SOURCES SOUGHT: This is a SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE. The U.S. Geological Survey is conducting a MARKET SURVEY to determine the interest and capability of any firm eligible to compete under NAICS 541620 Environment Consulting Services with a Small Business Size Standard of $19M for an upcoming P450 Analysis on passive sampler extracts.

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

A. Introduction

This requisition is for P450 analysis on passive sampler extracts. The P450 Reporter Gene System (RGS) Assay is a biomarker-based screening assay used for the detection of dioxin toxic equivalents (TCDD TEQs) in environmental sample extracts. Passive samplers were deployed as part of the MMSD Phase 6 project at all 15 core ecological sites in 2022. This was part of a larger effort to characterize conditions at these sites; additional sampling included collection of biological (fish, macroinvertebrates, and algae), eDNA, nutrient, and organic contaminant (in water and sediment) samples.

B. Background

This project focuses on 15 sites in the Milwaukee metropolitan area, all of which have potential for influence from anthropogenic organic contaminants. Fourteen of these sites are long-term sites, with biological data collection efforts dating back to 2004.

Passive sampling devices deployed at streams sites provide estimates of waterborne concentrations of biologically available synthetic organic contaminants that can passively enter tissues of stream organisms (Alvarez, 2010; Alvarez and others, 2008). The chemicals are slowly absorbed into the samplers, similar to how they would pass through the gills of a fish and on into the fish¿s fatty tissues. After a 4-week in-stream deployment, the solutions extracted from the samplers are tested for toxicity and concentrations of selected chemicals.

Passive samplers provide better estimates of these waterborne contaminants than simple water grab samples because chemical concentrations in passive samplers are integrated over the 4-week sampling period. These types of chemicals are often at concentrations at or near analytical detection in simple water grab samples even though they can accumulate to concentrations of concern in aquatic biota. In addition, passive samplers and analyses are usually cheaper than tissue analyses of fish in streams, and passive sampler use alleviates problems with obtaining adequate tissues of a common fish species across multiple sites. Data from passive sampler analyses can also be examined for stressor relations with aquatic communities.

Passive sampling, including P450 analyses on the extracts, have been done at core ecological sites every few years, dating back to 2004. Prior to 2016, sampling was done at a handful of sites. In 2016, sampling was done at all 15 core ecological sites, and results from these samplers were used as explanatory variables in models seeking to explain the variability in the biological health metrics at these sites. Results from the 2022 deployments will be used in a similar manner and will also be used to look at changes over time.

C. Definitions/Applicable Documents
Background on passive sampler capabilities and methods for deployment:
Alvarez, D.A., Cranor, W.L., Perkins, S.D., Clark, R.C., and Smith, S.B., 2008, Chemical and toxicological assessment of organic contaminants in surface water using passive samplers. J. Environ. Qual. 37(3): 1024-33.

Alvarez D.A., 2010, Guidelines for the use of semipermeable membrane device (SPMD) and the polar organic chemical integrative sampler (POCIS) in environmental monitoring studies: U.S. Geological Survey, Techniques and Methods Report No. 1¿D4.

Summary of ecological and passive sampler (including P450) methods and results from previous phases of the project:
Thomas, J.C., Lutz, M.A., Bruce, J.L., Graczyk, D.J., Richards, K.D., Krabbenhoft, D.P., Westenbroek, S.M., Scudder, B.C., Sullivan, D.J., and Bell, A.H., 2007, Water-Quality Characteristics for Selected Sites Within the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District Planning Area, Wisconsin, February 2004-September 2005: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report, 187 p.

Scudder Eikenberry, B.C., Bell, A.H., Sullivan, D.J., Lutz, M.A., and Alvarez, D.A., 2010, Biological water-quality assessment of selected streams in the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District Planning Area of Wisconsin, 2007: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2010¿5166, 28 p., accessed at https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20105166.

Scudder Eikenberry, B.C., Nott, M.A., Stewart, J.S., Sullivan, D.J., Alvarez, D., Bell, A.H., and Fitzpatrick, F.A., 2020, Ecological Status of Selected Streams in the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District Planning Area of Wisconsin, 2004-13: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2020¿5035, 84 p., accessed at https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20205035.

Detailed P450 method description:
Ang, C.Y., Inouye, L.S., McCant, D.D., and McFarland, V.A.,
2000, Protocols for a rapid clean-up/extraction procedure
and an improved P450RGS dioxin screening assay for sediments: Vicksburg, Miss., U.S. Army Engineer Research and
Development Center, DOER Technical Notes Collection
(ERDC TN¿DOER¿C10), 28 p.


D. Scope

The purpose of this requisition is to obtain P450 analysis on passive sampler extracts using the same biomarker-based methods used for historical samples. The aim of the effort is to assess the toxicity potential of dioxin-like organic contaminants, to explore the potential influence of these compounds on biological health, and to characterize changes over time at these sites.

II. WORK REQUIREMENTS

A. Technical Requirements.

1. The lab will maintain paperwork and tracking information for all samples submitted. Passive sampler extracts will be prepared by a USGS laboratory and provided to the P450-analyzing lab in hexane; USGS will provide additional hexane solvent for laboratory quality assurance. P450 analyses will be performed on all submitted samples (field samples and field blanks), as well as a dialysis blank and a solvent blank which will serve as measures of quality assurance for laboratory methods.

