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Frequent Questions
This page contains some frequently asked questions about the Contract Laboratory Program (CLP) and their answers.
For Laboratories:
- How can laboratories participate in the Contract Laboratory Program (CLP)?
- What is SUPRS, and how do I access it?
- Who do I contact if I have problems using SUPRS?
- How will I receive scheduling and shipping information?
- Who do I contact regarding discrepancies with the scheduling information, shipping information, sample paperwork, or sample condition?
- When should Sample Delivery Group (SDG) Coversheets and Traffic Report/Chain-of-Custody Forms (TR/COCs) be submitted to SMO?
- When are Preliminary Results due?
For all CLP Participants and Customers:
- How can I obtain a list of laboratories that are currently participating in the CLP?
- How do I obtain copies of the CLP Statements of Work (SOWs)?
- How do I obtain copies of the National Functional Guidelines (NFGs) for Data Review?
- Where can I find answers to my questions about the Staged Electronic Data Deliverable (SEDD) and its implementation?
Question: How can laboratories participate in the Contract Laboratory Program (CLP)?
Answer: To become part of the CLP, laboratories must meet stringent requirements and standards for equipment, personnel, laboratory practices, and analytical and Quality Control (QC) operations. When existing contracts expire or demand exceeds capacity, a request for bids is published in the Commerce Business Daily. Firm, fixed-price contracts are awarded through the Government's Invitation for Bid (IFB) process after performance is demonstrated. Bidders must first successfully analyze Performance Evaluation (PE) samples and pass a pre-award laboratory audit, then awards are made to the lowest bidders. After contract award, laboratories are closely monitored to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of the contract.
Question: What is SUPRS, and how do I access it?
Answer: The Superfund Project Request System
(SUPRS) is a Web-based system that enables EPA personnel to electronically request and track analytical service requests. SUPRS can be
accessed through the SMO Customer Service Web site.
Question: Who do I contact if I have problems using SUPRS?
Answer: Please contact the Sample Management Office (SMO) CLP Sample Scheduling and Regional Coordination Team Leader. If you don't have this contact information, contact your Regional Sample Control Center Coordinator (RSCC).
Question: How will I receive scheduling and shipping information?
Answer: Laboratories will be electronically notified by SMO through SUPRS. Laboratories should review the information provided on the notification forms. If they are acceptable, the laboratory should then confirm their acceptance.
Question: Who do I contact regarding discrepancies with the scheduling information, shipping information, sample paperwork, or sample condition?
Answer: Please contact the SMO Scheduling Coordinator for the Region of sample origin or the SMO CLP Sample Scheduling and Regional Coordination Team Leader. If you don't know who your SMO Scheduling Coordinator is, contact your Regional Sample Control Center Coordinator (RSCC).
Question: When should Sample Delivery Group (SDG) Coversheets and Traffic Report/Chain-of-Custody Forms (TR/COCs) be submitted to SMO?
Answer: SDG Coversheets and TR/COCs should be submitted to SMO within three business days after receipt of the last sample in the SDG.
Question: When are Preliminary Results due?
Answer: Preliminary Results for VOA, Trace VOA, and Trace VOA SIM samples are due 48 hours after the receipt of each sample. Preliminary Results for the remaining fractions, both organic and inorganic, are due 72 hours after the receipt of each sample. Sample TR/COCs and SDG Coversheets must be submitted to SMO with the Preliminary Results.
Question: How can I obtain a list of laboratories that are currently participating in the CLP?
Answer: A list of current CLP laboratories is available below in PDF format.
Active CLP Laboratories (PDF) - February 2009 (2 pp, 12K, About PDF)
Question: How do I obtain copies of the CLP Statements of Work (SOWs)?
Answer: The Analytical Services page contains links to an individual page for each SOW. The SOW documents constitute the technical and contractual framework for commercial environmental testing laboratories to apply analytical methods for the isolation, detection and quantitative measurement of environmental samples. These SOWs include:
- A summary of the requirements;
- Reporting and deliverable requirements;
- A Target Compound List (TCL) and Contract Required Quantitation Limits (CRQLs);
- Analytical methods;
- Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) requirements;
- Chain-of-custody, document control, and Standard Operating Procedures;
- A glossary of terms; and
- A data dictionary and format for data deliverables in computer-readable format.
Question: How do I obtain copies of the National Functional Guidelines (NFGs) for Data Review?
Answer: You may download NFG documents from the Guidance Documents page of this Web site. These documents are designed to offer guidance on CLP analytical data evaluation and review. They are intended to assist in the technical review of analytical data generated through the CLP. These documents apply to both the multi-media, multi-concentration organic, and the low concentration organic, as well as the multi-media, multi-concentration inorganic analytical services.
Question: Where can I find answers to my questions about the Staged Electronic Data Deliverable (SEDD) and its implementation?
Answer: SEDD is rapidly being adopted as the electronic data delivery format for many federal agency contracts. A SEDD Questions and Answers page has been set up to address questions that laboratories and vendors may have as they implement this new electronic data deliverable.