Multi-Parameter Probes for Volunteer Monitoring Purchase and Delivery

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC or DEC) is purchasing 36 multi-parameter water quality monitoring probes capable of measuring dissolved oxygen, temperature, and depth with high accuracy and precision. The Monitoring and Assessment Section (MAS) in the NYSDEC Division of Water (DOW) aims to establish an equipment loan program as an expansion of the existing volunteer lake monitoring program, Citizens Statewide Lake Assessment Program (CSLAP). This purchase will be funded by the United States Environmental Protection Agency SFY21-22 Performance Partnership Grant to NYSDEC Division of Water Grant Award No. 99257420, Modification 1. CSLAP is directed by DEC staff in collaboration with the NYS Federation of Lake Associations (NYSFOLA) to achieve the following objectives: 1. Collect representative data for lakes throughout NYS; 2. Identify lake issues and changes in water quality; and 3. Empower local stakeholders with contextualized water quality data for the protection/restoration of their lake and greater watershed. This equipment loan program will provide a subset of CSLAP volunteers with multi-parameter probe sensors to collect dissolved oxygen and temperature measurements across the depth profile of participating lakes. A cost-efficient probe solution will maximize the number of CSLAP volunteers able to participate in the loan program, supporting additional internal waterbody assessments as well as external lake management efforts through DEC Clean Water Planning and citizen-driven action. During the summer months, trained CSLAP volunteer monitors will collect in-situ depth profile data from the deep hole of participating lakes at least monthly between June and September. On each site visit, the volunteer will calibrate the probe for dissolved oxygen measurements, logging calibration results on the probe. Beginning at the water surface, they will log dissolved oxygen and temperature readings at approximately 1-meter intervals across the water column in order to establish a depth profile. The probes will not be deployed for long-term data logging. The probe must have the capacity to log location, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and depth data across a depth profile for multiple sampling events throughout the sampling season. The probe must also have the capacity to log dissolved oxygen calibration results in the field for each sampling event, for subsequent review by MAS staff as a component of CSLAP’s robust quality assurance and quality control (QAQC) program. Depth profile data will by ingested, reviewed, analyzed, and reported by MAS staff annually. MAS staff will also conduct annual and as-needed probe maintenance, calibration, and sensor replacement. Offerors shall adhere to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Guidelines Regarding Permissible Contacts During a Procurement and the Prohibition of Inappropriate Lobbying Influence. All correspondence and/or questions relating to this procurement should be directed to the Department’s primary contact. Business enterprises awarded an identical or substantially similar procurement contract within the past five years: None