ROUTINE ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY SERVICES
Added: May 02, 2016 4:21 pm
THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE ONLY for market research purposes to identify interested vendors for the potential requirement detailed below. A formal solicitation and performance work statement are not available. Additionally, in accordance with FAR 19.5, Set- Asides for Small Business, 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.
The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541380 ¿ Testing Laboratories and the size standard is $15.0 Million.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Geologic Division, Mineral Resources Surveys Program has a requirement for chemical analysis services of geologic materials, to include plants, waters, soils, sediments and rocks, for inorganic constituents.
The contractor shall furnish all labor, materials equipment and facilities that are required for the chemical analysis. All required instruments and/or equipment, shall be purchased, set-up, calibrated, and on-line prior to award of contract.
The Contractor shall perform analyses according to the methods stated below. The analytical method used can be similar to the prescribed method so long as analytical performance is met or exceeded.
Some of the samples collected may contain hazardous materials, the concentration of hazardous materials in any sample is expected to be low, however some samples may contain concentrations high enough to be harmful. The USGS will attempt to keep the Contractor informed of which samples may contain high concentrations of such materials. It is the responsibility of the Contractor to take the appropriate safety precautions to ensure the safety of employees in the event that a sample does contain unexpectedly high concentrations of hazardous material.
In order to be able to handle the soil samples from outside the continental United States (CONUS), or from regulated areas within the United States, the Contractor must have the appropriate approval and permits from the Deputy Administrator, Plant Protection and Quarantine programs, U.S. Department of Agriculture. Disposal of any remaining sample and sample extracts must meet regulatory guidelines.
This requirement includes the following analytical services:
1. Sample Preparation ¿ pulverize in agate media to 75 microns
2. Determination of sulfur by combustion and infrared detection
3. Determination of carbon by combustion and infrared detection
4. Determination of carbon dioxide (carbonate carbon) by coulometry
5. Determination of Mercury by multi - acid digestion and cold vapor AAS
6. Determination of Arsenic by sodium peroxide fusion and hydride generation AAS
7. Determination of Antimony by sodium peroxide fusion and hydride generation AAS
8. Determination of Selenium by multi - acid digestion and hydride generation AAS
9. Determination of Fluoride by sodium hydroxide/potassium nitrate fusion and ion selective electrode
10. Determination of Chloride by potassium hydroxide/potassium nitrate fusion and ion selective electrode
11. Determination of Ferrous Iron (FeO) by sulfuric/HF acid digestion and titration
12. Essential and Non-Essential Water by gravimetric and infrared detection
13. Gold by lead collection fire assay
14. Gold, Palladium, Platinum by lead collection fire assay
15. Major Elements by lithium borate fusion and XRF
16. Major Elements by lithium borate fusion and ICP-OES-MS
17. 49 Major, Minor, and Trace Elements by multi-acid digestion and ICP-OES-MS
18. 59 Major, Minor, Trace and Rare Earth Elements by sodium peroxide fusion and ICP-OES-MS
19. High Concentration Rare Earth Elements plus Lanthanum, Thorium, Uranium, Yttrium, Barium and Strontium by sodium peroxide fusion and ICP-MS
20. 30 plus Elements by multi-acid digestion followed by fusion of residue
21. 35 plus Elements by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA)
22. Determination of Platinum Group Elements (Pt, Pd, Rh, Ru Ir, Os) by nickel sulfide fire assay and INAA
23. Determination of Trace Level Gold, Palladium and Platinum (Au, Pt, Pd) by lead collection fire assay
24. Determination of Ore Grade Gold, Palladium and Platinum (Au, Pt, Pd) by lead collection fire assay
25. Determination of Base Metals by potassium pyrosulfate fusion and XRF
26. Determination of Minor Elements by pressed pellet and XRF
27. Determination of Rare Earth Elements by borate fusion and XRF
28. Determination of High Concentration Mercury by multi - acid digestion and cold vapor AAS
29. 35 Elements by 7 stage sequential extractions and ICP-OES/ICP-MS
30. 26 plus Metals by microwave digestion and ICP-MS
31. 63 Major, Minor, and Trace Elements after Deionized Water Leach and ICP-MS
32. 63 Major, Minor, and Trace Elements after Ammonium Acetate Leach and ICP-MS
33. 63 Major, Minor, and Trace Elements after Cold Hydroxylamine Hydrochloride Leach and ICP-MS.
