B10_Sources_Sought_Announcement_2.docx

This is a Sources Sought Notice only. This is not a request for proposal, but a survey to locate potential sources. This Sources Sought does not constitute an Invitation for Bids, Request for Proposals or Request for Quotations, and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue an order or otherwise pay for the information solicited, nor is it a guarantee of a forthcoming solicitation or contract. It is for market research purposes only. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation.

The purpose of this Sources Sought Notice is to gain knowledge of interest, capabilities, and qualifications of various members of industry, to include the Small Business Community: Small Business, Section 8(a), Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUB-Zone), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB), and Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB). The Government must ensure there is adequate competition among the potential pool of responsible contractors. Small business, Section 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB, & EDWOSB businesses are highly encouraged to participate.

NAICS Code: 334516 Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing

NAICS Size Standard: 1,000

Subject: Dual Inlet System

Request for Information Closing Response Date: August 06, 2023, at 08:00 AM mountain standard time.

Contact Point: Dayna Parkin, dparkin@usgs.gov

Objective: To find sources that are qualified to meet the supplies/services as listed below. Not that the specific requirements are subject to change prior to the release of any solicitation.

Specifications/Salient Characteristics:

The stable isotope measurement of gaseous, dissolved, and solid materials provides information about the sources, transfer, and processes that affect chemical elements at the Earth surface. In many cases, the information provided by isotopic measurements cannot be acquired through other means. Therefore, stable isotope measurement capabilities provide unique insights into such Mineral Resources Program (MRP) interests such as the origin and transformation of critical minerals and their chemical constituents and tracing of environmental impacts related to mining activities. The requested Dual Inlet System, with associated differential pump and spare parts, is an upgrade from the Delta V Plus Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer that is being currently used. The Delta V Plus Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer can only be operated in continuous flow mode. In contrast, the Dual Inlet upgrade allows for the measurement of isotopes ratios of gases at higher precision than is possible with continuous flow techniques. For example, this higher precision would permit the comparison of the multiple stable isotopes (i.e., 16O, 17O, 18O) of gaseous oxygen (O2) from natural samples and experiments at the higher precision required (within the second decimal of per mille of Δ17O) to resolve triple oxygen isotope variations that commonly occur within the first decimal of per mille of Δ17O. In turn, such measurements can be used to track O2-consuming processes during abiotic and biological mineral weathering reaction experiments such as being undertaken as part of the MRP-funded Sulfur Cycle project.

Salient Characteristics:

- Sample and reference gas inlets (hence, Dual Inlet) for Delta V Plus IRMS

- Sample and reference gas bellows that allow precise control and balancing of the pressure of sample and reference gases, and thus the identical treatment of sample and reference materials that is a fundamental principle of isotope ratio mass spectrometry.

- Differential pump (turbo pump) needed for the Dual Inlet system.

- Dual Inlet system is fully compatible with the existing Delta V Plus isotope ratio mass spectrometer.

Delivery is 90 days.

Interested small business firms shall submit (1) NAME, ADDRESS, and PHONE NUMBER OF THE FIRM (including UEI (Unique Entity Identifier); (2) a CAPABILITY STATEMENT including (a) RECENT (within the last three fiscal years) RELEVANT (similar projects to this requirement) performance history (identify the name of the owner and there point(s) of contact with telephone and fax numbers, e-mail addresses; and (b) in what capacity (e.g., prime, subcontractor etc.) they performed the work; and (3) their SIZE STATUS.

Your company must have a UEI number and be registered on-line at the System for Award Management (SAM). You will also be required to provide your small business status information either via the On-line Representations and Certifications also located at the SAM.gov website before an award to your company can be made. You on-line registration will cover any/all of your offers to the Federal Government, and only needs updated annually.

All responses must be submitted NLT August 06, 2023, at 08:00 AM mountain standard time via e-mail to: dparkin@usgs.gov. At this time, the Government is not accepting questions pertaining to the Source Sought notice.

Responses to this Sources Sought notice will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions. All interested sources must respond to future RFQ announcements separately from responses to this market survey. Any RFQ that may be issued will be posted on SAM.gov. It is the responsibility of the potential responders to monitor the site for additional information pertaining to this announcement.