**CASTNET IV Statement of Work (SOW)**

**Project Background**

The Clean Air Status and Trends Network (CASTNET) is a long-term
environmental monitoring network that measures changes in ambient air
quality and assesses atmospheric deposition over broad geographic
regions of the U.S. Operating since 1987, CASTNET has evolved into a
robust regional monitoring program which currently consists of 84
monitoring stations nationwide. The Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) operates a majority of the CASTNET monitoring stations. In
cooperation with the EPA, the National Park Service (NPS) currently
operates 25 stations. Table 1 and Figure 1 list and provide the location
of the EPA operated CASTNET sites as of October 2007. The primary
monitoring objectives of CASTNET are to:

-   Provide atmospheric data on atmospheric deposition, rural ground
    level ozone and other forms of atmospheric pollution;

-   Monitor the status and trends in regional air quality and
    atmospheric deposition;

-   Assess and report on geographic patterns and long-term, temporal
    trends in ambient air pollution and atmospheric deposition;

-   Improve our understanding of PM and ozone formation;

-   Validate and improve atmospheric models;

-   Provide data for health-based research and epidemiology studies;

-   Assess the effectiveness of EPA's emission reduction programs and

-   Support science and ecosystem studies.

Each CASTNET dry deposition site measures weekly average concentrations
of sulfate (SO~4~^2-^), nitrate (NO~3~^-^), ammonium (NH~4~^+^), sulfur
dioxide (SO~2~), nitric acid (HNO~3~), chloride (Cl^-^) and the base
cations (Na^+^, K^+^, Mg^2+^& Ca^2+^) using a 3-stage filterpack. In
addition, each site measures hourly meteorological conditions required
for calculating dry deposition rates, most sites measure average hourly
ambient ozone levels and select sites measure hourly trace-level
reactive odd nitrogen (NOy), nitric oxide (NO), sulfur dioxide (SO~2~)
and carbon monoxide (CO). Table 2 is a list of pollutant monitoring and
meteorological measurement systems deployed at a typical EPA CASTNET dry
deposition site.

Dry deposition is calculated in the Network as a product of measured
ambient air concentration values and inferentially-derived deposition
velocities. Historically, the Multi-layer Model (MLM) has been used to
estimate deposition velocities, accounting for stomatal and boundary
layer resistance to deposition at multiple levels in a canopy. A new,
more accurate model, the Multi-layer Biogeochemical Model (MLBC) is
currently under development by EPA. This model is built on the MLM but
also accounts for plant photosynthesis and respiration in estimating
deposition velocities.

CASTNET, a long-term regional monitoring program, is critical for
characterizing trends in deposition levels and identifying relationships
among emissions, atmospheric loadings, ecological effects and human
health. The EPA under several different mandates as well as other
government agencies and the scientific community rely on the data and
information from CASTNET, used in conjunction with information from
other national monitoring networks (e.g., the National Atmospheric
Deposition Program/National Trends Network (NADP/NTN) and Interagency
Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments (IMPROVE)), to evaluate the
effectiveness of air pollution control strategies for regional areas and
assess chemical changes in the atmosphere. CASTNET tracks real-world
environmental results over time and space as emission reductions take
place. Since atmospheric changes occur very slowly and trends are often
obscured by the wide variability of measurements and climate, numerous
years of continuous and consistent data are required to overcome this
variability.

The EPA's Office of Atmospheric Programs administers CASTNET and is
committed to regional atmospheric monitoring to assess long-term
environmental trends. The Clean Air Markets Division (CAMD), Office of
Atmospheric Programs (OAP), is the lead in providing support and
technical direction for CASTNET. Additional background information,
current standard operating procedures (SOPs), and the CASTNET Quality
Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) are available at
http://www.epa.gov/castnet.

**SOW Organization**

The Offeror shall provide the necessary technical support as described
in this SOW to assist the EPA in operation of the CASTNET program. The
scope of this SOW includes specific requirements for the Core operation
of the CASTNET program (Task 1) with additional tasks following to
account for the number of EPA-sponsored CASTNET sites. The monetary
value, technical time and operational needs vary with the number of
EPA-sponsored sites and are reflected in these additional tasks.

Task 1, Core operations of the CASTNET Program includes requirements
such as database management, quality assurance, training, data
acquisition, field calibrations, reporting and participation in
scientific meetings/conferences. Task 1 includes all procedures that are
independent of or only partially dependent on the number of monitoring
sites or execution of additional tasks.

Some, but not necessarily all, additional tasks will be performed at
each site to allow flexibility in operation of the network. Additional
tasks shall be funded incrementally. For example, the Offeror shall
propose a cost for the operation of one dry deposition filterpack at an
average site. The final compensation amount will be the product of the
price of operating one dry deposition filterpack multiplied by the
number sites which a dry deposition filterpack was operated.

Many of the activities associated with the additional tasks are
dependent on whether the Offeror will be required to provide an operator
at the site to perform the duties or if a local collaborator will
perform the on-site duties for the task. For example, in operating a dry
deposition filterpack at the CASTNET site in Beltsville Maryland
(BEL116) the Offeror would provide all services for the operation of the
site; at the Cherokee Nation site (CHE185) the Cherokee Nation provides
an operator for the routine tasks, but the Offeror would perform the
semi-annual instrument calibration checks and other non-routine duties.

For the purposes of this solicitation, the Offeror shall assume
operation of the 59 EPA-sponsored sites and manage data and coordinate
network activities for 25 NPS-sponsored sites. The Offeror shall provide
a proposal for the Core operations of the CASTNET Program (Task 1) with
the additional Required Tasks proposed and priced individually. In
preparing cost estimates for the additional tasks, the Offeror shall
compensate for any incremental costs to the Core program (Task 1)
incurred by adding the additional task at one site.

The EPA anticipates services described in this section to initiate upon
award of the contract. During a 90-day transition period beginning no
later than 15-days after the contract award date the Offeror shall begin
coordinating the transition of operation of the network with the
existing CASTNET contractor and shall begin operating all aspects of the
network at the end of the 90-day transition period. Transition
activities shall include the extraction and analysis of up to 100 filter
or filtrate samples provided by EPA to establish comparability of the
Offeror's laboratory analyses with historical analyses.

**[Required Tasks]{.underline}**

**[Task 1: Core Operations of the CASTNET Program]{.underline}**

The following sections describe the specific requirements for the Task 1
or the Core operations of the Network. In addition to these specific
requirements, the Offeror shall implement the transition plan as
outlined in their technical proposal. Management and costs of the site
utilities, telemetry (e.g., phone or internet service) and the site land
lease shall be included as a Level of Effort task and shall not be
included in costs of this task.

**1.1 Data Management and Analysis**

The Offeror shall be responsible for storage and reporting of all
information described in this Statement of Work, and shall maintain an
archive of historical operations, deposition and air quality data
acquired during previous contract periods.

The Offeror shall be responsible for acquiring, installing and running
the MLM and/or MLBC, as specified in technical direction by the Contract
Officer Representative (COR), using appropriate model inputs. The EPA
shall supply the Offeror with the most recent compiled modeling
programs. The Offeror shall be responsible for producing and maintaining
input files required by the model programs and for loading model output
files into the database through documented scripts and procedures. All
software, scripts and documentation developed under this contract shall
be available to the EPA and delivered upon request.

**1.1.1 Data Management & Storage**

To manage and report this information efficiently and accurately while
continuing to acquire data from on-going operations, the Offeror shall
manage a relational database in a development/testing/production
environment. The database management system (DBMS) that the Offeror uses
shall be capable of:

>  Providing data security in compliance with the EPA requirements for
> external data systems;
>
>  Efficiently managing a database of approximately 30 gigabytes in
> size;
>
>  Efficiently managing a database having over 100 tables, with some
> tables having approximately 100 million records and
>
>  Providing system-level user access and data integrity constraints.

The EPA currently uses the Oracle^®^ Enterprise Database 10g Release
2(10.2.0.1.0) DBMS in a Solaris 10 environment. The EPA anticipates that
this platform will be used throughout the life of this contract,
although upgrades to the DBMS and operating system are likely. A
description of the CASTNET schema is included in Attachment 1. Upon
award of the contract the EPA shall deliver to the Offeror a complete
and functional archive of the current contractor\'s Microsoft SQLServer
database and Visual Basic data management application, and a complete
and functional export of the EPA\'s Oracle schema.

