More and more water utilities are considering the use of an outside contract laboratory for all or part of their analytical needs. This article offers guidelines for utilities in selecting a contract laboratory. Utilities should look for a laboratory that has current certification, a familiarity with drinking water analysis, and an established quality control program. Cost is an important but not primary consideration, because costs can be contained without a loss of efficiency. A request for proposals and subsequent bids help to eliminate unsuitable laboratories. The authors explain the importance of building a partnership with the selected laboratory. In addition to advice, the article offers checklists, important questions to ask, a sample request for proposal to solicit contract laboratories, and a sample response. Includes tables.
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Edition: Vol. 85 - No. 9 Published: 09/01/1993 Number of Pages: 6File Size: 1 file , 1.8 MB