Water Sample Testing and Analysis for Region 8 Forest Service

The U.S. Forest Service is seeking laboratory testing and analysis services for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water systems across Region 8, which encompasses 13 states and Puerto Rico. The Department of Agriculture Forest Service solicitation number 12444026Q0005 is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for commercial items under FAR Part 12, and this announcement serves as the only solicitation with no separate written solicitation to follow. The qualified laboratory must provide sample bottles, coolers, chain of custody sheets, and conduct comprehensive PFAS analysis using EPA Method 537.1 or EPA Method 533 on six regulated PFAS chemicals across 31 water systems. Key requirements include submitting a detailed project work plan with personnel and equipment specifications, establishing a quality assurance plan, and preparing a final report documenting results with QA/QC analysis and any method deviations. The solicitation applies the NAICS code 541380 (Testing Laboratories and Services), and quotations are due by January 5, 2026, with evaluation based on the contractor's ability to meet technical requirements and comply with the statement of work specifications.

This solicitation is designated as a Total Small Business Set-Aside with a size standard of $19.00 million, restricting competition to small business concerns, though no incumbent contractor is identified. The testing scope involves analyzing samples from 31 water systems, with one surface water system in Puerto Rico requiring four tests over 12 months and groundwater systems requiring two tests within 12 months, with five systems requiring state primacy agency reporting. The total Period of Performance is 15 months from Notice to Proceed, with first sample shipments due within 15 days and laboratory analysis to be completed within 30 days of each shipment receipt. The contract assumes 25 percent of samples will exceed trigger levels, requiring additional blank and duplicate sample analysis. Place of performance is located in Woodfin, North Carolina 28804, with samples collected from water systems across Louisiana, Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Georgia, Kentucky, and Puerto Rico.