The Offeror shall be responsible for managing all information described
in this Statement of Work, including the data management activities
required for data collection, processing, validation, storage,
documentation and reporting. The types of data include, but are not
limited to:

>  All continuous measurements, observations and equipment status
> monitoring generated by the Network. All continuous data and equipment
> status monitoring shall be stored in the database as hourly averages.
> All observations made by the field operators shall be acquired either
> electronically (e.g., email or Web site) or through data transcription
> from hard copy forms sent in by the site operator.
>
>  Results of laboratory analyses, including those types for routine
> samples, routine quality assurance samples, samples for method
> development or special studies, internal and external laboratory
> audits, internal and external system audits, and inter-laboratory
> comparisons. All laboratory results shall include identification in
> the database by type of sample.
>
>  Site status and location data: including latitude, longitude,
> elevation, FIPS codes, nearby NADP sites, political address (e.g.,
> country, state, and county), conditions and surroundings within 1 km,
> history of instrumentation of the site, site contacts, and site
> operators and their contact information.
>
>  Site photos and maps. All site photos shall be stored as binary
> objects in the database or as references to electronic images. The
> referenced electronic image shall be considered part of the database.
>
>  Measurements and criteria from field calibrations and audits.
>
>  Model results.
>
>  Inter-network comparisons and other special studies. All sampling
> and analysis data from inter-network comparisons and other special
> studies shall be identified, documented and stored in the database.
>
>  Quality assurance information from routine and non-routine sources.
> Data from routine and non-routine quality assurance measurements shall
> be identified, documented and stored in the database.
>
>  The National Park Service's (NPS's) CASTNET data. The Offeror shall
> import and manage all available data acquired by the NPS for the
> operation of their CASTNET sites for all types of data listed above.
> The NPS or their designee will deliver data electronically to the
> Offeror in a format agreeable to all parties.
>
>  External data sources. The Offeror shall be responsible for
> acquiring and managing final data products from NADP/NTN wet
> deposition database, and IMPROVE aerosol data. These external data
> products shall be used for estimating total (wet + dry) deposition and
> network-intercomparisons, respectively.

The Offeror shall maintain a data dictionary of all objects within the
database, including tables, columns, constraints, and data validation
codes. The Offeror shall use established good data practices to ensure
that database objects and applications developed by the Offeror have
been properly tested and documented before use in the production
environment. The Offeror shall ensure that all electronic data
acquisitions and transfers into and from the database are accurate and
complete by checksum comparisons, or equivalent methods.

**1.1.2 Data Reporting**

The Offeror shall deliver data to the EPA for loading into the EPA
database with a minimum amount of human intervention. The Offeror shall
transfer data to the EPA with an electronic agent (e.g., Oracle^®^
Corporation's SQL\*Net™), or by creating and delivering electronic data
on a routine basis that are compatible with the EPA's DBMS. If the
Offeror requires connection to the EPA servers for data transfers, the
Offeror must conform to requirements for access to the EPA servers
described at http://yosemite.epa.gov/OEI/webguide.nsf/started/getserv ,
and shall have sufficient Internet bandwidth to efficiently transfer
data.

All data collected utilizing 40 CFR Part 58 requirements shall be
submitted to the AQS database utilizing AQS protocol. AQS manuals and
guides may be reviewed at
http://www.epa.gov/ttn/airs/airsaqs/manuals/manuals.htm. All ozone data
and continuous PM~2.5~ mass data shall be automatically polled and
uploaded to the AirNow webpage within 1-hour after a data collection
hour is complete.

All data acquired through this contract shall be available to the EPA on
a routine schedule, or in response *to ad hoc* data requests from the
COR. The EPA Project Officer shall determine the timing and content of
deliveries pursuant to the contract Technical Direction Clause. An
electronic replica of the database and all supporting applications shall
be delivered to the EPA annually. Data deliveries shall include but not
be limited to validated primary measurements from continuous monitors,
sampling information, analytical results, laboratory quality assurance
data, inter-laboratory comparisons, model results, time aggregations,
data from special studies, and documentation for all database objects.
Documentation of all database objects shall be included within the
database, and shall be clear and succinct with a minimum of jargon.
Preference will be given to those offers that are able to deliver or
make available to the EPA screened continuous field data within 24-hours
of data acquisition, either through secured Web query forms or uploading
to the EPA servers.

**1.1.3 Data Archiving**

The Offeror shall maintain historical archives of CASTNET data from its
inception, including primary measurements from continuous monitors,
sampling information, analytical results, laboratory quality assurance
data, inter-laboratory comparisons, model results, site locations and
configurations, data from special studies, and data from other
organizations used in the CASTNET program.

**1.1.4 Data Security and Disaster Recovery**

The Offeror shall provide for data security and deliver a detailed
disaster recovery plan to the COR within 90-days of contract award. The
disaster recovery plan shall include all elements of good data
management practices, including an effective backup strategy; off-site
storage of database backup files, critical software and electronic
documents; and an effective data restoration plan that provides for a
minimum of data loss in the event of a disaster.

**1.1.5 Data Analysis**

The Offeror shall be capable of performing complex statistical analyses
(e.g., principal component, cluster and time series analyses) using a
robust statistical analysis package (e.g., SAS, S-plus, and R).

The Offeror shall be capable of performing basic geographic and
geostatistical analyses such as calculating geographic means and
creating interpolations of geographic data sets using Inverse Distance
Weighted, Kriging and Co-Variant Kriging algorithms; and producing
publication-quality maps from these analyses.

**1.1.6 Data validation**

The Offeror shall screen and validate data from continuous field
measurements for reasonableness using historical criteria, physical
constraints, equipment status or other established and documented
criteria. All data shall be screened for data anomalies by applying
screening checks for physical maximum, minimum, reasonable boundaries,
rate of change, allowable characters or other documented criteria. Any
changes to raw data shall be recorded in the database and identified
with a data validity code that identifies the circumstance or criteria
by which the determination was made that the data is anomalous. All data
entered by human data entry shall be validated either by independent
double entry or statistically defensible means to document a minimum of
99.99 percent data accuracy. The Offeror shall screen, validate, code
and submit all data collected in compliance with 40 CFR Part 58 to the
EPA Air Quality System (AQS) database.

**1.1.7 Model operation**

The Offeror shall be responsible for acquiring, installing and running
the MLM and/or MLBC, as specified in technical direction by the COR,
using appropriate model inputs. The EPA shall supply the Offeror with
source code and executables compiled under MS-Windows for the most
recent modeling programs. The Offeror shall be responsible for producing
and maintaining input files required by the model programs and for
loading model output files into the database through documented scripts
and procedures. All software, scripts and documentation developed under
this contract shall be available to EPA and delivered upon request.

**1.2 Quality Assurance**

The Offeror shall prepare and deliver a Quality Management Plan (QMP) as
part of the proposal.

Quality Assurance (QA) includes, but is not limited to, those activities
conducted by and for the Offeror's management that assure and evaluate
the effectiveness and appropriateness of all monitoring-related
processes that might affect the quality of data delivered to the EPA
under the contract. Typically, QA activities shall ensure that the
Quality Control (QC) functions are carried out as designed into the
operational functions of the work. The Offeror shall periodically
evaluate the timeliness, effectiveness, and appropriateness of the QC
activities, as outlined and specified in the QA guidance.

The Quality Management Plan (QMP) and Quality Assurance Project Plan
(QAPP) are critical planning documents for any environmental data
operation. The corporate QMP defines an organization's QA-related
policies, criteria for and areas of application, and definition of
roles, responsibilities, and authorities.

The QAPP documents how environmental data operations are planned,
implemented, and assessed during the life cycle of program, project, or
task. The purpose of the QAPP is to define in detail how specific QA and
QC activities will be implemented during this project. Standard
Operating Procedures (SOPs) document in detail the routine or repetitive
administrative and technical activities to facilitate consistency and
integrity of the product. SOPs facilitate activities that are managed
under a QAPP.

The Offeror shall prepare a draft comprehensive QAPP, including all
related manuals and SOPs, and deliver four printed copies to the EPA for
comments within 90-days of contract award. After receipt of the EPA
comments, the Offeror shall deliver within 30-days one copy of the plan
to the EPA QA Officer for approval. Upon approval by the EPA QA Officer,
the Offeror shall deliver four printed copies and an electronic version
of the plan to the EPA.

