8(a) Sources Sought for Laboratory Services

THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. NO AWARD WILL BE MADE FROM THIS NOTICE. 

INTERESTED 8(a) FIRMS ARE ASKED TO READ THE BELOW AND PROVIDE A SUMMARY OF CAPABILITIES ALONG WITH FULLY COMPLETING THE ATTACHED SPREADSHEET. PLEASE EMAIL CAPABILITIES TO THE POC LISTED IN THIS NOTICE 

INTERESTED 8(a) FIRMS MUST CLEARLY DEMONSTRATE HOW THEY WILL PERFORM AT LEAST 50% OF THE IDENTIFIED SERVICES IN ACCORDANCE WITH FAR 52.219-14. FAILURE TO DEMONSTRATE THE ABILITY TO SELF PERFORM AT LEAST 50% OF THE IDENTIFIED SERVICES WILL RESULT IN ELIMINATION FROM CONSIDERATION.

CONTRACT OBJECTIVES

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District, is seeking an analytical laboratory contract.  The objective of this contract is to obtain data that is technically valid, of known quality, and legally defensible, that will meet or exceed the required site-specific Data Quality Objectives (DQOs) for each project.

BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION

This contract is for analytical services (physical, chemical, radiological, geotechnical, biological, etc.), in support of the Buffalo District’s environmental missions, for the analysis of dredged materials, soil, sediment, sludge, groundwater, surface water, filters, air, tissue, and other environmental media.  These samples have typically been collected from various environmental cleanup and navigation dredging projects.  The analyses and reporting services will be performed by the Contractor in support of the investigations, remediations, and other operations conducted by or on behalf of the Buffalo District.

It should be noted that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Buffalo District, routinely generates samples that have been collected from various hazardous, toxic, and radioactive waste (HTRW) sites.  The analytical work will primarily be in conjunction with investigations for the Department of Defense Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP), and may also include Department of Defense Environmental Restoration Programs (DERP), Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS), Civil Works, and Operations and Maintenance.

ANALYTICAL REQUIREMENTS

The Contract Laboratory will use the appropriate analytical methods such as those specified in the latest version of EPA SW-846, ASTM, Standard Methods, USACE/USEPA Great Lakes Dredge Material Testing and Evaluation Manual, and DOE HASL 300.  Laboratory specific standard operating procedures (SOPs), as part of a Laboratory Quality Assurance Plan (or equivalent), shall be followed for all methods.  Laboratory data quality will be based on the latest version of the Department of Defense Quality Systems Manual for Environmental Laboratories (DoD QSM). 

All radiological analyses will be performed in accordance with the Multi-Agency Radiological Laboratory Analytical Protocols Manual (MARLAP).

LABORATORY ACCREDITATION

The Contract Laboratory shall be accredited by the Department of Defense Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (DoD ELAP) for all applicable matrix and method combinations. 

Requested physical (soil/geotechnical) analyses shall be performed by a certified Geotechnical Testing Laboratory that shall have and maintain American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) accreditation which demonstrates compliance with AASHTO R18 and ASTM D3740.   

TURN AROUND TIME

The Contract Laboratory shall provide preliminary analytical results (Level 2) within 21 business days as normal turn-around time (TAT) (except for some radiological and biological methods).  A full Level 4 data package and all electronic data deliverables shall be provided within an additional 20 business days after completion of the preliminary results.  These deadlines shall be met when the files are available on the laboratory’s website, and USACE has been notified of their availability.  The required CD-ROM (discussed below) may be delivered outside of the additional 20 business days.