a. Package Handling and Transportation 1. Contractor shall implement a procedure that ensures the confidentiality, security, and integrity of specimens to minimize specimen damage or loss during transport. 2. Adhere to all applicable regulations and the SOW as stated in Section 2.1 of this RFP for the transportation of specimens which may be found here: https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/. 3. Maintain proper temperature control: A. Contractor shall provide appropriate transport containers (i.e., cooler, insulated box) to maintain specimens that are frozen (dry ice), cold (cold packs), and at an ambient temperature at no additional cost to the Laboratory and must follow regulations in IATA DGR manual and Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). B. Contractor shall provide shipping services and appropriate packaging supplies for specimens requiring special handling, such as cold on cold packs or frozen on dry ice at no additional cost to the Laboratory. 4. Furnish all necessary personnel, equipment, materials, and supplies, including, but not limited to, dry ice, cold packs, and appropriate containers to maintain specimen temperature requirements throughout pick-up, transport, and delivery. b. Real-Time Tracking 1. Contractor shall provide real-time online tracking of packages, including, at a minimum, pick-up time, number and type of packages picked up, time of arrival at final destination, and number and type of packages delivered. Contractor shall provide the Laboratory with a tracking report upon request which documents the status of all packages picked up from Submitter Sites and delivered to the Laboratory. Tracking report shall be submitted no later than end of next Business Day following the Laboratory’s request.
