B--IDIQ FOR LABORATORY ANALYSIS

Amendment / Modification

This amendment (0003) provides the government's responses to questions submitted by potential offerors. These questions and answers are incorporated into the solicitation.

• The amendment does not change the scope, specifications, or performance requirements of the solicitation unless specifically stated in the responses.

• The closing date for receipt of quotations has been extended to May 15, 2026.

• The deadline for submitting quotations has been extended to May 15, 2026.

• Key questions addressed include the acceptability of alternative analytical methods (Raman and micro-FTIR) for microplastics analysis, both of which were deemed unacceptable by the government as they would not meet the study's objectives.

Amendment / Modification

• This amendment (0002) modifies solicitation 140G0226Q0027.

• The effective date of the amendment is March 27, 2026.

• The amendment is issued to add "Full and Open Competition" to the solicitation.

• The period of performance for the Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) is noted as 05/20/2026 - 05/19/2031, with a separate mention of 04/20/2026 - 04/19/2031 and 05/22/2026 to 05/21/2031. It is important to note that a BPA is not a contract, and neither party is obligated to place or accept orders until a BPA Call order is placed and accepted.

• The document indicates changes related to the solicitation's competition type.

• All other terms and conditions of the original solicitation remain unchanged.

• The amendment does not appear to change the proposal submission deadline or evaluation factors, but bidders should confirm any specific instructions related to the "Full and Open Competition" aspect.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

This Statement of Work outlines the requirements for laboratory analysis of microplastics (MPs).

• The laboratory must be equipped with an Agilent 8700 Laser Direct Infrared (LDIR) Chemical Imaging System.

• The system should be capable of detecting microplastic particles, determining their size, and acquiring detailed information about their chemical composition.

• The system should be able to identify MPs in sizes ranging from 10 µm to 500 µm.

• A software MP library is required to address potential interferences from non-plastic particles.

• Field blanks must be collected using deionized water to monitor for airborne and procedural contamination.

• Procedural blanks must be analyzed when filtering samples.

• Blank samples must follow the same preservation methods and holding times as environmental samples.

• An analytical report must be provided, including methodology description, quality control summary, MP count, size distribution chart, method blank results, laboratory control sample, sample summary, and method summary.

• Samples should be stored in glass bottles in a cooler box with ice packs at the field site.

• If an ice cooler is unavailable, samples can be transferred to a refrigerator at approximately 4°C.

• Freezing samples is prohibited to prevent structural damage.

• Samples must be stored in the dark to avoid UV degradation.

• Samples should be stored in a cool (approx. 4°C) and dark environment after collection.

• Avoid exposure to direct sunlight or heat.

• Water samples should not be frozen.

• Samples must be analyzed within 7-14 days of collection.

• If storage exceeds 14 days, quality control must validate whether degradation or changes have occurred.

• For long-term storage, samples may be filtered immediately and the filters dried and stored.

• The services are Non-Personal Services.

• The contractor shall furnish all facilities, labor, and materials.

Amendment / Modification

This document, Amendment 0001, modifies the solicitation identified by 140G0226Q0027, with an effective date of 03/27/2026.

• The amendment adds Attachment A (Statement of Work) and Attachment B (Price Schedule) to the solicitation.

• The amendment extends the period of performance for the Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) to be established under this solicitation. The new period of performance is 04/20/2026 through 04/19/2031.

• It clarifies that a BPA is not a contract and that the government is not obligated to place orders, nor is the contractor obligated to accept them. An enforceable contract only exists when a BPA Call order is placed and accepted.

• All other terms and conditions remain unchanged.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "ATTACHMENT B - PRICE SCHEDULE," provides the pricing structure for the opportunity over a five-year period. Bidders are expected to use this schedule to detail their proposed costs.

• The schedule outlines pricing for "Environmental samples (water, soil/sediment, air dust) sample processing, extraction, and LDIR analysis."
• Columns are provided for Year 1 through Year 5, along with a "Total" column.
• The provided data indicates a quantity of 0 for the sample processing in Year 1, with no specific pricing detailed in the provided snippet.

Bidders must complete this price schedule to submit a responsive proposal. It is crucial for detailing the cost of services related to environmental sample analysis over the contract period and will likely be a key component of the evaluation.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a solicitation for a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) for Laboratory Microplastics Analysis. The BPA is for non-personal services, providing all necessary plant, equipment, facilities, labor, supervision, and materials to deliver goods and/or services in full compliance with the terms and conditions of the BPA and the attached Statement of Work. The government is not obligated to place orders, and the contractor is not obligated to accept them. An enforceable contract exists only when a BPA Call order is placed and accepted.

• Laboratory Microplastics Analysis services.

• Sample processing, extraction, and LDIR analysis for environmental samples (water, soil/sediment, air dust).

• Services must be performed in full compliance with the attached Statement of Work.

• Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price BPA Call orders.

• Period of Performance: Estimated to be from 04/20/2026 to 04/19/2031 (five years).

• Estimated Not to Exceed Value: $100,000.00 for the life of the BPA.

• Payment Terms: Via Government Purchase Card for orders under $10,000.00, or through Treasury's Invoice Payment Platform (IPP) for orders over $10,000.00 up to $100,000.00.

• Quotation Submission Deadline: April 3, 2026, by 5:00 P.M. Eastern time, via email to Yvette_Sornberger@ios.doi.gov.

• Question Cutoff: April 1, 2026, by 5:00 P.M. Eastern time, via email to Yvette_Sornberger@ios.doi.gov.

• Evaluation Factors: Award will be made based on a comparative evaluation of solicitation responses for best value. Non-price factors are of equal importance and include:

  • Microplastic Experience: Resumes of scientists analyzing microplastic samples.
  • Technical Performance: Capabilities to perform services described in the SOW (narrative, max 2 pages).
  • Past Performance: At least two references for services performed in the past three years. CPARS and FAPIIS reports will also be used.

• Overall non-price merit will be considered more important than price or cost.

• NAICS Code: 541380 (Testing Laboratories and Services).

• Size Standard: $19.

• The solicitation indicates "SMALL BUSINESS" as a set-aside category.

• The following attachments are referenced:

  • Attachment A: Statement of Work
  • Attachment B: Price Schedule (Excel Spreadsheet Template)

• Offerors must include a completed Attachment B – Price Schedule with their proposals/quotes.