Analysis of Protozoa in Groundwater

The Minnesota Department of Health is seeking proposals from environmental laboratories to analyze groundwater sources from public water supplies for the presence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia protozoa, with the goal of identifying sources under the direct influence of surface water (GWUDI) as mandated by federal regulations. This initiative builds upon previous GWUDI designations made in 1994 and 1999, with ongoing re-evaluation prompted by more recent data indicating higher-than-expected protozoa occurrences, notably from a 2014–2016 study. The department has developed a logistic regression model to predict high-risk groundwater sources and plans to collect well samples to validate this predictive tool. The solicitation emphasizes the importance of participation from small and diverse businesses within Minnesota and sets a submission deadline of October 27, 2025. The contract size is estimated between 500,000 and 1.5 million dollars, reflecting the scope of testing, analysis, and reporting required. The procurement process involves detailed submission requirements, including cost proposals, certifications, and declarations to ensure compliance with state policies and eligibility criteria, such as veteran-owned business preferences. Responders are required to submit a comprehensive cost breakdown covering all associated expenses, with the state reserving the right to negotiate additional tasks based on proposal evaluations. The solicitation encourages adherence to diversity and inclusion policies and mandates registration for participation. The overarching objective is to enhance the identification and validation of protozoa contamination sources in groundwater, thereby supporting public health protection and regulatory compliance through rigorous testing, data analysis, and model validation efforts.