Alpha is not just another certified analytical laboratory. From initial planning to reporting, the Alpha team of project managers and account managers strive to understand how they can add value and efficiency to our client's projects. We offer project set up, account and project management, complimentary courier service , analytical reporting and data management. To that end, we have developed the following support services to facilitate all phases of our clients’ projects:
Currently, Alpha employs more than 24 full-time project managers who have an average of 15 years of experience in the environmental testing industry. Many members of the project management staff had been analysts, chemists, supervisors, and managers in an environmental laboratory prior to joining Alpha. At Alpha, each project manager is knowledgeable about all federal & state guidance, as well as regulatory requirements. They are dedicated to the client’s expectations in their area of practice.
A project manager is assigned to each client as projects come in, to act as a single point of day-to-day contact for their respective office. These individuals are responsible for quickly responding to work requests, reviewing project requirements, submitting daily sample receipt confirmations to the client, scheduling couriers and samplers, maintaining lab schedules, ensuring technical requirements are met, providing technical guidance, and ensuring data is reported timely and accurately. Alpha’s project managers work closely with the laboratory to ensure that the project is delivered on time and on schedule. Some of our projects require rush turnaround times, short holding times and the hiring of subcontractors; all of which are strictly adhered to in order to meet the parameters of this client’s contract. Our laboratory project manager will generate and maintain internal electronic project communication forms which convey critical project information throughout our facility to all login, laboratory, and reporting personnel. To learn more about Alpha’s project process please view our Project Setup Video.
When a project comes into Alpha, the client is assigned to a dedicated account manager who sets up their account. Alpha’s 14 experienced account managers, located in the Northeast and the Midwest, have an average of more than 20 years of experience in the environmental testing industry. Like our project managers, each of our account managers is also versed in federal and state testing guidance and regulations. Their routine responsibilities include, but are not limited to; account management and maintenance, technical training, providing regulatory updates, online data access tutorials, reviewing contracts, evaluating and setting up projects, as well as accounts receivable follow-up.
To make your next project run more efficiently, Alpha offers the following specialized services:
Please contact your Alpha project manager or account Manager to learn more about our capabilities, experience and certifications, or to obtain a project proposal or price quote.
Alpha Analytical provides data deliverable packages in a number of formats in order to comply with both state and federal regulatory programs. The following package formats are currently available:
Our client service and technical sales representatives may periodically contact you by phone or in person to insure your continuing satisfaction with our work on your projects.
Alpha Analytical's LIMS is the nerve center of laboratory operations. Our LIMS is central to all project operations, including managing workflow, performing complex calculations and generating reports. To virtually eliminate manual transcription errors, all laboratory instruments are connected directly to this system.
Alpha Analytical maintains a secure intranet for internal communication of all information necessary for daily operations. Alpha personnel can access client specific instructions, laboratory SOPs, reference documents, safety manuals, accreditations and more, simply by logging into our AlphaNet.
Every container logged into Alpha’s Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) is assigned a unique bar code label. Samples stored in our secure custody rooms can be removed for analysis only by authorized Alpha personnel via LIMS password-security access. Once finished with a sample, the container is scanned back into the custody room. This system allows the LIMS to “know” where each sample is throughout the analytical process. This is critical for internal chain of custody information, which is central to legal defensibility of data.
Original Chain of Custody forms are scanned into our LIMS, and available to the entire laboratory staff with just a few mouse clicks. The documents are also available to view or download by client personnel through our unique Alpha Data Exchange (ADEx) system.
Within 24 hours of receiving samples, an Alpha client service representative will confirm chain of custody requests, reporting limits, special instructions, and other details of your project via an email to the project manager. A draft invoice with agreed-upon pricing will also be included. The project manager can then review this information before the commencement of any work. Often errors can also be corrected without delaying turn-around time.
The Alpha LIMS will automatically send the designated project manager an email when their project is complete. This email will contain a link to the Alpha website. On the website, the project manager can directly access project results and reports in a variety of formats. (Please see the Data Management section for more information.)
Alpha Analytical provides summary data report sheets in PDF format through our Alpha Data Exchange (ADEx). We can also present your data in a variety of electronic data delivery formats, including:
For your convenience, Alpha Analytical offers fully-bookmarked data validation packages on CD-ROM. The bookmarking allows a reviewer, with a few mouse clicks, to go directly to a specific page within the large document thus making the review process much more efficient. (Please see the Data Deliverables section for more information.)
Alpha’s electronic chain-of-custody system can lower your project costs by eliminating hours of paperwork. Ask your sales representative for a demonstration.
Alpha can provide appropriate containers for the collection, storage and delivery of virtually any sample. To simplify your field work and ensure sample integrity, our EPA-certified clean containers include pre-printed labels, necessary preservatives and Alpha Chain-of-Custody forms.
Alpha Analytical is the only environmental laboratory in the northeast offering dedicated courier service throughout the region. Prompt pickup, meticulous sample handling and direct delivery ensures the integrity of every sample that arrives at our laboratories. Alpha's courier service is free to frequent clients. All other requests may incur a nominal fee.
Some large or complex projects may benefit from an initial meeting among stakeholders prior to the start of the analytical work. Alpha account executives and/or client service representatives may suggest a project kick-off meeting be held, at the client's office or at an Alpha facility, to insure that everyone involved is familiar with the project schedule and scope of work.
When project requirements fall outside of routine parameters, an electronic Project Communication Form (PCF) may be prepared to specify project-specific reporting limits, non-routine target analytes, special quality control procedures or special reporting instructions. Alpha’s Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) will alert staff to the existence of a PCF, which can be accessed via our LIMS at any time.
Electronic summaries of all client communications are entered into Alpha’s Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) via our Call Tracker application. Electronic copies of these summaries are kept for a period of time commensurate with current legal requirements. Any operational changes are then communicated to Alpha personnel via our LIMS and through the Project Communication Form (PCF).
“Steve Knollmeyer is great to work with along with Melissa in the Portsmouth office. Problems are solved promptly and with tremendous professionalism. Lab reports are always timely and very done to a very high level. I never hesitate to use Alpha. ”