34. 63 Major, Minor, and Trace Elements after Hot Hydroxylamine Hydrochloride Leach and ICP-MS.
35. 61 Major, Minor, and Trace Elements after Sodium Pyrophospate Leach and ICP-MS
36. 50 plus Elements Major, Minor, and Trace Elements in water by ICP-OES/ICP-MS
37. Determination of Precious Metals in water by ICP-OES/ICP-MS
38. Determination of Trace Elements in water by ICP-OES/ICP-MS
39. Determination of Single Elements in water by DRC-MS
40. 51 Major, Minor, and Trace Elements after aqua regia digestion and ICP-OES/ICP-MS
All business concerns who believe they can responsibly provide these types of services should submit the following information to the contracting officer.
1. Capability statement describing corporate expertise and technical qualifications in the work described above.
2. Past performance information describing other contracts for similar services your company has been awarded. Past performance information should be submitted for projects conducted within the last three years and include: project title, location, whether the work was as a prime or subcontractor, contract/subcontract dollar value, type of contract, percentage of self-performed work, and overall performance rating received.
3. Small business status of vendor (8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, etc.)
4. Point of contact information for vendor, Cage Code, and D&B Number.
5. Any other information that will prove the vendor is capable of performing the required effort.
In order to be responsive to this Notice, a firm must provide the appropriate documentation for consideration by May 9, 2016. Responses that do not comply with these procedures will not be considered.
NOTE: 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 quotations. The Government does not intend to award a contract based on responses received under this announcement.
Inquiries will only be accepted by e-mail to Lisa Hayes at ldhayes@usgs.gov.
G16PS00422 Department of the Interior US Geological Survey
5/2/16, 4:21 PM ROUTINE ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY SERVICES
Added: Aug 05, 2016 2:21 pm
COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION
(I) This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotations are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.
(II) This solicitation is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ). Submit written quotes on RFQ Number G16PS00422. This solicitation will utilize the policies contained in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 12 in conjunction with the policies and procedures for solicitation evaluation and award prescribed in FAR Part 13.5, Simplified Acquisition Procedures, as appropriate for this acquisition.
(III) The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-89.
(IV) The solicitation is not a set-aside. The associated NAICS code is 541380. The small business size standard is $15.0 Million.
(V) This combined solicitation/synopsis is for purchase of the following commercial item(s):
CLIN NO. 0010 - Base Year - Chemical analysis services of geologic materials for USGS, Mineral Resources Program (MRP), Denver, CO in accordance with the attached Statement of Work.
CLIN NO. 0020 - Option Year 1 - Chemical analysis services of geologic materials for USGS, Mineral Resources Program (MRP), Denver, CO in accordance with the attached Statement of Work.
CLIN NO. 0030 - Option Year 2 - Chemical analysis services of geologic materials for USGS, Mineral Resources Program (MRP), Denver, CO in accordance with the attached Statement of Work.
CLIN NO. 0040 - Option Year 3 - Chemical analysis services of geologic materials for USGS, Mineral Resources Program (MRP), Denver, CO in accordance with the attached Statement of Work.
CLIN No. 0050 ¿ Option Year 4 - Chemical analysis services of geologic materials for USGS, Mineral Resources Program (MRP), Denver, CO in accordance with the attached Statement of Work.
Note to Offeror¿s: The Government contemplates award of a Requirements Contract that allows for the issuance of Firm-Fixed price task orders resulting from this solicitation.
(VI) Refer to Attachment 1 ¿ Statement of Work for complete details.
(VII) Period of Performance: The period of performance for the Base Year shall commence on September 14, 2016 through September 13, 2017, with each subsequent Option Year consisting of one year. Place of delivery is U.S. Geological Survey, Central Mineral and Environmental Resources Science Center, West 6th Ave. & Kipling St., Denver Federal Center (DFC), Bldg. 20, MS 973, Denver, CO 80225-0046. Delivery shall be FOB Destination.
(VIII) FAR 52.212-1- Instructions to Offerors - Commercial Items (OCT 2015), applies to this acquisition.
