AWARD
B -- IDIQ NPS Alaska I&M Network Water Analyses
- Notice Date
- 8/1/2014
- Notice Type
- Award Notice
- Contracting Office
- NPS, ARO - Alaska Regional Office
- ZIP Code
- 00000
- Archive Date
- 8/16/2014
- Point of Contact
- Vandendries, Christie 907 644-3317, Christie_VandenDries@nps.gov ; Vandendries, Christie 907 644-3317, Christie_VandenDries@nps.gov
- E-Mail Address
-
Vandendries, Christie
(Christie_VandenDries@nps.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Award Number
- P14PC00350
- Award Date
- 8/1/2014
- Awardee
- OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY308 KERR ADMINISTRATION BUILDINGCORVALLISOR97331-8517US
- Award Amount
- $0
- Description
- Single Award Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity Contract for Water Analyses for the I&M Networks of Alaska, National Park Service JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION REQUESTING AGENCY AND CONTRACTING ACTIVITY: The National Park Service, Central Alaska Network, Arctic Network, Southwest Alaska Network and Southeast Alaska Network, plans to contract on a Sole Source basis. This document sets forth the justification and approval as required by FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements. NATURE AND/OR DESCRIPTION OF ACTION TO BE APPROVED: The 4 Alaska Inventory and Monitoring Networks are seeking to establish a 5-year IDIQ contract for laboratory analysis of multiple solutes in environmental water samples. Accurate, sensitive and reliable analysis of the water chemistry of lakes, streams and rivers is fundamental to the mission and success of the Inventory and Monitoring Program in Alaska. For the reasons outlined below, the Networks require that this contract be established with the Cooperative Chemical Analytical Laboratory, which is cooperatively managed by the U.S.D.A. Forest Service and Oregon State University. DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES OR SERVICES REQUIRED: The National Park Service, Alaska Region, intends to award a sole source IDIQ contract with one base year and four option years to Cooperative Chemical Analytical Laboratory (CCAL) of the Oregon State University for water chemical analyses and supporting supplies. This IDIQ contract will support the needs of the National Park Services Central Alaska Network (CAKN), Arctic Network (ARCN), Southwest Alaska Network (SWAN), and Southeast Alaska Network (SEAN). The chemical analysis of water measures the following constituents (required detection limits, reporting limits and precisions in parentheses): 1.Total Nitrogen (detection limit 0.01 mg/l +/- 0.01 mg/l, reporting limit 0.032 mg/L) 2.Total Phosphorus (detection limit 0.002 mg/l +/- 0.002 mg/l, reporting limit 0.006 mg/L) 3.Orthophosphate (detection limit 0.001 mg/l +/- 0.001 mg/l, 0.003 mg/L) 4.Nitrate/nitrite-N (detection limit 0.001 mg/l +/- 0.001 mg/l, reporting limit 0.003 mg/L) 5.Dissolved organic carbon (detection limit 0.05 mg/l +/- 0.05 mg/l, reporting limit 0.16 mg/L) 6.Ammonia-N (detection limit 0.01 mg/l +/- 0.003 mg/l, reporting limit 0.032 mg/L) 7.Silicon (detection limit 0.20 mg/l +/- 0.05 mg/l, reporting limit 0.60 mg/L) 8.Sodium (detection limit 0.01 mg/l +/- 0.01 mg/l, reporting limit 0.030 mg/L) 9.Calcium (detection limit 0.06 mg/l +/- 0.06 mg/l, reporting limit 0.19 mg/L) 10.Magnesium (detection limit 0.02 mg/l +/- 0.02 mg/l, reporting limit 0.06 mg/L) 11.Potassium (detection limit 0.03 mg/l +/- 0.03 mg/l, reporting limit 0.10 mg/L) 12.Sulfate (detection limit 0.02 mg/l +/- 0.02 mg/l, reporting limit 0.03 mg/L) 13.Chloride (detection limit 0.01 mg/l +/- 0.01 mg/l, reporting limit 0.03 mg/L) 14.pH (detection limit 0.1 pH units +/- 0.1 pH units) 15.Alkalinity (detection limit 0.2 mg/l +/- 0.02 mg/l, reporting limit 0.6 mg/L) 16.Specific conductance (detection limit, 0.4 microS/cm +/- 2%) 17.Total Dissolved Nitrogen (detection limit 0.01 mg/l +/- 0.01 mg/l, reporting limit 0.032 mg/L) 18.Iron (detection limit 0.06 mg/l +/- 0.06 mg/L, reporting limit 0.19 mg/L) 19.Mercury (MDL not specified) 20.Aluminum (MDL not specified) 21.Arsenic (MDL not specified) 22.Antimony (MDL not specified) 23.Selenium (MDL not specified) 24.Anion/cation balance 25.Color and turbidity blanks as needed 26.Sample filtration as needed 27.Provide and ship acid-washed samples bottles as needed for sample collection STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. (FAR 6.302-1) DEMONSTRATION OF REQUIREMENT OF AUTHORITY: The selected Laboratory shall meet the following specifications: Experienced in the analysis of low-level nutrient concentrations in water samples from oligotrophic systems and meet the specified detection and reporting limits. Conform to EPA surface water chemistry criteria. Participate in the USGS Standard Reference Water Survey Program. Certified by the USGS Laboratory Evaluation Program Maintain a detailed Quality Assurance Plan to CAKN/ARCN/SWAN/SEAN Utilize prepared NIST-traceable calibration standards. Run duplicate analyses for 10% of samples per analysis, when sample volume allows Located in Alaska or the Pacific Northwest to minimize transit time for shipment of frozen samples to ensure the integrity of the sample. CCAL is uniquely qualified in detecting extremely low levels of the chemical constituents found in Alaskan waters. Unlike most water chemistry labs, which specialize in the analysis of wastewater or water from polluted locations, CCAL specializes in the analysis of research samples from natural lakes, streams, precipitation and groundwater in unpolluted areas. Our samples are collected in pristine streams