Cosmogenic radionuclide dating of rock fragments and sediments

Notice of Intent 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 19 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. A vendor must be registered at http://www.sam.gov to be awarded the contract. The intent of this notice is to determine if any other source(s) exist. All responsible sources may submit a capability statement, which shall be considered by the Government. 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 September 1, 2017.