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B--10Be (beryllium) and 26Al (aluminum) lab analysis

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140G0318Q0123Federal

Contract Overview

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AI Contract Overview

The U.S. Geological Survey's Earthquake Science Center in Pasadena, CA requires specialized cosmogenic radionuclide dating of rock fragments and sediments, specifically targeting the isotopes beryllium-10 (10Be) and aluminum-26 (26Al) in quartz components. This process involves comprehensive sample preparation, including crushing and grinding of clast or sand-sized particles, quartz separation and purification, chemical extraction of BeO and Al2O3, and subsequent accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) measurement. The contract calls for the analysis of 18 samples, with stringent quality assurance and control procedures to ensure low background ratios of 1x10^-15 or less. Due to the unique capabilities required, particularly the specific sample pretreatment and aluminum measurements, the work will be awarded noncompetitively to the Purdue Rare Isotope Measurement Laboratory within PRIME Lab at Purdue University. The contract, classified under NAICS code 541380 with a size standard of $15 million, will be a firm-fixed-price arrangement. Although this notice is not a request for quotation and responses will not be compensated or acknowledged with evaluation results, it serves to determine whether a competitive procurement is necessary. The Government emphasizes that no other laboratories can perform both the sample pretreatment and aluminum AMS measurement at the required quality, reinforcing the sole-source nature of this contract. Interested parties were instructed to submit inquiries electronically by July 27, 2018, with the award contemplated under FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), allowing noncompetitive procurement.

General Info

USGS awards noncompetitive contract to Purdue for specialized cosmogenic radionuclide dating of 18 samples.

Agency

Department Of The Interior → Ofc Of Acqusition Grants-National

NAICS

541380 - Testing Laboratories and Services

Place of Performance

Set-Aside

NONE

Documents

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Timeline

PostedJul 23

special-notice

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Organization & Contact Information

AgencyDepartment Of The Interior → Ofc Of Acqusition Grants-National

ContactsNo contacts available

OfficeRESTON, VA, 20192, USA

Organization / AgencyDepartment Of The Interior → Ofc Of Acqusition Grants-National

Office AddressRESTON, VA, 20192, USA

ContactsNo contact information available

Full Description

Special Notice The U.S. Geological Survey, Earthquake Science Center, Pasadena, CA has a requirement cosmogenic radionuclide dating of rock fragments and sediments, including sample preparation and accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) measurement. The lab determines the in situ abundance of a specific nuclide in the quartz component of a geologic sample. The nuclides targeted are 10Be (beryllium) and 26Al (aluminum). The laboratory is to perform the sample preparation as well as AMS measurement of both 10Be and 26Al, including: crushing and grinding of clast or sand-sized particles; quartz separation and purification; chemical extraction of BeO and Al2O3; and target preparation. The requirement is to analyze 18 samples for both nuclides. Established QA/QC procedures for sample preparation and peer-reviewed documentation of analytical success for both nuclides in small abundances are required. In particular, the lab should achieve background ratios of 1x10-15 or less for both nuclides. The North American Industry Classification (NAICS) Code is 541380. The size standard is $15.0 million dollars. The USGS intends to make a non-competitive award to PRIME Lab, Purdue University. The Government intends to award this requirement noncompetitively in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b) (1). The samples provided for CRN dating must be crushed and ground, quartz mineral must be extracted, separated, then the target material, BeO and AlO must be chemically extracted, and finally the AMS target is measured. While other labs can complete the final stage (measurement of the AMS) for BeO, no other lab can complete the aluminum measurements. Also, only the Purdue Rare Isotope Measurement Laboratory offers the specific pretreatment required for these samples. Pre-treatment includes crushing and grinding of clast or sand-size particles. The anticipated contract will be firm fixed price. The information received in response to this notice will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct a competitive procurement. This is not a request for quotation, and the Government does not intend to pay for information received. A determination by the Government not to compete this requirement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. Respondents will not be notified of the results of any Government evaluation of the information received. All questions and submissions in response to this notice must be submitted electronically via email to Cheryl Ciccarelli contact@example.gov by 5:00 PM ET on July 27, 2018.