B3_RFP_W9126G-17-R-0031_19_Jan_2017.pdf

SEE ADDENDUM

(No Collect Calls)

W9126G-17-R-0031 19-Jan-2017

b. TELEPHONE NUMBER

409 766 6331

8. OFFER DUE DATE/LOCAL TIME

12:00 AM 21 Feb 2017

5. SOLICITATION NUMBER 6. SOLICITATION ISSUE DATE

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 2/2012)

Prescribed by GSA – FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

(TYPE OR PRINT)

(SIGNATURE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER)

ADDENDA ARE

26. TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT (For Gov t. Use Only )

23.

CODE 10. THIS ACQUISITION IS

SUCH ADDRESS IN OFFER

17b. CHECK IF REMITTANCE IS DIFFERENT AND PUT

BELOW IS CHECKED

TELEPHONE NO.

W9126G9. ISSUED BY

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

7. FOR SOLICITATION

INFORMATION CALL:

a. NAME

MARIA E RODRIGUEZ

2. CONTRACT NO. 3. AWARD/EFFECTIVE DATE 4. ORDER NUMBER

(TYPE OR PRINT)

30b. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER 30c. DATE SIGNED 31b. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER

30a. SIGNATURE OF OFFEROR/CONTRACTOR 31a.UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

0 27a. SOLICITATION INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-1. 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-3. 52.212-5 ARE ATTACHED.

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

1. REQUISITION NUMBER

20.

ADDITIONAL SHEETS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED.

OFFEROR TO COMPLETE BLOCKS 12, 17, 23, 24, AND 30

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS

W45VAKSWG160008

ARE NOT ATTACHED

27b. CONTRACT/PURCHASE ORDER INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-5 IS ATTACHED. ADDENDA ARE ARE NOT ATTACHED

See Sec L.

(BLOCK 5), INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONS OR CHANGES WHICH ARE

SET FORTH HEREIN, IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

. YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION

28. CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT AND RETURN

% FOR:SET ASIDE:UNRESTRICTED OR X

SMALL BUSINESS X

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL

BUSINESS (WOSB)

17a.CONTRACTOR/ CODE FACILITY

OFFEROR CODE

US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS FORT WORTH

2000 FORT POINT ROAD

GALVESTON TX 77550-1229

18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY CODE

RATED ORDER UNDER

DPAS (15 CFR 700)

13a. THIS CONTRACT IS A

13b. RATING

CODE15. DELIVER TO CODE 16. ADMINISTERED BY

SEE SCHEDULE

12. DISCOUNT TERMS11. DELIVERY FOR FOB DESTINA-

TION UNLESS BLOCK IS

MARKED

SEE SCHEDULE

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

RFQ IFB RFPX

409 766 3010FAX:

TEL: 409 766 3845 SERVICE-DISABLED

VETERAN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS

8(A)

HUBZONE SMALL

BUSINESS

ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS

(EDWOSB)

SIZE STANDARD:

$15,000,000.00

NAICS:

541620

OFFER DATED

29. AWARD OF CONTRACT: REF.

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

COPIES TO ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND

EMAIL:

TEL:

31c. DATE SIGNED

SEE SCHEDULE

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/ SERVICESITEM NO. QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

24.22.21.19.

X

W9126G-17-R-0031

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SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS

(CONTINUED)

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

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37. CHECK NUMBER

FINALPARTIALCOMPLETE

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CORRECT FOR

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FINAL

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PARTIAL

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STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 2/2012) BACK

Prescribed by GSA – FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE

SEE SCHEDULE

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/ SERVICES

21.

QUANTITY UNIT

22. 23.

UNIT PRICE

24.

AMOUNT

19.

ITEM NO.

Section B – Supplies or Services and Prices

General Environmental Services for dredged material evaluation as needed for the U.S. Army

Engineer District, Galveston, Texas and Louisiana, all in accordance with the Descriptions/

Specifications/Work Statement (Section C), Contract Clauses herein, and subsequent task orders for a one (1) year period starting on the date of award with the options, for four (4) additional one (1) year periods.

NOTES TO OFFERORS:

1) Offerors must bid on all line items unless specifically stated in this price schedule.

Failure to submit an offer on all items will result in an incomplete offer, and the offer will be rejected.

2) Task Orders. Services will be ordered by the Government in accordance with FAR Clauses 52.216-18, "Ordering" and 52.216-19, "Ordering Limitations". All services shall be charged at the unit prices set forth in this Section B, supplies or Services and Prices/

Costs. The quantities listed below are estimated only. The extended amount will be used by the Government for proposal evaluation purposes, only. Award will be made based upon the Total Estimated Amount. Quantities stated in Section B do not represent an upper or lower limit to the contract. Quantities of bid items will be determined and submitted to the Contractor with the Performance Work Statement.

3) Item Laboratory Analysis – Marine including bioassays is inclusive of all analytes identified in the scope of work per task order. A modification for reduction of effort and cost will be processed under the Changes Clause to manage tissue/bioaccumulation analysis as determined by Galveston District personnel.

4) System For Award Management (SAM.gov). Offerors must be registered in the SAM database prior to award, during performance, and through final payment of any contract resulting from this solicitation.

5) For purposes of price evaluation, Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement.

6) The maximum amount that may be awarded under this contract, base and all option years included, is $7,000,000.