Methods for the P450 analyses will be done in accordance with previously published protocols (Ang and others, 2000). Briefly, 101L cells first have to be thawed and grown to sufficient numbers to allow seeding of 4 96-well plates. Plates will be seeded with 40,000 cells/well and cultured for 3 days at 37°C with 5% CO2. On Day 3, growth media will be replaced with 98µL fresh media without serum. 2µL of sample, solvent or positive control will then be added to each well. TCDD in hexane will be used as the positive control and hexane will be used for the solvent control as samples will be received in hexane. At least 3 replicates will be tested for each sample, solvent or positive control. Plates will be incubated for 16 hours post addition of sample, solvent or positive control. After 16 hours, the assay will be terminated. Cells will be lysed, and luciferin substrate will be added. Light produced by the action of luciferase on luciferin substrate will be measured.

To quantify the P450-inducing compounds in the extracted environmental sample, the mean Relative Light Units (RLU) of at least 3 replicates will be divided by the mean response of three replicates of a solvent blank, yielding a calculated fold induction. Fold induction is a measure of the increased of the sample response over the background response. The relative standard deviation of the fold induction will then be used to assess the variability of the assay. Variability greater than 20%, or greater than 20 relative standard deviation, will result in the sample having to be retested. Fold induction will then be converted to toxic equivalents (TEQ) for TCDD based on the fold induction responses to TCDD standards curve.

2.Criteria for acceptance of Product or Service

The Fold Induction (RLU sample/RLU mean blank response) should be 1 for blanks and solvent control. Relative standard deviation ((Standard Deviation/Mean Fold Induction) *100) is a calculated measure of the variability of the data set. If the Relative Standard Deviation is greater than 20, then the measurement needs to be repeated and the sample may also need to be diluted.

B. Deliverables.

1. Characteristics for work product described in II.A.1., identified by name and quantity.

Passive sampler extracts from up to 16 field samples, and 4 field blanks (as well as the requisite dialysis and solvent laboratory blanks) will undergo P450 analysis.

An Excel spreadsheet or Word document with table including USGS station numbers for each sample, collection start and end dates/times for each sample, and analytical results from each sample analyzed.

2. Delivery dates for work/product to be completed and point of delivery.

Not later than September 15, 2023.



III. SUPPORTING INFORMATION


A. Period of Performance (expressed as number of days, must include the time necessary to test, review, and/or install the deliverable).

February 1, 2023 ¿ September 15, 2023

B. Government Furnished Property (GFP): list property and its value.

None

D. Special Considerations.

1. Key personnel qualifications (researchers, instructors, writers, project managers, programmers, etc.)

No personnel in requisition.

2. Data Rights, Safety, Environment.

USGS will have rights to the data.

3. Security/Privacy issues (ingress to Federal buildings, personnel clearances, computer security).

Not applicable.


THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION. ALL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH PROVIDING INFORMATION AS REQUESTED BY THIS SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE SHALL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CONTRACTOR. Submission is voluntary.
A scope of work will be provided with any solicitation that may be issued. The Government is not required to issue a solicitation.

Responses to this announcement are requested from (A) SBA certified Small Business HubZone firms; (B) Small Business firms certified by a Small Business Administration (SBA) district or regional office for participation in the 8(a) program; (C) Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned small Business firms; (D) Small Businesses; (E) Women Owned Small Businesses; and (F) Large Businesses.

In response to this announcement, please indicate your firm's socioeconomic status (e.g. small business, service-disabled veteran-owned, women owned, HUBZone, etc.) This information will assist the Government in determining how small businesses can fit into the acquisition strategy.

Any information submitted is voluntary. If sufficient interest and capability is not received from firms in categories (A) through (E) above, any solicitation may be issued as unrestricted without further consideration.

Interested business firms shall submit (1) NAME, ADDRESS, and PHONE NUMBER OF THE FIRM (including an active SAM Registration); (2) a CAPABILITY STATEMENT including (a) RECENT (within the last three fiscal years) RELEVANT (similar projects to this requirement) performance history (identify the name of the owner and their point(s) of contact with telephone and fax numbers, e-mail addresses; and (b) in what capacity (e.g., prime, subcontractor etc.) they performed the work; and (3) their SIZE STATUS, (4) Active SAM Registration.

All responses must be submitted NLT December 28, 2022, at 12:00 PM ET Time via e-mail to: [email protected]

This is NOT a Request for Proposal (RFP) or Invitation for Bid (IFB) and does not constitute any commitment by the Government. Responses to this sources sought notice will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions. All interested sources must respond to future solicitation announcements separately from responses to this market survey. Any solicitation that may be issued will be posted on the Federal Business Opportunities website and no paper copies will be provided.

If a solicitation is released, in order to receive an award your company must have an active SAM Unique Identification and be registered on-line at the System for Award Management (SAM). You will also be required to provide your small business status information either via the RFP or the On-line Representations and Certifications (ORCA) also located at the SAM website before an award to your company can be made. Your on-line ORCA registration will cover any/all of your offers to the Federal Government, and only needs updated annually.

Bid Protests Not Available