Contaminants of Emerging Concern-Chemical Analysis and Screening Values

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is conducting a Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) Project in the Great Lakes Basin to determine if these mostly unregulated chemicals negatively impact fish and wildlife. USFWS requires analyses of environmental and tissue samples for CECs including pharmaceuticals, personal care products, flavors, and musks. The analysis would be part of a cooperative agreement which includes interpreting data, and validate screening values among others. There is not an application process for this funding opportunity; this is a notice of intent to award a single source cooperative agreement to SIU-Carbondale under justification 505DM 2.14.B. 4 without competition. Competition for this award is not practicable because SIU-Carbondale is uniquely qualified to perform the work. Their lab currently houses equipment and staff necessary to analyze environmental samples for CECs including Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products and Flavors and Musks. In addition, Dr. Chen brings new expertise to the project and will work with FWS to interpret the results and validate screening values. Therefore, SIU-Carbondale is uniquely qualified to complete the activities that are necessary to complete the project. The funding instrument will be a Cooperative Agreement as substantial involvement on the part of the FWS is required for the successful completion of the activities to be funded. FWS will be substantially involved in projects under this funding opportunity. In particular, the Service will be responsible for the following working coordinating with project partners to identify chemicals that cause adverse effects in fish and wildlife (for use in screening value development) and work cooperatively with SIU-Carbondale to develop screening values and interpret water, sediment, and tissue chemical results.