United States Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation (5202P)
EPA540-R-07-02
OSWER 9240.0-42
January 2007
Introduction to the
Analytical Services
Branch (ASB)
Contract
-aboratory
Drogram
Disclaimer: This final version of the document replaces any prior versions of the document in their entirety.
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Introduction
This document is designed primarily to educate the United States Environmental Protection Agency's (USEPA's)
Superfund staff and managers [e.g., Remedial Project Managers (RPMs), On-Scene Coordinators (OSCs), Site
Assessment Managers, and Risk Assessors] about how to obtain laboratory analytical services for Superfund
and Brownfields sites. The Contract Laboratory Program (CLP) is administered by the Office of Superfund
Remediation and Technology Innovation (OSRTI) Analytical Services Branch (ASB), Regional CLP Project
Officers (CLP POs), and Regional Sample Control Center (RSCC) Coordinators. Other programs or agencies
can participate in the CLP. Please refer to the CLP Participants section of Chapter 1, or
for additional information.
CLP analytical data is used to demonstrate the nature and extent of contamination at hazardous waste sites,
assess priorities for response based on risks to human health and the environment, establish appropriate cleanup
actions, and determine when remedial actions are complete. Each CLP sample is properly documented to ensure
timely, accurate, and complete analysis for all parameters requested, and to support the use of sample data in
potential enforcement actions against Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs). Data collected and analyzed
under the CLP is not available to PRPs since the CLP is Federally funded and use by PRPs would cause a
conflict of interest.
Key Information
Text in and underlined indkatesanexternal
link to information outside of this document.
The images below are located throughout the
document to draw attention to important
information and each are labeled accordingly:
Information
Note
Additional copies of this document may be downloaded from the CLP Web site at:
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Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Welcome to the Contract Laboratory Program (CLP) 1
Background 1
Benefits of the CLP 1
Analytical Services 1
Quality Assurance (QA) 1
Enhanced Automated Services 2
Support Services 2
Cost Savings 2
Method Flexibility 2
CLP Successes 3
Development of the Data Assessment Tool (DAT) 3
Accommodation of Sample Volume with Fast Turnaround Times 3
Provision of Brownfields Program 3
Products and Services 4
Data Analysis 4
Available Analytical Services 5
Upcoming Analytical Services and Products 5
Staged Electronic Data Deliverable (SEDD) 5
Expert Technical and Administrative Support 5
CLP Participants 6
Program Users 6
Program Providers 6
CLP on the Internet 6
Chapter 2 How to Access the Contract Laboratory Program (CLP)
CLP Services and Activities 7
Initiating CLP Analytical Services 7
Requesting Routine CLP Analytical Services for a Superfund Site 7
Requesting CLP Analytical Services for a Non-Superfund Site 8
Determining the Appropriate SOW 8
The Inorganic SOW (ILM05.4) 8
The Organic SOW (SOM01.1) 8
CLP Software Tools and Products 9
Data Assessment Tool (DAT) 9
Field Operations Records Management System (FORMS) II Lite £
Web-based Invoicing System (WIS) 10
Sample Delivery Group (SDG) Tracking System (STS) 10
Enforcement and Cost Recovery Support 10
Requesting Enforcement Support 10
Requesting Cost Recovery Support 10
Appendix A List of Acronyms 11
Appendix B Glossary 12
Appendix C List of Web References 15
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Chapter 1
Welcome to the Contract Laboratory Program (CLP)
Background
Welcome to the CLP. The CLP is a national
network of United States Environmental
Protection Agency (USEPA) personnel,
commercial laboratories, and support
contractors whose fundamental mission
is to provide customers [e.g., USEPA
Regions, United States Army Corp of Engineers (USAGE),
and other Federal, State, or Tribal Agencies] with analytical
data of known and documented quality. Initiated in 1980,
the CLP supports environmental data users in identifying
contaminants and determining the level of contamination at
Superfund hazardous waste sites prior to, during, and after
site cleanup.
Benefits of the CLP
Customer satisfaction is a key factor in the design and
application of all CLP services. The CLP seeks to provide
its customers with timely, high-quality, high-volume, low-cost
services and solutions. CLP customers receive the following
benefits:
Analytical Services
Data of Known and Documented Quality;
Analytical data that adheres to EPA Order 5360.1 A2,
calls for environmental programs and decisions to be
supported by data of the type and quality needed and
expected for their intended use. The type and quality of
data needed to support CLP data users has been defined
as analytical data of known and documented quality.
Download EPA Order 5360.1 A2 at
http://www.epa.gov/qualitv/qs-docs/5360-1.pdf
The CLP,Superfund's preferred data quality solution
for Routine Analytical Services (RAS) is available to local,
State, Federal, and Tribal agencies (see the Program
Providers section of Chapter 1).
Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs) cannot access
the CLP.
The CLP provides its customers with a full spectrum of services ranging from environmental
sample analyses and electronic data review, to computerized invoicing and detailed site analytical
costs.
The CLP provides a variety of analytical services for the most commonly requested organic and
inorganic analytes. The CLP target compound and analvte lists were originally derived from
the USEPA Priority Pollutant list, but have been subsequently modified based on advances in
analytical methods, evaluation of method performance data, and the needs of the Superfund
program. The CLP has also developed several Quick Reference Fact Sheets that summarize the
current analytical services provided for the Inorganic, Organic, and Organic Low Concentration
programs.
Quality Assurance (QA)
The CLP provides customers with total QA.
The CLP provides a comprehensive QA
program through use of Performance
Evaluation (PE) samples, preparation of
quarterly performance reports, use of fraud
detection mechanisms, performance-based scheduling, and continuous inspection of laboratory
data for contractual compliance.
To simplify the laboratory's Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) development process, the CLP
predefines elements such as: analytical methods; preventive laboratory equipment maintenance
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and calibration; sample shipment chain-of-custody procedures and forms; analytical precision
and accuracy (including quantitation limits for organics and inorganics); laboratory Quality Control
(QC) requirements; data management; and documentation for laboratory analysis.
CLP data is compliant with EPA Order 5360.1 A2 quality requirements for data to withstand
independent review and confirmation.
Enhanced Automated Services
The CLP captures all data produced for CLP
customers and maintains this historical data
for the client's future use in enforcement, ^^ Automated services streamline sample scheduling
litigation, and Cost Recovery activities. and anal5rtical data assessment-
The CLP offers Automated Data Processing (ADP) support such as automated data assessment
and rapid electronic transfer of analytical data into users' databases.
The CLP provides automated sample scheduling, and in certain instances, can accommodate
same day scheduling.
Support Services
The CLP provides support services that
allow managers to focus on site assessment -
activities without distraction from laboratory ^-x For more information on CCS, see the Data
and data management issues. Assessment Tool (DAT) section of Chapter 2.
CLP systems collect and disseminate financial information to USEPA management for budgetary
and litigation activities (see Enforcement and Cost Recovery Support section of Chapter 2).
The ASB staff has the technical expertise to resolve any questions about sample scheduling and
funding and to assist USEPA Regions in evaluating data quality and usability.
Cost Savings
services.
Method Flexibility
USEPA Headquarters assumes the CLP
costs for Regional clients in Superfund lead
oiects ^>*=*/ USEPA Headquarters assumes the costs for Regional
clients.
The CLP offers centralized, high-volume
purchasing of analytical services, eliminating the duplication of effort for procurement, sample
tracking, invoice processing, and analytical results compilation.
The CLP offers competitive, low market per sample pricing for all projects and analytical
Customers can request a variety of data
turnaround options and detection limits.
CLP services are becoming more flexible and
Customers can request new and/or additional responsive.
methods for analysis to meet changing
requirements and technological advances.
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CLP Successes
The CLP provides high-tech solutions to meet the
customer's needs.
The CLP has several successful products,
programs, and activities that have helped to
provide customers with analytical technical
support services to achieve and maintain
data of known and documented quality.
These products, programs, and activities have vastly improved analytical response times and
expanded the productivity of cleanup activities.
Development of the Data Assessment Tool (DAT)
For more information on the Data Assessment Tools,
see the Data Assessment Tool (DAT) section of Chapter 2.
The Analytical Services Branch (ASB)
recognized the need for an analytical tool
that would facilitate the rapid transfer and
storage of electronic analytical data and
would streamline the data validation process. To meet this
challenge, the CLP developed DAT, a software-driven process designed to produce enhanced CLP deliverables
and more usable reports.
DAT allows Regional data users to electronically receive data that has already been assessed by this tool. DAT
rapidly transfers electronic analytical data into any client database, forgoing the need for manual data entry by
the Regions. Regional data validation has typically required manual data entry of post-review data.
Overall, DAT has dramatically improved data turnaround times, making it possible to transmit electronic data
to the data validators and the ultimate customers [e.g., Regional Project Managers (RPMs), site assessors,
and On-Scene Coordinators (OSCs)]. ASB can now provide data assessment reports to CLP customers within
24 - 48 hours of receipt of data.
Accommodation of Sample Volume with Fast Turnaround Times
During Fiscal Year 2006, a total of 86,124 samples were
analyzed under the CLP. Approximately 16% of these
samples were analyzed within a 7-day turnaround time, 25%
were analyzed within a 14-day turnaround time, and 59%
were analyzed within a 21-day turnaround time. The CLP
can also provide Preliminary Results within 48 - 72 hours,
depending on the type of analysis.
