SOLICITATION NOTICE
A -- PORTABLE ELECTROANALYSIS FOR MONITORING WORKPLACE EXPOSURES TO BERYLLIUM
- Notice Date
- 2/1/2005
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- NAICS
- 541990
— All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of Health and Human Services, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Acquisition and Assistance Field Branch (Morgantown), 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV, 26505
- ZIP Code
- 26505
- Solicitation Number
- 2005-Q-01766
- Response Due
- 3/2/2005
- Archive Date
- 3/17/2005
- Description
- The Statement of Work is attached at the end of this document. Procurement Request Number 000HCC94-2005-17625 PROPOSAL SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS Offerors shall describe in a Technical Proposal how they will perform the work identified. 1. Offerors are required to submit a Technical Proposal document which addresses your ability to perform the technical aspects of the Statement of Work. Do not merely restate the scope of work. Your technical proposal must demonstrate that you can meet the evaluation factors listed below. More specific proposal information is specified with each of the criteria below and should be considered/addressed in your proposal. Any questions regarding this RFQ should be submitted within 10 calendar days of issuance. Exceptions to any requirements contained in the Statement of Work should be clearly identified in a separate section of your proposal with a title of ?Exceptions. Provide an explanation of why exceptions are needed. 2. A separate Cost Proposal shall be submitted which includes a cost breakdown of both direct labor, other direct costs, indirect costs and profit sufficient to establish that costs are reasonable for the effort proposed. EVALUATION FACTORS This section is intended to explain the rationale and precise criteria by which proposals resulting from this solicitation will be evaluated. Offerors are advised that they are not restricted as to what is presented in their proposals, as long as sufficient material is provided to allow evaluation of specific proposal elements defined below. Although FAR Part 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures are being utilized in processing this action, discussions with offerors prior to award may be deemed necessary, therefore, we reserve the right to utilize FAR 15.3 as deemed appropriate by the Contracting Officer. Proposals submitted in response to this solicitation shall be evaluated according to the following criteria and point breakdown. (a) Understanding, Technical Approach, and Technical Management ? 35 Points Reflection in the proposal of a clear understanding of the type of work to be performed and a logical explicit approach in performing this work. The proposal must contain a comprehensive discussion demonstrating the Offeror?s understanding of the intent and requirements of the Contract. An awareness of the Contract objectives and approach will be considered in reviewing methods of achieving the Contract objectives. Paramount to this Contract is the Offeror's technical and managerial capabilities. This category will be evaluated in three areas: (1) Technical understanding the needs of NIOSH for field-portable electroanalytical methods for beryllium and the objectives of this Contract as stated in the Scope of Work (10 Points). (2) Soundness of the proposed technical management approach for the work (15 Points). (3) Soundness of the plan proposed to complete the work described in the Scope of Work within the time frame proposed (10 Points). (b) Demonstrated Analysis and Equipment Capability - 20 Points The proposal must contain documentation of ability to measure trace quantities of beryllium in environmental samples. The offeror must also provide documentation which demonstrates the capability to evaluate monitoring equipment according to defined criteria. Such documentation could include copies of the offeror's methods, publications, or reports. (c ) Personnel Qualifications of the Offeror -35 Points The proposal will include an organizational chart with all personnel assigned to the contract listed on the chart. The proposal will include Curriculum Vitae for the personnel who will be assigned for direct work on this Contract. The CVs should include education, background, recent laboratory experience pertinent to industrial hygiene chemistry and specific technical and scientific accomplishments, including publications. Information must be provided which will show the composition of the work group, its general qualifications and recent experience with the instrumentation proposed. A brief narrative explaining the duties and responsibilities of direct technical supervisors, management supervisors, and technical staff and the approximate percentage of the total time that each individual will be available for this project and the category to which that person is assigned must be provided. Individuals will be considered for only one of the four categories listed below: (1) Management Personnel - Including laboratory director, laboratory supervisor, quality assurance specialist and supervisory scientists (7 Points). (2) Direct Technical Support Personnel - Personnel evaluated in this category will include scientists and technicians proposed under this project (21 Points). (3) Ancillary Support Personnel - The stated availability of ancillary support personnel with varied expertise and experience will be evaluated in this section. Areas considered for evaluation include statistics, engineering, electronics and computer support personnel. Although these personnel categories are not strictly required for this Contract, the stated availability of such personnel will be considered for evaluation purposes (7 Points). (d) Facilities - 10 Points Major facilities proposed for use under this Contract should be identified in the proposal. A description should be given of the various work areas proposed. Additional points considered for evaluation