Performance Period:

Base Year: From Date of Contract Award through a One Year Period

Option Year 1: TBD Based on Date of Contract Award

Option Year 2: TBD Based on Date of Contract Award

Option Year 3: TBD Based on Date of Contract Award

Option Year 4: TBD Based on Date of Contract Award

7) Preproposal Tele-Conference to be held on 31 Jan 2017, 10:00 am - 11:30 am Central Time:

Telephone No.: 888-675-2535 Access Code: 4757479 Security Code: 3845

Base Year

Item No. Services Est Quantity Unit Price 0001AA Field Sampling - Marine 14 Each $

0001AB Field Sampling - Inland 98 Each $

0001AC Field Sampling – Geophysical Surveys

3 Each $

0002AA Laboratory Analysis – Marine incl bioassays

14 Each $

0002AB Laboratory Analysis – Inland

98 Each $

0002AC Laboratory Analysis – Dioxins

10 Each $

0002AD Laboratory Analysis- Grain Size

112 Each $

0002AE Laboratory Analysis- Benthics

5 Each $

0003AA Evaluation Report - Marine 2 Data Record $

0003AB Evaluation Report – Inland 5 Data Record $

0003AC MPRSA Sect 103 Risk Modeling per sample-Marine

14 Each $

0003AD ODMDS Site Management Report – Marine

1 Data Record $

0004AA Section 404(b)1 Compliance Evaluation - Inland

0 Data Record $

0004AB Dredge Material Evaluation for Beneficial Use - Inland

1 Data Record $

Total $

Option Year 1

Item No. Services Est Quantity Unit Price 1001AA Field Sampling - Marine 14 Each $

1001AB Field Sampling - Inland 98 Each $

1001AC Field Sampling – Geophysical Surveys

3 Each $

1002AA Laboratory Analysis – Marine incl bioassays

14 Each $

1002AB Laboratory Analysis – Inland

98 Each $

1002AC Laboratory Analysis – Dioxins

10 Each $

1002AD Laboratory Analysis- Grain Size

112 Each $

1002AE Laboratory Analysis- Benthics

5 Each $

1003AA Evaluation Report - Marine 2 Data Record $

1003AB Evaluation Report – Inland 5 Data Record $

1003AC MPRSA Sect 103 Risk Modeling per sample-Marine

14 Each $

1003AD ODMDS Site Management Report – Marine

0 Data Record $

1004AA Section 404(b)1 Compliance Evaluation - Inland

1 Data Record $

1004AB Dredge Material Evaluation for Beneficial Use - Inland

0 Data Record $

Total $

Option Year 2

Item No. Services Est Quantity Unit Unit Price 2001AA Field Sampling - Marine 14 Each $

2001AB Field Sampling - Inland 98 Each $

2001AC Field Sampling – Geophysical Surveys

Each $

2002AA Laboratory Analysis – Marine incl bioassays

14 Each $

2002AB Laboratory Analysis – Inland

98 Each $

2002AC Laboratory Analysis – Dioxins

10 Each $

2002AD Laboratory Analysis- Grain Size

2002AE Laboratory Analysis- Benthics

5 Each $

2003AA Evaluation Report - Marine 2 Data Record $

2003AB Evaluation Report – Inland 5 Data Record $

2003AC MPRSA Sect 103 Risk Modeling per sample-Marine

14 Each $

2003AD ODMDS Site Management Report – Marine

1 Data Record $

2004AA Section 404(b)1 Compliance Evaluation - Inland

0 Data Record $

2004AB Dredge Material Evaluation for Beneficial Use - Inland

0 Data Record $

Total $

Option Year 3

Item No. Services Est Quantity Unit Price 3001AA Field Sampling - Marine 14 Each $

3001AB Field Sampling - Inland 98 Each $

3001AC Field Sampling – Geophysical Surveys

5 Each $

3002AA Laboratory Analysis – Marine incl bioassays

14 Each $

3002AB Laboratory Analysis – Inland

98 Each $

3002AC Laboratory Analysis – Dioxins

10 Each $

3002AD Laboratory Analysis-

3002AE Laboratory Analysis- Benthics

5 Each $

3003AA Evaluation Report - Marine 2 Data Record $

3003AB Evaluation Report – Inland 5 Data Record $

3003AC MPRSA Sect 103 Risk Modeling per sample-Marine

14 Each $

3003AD ODMDS Site Management Report – Marine

0 Data Record $

3004AA Section 404(b)1 Compliance Evaluation - Inland

0 Data Record $

3004AB Dredge Material Evaluation for Beneficial Use - Inland

1 Data Record $

Total $

Option Year 4

Item No. Services Est Quantity Unit Price 4001AA Field Sampling - Marine 14 Each $

4001AB Field Sampling - Inland 98 Each $

4001AC Field Sampling – Geophysical Surveys

3 Each $

4002AA Laboratory Analysis – Marine incl bioassays

14 Each $

4002AB Laboratory Analysis – Inland

98 Each $

4002AC Laboratory Analysis – Dioxins

10 Each $

4002AD Laboratory Analysis-

4002AE Laboratory Analysis- Benthics

5 Each $

4003AA Evaluation Report - Marine 2 Data Record $

4003AB Evaluation Report – Inland 5 Data Record $

4003AC MPRSA Sect 103 Risk Modeling per sample-Marine

14 Each $

4003AD ODMDS Site Management Report – Marine

0 Data Record $

4004AA Section 404(b)1 Compliance Evaluation - Inland

1 Data Record

4004AB Dredge Material Evaluation for Beneficial Use - Inland

0 Data Record $

Total $

End of Section B

Section C - Descriptions and Specifications

Performance Work Statement

General Environmental Services for

Dredged Material Evaluation

U.S. Army Engineer District, Galveston, Texas and Louisiana

I. GENERAL. This indefinite task order service contract is to provide dredged material evaluations and related services to customers of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

