Analytical Chemistry Lab Services for UCMR 6

Background
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), specifically the Office of Water and the Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water, is responsible for implementing the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) section 1445(a)(2), which mandates a Monitoring Program for Unregulated Contaminants. This program requires public water systems to collect data on contaminants not yet subject to EPA drinking water standards.

The goal of this contract is to provide analytical laboratory services to support the Sixth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 6), which aims to gather scientifically valid data on selected contaminants in drinking water, ultimately aiding in regulatory decisions regarding public health.

Work Details
The contractor shall provide all necessary labor, materials, equipment, and services to conduct analyses of drinking water samples collected by small public water systems. Specific tasks include: conducting analyses according to EPA methods, reporting results, providing logistical support for sample receipt and storage, maintaining quality assurance through a Quality Management Plan (QMP), and participating in pilot studies prior to official sampling.

The contractor must have UCMR 6 Lab Approval from EPA for all methods specified in the contract. The total number of analyses anticipated under this contract is approximately 149,610. The contractor will be responsible for managing sample logistics, including receiving samples via express delivery, logging them accurately, and reporting any sampling errors within 24 hours.

Period of Performance
The anticipated contract ordering period is five years with an additional year for task order completion. There is also an option for a six-month extension.

Place of Performance
Services will be performed at the contractor's laboratory facilities as designated by the EPA.

Bidder Requirements
Bidders must demonstrate their ability to provide necessary personnel and services as outlined in the Draft Performance Work Statement (PWS). They must successfully complete the UCMR 6 Laboratory Approval Program prior to contract award. Small businesses are required to perform at least 50% of contract performance costs with their own personnel or through subcontracts with similarly situated entities.

Incumbent Analysis (see Incumbents section for more detail)
This opportunity appears to have a confirmed incumbent based on multiple prior EPA analytical chemistry laboratory services awards supporting the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, specifically UCMR 5, with several awardees continuing to perform under the same program structure. Confirmed incumbents include Babcock Laboratories ($4,167,845, 08/03/22–08/02/27), Eurofins Eaton Analytical ($4,049,375, 08/03/22–08/02/27), Northern Lake Service ($3,810,315, 08/03/22–08/02/27), Eastex Environmental Laboratory ($3,555,100, 08/03/22–08/02/27), and Weck Analytical Environmental Services ($2,649,105, 08/03/22–08/02/27), with additional task orders in 2024–2026. The prior work is described as analytical chemistry laboratory services for UCMR (including sample receipt/logistics and EPA method-based analyses), which aligns closely with the current UCMR 6 requirement for EPA-approved methods and similar QA/QMP and reporting responsibilities.