Provision of Brownfields Program
USEPA's Brownfields Program supports efforts to identify
and assess potentially contaminated sites across the United
States and conduct appropriate cleanup and/or release
activities.
The CLP can accommodate a large volume of
samples from multiple sites within a short time span.
Turnaround times are available to meet the needs of
the customer.
"Brownfields"ate abandoned, idle, or under-used
industrial and commercial facilities where expansion
or redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived
environmental contamination.
The objective of this program is to quickly make these sites
safe for reuse by addressing real or perceived risks. In Fiscal
Year 2006, the CLP laboratories completed 51 separate projects involving the analysis of more than 1,311 field
samples for 20 Brownfields sites.
The CLP provides Brownfields customers with certain advantages, such as comprehensive QC procedures,
data turnaround options, and low market prices for high quality that may not be available through other analytical
programs.
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Sites Requiring
Sample Analysis: 497
Cost Recovery Requests; 5
(Reporting a value of $582,402,74)
Customer Service
Inquiries Answered: 7,549
Shipments
Tracked: 3,212
Invoices
Processed: 4,890
Sample Analyses; 176,768
Sample Delivery Groups (SDGs)
Received/Reviewed: 6,077
Analyses Performed: 120,020
(136,103 including extractions)
Routine CLP Activities in Fiscal Year 2006
The CLP successfully supports its customers in its routine activities as well. Please see the figure above for data
on routine CLP activities during Fiscal Year 2006.
Products and Services
Data Analysis
CLP customers can combine analytical parameters
and turnaround times to satisfy changing needs.
The CLP provides analytical data that is used to help define the nature and extent of contamination at Superfund
sites. This allows customers to:
Assess priorities for response based on the risk to human health and the environment;
Determine appropriate cleanup; and
Determine when Remedial Actions (RAs) are complete.
CLP data is used in all stages of hazardous waste site investigation, including: site inspections; Hazard Ranking
System (MRS) scoring; Remedial Investigation (Rl) and Feasibility Study (FS); Remedial Design (RD); treatability;
RA; operations and maintenance (O&M); and enforcement and litigation activities. The CLP requires that any
data produced within the program be of known and documented quality.
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Available Analytical Services
Currently, the CLP offers two Routine Analytical Services (RASs):
Analysis of organic compounds in soils/sediment and water; and
Analysis of inorganic compounds (including mercury) and cyanide in soils/sediment and water.
These types of analytical services ensure the CLP is able to meet the changing needs of its clients.
Upcoming Analytical Services and Products
The CLP is currently developing an updated inorganic analysis
method, ILM06.X. Among other changes, ILM06.X will include
a method for analyzing soils via Inductively Coupled Plasma-
Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and the addition of wipes and
air filter matrices for total metals analyses.
Staged Electronic Data Deliverable (SEDD)
SEDD is an inter-agency effort to create
a generic format for electronic delivery of
analytical data for environmental programs.
SEDD allows laboratories to meet current
and future requirements for multiple
programs without a complete overhaul
of the laboratory EDO-producing system. For additional
information about the advantages of using SEDD, please
refer to the SEDD Web site.
Expert Technical and Administrative Support
The CLP's staff is comprised of experts in the fields of
environmental chemistry, QA, contract management, andADP
support. The CLP has numerous resources within USEPA
Regions, USEPA's own laboratories, and CLP contractors.
These resources enable the CLP to address and overcome
technical or operational issues for the CLP customer.
Currently Available Services;
Analysis of Inorganic Compounds (including
Mercury) and Cyanide in Soil/Sediment and Water
(ILM05.4).
Com p\ete Inorganic Data Deliveries
are available in 7, 14, and 21 days with
Preliminary Results available within 72 hours.
Analysis of Organic Compounds including trace
volatile, low/medium volatile, semivolatile,
pesticide, and Aroclor target compounds in
Water, and Soil/Sediment environmental samples
(SOM01.1).
Com plete Organic Data Deliveries
are available in 7, 14, and 21 days with
Preliminary Results available in 48 hours for
volatiles and 72 hours for pesticides/Aroclors.
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CLP Participants
Program Users
CLP customers currently include 10 USEPA Regions, State
and Tribal governments, the United States Army Corps of _
Engineers(USACE),theUnitedStatesBureauofReclamation ^^ The CLP is available to Federal, State, Territorial,
(USER), the United States Geological Survey (USGS), and and Tribal agencies [see Chapter 2 How to Access the
various United States Territories. The CLP is available to any Contract Laboratory Pr°9ram (CLpN-
governmental party (except a PRP) who needs fast, reliable,
environmental data of known and documented quality at reasonable prices.