(USACE). Dredged material evaluations and related services generally consist of environmental compliance, testing and evaluation of environmental data predominantly within the boundaries of Galveston District, Texas and Louisiana. Task orders may use performance-based work statements (PWSs). A PWS structures all aspects of an acquisition around the purpose of the work to be performed and does not dictate how the work is to be accomplished. It is written to ensure that contractors are given the freedom to determine how to meet the Government’s performance objectives and provides for payment only when the results meet or exceed these objectives. It maximizes contractor control of work processes and allows for innovation in approaching various work requirements. A PWS emphasizes performance that can be contractually defined so that the results of the contractor’s effort can be measured in terms of technical and quality achievement, schedule progress, or cost performance. The goal of Performance-Based

Acquisition (PBA) is to:

Save money by reducing contract costs by elimination of unnecessary effort, through innovation by the contractor, and also by reducing

Government surveillance.

Enable Government to shift its emphasis from processes to outputs.

Hold contractors accountable for the end results.

Ensure that contractors are given the freedom to determine how to meet the Government’s performance objectives.

The contractor shall furnish all personnel, facilities, plant, equipment, materials, supplies, travel and services necessary to conduct any investigation and to prepare any report as specified in this contract and in subsequent task order(s). Services anticipated to be ordered consist of:

A. Evaluation of dredged material for placement suitability and assessment of dredged material effects to terrestrial, marine, estuarine, and freshwater environments, including:

Collection of water, sediment, elutriate, benthos, nekton and tissue samples;

Performance and analysis of various complex laboratory analysis, including chemical, contaminant, nutrient content, grain- size, bioassay and bioaccumulation studies;

Preparation of Section 103 Evaluation reports according to guidance under the Marine

Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA) and other guidance documents including the Regional Implementation Agreement (RIA), Inland Testing Manual (ITM) and Green Book;

Preparation of Section 404(b)(1) compliance evaluation and Section 404 sediment evaluations pursuant to the Clean Water Act (CWA);

Run and interpret data from models, Automated Dredging Disposal Alternatives Modeling System (ADDAMS), Trophic Trace, Bioaccumulation Risk Assessment Modeling System (BRAMS), Biological Evaluation Screening Tool (BEST), etc.;

Determine environmental impacts for beneficial use of dredged material.

B. Support services and special studies, including:

Management and monitoring of Ocean Dredged Material Disposal Sites (ODMDS), preparation of MPRSA Section 102 site designations, and formation of Site

Management and Monitoring Plans (SMMP) and related National Environmental

Policy Act (NEPA) documents;

Provide data, evaluation and summaries in various delivery formats including contaminant reports, electronic submissions to the Galveston District and in state and national databases to include Sediment Analysis Geo-App (SAGA);

Conduct other special studies or operations as specified under individual Task Orders.

II. LOCATION, EXTENT, AND CHARACTER OF GENERAL ENVIRONMENTAL

SERVICES.

A. Description of the Principal Contract Area. Lying within the West Gulf Coastal Plain, the

Galveston District covers an area averaging 100 miles in width along the Texas coast, extending from approximately 15 miles east of the Texas - Louisiana state line south to the Rio Grande

(Attachment A, Section J). The Contract will focus within mostly coastal Texas counties (Aransas, Brazoria, Calhoun, Cameron, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Jefferson, Kennedy, Kleberg, Liberty, Matagorda, Nueces, Orange, and Willacy) and portions of two Louisiana parishes (Calcasieu and Cameron). In addition to all of the terrestrial areas listed above, work can be ordered in any of the streams, rivers, bays, marine waters, or navigation channels encompassed by Galveston District.

B. Contractor's Obligation.

1. For field investigations, the contractor shall be obligated to provide at any one time a minimum of one project manager/principle investigator (senior scientists) and one field crews (chief plus

2 technicians). Completion schedules for task orders may overlap so long as the contractor is not required to furnish capability in excess of the specified amount. However, the contractor may be asked to furnish capability in excess of this amount when such capability exists and the requirement to do so is agreeable to both the contractor and the Contracting Officer.

2. The contractor shall furnish all services necessary in planning, administering, and performing the work specified in each task order.

3. The contractor shall commence and conduct all operations in a timely manner so as to complete all work in accordance with the completion schedule set forth in each task order.

4. The contractor shall be responsible for the accuracy and validity of the data. In the event of controversy or court challenge of any report, the contractor shall provide expert witnesses responsible for the conduct of work or the preparation of a report in contention to testify on behalf of the Government in support of the findings. Witnesses will be placed under contract and will be compensated for such services in accordance with standard prevailing expert witness fees which will be negotiated at that time.

A. Applicable Laws and Regulations. The contractor shall ensure that procedures and standards of all work performed under this contract conform to the current version of the following rules and regulations:

Clean Water Act, PL 92-500, as amended; 33 U.S.C. 1344, et seq. (Also known as Federal Water Pollution Control Act).

Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act of 1972, PL 92-532, as amended;

33 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.

B. Statement of Work. The Galveston District is a coastal CE district bordering the

Gulf of Mexico (Gulf). The contractor is required to be familiar with resources and processes found on the Texas Coastal plain and in the tidal fresh, estuarine and Gulf environments. Each of the general environmental services to be performed by the contractor in accordance with this contract and subsequent task order(s) issued by the Contracting Officer is described below.

C. Assessment of Dredged Material Effects. The contractor shall have the capability to assess the effects of dredged material placement to terrestrial, marine, estuarine, and freshwater environments. Anticipated services include:

a. Water and Sediment Quality Assessments. The contractor shall collect water, sediment, and soil grab or core samples and perform field testing and/or laboratory analysis of various parameters to be specified in individual task orders. The contractor shall obtain samples and perform various complex laboratory analyses including but not limited to chemical analyses of water, sediment, elutriate, and tissue samples, nutrient content, grain-size analyses, bioassays, and bioaccumulation studies. Samples for either field testing or laboratory analyses shall be collected from all terrestrial environments within the District, as well as fresh, estuarine, or

Gulf waters within or adjacent to the Galveston District. Sediments encountered range from stiff clays, to fine-grained silts, to sands. Samples shall be used to characterize existing resources and habitats in specific project areas, identify specific pollutants in terrestrial, aquatic, or marine environments, and prepare impact assessments.

1) General procedures. Samples shall be collected using accepted practices for collecting, preserving, processing, storing, and transporting water and sediment samples, including the use of non-contaminating sampling devices. Protocols and procedures will be specified by individual task orders. The contractor shall provide all equipment and transportation necessary for the collection and delivery of the samples. The contractor shall provide both sub-meter accuracy Global Positioning System (GPS) and state-plane (Lambert) "X-Y" coordinate positioning for identifying the precise location of all sampling stations.

2) Sample Preservation. A suitable method for preservation and shipment of water and sediment samples shall be used. The samples must be stored at 2°C to 4°C, never frozen, within 24 hours after collection. Samples for bioassays shall be processed within two weeks after collection.

3) Water Sampling. Collection of water samples shall be made with appropriate noncontaminating water-sampling devices. Special care must be taken to avoid the introduction of contaminants from the sampling devices and containers. The sampling devices must be thoroughly cleaned. A representative water sample for bioassays is obtained by collecting 1/3 of the sample volume directly below the water surface, 1/3 from the mid-depth in the water column, and 1/3 from approximately 1.0 m above the sediment surface.

Water samples for chemical analyses shall be collected from approximately 1.0 meter below the water surface. Field data collection may include but not be limited to, dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, water depth, temperature and salinity for each sample collected.

4) Sediment Sampling. Sediment samples encountered represent a variety of substrates and classes of materials ranging from fine silts to sands to stiff clays. Sediment samples shall be taken with appropriate noncontaminating sampling devices in a manner designed to ensure that their characteristics are representative of the proposed sampling site.

Care shall be taken to ensure that the containers are completely filled by the samples and that air bubbles are not trapped in the containers. Samples shall be required at depths ranging from

0 feet mean lower low water (MLLW) to -70 feet MLLW.

b. Chemical Analysis. Water, sediment, elutriate and tissue samples shall be analyzed for a variety of analytes to be specified in each individual task order. The classes of contaminants include, but are not limited to, metals, pesticides, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), and volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds. All analyses will be performed by a laboratory accredited by an accrediting authority recognized by the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program

(NELAP) for the analytes/analyte groups and matrices to be analyzed. All analyses will be performed within the holding period described by the analytical procedure. Analyses shall be conducted using approved methods developed by the USEPA, ASTM, USGS, or other recognized entities through the following guidance:

U.S. EPA and USACE. 1991. Evaluation of Dredged Material Proposed for Ocean Disposal - Testing Manual (Green Book).

EPA-503/8-91-001. February 1991.

https://www.epa.gov/ocean-dumping/evaluation-dredged-material-proposed-ocean-disposal-green-book

U.S. EPA and USACE. 1998. Evaluation of Dredged Material Proposed for Discharge in Water of the U.S. – Testing Manual (Inland Testing Manual). EPA, Office of Water, Office of Science and Technology, Washington, D.C., and USACE, Operations, Construction, and Readiness Division, Washington, D.C.

https://www.epa.gov/cwa-404/inland-testing-manual

U.S. EPA and USACE. 2003. Regional Implementation Agreement for Testing and

Reporting Requirements for Ocean Disposal of Dredged Material Off the Louisiana and

Texas Under Section 103 of the Marine Program, Research and Sanctuaries Act (RIA).

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston and New Orleans Districts. https://www.epa.gov/ocean-dumping/regional-implementation-agreement-testing-and-reporting-requirements-ocean-disposal

U.S. EPA. 1995. QA/QC Guidance for Sampling and Analysis of Sediments, Water, and Tissues for Dredged Material Evaluations – Chemical Evaluations. EPA-823-B-

95-001. http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/library/sediment/evaluationguide.pdf

U.S. EPA. 2001. Methods for Collection, Storage and Manipulation of Sediments for

Chemical and Toxicological Analyses: Technical Manual. EPA 823-B-01-002. U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, Washington, DC.

http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/cs/collectionmanual.pdf

U.S. EPA. 2001. Requirements for Quality Assurance Project Plans (QA/R-5) (PDF

120KB) - March 2001, EPA/240/B-01/003. These specifications are equivalent to

Chapter 5 of EPA Manual 5360. http://www.epa.gov/quality/qs-docs/r5-final.pdf

U.S. EPA. 2002. Guidance for Quality Assurance Project Plans (G-5) [G-5 publication] (PDF 401KB) - December 2002, EPA/240/R-02/009. (Note: This document replaces EPA/600/R-98/018 issued in February 1998.)

http://www.epa.gov/quality/qs-docs/g5-final.pdf

U.S. EPA and USACE. 1996. Guidance document for development of site management plans for ocean dredged material disposal sites. Office of Water (4504F), Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C.

