Trace Metal Sample Analysis

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Attachment 4 – Limit of Quantitation (LOQ)", specifies the required limits of quantitation for various metals and compounds in different sample matrices (Required Water, Required (dry wt.) Soil/Sediment, and Required (wet wt.) Tissue).

• A table listing CAS numbers, metal/compound names, and their respective LOQ values for each matrix.
• Units for water are in ug/L, while soil/sediment and tissue are in mg/kg.
• Notes clarify that CAS numbers and compound names must match the PWS and that estimated (J flagged) results are required for verified values.

This attachment is crucial for bidders to understand the analytical sensitivity requirements for environmental testing. It directly impacts the methods and detection limits that must be achieved for the contracted services, influencing laboratory selection and cost proposals.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document outlines the specific requirements for the Final Analytical Report and Electronic Data Deliverable (EDD) that contractors must submit. It details the content and format for data packages.

• Complete Data Package (PDF): Must include an invoice, a case narrative summarizing analytical operations and quality control, analysis report forms with results, sample receipt documentation, quality control data summaries, and raw data for analytical measurements.
• Raw Data Requirements: Must include chemical parameters analyzed, methods used, calibration standards, summary sheets for samples and quality control, instrument adjustments, instrument printouts, and calculation sheets.
• Limit of Quantitation (LOQ): Tabulation of LOQ determined by the contract laboratory is required.
• PDF Instructions: Specific instructions for submitting the complete data package and invoice via email are provided, including required email addresses.
• Submission Deadlines: Hard copy files and invoices are due by 2:00 PM Eastern Standard Time on the specified due date.
• Preliminary Sample Analysis Results: A preliminary PDF file containing final numerical results is due one day before the complete data package.
• Electronic Data Deliverable (EDD): The EDD and final PDF report must be derived from the same validated source to ensure data consistency.

This attachment is critical for bidders to understand the exact reporting and data submission standards required for analytical services. It specifies the format, content, and delivery methods for all analytical reports and data, directly impacting proposal preparation and contract performance.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items seeking quotes for Trace Metals Sample Analysis services. The Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity (DHACA) requires these services to support the Defense Centers for Public Health - Aberdeen (DCPH-A) mission of enhancing military readiness by identifying and assessing health threats. The contractor will perform low-concentration analysis of non-potable waters, soil/sediment samples, and biological tissue samples.

• Perform trace metals analysis on samples provided by the Government.

• Adhere to Chain of Custody (CoC) procedures.

• Meet specified turnaround times (TAT): 25 days for STANDARD samples, 10 days for HIGH PRIORITY samples.

• Provide Quality Trace Metals sample analysis in accordance with documented methodologies (Attachments 3 & 4).

• Dispose of unused sample volumes and return Government shipping containers.

• Supply specialty sampling media.

• Submit a draft Quality Control Plan (QCP) within 30 days of award.

• Provide weekly status reports.

• Attend a kick-off meeting within 5 business days of award.

• Deliverables include: Monthly Financial Tracking Report, Quality Control Plan, Weekly Status Update, Analytical Results, Electronic Data Deliverable (EDD), Government shipping containers, Corrective Action Reports (CARs).

• Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price (FFP)

• Period of Performance: September 26, 2026 - September 25, 2031

• Place of Performance: Contractor's or sub-contractor's laboratory facility.

• Technical Questions Due: June 26, 2026, 11:00 AM ET

• Quotes Due: July 15, 2026, 11:00 AM ET

• Quotes must be submitted in two volumes: Volume I (Non-Price: Executive Summary, Technical Approach, Past Performance, Small Business Subcontracting Plan) and Volume II (Price).

• Page limitations apply to Volume I sections.

• Evaluation Factors (in descending order of importance): Technical Approach/Risk, Past Performance, Small Business Subcontracting Plan, and Price.

• Award will be made to the responsible offeror whose quote is most advantageous to the Government, considering price and non-price factors (best value tradeoff).

• Minimum ratings required for non-price factors: Acceptable for Technical Approach/Risk and Small Business Subcontracting Plan; Satisfactory Confidence or Unknown Confidence for Past Performance.

• NAICS Code: 541380 (Testing Laboratories), Size Standard: $19M.

• Full and open competition.

• Small businesses must demonstrate at least 5% small business participation to receive an "Acceptable" rating for the Small Business Subcontracting Plan factor.