with extremely low solute concentrations; as such, we require the low detection limits provided by CCAL. No other laboratory in Alaska or the Pacific Northwest offers the range of analyses that CCAL does with the detection and reporting limits we require. CCAL has more than 30 years experience analyzing these kinds of water samples. CCAL is also capable of dealing with the high concentrations of DOC, often found in lakes and streams in Alaska. The highly colored nature of water from these systems can compromise the accuracy of measurements and many labs are not equipped to deal with the required color corrections. CCAL also meets our requirement of being in close proximity to Alaska. To maintain sample integrity for the types of analyses we use, the water samples we collect must remain frozen until they are analyzed. CCAL is located in Oregon and we can easily transport samples to the lab before the samples thaw completely and begin to degrade. Thawing can significantly degrade the quality of the water sample making our collections efforts meaningless. It is not feasible to ship samples cross country as we risk the samples thawing and thus compromising the quality of the data. While samples could be preserved with dry ice, this increases the expense of shipping and thereby the cost to the government. CCAL has provided analytical chemistry services to the Central Alaska and Arctic Networks since 2006. One of the most important reasons for continuing to contract with CCAL is data continuity. Data continuity is essential for maintaining the scientific integrity of these long-term monitoring programs. The purpose of environmental monitoring programs is to accurately detect changes in the environment. Any potential sources of error must be fully accounted for and corrected before conclusions can be drawn regarding whether the environment has changed. A significant potential source of error is differences in methodology, instrument calibration, quality of work, or quality assurance/quality control between analytical laboratories. Changes in analytical laboratories during the course of long-term monitoring programs therefore requires extensive error identification and correction procedures involving the submission and analysis of duplicate samples to both laboratories. This process greatly increases the overall cost of analysis to the government in addition to generating an unnecessary risk of negatively impacting the scientific integrity of the long-term data set. The success of the CAKN, ARCN, SWAN and SEAN aquatic monitoring programs depends upon the ability to detect and quantify subtle changes in natural processes with confidence, which in turn depends on minimizing potential laboratory error. For this reason, continuing to contract with CCAL for water chemistry analysis is essential to the continued success of these monitoring programs. In May, 2010, the Chief of the Water Operations Branch for the National Park Service published a memorandum with the title Water Quality Data Consistency and Quality under Lab Contracting by Networks Performing Aquatic Monitoring Under the Vital Signs Program that emphasized the importance of laboratory continuity to the success of aquatic monitoring under the Inventory and Monitoring Program. The memorandum states that It is becoming increasingly apparent that data quality and consistency may suffer and thus compromise the programs primary goals and objectives (i.e. the ability to detect trends) when laboratory changes occur under the current contract award process without a technical basis. It is critical to the program that lab selection function smoothly and consistency be maintained. Data consistency is very important and fundamental to a program of this nature. Any limitations of a Networks ability to maintain long term consistency and quality of their aquatic monitoring data is counterproductive to the programs objectives and viability and some recognition that there can be detrimental effects on data quality Finally, CCAL has a well-developed Quality Assurance Plan that insures delivery of precise and accurate results. CCAL laboratory techniques conform to EPA surface water chemistry criteria, and the lab participates in the USGS Standard Reference Water Survey Program, an external interlaboratory QA Program, to monitor the accuracy of analytical procedures. Participation in the USGS Standard Reference Water Survey Program insures that measurements made in different laboratories will be of comparable quality and in principle will be directly comparable. CCAL is also certified by the USGS Laboratory Evaluation Program, a rigorous QA/QC program. Data produced by CCAL from a standardized set of protocols allow direct comparisons among diverse studies, creating a legacy of data that grows with each new study. This conformity increases the value of data collected by the CAKN flowing waters monitoring program and allows us to compare our data directly with that collected by other monitoring networks. This in turn increases our power to detect environmental change on a regional level. By standardizing detection and measurement of the chemical and physical properties of water, and by eliminating the need and expense of establishing duplicate facilities, CCAL operations are beneficial to both cooperative and individual research projects. For these reasons CCAL is the only lab operating under a good Quality Assurance Plan capable of measuring the low concentrations that we require. Other NPS Inventory & Monitoring Networks that contract with CCAL for water chemistry analysis include