UST ANALYTICAL LAB SERVICES

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC DHEC) is soliciting bids for Analytical Laboratory Services related to Underground Storage Tank (UST) environmental testing, with the procurement focused on comprehensive laboratory analysis of petroleum samples across multiple matrices including groundwater, drinking water, soil, air, and free-phase products. The solicitation (5400026807) requires contractors to perform analytical services with estimated quantities ranging from 10 to 7,000 individual analyses, depending on test type and methodology. Bidders must be DHEC-certified to perform all analyses in accordance with the UST Management Division Quality Assurance Program Plan and must meet strict turnaround requirements, including the capability to provide 24-hour analysis upon request. A non-mandatory pre-bid conference is scheduled for April 3, 2024, at 10:00 AM ET via Microsoft Teams, with questions due by April 4, 2024, at 2:30 PM ET. Offers must be submitted online by April 30, 2024, at 2:30 PM ET, with award notification planned for May 7, 2024. The initial contract term will begin May 17, 2024, and extend for one year with two potential one-year renewal options, creating a maximum three-year contract period. Evaluation will be based on fixed pricing for analytical services, with unit prices governing award to the lowest responsible and responsive bidder.

The solicitation does not specify specific set-aside designations or restrictions on bidder types, and no incumbent vendors are explicitly mentioned. Contractors must provide comprehensive insurance coverage, including Commercial General Liability, Auto Liability, and Worker's Compensation from carriers with A.M. Best ratings of no less than A:VII, with the State listed as an additional insured. While no specific budget range is provided, the solicitation includes detailed pricing mechanisms and performance requirements, with potential penalties for non-compliance such as late fees of $25 per day for delayed analytical reports (capped at 20% of the total cost agreement). Contractors requesting price increases must submit justifications at least 90 days prior to term expiration, with potential adjustments allowed only at the beginning of the first and second term renewals. The procurement includes strict performance notification procedures with progressive remedies for non-compliance, potentially including contract termination and a one-year suspension from bidding on UST-related solicitations for material breaches. Notably, the original solicitation was cancelled and re-issued with revised specifications, indicating ongoing refinement of the procurement's requirements.