Biology - Statement of Work 2012

STATEMENT OF WORK

BIOLOGY

Sampling and Testing of Dredged Material Proposed for Ocean Disposal (Physical and Biological Analyses)

1. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES TO BE PERFORMED. The work to be performed under this contract consists of sampling and testing of dredged material following procedures described in the 1992 ACENYD/EPA REGION 2 REGIONAL IMPLEMENTATION MANUAL on Dredged Material Proposed for Ocean Disposal (http://www.nan.usace.army.mil/business/buslinks/contract/pdf/guidance.pdf), the 1991 GREEN BOOK (www.epa.gov/OWOW/oceans/gbook/index.html), and subsequent updates to these two documents. Work orders would include all or some of the following: sediment and water collection (on contractor-supplied ship); sample handling, processing and shipping; physical and biological analyses;

QA/QC procedures and necessary corrective actions. Reports containing the sampling logs, all testing results and QA/QC information in a format required by the New York District Corps of Engineers (NYD) would have to be provided by the contractor for each task order. A Work/QA Plan prepared by the contractor and approved by NYD would be required prior to any sampling or testing for any contracts awarded under this solicitation. A Work/QA Plan must include: descriptions of all technical procedures for field sampling, laboratory analyses (eg. biology, chemical, physical) data reduction and validation, and reporting; clearly written standard operating procedures (SOP) for all field, experimental and analytical procedures; clearly defined QA objectives that are consistent with the regulations, the Green Book, a permit application; mechanisms for conducting performance and systems audits during the course of the field laboratory work; and procedures for detecting problems with the sampling and analytical work, and implementing corrective actions in a timely manner. All sampling would be performed within the Port of New York & New Jersey, the length of the Hudson River, in the Atlantic Ocean at the Historic Area Remediation Site and its Reference Site, and in Long Island Sound at the Western and/or Central Disposal Sites.

2. STATEMENT OF CONTRACTOR SERVICES. The contractor shall provide services which will be detailed on each specific delivery order. It will include any combination of the following items:

SAMPLING Price is for one sample collection site (generally, a project will consist of approximately 8-20 sample collection sites. About 40-50 gallons of sediment will need to be collected). Average core lengths are 6 feet, very rarely up to 18 feet. One sediment core and one site water sample per collection site is assumed for items 3 and 5. Five gallons of sediments from one or more locations within a given project area are assumed to be collected under items 6-7. A single mobilization/demobilization price per project will be paid; this will be a single price for all project conditions. Item 8 is a one-time cost and will only be awarded when both NYD and the Contractor agree before initiation of work that the compositing will be substantial and more time-consuming than usual. Item 8 will not be applied to routine compositing required to fulfill the testing needs outlined in the 1991 Green Book or the 1992 (or latest) version of the ACENYD/EPA Region 2 Regional Implementation Manual.

1. Sediment & Water Sampling - Vibracore - Mobilization/Demobilization (Contractor supplies ship, crew and equipment. Price includes travel from lab to and from sampling sites and sample shipment to lab.)

2. Sediment & Water Sampling - Split Spoon - Mobilization/Demobilization (Contractor supplies ship, crew and equipment. Price includes travel from lab to and from sampling sites and sample shipment to lab.)

3. Sediment & Water Sampling - Vibracore (per sample)

4. Sediment & Water Sampling - Split Spoon (per sample)

5. Sediment & Water Sampling - Grab sample (per sample)

6. Sediment & Water Sampling - Vibracore (five gallons)

7. Sediment & Water Sampling - Grab sample (five gallons) http://www.nan.usace.army.mil/business/buslinks/contract/pdf/guidance.pdf http://www.epa.gov/OWOW/oceans/gbook/index.html

8. Sediment & Water Sampling - Compositing

SEDIMENT PHYSICAL ANALYSIS (Items 9-17 per single or composited sediment sample; item 18 is per water sample)

