NC26-78

The State of Utah Division of Purchasing is requesting proposals for laboratory analysis of trace metals in tissue samples from Great Salt Lake's hypersaline waters under RFP NC26-78, with proposals due July 2, 2026. A single contract award will be made to the highest-scoring responsive and responsible vendor. The awardee must be NELAC certified or equivalent with at least five years of experience analyzing tissue samples from Great Salt Lake's hypersaline waters — a mandatory qualification that filters eligibility.

The scope covers quantitative analysis of total mercury, methylmercury, selenium, and percent moisture on a dry weight basis in biological tissue samples including shorebird eggs, invertebrates, and brine shrimp. The laboratory must use EPA-approved methods (EPA Method 1631E for total recoverable mercury, EPA Method 1630 for methylmercury, and ICP-QQQ-MS with EPA 6020 modifications for selenium) and deliver results within 20 days of receipt, including Level II quality control reports and data in Excel format. Annual monitoring encompasses up to 50 tissue samples (approximately 150 samples over the contract period). Strict adherence to historic analytical methods and sample preparation procedures is required to maintain consistency with over 10 years of existing Great Salt Lake tissue monitoring data.

The contract budget is $85,000 over the five-year term, with vendors required to guarantee pricing for the first 12 months. Evaluation uses a 1,000-point system: 700 points for technical criteria (Required Services 300 points, Experience 300 points, Project Profiles 100 points) and 300 points for cost. Proposals must achieve a minimum technical score of 490 points to be considered responsive. Cost points are calculated using a formula where the lowest-priced proposal receives full cost points, with others receiving proportional points based on price differential.