The QAPP and all associated documents shall conform to EPA general
guidance and guidance for non-EPA organizations, as described at
http://www.epa.gov/quality/qa_docs.html. The QAPP will include all of
the elements describe in the "EPA Requirements for QA Project Plans",
EPA QA/R-5 (EPA/240/B-01/003). The QAPP and SOPs shall be based, as
applicable, on the "Quality Assurance Handbook for Air Pollution
Measurement Systems", Volumes I, II, and IV. At a minimum, these
documents shall provide sufficient detail of all aspects of the CASTNET
operation to allow a user to perform the same activities and
measurements and achieve similar results, and shall include the
operational aspects of all sites within the CASTNET program regardless
of operating agency. Method summaries and SOPs will be provided by the
EPA for those equipment and procedures operated or performed by other
agencies which differ from those of the Offeror.

The QA/QC program shall provide a uniform basis for sample handling,
analysis, instrument and/or methods calibration and maintenance,
equipment and method acceptance testing, performance evaluation,
analytical data gathering, data processing and analysis, and reporting.
In many instances where methodologies are available, specific QC
procedures are incorporated into the method documentation.

The Offeror shall perform quality assurance activities independent of
project management. The Offeror's quality assurance team shall prepare
and deliver to the EPA four quarterly reports within 30-days of the end
of the calendar quarter for each option year of the contract. The
quarterly reports will briefly describe and summarize systematic data
quality issues identified and remedial actions taken during the quarter.
Systematic data quality issues are defined as procedures or equipment
within the project that may be introducing unacceptable bias or
uncertainty into the data. The Offeror's quality assurance team shall
also prepare and deliver to the EPA an annual report summarizing the
current quality state of the CASTNET program, as measured by the various
quality control indicators.

**1.3 Equipment Depot/Equipment Repair and Maintenance**

[]{.mark}

The Offeror shall purchase new equipment and parts for the on-going
operation and enhancement of the network on behalf of the EPA. Equipment
and parts shall be delivered to the Offeror's facility or installation
sites. Prior to deploying equipment for service, the Offeror shall
ensure that field equipment is operating properly by performing and
documenting acceptance testing of all the equipment purchased by EPA
delivered to the Offeror's facility. Acceptance tests shall include
comparisons of instrument outputs to known, calibrated values and checks
of zero, span, and drift, noise levels, response time, and detection
limits. The Offeror shall notify the EPA COR and should return to the
manufacturer any equipment that fails acceptance testing.

The Offeror shall ensure sufficient spare parts are on hand to meet or
exceed the requirements of this contract and shall purchase spare parts
on a periodic basis to ensure sufficient spare parts are available at
all times. The Offeror shall be responsible for affixing property tags
properly to all EPA-purchased equipment and parts.

The Offeror shall maintain and update a database inventory of all EPA
capital equipment. The current equipment inventory is included in
Attachment 2. At a minimum, the inventory database shall contain the
following fields: equipment description, manufacturer name, model
number, serial number, EPA property number, location, purchase price,
month and year of purchase, current condition and disposition. For
quality assurance purposes, the history of all ozone analyzers shall be
traceable using this database. The Offeror shall provide a written
report on equipment inventory to EPA annually, and upon request by the
PO.

The Offeror shall be responsible for the maintenance and repair
(including costs) of all instruments, shelters, and data acquisition
systems. Routine maintenance and repair expenses shall be included in
the relevant task pricing. The Offeror shall insure that all equipment
is in good working condition, is conducive to a safe work environment
and there is appropriate protection of the Network equipment. The
equipment shall be Government Furnished Property (GFP) or Offeror
Acquired Property (CAP). The EPA may require equipment to be upgraded as
new techniques, instrumentation, and improved components become
available, and may require the replacement of outdated equipment that
has reached the end of its operating lifetime. New or replacement
equipment shall be government furnished equipment.

**1.4 Data Acquisition System**

The Offeror shall use an automated data acquisition system.

**1.5 Training (site operators)**

The Offeror shall provide standard substantive, hands on training to
each new site operator. Training topics shall include, but not be
limited to, an overview of the CASTNET program, equipment operation and
maintenance, sampling procedures, safety, documentation and quality
assurance. Particular emphasis shall be placed on training operators on
instrument installation, equipment calibrations, maintenance, repairs,
and sample change-out procedures. The Offeror shall evaluate operator
performance in these activities, and provide adequate training until the
site operator is proficient, in accordance with the data quality
objectives.

**1.6 Field Calibrations**

The Offeror shall visit each active CASTNET monitoring station at least
twice per year to perform routine calibration and maintenance of all
CASTNET field equipment. In preparing for site visits, the Offeror shall
coordinate with site operators and notify the COR of all scheduled site
visits no less than 2 weeks prior to monitoring site trips. Upon arrival
at each monitoring site and before any adjustments are made to any
instruments, the Offeror shall conduct and record complete performance
checks on all air quality systems, meteorological instruments, and data
acquisition systems.

The Offeror shall perform the field calibrations listed in Table 3 at
each site using the specified method, or an equivalent or better method
that meets the acceptance criteria listed in Table 3. The Offeror shall
operate all data collection activities in accordance with the quality
assurance documentation described in section 1.2 of this SOW.

**1.7 Meetings and conferences**

The EPA COR may request the Offeror to attend and participate in
conferences or meetings related to atmospheric deposition, air pollution
or the operation of CASTNET. For the purposes of this solicitation, the
Offeror should assume 10 travel days annually for these requests.

**1.8 Reporting**

The Offeror shall deliver to the EPA a monthly progress report
summarizing the network operation and maintenance activity for the prior
month. At a minimum, the monthly progress report shall describe: any
significant events or changes to the network that would affect
interpretations of results; site activity; quality assurance procedures;
data management; monthly billing (in excel format); and any issues or
limitations in using the data.

The Offeror shall deliver to the EPA an annual report summarizing the
network for the prior calendar year. At a minimum, the annual report
shall describe: the status of the network; any significant events or
changes to the network that would affect interpretations of results;
results and significant findings of the network; the quality of data
produced by the program; any issues or limitations in using the data.

**1.9 Third Party Audits**

The Offeror shall provide State and local agencies with access to
CASTNET sites for the purpose of audits, installation of data loggers or
installation and operation of additional monitoring equipment as space
permits. For the purpose of costing, no more than 10 sites will be
visited by State or local agencies per year.

The Offeror shall provide third party auditors access to CASTNET sites
as well as the Offeror's facility for the purpose of quality assurance
audits and technical system audits. For the purpose of this solicitation
the Offeror shall assume third party auditors will visit each monitoring
site and the Offeror's facility once per year.

**[Task 2: Dry Deposition Filterpack]{.underline}**

Particles and selected gases shall be collected by passing air at
controlled flow rates through a sequence of Teflon^®^, nylon, and
base-impregnated filters. The Offeror shall perform filter pack sampling
10-meters above ground surface using a tilt-down tower. Filter pack flow
shall be maintained with mass flow controllers at standard conditions of
25°C and 101.33 k Pascal (760 mmHg). Flow shall be maintained at 1.5
liters per minute (LPM) at sites having higher concentrations of
analytes (generally sites in the Eastern U.S.) and 3.0 LPM at sites
having lower concentrations (generally sites in the Western U.S.) or at
other flow rates upon technical direction from the COR. Filter packs
shall be replaced at each site every Tuesday at approximately 0900 hours
by a site operator employed directly by the Offeror or as a
subcontractor. SOPs and the CASTNET QAPP describing filterpack
operations are available at http://www.epa.gov/castnet.

**[Task 3 : Ozone Monitoring (current CASTNET operating
protocol)]{.underline}**

The Offeror shall operate ozone analyzers in accordance with the CASTNET
QAPP and SOPs available at http://www.epa.gov/castnet. Inlets for the
ozone analyzers shall be mounted at 10-meters above ground using a
tilt-down tower. The CASTNET stations utilize a Thermo Electron
Corporation Model 49-103/49C/49i-with onboard ozone generator/transfer
standard. The ozone analyzers shall be automatically challenged daily
with a calibration atmosphere of 0 ppm, and 0.400 ppm and 0.090 ppm
(zero, span and precision check or Z/S/P). Ozone analyzers multi-point
calibration checks shall be performed at least 1/6-months. The onboard
ozone (generator) transfer standard shall be challenged with an EPA
Quality Assurance Handbook compliant ozone transfer standard at least
1/6-months.

