B--GEOSEP IDIQ - NEW

Sample Analysis Services for mineral separation, fission track, and U-Pb geochronologic analysis of apatites and zircons for The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Geology and Environmental Change Science Center (GECSC). THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE ONLY FOR MARKET RESEARCH PURPOSES. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP), REQUEST FOR QUOTATIONS (RFQ) OR INVITATION FOR BID (IFB). NO FORMAL SOLICITATION IS BEING REQUESTED UNDER THIS NOTICE. This Sources Sought Notice is for market research purposes to identify interested firms for the potential requirement detailed below. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541380 (Testing Laboratories and Services) and the size standard is $19.0 Million. The Government will review the information requested in this announcement to determine the type of set-aside (if any) for this requirement, should it come to fruition. NOTE 1: The full scope of work will be provided with any solicitation that may be issued. The Government is not required to issue a solicitation. 1. Introduction: The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Geology and Environmental Change Science Center (GECSC) has an ongoing requirement for mineral separation, fission track, and U-Pb geochronologic analysis of apatites and zircons as a part of the Ozark Dome-Arkoma Basin_Ouachita belt Transect (ODABOuT) project, and possibly other projects conducted by the USGS GECSC including the Intermountain West project. 2. Background: Fission track and U-Pb geochronologic measurements are routine elements of basin analysis and tectonic studies. USGS scientists of the ODABOuT project are conducting ongoing research efforts that exploit these analytical tools. For some subset of samples, both fission track and U-Pb geochronologic analysis is performed, a technique known as - double dating of single zircon grains. This purchase order will support USGS efforts to characterize the framework geology of the south-central USA region and other regions that are prospective for mineral and/or oil and gas resource discovery. Fission track analysis provides a tool for evaluating the thermal history of both plutonic and sedimentary rocks. This type of analysis provides insight into key elements of both mineral and petroleum systems, including the duration of burial for key source rocks and the evolution of brine fluid pathways and structural traps. Additionally, U-Pb geochronologic analysis of detrital minerals can be a powerful tool for evaluating sediment dispersal pathways and the topographic evolution of hinterland sediment source regions. 3. Scope: The Contractor shall conduct sample preparation and conduct laboratory analysis of prepared samples to collect apatite fission-track (AFT), zircon fission-track (ZFT) and/or detrital Zircon U/Pb data (hereafter, DZ). The Contractor shall conduct preliminary analysis of the AFT, ZFT and DZ data to interpret the temperature history of each sample through geologic time, and shall deliver AFT, ZFT and DZ data tables and plots in a summary report. More complete analysis will be conducted by USGS scientists during integration of the new AFT and DZ data with existing data from other types of analysis. Samples for Government analysis will be sent to the Contractor on an as needed basis. Each sample may require mineral separation work by the Contractor prior to analytical work. 4. Technical Requirements: The Contractor shall maintain a facility dedicated to mineral separation with a trained technical staff experienced in dealing with mineral separation, fission track, and U-Pb geochronologic analysis of apatites and zircons as well as - double dating of single zircon grains. The Contractor shall perform the following Tasks: a. separation of zircon and apatite grains from bulk rock samples provided by the USGS; the Contractor shall separate up to 2 kg of rock and to total records of the material provided, processed, and separated; b. fission track analysis for apatite and/or zircon from a sample, including chemical etching and 252Cf-derived fission fragment irradiation of grains to reveal spontaneous fission tracks; etch conditions shall conform to options in the HeFTy modeling package; microscopic measurement of the density of spontaneous fission tracks observed in apatite grains, microscopic measurement of the length and crystallographic orientation of spontaneous fission tracks; length measurements shall be calibrated to the Durango apatite length measurements used in annealing kinetic models by Ketcham and others; and determination of 238U concentration for track-counting targets using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) or external detector methods; c. measurements of kinetic parameter Dpar for all apatite fission track samples; d. a method to calibrate Dpar measurements against length measurements underpinning common fission track annealing models; e. U/Pb crystallization age analysis for a set of samples (this may or may not include single apatite or zircon grains that are also to be fission track targets) using LA-ICP-MS of Uranium and Lead isotope ratios; f. preliminary analysis of combined zircon ZFT and U/Pb ages; and g. return of unused portion of sample and zircon and apatite separates and/or apatite or zircon mounts to USGS. h. Upon the USGS Technical Liaison's request, the Contractor shall return grain mounts with maps of laser spots for follow up analysis by USGS. i. The Contractor shall also provide information about measurements of primary and secondary geochronological and thermochronological standards upon request. The Contractor shall also provide information about experimental conditions such as laser spot size, etc. The exact number of target samples will vary on an annual basis and will largely depend on the outcome of field campaigns. (End of Statement of Work) All business concerns who believe they can responsibly provide this type of services must submit the following information to the Contracting Officer: 1. The firm must provide a tailored capability statement describing information in providing the services above. 2. The firm must specify that they are either: 2.1 A small business (8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, etc.) Or 2.2 Other than small business under the NAICS Code listed in the announcement. 3. The firm must provide a point of contact name and e-mail information, and the firm's Cage Code, and SAM.gov UEI. NOTE 2: All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary - the Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the Government. Materials submitted to the Government for review will not be returned. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation. This is NOT a Request for Proposal (RFP), Request for Quotations (RFQ) or Invitation for Bid (IFB). The Government does not intend to award a contract based on responses received under this announcement. In order to be responsive to this Notice, a firm must provide the appropriate documentation for consideration by July 24, 2024 at 2:30 p.m. (MDT). Responses that do not comply with these procedures will not be considered. Inquiries will only be accepted by e-mail to Lisa Williams at contact@example.gov.