Sources_Sought_geological_analysis_1.docx

Sources Sought

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is conducting market research to determine the availability of qualified businesses capable of providing stable LI isotope analyses as described in the attached statement of work. This sources sought announcement is not a request for quote or proposal and the Government is not committed to award of a purchase order or contract pursuant to this announcement. The information resulting from this market research is simply for planning purposes to assist the Government in determining its acquisition strategy. The Government will not pay for any costs incurred in the preparation of information for responding to this notice.

All responsible sources may submit a capability statement detailing the ability of their service to meet the statement of work included with this announcement.

NAICS Code: 541380 Testing Laboratories and Services size standard $19.0 and Product Service code B517 Special Studies/Analysis – geological apply to this announcement.

Please provide business size on capability statement.

Responses to this announcement shall only be accepted through electronic mail addressed to aberry@usgs.gov and must be uploaded and received in their entirety no later than 01/23/2026 by 0500 PD Responses submitted by hard copy shall not be accepted or considered.

Statement of Work

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

A. Introduction

USGS Geology, Minerals, Energy and Geopyshics Science Center requires geochemical analyses of lithium-bearing rocks as part of the current domestic lithium mineral resource assessment focus.

B. Background

In response to multiple executive orders, the Mineral Resources Program funded research projects to assess the most urgent set of critical minerals including lithium. A key component of those projects is to generate new data to learn previously undiscovered details about our domestic lithium deposits. Stable lithium isotopes analyses provide δ7Li values that can reveal increasing lithium concentrations to point to undiscovered lithium deposits.

C. Scope

The general purpose is to collect geochemical data from rock samples in powdered form. The objective is to determine their δ7Li values. The magnitude is 15 samples.

II. WORK REQUIREMENTS

A. Technical Requirements.

1.

15 powdered rock samples will be submitted and will need to be dissolved, purified via wet column chemistry, and measured on a mass spectrometer. Analysis will include the measurement values and their calculated δ7Li values.

2. Criteria for acceptance of Product or Service

Use of reference standards to monitor the reliability of the new numerical data generated. New data are set in reference to the standard as a check of the new data’s reliability.

Deliverable is a spreadsheet with rows and columns of numerical data, including a column with the δ7Li values for all 15 samples.

2. Delivery dates for work/product to be completed and point of delivery.

180 days from award date.

Contractors’ laboratory B. Period of Performance

Period of Performance is 180 days from award.

C. Government Furnished Property (GFP): list property and its value.

1. Key personnel qualifications (researchers, instructors, writers, project managers, programmers, etc.)

None.

2. Data Rights, Safety, Environment.

None.

3. Security/Privacy issues (ingress to Federal buildings, personnel clearances, computer security).

None.