Food and Drug - Scientific Laboratory Support

Jefferson Arkansas Laboratory

Period of Performance (09/27/2024 – 09/26/2025 with four (4) additional year options)

Job Description:

Scientific Laboratory Support

Media and Solution (Reagents and Standards) Preparation

• The employee shall weigh, mix, adjust the pH, heat various combinations of components in water solutions, transfer these solutions between containers and instrumentation, and label these media / solutions in accordance with lab quality program procedures, and autoclave to sterilize the product. In some instances, toxic chemical additives are required.

Sterilization:

• The employee shall sterilize prepared media, dirty containers, and waste materials. This involves placing the items/materials into an autoclave and later removing them for use, to storage, or disposal as appropriate.

Sample Preparation:

• The employee shall use aseptic technique (microbiological analysis) or non-aseptic techniques (chemistry or sensory analysis) to remove the appropriate amount of material from the item being analyzed and place the samples into containers. These samples may be frozen, refrigerated or at room temperature and may weigh up to 50 pounds. Preparation include but are not limited to utensils (such as knives, chisels, hammers, forceps, spoons, and forks) and equipment such as food processors, blenders, homogenizers, and grinders. Containers for analysis in which the prepared sample will be placed include, but are not limited to blenders, jars, plastic jugs, plastic bags, flasks/beakers, vials and tubes. Some sample preparation processes may include the preparation and cooking of food products, to support the Agency’s Total Diet Study program.

Dishwashing:

• The employee shall perform glassware washing, both manual and via use of an automatic dishwasher. In both cases this will involve emptying and hand scrubbing various sized containers (flasks, tubes, jars, bottles, Petri plates, etc.) and transferring them between locations for washing, drying, use, sterilization and/or storage.

Waste Collection and Disposal

• The employee shall collect all contaminated and otherwise dirty/used waste materials from defined collection sites throughout the laboratory, and safely transfer them to the decontamination or disposal areas for further processing (i.e., returning to use or storage, or putting them in a dumpster).

Laboratory Custodial Support:

• The Contractor shall maintain cleanliness of all laboratory areas.

Laboratory Safety Support:

• The employee shall complete daily/weekly checks of all laboratory eye washing and shower stations (Attachment 3). Each lab may have its own specific requirements due to mission and location.

Temperature Mapping:

• The employee shall perform periodic temperature mapping of equipment or locations by placing temperature sensor(s) in temperature controlled units (i.e. freezers, refrigerators, ovens, etc.) and collecting data for the specified time period as established by standard operating procedure (SOP). The Contractor shall retrieve collected data (digitally or via print-out), apply data to established criteria, and compile a report with acceptable or unacceptable evaluation.
• Acid Cleaning of Digestion Vessels and Centrifuge Tubes
• Function verification of various equipment (i.e. Balances, Pipettes, pH meters) (Attachment 2). Each lab may have its own specific requirements due to mission and location.
• Daily and Weekly Monitoring Checks of the Deionized (DI) Water Systems