• Analytical Request Form Instructions
• Common Errors on Analytical Request Forms
• Request For Analytical Services Form

Analytical Request Form Instructions

These instructions correlate with the Analytical Request Form version dated 11/09*. 

1. Please complete all of the fields on the form and submit your request at least four weeks before the sampling event. Every attempt will be made to process requests with shorter lead time, but shorter lead time can lead to higher costs and delayed sampling.
2. A completion check of the form will be done. Any incomplete forms will be returned.
3. It is critical that the form contains a proper site name, account number, CERCLIS ID, and Site ID as appropriate.
4. The form has a line to indicate whether a Quality Assurance Plan has been submitted, its date of approval and title. An approved Quality Assurance plan is required before sampling. A plan should be submitted prior to the Analytical Request Form, but may be submitted along with the request.
5. For the matrix, organic validation level and inorganic validation level, the preparer will select from a drop-down box (double-click on the gray areas in the cells)
6. There is now a space to indicate if unvalidated data is requested, and the TAT needed.
7. We have included a line for the final validated data package and TAT needed. The Analytical TAT will be determined by ASQAB staff.
8. A field has been added to indicate if Electronic Data Deliverables are need; all must be provided in Region 3 format unless otherwise specified.
9. Each Request must include a list/table of analytes, Chemical Abstracts Services (CAS) Numbers and Project Quantitation Limits included for each method and matrix (required for all requests, including the Contract Lab Program). This should be included in special instructions or as an attachment to the form.
10. Once completed, the form should be e-mailed to our Client Services Team (Clients.R3@epa.gov).

*This version supersedes all other versions.

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Common Errors on Analytical Request Forms

• Insufficient lead time to process request (at least four weeks for non-emergency events; more time needed for large or complex events).
• List/table of analytes, Chemical Abstracts Services (CAS) Numbers and Project Quantitation Limits not included for each method and matrix (required for all requests, including the Contract Lab Program).
• Incorrect account number (need for proper invoicing).
• Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) information not included or QAPP not submitted (stops process); request does not match requirements in QAPP.
• Matrix, parameter and method don't match (method not used for stated parameter or matrix).
• Incorrect method citations (old Contract Lab Program methods, unknown methods SW-846 methods without additional information).
• Data validation level not specified.
• More than one turn around time selected for unvalidated data, or none selected when one is needed (if different TATs are needed for different parameter groups, it should be noted in special instructions, or separate requests should be submitted).
• More than 1 turn around time selected for final data package, or none selected.
• Requests for modified methods are not specific (a copy of the modified method or a summary of the technical modifications should be included).

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Request For Analytical Services Form

EPA Region III Laboratory Analytical Request Form (Doc)(1 pg, 70 K, Nov 2009, 11/09)

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• EPA Region III Analytical Request Form, November 2009 (PDF)(1 pg, 14 K, Nov, ARF-11/09)
  Region 3 Analytical Request Form
• Sample Submission Procedures for the Office of Quality Analytical Services and Quality Assurance ( OASQA ) Laboratory Branch, January 29, 2014 (PDF)(41 pp, 1 MB, January 29, 2014, 13)
  Sample submission procedures for EPA Region 3 Laboratory
• EPA Region III User's Guide for Acquiring Anallytical Services, July 22, 2007 (PDF)(21 pp, 103 K, July 22, 2007, 6)
  EPA Region 3 User's Guide for Acquiring Analytical Services