What is a Quality Assurance Project Plan and how do I get one approved by EPA?
A Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) is a technical document which presents the sampling and analysis procedures and the protocol for ensuring that quality data is collected during the site assessment. The QAPP must be reviewed and approved by EPA prior to initiating sampling activities. Grantees should make sure their environmental consultants are aware of this requirement. It is helpful to reference this requirement in your Request for Proposals (RFPs) when soliciting contractual support for your pilot as well as to include a condition in your contract with your environmental consultant. To expedite EPA approval of the QAPP, it is a good idea to follow EPA’s Quality Assurance Guidance for Conducting Brownfields Assessments and have your contractor contact EPA’s quality assurance staff via your site’s EPA project officer prior to developing the QAPP to discuss the project.