9. Grain Size Analysis (% sand, % silt, & % clay, using ASTM D-422)

10. Grain Size Distribution

11. % Moisture (must also be reported as Moisture Content, using ASTM D2216)

12. Specific Gravity (ASTM – D854)

13. Bulk Density (expressed as wet)

14. Plasticity Indices (Atterberg Limits) (ASTM D4318)

15. USCS Classification (ASTM D2487)

16. Permeability (ASTM D2434)

17. Consolidation - (per sediment sample). Use a modified ASTM 2435 (oedometer) test procedure outlined in EM 1110-2-5027, Appendix D in combination with the selfweight consolidation test described by Poindexter (1987,1988). Calculate permeability from the consolidation properties using the equation provided.

18. Total Suspended Solids - TSS (Performed using EM-1110-2-5027 or equivalent method.

Filter type (e.g. GFF, Millipore, Nuclepore) will be at discretion of NYD.

19. % Total Organic Carbon (per single or composited sediment sample; see NYD Guidance Manual for required method and MDL.)

WATER COLUMN BIOASSAYS (Water column bioassays are generally performed per composite sediment sample. Prices for items 20-22 reflect prices for preparation and testing of a single composite elutriate and includes control water, dilution water and reference toxicant tests. Prices for 23-25 reflect prices for preparation and testing of each additional composite using the same control and reference toxicant exposures that was used in 20-22).

20. Water Column Acute Toxicity (bivalve larvae)-First Reach

21. Water Column Acute Toxicity (Mysidopsis bahia)-First Reach

22. Water Column Acute Toxicity (Menidia spp.)-First Reach

23. Water Column Acute Toxicity (bivalve larvae)-Addl. Reach

24. Water Column Acute Toxicity (Mysidopsis bahia)-Addl. Reach

25. Water Column Acute Toxicity (Menidia spp.)-Addl. Reach

BENTHIC BIOASSAYS (Benthic acute toxicity bioassays are generally performed per composite sediment sample and using reference sediment collected from the Ocean Disposal Reference Site (ODRS) and is infrequently performed also using reference sites in Long Island Sound (LIS). Prices for items 26-27 reflect prices for testing of a single composite and include all compositing, control, and ODRS reference sediment and reference toxicant exposures. Prices for 28-29 reflect prices for testing of each additional composite using the same control and reference sediment and reference toxicant exposures that were used in 26-27. Prices for 30-31 reflect prices for testing of each additional LIS reference sediment that may be run concurrently with items 26-29.)

26. 10-Day Benthic Acute Toxicity (Ampelisca abdita) - First Reach (Contractor may substitute another amphipod only with prior approval by the Government)

27. 10-Day Benthic Acute Toxicity (Mysidopsis bahia) - First Reach

28. 10-Day Benthic Acute Toxicity (Ampelisca abdita) - Addl Reach

(same amphipod as used in Item 26 )

29. 10-Day Benthic Acute Toxicity (Mysidopsis bahia) - Addl Reach

30. 10-Day Benthic Acute Toxicity (Ampelisca abdita) – LIS Ref

(contractor may substitute another amphipod only with prior approval by the Government)

31. 10-Day Benthic Acute Toxicity (Mysidopsis bahia) - LIS Ref

BIOACCUMULATION BIOASSAYS (28-day bioaccumulation bioassays are generally performed per composite sediment sample using reference sediment collected from the Ocean Disposal Reference Site

(ODRS) and are infrequently performed also using reference sites in Long Island Sound (LIS). Prices for items 32-33 reflect prices for testing of a single composite and include all compositing, control, and ODRS reference sediment and reference toxicant exposures. Prices for 34-35 reflect prices for testing of each additional composite using the same control and reference sediment and reference toxicant exposures that were used in 32-33. Prices for 36-37 reflect prices for testing of each additional LIS reference sediment that may be run concurrently with items 32-35.)

