PFAS ANALYSIS - EPA METHOD 533

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) issued a solicitation for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) analysis services using EPA Method 533, specifically targeting laboratory testing of environmental water samples. The procurement seeks qualified laboratories to perform analytical services on an estimated 150 to 450 PFAS samples, with bidders required to be certified in EPA Method 533 analysis at the time of offer submission. Deliverables include sample collection bottles, chain-of-custody documentation, sample analysis, and electronic reporting of results within twenty-one days of analysis completion. Key objectives involve detecting and quantifying 44 specific PFAS analytes using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) techniques. The solicitation established critical deadlines, including questions due by March 19, 2020 at 2:30 p.m. ET, offer submissions due by March 27, 2020 at 2:30 p.m. ET, and award notification posted on March 30, 2020. All analytical work was required to be completed by June 1, 2020 due to funding constraints. Evaluation criteria focused on selecting the lowest responsible and responsive bidder, with pricing to be provided on a per-sample basis and options for both standard five-day and expedited three-day analysis.

The solicitation was open to vendors registered as South Carolina contractors, with potential resident contractor preferences available for businesses maintaining an in-state office staffed by at least two employees working thirty-five hours weekly for fifty weeks annually. Bidders were required to directly employ South Carolina-domiciled personnel for more than fifty percent of the total bid price. The initial contract was awarded to Pace Analytical Services LLC for $98,000.00, with a unit price of $274.00 per analysis, though a subsequent revised award was made to Eurofins Eaton Analytical, LLC at a unit price of $385.00 per analysis. The contract covers Richland County and involves the State of South Carolina's environmental testing requirements. Potential contractors were prohibited from performing work or incurring costs prior to receiving a purchase order, and the State assumed no liability for premature expenses. Protest mechanisms were established, allowing aggrieved bidders seven business days to submit notice of intent to protest and fifteen days to file a formal protest. The total potential contract value remained consistent at $98,000.00, with provisions for analytical services related to PFAS detection in water samples.