Communication and Coordination:
Acquiring Laboratory Support
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### Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA)

If an ERLN/WLA member laboratory is asked to support an analytical need in a federal level incident, they can be reimbursed for their services by the use of a Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA). A BOA is a written instrument of understanding between EPA and an ERLN/WLA member laboratory. An established BOA with EPA means that the laboratory has been vetted and has proven that it is capable of providing certain services that meet the standards of EPA's ERLN.

The BOA contains the following:

- Terms and clauses applying to future purchase orders between the parties during its term
- Description of supplies or services to be provided
- Methods for pricing, issuing, and delivering future purchase orders under the BOA

A BOA is not a contract, but rather, a pre-arranged agreement. There is no obligation to provide services. This agreement provides a mechanism for EPA to quickly task a laboratory to provide supplies or services during national emergencies or other EPA-defined specific incidents (defined on a case-by-case basis).

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