in this section include: facilities for generation of screen-printed electrodes. (e) Past Performance (-25 - +25) Included in this section would be documentation of previous contracts with Federal or State Agencies as well as private corporations. This documentation must include the following information - Contract title, dates of performance, dollar value, project officer's name and phone number and the organization responsible for the contract. (1) The offeror's past performance will be evaluated after completion of the technical evaluation. Only those offerors determined technically acceptable in the preliminary competitive range will be evaluated on past performance. (2) The evaluation will be based on information obtained from references provided by the offeror, as well as other relevant past performance information obtained from other sources known to the Government. (3) The Government will assess the relative risks associated with each offeror. Performance risks are those associated with an offeror?s likelihood of success in performing the acquisition requirements as indicated by that offeror?s record of past performance. (4) The assessment of performance risk is not intended to be the product of a mechanical or mathematical analysis of an offeror?s performance on a list of contracts but rather the product of subjective judgement by the Government after it considers all available and relevant information. (5) When assessing performance risks, the Government will focus on the past performance of the offeror as it relates to all acquisition requirements, such as cost, schedule, and performance, including standards of good workmanship; the offeror?s adherence to contract schedules, including the administrative aspects of performance; the offeror?s reputation for reasonable and cooperative behavior and commitment to customer satisfaction and generally, the offeror?s business-like concern for the interest of the customer. The lack of a performance record must result in an unknown performance risk assessment which will neither be used to the advantage nor disadvantage of the offeror. The following past performance ratings are indicative of the point values that will be assigned to various levels of performance. The actual scores assigned may fall anywhere within the range of -25 to +25. + 25 Excellent ? Based on the offeror?s performance record, no doubt exists that the offeror will successfully perform the required effort. A significant majority of sources of information are consistently firm in stating that the offeror?s performance was superior and that they would unhesitatingly do business with the offeror again. +10 Good ? Based on the offeror?s performance record, little doubt exists that the offeror will successfully perform the required effort. Most sources of information state that the offeror?s performance was good, better than average, etc., that they would do business with the offeror again. 0 None ? No past performance history identifiable. -10 Marginal ? Based on the offeror?s performance record, some doubt exists that the offeror will successfully perform the required effort. Many sources of information make unfavorable reports about the offeror?s performance and express concern doing business with the offeror again. -25 Poor ? Based on the offeror?s performance record, serious doubt exists that the offeror will successfully perform the required effort. A significant majority of sources of information consistently stated that the offeror?s performance was entirely unsatisfactory and that they would not do business with the offeror again. Relationship Between Cost or Price and Technical Strength Offerors are advised that, in the evaluation process, the technical strength of the proposal, as represented by the score resulting from applying the criteria under Evaluation Factors, will be of primary importance. The cost proposals will be reviewed for cost realism and the results will be used in making an award decision that represents the best value to the Government. Offerors are cautioned that submission of an unrealistic cost proposal may disqualify them for award of a contract under this solicitation. Statement of Work Title of Project Portable Electroanalysis for Monitoring Workplace Exposures to Beryllium Period of Performance Two years (from award of contract; beginning 2005) Introduction Occupational exposure to beryllium can cause insidious disease that can be fatal, and new exposure limits for beryllium in air and on surfaces have been established in efforts to reduce exposure risks to potentially affected workers. Advances in sampling and analytical methods for beryllium are needed in order to meet the challenges relating to exposure assessment and risk reduction. Accurate knowledge of the characteristics and concentration of beryllium in workplace air and on workplace surfaces is crucial for assessing and ensuring the protection of workers from beryllium sensitization and chronic beryllium disease. Portable techniques are needed to accurately, reliably, and cost-effectively obtain this knowledge in a timely way. Electrochemical stripping methods exemplify the most promising electroanalytical techniques for the determination of trace concentrations of beryllium in various environmental media. About a dozen years ago, adsorptive stripping voltammetry and potentiometry were shown to be effective for the trace measurement of beryllium in aqueous samples. When coupled with an appropriate electrode material, electroanalytical techniques such as voltammetric and potentiometric stripping generally provide low detection limits with good response time and precision, and require instrumentation of low cost and low maintenance. The instrumentation/analysis method can be field deployable and requires low power, with no need for cooling or ventilation. However, several challenges limit the use of stripping voltammetric and potentionmetric methods in the field: (1) sample preparation procedures that are easy to implement