Program Providers
The CLP is operated by a team of government offices, support
contractors, and environmental laboratories. The following
offices comprise the CLP: USEPA provides oversight of all program
management and QA activities.
ASB provides government oversight of all
CLP activities to ensure that clients receive data of known and documented quality.
USEPA Regional CLP Project Officers (CLP POs) and Regional Sample Control Center (RSCC)
Coordinators provide program support and oversight activities on a day-to-day basis.
The Sample Management Office (SMO) contractor provides program management
(e.g., scheduling, contract compliance tools, and invoice tracking) under the direction of ASB.
The Quality Assurance Technical Support (QATS) contractor provides QA/QC of CLP data
[e.g., PE samples, and data tape audits] under the direction of ASB.
CLP-contracted laboratories conduct sample analysis and provide data of known and documented
quality.
CLP on the Internet
CLP customers can use the Internet to access information
and reference documents such as: _ __
Information and a variety of guidance and method
Analytical Methods: documents are available on the CLP Web site.
Quick Reference Fact Sheets for the organic, inorganic, and organic low concentration analytical
methods;
Guidance Documents including National Functional Guidelines (NFGs) for data assessment and
CLP Guidance for Field Samplers; and
CLP & ASB Contacts.
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Initiating The Process
Select the CLP for your analytical needs.
Is your site a Superfund site?
L
No
Contact USEPA ASB's
SMO Project Officer.
Chapter 2
How to Access the Contract Laboratory Program (CLP)
CLP Services and Activities
This chapter provides guidance for initiating and
using CLP services. It also provides information
on several CLP-related software products
available to CLP customers. The CLP offers
numerous advantages to its CLP and non-CLP
site customers (see the Benefits of the CLP
section of Chapter 1) that may not be available in other programs.
You can begin using CLP services by contacting the Analytical
Services Branch (ASB).
Initiating CLP Analytical Services
The first step in accessing CLP services is determining if the CLP
is the right program for your purposes. You must also determine
if the site you wish to sample from is a Superfund site. If the site
is part of Superfund, follow the steps listed below. If the site is not
a Superfund site, proceed to Requesting CLP Analytical Services
for a Non-Superfund Site in this chapter.
Requesting Routine CLP Analytical Services
for a Superfund Site
Once you have decided to use the CLP, the next step is
requesting analytical services. Current and new CLP customers
may request Routine Analytical Services (RAS) through a USEPA
Regional Sample Control Center (RSCC) Coordinator. The RSCC
Coordinator schedules all CLP analysis requests through the Sample Management Office (SMO). SMO and the
RSCC Coordinator work together during sampling events to ensure that all samples arrive at the laboratories
as scheduled, and to resolve any issues that may arise during sample analysis. Each RSCC Coordinator is
responsible for maintaining a working knowledge of current CLP Statements of Work (SOWs) to assist the
customer in choosing the proper analytical method.
Contact your RSCC Coordinator.
Supply your RSCC Coordinator
with the necessary information.
The RSCC Coordinator will
begin the scheduling process.
The RSCC Coordinator will work with
the CLP contractors and coordinate
with you on the resulting activities.
You must supply the RSCC Coordinator with the following
information:
Site name;
Site location;
Each Region may have different steps for initiating
analytical services. This document contains only a
general description.
Operable unit of the site where you want the sampling to take place (the operable unit is a specific
portion of a whole site);
Type(s) of analysis you require and any specific analytical requirements;
Purpose of your sampling event [e.g., Site Assessment (SA), Remedial Design (RD), Remedial
Action (RA)];
Period of time during which the sampling will take place;
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Site identification numbers (e.g., CERCLIS
ID, Site Spill ID);
Data turnaround time(s) required for your
project;
Fax number for submission of Preliminary
Results, if required; and
Site-specific Quality Assurance Project Plan
(QAPP).
The CLP requires "lead time" in order to secure
laboratory space for sampling projects. You must
contact your RSCC Coordinator to request RAS so that
they will have ample time to contact SMO and set up
scheduling by 3:00 PM Eastern Time Monday-Friday
prior to the week of a sampling event.
There may be additional information required for
your particular Region.
Non-Superfund Support
If you wish to utilize CLP services for non-Superfund
activities, please contact the SMO Project Officer (PO) at
ASB. ASB will facilitate the funds transfer process and
direct the sample analysis request to the appropriate
USEPA Regional office.
Requesting CLP Analytical Services for a
Non-Superfund Site
The CLP also provides analytical and support activities to
non-Superfund analyses customers through the transfer
of funds from a non-Superfund program [e.g., Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Office of Water
(OW), Brownfields]. Please contact the SMO Project Officer
at ASB for additional information or to request CLP services
for your non-Superfund site.
