RADIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for comprehensive radiological analytical laboratory services supporting the Environmental Monitoring Program at the Savannah River Site. The procurement seeks a contractor to perform detailed radiological analysis across multiple environmental media, including water, soil/sediment, vegetation, milk, air filters, and animal tissue/bone samples. Specific radionuclides to be analyzed include Pu-238, Pu-239, Am-241, Cs-137, Sr-89/90, Sr-90, Tc-99, I-129, U-234, U-235, and U-238. The contract requires the selected laboratory to maintain certification from DHEC's Environmental Quality Control Laboratory Certification Section or EPA for radiological methods throughout the contract period, with all analytical work performed on the contractor's premises and no subcontracting permitted. Proposal evaluation will be weighted 40% for ability to perform (procedures, equipment, data systems, and laboratory capacity), 35% for experience and qualifications, and 25% for cost. Key performance requirements include participation in the Department of Energy's Mixed Analyte Performance Evaluation Program, responding to inquiries within one business day, reporting analysis problems within five working days, and delivering analytical results within 30 days of sample receipt (or 10 business days for rush samples).

The contract will commence on December 13, 2019, and run through December 12, 2024, consisting of an initial one-year term with four optional one-year renewal periods for a potential maximum five-year duration. While no specific set-aside designations were mentioned in the available documentation, the solicitation emphasizes rigorous technical capabilities and performance standards. The contractor must provide all-inclusive pricing covering sample analysis, documentation, containers, labels, shipping, transportation, waste disposal, and data reporting. Sample holding time cannot exceed 45 days, and any lost or damaged samples must be reanalyzed at no additional cost to DHEC. The original proposal was due on October 29, 2019, at 2:30 p.m. ET, with award notification posted on November 19, 2019. No pre-bid conference or site visit was scheduled, and the solicitation did not specify a guaranteed minimum sample volume or provide explicit budget ranges for the contract. Potential bidders were required to submit questions by October 11, 2019, at 2:30 p.m. ET, and must demonstrate comprehensive radiological analysis capabilities to be considered for award.