120⁰F or dried out for a minimum of five days) between samplings to ensure organisms are not attached.

All receiving, handling, and testing of sediment should be conducted in accordance with "Protocol for Conducting Sediment Bioassays with Materials Potentially Containing Zebra Mussels (Dreissena polymorpha), U.S. Army Waterways Experiment Station, M.P. D-95-1, February, 1995". Both species produce microscopic larvae which could theoretically be released during discharge of effluent from effects-based monitoring or leachate testing, etc. These wastes must be chlorinated or otherwise sterilized to prevent release. Sediments, even those testing as chemically uncontaminated, should be containerized and properly disposed.

4.2.2. Collection and Handling of Sediments

4.2.2.1. Sampling Protocol

Unless otherwise requested in the delivery order, sediment samples will be taken with a gravity coring device at least 45 inches long and weighted to a minimum of 100 pounds. Cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) or Teflon liners will be required for the collection of all sediment samples. Upon removal of the liner from the core device, it is to be immediately transferred to a stainless steel mixing bowl. At this point a physical description of the core, including core length recovered, and the presence of any distinct layers, should be noted. It may be necessary to conduct several core drops to provide sufficient sample for analysis. In these instances each sediment core is to be individually described. The cores are to be kept at 1 to 4°C, and in darkness, except transiently during handling operations. If requested in the delivery order, or if the substrate prevents collection of core samples, the sediment shall be collected using grab samplers such as those described below. Handling and preservation of these samples shall be the same as described above.

4.2.2.2. Sample Extrusion

Unless specified in the delivery order Scope of Work, the core should not be immediately extruded into a clean stainless steel mixing bowl. Additional descriptive information such as odors and texture should be collected. The sample will then be extruded and thoroughly mixed and transferred into sample containers. The containers are to be maintained at 1 to 4°C, and in darkness, except transiently during handling operations. The description of sediment samples shall include items listed below. If samples are not collected by the Contractor, the description (excluding in-situ characteristics) may be requested as a separate item.

1) Measurement and reporting of in-situ characteristics, including depth and temperature;

2) visual description including color, texture, odor, general appearance, oily sheen, or other pertinent information, as described in Methods Manual for Bottom Sediment Sample Collection (EPA-905/ 4-85-004).

3) A 3.5" x 5" color digital photograph of the sample including a sign with the USACE Station Number. The photo will be of the extruded core in the stainless steel mixing bowl prior to mixing. Each photo should have a label on the back identifying the Station Number and the date.

4.2.2.3. Other Sediment Sampling Equipment

Specific field sampling apparatuses other than those mentioned above may be requested in the delivery order and may include, but are not limited to, the following:

4.2.3. Collection and Handling of Water

Water sampling devices must consist of materials conducive to minimum distortion of actual ambient water concentrations of trace substances. For metals analyses of water samples, Kemmerer or Van Dorn type samplers with acrylic interiors and polyurethane or silicone elastomer end caps will be employed during sampling. For nutrients, and/or organics, Kemmerer or Van Dorn type samplers with metal exterior and interior construction and silicone, or polyurethane elastomer end caps will be employed. A portable sampling pump capable of contamination-free sampling to depths of one hundred feet will be required. A pipe with an elbow joint and made of polyvinyl chloride or a similarly non-reactive material, to be used for obtaining samples from rapid discharges, may be required.

Samples for organic substance analyses should be stored in amber borosilicate glass containers. Closures must consist of either non-contaminating material such as glass, or glass and aluminum foil lining. Plastic closures must be lined with aluminum foil or Teflon linings. Sub-samples for metals analyses should be stored in linear polyethylene, polycarbonate, polypropylene, or Teflon containers. The container must have been treated by overnight filling with 5-10% mineral acid followed by copious rinsing with deionized, then trace analytical quality distilled water. Samples for nutrients analyses should be stored in high density polyethylene containers.

The protocol for water sample collection shall be as follows:

1) Immediately upon removal from the sampled water column, the water sample shall be transferred to an appropriate sample container; glass bottles for metals and organic analyses, and rigid linear polyethylene or Teflon for nutrients analyses. These sample containers shall be immediately stored at 1 to 4°C.

2) Following sample transfer the Contractor will preserve the sample containers with appropriate chemical preservatives, per Requirements for the Preparation of Sampling and Analysis Plans (EM 200-1-3). Preservation consists of distributing the iced field samples to containers appropriate for the selected desired constituents. For samples collected on water the field sampling manager may elect to wait to return to shore before adding preservatives. For desired constituents in the dissolved (as opposed to total) state, the iced field sample shall be filtered through a .45µ effective pore size filter.