ADDENDUM TO CLAUSE 52.212-01(C)
The period for acceptance of offers specified in this paragraph, is hereby changed from 30 days to 90 days.
(IX) FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation - Commercial Items. (OCT 2014), applies to this acquisition.
(a) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers:
NOTE: A FINDING OF UNACCEPTABLE IN ONE TECHNICAL FACTOR AND/OR SUBFACTOR MAY RESULT IN THE ENTIRE QUOTATION BEING DETERMINED UNACCEPTABLE.
Factor A: Technical and Management Capability - Offeror¿s shall provide documentation that clearly demonstrates their ability to perform the requirements contained in the Statement of Work as follows:
1. Offer¿s shall explain in detail how they will be able to fulfill the number of orders within the delivery schedule based on the number of samples expected.
2. Offeror¿s shall provide SOP¿s for methods listed under Section 2.1.17 (Methods 1-19) per USGS¿s Fundamental Science Practices at https://www2.usgs.gov/usgs-manual/500/502-2.html.
3. Offeror¿s shall provide methods summaries for methods 20-40 listed under Section 2.1.18. These method summaries will be evaluated based on the number of elements reported and on the lowest lower reporting limit and the highest upper reporting limit for all elements reported for each method requested.
Factor B: Laboratory QA/QC Operations - Offeror¿s shall provide detailed documentation describing their specific quality assurance program which includes the following:
1. Data management plan and procedures.
2. List of instrumentation that will be used to perform each method.
3. Quality control requirements conforming to analyses as defined in Section 2.1.19-2.1.25 of the Statement of Work.
Factor C: Qualifications and Experience of Key Personnel ¿ Offeror¿s shall provide qualifications including relevant prior experience, special training and education for the proposed Key/Lead Chemist personnel assigned to this requirement.
Factor D: Past Performance ¿ Offeror¿s shall submit completed Past Performance Questionnaires (PPQs) for a minimum of three (3) similar contracts (in terms of contract size, period of performance, as well as, the variety and level of complexity of services performed) in which it has participated during the past three (3) years.
Offeror¿s shall complete Section A of each PPQ and furnish the PPQ to clients. In turn, the client will evaluate the Offeror by completing Section B and the Questionnaire, and submitting the complete PPQ (Sections A, B, and Questionnaire) to the appropriate personnel designated on the form ON OR BEFORE THE DUE DATE OF THIS SOLICITATION. The Government may consider questionnaires received after the due date of the solicitation but is not obligated to do so.
Completed PPQs submitted directly from the Offeror will not be considered for evaluation purposes. The Government intends to confirm receipt of a completed PPQ via email within five (5) business days to the client reference that submitted the PPQ. The Government will not communicate directly with Offerors regarding the status of PPQs being submitted on their behalf. Offerors interested in the status of PPQs submitted on their behalf are to contact their client references directly.
Offerors with no record of relevant past performance must submit a signed and dated statement to that effect.
In addition, past performance information will be obtained from Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS). Past performance information will be used in the evaluation of all evaluation factors which it impacts. The Government reserves the right to use information obtained from sources inside and outside the offeror¿s quotation.
Factor E: Small Business Subcontracting Plan
In accordance with FAR 19.7, offerors shall submit a Small, Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran-Owned, Women-Owned Small Business, and HUBZone Small Business, Subcontracting Plan with their quotation.
The Small Business Administration assigned the following agency subcontracting goals to the Department of the Interior and they flow down unchanged to the U.S. Geological Survey as follows: (a) 44.5% small business subcontracting goal; (b) 5% small disadvantaged business statutory based subcontracting goal; (c) 3% service-disabled veteran-owned small business statutory based subcontracting goal; (d) 5% women-owned small business statutory based subcontracting goal; and (e) 3% HUBZone small business statutory based subcontracting goal.
The subcontracting goals are not a firm requirement of any Subcontracting Plan submitted hereunder. However, they will be used as a guideline in the evaluation and determination of the acceptability of an offeror's Subcontracting Plan.
A copy of the current approved master Subcontracting Plan, or a new plan specifically developed for this solicitation shall be submitted. The plan shall be submitted in accordance with the FAR 52.219-9 ¿Small Business Subcontracting Plan¿ clause and its Alternate II which outlines the information to be contained in the plan.