Determining the Appropriate SOW
The next step in accessing analytical services through the CLP is deciding which analytical service(s) best meets
your needs. The CLP currently offers two SOWs for CLP inorganic and organic.
Both of the SOWs provide the technical and contractual conditions for laboratories to apply USEPA/CLP analytical
methods for the isolation, detection, and quantitative measurement of the most common environmental pollutants.
Contact the specified ASB Program Manager for further information.
The Inorganic SOW (ILM05.4)
The Inorganic SOW sets the requirements for the analysis of 23 metals (including mercury) and cyanide in water
and soil/sediment samples. Inorganic analysis is conducted using ICP-MS, Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic
Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES), Atomic Absorption (AA), and colorimetric methods. Data is delivered in 7,
14, or 21 days. The customer may specify any of the three turnaround times when requesting CLP inorganic
analytical services. Preliminary Results are available within 72 hours for all turnaround times. Requests can be
made for all, some, or individual Metal analyses.
For a complete list of the inorganic target analytes and more information about the inorganic analytical service,
including the upcoming ILM06.X, see the Multi-Media, Multi-Concentration, Inorganic Analytical Service for
Superfund Fact Sheet.
The Organic SOW (SOM01.1)
The Organic SOW sets the requirements for the analysis of 52 volatile, 67 semivolatile, and 21 pesticide, and
9 Aroclor target compounds in water and soil/sediment samples. Organic compounds are analyzed using Gas
Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) or with Electron Capture Detection (GC/ECD). Data
delivery is available in 7, 14, or 21 days, any of which may be specified when requesting CLP organic analytical
services. Preliminary Results are available within 48 hours for volatiles and 72 hours for semivolatiles, pesticides,
and Aroclors for all turnaround times after receipt of each sample at the laboratory.
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For a complete list of the organic volatile, semivolatile, pesticide, and Aroclor target compounds and more
information about the organic analytical service, see the Multi-Media, Multi-Concentration, Organic Analytical
(SOM01.1) Fact Sheet.
CLP Software Tools and Products
The CLP's commitment to quality does not end with data. In an effort to bring faster and more efficient services
to our customers, the CLP has developed a number of software solutions that streamline data review and Quality
Control (QC), Contract Compliance Screening (CCS), and administrative tasks, while promoting the sharing of
analytical information.
Data Assessment Tool (DAT)
DAT integrates CLP data review software and
processes.
DAT is a software-driven process designed
to produce enhanced CLP deliverables and
more usable reports in a standard format.
DAT incorporates CCS and data evaluation
based on National Functional Guideline (NFG) to provide
USEPA customers with PC-compatible reports and electronic files that can be transferred into client databases
and programs for end-users, and to provide a complete CLP data assessment package. The electronic reports
reduce the need for manual data entry and duplicate entry of information. All CLP customers receive data
that has been processed through CLP data assessment tools within 24 - 48 hours after the laboratory data is
received. The resultant spreadsheets are electronically delivered directly via email to the Region that requested
the data.
DAT does not include determination of data usability, qualification of data based on professional judgment,
evaluation of data based on its intended use, or compliance with a site's Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP)
or Sampling and Analysis Plan (SAP).
Field Operations Records Management System (FORMS) II Lite
FORMS 11 Lite is designed to assist samplers
with generating sample documentation and
tracking samples during a sampling event.
FORMS II Lite automates the creation and
printing of labels and Traffic Report/Chain of
Custody Records, thereby improving field time management and decreasing documentation
errors. FORMS II Lite captures critical collection information in an electronic format early in the field sampling
process.
FORMS II Lite enables field personnel to easily document, track, and transmit field sample information. In
addition, by electronically capturing this information early in the tracking and reporting process, field sampling
data is readily accessible for transmittal to RSCC Coordinators and other data users.
During Fiscal Year 2006, 64 sampling organizations used the FORMS 11 Lite software for sampling efforts with the
10 USEPA Regions for the CLP. The organizations include 20 States/territories and Tribes and the United States
Army Corps of Engineers (USAGE), United States Bureau of Reclamation, and United States Fish and Wildlife.
In Fiscal Year 2006, FORMS II Lite was used to process 1,031 CLP Cases comprised of 5,516 shipments that
contained a total of 69,947 samples.
FORMS II Lite automates routine tasks for the
sampler and streamlines data collection.
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Web-based Invoicing System (WIS)
Web-based
Invoicing
- > System
WIS enables authorized CLP laboratories to electronically generate and submit invoices via the
Internet. WIS provides access to a CLP database containing analytical data that the laboratory has
previously submitted. Laboratories can access this submitted information and create an invoice
based on the original analytical results.