**[Task 4: Ozone (40 CFR Part 58 compliant)]{.underline}**

The offeror shall operate an ozone analyzer in accordance with 40 CFR
Part 58; the guidance in "Quality Assurance Handbook for Air Pollution
Measurement Systems", Volumes I, and II; "Technical Assistance Document
Transfer Standards for Calibration of Air Monitoring Analyzers for
Ozone" (EPA-600/4-79-056); and "Technical Assistance Document for the
Calibration of Ambient Ozone Monitors" (EPA-600/4-79-057).

The onboard ozone generator will be utilized as the station ozone
transfer standard.

The Offeror shall be responsible for submitting data to the AQS
database.

**[Task 5: Meteorology]{.underline}**

Wind speed, wind direction, relative humidity, solar radiation,
precipitation, surface wetness, temperature and delta temperature
measurements shall be made in accordance with the "Quality Assurance
Handbook for Air Pollution Measurement Systems"

Volume IV: Meteorological Measurements (EPA-454/D-06-001).

**[Task 6: Trace gas NOy]{.underline}**

The Offeror shall operate a NOy/NO analyzer according to the
manufactures manual and recommendation, the operation shall be
consistent with 40 CFR Part 58, the "Quality Assurance Handbook for Air
Pollution Measurement Systems", Volumes I, and II and the "Technical
Assistance Document (TAD) for Precursor Gas Measurements in the NCore
Multi-pollutant Monitoring Network" (EPA-454/R-05-003) available at
<http://www.epa.gov/ttn/amtic/pretecdoc.html>. The Offeror shall be
responsible for submitting data to the AQS database.

**[Task 7: Trace gas SO~2~]{.underline}**

The Offeror shall operate a trace gas SO~2~ analyzer according to the
manufactures manual and recommendation, the operation shall be
consistent with 40 CFR Part 58, the "Quality Assurance Handbook for Air
Pollution Measurement Systems", Volumes I, and II and the "Technical
Assistance Document (TAD) for Precursor Gas Measurements in the NCore
Multi-pollutant Monitoring Network" (EPA-454/R-05-003) available at
<http://www.epa.gov/ttn/amtic/pretecdoc.html>. The Offeror shall be
responsible for submitting data to the AQS database.

**[Task 8: Trace gas CO]{.underline}**

The Offeror shall operate a trace gas CO analyzer according to the
manufactures manual and recommendation, the operation shall be
consistent with 40 CFR Part 58, the "Quality Assurance Handbook for Air
Pollution Measurement Systems", Volumes I, and II and the "Technical
Assistance Document (TAD) for Precursor Gas Measurements in the NCore
Multi-pollutant Monitoring Network" (EPA-454/R-05-003) available at
<http://www.epa.gov/ttn/amtic/pretecdoc.html>. The Offeror shall be
responsible for submitting data to the AQS database.

**[Task 9: PM~2.5~ FRM mass]{.underline}**

The Offeror shall operate a PM~2.5~ FRM mass sampler 24 hr. average
every 3rd day according to the manufactures manual and recommendation.
The operation shall be consistent with 40 CFR Part 58 and the "Quality
Assurance Handbook for Air Pollution Measurement Systems", Volumes I,
and II. The Offeror shall be responsible for submitting data to the AQS
database.

**[Task 10: PM~2.5~ speciation of organic and elemental carbon, major
ions and trace metals]{.underline}**

The Offeror shall operate a PM~2.5~ speciation sampler 24 hr. average
every 3rd day according to the manufactures manual and recommendation.
The operation shall be consistent with the Speciation Trends Network
(STN) protocol, 40 CFR Part 58, the "Quality Assurance Handbook for Air
Pollution Measurement Systems", Volumes I, and II and in accordance with
quality assurance documentation at
<http://www.epa.gov/ttn/amtic/specqual.html>. The Offeror shall be
responsible for submitting data to the AQS database.

**[Task 11: PM~10-2.5~ FRM mass]{.underline}**

The Offeror shall operate a PM~10-2.5~ FRM mass sampler 24 hr. average
every 3rd day according to the manufactures manual and recommendation.
The operation shall be consistent with 40 CFR 58 and the "Quality
Assurance Handbook for Air Pollution Measurement Systems", Volumes I,
and II. The Offeror shall be responsible for submitting data to the AQS
database.

**[Task 12: PM~10-2.5~ speciation of organic and elemental carbon, major
ions and trace metals]{.underline}**

The Offeror shall operate a PM~10-2.5~ speciation sampler 24 hr. average
every 3rd day according to the manufactures manual and recommendation.
The operation shall be consistent with 40 CFR Part 58 and the "Quality
Assurance Handbook for Air Pollution Measurement Systems", Volumes I,
and II. The Offeror shall be responsible for submitting data to the AQS
database.

**[Task 13: Continuous PM~2.5~ mass]{.underline}**

The Offeror shall operate a continuous PM~2.5~ mass sampler 1 hour
reporting interval -- utilizing Beta Attenuation Monitoring (BAM)
according to the manufactures manual and recommendation. The operation
shall be consistent with 40 CFR Part 58 and the "Quality Assurance
Handbook for Air Pollution Measurement Systems", Volumes I, and II. The
Offeror shall be responsible for submitting data to the AQS database.

**[Task 14: Filterpack preparation and laboratory
analysis]{.underline}**

The Offeror shall be responsible for providing sample preparation and
analytical services for two types of samples: 1) sample filters, and 2)
precipitation samples for inter-laboratory comparisons. The Offeror
shall maintain the technical capability to perform the required
analytical services and provide an acceptable level of personnel,
equipment, and systems. The Offeror's responsibilities shall include,
but not be limited to, the following:

>  Purchase, maintenance, and pre-sampling treatment of all required
> filter media;
>
>  Appropriate shipping containers and shipment of all filter media to
> the field, including field blanks;
>
>  Analysis of all samples, laboratory quality control samples, blanks,
> calibration standards, filter production-lot acceptance testing and
> performance evaluation samples;
>
>  All sampling and analysis data entry;
>
>  Purchase and maintenance of laboratory instruments and consumable
> supplies; and
>
>  Storage and archival of all sample extracts and filter media.

For the purposes of this bid, Table 4 lists the maximum and minimum
numbers of samples that will be submitted for the base year and each of
the four option years.

**14.1 Interlaboratory Comparison Samples**

The Offeror shall analyze precipitation and natural water laboratory
inter-comparison samples for anions (SO~4~^2-^ and NO~3~^-^), base
cations (Na^+^, Ca^2+^, K^+^, and Mg^2+^), ammonium (NH~4~^+^), and pH
using the methods specified in Table 5. Each sample shall be analyzed
for the complete set of analytes. Inter-laboratory comparison studies
are necessary for the documentation of laboratory performance and
coordination of results with other North American monitoring networks,
including IMPROVE, the Canadian Acid Precipitation Monitoring Network
(CAPMoN), and NADP.

**14.2 Filter Pack Samples**

The Offeror shall analyze filter media for anions (SO~4~^2-^ and
NO~3~^-^), base cations (Na^+^, Ca^2+^, K^+^, and Mg^2+^) and ammonium
(NH~4~^+^). Each sample shall be analyzed for the complete set of
analytes. The Offeror shall prepare the media and filter packs for
deployment into the field, ship the filter packs to each site, receive
and log the filter packs after sampling, disassemble the filter packs,
extract the filters, analyze the extracts, and report results.

**14.2.1 Filter Pack Preparation and Media Acceptance Testing**

The Offeror shall be responsible for the purchase and preparation of all
filter media. Each three-stage filter pack shall contain a Teflon^®^
filter, a nylon filter, and two base-impregnated cellulose Whatman^®^
filters. The Offeror shall be responsible for impregnating the cellulose
filter with potassium carbonate. Upon direction by the PO, the Offeror
shall coordinate the purchase of filter media with other monitoring
networks to ensure consistency in sample results.

The Offeror shall perform acceptance tests on all filters before
assembly. Acceptance testing shall include the extraction and analysis
of a sufficient number of filters from each type of filter box to
determine with 95 percent confidence that analyte contamination for the
box of filters does not exceed 2 times the method detection limit. Prior
to loading of filters, each three-stage filter pack assembly shall be
cleaned with deionized water, oven-dried, assembled and inspected for
damage.

The Offeror shall ship filter packs to field sites for sampling. Filters
shall not be used more than 30 days after preparation. Laboratory blank
samples shall be prepared as the filter packs are prepared. In addition,
filter blank samples shall be sent to the field quarterly in order to
evaluate the effects of preparation and shipping on sample media.

