PHYTOPLANKTON AND ZOOPALNKTON ANALYSES

SOURCES SOUGHT: This is a SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is conducting a MARKET SURVEY to determine the interest and capability of any firm eligible to compete under NAICS code 541380 Testing Laboratories with a Small Business Size Standard of $16.5 M for an upcoming Phytoplankton and Zooplankton Identification and Enumeration. PHYTOPLANKTON ANALYSES Phytoplankton slides will be prepared using standard membrane filtration technique (McNabb, 1960). This technique will preserve cell structure and provide good resolution, allowing the samples to be examined at high magnifications. Samples will be thoroughly mixed as a part of the filtering process to ensure that the organisms will be evenly distributed. A Leica DMLB compound microscope (100X, 200X, 400X, 630X, 1000X) will be used for enumerating filtered phytoplankton samples. The magnification used will depend upon the size of dominant taxa and presence of particulates. The goal is to count at multiple magnifications such as that enumeration and identification of taxa which vary over several orders of magnitude in size is achieved. If a sample is dominated by cells or natural units below 10-20 - m, or when cells are fragile and difficult to identify, the majority of counting will be completed at 630X. The abundance of common taxa will be estimated by random field counts. At least 400 units (colonies, filaments, unicells) will be enumerated to the lowest possible taxonomic level from each sample. In accordance with Lund et al. (1958), counting 400 natural units provides accuracy within 90% confidence limits. In addition, an entire strip of the filter is counted at high magnification (usually 630X) along with half of the filter at a lower magnification (usually 400X) to further ensure complete specifies reporting. Cell biovolumes of all identified phytoplankton taxa will be quantified on a per milliliter basis. Biovolumes will be estimated using formulae for solid geometric shapes that most closely match the cell shapes (Hillebrand et al., 1999). Biovolume calculations will be based on measurements of 10 organisms per taxon for each sample where possible. For taxa with substantial size variation (such as diatoms), size classes will be designated arbitrarily to determine average cell size (biovolume). For each taxon, 25 cells will be measured from each size class (assuming that sufficient numbers are available). Mean biovolumes within each size class will be used to calculate the total biovolume contributed by the taxon to its representative sample (Burkholder and Wetzel, 1989). ZOOPLANKTON ANALYSES The Utermohl sedimentation technique is used for Zooplankton analysis. The volume of sample concentrate will be measured, and appropriate aliquots will be exampled at 100x on two identically calibrated Wilovert inverted microscopes equipped with phase contrast. Sample volumes are measured, and the contents are discharged to a beaker on a magnetic stirrer to ensure homogenization of the sample prior to obtain subsamples. Our microscopes are highly customized to allow magnifications as great as 1000x if needed. The target tally will be at least 200 for either microzooplankton and at least 200 organisms for macrozooplankton. If the total tally is less than 200 for either microzooplankton or macrozooplankton, additional aliquots up the entire sample will be examined. Taxonomic identification will follow primarily Ruttner-Kolisko (1977), Edmundeson (1959), and Pennak (various dates) but other secondary sources will be consulted as need. Identification can be made with these primary sources and current nomenclature can be verified with electronic databases such as the Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Every effort should be made to use the most current taxa names, and any recent changes in nomenclature will be noted. Biomass estimates will be based on established length/width relationships (Dumont et al. 1975; McCauley, 1984; Lawrence et al. 1987). The number of specimens examined will be equal to 10 for common species and lesser for more rare taxa. For cladocerans, the length will be measured from the tip of the head to end of the body (shell spines excluded). For copepods, the length will be determined from the tip of the head to the insertion of the caudal ramus. The length of rotifers will be measured from the tip of the head to the end of the body (spines, toes, etc. excluded). In accordance with McCauley (1984), biomass will be computed for the appropriate number of individuals for each sample location and the arithmetic mean biomass will be multiplied times the species abundance to produce a species biomass for each sample. QUALITY ASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROL To ensure accuracy, taxonomic composition will be verified by an additional phycologist. Each sample will be scanned, and the dominant taxa will be independently identified, and then compared to the compiled species list. Any differences in taxonomy will be reconciled in the reported data. Additional quality-assurance and control measures required for phytoplankton and zooplankton analysis include: - Taxonomic reference libraries - Maintains an extensive physical and digital reference library, including thousands of taxonomic references and keys that are continuously expanding. - Random field counts - Taxa from each sample are estimated with 90% confidence by using random field counts and enumeration to the lowest possible taxonomic level of at least 400 natural units (colonies, filaments, unicells) of algal and/or cyanobacterial organisms. - Phycologist training and consistency - All samples submitted by the Kansas River Water-Quality and Milford Reservoir Water-Quality projects have been counted by the same phycologist, who has been counting and identifying algae samples for more than 14 years. - Replicate identification - All taxonomic identifications are confirmed by another phycologist using side-by-side, identically calibrated microscopes. The chain-of-custody requirements for all laboratory operations for each sample (broadly interpreted to include procedures for the preparation of reagents or supplies which become an integral part of the sample, record keeping associated with sample acquisition, documentation of sample preservation, sample labeling, sample tracking to establish chain-of-custody, and shipping and packing) and laboratory analysis (i.e., laboratory coding, storage, check-out, and documentation of sample movement) will be fully documented. Samples will be stored in a secure location in the laboratory restricted to authorized personnel. Dated and signed entries by appropriate personnel on all worksheets and logbooks are required for data validation. Custody sheets accompanying samples delivered by the Government will be signed and returned if applicable. Data reporting must indicate data quality. Documentation of all samples will be traceable from the raw data to the final presentation in the final report. Data validation, reduction, and reporting requirements will include checking every entry into the electronic database against the raw data tabulated on the data log sheets. Data validation of the electronic database will be performed independently by the Quality Control Manager who will also determine appropriate corrected action. DATA REPORTING MS EXCEL spreadsheets, unless specified otherwise, will be used for all data reporting, and the appropriate sample information from the Chain of Custody will be included along with all data. Data reports will be e-mailed to the client and include taxonomic information, cell density (cells/ml), and biovolume measurements. SAMPLING HANDLING, LOGGING, AND TRACKING The chain-of-custody requirements for all laboratory operations for each sample (i.e., record keeping associated with sample acquisition, sample labeling, sample tracking to establish chain-of-custody, and shipping and packing) and laboratory analysis (i.e., laboratory coding, storage, check-out, and documentation of sample movement) will be fully documented. Samples will be stored in a refrigerated secure location in the laboratory restricted to authorized personnel. Dated and signed entries by appropriate personnel on all worksheets and logbooks will be required for data validation. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS The services provided by this order are Non-Personal Services. The contractor shall furnish all facilities, labor, and materials to provide goods/services in accordance with the terms and conditions herein and the specifications set forth above. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION. ALL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH PROVIDING INFORMATION AS REQUESTED BY THIS SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE SHALL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CONTRACTOR. Submission is voluntary. A scope of work will be provided with any solicitation that may be issued. The Government is not required to issue a solicitation. Responses to this announcement are requested from (A) SBA certified Small Business HubZone firms; (B) Small Business firms certified by a Small Business Administration (SBA) district or regional office for participation in the 8(a) program; (C) Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned small Business firms; (D) Small Businesses; (E) Women Owned Small Businesses; and (F) Large Businesses. In response to this announcement, please indicate your firm's socioeconomic status (e.g. small business, service-disabled veteran-owned, women owned, HUBZone, etc.) This information will assist the Government in determining how small businesses can fit into the acquisition strategy. A firm is considered small under NAICS code 541380 if they have a size standard of $16.5M or less. Any information submitted is voluntary. If sufficient interest and capability is not received from firms in categories (A) through (E) above, any solicitation may be issued as unrestricted without further consideration. Interested business firms shall submit (1) NAME, ADDRESS, and PHONE NUMBER OF THE FIRM (including DUNS NUMBER); (2) a CAPABILITY STATEMENT including (a) RECENT (within the last three fiscal years) RELEVANT (similar projects to this requirement) performance history (identify the name of the owner and their point(s) of contact with telephone and fax numbers, e-mail addresses; and (b) in what capacity (e.g., prime, subcontractor etc.) they performed the work; and (3) their SIZE STATUS. All responses must be submitted NLT February 15, 2021 at 3:00pm ET via e-mail to: contact@example.gov. This is NOT a Request for Proposal (RFP) or Invitation for Bid (IFB) and does not constitute any commitment by the Government. Responses to this sources sought notice will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions. All interested sources must respond to future solicitation announcements separately from responses to this market survey. Any solicitation that may be issued will be posted on the Federal Business Opportunities website and no paper copies will be provided. If a solicitation is released, in order to receive an award your company must have a DUNs number and be registered on-line at the System for Award Management (SAM). You will also be required to provide your small business status information either via the RFP or the On-line Representations and Certifications (ORCA) also located at the SAM website before an award to your company can be made. Your on-line ORCA registration will cover any/all of your offers to the Federal Government, and only needs updated annually.