Evolution of EPA’s Commercial Laboratory Programs – Centralized Solutions in a Decentralized Agency
Oral Presentation
Prepared by S. Kolb1, C. Kramer1, A. Jenkins1, T. Smith2
1 - CSC, 15000 Conference Center Drive, Chantilly, VA, 20151, United States
2 - U.S. EPA OSWER, Office of Emergency Management (OEM), U.S. EPA, Mail code: 5104A, Ariel Rios Building, U.S. EPA, Ariel Rios Building / Room B452, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW , Washington, DC, 20460, United States
Contact Information: [email protected]; 703-818-4232
ABSTRACT
Over the last 35 years, EPA has maintained a complex relationship with the commercial environmental testing laboratory community. This community’s growth and development has been directly affected by environmental regulations and changes in EPA’s mission. One of the major changes that has occurred during this time is the way EPA has implemented its mission moving from a federal-centralized approach to a regional-decentralized approach.
This paper briefly discusses the history and evolution of the relationship between EPA’s major laboratory programs and the commercial environmental laboratory community including major changes, innovations, milestones and best practices developed through this relationship over the last 35 years. The primary focus of this paper is the current state of EPA’s laboratory programs and analytical services procurement policies as well as a proposed path forward to best leverage the capabilities of the commercial environmental laboratory community.
Oral Presentation
Prepared by S. Kolb1, C. Kramer1, A. Jenkins1, T. Smith2
1 - CSC, 15000 Conference Center Drive, Chantilly, VA, 20151, United States
2 - U.S. EPA OSWER, Office of Emergency Management (OEM), U.S. EPA, Mail code: 5104A, Ariel Rios Building, U.S. EPA, Ariel Rios Building / Room B452, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW , Washington, DC, 20460, United States
Contact Information: [email protected]; 703-818-4232
ABSTRACT
Over the last 35 years, EPA has maintained a complex relationship with the commercial environmental testing laboratory community. This community’s growth and development has been directly affected by environmental regulations and changes in EPA’s mission. One of the major changes that has occurred during this time is the way EPA has implemented its mission moving from a federal-centralized approach to a regional-decentralized approach.
This paper briefly discusses the history and evolution of the relationship between EPA’s major laboratory programs and the commercial environmental laboratory community including major changes, innovations, milestones and best practices developed through this relationship over the last 35 years. The primary focus of this paper is the current state of EPA’s laboratory programs and analytical services procurement policies as well as a proposed path forward to best leverage the capabilities of the commercial environmental laboratory community.