4.2.4. Collection and Identification of Organisms

The contractor may be responsible for the collection, identification, enumeration, and/or ecological classification of freshwater and freshwater associated organisms, including fish, macroinvertebrates, vascular plants, algae, and waterfowl.

Identification of organisms shall be to the taxonomic level specified by the delivery order (may be determined on a per organism basis). If not specified, identification will be to the family level or lower. Any laboratory notes explaining variations in analysis, or identification methodology, reasons for not identifying organisms to species levels, sketches of organisms, size measurements, etc. must be submitted with research findings. The reference document used in identification of organisms must be reported. Identifications will be performed by a qualified taxonomist.

All organisms identified by the Contractor must be preserved for a minimum of six months after submission of the report. If requested, the preserved organisms are to be sent to the USACE. The organisms may then be used in a quality assurance round- robin and/or for interlaboratory quality assurance determinations. Organisms submitted to the USACE must be preserved and labeled and organisms of different taxonomic classifications must be separated. Organisms which were dissected must still be preserved and submitted on request. Organisms on slides or otherwise preserved may be submitted as they are. For plankton surveys, a representative portion of each sample obtained must be preserved and submitted to a requesting USACE representative for possible use in a quality assurance round-robin.

4.2.4.1. Benthic Macroinvertebrates

Sediment samples to be collected for macroinvertebrate enumeration must be sieved with a 30-mesh screen on site. The material thus obtained must be re-immersed in water from the site and preserved with formalin or ethanol in the field. Further separation of the macroinvertebrates from remaining detritus and sediments must be accomplished by hand, by qualified personnel. At least one liter of sediment must be obtained from each sampling site. The volume of wet sediment (minus superfluous water) must be measured prior to sieving. The bite area of the grab sampler and the number of samples collected shall be used to report benthic macroinvertebrates in units of total number collected and number/square meter.

4.2.4.2. Plankton

In plankton surveys, a discussion of the laboratory technique for concentration and/or scanning of the water samples and a bibliography of the documents used in the identification for the planktonic organism must be submitted with the research report as directed in the delivery order. All plankton surveys will be qualitative and quantitative unless otherwise requested.

4.2.4.3. Fish and Macroinvertebrates

Specific guidance on the appropriate procedures for the collection, handling, record keeping, and shipping of fish and macroinvertebrate samples are provided in:

Guidance for Assessing Chemical Contaminant Data for Use in Fish Advisories. Volume 1. Fish Sampling and Analysis. 1993. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Office of Water. EPA 823-R-93-002.

4.2.4.4. Sampling Apparatuses

Specific field sampling apparatuses may be requested in a delivery order and may include, but are not limited to the following:

4.2.5. Chain-of-Custody

The Contractor shall be responsible for ensuring that samples are properly preserved, labeled, packaged and dispatched to the laboratory for analysis. This responsibility includes filling out, dating, and signing the appropriate portion of the chain-of-custody record. Each sample shall be identified by affixing a pressure sensitive gummed label and sample number on the container(s). The sample collection, source of the sample, preservation used, and the collector’s initials shall be identified in indelible ink and the label shall be covered with clear waterproof tape.

All coolers shipped to the laboratory shall be accompanied by the Chain-of-Custody Record and a shipping form documenting all samples included in a specific shipment.

All records shall be filled out legibly in ink. The shipping form should include:

Samples shall be packed in watertight coolers to avoid breakage. Each cooler will be accompanied with the Chain-of-Custody Record and the shipping form sealed in a Ziploc-type bag, and taped to the inside the cooler lid. The cooler is then sealed with a chain-of-custody seal and labeled.

A copy of the custody records shall also be retained by the field crew and transferred to the project files upon completion of the sampling. While transferring the custody of the samples, the custodian shall sign and record the date and time on the chain-of-custody record. Custody transfers will account for each individual sample, although samples may be transferred as a group. Every person who takes custody shall complete the appropriate section of a chain-of-custody record. To prevent undue proliferation of custody records, the number of persons involved in the chain-of-custody shall be as few as possible.

