ERLN/WLA 2012 WLA Security Summit Nashville, Tennessee March 23,

Agenda Environmental Response Laboratory Network (ERLN) Overview Accessing the ERLN/WLA Water Laboratory Alliance (WLA) Overview Tools & Resources 2

What is the ERLN ? Network of Laboratories Member of the Integrated Consortium of Laboratories Network (ICLN) Addresses chemical, radiochemical, and limited biological threats during environmental responses and nationally significant incidents 3

PHASE 1: 18 member laboratories (March 2008) 15 EPA Regional and Program Laboratories –Region 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 –NAREL –NEIC –OPPTS/OPP Environmental Chemistry Branch –OPPTS/OPP Microbiology Laboratory Branch –OPPTS/OPP Analytical Chemistry Branch –R&IE National Laboratory 2 State Laboratories –FL DEP –VA DCLS 1 Federal Laboratory –LLNL 1 ERLN - Phase 1 4

2 PHASE 2 Solicitation Open: Seeking State, Federal, local, and commercial laboratories Received 157 applications Approved 136 (132 ERLN/WLA members and 4 ERLN-only members) Currently reviewing 3 additional applications –Easily accessible information: ERLN Web site ( ERLN - Phase 2 5

ERLN Provides User Tools Laboratory Compendium EPA’s Compendium of Environmental Testing Laboratories (Laboratory Compendium) is an online database of environmental laboratories containing each laboratory's specific capabilities to analyze chemical, biological, and radiological contaminants WebEDR The Web-based Electronic Data Review (WebEDR) application performs automated data evaluation of ERLN electronic data deliverables (EDDs) –Uses tests derived from the National Functional Guidelines (NFG) for data evaluation and review combined with method-defined limits to measure data –Serves as a review tool for EPA Data Reviewers to see how the data performed during the quality assessment –Performs a standardized evaluation of the overall quality of the data and provides reviewers with tools to measure the data against different measurement quality objectives (MQOs) 6

ERLN/WLA Application Process 7

ERLN/WLA Requirements Quality Management System (QMS) Analytical capabilities/capacities for chemical, biological, and/or radiological contaminants Participate in proficiency testing program Submit to audits as appropriate Meet laboratory specific health and safety requirements Participate in Laboratory Compendium For more information: 8

9 How to join the ERLN? 1. Join the ERLN Go to

How to Join the ERLN? (continued) 2.Complete Laboratory Membership for ERLN Application 10

How to Join, continued 11

Membership Decision Tree Does the Lab meet core ERLN membership Criteria? Water capability? Is it a Public Lab? Is the Lab already a member of the ICLN Determine Membership Criteria Eligible for WLA Membership Eligible for ERLN Membership Not Eligible for ERLN Membership Does the Lab meet CBR analysis capabilities and capacities? Y Y Y YY NN N N Notes: 1.ERLN determines “water capable” by a laboratory’s analytical capability for water or drinking water matrices. 2.CBR = Chemical, Biological, and Radiological 12

ERLN/WLA Application Process 1.Complete ERLN/WLA Application Packet & provide supporting documentation 2.Enter or update the Lab Compendium 3.Attach the Lab Compendium Submission Summary page 4.Submit compiled Application Packet containing all required materials as directed For more information: 13

Application Review Process Step 1: Laboratory submits ERLN Application Packet to EPA Step 2: Laboratory notified of membership status via within 60 days of receipt of application Step 3: Laboratory may be contacted for additional information or documentation 14

Identify Analytical Needs Develop Project’s Measurement Quality Objectives Access ERLN  Identify Laboratory Resources & Assess Capabilities vs. Needs  Use EPA Lab Compendium: Choose ERLN Laboratory(ies) 4 Ship Samples 5 Monitor Progress 6 Receive Data 7 Evaluate Data 8 Ensure Laboratories are Compensated Appropriately 9 I DENTIFY A NALYTICAL S ERVICES & ERLN L ABORATORIES E XECUTE P ROJECT C OMPLETE ERLN L ABORATORY A GREEMENT A CCESSING THE ERLN 15

Basic Ordering Agreements 16

What is a BOA? A Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA) is a written instrument of understanding Negotiated between EPA and a contractor (state, local, municipal, or commercial laboratory) Contains the following: 1.Terms and clauses applying to future purchase orders between the parties during its term; 2.Description, as specific as practicable, of supplies or services to be provided; and 3.Methods for pricing, issuing, and delivering future purchase orders under the BOA. 17

BOA, continued A BOA is NOT a contract, but rather, an agreement! Primary mechanism used with state, local, municipal, and commercial laboratories for performing analytical services for the ERLN and the WLA Must be an ERLN/WLA Member laboratory to enter into a BOA! 18

How is Work Ordered? EPA orders services from BOA holders: –Directly from the laboratory (sole source) –Competitive basis Sole-source purchase orders may be issued during: –National emergencies –Other EPA defined specific incidents (case-by-case basis) All other times, Request for Quote (RFQ) The RFQ and purchase order detail the level of effort and: –Specific site or incident –Description of services –Size (e.g. how many samples) –Analytical method(s) –Reporting –QA/QC –Payment terms 19

Water Laboratory Alliance 20

What is the WLA? The Water Laboratory Alliance (WLA) provides the Water Sector with an integrated nationwide network of laboratories The WLA is composed of drinking water, public health, environmental, and select commercial laboratories 21

The WLA is Part of the ERLN The WLA focuses solely on water and is an integral part of EPA’s ERLN Environmental Response Laboratory Network (ERLN) 22