need to be developed for extracting beryllium from various environmental media (notably BeO) on-site in the field; (2) sample treatment procedures that can be easily carried out by non-chemists need to be developed for beryllium in air and in surface dust samples, and (3) the sensitivity of the electroanalytical method needs to be increased to enable quantitation of sub-ppb levels of beryllium. This contract will seek to extend the application of the beryllium electroanalysis method for aqueous samples to sample media of concern in the occupational environment. Background Considering beryllium measurements in workplace samples, there are several significant challenges to overcome. First is the need for on-site extraction techniques that are effective at dissolving beryllium from difficult refractory matrices. Recent efforts at Los Alamos National Laboratory and elsewhere have shown that dilute solutions of ammonium bifluoride can result in high recoveries of beryllium from many media, including difficult matrices such as beryllium oxide. While there are limitations to this extraction technique (i.e., treatment of high-fired BeO with dilute ammonium bifluoride can give recoveries significantly less than 100%), no realistic alternatives for a field-portable method have yet been found. With this in mind, it remains to develop a methodology which will allow for electroanalysis of Be subsequent to its extraction from aerosol samples and surface dust samples collected onto air filters and wipes, respectively. Ultrasonic extraction is a viable candidate technique that could offer the energy necessary to effect dissolution of beryllium from media collected onto air filter and surface dust wipe samples. Other studies have investigated sequential extraction methods for measuring beryllium compounds of various solubilities, and this research may offer guidance for future work on field extraction techniques for beryllium. Regarding the electroanalysis of Be, Wang and Tian1 showed that the thorin-beryllium complex can be measured with high sensitivity using adsorptive stripping voltammetry and potentiometry on mercury electrodes. Other beryllium complexes can be investigated in order to increase sensitivity and selectivity. Knowledge of beryllium ligand exchange reaction mechanisms may lead to the investigation of other beryllium complexes as candidates for electroanalytical stripping measurements. Also, various electroanalytical waveforms can be tried to optimize analytical figures of merit. It is planned that experimental variables will be optimized so that a rugged, highly selective and sensitive method for the measurement beryllium in sample extracts will result. Recent work on anodic stripping voltammetry of cadmium and lead has shown that bismuth electrodes may offer similar or even superior performance to Hg electrodes. The use of Bi rather than Hg offers advantages in terms of ruggedness and disposability during field use. Also, screen-printed electrodes are extremely useful for field-portable, on-site electroanalysis. Bismuth screen-printed electrodes have been successfully fabricated and their utility for electroanalysis has been demonstrated. Objective Development of a Portable Electroanalysis Method for Monitoring Workplace Exposures to Beryllium The objective of this work will be to develop and evaluate a field-portable electroanalytical method for the determination of trace beryllium in the workplace. Media of interest include air filter samples and surface wipe samples. As a performance goal, it is desired that the portable beryllium method will meet NIOSH criteria for method accuracy, as elucidated by Kennedy et al. As part of this contract, further investigations of candidate field-based extraction techniques for beryllium will be undertaken, and performance investigated in terms of recoveries as compared to reference beryllium concentrations. Be extraction studies will also be carried out at CDC/NIOSH in collaboration with the contract recipient and the Beryllium Health and Safety Committee, Analytical Subcommittee. Electroanalysis studies on Be will be carried out principally in the contracted laboratory. Coordination of investigations carried out at the contracted laboratory will be conducted by the NIOSH project officer at CDC/NIOSH/DART. As standards development is an ultimate goal of this effort, the use of pertinent international standards (e.g., ASTM, ISO) should be considered when choosing appropriate sampling media and testing new methods using applicable measurement performance guidelines. In combination with adsorptive stripping electrochemical analysis it is planned that, besides mercury electrodes, bismuth screen-printed electrodes will be investigated for their utility in measuring beryllium in workplace sample extracts. Sample matrices of interest include air filter samples, wipe samples, and vacuum samples. If necessary, other modified screen-printed electrodes will be used in order to enhance the selectivity of the electroanalytical measurement for beryllium; such studies may be required in view of possible matrix effects arising from the sampling media. It is also stressed that the investigations will be performed using hand-carried, battery-powered electroanalytical instruments that have been fabricated and commercialized by several groups. Scope of Work The scope of the project entails the development of a field-portable electroanalytical method for beryllium in workplace samples and involves the following aspects: 1. Development, characterization, and optimization of an electroanalytical method for measuring trace beryllium in workplace air filter and surface wipe samples. The method for beryllium should involve the use of screen-printed electrodes and hand-portable, battery-powered electrochemical analyzers. 2. In order to evaluate the best candidates for electroanalytical methods for measurement of trace beryllium, experiments will be carried out using stripping voltammetry and potentiometry. Contractor experience in these areas of investigation is crucial for maximum probability of success of the project. 