Sample Delivery Group (SDG) Tracking System (STS)
The laboratory can use STS to track the status of analytical
data from the delivery date to the invoice payment date. VS»/ WIS automates laboratory submission of invoices.
The laboratory uses their assigned Lab Code, name, and
Password (as assigned by SMO) to access STS.
Enforcement and Cost Recovery Support
The CLP has established detailed procedures and documentation to ensure that the sample data is tracked
from the time of sample collection to introduction as evidence in legal proceedings. The CLP also provides
documentation for program analytical costs to support Superfund Cost Recovery efforts. Cost Recovery is
designed to assist CLP customers in recouping the CLP analytical and cleanup costs they have spent on a
hazardous waste site.
Requesting Enforcement Support
Litigation procedures often necessitate the use of CLP data generated from the analysis of samples collected.
The CLP offers a variety of services to support enforcement activities that include:
Arranging for the delivery of all laboratory and evidence documentation relating to specific sample
analyses;
Augmenting customer resources for analytical data review; and
Assisting in arranging for expert testimony by &T\
laboratory or CLP personnel. (J^ The CLP provides litigation support and assists
Customer requests for enforcement support are initially customers in recouping analytical and site cleanup
coordinated through the SMO Project Officer at ASB. ASB costs-
will review the request and determine the appropriate
CLP response, including the provision of USEPA Regional or contractor resources needed to respond to the
request.
Requesting Cost Recovery Support
The CLP's Cost Recovery support normally consists of financial and analytical documentation. The following
forms of documentation are available to support Cost Recovery requests:
Reports that detail all CLP analytical and management costs associated with a site;
Lists of CLP projects associated with a site;
Sample analysis results; and
Lists of each invoice associated with a particular site.
Non-standard ad-hoc reports also may be prepared if necessary. If necessary, the Cost Recovery personnel
will coordinate efforts with the other USEPA offices or contractor resources in order to produce or acquire Cost
Recovery documentation.
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Appendix A
List of Acronyms
AA Atomic Absorption
ADP Automated Data Processing
ASB Analytical Services Branch
ASF Agency Standard Format
CERCLA Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
CERCLIS Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Information System
CCS Contract Compliance Screening
CLP Contract Laboratory Program
CLP PO Contract Laboratory Program Project Officer
DART Data Assessment Rapid Transmittal
DAT Data Assessment Tool
FORMS II Lite Field Operations Records Management System II Lite
GC/ECD Gas Chromatography/Electron Capture Detection
GC/MS Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry
HRGC High Resolution Gas Chromatography
ICP-AES Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy
ICP-MS Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry
NFG National Functional Guidelines
NPL National Priorities List
O&M Operations & Maintenance
OSC On-Scene Coordinator
OW Office of Water
OSRTI Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation
PE Performance Evaluation
PO Project Officer
PRP Potentially Responsible Party
QA Quality Assurance
QAPP Quality Assurance Project Plan
QATS Quality Assurance Technical Support
QC Quality Control
RA Remedial Action
RAS Routine Analytical Service
RCRA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
RD Remedial Design
Rl Remedial Investigation
RPM Remedial Project Manager
RSCC Regional Sample Control Center (USEPA Region)
SA Site Assessment
SAP Sampling and Analysis Plan
SDG Sample Delivery Group
SEDD Staged Electronic Data Deliverable
SMO Sample Management Office
SOW Statement of Work
STS SDG Tracking System
USAGE United States Army Corps of Engineers
USER United States Bureau of Reclamation
USEPA United States Environmental Protection Agency
USGS United States Geological Survey
WebCCS Web Contract Compliance Screening
WIS Web-based Invoicing System
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Appendix B
Glossary
Analyte: The element, ion, or parameter an analysis seeks to determine; the element of interest.
Analytical Services Branch (ASB): The USEPA center that directs the national Contract Laboratory Program (CLP).
Atomic Absorption (AA): A procedure for inorganic analysis based on the absorption of radiation by mercury vapor (Cold
Vapor), flame, or graphite furnace.
Brownfields: Abandoned, idle, or under-used industrial and commercial facilities where expansion or redevelopment is
complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination.
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA): First authorized by Congress
in December 1980, and amended in 1986, CERCLA provided broad Federal authority to respond directly to the release or
possible release or hazardous substances that may endanger human health or the environment. CERCLA also established
a Trust Fund to provide for cleanup when no responsible party could be identified; hence, CERCLA is commonly referred
to as "Superfund".
Contract Compliance Screening (CCS): The screening of electronic and hardcopy data deliverables for completeness
and compliance with the contract. This screening is done under USEPA direction by the Sample Management Office (SMO)
contractor.
