Description
NAICS Code: 541990 The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with the Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute(EOHSI), of Piscataway, NJ 08854, for Development and field validation of Passive Aldehyde and Ketone Sampler (PAKS-DNSH) method for the collection and alalysis of acrolein and other aldehydes and ketones in support of the Human Exposure Analysis Branch in the Research Triangle Park, NC (RTP). This procurement is for continued method development and making modifications to the recently developed analytical (PAKS-DNSH) method developed by researchers at Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute (EOHSI), UMDNJ and Rutgers University. EPA believes that EOHSI is the only source capable of providing the required services based on previous experience. EOHSI is the only known source with the necessary background and expertise to perform the required services within the prescribed time frame, i.e., FAR 6.302-1, "only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements." EOHSI has the staff and expertise of recently working and using the PAKS DNSH method indicating improved recovery of the chemical acrolein (60%) when compared to the currently used DNPH method (20%). Both methods are suitable for the collection and analysis of other aldehydes and ketones typically monitored in ambient and indoor air; however, this method shows promise for the analysis of acrolein as well. Under this project, the contractor shall further develop the method in order to improve the stability and recovery of acrolein. Objective: The specific objective for this project is to: Optimize the current PAKS DNSH method for the collection and analysis of acrolein while maintaining acceptable results for the other aldehydes and ketones for which the method was originally developed. The method will subsequently be tested through field validation whereby the contracting laboratory will provide sampling materials and sample analysis to selected State and EPA Trends monitoring sites for PAKS collection. PAKS method results will be compared to DNPH method results collected at the same specified Trends monitoring sites. Special supporting equipment such as standards loading systems and analytical detectors necessary for conducting the research are already in place. In order to conduct the research, the laboratory would need to demonstrate that they can achieve the EOSHI published results regarding PAKS method aldehyde and ketone recoveries, stabilities, detection limits, diffusion sampling rates, cartridge preparation, and analytical results. This is a time critical effort in order to coordinate the field verification with the states monitoring at the Trends sites. The performance period will be from date of award through 07 June 2004. All interested parties who believe they can provide the required services should fully explain their capabilities in writing within 15 days of the date of this announcement. No Solicitation is available. The intent of this synopsis is to determine if any additional source (s) exist and, therefore, no Request for Proposal (RFP) is available. Consequently, any response (s) failing to provide the aforementioned data but instead choosing to merely submit a routine letter requesting a copy of the RFP will be ignored. Submit response no later than 19 August 2002 to the U.S. EPA, Attn: Joy Kimble (MC-E105-02), Contracts Management Division, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711. No telephonic or faxed requests will be honored.