1) Elutriate Analysis. The standard elutriate shall be prepared and analyzed according to procedures described in the following, or other appropriate guidance manuals.

https://www.epa.gov/ocean-dumping/evaluation-dredged-material-proposed-ocean-disposal-green-book https://www.epa.gov/ocean-dumping/evaluation-dredged-material-proposed-ocean-disposal-green-book https://www.epa.gov/cwa-404/inland-testing-manual https://www.epa.gov/ocean-dumping/regional-implementation-agreement-testing-and-reporting-requirements-ocean-disposal https://www.epa.gov/ocean-dumping/regional-implementation-agreement-testing-and-reporting-requirements-ocean-disposal http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/library/sediment/evaluationguide.pdf http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/cs/collectionmanual.pdf http://www.epa.gov/quality/qs-docs/r5-final.pdf http://www.epa.gov/quality/qs-docs/g5-final.pdf

Plumb, R.H., Jr. 1981. Procedure for Handling and Chemical Analysis of Sediment and Water

Samples. EPA/CE- 81-1. Prepared by State University College at Buffalo, Great Lakes

Laboratory, Buffalo, N.Y. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of

Engineers, Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, MS.

2) Containers. For samples to undergo chemical analyses, appropriate sample containers with appropriate acid preservatives shall be provided by the analytical laboratory.

These containers shall be picked-up, or shipped by the contractor from the analytical laboratory.

Containers for bioassay samples shall be the responsibility of the contractor.

3) Transportation. Subsequent to collection, the samples for chemical analyses shall be delivered or shipped to the analytical laboratory in a timely manner such that holding times are not exceeded. The samples shall be preserved during transportation and storage as described above. A suitable chain of custody document shall be furnished along with the samples. The contractor shall be solely responsible for the condition of the samples until formally transferred to the analytical laboratory via chain of custody procedures. Samples that are lost or damaged shall be subject to re-collection at the discretion of the Contracting

Officer at no additional cost to the Government.

c. Benthic and Nektonic Sampling and Analyses. The same general procedures outlined in C-paragraph 1, above, apply to the collection of benthic and nektonic samples. In addition to sample collection, the contractor shall conduct laboratory analyses of collected samples as described below.

1) Benthic analyses. The contractor shall collect macrobenthic and sediment samples using a box coring device with removable inner liner to enable the sediment core to be sectioned into various strata before sieving. Samples shall be filtered in the field and preserved in a 10% formalin - seawater mixture containing rose-bengal stain. Upon arrival at the laboratory, each replicate shall be analyzed for general community structure parameters. Organisms shall be sorted by major taxon group and identified to the species level, where possible. Unidentifiable, immature, or damaged animals shall be taken to the lowest practical identification level.

Parameters to be measured include: a phylogenetic listing of species, replicate count data, percent of species occurrence, species totals, percent major taxa group by station, total taxa, mean taxa/replicate, total individuals, mean density, species diversity, species richness, species evenness, average station biomass, and biomass of major taxa by station.

2) Nektonic samples. Nektonic samples shall be preserved in 10% buffered formalin. The contractor shall identify specimens to the lowest practical taxon. Parameters to be measured by station include: phylogenetic listing of species, replicate count data, percent of species occurrence and species totals. Additionally, total weight and average weight of each species, and standard length measurements for up to 30 individuals, where appropriate, shall be determined.

d. Bioassays. All bioassays shall be conducted in a facility that meets the requirements for accreditation under the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation

Program (NELAP). Procedures to be followed in conducting these tests are described in the following guidance manuals:

EPA/Department of the Army, 1991. Evaluation of Dredged Material Proposed

For Ocean Disposal. EPA-503/8-91/001, February 1991. U.S. EPA, Office of

Water. Washington, D.C. Available for download at:

http://www.epa.gov/OWOW/oceans/gbook/

EPA/Department of the Army, 1998. Evaluation of Dredged Material Proposed For

Discharge in Waters of the U.S. – Testing Manual (Inland Testing Manual). EPA-823-

B-98-004, February 1998. U.S. EPA, Office of Water. Washington, D.C. Available for download at: http://www.epa.gov/OST/pubs/ITM.html.

1) Suspended Particulate Phase (SPP) Bioassays. SPP bioassays shall be performed at each designated sample location. A series of experimental treatments and controls are established using the SPP of dredged material from each channel location and artificial seawater. Each series includes five replicates of each of the three dilutions as described in the guidance manuals.

Species Selection. All SPP bioassays shall utilize three species. Species to be used will be described in the task order. Representative species include the adult (1-5 day old) mysid shrimp, Americamysis bahia; the planktonic post-larval (< 1 day old) mysid, A. bahia; and the fish (9-14 days old), Menidia beryllina.