**14.2.2 Filter Extraction**

After sampling in the field, filter packs shall be shipped from the
field sites and disassembled for extraction and analysis. The Offeror
shall extract all filters using methods that produce extraction
efficiencies comparable to historical CASTNET filter extraction methods.
Sample extracts shall be stored at 4 degrees Celsius for at least 8
hours prior to analysis.

**14.2.3 Analysis of Filter Extracts**

The Offeror shall analyze filter extracts using the methods specified in
Table 6 or an equivalent or better method which has been approved by the
EPA.

**14.3 Sample Handling, Custody, and Storage**

After field sampling is completed, samples shall be sent back to the
laboratory where they shall be received, labeled, and inspected for
damage. Samples shall be stored at 4C before and after analysis.
Extracts shall be stored for a minimum of two years after the collection
of the sample. Samples shall be tracked and managed using an automated
tracking system such as bar codes or optical character recognition.

**14.4 Data Acquisition and Management**

The Offeror shall use a laboratory information management system (LIMS)
for automatic data acquisition, efficient sample tracking and laboratory
data management to the fullest extent practicable. The Offeror shall use
an automated data acquisition system or provide for and document a
minimum 99.99 percent data accuracy of manually entered data for all
laboratory data acquisition. All data entered by manual data entry shall
be validated either by independent double entry or statistically
defensible means to document the minimum data accuracy.

**14.5 Laboratory Quality Assurance**

In order to maintain an acceptable quality of data and to establish
estimates of accuracy and precision, the Offeror shall have quality
assurance procedures for laboratory analysis in place. The Offeror shall
randomly replicate 5% of the samples within an analysis to assess
precision.

The Offeror shall analyze the following quality control standards:

>  A NIST-traceable Calibration Verification Standard produced by an
> independent lab shall be run after every 10 environmental samples and
> at the end of the batch to track instrument drift;
>
>  A NIST-traceable reference standard produced by an independent lab
> shall be analyzed at the beginning and end of each run to assess
> accuracy;
>
>  One method blank shall be analyzed with each extraction and
>
>  For Ion Chromatography analyses, internal injection standards shall
> be prepared to assess shifts in retention time and sample injection
> volume.

Calibration curves shall be generated for all analyses, and all samples
must fall within range of the calibration curve. Quality control
standards, calibration curves, sample replicates, and filter blanks must
meet the specified acceptance criteria (See Table 6). The Offeror shall
document in the Quality Assurance Project Plan corrective actions for
samples that do not meet these acceptance criteria. Quality assurance
analyses shall be reported to the EPA quarterly using accepted
laboratory methods for aggregating and calculating statistics.

To minimize the occurrence of instrument failure and system
malfunctions, the Offeror shall be responsible for instrument
calibration, inspection, testing, and maintenance including, but not
limited to, lubrication of pumps, prevention of instrument leaks, and
maintenance and replacement of valves and fittings.

**[Task 15: Operation of NADP site]{.underline}**

National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP) is structured as a
cooperative program that represents coordinated efforts of many
interested individuals and organizations to operate monitoring sites,
report data, and oversee research activities related to atmospheric
deposition. For more information on NADP, visit:
http://nadp.sws.uiuc.edu.

Each NADP site has a sponsoring agency and an operating agency. For some
sites the sponsoring and operating agencies may be the same. Site
sponsors and operating participants are responsible for ensuring that
the equipment, facilities, materials, resources, and people are
available to operate and maintain the site. Uniformity is essential to
obtain data on how the chemical climate in the nation's ecological
regions is changing over seasons, years, and even decades. This helps
ensure the data are geographically representative and comparable from
site to site and are an essential part of any long-term environmental
monitoring network. Sites must conform to fixed site selection and
installation criteria and follow standard procedures for collecting,
handling, and measuring samples (NADP 2003). The EPA currently sponsors
and provides operational support for several NADP network sites as well
as supports a quality assurance program. The program provides
information on the conditions of each site and helps determine if site
equipment is functioning properly and samples collection and data
provided by the site operators are in conformance with NADP standard
operating procedures.

**15.1 Purpose**

The primary purpose of Task 15 is to provide for the costs of site
operators responsible with maintaining EPA-sponsored NADP sites
collocated with CASTNET sites (Table 7).

The site operator has primary responsibility for monitoring equipment
operation and maintenance, physical maintenance of the site (e.g.,
maintaining NADP local siting criteria), weekly collection and
measurement of samples, sample documentation, and submission of samples
and documentation to the Central Analytical Laboratory (CAL). One or
more observers may assist the site operator in these responsibilities.
Excluding travel to the site, site operators generally spend about 2
hours performing the required weekly (every Tuesday) duties. Through
their diligence to these duties, site operators are largely responsible
for determining the quality of NADP data.

Site Operator responsibilities include:

-   Travel to the field site and inspect the site and equipment every
    Tuesday.

-   Collect the wet side bucket from the collector and the Belfort gage
    chart every Tuesday.

-   Install a new Belfort gage chart and clean collector bucket for the
    next sample every Tuesday.

-   Perform routine equipment maintenance or repairs as needed or
    prescribed.

-   Transport the bucket and Belfort gage chart to the field laboratory.

-   Weigh the bucket and transfer the sample it contains to a sample
    bottle.

-   For samples of 70 grams or more, remove a portion from the sample
    bottle to measure sample pH and conductivity.

-   Read and interpret the event recorder and precipitation records on
    the Belfort gage chart to the CAL within 48 hours of sample
    collection.

-   Perform occasional special maintenance or quality assurance tasks in
    cooperation with the CAL or other agencies.

-   Contact the CAL with any questions about equipment or procedures.

-   In addition, the NADP Program Office sponsors an annual Field
    Operations Training Course for new and existing site operators.

    Occasional non-routine visits by the site operator, and the costs of
    shipping (sample and document transfer) shall be included in the
    total cost of maintaining these sites.

    **15.2 Site Operation Support**

    The Offeror shall be responsible for providing the necessary site
    operator costs associated with maintaining six NADP sites as listed
    in Table 8.

    The Offeror shall ensure that an available and trained site operator
    is performing the site operator duties as specified in the NADP Site
    Operation Manual (NADP 1999-01). This also includes identifying a
    designated back-up site operator for each site in the event the
    primary site operator is not available. In addition, shipping costs
    associated with sample and documentation transfer to the NADP
    Program Office will be considered for the EPA sponsored NADP sites
    both independent and collocated with CASTNET sites. The Offeror
    shall allow for the possibility of one 2-day site visit if
    circumstances arise where travel to the site is necessary. The
    Offeror shall allow for one or two trips to Champaign, IL for site
    operators to attend the annual NADP Field Operations Training
    Course. NADP sites that are collocated with CASTNET sites are listed
    in Table 7.

    **15.3 NADP Siting Criteria Problems**

    The Offeror shall be responsible for resolving siting criteria
    issues, as practical, that are identified by the NADP Program
    Office's Quality Assurance Manager or the Work Assignment COR. For
    the purposes of estimating costs the Offeror shall assume 3 trips to
    EPA sponsored sites will be necessary for the year. The Offeror
    shall work with the site operator to resolve the issues and notify
    the EPA Work Assignment COR when the issue(s) have been resolved.

**[Task 16: Operation of IMPROVE site]{.underline}**

The Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments (IMPROVE)
program is a cooperative air quality monitoring effort governed by a
steering committee composed of representatives from Federal Agencies:
the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, and the four federal land managers -- the
National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, and the Bureau of Land Management. In addition to the
federal representatives the steering committee is comprised of regional
organizations and state agencies and an associate member, the State of
Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. The IMPROVE monitoring
program was established in 1985 to aid in the creation of federal and
state implementation plans for the protection of visibility in Class I
areas as stipulated by the 1977 Clean Air Act Amendments. The monitoring
network consists of (as of January 2006) 110 IMPROVE aerosol visibility
sites and over 50 IMPROVE Protocol aerosol sampler sites, 15
transmissometers, 44 nephelometers, and 12 film and digital camera
systems, 52 Web camera systems, among other monitoring activities.
Quality data collection begins with those who operate, service, and
maintain monitoring instrumentation. Therefore, it is important to have
trained site operators to ensure that the monitoring station is
functioning properly and IMPROVE standard operating procedures (SOPs)
are followed.