3. Characterization parameters will include: (a) calibration data with standard deviations (n>3) for each concentration level (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 times the action level of interest for each matrix); (b) target recoveries of Be in the presence of interfering metals (e.g., Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mg, Mn, Ni, Fe, Pb, Zn) of 100% ? 10% from media spikes; and (c) target Be recoveries of 100% ? 15% from air filter and surface wipe samples (some of these samples will be provided to the contractor by CDC/NIOSH); (c) estimation of limits of detection and limits of quantitation of the electroanalytical methods investigated. 4. Media to be tested will include air filter media satisfying the guidelines of ISO 15202-1 and wipe sampling media satisfying the guidelines of ASTM D6966. 5. To maximize the ability to use the method on-site in the field, the electroanalytical method must be able to be performed on samples extracted with dilute (e.g., 1%) ammonium bifluoride solution or other appropriate extraction solvent. Hence it will be necessary to demonstrate compatibility of the electroanalytical method with the extraction solution. Extraction volumes should be 5 mL or less, using mechanical or ultrasonic extraction techniques. 6. Early and regular communication of problems encountered and proposed solutions to be implemented, with concurrence of the project officer. 7. On-site field studies will be carried out, if possible, once laboratory evaluations are completed. If done, field studies will be coordinated in consultation with the project officer. Data Quality Objectives The contractor shall develop and evaluate electroanalysis methods, notably stripping voltammetry and potentiometry, for measurement of beryllium in extracted samples. Examples of sample media to be tested are air filters and surface wipes, which are used widely in the occupational hygiene arena. The contractor shall submit a combined Work Plan / Quality Assurance Plan (WP/QAPP) for the project officer?s approval prior to beginning experiments. In addition, the contractor will be required to: - run triplicate (minimum) analyses of all samples; i.e., each sample concentration tested for each technique investigated shall be prepared in triplicate (at a minimum) for each sample medium tested. - apply standard statistical parameters (standard deviation, coefficient of variation, relative standard deviation, mean, least squares regression analysis) - provide standard curves (with triplicate points minimum) for beryllium - provide interference data for at least two concentrations of each of the 12 previously mentioned potential interferences. For these interference studies the beryllium concentrations tested should be within 0.5? ? 2? the action level(s) of concern, and a minimum of three difference beryllium concentrations should be tested. - provide sample spike calibration curves for each matrix type It is expected that the detection limit for the method will be no more than 0.1 times the action level of interest (~0.2 ?g Be). The method performance will be evaluated in consideration of CDC/NIOSH guidelines for accuracy.5 Proposed Timeline (24 months)  Contract awarded (begin timeline) Beryllium extraction studies (6 months) Investigation / optimization of electrolyte compatibility with extraction solutions (6 months) Beryllium complexation chemistry for adsorptive stripping measurements (9 months) Electroanalysis of beryllium by portable stripping voltammetry and potentiometry (9 months) Electroanalysis of beryllium using screen-printed electrodes (9 months) Field studies using on-site beryllium measurement method, if applicable (3 months) Reports (Quarterly and Final reports are required, at a minimum; interim reports, teleconferences and site visits will also be requested by the project officer, as deemed necessary. The final report is required at least 60 days before the end of the contract.) *Note: Overlap in time between various elements of the proposed timeline is allowable (in consultation with the project officer). __________________ Wang, J., Tian, B., Anal. Chim. Acta 270, 137-141(1992). McCleskey, T. M., Presentation at the American Chemical Society national meeting, Anaheim, CA (April 2004). Ashley, K., Andrews, R. N., Cavazos, L., Demange, M., J. Anal. At. Spectrom. 16, 1147-1153 (2001). Profumo, A., et al., Talanta 57, 929-934 (2002). Lee, M. A., Winter, N. W., Casey, W. H., J. Phys. Chem. 98, 8641-8647 (1994). Hocevar, S. B., et al., Electroanalysis 14, 1707-1712 (2002). (a) Wang, J., Analyst 119, 763-766 (1994); (b) Ashley, K., Mapp, K. J., Millson, M., Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J. 59, 671-679 (1998); (c) Ashley, K., Appl. Occup. Environ. Hyg. 13, 94-98 (1998); (d) Sussell, A., Ashley, K., J. Environ. Monit. 4, 156-161 (2002). Wang, J., et al., Electroanalysis 13, 13-16 (2001). Kennedy, E. R., Fischbach, T. J., Song, R., Shulman, S. A., Guidelines for Air Sampling and Analytical Method Development and Evaluation. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (1995); DHHS (NIOSH) Publ. No. 95-117. Ashley, K., J. Occup. Environ. Hyg. 1, D7-D9 (2004). ISO 15202-1, Worplace Air ? Determination of Metals and Metalloids in Workplace Air ? Part I: Sampling. Geneva: International Organization for Standardization (2001). ASTM D6966, Standard practice for wipe sampling for subsequent determination of metals. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM International (2004). ACGIH Threshold Limit Values? (TLV) Handbook. Cincinnati, OH: American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (2004).
- Place of Performance
- Address: Cincinnati, Ohio
- Zip Code: 45226
- Country: United States
- Zip Code: 45226
- Record
- SN00743350-W 20050203/050201211734 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
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