Subcontracting plans are not required -- (1) From small business concerns; (2) For personal services contracts; (3) For contracts or contract modifications that will be performed entirely outside of the United States and its outlying areas; or (4) For modifications to contracts within the general scope of the contract that do not contain the clause at 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (or equivalent prior clauses, e.g., contracts awarded before the enactment of Public Law 95-507).
Factor F: Proficiency Test Sample Results
Pre-Award Testing ¿ Offeror¿s that are determined technically acceptable will be required to perform analyses of proficiency samples to determine performance based on measured precision and accuracy. The samples will be analyzed at the Offeror's expense and the sample set will contain approximately 20 prepared samples. Sample data will be evaluated based on the Analytical Performance Criteria specified for each Method in the Statement of Work.
Measurement of analytical precision will be evaluated based on results from blind replicated samples contained within the sample set. Analytical accuracy of the results and systematic errors will be evaluated using independent determinations and historical analytical data for those materials. The proficiency samples shall be analyzed on equipment identical to the Offeror's proposed system using chemical preparation techniques presented in the Statement of Work. Offeror's shall be required to perform all proficiency analyses and remit the data to the Contracting Officer within fourteen (14) days of receipt of the samples from the Government. The resulting data from the analysis of the proficiency samples will be transmitted to the Contracting Officer electronically and will be in an Excel spreadsheet format with a separate tab for each analytical method.
Firms not returning the results of the analyses within fourteen days (14) days of receipt of the samples shall be determined to have failed the sample evaluation test. Upon completion of the evaluation, the results of the pre-award testing will be incorporated into the offeror¿s quotation¿s technical evaluation. Offerors will be evaluated on a pass/fail basis compared to the prior analytical results for these proficiency samples.
Offerors who compare favorably with prior results will receive a ¿pass¿ score for the samples analyzed, and will be retained and remain eligible for award. In the event an offeror ¿fails¿, it will be rendered ineligible for award.
(b) Options. The Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. The Government may determine that an offer is unacceptable if the option prices are significantly unbalanced. Evaluation of options shall not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s).
(c) A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offer's specified expiration time, the Government may accept an offer (or part of an offer), whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award.
The Government intends to evaluate offers and award a contract without discussions with offerors. Therefore, the offeror¿s initial offer should contain the offeror¿s best terms from a price and technical standpoint. However, the Government reserves the right to conduct discussion if later determined by the Contracting Officer to be necessary.
Basis of Award
The award of this requirement shall be made using only the procedures found in FAR part 12 in conjunction with FAR part 13.5.
A single award shall be made to the vendor whose quotation, conforming to this RFQ, is determined to be the most advantageous to the government, cost or price and other non-cost or non-price factors listed above. In determining which quotations offers the greatest value or advantage to the Government, overall technical proficiency will be considered more important than price or cost.
(X) The offeror shall submit a completed copy of the provision at FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items (APR 2016), with its quote. An offeror shall complete only paragraph (b) of this provision if the offeror has completed the annual representations and certifications electronically at https://www.sam.gov If an offeror has not completed the annual representations and certifications electronically at SAM, the offeror shall complete only paragraphs (c) through (q) of this provision.
(XI) The clause at FAR 52.212-4 - Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items (MAY 2015), applies to this acquisition.
(XII) The clause at FAR 52.212-5 - Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders - Commercial Items (JUN 2016) applies to this acquisition.
The following clauses under subparagraph (b) apply:
(1) 52.203-6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (SEP 2006), with Alternate I (OCT 1995) (41 U.S.C. 4704 and 10 U.S.C. 2402).
(4) 52.204-10, Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (OCT 2015) (Pub. L. 109-282) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note)
(7) 52.204-15, Service Contract Reporting Requirements for Indefinite-Delivery Contracts (JAN 2014) (Pub. L. 111-117, section 743 of Div. C).
(8) 52.209-6, Protecting the Government's Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment. (OCT 2015) (31 U.S.C.6101 note).
(9) 52.209-9, Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding Responsibility Matters (JUL 2013) (41 U.S.C. 2313).
(16) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (OCT 2014) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3)).
(17)(i) 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan (OCT 2015) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(4)). (iii) Alternate II (OCT 2001) of 52.219-9.
