Lab Proficiency Testing and Quality Control Samples

Project Description: Hillsborough County intends to recommend the award of a contract through December 31, 2027, to Phenova, Inc., in the amount of $66,708.60, for Proficiency Testing (PT) studies, Quality Control (QC) Samples, and Rapid Return (RR) studies, for the Environmental Services Department. The PT studies will allow the Environmental Services Laboratory to maintain its National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation certification (NELAC). The QC samples allow the Lab to troubleshoot instrumentation issues. Lastly, RR studies are required, in the event that the Lab fails a regularly scheduled PT. This procurement is being made in accordance with Section 3-205(2)(a) of the County’s Procurement Policy, as Phenova, Inc., is the sole provider in the industry of whole volume microbiological proficiency testing standards along with the full NELAC required chemical standards. The County reserves the right to extend the time period further, adjust the scope of services in response to changing conditions and updated requirements, and increase the resulting award accordingly.
Contractors who believe that they can provide goods and/or services that are substantially and materially the same as those identified in the attached Phenova 2019 Environmental Proficiency Testing Catalog and Phenova Pricing, dated January 9, 2025, must submit clear and convincing information to support a challenge the intended award. Challenges to this notice must be received no later than the Close Date of the Sole Source (SS) Project and must be directed to the primary contact listed above using the “messages” section in Bonfire for this particular procurement. After this date, an award will be made. The County will review properly submitted challenges (responses) to determine whether bona fide competition exists.