Contract Laboratory Program (CLP): Supports the USEPAs Superfund effort by providing a range of chemical analytical
services to produce environmental data of known and documented quality. This program is directed by the USEPAAnalytical
Services Branch (ASB).
Contract Required Quantitation Limit (CRQL): Minimum level of quantitation acceptable under the contract Statement of
Work (SOW).
Cost Recovery: A legal process by which Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs) that contributed to contamination at a
Superfund site can be required to reimburse the Trust Fund for money spent during any aspect of cleanup actions by the
Federal government.
Cost Recovery Request: A request issued by an Authorized Cost Recovery Requestor for detailed cost and sample
documentation associated with a Superfund site.
Cyanide (Total): Cyanide ion and complex cyanide converted to hydrocyanic acid (HCN) by reaction in a reflux system of
a mineral acid in the presence of magnesium ion.
Data Assessment Rapid Transmittal (DART): DART is an active notification system providing up-to-the-minute transmittal
of the Contract Compliance Screening (CCS) and Computer Aided Data Review and Evaluation (CADRE) evaluation report
data to Contract Laboratory Program (CLP) customers.
Data Assessment Tool (DAT): A software driven process that incorporates CCS, CADRE, and DART designed to produce
enhanced CLP deliverables and more usable reports in a standard format.
Data Turnaround Time: The maximum length of time allowed for laboratories to submit analytical data to USEPA in order
to avoid financial penalties (i.e., disincentives). Data turnaround time begins at the validated time of sample receipt (VTSR)
at the laboratory.
Data Validation: Data validation is based on Region-defined criteria and limits, professional judgement of the data validator,
and (if available) the Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) and Sampling and Analysis Plan (SAP).
Feasibility Study (FS): A description and analysis of potential cleanup alternatives for a site such as one on the National
Priorities List (NPL). The FS usually recommends selection of a cost-effective alternative. It usually starts as soon as the
Remedial Investigation (Rl) is underway. Together, they are commonly referred to as the "RI/FS".
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Gas Chromatography (GC): The method used to separate analytes on a stationary phase within a chromatographic
column. GC is frequently used with other instruments for analyzing organic compounds:
Mass Spectrometry: In volatile and semivolatile analysis, the compounds are detected by a Mass
Spectrometer (MS).
Electron Capture: In pesticide andAroclor analysis, the compounds are detected by an Electron Capture
Detector (ECD).
Hazard Ranking System (MRS): A numerically-based screening system that uses information from initial, limited
investigations to assess the relative potential of sites to pose a threat to human health or the environment. The MRS is the
principal mechanism USEPA uses to place uncontrolled waste sites on the National Priorities List (NPL).
Hazardous Waste Site: A site contaminated with substances that can pose a substantial or potential hazard to human
health or the environment.
Inductively Coupled Plasma -Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES): Atechnique forthe simultaneous orsequential
multi-element determination of elements in solution. The basis of the method is the measurement of atomic emission by an
optical spectroscopic technique. Characteristic atomic line emission spectra are produced by excitation of the sample in a
radio frequency ICP.
Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS): Atechnique forthe multi-element determination of elements
in solution. The basis of the technique is the detection of atomic ions produced by an ICP and sorted by mass/charge
ratio.
National Functional Guidelines (NFG): A document designed to offer guidance on inorganic, organic, and organic low
concentration Contract Laboratory Program (CLP) analytical data evaluation and review.
National Priorities List (NPL): A list of sites for hazardous waste cleanup under the Superfund program.
Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER): The USEPA office that provides policy, guidance, and
direction forthe USEPA's OSWER programs, including Superfund.
Performance Evaluation (PE) Sample: A sample of known composition provided by USEPA for contractor analysis. Used
by USEPA to evaluate contractor performance.
Pesticides: A pesticide is any substance or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling, or
mitigating any pest. Pests can be insects, mice, and other animals, unwanted plants (weeds), fungi, or microorganisms like
bacteria and viruses. Though often misunderstood to refer only to insecticides, the term pesticide also applies to herbicides,
fungicides, and various other substances used to control pests. Under United States law, a pesticide is also any substance
or mixture of substances intended for use as a plant regulator, defoliant, or desiccant.
Quality Assurance (QA):hn integrated system of management activities involving planning, implementation, assessment,
reporting, and quality improvement to ensure that a process, item, or service is of the type and quality needed and expected
by the customer.
Quality Control (QC): The overall system of technical activities that measures the attributes and performance of a process,
item, or service against defined standards to verify that they meet the stated requirements established by the customer;
operational techniques and activities that are used to fulfill requirements for quality.
