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Program Management
Mission
EPA Analytical Services Branch (ASB) is dedicated to providing the appropriate analytical services which produce data of known and documented quality to meet Superfund’s needs. ASB strives to continuously improve operations, focus on customer needs, develop Quality Assurance (QA) procedures for all analytical needs, and establish electronic data assessment/information tools.
Overview
ASB, one of the Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation (OSRTI) centers of expertise, is expanding its mission to include coordination of all of the day-to-day operations of Superfund analytical services. These analytical services, both Contract Laboratory Program (CLP) and non-CLP, test environmental samples from Superfund sites. Hazardous waste samples are collected during the course of clean-up activities at Superfund sites and analyzed by field methods or sent to laboratories, who in turn analyze the samples and generate sample analysis data. This data is used for a number of purposes, such as to define the nature and the extent of contamination at Superfund sites, as well as to determine appropriate clean-up actions, emergency response and remedial actions, and enforcement and litigation activities. The data may also be used in all stages of hazardous waste site investigations such as site inspections, Hazardous Ranking System (HRS) scoring, remedial investigation/feasibility studies, and remedial design.
Responsibilities
ASB manages the CLP for routine analytical services, supports national special analytical services, and promotes field analytics. In addition, ASB’s responsibilities include:
- Monitoring and formally evaluating analytical and support contractors;
- Managing CLP program objectives;
- Developing and administering CLP analytical/support services contracts;
- Developing and technically reviewing analytical protocols;
- Reviewing CLP and non-CLP generated laboratory data;
- Developing data review guidelines for all CLP services;
- Developing and maintaining all CLP automated systems and data;
- Determining the direction of CLP QA in coordination with overall Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER) quality assurance activities;
- Formatting and implementing policy and budget, and
- Interfacing and communicating with clients and other groups.