H--Radiochemical Analysis of Water, Sediment and Other Materials

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) administratively failed to exercise an option for one of its contracts for analytical services as specified below. As a result of the USGS not administratively exercising the option, it intends to compete the future requirement in the following months. This Sources Sought is to announce the USGS=BFs plans for obtaining the required services during the period of time needed to complete the solicitation, competition and award of a new contract. During this period, the USGS intends to award a contract for a twelve month period, thereby allowing USGS adequate time to appropriately compete the full requirement. The USGS intends to award this contract to Eberline Services, Inc. Based on information available at this time, and in accordance with 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1), implemented by FAR 6.302-1, the Government considers the radiochemical analyses specified as a sole source from Eberline Services, Inc. and proposes to negotiate the twelve month contract with that firm on that basis. However, should additional sources be identified, they will be considered. Firms who feel that they can provide the analysis (based upon the criteria specified herein), are invited to submit in writing an affirmative response to this announcement. An affirmative response must include a copy of the laboratory=BFs NELAC accreditation certificate, results of all PT/PE results for the previous two years, literature, brochures, and such other materials which correspond to the required analyses stated herein. References with contact names and phone numbers must also be listed. These references are to be for contracts similar in scope and with the same technical and QA/QC requirements as the contract under consideration. This information will be evaluated and used to determine if competitive opportunities exist. PT samples may be sent to the responders for analysis, if deemed necessary. These samples are to be analyzed at no cost to the Government. Since no solicitation documents exist, requests for such documents without accompanying information will be considered non-responsive to this request without further considerations. This notice may represent the Government=BFs only official notice of this action. However, any concern that feels they have the ability to furnish the analysis described herein for this twelve month period, is requested to give written notification (including the telephone number for a point of contact) to the procuring office above within fifteen (15) days from the date of this synopsis. This requirement is for Radiochemical Analyses of waters, suspended material, and sediment material. These requirements are to include but not limited to gross alpha/ gross beta (72 hr and 30 day recount), Ra-226, Ra-228, Ra-224, isotopic uranium, plutonium, and thorium, gamma, Po-210, Am-241, and Pb-210 dating of core samples. Technical Requirements for Radiochemical Analyses for the USGS are to include but not limited to the following: 1. Dating of core samples reporting the following isotopes and MDCs- Cs-137 0.05 pCi/g Pb-210 0.1 pCi/g Ra-226 0.4 pCi/g 2. Ra-226 by the Radon Emanation Technique (EPA Method 903.1) with a MDC of 0.1 pCi/L 3. Ra-224 and Ra-226 by alpha spec with a MDC of 1.0 pCi/L for each 4. Isotopic uranium (U-234, U-235, U-238), Am-241, isotopic plutonium (Pu-238, Pu-239/Pu-240) all by alpha spec with a MDC of 0.1 pCi/L for each 5. Radon by ASTM Method D 5072 with a MDC of 50 pCi/L Each result is to be accompanied by a one sigma Combined Standard Uncertainty (CSU), a sample specific Minimum Detectable Concentration (ssMDC), and a sample specificcritical level (ssLc). The CSU, ssMDC, and SSLc are to be calculated using the equation in MARLAP. Reports are to consist of a full data package as well as an Electronic Data Deliverable (EDD) QA/QC Criteria 1. A blank, LCS, and duplicate shall be run with each batch (not to exceed 10) samples. 2. The blank shall not exceed the ssLc. 3. Yields shall be less than 100% plus 2 x the CSU of the yield but shall not be less than 60%. 4. LCS recoveries shall be less than 100% plus 2 x the recovery CSU, but shall not be less than 80%. 5. The ssLc shall be approximately one-half of the ssMDC for each analysis. Because the National Water Quality laboratory (NWQL) is NELAC accredited, any laboratories for analytical contracts administered through the NWQL must also, when applicable, be NELAC accredited. This accreditation is to cover all analyses, listed in the contract, for which accreditation is available.