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Data Assessment
This page contains information about Contract Laboratory Program (CLP) data assessment services and tools.
- General Information
- Contract Compliance Screening Tools for Laboratories
- Data Assessment Tools for Inorganic Analyses
- For Additional Information
General Information
The Analytical Services Branch (ASB) provides data assessment services to CLP customers through the Sample Management Office (SMO). SMO performs data assessment on laboratories' hardcopy and electronic deliverables based on contractual and technical requirements outlined in the Statement of Work (SOW), Request for Proposal (RFP), and National Functional Guidelines (NFGs) for each analytical service.
Data assessment includes the following:
- Completeness - SMO ensures that all requested data are present and consistent (based on hardcopy and/or electronic reporting requirments)
- Compliance - SMO compares the analytical Quality Control (QC) results with the SOW, method, contract, and regional validation requirements or guidelines.
- Recalculation Checks - SMO confirms laboratory reported values (e.g., sample results) by recalculating them using the instrument output data reported by the laboratory in their Electronic Data Deliverable (EDD)
- Instrument Output - SMO reviews the actual instrument outputs to ensure that the laboratory reported analytes have been correctly identified and quantified.
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Data Assessment Process Overview
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SMO provides various tools to facilitate the data assessment process. The data assessment process and the tools used are described below.
Contract Compliance Screening Tools for Laboratories
For CLP organic analyses, ASB provides contract compliance screening for laboratories through the Electronic Data Exchange and Evaluation System (EXES). EXES includes a self-inspection tool for CLP laboratories that provide an Electronic Data Deliverable (EDD) in the Staged Electronic Data Deliverable (SEDD) format. Using the EXES web-based system, laboratories upload their EDD and receive an emailed report outlining any compliance issues found in the EDD. This allows CLP laboratories to inspect the contractual completeness and compliance of their EDD prior to delivery to EPA, resulting in a more compliant deliverable for CLP customers. To access EXES, visit the SMO Customer Service Web site. 
For CLP inorganic analyses, ASB uses the Web-based Contract Complaince Screening (WebCCS) system to provide contract compliance screening to laboratories. WebCCS is able to
determine the contractual compliance and completeness of data submitted
by the laboratories, prior to delivery to EPA. Following these evaluations, a defect report
is generated and emailed to the laboratory. For more information visit the WebCCS
software Web site.
Data Assessment Services for Regions
The CLP provides customers with electronic data assessment reports and spreadsheets customized to their data review needs. CLP Customers may track the timeliness of their data using the Web-based Sample Data Group (SDG) Tracking System (STS). Customers may serach for specific cases, SDGs, or contracts. Customers may also filter data to view late SDGs. To access STS, visit the SMO Customer Services Web site.
For Additional Information
Any questions may be directed to Mike Johnson either via email at johnson.michaels@epa.gov or via phone at (703) 603-0266.