The objective of this Statement of Need was to develop improved analytical and environmental sampling techniques for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Specific research needs were as follows:

• Development of sampling techniques to evaluate soil and water columns, including consideration of potential biases associated with sampling supplies and equipment, and decontamination procedures for use at both minimally and highly contaminated sites.
• Evaluation of potential media to be used for passive samplers and their performance.
• Assessment of subsampling techniques to determine the process by which the subsample provides results that are most representative of the entire sample collected.
• Development of procedures to assess the total organofluorine in environmental waters, soil and sediment.
• Development of rapid field screening procedures for PFAS.
• Development of extraction techniques to produce the most accurate and precise quantitation.
• Evaluation of techniques to eliminate matrix interference.
• Evaluation of techniques to achieve the lowest limit of quantitation possible when analyzing AFFF formulations and samples containing high concentrations of PFAS while achieving the required precision and accuracy.
• Evaluation of techniques that could be used to ensure precision and accuracy of total PFAS analytical procedures.

Sampling and analysis of 24 PFAS (USEPA, 2017) and total PFAS were of interest in the following matrices:

• Environmental waters including groundwater, surface water, storm water run-off
• Aqueous film forming form (AFFF) products
• Soils and sediments
• Biological tissues
• Vegetation media

Proposers were not required to address all of the needs listed in any individual proposal.

To provide strategic guidance for future research and demonstrations on management and remediation of AFFF-impacted sites, SERDP and ESTCP conducted a workshop on May 2-3, 2017 in Washington, D.C. Proposers were strongly encouraged to view the Workshop Report summarizing the research, demonstration, and technology transfer needs prior to submitting their proposal.

Funded projects will appear below as project overviews are posted to the website.