r/EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
August 2009
Office of Analytical Services
and Quality Assurance
Mission and Vision
Statements
Vision
Improving the environment by being
champions of applied and innovative
science.
Mission
Trusted environmental advocates of
good science, fostering partnerships
with our customers, providing and
assuring the most appropriate quality of
data for environmental decision
making.
Office of Analytical Services & Quality Assurai
Technical Services Branch
Environmental Science Center
Fort Meade, Maryland
The Technical Services Branch provides technical services
and support to national, regional and state clients in
planning environmental data collections and analysis,
procurement of routine and specialized analytical services,
storage and retrieval of environmental data, and acquisition
of supplies and services which support sampling and
analytical operations.
The Technical Services
Branch provides support for
environmental clean-up,
remediation, monitoring and
emergency response.
Utilizing the P.I.E. approach
to Quality Assurance, the
Technical Services Branch
helps to ensure data
generated is sufficient for its
intended use.
P.I.E. Approach = planning,
evaluation and implementation
Web Links
Environmental Science Center (ESC)
Office of Analytical Services &
Quality Assurance
Lab Services
Quality Assurance
Planning—The Technical Services Branch can assist in the
preparation and review of Quality Assurance Project
Plans, Sampling and Analysis Plans and other site related
work plans. We also review and provide feedback on how
plans address critical aspects of proposed site work
including project objectives, data quality objectives,
methods, quality control and decision thresholds.
Implementation — The Technical Services Branch can find the right
lab to meet the analytical needs specified in your plan.
Through our extensive laboratory database, we can match
your specific analytical and reporting requirements with a
certified laboratory. Our staff will provide oversight to
ensure the laboratory chosen is capable, can provide the
final data format required and address any turn-around-
time and/or technical issues.
Evaluation — Once data is received from a laboratory, the Technical
Services Branch will arrange to have the data go through
validation/verification. This process ensures that the data
is of known quality before it is used in making
environmental decisions. Our staff can also assist in data
interpretation and explanation of any data qualifiers.
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August 2009
Office of Analytical Services & Quality Assurance
Environmental Science Center
Fort Meade, Md.
Technical Services Branch
Office of Analytical Services &
Quality Assurance
US EPA Region 3
Environmental Science Center
701 Mapes Road
Fort Meade, MD 20755-5350
Technical Services
Branch Contacts
Fred Foreman
Chief
Technical Services Branch
(3EA22)
foreman.fred@epa.gov
410-305-2629 (voice)
410-305-3095 (fax)
QA Document Review
E-mail: R3 ESC-QA@epa.gov
Sample Scheduling and
Laboratory Assignment
E-mail: r3 Clients@epa.gov
Quality Assurance
Ed Messer
Mike Mahoney
Shirley Fan
Brandon McDonald
The Technical Services Branch Quality Assurance (QA) staff
are available to conduct formal and informal training on a
variety of quality assurance topics. Examples of our more
popular courses include:
* Introduction to Data Quality Objectives
* Requirements for QA Project Plans
* Uniform Federal Policy for QA Project Plans
* Overview of QA Requirements for Environmental Projects -
Understanding Your Roles and Responsibilities
Additional training courses are available and/or can be
developed to address your specific training needs. Visit our QA
website for additional information about the Region 3 Quality
Assurance Program and resources.
The Technical Services Branch also performs contract
management responsibilities over the Region 3 Environmental
Services and Assistance Team (ESAT) and ASRC
Management Services (ASRC) contracts.
* The ESAT contract, which is funded primarily by Superfund,
provides technical support to the Hazardous Site Cleanup
Division for laboratory analysis, data validation, and sample
coordination and tracking. For additional information about
services available through the ESAT contract, contact
Colleen Walling (walling.colleen@epa.gov), Region 3 ESAT
Project Officer, at 410-305-2763.
* ASRC provides contractor support in records management,
both hardcopy and electronic, and supports the
Environmental Science Center's numerous records rooms
and library. For records management inquiries, contact
Annette Lage (lage.annette@epa.gov) at 410-305-2620.
Additionally, you can contact the ESC library directly at 410-
305-2693.
Sample Scheduling &
Procurement
Dan Slizys
John Kwedar
RuthAnn Donovan
Contract Management
Colleen Walling (ESAT)
Annette Lage (ASRC)
The Technical Services Branch can provide a variety of other
services, in addition to those mentioned above, to support your
program needs. Other services include lab assessments,
review of Quality Manuals, training to state and local
governments, and Freedom of Information Act assistance. For
additional information, please contact Fred Foreman
(foreman.fred@epa.gov), Chief, Technical Services Branch, at
410-305-2629.
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