4.2.5.1. Samples Shipped to Laboratories

Samples shipped to laboratories (including subcontract laboratories) shall conform to labeling and packing requirements stated in Sample Handling Protocol for Low, Medium and High Concentration Samples of Hazardous Waste. This document is available on the web at:www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA404361. The procedures shall be consistent with those specified for low concentration samples unless otherwise specified. The samples shall be held for shipment until all water and soil samples are collected and shipped daily. All samples shall be shipped by next day delivery. Custody records, as described above, should be included with all samples.

4.2.5.2. Samples Collected by the USACE

The USACE may choose to deliver some samples directly to the Contractor's laboratory. Samples will be delivered to the Contractor frozen, iced-down, preserved, or unpreserved as appropriate for the chemical analyses to be performed. In these situations the USACE will assume all costs of sample shipping. Delivery of the samples to the Contractor will be by air freight or by other adequate and appropriate means. The Laboratory shall arrange to receive samples on weekends and evenings, if necessary.

The government will attempt to notify the laboratory if weekend and/or evening shipments will be made. The Laboratory shall provide sample bottles and coolers, if requested.

4.2.6. Laboratory Sample Management

4.2.6.1. Sample Handling Facilities

The laboratory shall provide an adequate, contamination-free, and well-ventilated work space for the receipt of samples. All samples and their associated extracts must be stored under conditions that will preserve their integrity. Sediment samples to undergo physical analysis, such as grain size determination, must not be frozen, compressed, drained, or dried. Sufficient refrigerator space must be provided for the proper storage of all appropriate samples and their extracts for a minimum of six months after receipt of the final data report. After that time, the laboratory is responsible for the disposal of the samples in compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations at the laboratory's expense.

4.2.6.2. Laboratory Custody Procedures

Chain-of-custody procedures shall be maintained in the laboratory from the time of sample receipt to the time the sample is discarded. The following procedures shall be followed in the laboratory. All incoming samples shall be received by the sample custodian, who shall indicate receipt by signing the accompanying custody forms and shall see that the signed forms are maintained in the project file as permanent records. Individual cooler receipt forms will be used for each shipment to verify and document any problems noted.

The Data Manager shall be notified of receipt and shall post chain-of- custody/analysis assignment sheets. The Data Manager shall also maintain a permanent bound log book to record, for each sample, information such as location number, date sampled, lab/lot number. The Data Manager and Sample Custodian shall insure that samples are properly stored and maintained until disposal instructions are received from the Laboratory Manager. All calculations and results shall be recorded in laboratory notebooks by the analyst at the time of analysis except for computer generated calculations.

Prior to analysis all sediment samples must be mixed to ensure homogeneity of the sample. The portion of the sediment designated for elutriate testing shall not undergo any other preliminary preparation. Portions designated for total element analysis shall be passed through a #10 mesh sieve (approximately 2 mm) by means of pressing with a clean non-contaminating device, such as a stainless steel spatula. Application of the pressing device shall be done with sufficient pressure to force through soft material but not large detritus particles. Sediment so treated must undergo the digestion process within 24 hours. Remaining sieved portions should be stored at 4°C and reserved exclusively for total element analysis.

4.3.2. Analytical Techniques

The sediment processed as described above is to be regarded as wet, whole sediment. Physical, and most chemical and biological testing, will be performed on whole sediment. In general, those constituents such as ammonia, Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN), phenolics, Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), total organic carbon, mercury, and any other constituent which may be lost by the heat of drying must be analyzed in an undried sample. Percent (by weight) water content of a sub-sample of this material is obtained for subsequent conversion of sediment constituents by calculation to dry basis. Total solids must be determined so that results of analyses can be reported as:

mg (or ug) constituent Kg dry sediments

The methods to be used for preparing and analyzing water, suspended particulate, and sediment samples for physical properties, nonmetallic inorganics, Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), COD, total organic carbon (TOC), total phenolics, and any other tests not specified herein are given in the following publications. Analytical methods which propose to conduct an aqueous leach to extract the analyte from the sediments for analysis will not be accepted. Bulk sediment analysis for COD, TOC, TKN, total phosphorus, and ammonia must follow the methods described in Reference

3. The analytical method to be used for the above tests should be provided.

Reference 1: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 1991. "Guidelines Establishing Test Procedures for Analysis of Pollutants under the Clean Water Act, Final Rule and Technical Amendments. Federal Register; October 8, 1991.

Reference 2: American Public Health Association, American Water Works Association, and Water Pollution Control Federation. 1995. "Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 19th Ed.", Washington, D.C.