32. 28-Day Bioaccumulation (Nereis virens)- First Reach

33. 28-Day Bioaccumulation (Macoma nasuta)- First Reach

34. 28-Day Bioaccumulation (Nereis virens)- Addl Reach

35. 28-Day Bioaccumulation (Macoma nasuta)- Addl Reach

36. 28-Day Bioaccumulation (Nereis virens)- LIS Ref

37. 28-Day Bioaccumulation (Macoma nasuta)- LIS Ref

ADDITIONAL DILUTIONS

38. Additional Dilution - Water Column Acute Toxicity (same number of replicates per dilution as specified in items 19 through 25)

PREPARATION OF PUBLIC NOTICE TABLES

39. Statistical Analysis – Perform statistical analysis comparing bioaccumulation results for full set of analytes for one reach (test results to be provided by Government or Government’s contractor). Price is per species and comparison (e.g. test vs. reference, or test vs. control).

Statistical method used will conform to regional guidance.

40. Prepare Public Notice Table Summaries and Testing Memorandum Table – Reporting format is per the Government’s requirements. Price assumes two species used for bioaccumulation, and site water, and elutriate results.

3. GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED DATA. The Government will furnish necessary data, survey maps, and sampling locations for each delivery order relating to the particular work or site under investigation.

4. AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CONTRACTING OFFICER (COR). The Government will designate a COR who will provide all liaison, supply Government-furnished data and services, and forward other necessary documents. Contractor interpretation and associated guidance/direction by the Government shall not be official unless specifically made by the COR. The COR will seek the timely progress of the work and its satisfactory completion.

5. PROJECT MANAGER. Promptly following award of contract, the contractor shall designate a project manager who shall be the point of contact with the Government COR.

6. CONFERENCES. The contractor may need to attend meetings at NYD offices to discuss test results if requested by the Government. No additional payment will be made for conference attendance.

7. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. Contractor is required to report all test results on a CD that includes full documentation of chain of custody. Results must be reported in a format that maximizes ease of interpretation, and data must be fully qualified. Initial reporting requirements will be specified at time of the first delivery item under this contract. Specific reporting format requirements may be changed through the life of the contract to accommodate the changing needs of the Government. Samples must be identified clearly for the Government, not merely by laboratory ID but by verbal descriptors. NY District reserves the right to require electronic submission of results in specific formats to be determined by the Government at no additional cost.

8. CORRECTION OF FINAL DOCUMENTS. Following review of draft reports and approval by the Government, the contractor will make all changes and corrections required and resubmit corrected originals and reproducible copies within the time schedule stipulated by the contracting officer or in the task order.

9. RESPONSIBILITY FOR CORRECT DOCUMENTS. The contractor is expected to review his work.

Corrections and clarifications shall be made by the contractor, if found necessary by the Government during review. Work required for correction or clarification shall be completed and resubmitted within seven calendar days after request for such service is made by the COR, unless otherwise specified by the

COR.

10. TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

10.1. If water or sediment are being collected by NYD personnel for testing by the contractor, the contractor must provide appropriate clean sampling containers to NYD prior to start of sampling. Sample containers must be shipped within five (5) days of notification by the NYD personnel to the following address:

US Army Engineer District, New York Caven Point Terminal Three Chapel Avenue Port Liberte Jersey City, NJ 07305 917-790-6101 (voice) 212-264-7147 (fax)

The COR will notify the contractor when water or sediment sample collection has been completed. The samples must be picked up by the contractor within one business day following notification by the COR.

Samples must be picked up at the address provided in paragraph 10.1, above, or at another mutually agreed upon location.

