ERLN/WLA

2012 WLA Security Summit

Nashville, Tennessee

March 23, 2012

1

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

1ERLN - Phase 1

4

2PHASE 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)

ERLN - Phase 2

5

ERLN Provides User Tools

Laboratory CompendiumEPA’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

WebEDRThe 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: www.epa.gov/erln/ 8

9

How to join the ERLN?

1. Join the ERLN

Go to http://www.epa.gov/erln

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

MembershipNot Eligible for

ERLN Membership

Does the Lab meet CBR analysis

capabilities and capacities?

Y

Y

Y

Y Y

N N

NN

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: http://www.epa.gov/erln/

13

Application Review Process

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

14

Identify Analytical Needs

Develop Project’s Measurement Quality Objectives

Access ERLNIdentify Laboratory Resources &

Assess Capabilities vs. NeedsUse EPA Lab Compendium:

www.epa.gov/compendium

1 2 3

Choose ERLN Laboratory(ies)

4 Ship Samples5 Monitor

Progress6 Receive Data7

EvaluateData8 Ensure Laboratories

are Compensated Appropriately

9

IDENTIFY ANALYTICAL SERVICES & ERLN LABORATORIES

EXECUTE PROJECT

COMPLETE ERLN LABORATORY AGREEMENT

ACCESSING THE ERLNERLN

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

Local Regional

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 storage26

• 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 • 3 IN • 2OH • 3

MI • 2

KY • 1

TN • 6

MS • 3AL • 1 GA • 1

FL5

SC • 2

NC • 4*

VA • 1WV1

PA • 5

NY • 6

ME 0

NH • 1

NJ • 8*DE • 1

MA • 1

VT • 1

RI • 1

LA4

ID • 2

AK • 1

CT • 2

MD • 5*

4 or more

1-3

None

Number ofLaboratories

WLA helped support the monitoring of radiation during the aftermath of the earthquake that hit Japan in 2011. 28

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 Emergenc

y Manager

Nashville Emergency Manager Tennesse

e

Accessing the WLA

Nashville Emergenc

y Manager

Tennessee State

Laboratory

Analytical Services

Requestor

Primary Respondin

g Laboratory

Accessing the WLA

Environmental Analyses

R’ Us

Mutual Support

LaboratoryEPA ORIA

Mutual Support

Laboratory

Primary Respondin

g 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

www.epa.gov/wcit/ 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

ScopeThe 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

ERLNContact Information

For comments and questions on the ERLN, please contact:

Schatzi Fitz-James, US EPAOffice of Emergency ManagementPhone: 202-564-2521E-Mail: fitz-james.schatzi@epa.gov

For comments and questions on the WLA, please contact:

Latisha Mapp, US EPAOffice of Ground Water and Drinking WaterPhone: 202-564-1390E-Mail: mapp.latisha@epa.gov

ERLN/WLA Helpline: 703-818-4200

40