Analytical Laboratory Inspection Services

The Rhode Island Department of Health, State Health Laboratories is soliciting proposals to conduct on-site inspections of registered analytical laboratories under RFP27006984, with proposals due October 5, 2026 at 10:00 AM EDT and a vendor question-and-answer period through September 14, 2026 at 3:00 PM EDT. The RFP includes a set-aside for Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs), Women Business Enterprises (WBEs), and Disability Business Enterprises (DisBEs), with vendors receiving evaluation bonus points based on proposed participation rates of certified firms.

Vendors must hold a Bachelor's degree and must have completed the EPA's Certification Officers Training Course in inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and/or microbiology. A minimum of three years of experience conducting on-site inspections of environmental laboratories testing drinking water, wastewater, and solid/hazardous waste is required. The scope requires 6–8 on-site inspections per year of Rhode Island's 23 analytical laboratories and three cannabis analytical laboratories, with vendors responsible for detailed inspection reports, corrective action plan review, and certification recommendations to the Certification Officer. Inspections follow EPA standards, state regulations, and established standard operating procedures.

The initial contract period begins approximately December 1, 2026 for one year, with options to renew for up to four additional 12-month periods based on vendor performance and fund availability. Up to two vendors may be selected. Compensation is provided at the vendor's proposed hourly rate, with mileage reimbursed at $0.76 per mile (in-state) and overnight accommodations reimbursed at actual rates within federal per diem guidelines. The State withholds a 0.33 percent administrative fee from invoices. No estimated total contract value is specified; pricing is structured as reimbursement with no guaranteed number of inspections or payments, and administrative costs are not allowable.

Technical proposals must score a minimum of 55 out of 70 points to advance to cost evaluation (maximum 30 points). Evaluation criteria include staff qualifications (30 points), vendor capability and capacity (20 points), work plan (10 points), and approach/methodology (10 points), with up to six bonus points available for MBE/WBE/DisBE participation, totaling 106 possible points. Vendors must provide general liability ($1 million combined single limit), workers' compensation ($100,000), automobile liability ($1 million), and professional liability/errors and omissions ($500,000) coverage. Proposals must be submitted electronically through Ocean State Procures only.