U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Contracts Management Division (MD-33), Attn: ORDSC, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711

A -- CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF LAKE AND STREAM SAMPLES FROM THE NORTHEAST AND MID-ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS SOL UUA343 DUE 071098 POC Pamela G. Ricks, Contracting Officer, 919-541-2312 E-MAIL: click here to contact the contracting officer via, ricks.pamela@epamail.epa.gov. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency intends to award a Simplified Acquisition to the University of Maine Water Resources Institute for the chemical analysis of low ionic strength stream and lake samples. The work performed shall include: (1) closed-system pH, Gran acid neutralizing capacity (ANC), specific conductance, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, sulfate, nitrate, chloride, total dissolved Aluminum, Dissolved Organic Carbon, Dissolved Inorganic Carbon, silica, inorganic monomeric aluminum; (2) specialized analytical methods for low-ionic strength water samples; (3) closed-system pH measurements from syringe samples; (4) acid-neutralizing capacity determinations by acid titration to pH 3.5 endpoint and modified Gran analysis of titration data; (5) determination of inorganic monomeric aluminum concentrations for samples with a pH less than 6, using the pyrochatocol violet (PCV) method; (6) handling of raw water samples through filtration, splitting into appropriate aliquots for later analysis, and preservation within 48 hours of collection; (7) adherence to holding time requirements (closed-system pH and any monomeric aluminum determinations must be completed within 48 hours of collection; ANC determinations must be completed within 7 days of collection; anion determinations by ion chromatography must be completed within 14 days of collection); (8) data verification (EMAP/TIME requires the followingric three internal consistency checks on all samples: an ion balance determination and a conductivity check (calculated vs. measured), and a comparison of measured ANC to a calculated ANC based on pH and dissolved inorganic carbon; (9) adherence to required reporting deadlines -- a final verified data base (including reanalysis if samples fail to meet acceptance criteria for the required checks) and report are required from the laboratory within 90 days of the receipt of the last sample; (10) participation in an independent laboratory audit program designed for low-ionic strength waters (the Canadian National Water Research Institute Interlab Quality Assurance study or equivalent) with satisfactory performance over the last year (no flags, no lab bias) for aluminum, ANC, nitrate, and sulfate. The work performed shall be in compliance with the requirements of the EMAP Quality Assurance Plan (Peck, D. V. 1992. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program: Integrated Quality Assurance Project Plan for the Surface Waters Resource Group, Fiscal Year 1991. EPA/600/X-91/080, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). The University of Maine Water Resources Institute has been conducting chemical analysis of stream and lake samples from acid-sensitive watersheds under Cooperative Agreement Number CR819659. The required work is a continuation of the work performed under the cooperative agreement referenced above. Only the University of Maine Water Resources Institute has the knowledge and "know-how" to complete the on-going work within the time period specified in the Clean Air Act Amendments. It would not be practicable for the Government to substitute a replacement source to finalize the analysis since only the University of Maine Water Resources Institute can effectively verify, validate, and analyze the data it collected. The work to be completed requires the same expertise and qualifications as required to conduct the analysis under the cooperative agreement. The period of performance is expected to be from date of award through November 30, 1998. Interested parties who believe they can provide the required services are invited to submit, in writing, an affirmative response demonstrating an ability to immediately assume the on-going project without disruption to the current operation and demonstrating a cost benefit to the Government. Any written response must be received no later than 15 days after publication of this synopsis. In order to be responsive, the correspondence must be accompanied by a written narrative statement of capability, including detailed technical information sufficient to permit agency analysis in order to determine a bonafide capability to meet the Government's requirements. Submit responses to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Attn: Pamela G. Ricks (MD-33) Contracts Management Division, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711. Responses without the required documentation will be considered non-responsive. No telephonic requests will be honored. Posted 06/25/98 (0176)

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