CASTNET operated eight visibility or IMPROVE protocol sites through a
contract to provide a core set of sites in the Eastern source regions.
The network support for these sites were transitioned to the IMPROVE
program in 2001, however, EPA still provides support for site
operations. These IMPROVE sites are now referred to as EPA Protocol
sites. The IMPROVE program is anticipating a reduction in the number of
sites due to decreases in supporting monitoring budgets. The reductions
will likely occur over time but may begin in FY08 and affect some of the
eight sites associated with this work assignment.

The primary purpose of Task 16 is to provide for the costs of site
operators associated with maintaining eight IMPROVE monitoring sites.
Eight sites currently receive funding for site operation by the EPA.
These include six sites that are collocated with CASTNET sites and two
independent IMPROVE sites at Sikes, LA and Livonia, IN (Table 9). In
addition, occasional non-routine visits by the site operator, certain
utilities, and the costs of land leases such as those for sites not
collocated with CASTNET, shall be included in the total cost of
maintaining these sites. The site operator has primary responsibility
for monitoring equipment operation and overall site maintenance (e.g.,
ensuring adherence with IMPROVE siting criteria), weekly collection and
measurement of samples, sample documentation, and handling (submission
of samples and documentation to the central laboratory). One or more
observers may assist the site operator in these responsibilities.
Excluding travel to the site, site operators generally spend about 2
hours performing their weekly duties under normal operating conditions.
Through their diligence to these duties, site operators are largely
responsible for determining the quality of IMPROVE data.

The Offeror shall be responsible for providing the necessary site
operator support and costs associated with maintaining eight IMPROVE
monitoring stations (see Table 9). This support may include other direct
costs such as utilities (i.e., telephone or electric), land lease
payments, occasional non-routine visits required by the site operator,
and shipping costs associated with sample, equipment, or documentation
transfers. The Offeror shall ensure that an available and trained site
operator is performing the site operator duties specified in the
appropriate IMPROVE Site Operation Manuals. This also includes
identifying a designated back-up site operator for each site in the
event the primary site operator is not available. The Offeror shall also
ensure the site operator calls the Offeror weekly on Tuesdays to report
on site operation and sample collection. The Offeror shall allow for the
possibility of one or two site visits if circumstances arise where
travel to the site is necessary.

**[Task 16: Acquisition and Management of NPS data]{.underline}**

The Offeror shall manage data and coordinate network activities for the
CASTNET sites operated by the NPS.

**[Task 17: Level of Effort]{.underline}**

> In addition to the tasks described above, the Offeror shall provide:
> extraneous infrastructure costs for sites; design, testing and
> deployment of new monitoring methods and technology for use at CASTNET
> sites; conduct non-routine monitoring activities; special studies or
> analyses associated with CASTNET or other assessments of emission
> control programs; as directed in task orders issued by the EPA
> Contracting Officer (CO). Examples of these activities include:

-   Management of the site utilities, telemetry (e.g., phone or internet
    service) and the site land leases;

-   Operate or collaborate with (e.g., collect samples at, analyze
    samples for, or make CASTNET facilities available to) other
    integrated research monitoring programs, such as the NADP, IMPROVE
    or other monitoring networks approved by EPA;

-   Deployment and operation of gaseous ammonia monitoring devices;

-   Deployment and operation of denuder-filterpack monitoring devices;

-   Deployment and operation of gaseous and particulate mercury
    monitoring equipment;

-   Operate and maintain instruments for direct measurement of dry
    deposition or surface fluxes of ozone, sulfur dioxide, carbon
    dioxide, ammonia, nitric acid by relaxed eddy correlation or
    gradient methods;

-   Assist in air quality or deposition model development and
    programming;

-   Design and analysis of air quality databases and novel data
    acquisition systems;

-   Acquire and submit air monitoring data to AQS;

-   Select, evaluate and install equipment at candidate monitoring sites
    according to network requirements and criteria;

-   Provide training and conduct workshops to State, Local, and Tribal
    personnel on air monitoring techniques and procedures;

-   Install and operate soil monitoring equipment and institute
    procedures for critical loads assessments and validation;

-   Prepare *ad hoc* summaries of data, associated data quality
    information, and statistical analyses of data for temporal or
    spatial trends.

**[Table 1. List of Active EPA CASTNET Monitoring Stations (October
2007)]{.mark}**

  --------- --------------------------- ---------- ----------- ------------
  SITE_ID   SITE_NAME                   STATE      LATITUDE    LONGITUDE

  ABT147    Abington                    CT         41.8402     -72.0100

  ALC188    Alabama-Coushatta           TX         30.4210     -94.4045

  ALH157    Alhambra                    IL         38.8690     -89.6228

  ANA115    Ann Arbor                   MI         42.4165     -83.9020

  ARE128    Arendtsville                PA         39.9231     -77.3078

  ASH135    Ashland                     ME         46.6041     -68.4135

  BEL116    Beltsville                  MD         39.0284     -76.8172

  BFT142    Beaufort                    NC         34.8848     -76.6203

  BVL130    Bondville                   IL         40.0519     -88.3724

  BWR139    Blackwater NWR              MD         38.4450     -76.1114

  CAD150    Caddo Valley                AR         34.1795     -93.0988

  CAT175    Claryville                  NY         41.9422     -74.5520

  CDR119    Cedar Creek                 WV         38.8795     -80.8477

  CDZ171    Cadiz                       KY         36.7841     -87.8499

  CHE185    Cherokee Nation             OK         35.7507     -94.6700

  CKT136    Crockett                    KY         37.9214     -83.0662

  CND125    Candor                      NC         35.2632     -79.8365

  CNT169    Centennial                  WY         41.3642     -106.2399

  CON186    Converse Station            CA         34.1941     -116.9130

  COW137    Coweeta                     NC         35.0608     -83.4306

  CTH110    Connecticut Hill            NY         42.4006     -76.6538

  CVL151    Coffeeville                 MS         34.0026     -89.7990

  DCP114    Deer Creek                  OH         39.6359     -83.2605

  EGB181    Egbert                      ON         44.2320     -79.7812

  ESP127    Edgar Evins                 TN         36.0388     -85.7331

  GAS153    Georgia Station             GA         33.1787     -84.4052

  GTH161    Gothic                      CO         38.9564     -106.9858

  HOW132    Howland                     ME         45.2158     -68.7082

  HOX148    Hoxeyville                  MI         44.1809     -85.7390

  HWF187    Huntington Wildlife Forest  NY         43.9731     -74.2232

  IRL141    Indian River Lagoon         FL         27.8492     -80.4554

  KEF112    Kane Exp. Forest            PA         41.5980     -78.7674

  KNZ184    Konza Prairie               KS         39.1021     -96.6096

  LRL117    Laurel Hill                 PA         39.9878     -79.2515

  LYK123    Lykens                      OH         40.9173     -82.9982

  MCK131    Mackville                   KY         37.7046     -85.0485

  MCK231    Mackville Collocated        KY         37.7046     -85.0485

  MKG113    M.K. Goddard                PA         41.4271     -80.1451

  OXF122    Oxford                      OH         39.5327     -84.7286

  PAL190    Palo Duro                   TX         34.8803     -101.6649

  PAR107    Parsons                     WV         39.0905     -79.6617

  PED108    Prince Edward               VA         37.1655     -78.3069

  PND165    Pinedale                    WY         42.9288     -109.7880

  PNF126    Cranberry                   NC         36.1058     -82.0454

  PRK134    Perkinstown                 WI         45.2066     -90.5969

  PSU106    Penn State                  PA         40.7208     -77.9319

  QAK172    Quaker City                 OH         39.9428     -81.3373

  ROM206    Rocky Mtn NP Collocated     CO         40.2778     -105.5453

  SAL133    Salamonie Reservoir         IN         40.8160     -85.6611

  SAN189    Santee Sioux                NE         42.8292     -97.8540

  SND152    Sand Mountain               AL         34.2888     -85.9698

  SPD111    Speedwell                   TN         36.4700     -83.8268

  STK138    Stockton                    IL         42.2869     -89.9997

  SUM156    Sumatra                     FL         30.1103     -84.9903

  UVL124    Unionville                  MI         43.6138     -83.3591

  VIN140    Vincennes                   IN         38.7408     -87.4853

  VPI120    Horton Station              VA         37.3297     -80.5578

  WSP144    Wash. Crossing              NJ         40.3125     -74.8729

  WST109    Woodstock                   NH         43.9450     -71.7008
  --------- --------------------------- ---------- ----------- ------------

