PROJECT FUNDING

USTCF WAIT-AND-PAY PROJECTS

EBS works with dozens of consultants in a no cash-out-of-pocket funding manner to keep remediation projects moving forward in California. For selected projects agreed to by EBS and the consultant, EBS will work on a wait-and-pay basis for funding from a state agency. In the case of California, the responsible party or property owner (claimant) must be in the Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Fund (USTCF) in the A or B Claimant Category, EBS will allow the consultant to submit the EBS invoices for services or products, and wait for the USTCF to pay the claimant for the EBS invoices. The claimant is ultimately responsible for 100% payment of the EBS invoices, and the consultant or claimant must submit the invoices within 15 days of receipt of the invoices, and pay EBS within 15 days of when the USTCF payment is received.

INSURANCE FUNDING

Project funding is always an important aspect of a successful project. EBS works with state funding organizations, insurance companies as well as a few banks on project financing for landowners of the projects who qualify. Pending review by an attorney, insurance policies that do not exclude pollution may be a source of assessment and remediation funding. If underground tank leakage is the source of the soil or groundwater contamination, some states, California and Nevada, in particular, have underground storage tank cleanup funds (USTCF). Some items are excluded from USTCF funding. In these cases, EBS has assisted numerous landowners with the applications and reimbursement requests. EBS can make special payment plans or arrangements.

SAFETY AND QA/QC MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES

Safety and Quality Control The Safety and Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) Program is an important part of all EBS projects and was designed to ensure that the EBS portion of the project is performed safely, accurately and will meet regulatory requirements. Safety procedures have been developed for field activities to protect employees and clients. Project Managers are typically geologists, chemists, biologists or engineers who ensure that technical excellence is achieved within the allocated time and budget. EBS's Project Managers are responsible for implementing the QA/QC program. All employees are responsible for adhering to QA/QC procedures daily. Field staff training and analysis of equipment calibration and maintenance data by experienced field professionals are important parts of the EBS QA/QC program. The QA/QC program has four areas: project management, staff training, field procedures, and document preparation.

Project Management

•	Review of technical approach with client,
•	Evaluate EBS staff performance,
•	QA/QC review of field calibration or equipment data by project manager or field operations manager,
•	Maintain evaluation file on subcontractor performance,
•	Verify subcontractors have required licenses, certifications, and insurance,
•	Communicate and coordinate with client or their authorized representative,
•	Review and approve project invoices,
•	Maintain EBS management and technical QA/QC training manuals,
•	Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for field activities, and
•	Update EBS staff about remediation technologies and equipment.

Staff Training

•	Train staff in safety and drilling (vapor, soil and water sampling methods),
•	Train staff in well installation, development and water sampling techniques,
•	Train staff in use of meters, pumps, sampling and remediation equipment,
•	Update 40-hr and 8-hr OSHA safety training, medical and fit testing for all staff,
•	Maintain equipment calibration logbook, and
•	Train staff in systems operation and maintenance activities.
	"Site safety is an important part of every project." — Corporate Site Safety Officer Field Procedures

Field Procedures

•	Adhere to EBS Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs),
•	Decontaminate sampling and drilling equipment,
•	Use chain-of-custody procedures to ensure sample integrity,
•	Use appropriate sampling procedures: lab blanks, trip blanks, duplicates, and/or splits,
•	Develop security measures at each site,
•	Develop safety plans at each site,
•	Prepare activity reports on operations and maintenance, drilling, fieldwork and sampling,
•	Use of standardized field data forms (equipment checklists, field forms, etc.), and
•	Use of standardized forms for supply and equipment billing. Document Preparation
•	Review all field forms and invoices for technical accuracy, and
•	Review detailed contracts and specifications for document preparation.

INSURANCE PROFILE

EBS maintains comprehensive insurance coverage with American insurance carriers for $2,000,000 of insurance including General Liability, Professional Errors and Omissions, Contractors Pollution Liability and Personal Injury. EBS also maintains $1,000,000 of workers compensation insurance and vehicle coverage. If requested, EBS will name the client as additionally insured.