RFP No. 245001 Bioassay Testing Services

The City of Salem, Oregon has issued Request for Proposals (RFP) No. 245001 for Bioassay Testing Services at the River Road Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF). The procurement seeks qualified professional testing laboratories to perform whole effluent toxicity testing, specifically acute testing with two aquatic species: Ceriodaphnia dubia (water flea) and Pimephales promelas (fathead minnow). Testing will be conducted twice per winter on the facility's effluent, with detailed requirements for laboratory qualifications, sampling procedures, testing methods, and dilution water specifications. Proposals are due by March 8, 2024, at 4:00 PM local time and must be submitted electronically via Equity Hub's Bid Locker. The City anticipates awarding the contract in May 2024, with a notice to proceed on July 1, 2024. The proposed agreement will have an initial one-year term with potential for up to four one-year renewals. Evaluation criteria will include references, fee proposal, laboratory capabilities, organizational structure, ability to perform services, and overall understanding and approach to the project, with cost not being the sole determining factor.

The RFP does not specify any set-aside designations or restrictions on the types of organizations eligible to respond. No information is provided about incumbent vendors or current contractors, and there are no explicit details about existing infrastructure requiring integration. The successful proposer will be required to provide appropriate insurance coverage and comply with Oregon's pay equity law. While specific budget ranges are not disclosed, the fee proposal should include all costs necessary to perform the required testing. The City has selected Eurofins Environment Testing South Central, LLC as the intended awardee for this contract, though the final award is subject to the evaluation process. Proposers will need to demonstrate comprehensive laboratory capabilities, technical expertise in aquatic toxicity testing, and the ability to meet the stringent testing requirements outlined in the RFP.