WRF Benchmarking Microbial and Chemical Contamination in Source Water Using Hyperspectral Microscopy

This RFP is intentionally flexible in the research approach to encourage creativity and originality from proposers. Proposers should describe how they will conduct the research.

Objectives

• Develop a state of the science for hyperspectral imaging and highlight its applicability to the municipal One Water sector.
• Assess the sensitivity and accuracy of hyperspectral microscopy to detect microbial pathogens in a variety of impacted source water types (i.e., water, wastewater, reclaimed water, and stormwater) and water quality types (e.g., ranges of hardness, TOC, and alkalinity), and assess the minimum required quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) needed to use the data for monitoring purposes. Pathogens should include but are not limited to Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and E. coli.
• Assess data cleaning, noise reduction, unmixing, and anomaly detection practices needed to refine the database produced.
• Assess the applicability of machine learning to predict microbial species based on hyperspectral imaging.
• Investigate if hyperspectral microscopy can detect chemicals and/or particles (i.e., microplastics, nanoplastics, and nanoparticles) in source water.

Funding Information

• The maximum funding available from WRF for this project is $250,000. The applicant must contribute additional resources equivalent to at least 33% of the project award. For example, if an applicant requests $100,000 from WRF, an additional $33,000 or more must be contributed by the applicant. Acceptable forms of applicant contribution include cost share, applicant inkind, or third-party in-kind that comply with 2 CFR Part 200.306 cost sharing or matching. The applicant may elect to contribute more than 33% to the project, but the maximum WRF funding available remains fixed at $250,000. Proposals that do not meet the minimum 33% of the project award will not be accepted.
• The anticipated period of performance for this project is 24 months from the contract start date.

Expected Deliverables

• Research report
• Literature review
• A decision tree
• Webcast
• Conference presentation

Eligibility Criteria

• Proposals will be accepted from both U.S.-based and non-U.S.-based entities, including educational institutions, research organizations, governmental agencies, and consultants or other for-profit entities.
• WRF’s Board of Directors has established a Timeliness Policy that addresses researcher adherence to the project schedule. Researchers who are late on any ongoing WRF-sponsored studies without approved no-cost extensions are not eligible to be named participants in any proposals. Direct any questions about eligibility to the WRF project contact listed at the top of this RFP.

For more information, visit WRF.