Reference 3: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 1981 (May). "Procedures for Handling and Chemical Analysis of Sediment and Water Samples," EPA/CE-81-1, Environmental Laboratory, U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, Miss.

Reference 4: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. "Great Lakes Dredged Material Testing and Evaluation Manual."

Reference 5: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water.1993. “Guidance for Assessing Chemical Contaminant Data for Use in Fish Advisories. Volume 1. Fish Sampling and Analysis.” EPA 823-R-93-002.

Analytical procedures required for specified constituents are shown in Michigan Department of Environmental Quality Application of Target Detection Limits and Designated Analytical Methods Remediation and Redevelopment Division Resource Materials https://www.michigan.gov/documents/deq/deq-rrd-ApplicationOfTDLsAndDesignatedAnalyticalMethodsResourceMaterials_532771_7.pdf

Samples will be quantitatively analyzed using the prescribed methods to concentration levels at least as low as the target quantitation limits shown under that document. Due to stringent requirements to evaluate sediment and water samples in comparison to ambient concentrations in the sediments and waters of the Great Lakes region, the achievement of these limits may require the use of alternate methods or modification of the cited methods through the use of larger sample sizes, smaller extract volumes, cleanup procedures, etc. The analytical procedure should be stated in the delivery order quality control report. Any necessary modifications should be included in the quality control report. Sediment constituent detection limits are reported on a dry weight basis. The Contractor should notify the USACE Project Coordinator immediately if it is felt that the specified detection limit cannot be obtained using the recommended method.

Samples collected under this contract shall be stored as designated in subsequent task order for six months following delivery of the final report to the USACE.

Equivalent sample preparation and analysis procedures which can achieve the target detection limits may be acceptable. Any such equivalent test proposed for use shall be described in detail in the proposal and statistical verification may be requested. The quality assurance portion of the final report shall include a table citing the analytical method used for each analytical parameter. The Contractor will be required to analyze each sample for each constituent by the same method for the duration of the contract unless such change is mutually agreed to by the Contractor and the USACE Project Coordinator.

Analytical results must be reported within thirty days from the time samples are received/obtained by the Contractor unless otherwise specified in the delivery order.

4.3.3. Particle Size Analysis

Particle Size Analysis shall be conducted using a dry sieving method (ASTM D422- 63). Report % dry weight size fractions passing: 4.8 mm (#4 sieve), 2.0 mm (#10 sieve), 0.84 mm (#20 sieve), 0.43 mm (#40), 0.15mm(#80) or 0.18 mm (#100), 0.074 mm (#200), 0.053 mm (#270), and percent passing all sieves. In some instances the delivery order may specify hydrometer testing to determine the fractions of silt and clay. Atterberg Limits shall be determined using the method specified in ASTM D4318-00.

4.3.4. Low-Level Dioxin/Dibenzofuran Analysis

The USACE may request analysis of sediments (or soil) and/or water for specific dioxin and dibenzofuran congeners. Reference method for this analysis is EPA Method 8290 (Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins (PCDDs) and Polychlorinated Dibenzofurans (PCDFs) by High Resolution Gas Chromatography/High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS)). Orders would specify either analysis for 2, 3, 7, 8-TCDD and 2, 3, 7, 8- TCDF or Tetra - Octa Dioxins/Dibenzofurans. Specific congeners to be identified under Tetra - Octa Dioxins/Dibenzofurans are listed in Method 8290.

It is necessary that sediment samples be analyzed to a target quantitation limit of

1.0 picogram per gram (dry weight basis). Water samples should be analyzed to a target quantitation limit of 1.0 nanogram per liter. The USACE realizes that this extremely low detection level is difficult to obtain and is below the quantitation limit stated in the method. Higher detection limits will be acceptable provided the Contractor can document (to the USACE satisfaction) adequate attempts at a sample clean up, etc.

Samples prepared for dioxin/dibenzofuran analysis should be spiked with isotopically-labeled dioxin and dibenzofuran internal standards before extraction. Aqueous samples must be spiked with the internal standards dissolved in a water- miscible standard (i.e. acetone). Quality Control should constitute 15% of the analytical effort in dioxin and dibenzofuran analyses.

Low level 2,3,7,8-TCDD and 2,3,7,8-TCDF analysis or Tetra - Octa Dioxin/Dibenzofuran analysis would be requested as a minimum of six samples (including, as applicable, performance evaluation samples, spike samples, and trip blank samples) per batch (samples from more than one Order may be combined to…