Quality Assurance Technical Support (QATS) Laboratory: A contractor-operated facility that provides Quality Assurance
(QA) services operated under the QATS contract, awarded and administered by USEPA.
Remedial Action (RA): The construction or clean-up phase of a Superfund site cleanup.
Remedial Design: A phase of Remedial Action (RA) that follows the Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS) and
includes development of engineering drawings and specifications for a site cleanup.
Remedial Investigation (Rl): An in-depth study designed to gather data needed to determine the nature and extent of
contamination at a Superfund site, establish site cleanup criteria, identify preliminary alternatives for Remedial Action (RA),
and support technical and cost analyses of alternatives. The Rl is usually performed with the Feasibility Study (FS).
Together they are usually referred to as the "RI/FS".
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Remedial Project Manager (RPM): The USEPAorState official responsible for overseeing on-site studies and remediation
activities.
Remedial Response: Long-term action that stops or substantially reduces a release or threat of a release of hazardous
substances that is serious but not an immediate threat to public health.
Remediation: Cleanup or other methods used to remove or contain a toxic spill or hazardous materials from a Superfund
site.
Routine Analytical Service (RAS): The standard inorganic, organic, and organic low concentration high volume, multi-
component analyses available through the Contract Laboratory Program (CLP).
Regional Sample Control Center (RSCC) Coordinator: The RSCC Coordinator coordinates Regional sampling efforts.
Sample: A single, discrete portion of material to be analyzed, which is contained in single or multiple containers and
identified by a unique sample number.
Sample Management Office (SMO): A contractor-operated facility that is awarded and administered by the USEPA. SMO
provides management, operations, and administrative support to the Contract Laboratory Program (CLP).
Statement of Work (SOW): A document which specifies how laboratories analyze samples under a particular Contract
Laboratory Program (CLP) analytical program.
Superfund: The program operated under the legislative authority of the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) that fund and
carry out USEPA removal and remedial activities at hazardous waste sites. These activities include establishing the National
Priorities List (NPL), investigating sites for inclusion on the list, determining their priority, and conducting and/or supervising
cleanup and other remedial actions.
Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA): The 1986 amendment to the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).
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Appendix C
List of Web References
Analysis of Metals (including Mercury) and
Cyanide in Soil/Sediment and Water
http://www.epa.aov/superfund/proarams/clp/inora.htm
Analysis of Organic Compounds in Soil/
Sediment and Water
Low Concentration Organic Analytical
Service for Superfund (Water matrix) Fact
Sheet
http://www.epa.aov/superfund/proarams/clp/oraanic.htm
Analysis of Organic Compounds (to
include trace volatile, low/medium volatile,
semivolatile, pesticide, and Aroclor target
compounds) in Water, and Soil/Sediment
environmental samples
Analytical Methods
Brownfields Program
CLP Web site
CLP &ASB Contacts
DAT
EPA Order 5360.1 A2
FORMS II Lite
Guidance Documents
Introduction to the ASB CLP
http://www.epa.aov/superfund/proarams/clp/som1.htm
http://www.epa.aov/superfund/proarams/clp/methods.htm
http://www.epa.gov/swerosps/bf/
http://www.epa.aov/superfund/proarams/clp/
http://www.epa.aov/superfund/proarams/clp/contacts.htm
http://www.epa.aov/superfund/proarams/clp/dat.htm
http://www.epa.aov/qualitv/qs-docs/5360-1.pdf
http://www.epa.aov/superfund/proarams/clp/f2lite.htm
http://www.epa.aov/superfund/proarams/clp/auidance.htm
http://www.epa.aov/superfund/proarams/clp/auidance.htm
http://www.epa.aov/superfund/proarams/clp/facts.htmtflowcon
Multi-Media, Multi-Concentration, Organic
Analytical Service for Superfund Fact Sheet
http://www.epa.aov/superfund/proarams/clp/facts.htmtforaanic
Multi-Media, Multi-Concentration Inorganic
Analytical Service for Superfund Fact Sheet
http://www.epa.aov/superfund/proarams/clp/facts.htmtfinoraanic
Per Sample Pricing
Quick Reference Fact Sheets
RSCC Coordinator Contacts
SEDD
STS
Target Compounds and Analyte List
WIS
http://www.epa.aov/superfund/proarams/clp/prices.htm
http://www.epa.aov/superfund/proarams/clp/facts.htm
http://www.epa.aov/superfund/proarams/clp/rscclist.htm
http://www.epa.aov/superfund/proarams/clp/sedd.htm
http://epasmoweb.dvncorp.com/sts/index.html
http://www.epa.aov/superfund/proarams/clp/taraet.htm
http://www.epa.aov/superfund/proarams/clp/wis.htm
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