10.2. If sampling is being performed by the contractor, the following requirements must be met:

a. Sampling crew must have at least one marine geologist onboard who is qualified to identify sediment type at the time of collection.

b. Ships used for sampling must have a DGPS navigation system onboard to pinpoint sample locations. Sample collection locations must be recorded in Lat/Long coordinates. Onboard fathometer must be capable of reporting depth to 0.1 foot and can be calibrated to counteract the confounding effects of temperature and salinity differences.

c. Corrections for stand of the tide at time of sampling using tidal projections will be permissible in most waterways and under most conditions, however, the government reserves the right to require real time correction using a local elevation datum (i.e. employing a tide board to correct for tide).

d. Sediment samples must be collected by coring or split sampling spoon to a depth specified by

NYD. Boring logs describing sample collection must be provided and must include at a minimum the following information: date and time of collection, water depth and tidal information, sampling location in Lat/Long coordinates, and a physical description of cores by depth including odor, color, sediment type and degree of stratification. A color photograph of each core with depths marked off must be included in the log. Also, note any abiotic or biotic material collected, as well as any problems encountered during sampling.

e. The core material or split spoon material must be composited and collected into labeled buckets and glass jars and stored in the dark at 2 o -4 o C immediately upon collection. Records must be kept identifying the number of samples taken per site, which cores were mixed together, and the amount of sediment pooled per site to make the composited sample. If stratification has been observed, the strata must be collected separately in labeled buckets and jars for each stratum. Each of the buckets and jars are to be filled to capacity (i.e. with no air space). Enough sediment must be collected to accomplish all of the tasks prescribed. If the contractor fails to provide sufficient sediment for the completion of all testing specified, the contractor will be resample or collect sufficient additional material to conduct the testing at no expense to the government.

f. Water must be collected from about 1 meter below the surface prior to coring at the same site where sediment cores are being taken, and containers must be stored in the dark at 2 o -4 o C immediately upon collection. A physical description of the collected water must be provided, including temperature and salinity of water at time of collection. Observations, such as visible oil sheens, floating debris, odors, etc., must be included in sampling log. All containers must be properly labeled. Enough water must be collected to accomplish all of the required tasks.

g. A government representative may choose to be present on the ship at the time of sampling.

The Contractor must notify the government at least 4 business days prior to sample collection in order to allow for scheduling.

10.3. Samples must be shipped to the contractor's laboratory facility immediately upon completion of sampling. Proper temperatures must be maintained at all times during shipment.

10.4. Sediment and water samples must be maintained in the dark at 4 o +2 o C immediately after collection

(on ice or refrigerate), but may not be frozen prior to bioassay testing or elutriate preparation.

10.5. The contractor or subcontractors must supply: the appropriate test organisms, clean seawater, dredging site water, testing, sampling and collection supplies, test, control and reference sediments, reagents, analytical instrumentation, and all other equipment as required for all applicable tests identified in the most recent (at time of testing) ACENYD/EPA Region 2 Regional Implementation Manual.

10.6. If there is a need to substitute test species due to unavailability of the species listed in this Scope of Work, the contractor must contact NYD personnel to get written approval. If testing is initiated with a substituted species without documented NYD approval of test species, NYD may require retesting using species of its choice at no cost to the government.

10.7. Prior to initiation of the first sampling and testing effort, the contractor must submit a Sampling Work Plan/Laboratory Quality Assurance Plan (Work/QA Plan) prepared as specified in the most recent (at time of testing) ACENYD/EPA Region 2 Regional Implementation Manual for approval by NYD. Subsequent testing efforts will require only documentation of changes from the original approved work plan (unless formally instructed otherwise by the COR).

10.8. The contractor must comply with the requirements of the approved Work/QA Plan, as well as the most recent (at time of testing) versions of the Green Book and the ACENYD/EPA Region 2 Regional Implementation Manual. If the contractor does not comply, the contractor will be required to reperform all tests conducted during the time of non-compliance at no cost to the government, or pay the cost of having the samples rerun by another contractor. In addition, if testing conducted by other laboratories is invalidated as a result of non-compliance of the contractor, the contractor will be responsible for reperforming those tests at no cost to the government or pay the cost of having the testing rerun by another contractor.

