Laboratory Monitoring Services

Cecil County, Maryland is requesting proposals for laboratory monitoring services to analyze wastewater and sludge samples at two county treatment facilities, with proposals due May 7, 2026 at 12:00 PM (RFP 27-004). The contractor must be certified by the Maryland Department of the Environment—a mandatory qualification gate.

The scope encompasses comprehensive analytical testing across wastewater and solids matrices in compliance with EPA and Maryland Department of the Environment protocols. Services include Priority Pollutant Scans, Sludge Scan Chemical analysis, Sewage Sludge analysis, TCLP testing, Volatile Acids/Alkalinity testing, and biomonitoring analysis. The cost proposal details approximately 80+ distinct analytical tests using EPA-approved methodologies (including EPA 200.8, 300.0, 524.2, and Standard Methods protocols) for heavy metals, microbial testing, nutrients, organic compounds, and general water quality parameters. Sample pickup occurs every Monday and Thursday between 8:00 AM and 2:00 PM from North East River Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility and Meadowview Wastewater Treatment Facility. Test results are required within 14 to 30 calendar days depending on analysis type. The contractor must maintain a Quality Assurance Manual, provide sample containers and preservatives, grant county access to a Laboratory Information Management System with CSV download capability, and reimburse the county for any EPA or MDE fines resulting from analytical failure. Failure to submit complete reports within 12 working days from sample receipt triggers a 5 percent monthly deduction for each day's delay.

The initial contract term runs July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, with four optional one-year renewal periods subject to mutual agreement and budget appropriation. Pricing comprises 25 percent of the evaluation score; evaluation also weights experience (20%), timely performance (15%), ability to provide ongoing services (10%), proposal quality (5%), solution quality (10%), prior government performance (5%), and regulatory compliance (10%). Questions are due April 16, 2026. Invoices are payable net 30 days and must be submitted separately by testing type.