DoD ELAP FAQ's & Answers

The DOD has given permission to (re) post answers they have provided to questions they have formally received - if you have additional questions regarding this program and or it's requirements we encourage your asking them via email so we can answer them and continue to build this resource page for DoD ELAP laboratories.

Answers / Comments by DoD are location within the () following the questions:

Question:  Several of the approved DoD ABs, but not all, have told our QA personnel that:

a) the AB will assess whichever methods the lab applies for; (TRUE)

b) the lab should apply for the methods needed for current DoD projects; and (TRUE WITH THE FOLLOWING CAVEAT: THE LABORATORY CERTAINLY HAS TO BE ACCREDITED FOR ALL METHODS THAT ARE PERFORMED FOR DOD RESTORATION PROGRAMS/PROJECTS. HOWEVER, IT MAY BE MORE COST EFFECTIVE FOR A LABORATORY TO APPLY FOR ALL ESTABLISHED IN-HOUSE METHODS THAT THEY CURRENTLY PERFORM, OR ANTICIPATE IN THE FUTURE PERFORMING, FOR DOD RESTORATION PROGRAM/PROJECTS. THIS IS A BUSINESS DECISION THAT THE LABORATORY WILL HAVE TO MAKE. THE AB'S WILL ACCREDIT THE LABORATORY TO WHICHEVER METHODS ARE SPECIFIED BY THE LABORATORY. HOWEVER, THE PROCESS AND COST OF ADDING ADDITIONAL METHODS AT A LATER TIME MAY BE SOMETHING THE LABORATORY SHOULD CONSIDER WHEN APPLYING FOR ACCREDITATION.)

c) it is not necessary that the laboratory has implemented SW-846 Update IV methods. (TRUE)

Question:  1. Is it true that regardless of what SW-846 method number a laboratory includes in an application to one of the DoD ABs, at a minimum the laboratory must be able to demonstrate compliance with the QSM Version 4, including the calibration and QC tables in Section F? (THE LABORATORY MUST COMPLY WITH QSM V4.1 to be accredited to DOD ELAP REQUIREMENTS.)

Question:   2. Must laboratory SOPs reference SW-846 Update IV to be compliant with the QSM? (NO)

Question:   3. If per project and state regulator requirements the work a laboratory is currently performing for the DoD are EPA 500 series drinking water methods (not for drinking water compliance, but for groundwater monitoring), can the lab be ELAP accredited without following the SW-846 based requirements in the tables of Section F of the QSM? (YES, TO THE EPA 500 SERIES METHODS, THE APPENDIX F TABLES APPLY ONLY TO SW846 METHODS.)