10.9. The contractor will furnish test reports, as required in the most recent (at time of testing) ACENYD/EPA Region 2 Regional Implementation Manual, to:

Chief, Dredged Material Management Section USACE, Operations Division, CENAN-OP-SD 26 Federal Plaza, Rm. 1937 New York, New York 10278-0090 917-790-8428 (voice) 212-264-4260 (fax)

10.10. Final payment will be made upon receipt of a final report which has been reviewed by NYD staff, corrected by the contractor and accepted by the government, and upon submission of proper invoice to the aforementioned address. Progress payments may be authorized by the COR.

10.11. Work is to commence as soon as possible, but no later than the following schedule. Changes to these times can only be approved by the COR in writing:

a. Sampling:

- within 14 calendar days of issuance of delivery order

b. Physical analysis of sediment:

- within 21 calendar days of sample collection

c. Water-Column Bioassays:

- within 21 calendar days of sample collection (within 24 hours of suspended particulate phase preparation)

d. Whole-Sediment Toxicity Bioassays:

- within 14 calendar days of sample collection

e. Bioaccumulation Assays:

- within 30 calendar days of sample collection

f. Shipment of sediment and water samples to analytical lab for analysis:

- within 24 hours of last day of sample collection

g. Shipment of sediment and water samples to subcontractor for dioxin/furan or PCB congener analysis:

- within 14 calendar days of sample collection

h. Shipment of tissue samples to analytical lab for analysis:

- within 2 calendar days of completion of bioaccumulation assay

10.12. Sediment and water sampling must be completed within five calendar days from start of sampling.

All holding times are calculated from the first day of collection. All starting dates for testing are calculated from sample collection completion date. If for any reason these dates cannot be met, NYD personnel must be notified to decide whether to proceed with the requirements of the work order.

10.13. Draft results of all testing must be provided to NYD by fax within 24 hours of completion of testing.

Final results of all testing must be submitted to NYD within 60 days, or in the case of bioaccumulation assays, within 75 days of sample collection. Statistical analyses, PN, and testing memorandum tables must be submitted to NYD within 5 business days of data receipt. In addition to faxing the PN and testing memorandum, contractor must provide these tables in hard format and on floppy disk to NYD via overnight mail within 24 hours of completion.

10.14. Contractor shall contact the COR with any concerns or questions regarding test conditions and acceptability criteria prior to, during, or after completion of required assays and analyses.

10.15. In order for NYD to maintain a quality control program during the life of this contract, the following will be required:

a. Laboratory supervisors of all contractor and subcontractor laboratories must be available for questions and conferences with NYD personnel between the hours of 8:30 am to 5:00 pm local time, Monday through Friday.

b. NYD reserves the right to visit contractor and subcontractor laboratories unannounced between the hours of 8:30 am to 5:00 pm local time, Monday through Friday.

c. In order for government personnel to make periodic quality control inspections during the testing, at least some of the work must be performed between the hours of 8:30 am and 5:00 pm local time, Monday through Friday. Any problems identified at an audit would need to be addressed in writing and rectified by the laboratory before subsequent work orders can be initiated. A follow-up audit may be performed to confirm the corrections.

d. Original copies of data, records, and quality control information concerning sediment and water sampling and testing must be maintained for a period of at least three (3) years from test start date and must be available during laboratory inspections or at any time upon request by NYD.

10.16. QA/QC procedures as described in the most recent (at time of testing) versions of the Green Book and the ACENYD/EPA Region 2 Regional Implementation Manual must be strictly adhered to.

10.17. When more than one test sediment samples are being tested at the same time, one batch of control and reference treatments can be run. All control and reference treatments must be run simultaneously with their corresponding test samples.

10.18. Samples of sediment core and composite sediment must be archived in the dark at -20 o C for up to one (1) year from sample collection. If during the course of that year, physical analyses must be reperformed in order to confirm the validity of the original data due to concerns about data quality, the contractor must perform these analyses at no cost to the government.