• The solicitation references several attachments for detailed requirements (e.g., Analytical Methods, Limit of Quantitation, Reporting Requirements).

• Cybersecurity requirements (NIST SP 800-171, CMMC) are applicable.

• Offerors must have appropriate laboratory certifications, including ISO/IEC 17025 and DoD ELAP accreditation.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Attachment 3 - Analytical Methods," outlines the specific analytical methods, technologies, and references to be used for various parameters. It also provides a list of acronyms used within the document.

• Parameters: Covers Trace Metals (fresh water, salt water, soil/sediment, tissue), Trace Mercury (all matrices), Arsenic Speciation III, and Methyl Mercury (water).
• Technology: Specifies the analytical techniques such as ICP/MS, ICP/OES, CVAF, HG-CT-GC-AAS, and Purge & Trap CVAF.
• Method Reference: Cites relevant EPA methods (e.g., EPA 1638, EPA 200.7, EPA 1640, EPA 1631/1631E, EPA 1632, EPA 1630, EPA 1669).
• Sample Preparation: Details requirements for digestion and preconcentration, with a note to submit Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for approval.
• Media/Supplies Cleaning: Specifies methods for cleaning sampling materials.
• Acronyms: Defines common acronyms like CVAF, EPA, ICP/MS, ICP/OES, and SOP.

This attachment is crucial for bidders to understand the required analytical testing standards and methodologies. It informs potential vendors about the specific techniques and references they must adhere to for sample analysis, impacting their technical approach, resource allocation, and quality assurance plans. Bidders should ensure their proposed methods align with or exceed these specified requirements.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document specifies the format and requirements for the Electronic Data Deliverable (EDD), which is the electronic copy of the Data Package. It details the structure and content of a tab-delimited text file that contractors must use to submit analytical results and related data.

• EDD Naming Convention: Files should be named using the format Pickup Order #.txt or Shipment #.txt (e.g., P112.txt, 8199.txt).
• Tab Delimited EDD Line Specifications: Defines 13 fields, including:
  • Lab Code
  • Pickup_Delivery_Order
  • Sample_Number
  • TestCode
  • Analyte_Code
  • Final Result (numeric)
  • Text Result
  • Additional Qualifiers
  • Units
  • Dilution Factor
  • Date_Time_Analyzed
  • MDL (Method Detection Limit)
  • Lab_Reporting_Limit (Reporting Limit/PQL/LOQ)
  • LOD (Limit of Detection)
• Each field is separated by a tab character (ASCII 9).
• Each line is terminated by a carriage return (ASCII 13) and line feed (ASCII 10).
• The EDD file must contain an empty line in the last row.

This document is critical for bidders to understand the required format for submitting electronic data deliverables. Adherence to these specifications is necessary for successful contract performance and data acceptance. The file delivery instructions specify that the EDD file should be emailed to dha.apg.pub-health-a.mbx.dls-contract-data@health.mil.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is Attachment 6, a pricing sheet, intended for bidders to detail their proposed unit prices and total amounts for various analytical testing services. It outlines the structure for calculating costs based on estimated quantities, unit prices, and potential surcharges for different priority levels and option periods.

• Analytical Services: Lists specific tests such as Metals (1-12, >12 metals), Mercury, Methyl Mercury, and Arsenic V/III, across different matrices (Fresh Water, Sea Water, High Salinity Water, Sediment, Tissue, Media, Test Water).
• Testing Methods: Specifies approved EPA methods for each test (e.g., EPA 1638, 1640, 1631, 1632).
• Quantities: Provides estimated minimum quantities for each service.
• Pricing Structure: Includes columns for Base Year Estimated Unit Price, Base Year Total Amount, and Total Amounts for four Option Years and a 6-month extension.
• Priority Surcharges: Details multipliers for Standard, High, Top, and Urgent Priority levels, affecting the Price Per Priority.
• Total Calculations: Sections for calculating funded and unfunded surge values, total contract value, and total pricing with priority surcharges.

Bidders must use this sheet to input their pricing for all listed services, considering the specified methods, matrices, and estimated quantities. The sheet is crucial for developing a comprehensive proposal, as it dictates how costs will be calculated and potentially adjusted based on priority levels and contract option periods. The final populated pricing will be a key component of the proposal submission and evaluation.