(20) 52.219-16, Liquidated Damages-Subcontracting Plan (JAN 1999) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(4)(F)(i)).
(22) 52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Rerepresentation (JUL 2013) (15U.S.C. 632(a)(2)).
(25) 52.222-3, Convict Labor (JUN 2003) (E.O. 11755).
(26) 52.222-19, Child Labor-Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies (FEB 2016)(E.O. 13126).
(27) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (APR 2015).
(28) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (APR 2015) (E.O. 11246).
(29) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (OCT 2015) (38 U.S.C. 4212).
(30) 52.222-36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (JUL 2014) (29U.S.C. 793).
(31) 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Veterans (FEB 2016) (38 U.S.C. 4212).
(32) 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (DEC 2010) (E.O. 13496).
(33)(i) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (MAR 2015) (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O. 13627).
(42) 52.223-18, Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving (AUG 2011)
(54) 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-System for Award Management (JUL 2013) (31 U.S.C. 3332).
(2) 52.222-41, Service Contract Labor Standards (MAY 2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter 67).
(3) 52.222-42, Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires (MAY 2014) (29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. chapter 67).
(4) 52.222-43, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Labor Standards-Price Adjustment (Multiple Year and Option Contracts) (MAY 2014) (29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. chapter 67).
(8) 52.222-55, Minimum Wages Under Executive Order 13658 (DEC 2015).
(XIII) The following clauses and provisions are also applicable to this acquisition:
52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference (Feb 1998). This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(s): http://farsite.hill.af.mil/
The clauses are incorporated by reference, and their terms and conditions apply:
52.203-17 Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights and Requirement To Inform Employees of Whistleblower Rights. (APR 2014)
52.204-4 Printed or Copied Double-Sided on Postconsumer Fiber Content Paper. (MAY 2011)
52.204-13 System for Award Management Maintenance. (JUL 2013)
52.204-18 Commercial and Government Entity Code Maintenance. (JUL 2015)
52.204-19 Incorporation by Reference of Representations and Certifications. (DEC 2014)
52.223-3 Hazardous Material Identification and Material Safety Data. (JAN 1997) - Alternate I (JUL 1995)
52.232-39 Unenforceability of Unauthorized Obligations. (JUN 2013)
52.232-40 Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors. (DEC 2013)
52.247-34 F.o.b. Destination. (NOV 1991)
Refer to Attachment 1 for all additional applicable clauses.
The provisions are incorporated by reference, and their terms and conditions apply:
52.252-1 - Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference. (FEB 1998). This solicitation incorporates one or more solicitation provisions by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. The offeror is cautioned that the listed provisions may include blocks that must be completed by the offeror and submitted with its quotation or offer. In lieu of submitting the full text of those provisions, the offeror may identify the provision by paragraph identifier and provide the appropriate information with its quotation or offer. Also, the full text of a solicitation provision may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es): http://farsite.hill.af.mil/
52.204-7 System for Award Management. (JUL 2013)
52.204-16 Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting. (JUL 2015)
52.204-17 Ownership or Control of Offeror. (NOV 2014)
52.209-2 Prohibition on Contracting With Inverted Domestic Corporations-Representation. (NOV 2015)
52.214-34 Submission of Offers in the English Language. (APR 1991)
52.214-35 Submission of Offers in U.S. Currency. (APR 1991)
52.225-25 Prohibition on Contracting with Entities Engaging in Certain Activities or Transactions Relating to Iran-Representation and Certifications. (OCT 2015)
Refer to Attachment 1 for all additional applicable provisions.
(XIV) Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) and assigned rating do not apply.
(XV) Electronic Submission of Offers ¿ Required - Quotations are required to be received no later than 5:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time (MDT) on August 15, 2016. Only electronic quotes will be accepted. Quotations shall be submitted by e-mail to ldhayes@usgs.gov. DO NOT SUBMIT YOUR QUOTE THROUGH FEDCONNECT.
(XVI) Questions regarding this solicitation should be directed to Lisa D. Hayes at (303) 236-9327 and/or ldhayes@usgs.gov.
NOTE: Please see detailed information and all attachments to this Solicitation G16PS00422 at https://www.fedconnect.net/FedConnect/
G16PS00422 Department of the Interior US Geological Survey
8/5/16, 2:21 PM