**Figure 1. Map of Active EPA CASTNET Monitoring Stations (October
2007)**

**Table 2. List of pollutant monitoring and meteorological measurement
systems dep**loyed at a typical EPA CASTNET dry deposition site

+--------------+------------------------+------------------------------+
| **Field      | **Description**        | **Application**              |
| Equipment**  |                        |                              |
+--------------+------------------------+------------------------------+
| Ozone        | Thermo Electron        | Measures continuous ambient  |
| Analyzer     | Corporation Model      | O~3~ concentrations          |
|              | 49-103/49C/49i-with    | integrated over a hourly     |
|              | onboard ozone          | period                       |
|              | generator/transfer     |                              |
|              | standard               |                              |
+--------------+------------------------+------------------------------+
| Wind Speed   | Climatronics           | Input parameters to the      |
| and          | anemometer chopper     | Multi Layer Model            |
| Direction    | wheel, Climatronics    |                              |
|              | AIO weather station,   |                              |
|              | R.M. Young Wind        |                              |
|              | Monitor or             |                              |
|              |                        |                              |
|              | F460 vane and          |                              |
|              | translator, R.M. Young |                              |
|              | Wind Monitor           |                              |
+--------------+------------------------+------------------------------+
| Tempe        | Climatronics or R.M.   | Input parameters to the      |
| rature/Delta | Young temperature      | Multi Layer Model            |
| Temperature  | sensors                |                              |
+--------------+------------------------+------------------------------+
| Relative     | Climatronics model     | Input parameter to the Multi |
| Humidity     | 100098 or Rotronics    | Layer Model                  |
|              | MP-100F humidity       |                              |
|              | temperature probe      |                              |
+--------------+------------------------+------------------------------+
| Solar        | LI-COR pyranometer,    | Input parameter to the Multi |
| Radiation    | silicon photovoltaic   | Layer Model                  |
|              | sensor with R.M. Young |                              |
|              | or Climatronics        |                              |
|              | translator             |                              |
+--------------+------------------------+------------------------------+
| Surface      | R.M. Young wetness     | Input parameter to the Multi |
| Wetness      | sensor                 | Layer Model                  |
+--------------+------------------------+------------------------------+
| P            | Climatronics 8-inch    | Input parameter to the Multi |
| recipitation | heated tipping bucket  | Layer Model                  |
|              | rain gauge             |                              |
+--------------+------------------------+------------------------------+
| 3 Stage      | Sequence of Filters:   | Collects ambient             |
| Filter Pack  | Teflon^®^, nylon, and  | concentrations of            |
|              | potassium carbonate-   | particulate SO~4~^2-^,       |
|              | impregnated Whatman^®^ | NO~3~^-^, NH~4~^+^, and      |
|              |                        | gaseous SO~2~ and HNO~3~     |
|              |                        | integrated over weekly       |
|              |                        | periods                      |
+--------------+------------------------+------------------------------+
| Flow Control | Teledyne Hastings or   | Maintains constant sample    |
|              | Tylan Mass Flow        | flow                         |
|              | Controllers            |                              |
+--------------+------------------------+------------------------------+
| Data         | Odessa DSM-3260 and    | Records data for select      |
| Acquisition  | DSM 3260L (backup) or  | continuous measurement       |
|              |                        | parameters                   |
|              | Campbell Scientific    |                              |
|              | CR3000                 |                              |
|              |                        |                              |
|              | or                     |                              |
|              |                        |                              |
|              | ESC Model 8816         |                              |
+--------------+------------------------+------------------------------+

**Table 3**. Field Calibration Acceptance Criteria

+--------------+-----------------+-------------------------------------+
| **M          | **Method**      | **Acceptance Criteria**             |
| easurement** |                 |                                     |
+--------------+-----------------+-------------------------------------+
| Filter Pack  | Mass Flow       | ± 2% of actual flow                 |
| Flow         | Controller      |                                     |
+--------------+-----------------+-------------------------------------+
| Ozone UV     |                 | ± 15% span ± 10 ppb zero; 1/2-days  |
| a            |                 | level one^2^                        |
| bsorbance^1^ |                 |                                     |
|              |                 |                                     |
| Onboard      |                 |                                     |
| Ozone        |                 |                                     |
| Generator    |                 |                                     |
| (Transfer    |                 |                                     |
| standard)    |                 |                                     |
|              |                 |                                     |
| Local        |                 |                                     |
| primary      |                 |                                     |
| standard     |                 |                                     |
+--------------+-----------------+-------------------------------------+
|              |                 | Linearity error \< 5%; Multipoint   |
|              |                 | calibration 0 and 4 upscale         |
|              |                 | points^2^                           |
+--------------+-----------------+-------------------------------------+
|              |                 | ±4% or ±4 ppb (whichever greater)   |
|              |                 |                                     |
|              |                 | RSD of six slopes \# 3.7%           |
|              |                 |                                     |
|              |                 | Std. dev. of six intercepts #1.5%   |
|              |                 |                                     |
|              |                 | New slope = ±0.05 of previous^2^    |
+--------------+-----------------+-------------------------------------+
|              |                 | Difference \# ±5 %                  |
|              |                 |                                     |
|              |                 | (preferably ± 3%)^2^                |
|              |                 |                                     |
|              |                 | Regression slopes = 1.00 ± 0.03 and |
|              |                 |                                     |
|              |                 | two intercepts are 0 ± 3 ppb^2^     |
+--------------+-----------------+-------------------------------------+
| Trace-level  |                 | ± 15% span ± 3 ppb zero; 1/2-days   |
| NOy          |                 | level one^2^                        |
| chemilu      |                 |                                     |
| minscence^3^ |                 |                                     |
+--------------+-----------------+-------------------------------------+
|              |                 | Multipoint calibration 0 and 4      |
|              |                 | upscale points                      |
|              |                 |                                     |
|              |                 | ± 2% of full scale of best-fit      |
|              |                 | straight line^2^                    |
+--------------+-----------------+-------------------------------------+
| Trace-level  |                 | ± 15% span ± 0.8 ppb zero; 1/2-days |
| SO2 pulsed   |                 | level one^2^                        |
| flu          |                 |                                     |
| orescence^3^ |                 |                                     |
+--------------+-----------------+-------------------------------------+
|              |                 | Multipoint calibration 0 and 4      |
|              |                 | upscale points                      |
|              |                 |                                     |
|              |                 | ± 2% of full scale of best fit      |
|              |                 | straight line^2^                    |
+--------------+-----------------+-------------------------------------+
| Trace-level  |                 | ± 15% span ± 0.05 ppm zero;         |
| CO           |                 | 1/2-days level one^2^               |
| NDIR-GFC^3^  |                 |                                     |
+--------------+-----------------+-------------------------------------+
|              |                 | Multipoint calibration 0 and 4      |
|              |                 | upscale points                      |
|              |                 |                                     |
|              |                 | ± 2% of full scale of best fit      |
|              |                 | straight line2                      |
+--------------+-----------------+-------------------------------------+
| Wind Speed   | Anemometer      | ± 0.2 m/sec of actual wind speed at |
|              |                 | speeds \< 5 m/sec                   |
+--------------+-----------------+-------------------------------------+
|              |                 | ± 5% of actual wind speed at speeds |
|              |                 | \>= 5 m/sec                         |
+--------------+-----------------+-------------------------------------+
| Wind         | Wind Vane       | ± 3° C for each cardinal point      |
| Direction    |                 |                                     |
+--------------+-----------------+-------------------------------------+
| Relative     | Thin film       | ± 10%                               |
| Humidity     | capacitor       |                                     |
+--------------+-----------------+-------------------------------------+
| Solar        | Pyranometer     | ± 5% of average solar radiation     |
| Radiation    |                 |                                     |
+--------------+-----------------+-------------------------------------+
| P            | Tipping Bucket  | ± 0.02 inches at 0.50 inches of     |
| recipitation | Raingage        | precipitation                       |
+--------------+-----------------+-------------------------------------+
| Surface      | Conductivity    | Full-scale response to test         |
| Wetness      | Bridge          | resistance                          |
+--------------+-----------------+-------------------------------------+
| Temperature  | Platinum RTD    | ± 0.3°C of actual temperature       |
+--------------+-----------------+-------------------------------------+
| Delta        | Platinum RTD at | ± 0.3°C of actual temperature       |
| Temperature  | 1 m and 10 m    |                                     |
+--------------+-----------------+-------------------------------------+