WLA Implementation: Addressing Gaps in Capability Stakeholder Engagement APHL Cooperative Agreement FY05: WLA Road Map, Chem/Bio Methods FY07: 11 RLRPs and 11 Table-Top Exercises Ohio FY08: 11 Functional Exercises FY06: Local Lab Network, Response Plan Launch, WCIT Launch, Sampling Guidance, Chem/Bio Methods LocalRegional 23

WLA Implementation: Regional National FY09: WLA Launch, Developed WLA-RP, Region 1 & 2 FSE FY10: Region 9 & 10 FSE, East and West Coast WLA Security Summits FY11: WLA Training Center Launch, Region 7 & 8 FSE, Develop ERP Addressing Capacity: Laboratory Recruitment Addressing Gaps in Capability Tool and Training Implementation Stakeholder Engagement APHL Cooperative Agreement FY12: WLA-RP Training; CDC PT for Select Agents; WLA Security Summit; Prepare for Region 4, 5 & 6 FSE; Review of ERP 24

WLA Response Plan (WLA-RP) 25

WLA-RP Composition Laboratory roles and responsibilities Laboratory coordination Communication and logistics Sample brokerage, tracking, and transport Sample analyses – field screening, rapid, and confirmatory QA/QC Data review and validation Data reporting and data storage 26

Commercial EPA State Government Local/Municipal Utility Government Owned Contractor Operated (GOCO) Other Federal Laboratories College/University WLA member laboratories fall into a number of categories: WLA Current Status 27

WLA Status Update: 132 Members * Includes 1 ERLN-only laboratory CA 11 NV 1 AZ 6 HI 1 OR 1 WA 4 MT 1 ND 1 SD 1 WY 0 UT 1 CO 5* NM 3 TX 10 OK 2 AR 0 KS 1 NE 1 MO 3 IA 3 MN 1 WI 2 IL 3IN 2 OH 3 MI 2 KY 1 TN 6 MS 3 AL 1 GA 1 FL 5 SC 2 NC 4* VA 1 WV 1 PA 5 NY 6 ME 0 NH 1 NJ 8* DE 1 MA 1 VT 1 RI 1 LA 4 ID 2 AK 1 CT 2 MD 5* 4 or more 1-3 None Number of Laboratories WLA helped support the monitoring of radiation during the aftermath of the earthquake that hit Japan in

How does the WLA benefit you? Improved Water Sector preparedness for response to water contamination incidents WLA-RP and Lab Compendium are available to the Water Sector and other stakeholders involved in water contamination response Tools, resources and training Travel funding and networking opportunities (e.g., Summits, exercises) –Enhances relationships and improves communications 29

Accessing the WLA Nashville Emergency Manager

Accessing the WLA Nashville Emergency Manager Nashville Emergency Manager

Accessing the WLA Nashville Emergency Manager Tennessee State Laboratory Analytical Services Requestor Primary Responding Laboratory

Accessing the WLA Environmental Analyses R’ Us Mutual Support Laboratory Mutual Support Laboratory EPA ORIA Mutual Support Laboratory Mutual Support Laboratory Primary Responding Laboratory Analytical Services Requestor

WLA Resources and Tools Water Contaminant Information Tool (WCIT) Sampling Guidance for Unknown Contaminants in Drinking Water WLA Training Center 34

What is WCIT? The Water Contaminant Information Tool (WCIT) is EPA’s secure Web-based database of information on priority contaminants of concern for “all-hazards” in drinking water and wastewater systems: –Released in 2005 –Updated and expanded regularly since then –Describes contaminants that pose a serious threat if accidentally or intentionally introduced into water systems –Data are peer-reviewed and regularly updated –Data are specific to the needs of drinking water and wastewater systems –Methods for more than 800 potential drinking water contaminants 35

Sampling Guidance Sampling Guidance for Unknown Contaminants in Drinking Water Integrates sample collection, preservation, and transport procedures Provides an example of what is required for a comprehensive sampling program Supplements emergency response plans Includes helpful resources, including approaches to collaborate with other agencies 36

Scope The WLA Training Program targets key stakeholders with a vested interest in the safety and security of water supplies. Examples of these include, but are not limited to: − WLA/ERLN members − State public health, environmental, commercial, and utility laboratories − EPA Regional and Program laboratories − Water utilities − State agencies − State drinking water programs − Emergency response community − Associations WLA Training Center 37

Purpose To familiarize WLA member laboratories, WLA users, and Water Sector stakeholders, with: − WLA response procedures − Analytical methods − Sample handling recommendations − Data reporting − Supporting tools Curriculum Format Due to travel restrictions for many states, enhanced computer-based training will be used when in-person training is not an option The WLA Training Center also uses established conferences, meetings, and exercises as venues for in-person training WLA Training Center, continued 38

Webcasts –WLA Overview –Becoming a WLA Member –Handling of Criminal Investigation Samples: Maintaining Chain of Custody Live Webcast –WLA Response Plan (WLA-RP) Tabletop Exercise Hands-On –EPA’s Automated Field-Deployable Ultrafiltration Device On-Line Modules –WLA Response Plan (WLA-RP) –EPA’s Automated Field-Deployable Ultrafiltration Device 39 WLA Training Center, continued

WLA ERLN Contact Information For comments and questions on the ERLN, please contact: Schatzi Fitz-James, US EPA Office of Emergency Management Phone: For comments and questions on the WLA, please contact: Latisha Mapp, US EPA Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water Phone: ERLN/WLA Helpline: