2012 WLA Security Summit
Nashville, Tennessee
March 23, 2012
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• Environmental Response Laboratory
Network (ERLN) Overview
• Accessing the ERLN/WLA
• Water Laboratory Alliance (WLA)
Overview
• Tools & Resources
2

• 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

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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
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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
( www.epa.gov/erln )
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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)
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• 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: www.epa.gov/erln/
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Go to http://www.epa.gov/erln
1. Join the ERLN
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(continued)
2. Complete Laboratory Membership for ERLN Application
10

, continued
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Determine Membership Criteria
Notes:
1. ERLN determines “water capable” by a laboratory’s analytical capability for water or drinking water matrices.
2. CBR = Chemical, Biological, and Radiological
Does the Lab meet core ERLN membership
Criteria?
Y
Is the Lab already a member of the ICLN
N
Is it a Public Lab?
N
Y Y
Does the Lab meet CBR analysis capabilities and capacities?
Y
N
Water capability?
N
Y
Eligible for WLA Membership
Eligible for ERLN
Membership
Not Eligible for ERLN
Membership
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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: http://www.epa.gov/erln/
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Step 1: Laboratory submits ERLN Application Packet to EPA
Step 2: Laboratory notified of membership status via email within 60 days of receipt of application
Step 3: Laboratory may be contacted for additional information or documentation
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A CCESSING THE ERLN
1 Identify
Analytical
Needs
4 Choose
ERLN
Laboratory(ies)
2
I DENTIFY A NALYTICAL S ERVICES & ERLN L ABORATORIES
Develop Project’s
Measurement
Quality
Objectives
3
Access ERLN
 Identify Laboratory Resources &
Assess Capabilities vs. Needs
 Use EPA Lab Compendium: www.epa.gov/compendium
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Ship
Samples
E XECUTE P ROJECT
6
Monitor
Progress
7
Receive
Data
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C OMPLETE ERLN L ABORATORY A GREEMENT
Evaluate
Data
9 Ensure Laboratories are Compensated
Appropriately
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• 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.
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, 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!
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• 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
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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
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The WLA focuses solely on water and is an integral part of EPA’s ERLN
Environmental Response Laboratory Network (ERLN)
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Ohio
FY06:
Local Lab Network, Response
Plan Launch, WCIT Launch,
Sampling Guidance, Chem/Bio
Methods
FY08:
11 Functional
Exercises
FY05:
WLA Road Map,
Chem/Bio
Methods
FY07:
11 RLRPs and
11 Table-Top Exercises
•
Addressing Gaps in Capability
• Stakeholder Engagement
• APHL Cooperative Agreement
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FY10:
Region 9 & 10 FSE,
East and West
Coast WLA
Security Summits
FY12:
WLA-RP Training; CDC PT for Select Agents;
WLA Security Summit;
Prepare for
Region 4, 5 & 6 FSE;
Review of ERP
FY09:
WLA Launch,
Developed WLA-RP,
Region 1 & 2 FSE
•
Addressing Capacity: Laboratory Recruitment
• Addressing Gaps in Capability
•
Tool and Training Implementation
• Stakeholder Engagement
• APHL Cooperative Agreement
FY11:
WLA Training Center
Launch, Region 7 &
8 FSE, Develop
ERP
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• 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
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WLA member laboratories fall into a number of categories:
• Commercial
• EPA
• State Government
• Local/Municipal
• Utility
• Government Owned Contractor
Operated (GOCO)
• Other Federal Laboratories
• College/University
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CA • 11
NV • 1
UT • 1
HI • 1
WA • 4
OR • 1
ID • 2
AZ • 6
AK • 1
* Includes 1 ERLN-only laboratory
MT • 1
WY • 0
CO • 5*
NM • 3
NH • 1
VT • 1
ME
0
ND • 1
SD • 1
NE • 1
KS • 1
TX • 10
MN • 1
OK • 2
WI • 2 NY • 6
AR • 0
MI • 2
IA • 3
PA • 5
MO • 3
IL • 3 IN • 2
OH • 3
WV
1
VA • 1
KY • 1
NC • 4*
TN • 6
SC • 2
MS • 3
AL • 1 GA • 1
MA • 1
RI • 1
CT • 2
NJ • 8*
DE • 1
MD • 5*
Number of
Laboratories
LA
4
4 or more
1-3
FL
5 None
WLA helped support the monitoring of radiation during the aftermath of the earthquake that hit Japan in 2011.
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• 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
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Nashville
Emergency
Manager

Primary
Responding
Laboratory
Nashville
Emergency
Manager
Tennessee
State
Laboratory
Analytical
Services
Requestor

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

• Water Contaminant Information
Tool (WCIT)
• Sampling Guidance for
Unknown Contaminants in
Drinking Water
• WLA Training Center
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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 www.epa.gov/wcit/
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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
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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
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, continued
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
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, continued
• 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
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ERLN on the ERLN, please contact:
Schatzi Fitz-James, US EPA
Office of Emergency Management
Phone: 202-564-2521
E-Mail: fitz-james.schatzi@epa.gov
WLA on the WLA, please contact:
Latisha Mapp, US EPA
Office of Ground Water and Drinking
Water
Phone: 202-564-1390
E-Mail: mapp.latisha@epa.gov
ERLN/WLA Helpline: 703-818-4200
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