Addendum #1
Please see attached: Submittal Requirements Missing from RFP Documents
- Addendum Acknowledgement
- General Information Sheet
- References Form
- Vendor Disclosure Statement
- Vendor Certification Form
Questions & Answers
Q: Section II, Scope of Work, item (a) references drinking water, wastewater (including raw influents), and soils. Item (b) references EPA Methods 533 or 537.1 Version 2, which are drinking water methods. EPA Method 1633/1633A is typically used for wastewater, soils, and biosolids. Please confirm: (a) whether wastewater and soil matrices are intended for analysis under EPA Method 1633/1633A Yes, and (b) whether the LC-MS system should demonstrate capability for EPA Method 1633/1633A.
A: Yes, if possible.
Q: Section II, Scope of Work, item (d) references "automatic preparation of working standards." Please clarify whether this refers to (a) autosampler-based in-vial dilutions from a stock standard, (b) an automated offline solid-phase extraction (SPE) workflow for sample concentration and cleanup, or (c) a separate liquid-handling system for stock-to-working-standard preparation.
A: (a) - Yes, (b) - No, (c) - No.
Q: Section IV.A, Evaluation Criteria, requires "reliable references from other environmental laboratories who are currently using the product." A recently-released instrument may share the same PFAS LC-MS/MS workflow, software platform, and method compatibility as established platforms within the same product family. Please confirm whether references from environmental laboratories using established platforms in the same product family, combined with early-adopter references on the recently-released instrument, will be accepted.
A: References from environmental laboratories using the exact same instrument is preferred.
Q: The Proposal Price Sheet requests pricing for Years 1–5 maintenance services. Section V.I, Contract Term, provides for a one-year initial term with four one-year renewal options. Please confirm whether the County intends to purchase Years 2–5 maintenance services at contract award (included with the instrument purchase), or procure them separately in subsequent contract years, so proposers can present the Year 2–5 line items accordingly.
A: We can purchase year 1 maintenance services with contract and create a PO for an annual service agreement moving forward.
Q: Any idea about a nitrogen supply for the LCMS?
A: Assumed we would use Airgas but a generator might be a great option, and would love more info to look into it.
Q: Handling drinking water, wastewater (including raw influents), and soils.
What analytes and methods are anticipated for soil matrices?
A: EPA Methods 533 & 537.1 for drinking water and EPA Method 1633 for wastewater and soils.
Q: Automatic preparation of working standards.
Please clarify what capabilities are required to meet this?
A: Autosampler-based in-vial dilutions from a stock standard.
Q: Automatic pre- and post-dilution of over-range samples.
Please clarify what capabilities are required to meet this? Is this functionality expected to be performed by the LC/MS autosampler itself?
A: Autosampler-based in-vial pre- and post-dilutions for over-range samples detected immediately. Would be a plus to have this capability.
Q: How many samples will Lake County will be needing analyzed to demonstrate the proposed TFS instrument performance is acceptable?
A: 3 drinking water samples, 3 wastewater samples, and 3 soil samples (if possible).
Q: What criteria will be used to make this determination? (our result vs accepted value, closest to actual for all proposals, or some other criteria)
A: Your results vs our history/trends for each sample matrix. Quality control samples need to be in-line with certified methods and in-range.
Q: When (date) does Lake County expect to request sample analyses from those vendors submitting proposals?
A: Unsure of a date.
Q: How long in days or weeks does any specific vendor have to schedule, complete, and report the results from the Lake County samples?
A: RFP process timeline is subject to change; for a non-committal estimate: no longer than two weeks.
Q: Who will prepare these Lake County samples?
A: The lab running the samples. Lake County operators will collect the samples.
Q: What is meant by the “The overall Quality Control Package will be evaluated against stated recoveries for performance evaluation samples and ability to meet or exceed requirements for EPA testing methods”?
- Does this mean the required EPA quality control requirements found in each EPA method (533 and 537.1 v2)? If not, then what criteria will Lake County use?
- Does mean on the Lake County samples or other vender documented performance evaluation samples?
A1: Yes.
A2: Both.