Laboratory analysis services

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) is seeking potential sources to satisfy a requirement for laboratory analysis services. The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) is faced with a range of challenges in developing capabilities to address the chemical and biological (CB) Counter WMD (CWMD) mission. DTRA's CWMD Test Support Division is tasked with developing and fielding the advanced technologies, methodologies, and instrumentation that will be used to test new and emerging weapons of mass destruction (WMD) defeat capabilities. Technologies are desired that can measure airborne chemical concentrations, determine vapor and aerosol fractions, and characterize aerosol composition, size distribution, concentration and velocities for agent defeat tests. Laboratory analysis services are required to process Bacillus thuringiensis and/or other simulant field samples and to process these samples to determine the Colony Forming Units (CFUs). As testing progresses other lab analysis may be required depending on sampling methodologies necessary to meet the mission's needs. Tasks include all requirements necessary to satisfy CB-CWMD test requirements for: (1) establishing and verifying suitable point referee systems for future stand-off technology readiness assessment; (2) To detect and analyze biological simulants. The stand-off technology shall be tested using a wind tunnel, for generating aerosol plumes with controllable velocities, aerosol size distributions, and mass concentrations. The biological samples shall be processed, plated, incubated and counted for CFUs. - 1.1. Samples from DTRA shall be characterized prior to field tests to establish baseline results. Following field tests, samples will be processed, plated, incubated and counted for CFUs (in triplicate). The results of these CFUs in each sample shall be reported. - 1.2. Effect of sampling technique on the viability of the Bt Al Hakam or other simulants shall be determined (positive and negative controls) - 1.3. Provide advice and recommendations with regard to chemical/biological test designs - 1.4. Characterize dissemination systems for future tests: mass output ranges, particle size distribution (PSD), and initial ejection/output velocities including an understanding of how these parameters change relative to pressure adjustments, temperature adjustments and nozzles - 1.5. Conduct chemical/biological analysis via methods developed in a laboratory to quantify simulant amounts The laboratory facility and laboratory personnel must meet the following requirements: Aerosol wind tunnels for evaluation of sampling instrumentation- - o Known testing parameters required - air velocities, temperatures, dissemination information Bioaerosol chambers for evaluating biodetectors and dissemination techniques - o Known testing parameters required - air velocities, temperatures, dissemination information Biosaftety Level 2 laboratory - o Personnel who are U.S. citizens and have advanced degrees in the biological and chemical fields (i.e. microbiology, aerosol science, chemistry, biology) - o Past experience in chemical/biological testing/analysis Located within 50 miles of KAFB, NM in order to be able to plate samples within 24 hours of test. Laboratory analysis is time sensitive and requires fast turnaround time. - o Ability to store, retrieve, and work with biological/chemical simulants - o Ability to sterilize the equipment via autoclaving/other - o Ability to provide solutions required for settling plates in bulk or other instrumentation - o Ability to provide Trypticase soy agar (TSA) plates (to be used in viable cascade impactors during field tests) for testing by the laboratory - o Ability to sample/conduct analysis within 24 to 48 hours - o Ability to process samples on-site, eliminating the need to ship samples in order to decrease chances of samples getting contaminated or inaccurate data due to analysis time - o Ability to plate 250+ samples within 24 hours of test completion and provide a quick look report on the analysis to DTRA within two weeks after the test date - o Ability to execute test matrix assigned to the laboratory to conduct in their wind tunnel/Bioaerosol chambers within one week to two months, depending on the length/complexity of the test matrix - o Ability to grow/provide samples needed for testing The following deliverables are expected: Instrument performance report (dissemination system and instruments under test) Quick look reports Final reports Weekly status reports Laboratory procedures used Potential sources having the existing capability necessary to assist DTRA in satisfying the above requirements are invited to provide information demonstrating their capabilities. Information submitted should detail the organization's experience and expertise in the areas identified above, to include details regarding potential key personnel and their qualifications. Responses shall also include the following information: company name, address, point of contact, telephone number, email address, business size and small business status (if applicable), teaming partners and/or major subcontractors. This synopsis is for planning purposes only and does not constitute a request for proposal, and is not to be construed as a commitment by the government. Statements of capability shall be limited to 20 pages and submitted electronically to susan.j.mcdaniel.civ@mail.mil