Test organisms shall be field caught, cultured in the laboratory or purchased commercially. If the organisms are field caught, collection and handling of the animals shall be as gentle as possible. Transportation from the animal collection site to the laboratory shall be in well-aerated water held at the temperature and salinity from which they were obtained. Field caught or purchased animals must be held in the laboratory no longer than necessary, preferably no more than two weeks before bioassays are begun. During this period all test organisms must be gradually acclimated to the salinity and temperature at which the bioassay shall be conducted.

Juvenile forms shall be utilized because of their generally greater sensitivity than adults.

Fish and zooplankton must be separated to avoid predation. The identity of all test species must be verified by experienced taxonomists. Ten organisms are exposed in each replicate.

The test organisms shall be added to the test chambers and incubated under experimental conditions for 96 hours (48 hours for zooplankton).

Facility. A facility for maintaining constant temperature and appropriate photoperiod in the test containers must be used. Any incubator that allows control of the temperature within ±1°C and provides acceptable lighting will suffice. Cool-white fluorescent lighting located above the test units at a distance of approximately 0.5 to 1.0 m shall be used.

Data Presentation and Analysis. During the bioassay, the temperature, salinity, dissolved http://www.epa.gov/OWOW/oceans/gbook/ http://www.epa.gov/OST/pubs/ITM.html oxygen, and pH in each test container shall be measured and reported daily. Similarly, ammonia levels must be monitored to determine whether any toxicity is due to excessive ammonia or effects of contaminants of concern. Data for each test species should be presented in separate tables that include the following information: the scientific name of the test species, the number of organisms in each treatment at the start of the test, the number of organisms alive at each observation period, if applicable, the number of organisms recovered alive and/or in normal health from each chamber at the end of the test. Averages for each treatment and % survival shall be reported.

Complete survival data, identified by species, in all test containers at each observation time shall be presented. If greater than 10-percent mortality (30% in zooplankton) occurs in the controls, all data shall be discarded and the experiment repeated. Unacceptably high control mortality indicates the presence of important stresses on the organisms other than the material being tested, such as injury, disease, stressful physical or chemical conditions in the test containers, or improper handling, acclimation, or feeding. If less than 10-percent mortality

(30% in zooplankton) occurs in the controls, the data shall be evaluated. Statistical comparisons between 96-hr, or 48-hr for zooplankton, survival in the appropriate control and 100-percent test medium shall be performed.

Initial Mixing. It will be necessary to analyze the SPP Bioassay data in light of initial mixing.

If an LC50 can be calculated for a test, this value shall be compared with the Limiting

Permissible Concentration (LPC). In order to perform these calculations, some of the mathematical models described in the appropriate guidance manual must be run. The guidance given in the appropriate manual shall be followed.

Quality Control. Reference toxicant tests shall be performed on organisms used for these bioassays. Guidance for the performance of these tests is contained in the guidance manuals.

The costs for performing these tests shall be included in the cost of the bioassay and will not be priced separately.

2) Solid Phase (SP) Bioassays. A SP bioassay series consists of five replicates each of three sample location treatments and two controls. The solid phase bioassay for each channel reach shall be performed as one test series. Each test series shall consist of the two controls and the test treatments running concurrently.

Species Selection. All SP bioassays shall utilize two species. Species to be used will be described in the task order. Representative species include the infaunal amphipod, Leptocheirus plumulosus or Ampelisca abdita; and the crustacean, Americamysis bahia.

Juvenile forms shall be utilized because of their generally greater sensitivity than adults.

Potential predator and prey species shall be isolated from each other. The identity of all test species shall be verified by experienced taxonomists. 20 organisms are exposed in each replicate. The guidance manuals shall be consulted for organism collection, handling, transportation, and acclimation procedures.

Artificial seawater, prepared with deionized water and adjusted to the salinity of the project reach, shall be used in all solid phase bioassays.

The bioassay continues for 10 days, during which daily records are kept of obvious mortalities, formation of tubes or burrows, and unusual behavior patterns. Also, daily records of water-quality parameters (e.g., dissolved oxygen, salinity, temperature, pH) shall be maintained.

Ammonia concentrations shall be measured to evaluate potential ammonia toxicity. Surviving animals from the bioassay that are to be used in estimating bioaccumulation potential shall be gently and rapidly counted and treated as discussed in the guidance manuals.

Facility. A suitable facility for conducting these tests shall be large enough to accommodate a SP bioassay test series as described above. If multiple test series are planned, the facility shall be sized appropriately. In addition, adequate facilities shall be made for the storage of large amounts of water. A facility for maintaining constant temperature and appropriate photoperiod in the test containers must be used. Any incubator that allows control of the temperature within ±1°C and provides acceptable lighting will suffice. Cool-white fluorescent lighting located above the test units at a distance of approximately 0.5 to 1.0 m shall be used.

Data Presentation and Analysis. Present data in a table giving the scientific name of the test species, the number of organisms in each treatment at the start of the test, number of organisms recovered alive and/or in normal health from each chamber at the end of the test (including positive and negative controls). If greater than an average of 10-percent mortality occurs in the true controls, the Contracting Officer may, at his discretion, order the test repeated. Unacceptably high true control mortality indicates that the test was not performed according to contract requirements. This may be due to the presence of important stresses on the organisms other than the material being tested, such as injury, disease, stressful physical or chemical conditions in the test containers, improper handling or acclimation or perhaps an adverse impact from an unsuitable or contaminated true control sediment. If the Contracting Officer determines that the test was performed according to contract requirements, compensation for each repeated test ordered shall be made at the unit price stated in the Prices\Costs Schedule. However, data with greater than 10-percent mortality may be evaluated with no retest required if so determined by the Contracting Officer.

