NC26-78 Laboratory Analysis of Tissue Samples

The State of Utah, through the Division of Purchasing and conducted by the Department of Environmental Quality, is seeking a single vendor to provide laboratory analysis of trace metals in tissue samples collected from the hypersaline waters of Great Salt Lake for a five-year contract period. The work involves quantitative measurement of Total Mercury, Methylmercury, Selenium, and Percent Moisture in shorebird eggs, invertebrates, and brine shrimp tissues, using specified EPA methodologies: EPA Method 1631E for Total Mercury, EPA Method 1630 Modified for Methylmercury, and ICP-QQQ-MS with EPA 3050B digestion for Selenium, with results reported on a dry-weight mass-to-mass basis. Data must be delivered within a 20-day turnaround time in the form of a Level II QC report and an Excel Electronic Data Deliverable, and the vendor must maintain consistency with over a decade of prior analytical data. The contract requires full compliance with all federal and state laws, including anti-discrimination statutes, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Executive Order 11246, and Utah-specific requirements such as prohibitions against economic boycotts of Israel and the use of forced labor or restricted foreign entities. The vendor must be E-Verify registered and ensure subcontractors comply with the same for all Utah-based employees. All pricing must be submitted using the official Cost Proposal Form, with line items fully loaded and inclusive of all costs, as any unlisted expenses will not be permissible under the contract. The proposed costs will be evaluated based on the lowest total price, with compliance to the exact format being mandatory to avoid disqualification. The vendor must guarantee pricing for the first 12 months of the contract and deliver services under F.O.B. Destination terms, with transportation and handling costs borne by the contractor. The State retains the right to conduct audits and access all records for six years after final payment, and all data, including results and documentation, is subject to public disclosure under GRAMA. Confidentiality obligations extend beyond contract expiration, requiring return or certified destruction of all sensitive materials. Insurance requirements include workers’ compensation at statutory limits, commercial general liability of $1 million per occurrence and $3 million aggregate, and commercial auto liability of $1 million combined single limit if vehicles are used. The venue for any legal action is the Third Judicial District Court in Salt Lake City, and termination is permitted with cause by either party upon written notice. Payment is due within 30 days of receipt of a correct