Lead (Pb) isotope ratio measurements analyses on soil samples

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Contract Opportunity

Laboratory analytical services to provide Lead (Pb) isotope ratio measurements analyses on soil samples for the USGS Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center (GGGSC), Denver, Colorado

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 parties having an interest in and resources to support this requirement for laboratory analytical services to provide Lead (Pb) isotope ratio measurements analyses on soil samples for the USGS Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center (GGGSC), Denver, Colorado.

The result of this market research will contribute to determining the method of procurement. The Government will review the information requested in this announcement based on the responses to this sources sought notice/market research, this requirement may be set-aside for small businesses or procured through full and open competition.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541380 (Testing Laboratories and Services) and the size standard is $19.0 Million.

The following is a brief description of services that are required to be performed but not limited to:

1.0 Introduction

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center (GGGSC), Denver, CO has a requirement for laboratory analytical services to provide lead (Pb) isotope ratio measurements on soil samples.

The USGS has a need for 420 Pb isotope ratio analyses by high resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HR-ICP-MS) which is an analysis method that does not have as good of precision as thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) but is less time intensive. Samples submitted to the contract laboratory will be in the form of pulverized soil so the contract lab will also need to prepare the sample using a multi-acid digestion.

2.0 Background

The USGS has a current agreement with the state of California Department of Toxic Substance Control (CADTSC) to conduct and contract scientific analyses of soils contaminated with lead (Pb) and common Pb contamination source materials (e.g., bullet fragments). These analyses include measurements of the ratios of the Pb isotopes: 204Pb, 206Pb, 207Pb, and 208Pb. Ratios of these isotopes vary with geological source of Pb and have been shown to be useful for tracing Pb contamination in the environment. There are multiple methods for measuring Pb isotope ratios.

As part of the study, the USGS is comparing Pb isotope ratio measurements by (TIMS), a benchmark technique for these measurements, with a faster and less time-intensive method. The TIMS analyses are being conducted by a USGS facility and another laboratory already under contract with USGS.

3.0 Scope

The Contractor shall provide 420 lead (Pb) isotope ratio measurements on pulverized soil samples by high resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The following lead (Pb) isotope ratio measurements are required: 206Pb/204Pb, 207Pb/204Pb, 208Pb/204Pb. The USGS needs final results for all samples no later than 8 weeks after all samples have been received by the contract laboratory.

4.0 Technical Requirements
¿        The Contractor shall digest all samples using a multi-acid digestion method that minimally includes nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, and hydrofluoric acid. The Contractor shall have a fully documented procedure for the digestion that can be provided to the USGS after the contract is awarded.

¿        The Contractor shall require no more than 1 gram of sample to perform a single lead (Pb) isotope ratio measurement.

¿        The Contractor shall perform lead (Pb) isotope ratio measurements on the digested samples using high resolution inductively coupled mass spectrometry (HR-ICP-MS) with a magnetic sector instrument. The method used shall fully account and correct for any mass fractionation by analyzing the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) standard reference material (SRM) 981 or equivalent. At least one procedural blank and one quality control standard must be analyzed per batch of samples. Analytical duplicates shall be analyzed at the approximate rate of 10 percent. The following lead (Pb) isotope ratios shall be measured and reported by the Contractor: 206Pb/204Pb, 207Pb/204Pb, 208Pb/204Pb. The Contractor shall have a fully documented procedure for the measurement of lead (Pb) isotope ratio measurements by HR-ICP-MS which shall be provided to the USGS after the contract has been awarded.

¿        Samples to be analyzed by the Contractor will be provided and delivered to the Contractor by the Government as pulverized solid samples with a maximum particle size of less than 110 micrometers.

¿        The Government will provide the Contractor with the measured concentration of lead (Pb) in each submitted sample.

(End of brief description of Services)
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If your organization has the potential ability to meet this requirement, please provide the following information to the Contracting Officer:

1. Tailored capability statements addressing the particulars of this effort, with appropriate documentation describing detailed information in providing the services described above.

2. The firm shall specify that they are either:

2.1 An Indian Small Business Economic Enterprise (ISBEE), small business, 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, etc. and Or

2.2 Other than small business under the NAICS Code listed in the announcement.

2.3 The firm shall provide a point of contact name and e-mail information, and SAM.gov (Unique Entity ID (UEI), and must be registered and active in System for Award Management (SAM).

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.

The government will evaluate market information to ascertain potential market capacity to provide services consistent in scope and scale with those described in this notice and otherwise anticipated.

In order to be responsive to this Notice, a firm shall provide the appropriate documentation for consideration by April 9, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time (MDT). Responses that do not comply with these procedures will not be considered.

Telephone inquiries will not be accepted or acknowledged, and no feedback or evaluations will be provided to companies regarding their submissions.

Inquiries will only be accepted by e-mail to Lisa Williams at ldwilliams@usgs.gov.

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