The objective of this Statement of Need (SON) is to develop a real-time sensor for detecting and quantifying per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in environmental media without extensive sample preparation. Specific research areas of interest include:

• Development of a sensor to quantify PFAS in water below U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) or in soil below Regional Screening Levels (RSLs). A wider variety of PFAS is of interest, but at a minimum, the sensor must detect the six PFAS with regulatory limits.
• Development of a sensor to quantify total PFAS or total organic fluorine in either water or soil matrices. Sensors that can utilize direct analysis matrices, without preparation steps that could eliminate individual PFAS or whole classes of PFAS, are preferred.

Proposals may address one or more of the objectives listed above. Research and development activities at laboratory-, bench-, and field-scale will be considered. Work does not necessarily have to culminate in a field-scale effort but should incorporate field-collected samples.

The following factors should be considered during sensor development and assessment:

• Evaluation of relevant environmental factors that affect sensor sensitivity and specificity must be included, such as geochemistry, temperature, organic matter, soil properties, presence of co-occurring chemicals.
• Evaluation under a range of realistic environmental conditions including site concentrations.
• Evaluation of representativeness of sample results and method robustness.
• Evaluation of measurement uncertainties.
• Validation of sensor results against EPA Method 1633 and a total fluorine method such as EPA Method 1621 (if applicable).

A real-time PFAS sensor would allow for more time- and cost-efficient site investigations and remediation by reducing analytical costs and improving laboratory turnaround times.

Standard PFAS analysis (e.g., EPA Method 1633) for environmental samples is based on extensive sample preparation followed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Despite method standardization, sample analysis at commercial laboratories remains labor, cost, and time intensive. Turnaround times can sometimes be months long. Total organic fluorine methods (e.g. EPA Method 1621) have many of the same limitations, and none of these methods are field deployable. To date, no field-based rapid screening technologies are commercially available for PFAS.

The cost and time to meet the requirements of this SON are at the discretion of the proposer. The two options are as follows:

Standard Proposals: These proposals describe a complete research effort. The proposer should incorporate the appropriate time, schedule, and cost requirements to accomplish the scope of work proposed. SERDP projects normally run from two to five years in length and vary considerably in cost consistent with the scope of the effort. It is expected that most proposals will fall into this category.

Limited Scope Proposals: Proposers with innovative approaches to the SON that entail high technical risk or have minimal supporting data may submit a Limited Scope Proposal for funding up to $250,000 and approximately one year in duration. Such proposals may be eligible for follow-on funding if they result in a successful initial project. The objective of these proposals should be to acquire the data necessary to demonstrate proof-of-concept or reduction of risk that will lead to development of a future Standard Proposal. Proposers should submit Limited Scope Proposals in accordance with the SERDP Core Solicitation instructions and deadlines.