R--CASTNET VII

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking a contractor to support the Clean Air Status and Trends Network (CASTNET), a long-term multipollutant monitoring network that measures spatial and temporal changes in ambient air quality and assesses atmospheric deposition over broad geographic regions of the U.S. The primary monitoring objectives of CASTNET are to provide high-quality data on atmospheric concentrations and deposition of ozone, particulate matter, and constituents of PM, support the primary and secondary ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards, monitor the status and trends in regional air quality and atmospheric deposition, and evaluate changes in air quality as a result of short- and long-term changes in emissions and other environmental impacts. The contractor will be responsible for operating and maintaining the CASTNET monitoring network, which currently consists of approximately 90 monitoring stations nationwide. Key tasks include: • Providing high-quality data on atmospheric concentrations and deposition of ozone, particulate matter, and constituents of PM • Supporting the primary and secondary ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards • Monitoring the status and trends in regional air quality and atmospheric deposition • Evaluating changes in air quality as a result of short- and long-term changes in emissions and other environmental impacts • Validating and improving air quality and deposition models • Assessing the effectiveness of EPA's emission reduction programs • Acting as a platform for air quality and deposition research • Supporting science and ecosystem studies