SOURCES SOUGHT
B -- Taxonomic Analysis of Algae and Benthic Invertebrate Samples
- Notice Date
- 4/20/2012
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541380
— Testing Laboratories
- Contracting Office
- USGS NATIONAL ACQUISITION BRANCH205 NATIONAL CENTER12201 SUNRISE VALLEY DRIVERESTONVA20192US
- ZIP Code
- 00000
- Solicitation Number
- G12PS00352
- Response Due
- 5/22/2012
- Archive Date
- 6/21/2012
- Point of Contact
- Lynda McCarthy
- E-Mail Address
-
Lmccarthy@usgs.gov
(lmccarthy@usgs.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Taxonomic Analysis of Algae and Benthic Invertebrate Samples Request for Information (RFI) This is not an announcement of a Solicitation. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) needs to assess industry interest and capability to provide taxonomic analysis of freshwater benthic algae and invertebrate samples. The overarching objective of this RFI is information gathering and not acquisition of products or services. PURPOSE, SCOPE & INFORMATION SOUGHT: Part of the mission of the USGS is to provide an understanding of water-quality conditions; whether conditions are getting better or worse over time; and how natural features and human activities affect those conditions. Regional and national assessments are possible because of a consistent study design and uniform methods of data collection and analysis. Biological, chemical, and physical monitoring data are integrated with geographic information on hydrological characteristics, land use, and other landscape features in models to extend water-quality understanding to unmonitored areas. Local, State, Tribal, and national stakeholders use water quality information to design and implement strategies for managing, protecting, and monitoring water resources in many different hydrologic and land-use settings across the Nation. This is a general request for information to determine industry's capability to perform laboratory analysis of freshwater benthic algae and invertebrate samples. Laboratory analysis includes washing/sieving samples, subsampling and sorting organisms, preparing slides, identifying and enumerating organisms, and related quality assurance/quality control. Responses should address the following: 1.Ability to process freshwater benthic algae and invertebrate samples including related quality assurance/quality control procedures, according to standard, widely accepted, and documented protocols. Examples of USGS approved protocols are listed below. Laboratories using protocols other than approved USGS protocols should describe in sufficient detail (or provide a URL link to such information) the procedures they use. a.Charles, D.F., Knowles, C., and Davis, R.S. (eds.). 2002. Protocols for the analysis of algal samples collected as part of the U.S. Geological Survey National Water-Quality Assessment Program. Academy of Natural Sciences Report No. 02-06, 124 p. [available at: http://water.usgs.gov/nawqa/protocols/algprotocol/index.html] b.Moulton II, S.R., Carter, J.L., Grotheer, S.A., Cuffney, T.F., and Short, T.M. 2000. Methods of analysis by the U.S. Geological Survey National Water Quality Laboratory-- Processing, taxonomy, and quality control of benthic macroinvertebrate samples. U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 00-212, 49 p. [available at: http://nwql.usgs.gov/Public/pubs/OFR00-212.pdf] 2.Ability to participate in external quality control testing of sample analysis. Examples of such testing might include, but are not limited to: (1) processing split samples by independent laboratories to assess comparability of taxonomic identifications and enumerations; or (2) submit synoptic reference collections that are reviewed by independent analysts to evaluate the accuracy of taxonomic identifications. 3.Information about the educational level/major, professional experience and certifications of staff involved in processing samples described in No. 1 above. 4.Ability to complete sample analysis within six (6) months of receiving a sample and comply with requirements to interact with the USGS BioData Data Management System [https://aquatic.biodata.usgs.gov]. The BioData system stores, maintains, and distributes algae and invertebrate identification and enumeration data. Laboratories must interact with this system to (1) obtain lab orders placed by USGS personnel, and (2) to upload taxonomic identification and enumeration results produced by the laboratory. Prior to interacting with the system a laboratory must: -Designate one or more data managers who will retrieve laboratory orders, upload data, and serve as the principle points of contact for USGS system administrators and data managers. The laboratory data managers will be given access to the BioData system contingent on USGS approval.-Complete BioData laboratory-user training provided by USGS.-Demonstrate that laboratory data managers understand the lab order and laboratory results upload file format, content, and validation requirements.-Successfully complete a test upload of taxonomic identification and enumeration laboratory results.Laboratories download orders prior to processing samples shipped to them by USGS personnel. Each order represents one sample that must be processed and reported as a unit. The laboratory order download is a zip file containing three tab-delimited tables that list (1) laboratory orders, (2) containers associated with each order, and (3) the sites where samples were collected. Laboratories can use the information to support sample processing. The LabOrderID provided by BioData must be used when data are delivered to associate laboratory results with the applicable BioData lab order. Descriptions of three tables are available at https://my.usgs.gov/confluence/display/biodata/BioData+Lab+Handbook. Analytical results must be delivered to the BioData system by uploading a data file. Laboratory data managers will be provided access to perform that task. The file must meet all of the data format, content, and validation rules specified by USGS. Detailed information about these requirements is available at https://my.usgs.gov/confluence/display/biodata/BioData+Lab+Handbook. RESPONSE DUE DATE: Interested vendors who believe they can process freshwater benthic algae and invertebrate samples based on the requirements and characteristics listed above, are invited to submit their capabilities in a response of no more than 15 pages either electronically or one (1) hard copy to the following address by 2:00pm, EDT, May 22, 2012:US Geological Survey12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, MS205, Room 6A338Reston, VA 20192Attn: Lynda McCarthy, Contracting Officer Email: Lmccarthy@usgs.gov Responses received after this date will not be evaluated. Questions regarding this RFI shall be submitted via email to Lynda McCarthy, Contracting Officer, at Lmccarthy@usgs.gov by no later than 2:00pm, EDT, May 14, 2012. Please include with your questions your full name, reference the RFI number and title, "Taxonomic Analysis of Algae and Benthic Invertebrate Samples." Questions will not be accepted after submission of capability statements. Responses should include the following information: company name, address, point of contact, email address, business type, and approximate base cost information per sample. Past performance information should be submitted for applicable references with projects conducted similar in scope and complexity within the last three (3) years. Complete contact information (name, phone, email, website URL), description of project, contract number, contract value and period of performance should be provided for each reference. DISCLAIMER: In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation FAR 15.201(e), this notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes. It does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP). The Department of the Interior (DOI)/USGS intends to assess the responses to inform its decision-making. This notice is not to be construed as a commitment by the government to contract for services. The government will not pay for any information provided as a result of this notice and will not recognize or reimburse any cost associated with RFI submission. Responses to this RFI will not affect a potential offeror's ability to respond to any RFP that might follow. Responses will not be returned and respondents will not be notified of the result of review.Please ensure that any sensitive or protected information is marked as such. To notify the Government of sensitive information, data identified as Proprietary contained in a response to this RFI, offerors shall mark the cover page of the response and each affected page of the response with indications that it contains proprietary information. The Government assumes no liability for the disclosure or use of information contained in a response if it is not marked proprietary (reference FAR 52.215-1(e) for procedures on marking sensitive information. The words "proposals" contained in FAR 52.215-1(e) shall not be construed to mean proposals in the sense of responding to a solicitation since, in this case, this is an RFI).
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