PROGRAMS AND PLANS--FY 1990 NATIONAL WATER QUALITY LABORATORY (NWQL) PRICING 

In Reply Refer To:                              July 7, 1989
WGS-Mail Stop 412



OFFICE OF WATER QUALITY TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM NO. 89.05

SUBJECT:  PROGRAMS AND PLANS--FY 1990 NATIONAL WATER QUALITY 
                              LABORATORY (NWQL) PRICING

The following tables are provided to assist District program 
planning for FY 1990:

     1. Container and supplies prices
     2. Inorganic prices by lab code or schedule
     3. Radiochemical prices by lab code
     4. Organic prices by schedule or lab code

These prices have been determined as a result of an extensive 
pricing study in which the actual time required to perform 
each determination was estimated from recent productivity 
figures and converted to a set of cost-per-hour figures.  
These figures revealed large differences in costs of various 
laboratory services, many of which were reflective not only 
of the complexity of the procedure, but also the extent of 
automation.  Also, prices determined through our pricing 
study were compared to contract laboratory prices.  We were 
pleased to find that, in most cases, NWQL costs compare 
favorably to other labs using comparable methods.  Moreover, 
NWQL method detection limits are frequently lower than those 
available from outside labs.

The FY 1990 pricing study and the proposed price structure 
have been reviewed by the Laboratory Management Advisory 
Committee, which includes the four regional hydrologists, 
Bill Mann, and Verne Schneider.  It also has been discussed 
with Don Goolsby and Dave Erdmann.

This pricing technique will be used each year to determine 
prices and also to suggest areas in which automation studies 
can increase operational efficiency.  It is our intent to 
bring prices in line with costs over a period of several 
years so as to minimize the inconvenience to Districts.

For inorganics, the average price increase is about 
7.2 percent, based on sample load for calendar year 1988.  
Review of the Inorganics Price List shows increases from 
0 to 10 percent except for low ionic strength ICP 6-element 
(40 percent), automated wet methods chloride (61 percent), 
and physical properties alkalinity (79 percent).  The average 
organics price increase is 17.8 percent.  Increases are 
generally 15 percent except as noted for Schedule 1399 
(41 percent), Schedule 1380 (57 percent), and Schedule 1390 
(46 percent).

Pricing for radiochemical, stable isotope, the IRP study and 
other contract organics is based on contract lab prices plus 
a percentage to cover project costs within the NWQL.  The 
percentage to be added to contract prices for IRP/organics 
contracts will be 20 for FY90.  Radiochemical prices are 
being increased 8.7 percent to cover the cost of instituting 
a 10 percent QC sample program.

Based on new FY90 prices, and considering the calendar year 
1988 sample load as a base, we project an FY90 laboratory 
deficit of about $150,000.  With improved support of 
Districts by the lab and increased use of the lab by 
Districts, the lab could balance its budget for FY90.

A more detailed price catalog is planned for the fall of 
1989.  In the meantime, if you have questions about the 
enclosed material, please contact Berwyn Jones, Tom Kashuba, 
Doug Manigold, Marv Fishman, or Rich Hawkinson.  Next year, 
we will make our price list available earlier than this year.  
Because we do not have a current national list of QW 
specialists and project chiefs, we ask that each District 
Chief forward this information to the appropriate people.




                              David A. Rickert
                              Chief, Office of Water Quality




                              Richard O. Hawkinson
                              Acting Branch Chief, NWQL

Enclosure

This memorandum does not supersede any previous Office of 
Water Quality Technical Memorandum.

Key words:  National Water Quality Laboratory, Analytical 
            costs, Price lists

Distribution:  A, B, S, FO, PO