Contracted Laboratory for Wastewater Toxicity Testing

Dorchester County, South Carolina is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) to procure Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) Testing Services from qualified, certified, and licensed laboratories. The County seeks laboratories certified by the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services to conduct acute and chronic toxicity testing on effluent samples from two wastewater treatment facilities located at 125 Heatherwood Drive, St. George, SC 29477, and 2900 Landing Parkway, North Charleston, SC 29420. Required services include sample collection and handling, toxicity testing using approved species such as Ceriodaphnia dubia and Pimephales promelas, data analysis and reporting, quality control and quality assurance protocols, and consultation support from certified toxicologists. The evaluation process will score proposals based on pricing (40 percent), experience and qualifications (25 percent), quality assurance and quality control program strength (20 percent), staffing and availability (10 percent), and proximity to County facilities (5 percent). The deadline for submitting written questions is February 4, 2026, at 5:00 p.m., with proposals due electronically through the OpenGov Procurement Portal by February 11, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. The contract term is one year with up to four additional one-year renewal options, and no site visit or bidder's conference is scheduled. Payment will be due within thirty days of approved invoices under F.O.B. Destination shipping terms.

Respondents must submit a notarized non-collusion oath, comply with South Carolina Title 8, Chapter 14 regarding illegal immigration, and provide equal employment opportunity certifications. All contractors must maintain specified insurance coverage including general liability of $1,000,000, automobile liability of $1,000,000, workers' compensation as required by South Carolina law, and professional liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence. Contractors are required to obtain and maintain necessary state and local licenses and permits, and records must be retained for a minimum of five years. The RFP does not identify an incumbent contractor or specify set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises. No existing infrastructure or technology integration requirements are mentioned in the solicitation. The RFP does not identify specific funding amounts or budget ranges for this procurement opportunity.