If less than 10-percent mortality occurs in the true controls, the data may be evaluated. If survival in the reference control is at least 10% higher (20% in amphipods) than that in the dredged material, the data must be compared statistically. For statistical purposes, survival in the reference controls is used. The true controls are used only to determine if the bioassay must be repeated and are not used in any solid phase statistical operations. All data shall be analyzed using total mortality as well as individual species mortality.

Quality Control. Reference toxicant tests are to be performed on organisms used for these bioassays. Guidance for the performance of these tests are contained in the guidance manuals, however, they are to be conducted for 96 hours, rather than 24 hours. The costs for performing these tests are to be included in the cost of the bioassay and will not be priced separately.

e. Bioaccumulation. Two different species shall be used to assess bioaccumulation.

Species to be used will be described in the task order. Representative species include the mollusk, Macoma nasuta, and the sandworm, Nereis virens. The laboratory assessment shall use the survivors from the 28-day exposure period, as specified. The size and number of organisms must be carefully considered in order to provide sufficient tissue for chemical analyses. At least 30 grams of wet weight tissue per species is needed for chemical analyses and shall be stocked in each replicate accordingly. In addition, a loading factor of 1.0 gram of animal tissue per liter of water, as described in the SP bioassay, must not be exceeded.

Therefore, depending on the size of the organisms, more than the minimum number specified for the bioassay may have to be used, and/or multiple test containers per replicate established in the bioassay. The bioaccumulation assessment shall be run concurrently with the solid phase bioassay.

Chemical Analyses. The contractor shall preserve the tissues for both species for all treatments.

In addition, prior to initiation of the solid phase bioassay, a random sample of each species selected for bioaccumulation shall be sacrificed for chemical analyses. These analyses shall be used to determine background concentrations. Organisms from each replicate shall be homogenized and placed in clean, labeled glass containers and frozen. The contractor shall deliver or ship the samples to the Analytical Laboratory. Upon completion of the analyses, the data will undergo statistical analyses and inclusion in the report.

Data Analysis and Interpretation. In accordance with the RIA, the sediment concentrations are first screened to determine which analytes are present in the sediment. Those analytes that are present in the sediment are the only concentrations that should be used for bioaccumulation interpretation. A separate analysis shall be conducted for each chemical constituent and each animal species. In addition, tissue analysis of the background samples shall be performed.

Tissue levels for contaminants are to be compared with FDA Action Levels for Poisonous or

Deleterious Substances in Fish or Shellfish for Human Consumption, where they exist.

Statistical comparisons between average tissue concentrations in the reference and those in animals exposed to the dredged materials shall be performed. The appropriate guidance manual shall be consulted for all required statistical evaluations. The statistical examples given in the guidance manual are recommended procedures. Other appropriate statistical methods may be necessary to evaluate certain data. These other statistical methods are data dependent and the methods employed shall not be limited to those recommended. The contractor shall propose, investigate and utilize alternate procedures, as appropriate. The contractor shall obtain the approval of the Contracting Officer for all methods used.

Special Studies. The contractor may occasionally be required to perform special studies as ordered by the Contracting Officer. These studies may include, but are not limited to, Geographic

Information System (GIS) database development and public involvement programs. Standard requirements and formats for these studies will be specified by individual task orders.

f. Perform modeling utilizing the analyzed data to simulate the movement of the disposed material as it falls through the water column, spreads over the bottom and is transported and diffused as suspended sediment by the ambient current. Estimation of initial mixing and toxicity threshold shall be made on dredged material using the method (ADDAMS model) specified in the Regional Implementation Agreement (RIA) using results of bioassay acute toxic concentration relationships.

g. Provide topographic and geophysical survey services to collect and analyze environmental data associated with environmental impacts of dredging and/or placement of dredged material, including, but not limited to, beneficial use beach nourishment, disposal site designation, and site monitoring. Task orders may include bathymetric, side scan sonar, sediment profile imaging, magnetometer, and upland surveys associated with environmental impacts of dredging and/or placement of dredged material. A Professional Land Surveyor

(PLS) is not required. If needed for a specific task order, a contract modification will be executed.

h. Perform surface water studies including mixing and dilution analysis, pollutant fate and transport modeling, and current modeling and monitoring. Data collection may include, but is not limited to, dye tracer studies, in-situ water quality monitoring, and long-term electronic monitoring and data collection.

