Radiological Testing

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) is soliciting bids for a comprehensive radiological testing contract for public water supplies, with procurement number 26-532EPA-LAB53-B-49339. The contract will cover calendar years 2026-2028 and requires a National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Council (NELAC/TNI) certified laboratory to perform specific drinking water analyses, including gross alpha, radium 226, radium 228, uranium, chlorite, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) testing. Key deliverables include providing chain of custody documentation, sampling instructions, bottles, preservatives, and shipping containers to water supply facilities, with mandatory sample result uploads to the Safe Drinking Water Information Systems (SDWIS) within 10 days of each monitoring period's end. The procurement is exclusively for electronic bid submissions through the BidBuy platform, with bids due on October 7, 2025. Evaluation criteria will focus on responsiveness, vendor responsibility, and lowest overall total price, with bids required to remain firm for 90 days from the opening date.

The solicitation includes specific set-aside provisions, with restrictions on subcontracting that limit non-small businesses to no more than 49% of the contract work. Vendors hiring qualified veterans and certain ex-offenders may be eligible for tax credits, and the state encourages the use of domestic products. The contract has a total maximum value of $180,000 for the three-year term, with specific pricing to be detailed in the BidBuy Purchase Order. Vendors must complete mandatory documentation, including Vendor Disclosure, Illinois Procurement Gateway Active Registered Vendor Disclosure, and Financial Disclosures and Conflicts of Interest forms. The contract requires vendors to maintain appropriate insurance, comply with all applicable laws, including the Safe Drinking Water Act and National Primary Drinking Water Regulations, and provide warranties for services and supplies. Funding is subject to appropriation availability, and the state reserves the right to amend the solicitation, reject any or all bids, and make awards based on the best interests of the state.