^1^Ozone is measured at most CASTNET stations

^2^Quality Assurance Handbook Volume II: Part 1 (EPA-454/R-98-004)

^3^Gas trace-level measurements at select CASTNET stations, SOP
available at http://www.epa.gov/castnet

**Table 4. Assumed Number of Units for Bid**

  ---------- ------------------------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
  **CLIN**   **Description**                 **Number of                               
                                             Units**                                   

                                             **Base                      **Option      
                                             Period**                    Periods 1-4** 

                                             **Minimum**   **Maximum**   **Minimum**   **Maximum**

  1          Core Operations                 1             1             1             1

  2.1        Dry deposition Filterpack - w/  46            52            0             100
             operator                                                                  

  2.2        Dry deposition Filterpack - w/o 8             8             0             0
             operator                                                                  

  3.1        Ozone Monitoring - w/ operator  38            44            0             100

  3.2        Ozone Monitoring - w/o operator 5             5             0             0

  4.1        Ozone monitoring AQS - w/       8             8             0             100
             operator                                                                  

  4.2        Ozone monitoring AQS - w/o      3             3             0             0
             operator                                                                  

  5.1        Meteorology - w/ operator       46            52            0             100

  5.2        Meteorology - w/o operator      8             8             0             0

  6.1        Trace gas NOy - w/ operator     1             4             0             100

  6.2        Trace gas NOy - w/o operator    1             6             0             0

  7.1        Trace gas SO2 - w/ operator     1             4             0             100

  7.2        Trace gas SO2 - w/o operator    1             6             0             0

  8.1        Trace gas CO - w/ operator      1             4             0             100

  8.2        Trace gas CO - w/o operator     1             6             0             0

  9.1        PM2.5 FRM mass - w/ operator    0             0             0             100

  9.2        PM2.5 FRM mass - w/o operator   0             0             0             0

  10.1       PM2.5 speciation - w/ operator  0             0             0             100

  10.2       PM2.5 speciation - w/o operator 0             0             0             0

  11.1       PM10-2.5 FRM mass - w/ operator 0             0             0             100

  11.2       PM10-2.5 FRM mass - w/o         0             0             0             0
             operator                                                                  

  12.1       PM10-2.5 speciation - w/        0             0             0             100
             operator                                                                  

  12.2       PM10-2.5 speciation - w/o       0             0             0             0
             operator                                                                  

  13.1       Continuous PM2.5 mass - w/      0             0             0             100
             operator                                                                  

  13.2       Continuous PM2.5 mass - w/o     0             0             0             0
             operator                                                                  

  14         Filterpack prep & analysis      4244          5168          0             7476

             Filterpack field samples        3848          4680          0             6760

             Filterpack field blanks         193           234           0             338

             Laboratory blanks               193           234           0             338

             Artificial precipitation audit  10            20            0             40
             sample                                                                    

  15.1       Operation of NADP sampler -     12            20            0             30
             Collocated w/ filterpack                                                  

  15.2       Operation of NADP sampler - Not 3             10            0             30
             collocated w/ filterpack                                                  

  16.1       Operation of IMPROVE sampler -  2             5             0             10
             Collocated w/ filterpack                                                  

  16.2       Operation of IMPROVE sampler -  2             5             0             10
             Not collocated w/ filterpack                                              

  17         Acquisition and Management of   20            30            0             30
             NPS data -                                                                
  ---------- ------------------------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------

**Table 5. Analytical Meth**ods and Minimum Detection Limits for Filter
Extracts

  ------------- ----------------- -------------------- ------------- -------------
  **Analyte**   **Filter Media**  **Method**           **Minimum     **Method
                                                       Reporting     Detection
                                                       Limits**^1^   Limit**

  Ca^2+^        Teflon^®^         EPA 6010B (ICP/AES)  0.006 mg/L    0.002 mg/L

  Cl^-^         Teflon^®^         EPA 300.0 (IC)       0.02 mg/L     0.002 mg/L

  K^+^          Teflon^®^         EPA 6010B (ICP/AES)  0.006 mg/L    0.002 mg/L

  Mg^2+^        Teflon^®^         EPA 6010B (ICP/AES)  0.003 mg/L    0.001 mg/L

  Na^+^         Teflon^®^         EPA 6010B (ICP/AES)  0.005 mg/L    0.002 mg/L

  NH~4~^+^      Teflon®           EPA 350.1 (Automated 0.020 mg/L    0.009 mg-N/L
                                  Colorimetry)                       

  NO~3~^-^      Teflon^®^, nylon, EPA 300.0 (IC)       0.008 mg-N/L  0.003 mg/L
                cellulose                                            

  pH            (Precipitation    EPA 150.1 (pH meter) 0.01 units    0.01 units
                only)                                                

  SO~4~^2-^     Teflon^®^, nylon, EPA 300.0 (IC)       0.040 mg/L    0.015 mg/L
                cellulose                                            
  ------------- ----------------- -------------------- ------------- -------------

^1^Determined as described in 40 CFR Part 136 Appendix B

**Table 6. A**cceptance Criteria for Quality Control Samples

  ------------------------------ ----------------------------------------
  ***Quality Control             ***Acceptance Criteria***
  Procedure***                   

  Calibration curve (minimum 5   [\>]{.underline} 0.995
  points) correlation            
  coefficient                    

  Calibration curve Y-intercept  \< Reporting limits
  95% Confidence Limit           

  Calibration curve responses    All samples must be within the standard
                                 calibration range.

  Calibration Verification       [+]{.underline} 10% of true value for IC
  Standard                       and ICP/AES analyses

                                 [+]{.underline} 10% of true value for AC
                                 (NH~4~^+^) analyses

  Sample replicate               [+]{.underline} 20% difference as
                                 compared to the initial sample run

  Method blank                   [\<]{.underline} 2x reporting limits

  Reference sample               [+]{.underline} 5% of true value for IC
                                 analyses

                                 [+]{.underline} 10% of true value for AC
                                 (NH~4~^+^) analyses

  Filter blank                   [\<]{.underline} 2x reporting limits
  ------------------------------ ----------------------------------------

**Table 7. NADP Sites Collocated with CASTNET Sites**

  ---------------- -------------------------- ---------------------------
  **NADP Site ID** **Site Name, State**       **Collocated CASTNET Site
                                              ID**

  VA24             Prince Edward, VA          PED108

  TN04             Speedwell, TN              SPD111

  OH54             Deer Creek State Park, OH  DCP114

  MI52             Ann Arbor, MI              ANA115

  WV05             Cedar Creek State Park, WV CDR119

  OH15             Lykens, OH                 LYK123

  MI51             Unionville, MI             UVL124

  PA00             Arendtsville, PA           ARE128

  WI35             Perkinstown, WI            PRK134

  NC06             Beaufort, NC               BFT142

  CT15             Abington, CT               ABT147

  FL23             Sumatra, FL                SUM156

  IL46             Alhambra, IL               ALH157

  CO10             Gothic, CO                 GTH161

  AZ98             Chiricahua, AZ             CHA467

  VA13             Horton Station, VA         VPI120
  ---------------- -------------------------- ---------------------------

**Table 8. NADP Sites Requiring Site Operation Support**

  --------------------------- -------------------------------------------
  **NADP Site ID**            **Site Name, State**

  NC45                        Mt Mitchell, NC

  CO94                        Sugarloaf, CO

  WA21                        La Grande, WA

  OR97                        Hylsop Farm, OR

  GA20                        Bellville, GA
  --------------------------- -------------------------------------------

**Table 9. EPA IMPROVE Protocol Sites**

  ------------------ ---------------------- --------------------- -----------
  **Database ID\***  **IMPROVE ID**         **Site Name**         **State**

  CTH510             COHI1                  Connecticut Hill      NY

  MKG513             MKGO1                  M.K. Goddard          PA

  ARE528             AREN1                  Arendtville           PA

  BVL530             BOND1                  Bondville             IL

  CDZ571             CADI1                  Cadiz                 KY

  QAK572             QUCI1                  Quaker City           OH

  SIK570             SIKE1                  Sikes                 LA

  LIV573             LIVO1                  Livonia               IN
  ------------------ ---------------------- --------------------- -----------

\* Site ID/designation based on CASTNET database.