10.19. Frozen tissue samples left over from each replicate of each treatment of the bioaccumulation assays must be stored in the dark at -20 o C for up to one (1) year from bioassay completion. If during the course of that year, chemical analyses must be reperformed in order to confirm the validity of the original data due to concerns about data quality, the contractor must ship these samples to the appropriate facility at no cost to the government.

10.20. The contractor must document temperatures during sample collection, transport and storage.

Sample collection logs and chain of custody forms containing this information must be included in the final report.

10.21. The contractor must document all culturing, holding and acclimation conditions.

10.22. Items to be included in test reports are specified in Section 3.1.11 of the most recent (at time of testing) ACENYD/EPA Region 2 Regional Implementation Manual. All subcontractors must be identified in the report.

10.23. The contractor agrees that, in the event of any staffing or corporate changes, or substitution of subcontractors during the performance of this contract including its option periods, the employees or subcontractors engaged in the performance of the contract will continue to have the qualifications, professional background, education, and experience equal to that proposed by the contractor and accepted by the Government for contract award. For this reason, the contractor must notify the COR at least one month prior to test start-up if subcontractors being used are different from the previous delivery order. NYD reserves the right to inspect all subcontractors and, if a prospective subcontractor does not comply with the requirements of the quality assurance program, require that another subcontractor be used.

10.24. Prices bid for this work include costs of appropriately packing and shipping tissue, water or sediment samples to primary contractor or subcontractor firms for analysis. This will require keeping the samples frozen or refrigerated, as appropriate.

10.25. The contractor is responsible for assuring proper handling and transport of sediment, water and tissue samples. If results are deemed unacceptable due to improper handling or transport, it will be the contractor's financial responsibility to reperform the affected items.

10.26. Contract laboratories must ensure the health and safety of their workers, inform their staff of the potential hazards associated with handling and testing dredged sediments, and dispose of all wastes in compliance with applicable environmental laws. Laboratories must, at a minimum, abide by local, state and federal OSHA, RCRA, CERCLA, and DOT standards for the work environment and disposal procedures.

10.27. All prices bid take into account costs of QA/QC requirements.

10.28. All prices bid include costs of performing extra replicates and treatments where test methods warrant it.

10.29. All other supplemental terms and conditions specified in the most recent (at time of testing) ACENYD/EPA Region 2 Regional Implementation Manual are to be abided by.

10.30. All QA/QC requirements specified in the most recent (at time of testing) ACENYD/EPA Region 2 Regional Implementation Manual must be adhered to.

11. CONDITIONS OF PAYMENT & NONPAYMENT

11.1. DEFINITIONS.

11.1.1. As used in this section, "Contractor" refers to the laboratory contracted to do the work specified in the delivery order.

11.1.2. "Laboratory Performance Error" shall refer to the Contractor's failure for reasons within control of the Contractor to follow agreed upon test protocols.

11.1.3. "Test Species Failure" shall refer to the failure of the test species to perform for reasons beyond the control of the Contractor when the Contractor has followed all agreed upon test protocols.

11.2. PROVISIONS.

11.2.1. Contractor agrees to the sediment/biological testing scenarios described below.

11.2.2. Contractor agrees to conduct a second test if a laboratory performance error or test species performance failure has rendered an initial test invalid. Contractor will be paid only for the second test (if properly conducted). No payment will be made by the Government for the initial test. Contractor is responsible for test species performance. Failure to achieve acceptable performance criteria either due to test species failure or laboratory performance error will result in no payment to Contractor for the unacceptable test.

11.2.3. Should holding times or sample volume requirements (or other specific considerations) allow only one laboratory test and no retests, no payment by the government will be required in the event of a laboratory performance error or test species failure. In such an instance, Contractor will bear the costs of resampling and, upon completion of a successful test, would be paid for the test alone, not for the cost of resampling.

11.2.4. In the event that a Contractor's test is judged invalid as determined by the agency for which the tests are submitted, whether due to laboratory performance error or test species failure, the government will not be liable for payment for those tests.