Biological Consulting Services of North Florida, Inc. (BCS laboratories) is an established microbiological research and testing facility that incorporates a multidisciplinary team of scientists. BCS's newly aquired facility houses a full scale 5000 square foot laboratory dedicated to the advanced microbiological testing of food products, environmental samples, and client devices and processes. BCS's experienced team of scientists and laboratory technicians assure the highest level of reliability, accuracy, and efficiency. We conduct our work and serve our clients with great pride and passion. We pride ourselves on our meticulous dedication to detail, responsive service, excellent customer service, and competitive pricing.
BCS Laboratories complies with all scientific laboratory standards, including those formulated for unique samples and analytical requirements. The laboratory specializes in the testing of environmental samples for pathogenic contaminants not tested by other laboratories. Our services are tailored to provide our customers with the most informative answers based on the available methodologies. BCS Laboratories is accredited by the State of Florida Department of Health and is registered with the US EPA Laboratory Compendium per The National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Conference (NELAC / NELAP) and The NELAC Institute (TNI). The BCS laboratory is audited and regulated by the FLDOH to ensure compliance with national ISO17025 standards of laboratory performance, safety, and accuracy. BCS Laboratories is an USDA recognized facility for the analysis of pathogens in soil (USDA Facility ID 2949) and holds a permit P526 for the receipt and analysis of foreign soil and biosolids samples for pathogen (Animal Health and Plant Inspection Servise Permit P526P-13-01699). Additionally, BCS laboratories is a member of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Environmental Legionella Isolation Techniques Evaluation (ELITE) Program.
BCS Laboratories personel have closely collaborated with various state and government agencies on pathogen detection and environmental pollution and remediation projects. These including the CDC, EPA , US Department of Agriculture, US Departmrent of Energy, US Geological Survey, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
BCS's scientists have extensive experience in three major areas of microbiology: virology, parasitology, and bacteriology. As a result, BCS offers a wide range of services, such as: pathogen analysis,detection, and enumeration, biosolids pathogen compliance, fecal contamination sourcing, and pathogen reduction and control. We are accredited for the analysis of various indicator and pathogens in water and solids. We regularly test environmental liquid and solid samples for enteric microorganisms that are fecally shed, including Heterotrophic Plate Count (HPC), Total and fecal coliforms, Enterococci, fecal strep, Salmonella, E. coli, Helminth ova, parasites (click for description) (Cryptosporidium and Giardia), and enteroviruses.
In addition to our indicator and pathogen monitoring services, we actively conduct studies to validate device microbiocidal efficacy, disinfection efficacy testing (ASTM E1053-11, ASTM E1052-11, ASTM E2197-11, ASTM E2752-10, ASTM E2149-10, ASTM E2315-03 (2008), ASTM E2111-12, ISO 22196:2011, and AOAC 961.02 (EPA spray disinfection protocol for disinfectant (pesticide) Registration), disinfection validation studies, antimicrobial testing, sanitizer validation studies, antiviral efficacy testing, process challenge, and microbiological consulting.
We also offer extensive testing to validate filtration process efficacy, filter media efficacy, and pathogen removal efficacy by point of use devices. Studies are based on NSF/ANSI and EPA purifier testing protocols. Based on study sponsors requests, standard ASTM or NSF/ANSI purifier testing protocols are utilized. Additionally, BCS Laboratories customizes testing protocols and designs studies that adress our customers' needs and goals. The studies are based on parameters outlined in NSF 42, NSF 53, NSF 231, and/or NSF P248. All studies are designed and conducted in order to provide our clients with the most comprehensive and detailed information about their product and its capabilities.
In addition to the standard studies we regularly perform, we also conduct miniature studies on research basis to validate clients claims or explore potential efficacy of products provided. The studies conducted are fully customized to meet our clients needs. These exploratory studies provide our clients with information about their product(s) and allow to set a direction for future testing. In addition BCS Laboratories conducts full scale studies according to GOOD LABORATORY PRACTICE STANDARDS (GLP) as per 40 CFR Part 160 - US Environmental Protection Agency. These studies allow our clients to provide fully defensible detailed studies to regulatory agencies for product registration and claim validations.