Preparation of Environmental Compliance Documents.

i. The contractor shall prepare Section 103 Evaluation reports according to guidance under the MPRSA and other guidance documents including the Regional Implementation

Agreement (RIA), Inland Testing Manual (ITM) and Green Book.

j. The contractor shall prepare Section 404(b)(1) compliance evaluation and Section

404 sediment evaluations pursuant to the Clean Water Act.

k. The contractor shall collect data and prepare documents in the management and monitoring of Ocean Dredged Material Disposal Sites (ODMDS), MPRSA Section 102 site designations, and formation of Site Management and Monitoring Plans (SMMP) and related

NEPA documents.

l. The contractor shall prepare environmental impact evaluations of alternative plans for the offshore placement of new work and/or maintenance material from CE navigation channels. The assessment shall meet requirements of the MPRSA and provide all information required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to designate new or revised

Ocean Dredged Material Disposal Sites (ODMDS) for dredged materials. The contractor shall be capable of utilizing existing models such as, but not limited to, MDFATE and LTFATE to evaluate the short and long-term movement and mounding of dredged material in the offshore environment.

m. The contractor shall prepare documents required for compliance with other federal laws and regulations as determined by the CE.

n. Preparation of Technical Reports of Findings. The contractor shall have the capability of producing a professional, technical report of findings as the end product of a task order.

Report Content. Reports of investigations shall meet the reporting standards described below, as well as current professional standards specified by individual task orders. The contractor shall prepare a comprehensive, technical draft report detailing the work accomplished, study rationale, and study results. The draft report shall be a polished product and an accurate representation of the content of the final report. All photographs and graphics such as maps, charts, tables, and drawings shall be complete and included in the draft report. The title page shall include the title of the report, contracting party, contract number, the name and title of the Study Manager, and author(s) of the report. If a report is authored by someone other than the Study Manager, the Study Manager must at least prepare a foreword describing the overall research context of the report, the significance of the work, and any other background circumstances relating to the manner in which the work was undertaken. The abstract shall be a synopsis of the report, stating conclusions and recommendations. The introduction shall include a statement of purpose, delineation of the study boundary, and a general statement of the nature of the study. Information shall be presented in textual, tabular, and graphic formats, as appropriate. All records, documents, publications, and references consulted, cited, or utilized shall be listed in the bibliography.

References to unpublished sources shall include sufficient information to allow location of the documents by future researchers.

Government Comments. All draft reports will be reviewed by the Authorized Representative of the

Contracting Officer (COR) for scientific accuracy, clear and concise presentation, and discussion of the data and results. The final report shall incorporate comments of the COR.

Report Distribution. All interim, draft, and final reports shall be submitted with a cover letter to the COR. The number of copies of each draft and final report will be specified in each task order.

Additional copies may be printed and distributed by the contractor so long as charges for the report do not exceed the cost of reproduction and distribution. If the contractor expects to publish all or part of any final report, he must provide the COR with a letter specifying the expected date, place, and name of publication.

o. Contract Deliverables. Deliverables will be specified by the specified task order.

Deliverables will typically include:

1) Draft Sampling and Analysis Plan/ Quality Assurance Project Plan

(SAP/QAPP). The SAP is the main source of information about the proposed dredging project’s sampling design/approach and quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) measures associated with sample collection and dredged material analysis. The SAP/QAPP should be composed of standardized, recognizable elements covering the entire dredging project testing scheme from planning, through implementation, to assessment.

2) Final SAP/QAPP.

3) Preliminary Testing Report. This report will contain data describing sediment physical analyses, sediment chemistry, elutriate and water chemistry, suspended particulate and elutriate phase bioassays, solid phase bioassays, and bioaccumulation, in addition to descriptions of the project area, dredging history, testing approach, materials and methods used, quality assurance/quality control measures, ADDAMS model, and references. The Contractor shall submit this report to SWG for review and concurrence with disposal practices described in the

Green Book (U.S. EPA 1991), Inland Testing Manual (ITM) (U.S. EPA 1998), and RIA (U.S.

EPA and USACE 2003).

4) Final Testing Report. This report will include any revisions that result from review of the preliminary report by SWG. The reports will consist of 8½ inches by 11 inches pages with drawings or oversized tables folded, if necessary, to this size. The report margins shall be suitable for use in a durable 3-ring binder. A decimal numbering system will be used, with each section having a unique decimal designation. Reports that require extensive editing, have extensive errors, or are not in the required formats will be rejected and re- submittal will be required. All submittals shall be sent to USACE Galveston District c/o Lisa Finn.

(a) Drawings or plates shall be no larger than 17 inches by 11 inches (tabloid) with sufficient margin for binding on the left side and shall include a geographical scale and north arrow, when applicable.

(b) Any maps, drawings, figures, sketches, databases, spreadsheets, or text files prepared shall be provided in both hard copy and digital form. One electronic copy shall be provided in Microsoft Word (.docx) and Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format on a CD. One additional electronic copy shall be provided in Adobe Acrobat .pdf format on a second CD.

(c) The Contractor shall submit all deliverables in draft and final format as required within the specific instructions of each task order, including the format, number of copies, and distribution. At a minimum, all final copies of the native e-file documents shall include one copy in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format submitted on CD.

(d) Electronic Files: All final reports and documents, including laboratory analysis data and Electronic Data Deliverable (EDD), shall be submitted on CD in Microsoft

Word (.docx) and/or Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) or other approved format. Laboratory data should be provided as Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) files. Quality Control Summary Tables will be provided to validate lab data in the form of a checklist.

(e) All reports, data, field sheets, correspondence, notes, field books, and any other documents associated with a specific task order will be archived by the contractor for a minimum of 5 years from the date of the final report.

III. BID ITEM DEFINITIONS.

Field Sampling – Marine (per sample)

Collection of water and sediment samples from the 6 deep draft navigation channels, their associated ODMDS and offshore reference sites which includes: sampling equipment, GIS, ocean going vessel, materials, supplies, travel, per diem and personnel.

Field Sampling – Inland (per…