Water/Wastewater Lab Testing Services

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

To procure laboratory and testing services for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Beltsville Agricultural Research Center's (BARC) eight (8) Water Wells, Raw Water System, Water Treatment Plant (WTP), Water Distribution System (WDS), Wastewater Collection System (WWCS), and two Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP) in Beltsville, MD. The services are required to ensure compliance with permits issued by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) and other regulatory agencies.

• Sample collection, storage, testing, analysis, documentation, and communication of results for BARC's water and wastewater systems.

• Services must adhere to the requirements of MDE permits, including State Water Appropriation and Use Permit No. PG1990G012(04), NPDES permits, and Maryland Sewage Sludge Utilization (SSU) permits for both Eastside and Westside WWTPs.

• Contractor will represent USDA BARC in all permit-related sample collection, storage, testing, analysis, documentation, reporting, and communication with appropriate entities.

• Reporting of results to BARC Superintendents, Compliance Officer, Contracting Officer Representative (COR), and other designated BARC personnel.

• Results must be communicated in both PDF and MS Office Excel formats.

• Contractor must highlight any results violating permit requirements and report any new, unusual problems, deficiencies, or deviations from standards.

• Compliance with all applicable rules and regulations of the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE).

• Adherence to specific permit requirements for water and wastewater systems.

• Development and implementation of a comprehensive Quality Control (QC) Plan.

• Period of Performance: One (1) year with the option to renew for four (4) additional option years.

• Place of Performance: Entire BARC facilities in Beltsville, MD, including specific locations such as the Water Treatment Plant (Building 310), Eastside Wastewater Treatment Plant (Building 218), and Westside Wastewater Treatment Plant (Building 015).

• Contractor Qualifications: Minimum 10 years as a contracting company, with at least 7 years in managing similar laboratory testing contracts for water and wastewater systems (minimum 5 years each).

• Laboratory Qualifications: Reputable laboratory with at least 15 years of experience providing similar services to MDE.

• Proof of qualifications, certificates, licenses, and references must be submitted.

• Site Visit: Strongly encouraged for prospective offerors on January 28th, 2026, at 11 AM ET, meeting at Facilities Services Building, Room 205, 426 Powder Mill Rd, Beltsville, MD 20705.

• Communication: All questions must be submitted via email to the Contracting Officer by the specified deadline. Direct contact with BARC personnel is prohibited.

• Security: Employees must comply with ARS security program, wear contractor-issued identification badges, and be restricted from unauthorized access.

• Safety/OSHA Certification: A "competent person" must be present when required. Employees must have 10-hour OSHA Construction Safety certification or equivalent. Training records must be submitted.

Solicitation

This solicitation is for Laboratory & Testing Services for Water and Wastewater Systems to be performed at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) in Beltsville, MD. The government anticipates awarding a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract.

• Services include laboratory and testing for water and wastewater systems.

• Detailed requirements are outlined in Attachment 4 – Performance Work Statement/Statement of Work (PWS/SOW).

• Offerors must meet qualification requirements as detailed in the PWS/SOW.

• Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price (FFP).

• Period of Performance: One (1) one-year base period and four (4) one-year option periods, for a total potential duration of five (5) years.

• Award will be made to the offeror representing the best value to the Government.

• Evaluation will be based on Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) criteria.

• Only the lowest priced offer will be evaluated for Technical Acceptability.

• If the lowest priced offer is not technically acceptable, the next lowest priced offer will be evaluated, and so on.

• Pricing must be submitted for all line items and periods (base and options) to be considered responsive.

• Technical Acceptability will be rated "acceptable" or "unacceptable" based on the offeror's approach and understanding of requirements.

• Offerors must provide detailed explanations of their ability to perform, any unmet requirements, and qualification information per PWS/SOW section 1.4.

• Past Performance will be evaluated as "acceptable," "neutral," or "unacceptable."

• The Government may use provided references, USDA contract history, and CPARS for Past Performance evaluation.

• Award is anticipated without discussions, so any exceptions to the PWS/SOW may result in technical unacceptability.

• Services ARE required to meet a qualification requirement to be eligible for award.

• Various small business provisions and clauses are listed as applicable if checked, including HUBZone, Total Small Business Aside, Small Business Subcontracting Plan, and Nonmanufacturer Rule.

• Technical data and supporting documentation are provided as attachments, including Wage Determination, Past Performance, PWS/SOW, and Permits.

• Applicable FAR and AGAR clauses and provisions are incorporated by reference and in full text. Key clauses include FAR 52.212-4, Service Contract Labor Standards, and AGAR 452.203-70 Anti-Discrimination and DEI Certification.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a "Register of Wage Determinations Under the Service Contract Act" issued by the U.S. Department of Labor. It provides the minimum wage rates and fringe benefits required for various occupations when performing contract work subject to the Service Contract Act.

• Executive Orders: Details the applicability of Executive Order 14026 (effective Jan 30, 2022) and Executive Order 13658 (effective Jan 1, 2015 - Jan 29, 2022) regarding minimum wage rates.
• Minimum Wage Rates: Lists specific minimum hourly wage rates for a wide range of occupations, categorized by occupation code and title.
• Fringe Benefits: Indicates that fringe benefits are required and follow the occupational listing. Specific rates for Health & Welfare are provided ($5.55/hour or $5.09/hour under EO 13706).
• Vacation and Holidays: Outlines requirements for paid vacation (2 weeks after 1 year, 3 weeks after 5 years, 4 weeks after 15 years) and a minimum of eleven paid holidays per year.
• Special Conditions: Includes notes on Executive Order 13706 (Paid Sick Leave), Hazardous Pay Differentials (8% for high hazard, 4% for low hazard), and Uniform Allowance.
• Conformance Process: Describes the process for establishing wage rates for unlisted occupations.

This document is crucial for bidders as it establishes the minimum labor costs that must be factored into their proposals for any contract subject to the Service Contract Act. Bidders must ensure their proposed wages and benefits meet or exceed these requirements to be compliant. Failure to adhere to these wage determinations can lead to non-compliance and potential penalties.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document outlines the requirements for submitting past performance information as part of a quote or proposal. It details the evaluation criteria and the specific information needed to assess an Offeror's demonstrated record of performance.

• Evaluation Focus: Assesses the Government's confidence in an Offeror's ability to meet user needs based on past performance.
• Submission Requirements: Offerors must provide two (2) to three (3) projects.
• Project Criteria: Projects should be similar in size, scope, and complexity to the requirements of this RFQ. "Recent" is defined as within the last three years, and "Relevant" means work similar in complexity and magnitude to the Statement of Work.
• Required Project Information:
  • Project title
  • Description of the project, scope, and responsibilities
  • Contract/Order/BPA number
  • Contract type and period of performance
  • Contract Award Amount
  • Government Agency/Organization
  • COR’s name, address, and phone number
  • Contracting Officer’s name, address, and phone number or email address
  • Status (e.g., complete, ongoing)
  • Brief narrative on relevance
• Prime vs. Subcontractor: At least two references must be from performance as the prime contractor; others can be from subcontractors.
• Point of Contact: Ensure contact information is current, as failure to do so may impact evaluation.

This attachment is critical for bidders as it dictates how they must present their past performance. Failure to provide the specified information accurately and completely, particularly regarding the number of references, project details, and contact information, could negatively impact the evaluation and the "Go or No-Go" rating assigned to this factor. Bidders should carefully review these requirements to ensure their submission effectively demonstrates their capability and experience.