Statement_of_Work_1.docx

Statement of Work I. General information A. Introduction The USGS Geology, Energy, and Minerals Science Center requires garnet geochronology on a suite of newly collected samples of metamorphic rocks from the upper Peninsula, Michigan. The Lu-Hf and Sm-Nd garnet ages of these samples will be helpful for ascertaining the timing of metamorphism and deformation of these rocks. This information is essential for strengthening our understanding of the bedrock geology in the Upper Midwestern United states with new geochronologic constraints.

B. Background This new work integrates with several longstanding USGS research projects focused on the bedrock geology of the Upper Midwest which aim to refine mapping in the area and understanding of the tectonic history. These efforts are motivated by the importance of these data for prospectivity models for critical mineral resources. Age constraints on metamorphism and deformation are some of the most important information which these models require. These samples submitted for garnet geochronology will provide the first garnet age-dates in the area, and thus, are fundamentally important to several scientific and agency goals.

C. Scope The Lu-Hf and Sm-Nd isotope analyses will be done by isotope dilution. This process includes acid dissolution of garnet and whole rock aliquots in bomb pressure vessels at high temperature. Solutions will be spiked with enriched isotope tracers of 149Sm-150Nd and 176Lu-180Hf, and then purified using cation exchange column chromatography. The isotope compositions of the purified solutions will be analyzed on a multi-collector ICPMS (inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer). Additionally, two aliquots of garnet from each sample will be subject to treatment using H2SO4 to remove phosphate inclusions which can complicate Sm-Nd isotope measurements of garnet.

II. Work Requirements A. Technical Requirements The contractor shall have experience in Lu-Hf and Sm-Nd isotope analyses of geologic materials, isotope dilution, garnet geochronology, and in multi-collector mass spectrometry. For each sample, two whole rock aliquots and two garnet aliquots must be analyzed for Lu-Hf and Sm-Nd isotopes. Additionally for each sample, two garnet aliquots will be analyzed for Sm-Nd isotopes after being subject to H2SO4 treatment, and two aliquots will be measured for Lu-Hf isotopes. The isotope measurements shall be made using a multi-collector ICPMS with demonstrable consistent prior measurement of standard solutions JNdi (For Nd) and JMC (for Hf).

Deliverables The contractor shall provide the deliverables in a digital format. Raw data will be provided in Excel Spreadsheet files. The corrected and final data for all samples shall be of publication quality and will be provided in a single Excel Spreadsheet. The contractor will also provide the measured values of the standard solutions analyzed with the unknowns during the isotope analyses.

III. Supporting information A. Place of performance to be determined B. Period of performance One year after award 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 a 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: 1000 Employees Subject: Sources Sought Sources Sought Closing Response Date: July 3, 2025, 2:00pm Mountain Time Contact Point: Mindie Dixon – mdixon@usgs.gov Objective: To find sources that are qualified to meet the supplies/services as listed below. Note that the specific requirements are subject to change prior to the release of any solicitation.

The USGS - Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center (the Center) needs to acquire an integrated sensor package (multi-sensor core logger) to non-destructively image and measure sediment properties in whole-round or split sediment cores.