the Mojave Desert Network, the Klamath Network and the North Cascades Network. EFFORTS TO ENSURE WIDE RANGE OF OFFERS: To identify other laboratories in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, we searched the internet, and contacted scientists at both the University of Alaska and at other Inventory and Monitoring Networks. Several potential sources were identified and contacted: Analytica in Fairbanks, Alaska, Admiralty Environmental in Juneau, Alaska, SGS North America in Anchorage Alaska, Pollen Environmental in Fairbanks, Alaska, CH2MHILL in Corvallis, Oregon, and ALS-Columbia in Kelso, Washington. Minimum detection and reporting limits were requested for the analytes listed above. None of these laboratories was able to match the requirements. In previous years (FY 2010 through 2012), these same services were synopsized and solicited for via FBO. The solicitations received no other responses, aside from CCAL. On February 14, 2014, a sources sought announcement was published to FedBizOpps seeking interest from any business concerns capable and interested in providing environmental water sample analysis. Included in this sources sought were the minimum detection levels (MDLs) required to maintain data integrity and scientific credibility, contractor qualifications, and the anticipated procurement method and associated ordering limitations. The sources sought announcement was published for two weeks, requesting responses by February 28, 2014. Two firms responded with interest, which is discussed under List of Interested Firms. MARKET RESEARCH: The following laboratories were contacted, and minimum detection and reporting limits were requested for the analytes listed above. Analytica, LLCFairbanks, Alaska Admiralty Environmental, LLCJuneau, Alaska Pollen Environmental, IncFairbanks, Alaska SGS North AmericaAnchorage, Alaska CH2MHILLCorvallis, Oregon ALS-ColumbiaKelso, Washington None of the alternative laboratories was able to match the requirements. OTHER SUPPORTING FACTS: In 2006, prior to requesting the first contract for water sample analysis from CCAL, the Central Alaska Network conducted market research into possible vendors. Analytica in Fairbanks, Alaska, ALS-Columbia in Kelso, Washington, and CCAL were contacted. Minimum detection and reporting limits were requested for the analytes listed above, along with pricing. Only CCAL was able to match the required detection and reporting limits. In subsequent years, these same services have been synopsized and solicited for via FBO. The solicitations received no other responses, aside from CCAL. History of awards to CCAL: Year of AwardPurchase Order Amount 2012P12PX17180$61,238.90 2011P9840110061$66,865.00 2010P9840100150$5,919.60 2010P9840100150$28,710.06 2009P9840090081$9,009.30 2009P9840090081$33,645.50 2008P9840080179$9,748.00 2008P9840080111$20,564.10 2008P9840080105$13,496.60 LIST OF INTERESTED SOURCES: In response to the sources sought announcement on FedBizOpps, two firms expressed interest: APPL, Inc. (DUNS #103439063) and Analytica Group (DUNS #783728637). Unfortunately, neither organization could fulfill all the minimum detection levels (MDLs), which is imperative to the overall studys scientific integrity and credibility. With regard to APPL, Inc., the median total nitrogen reported from 2011 in Central Alaska Network streams was 0.15 mg/L, well below APPLs MDL of 0.267 mg/L. Similarly the median total phosphorous value reported in Central Alaska Network streams from 2006-2011 was 0.005 mg/L, again well below APPLs MDL of 0.024 mg/L. Use of the higher detection limits offered by APPL would result in an unacceptable loss of data. The same applies for a number of other analytes. It is not clear from the materials offered if APPL participates in the USGS Standard Reference Water Survey Program, is certified by the USGS LEP and uses NIST-traceable calibration standards, but these are strict requirements to ensure the highest level of data integrity for the Central Alaska Network. With regard to Analytica Group, the MDLs offered are unacceptably high. For example the median total nitrogen reported from 2011 in Central Alaska Network streams was 0.15 mg/L, well below Analyticas MDL of 1 mg/L. Use of the higher detection limit would result in an unacceptable loss of data. The same applies for a number of other analytes. Similarly, Analytica does not participate in the USGS Standard Reference Water Survey Program, is not certified by the USGS LEP and does not use NIST-traceable calibration standards. While these may not be required in Alaska as claimed by Analytica, the Central Alaska Network nevertheless requires that a laboratory meet these requirements to maintain the high level of data integrity that essential to a successful scientific program. No other organizations responded to the sources sought announcement. STATEMENT OF ACTIONS TO INCREASE COMPETITION: Due to the unique nature of the analyses, unless a new firm enters the market that can provide the same level of data analyses and continuity, it is unlikely competition can be increased. The Government has taken all actions to remove or overcome barriers to competition for the required supplies and services. RECOMMENDATION AND CERTIFICATION BY THE PROGRAM OFFICE Based on the above, I recommend this acquisition be conducted using other than full and open competition. I certify that technical data which form a basis for this justification that are the responsibility of technical or requirements personnel are complete and accurate.
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