SOURCES_SOUGHT_NOTICE_1.pdf

SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE

NEUTRON IRRADIATION SERVICES

NAICS CODE: 541380 – Testing Laboratories and Services

SIZE STANDARD: $19,000,000

INTRODUCTION

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is conducting market research in accordance with FAR Part 10 to identify qualified sources capable of providing neutron irradiation services supporting USGS 40Ar/39Ar geochronology laboratories.

This Sources Sought Notice is issued for market research and acquisition planning purposes only.

This notice does not constitute a solicitation or a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or award a contract.

REQUIREMENT

The Government intends to establish an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract for neutron irradiation services. Detailed technical requirements, performance expectations, and deliverables are contained in the attached Performance-Based Work Statement (PBWS).

Interested firms capable of performing the requirements described in the PBWS are invited to submit capability statements.

CAPABILITY STATEMENT INFORMATION REQUESTED

Interested firms should provide the following information:

1. Company name and address.

2. Point of contact information.

3. UEI number and SAM registration status.

4. Business size and socioeconomic status under NAICS 541380.

5. Description of capability and experience performing similar irradiation or reactor-based services.

6. Description of facility capabilities and typical scheduling availability.

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Responses shall be limited to five (5) pages and submitted electronically.

Submit responses via email to:

Joel Berberena Contracting Officer U.S. Geological Survey jberberena@usgs.gov

140G0326Q0043

Subject Line: Sources Sought – Neutron Irradiation Services

DISCLAIMER

This notice is for informational and planning purposes only. The Government will not reimburse respondents for costs incurred in responding to this notice.

PR0044034672 Neutron Irradiation Geochronology IDIQ

PERFORMANCE-BASED WORK STATEMENT

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

A. Introduction (general description of services).

The USGS needs to have mineral and rock samples irradiated by neutrons in a nuclear reactor for 40Ar/39Ar geochronology (3 labs – in Denver, Moffett, and Reston). The reactor converts a small portion of stable 39K to radioactive 39Ar to assess the potassium (K) content.

B. Background

The USGS conducts research on economic and regional geology for the Mineral Resources, National Cooperative

Geologic Mapping, and Volcanic Hazards Programs. Understanding the timing of geologic processes and events as well as quantifying rates and timescales is key to geologic mapping, mineral and energy resource assessments, and natural hazard assessments. 40Ar/39Ar geochronology labs rely on the fast neutron irradiation of samples in nuclear reactors. Typically, the labs use the USGS Denver TRIGA reactor, but it has been out of operation for some time.

The USGS 40Ar/39Ar geochronology labs require an alternate, reliable TRIGA research nuclear reactor to irradiate samples. Packages require different durations of irradiation depending on anticipated ages of minerals and rocks to be dated, so duration flexibility is needed. If samples are unable to be irradiated, samples cannot be dated using

40Ar/39Ar geochronology, affecting tens of geologic hazards, geologic mapping, and critical mineral deposit studies funded by the Volcano Hazards, Mineral Resources, Energy and National Coordinated Geologic Mapping Programs.

C. Definitions/Applicable Documents

Irradiate – expose samples to neutrons created by a nuclear reactor

Flux or fluence gradient – changes in neutron abundance across a space

Fast neutrons—neutrons with energies above 1 MeV, on average

D. Scope

Samples are sent to the contractor in one or more sealed quartz glass ampules. Samples are irradiated to convert 39K to 39Ar and thus allow for the measurement of 39Ar as a proxy for K. Samples are placed in the core of a nuclear reactor to minimize flux gradients. A cadmium liner is used to improve the energy spectrum of neutrons (increase fast/thermal neutron ratio) that irradiate the sample. After the requested irradiation time, samples are held until they are safe to ship and then are returned to the lab.

II. WORK REQUIREMENTS

A. Technical Requirements.

1. The contractor shall have demonstrated experience in irradiating samples for 40Ar/39Ar geochronology.

They should have the capability to irradiate samples in a cadmium liner in the core of the reactor. The reactor must have published neutron interference correction values (publication should be available in the scientific literature) for (40Ar/39Ar)K, (38Ar/39Ar)K, (37Ar/39Ar)K, (36Ar/37Ar)Ca, (38Ar/37Ar)Ca, (39Ar/37Ar)Ca, and (36Ar/38Ar)Cl.

2. Criteria for acceptance of Product or Service. Compliance will be measured by noble gas mass spectrometer measurements showing that 39Ar production is sufficient for precise, accurate geochronology on laboratory standards, such as Bodie Hills, Taylor Creek, and Fish Canyon sanidine, and GA1550 biotite.

B. Deliverables.

1. Characteristics for work product described in II.A.1., identified by name and quantity:

Each argon geochronology laboratory maintains a sensitive schedule depending on project needs, instrument availability, and scientific/technical throughput. Irradiation duration is chosen based on expected ages of rocks

(older rocks need more 39K converted to 39Ar, so longer irradiations) The isotopes created in the reactor have a variety of half-lives so must be analyzed within ~4 months of irradiation. Samples are unable to be shipped from the reactor immediately due to hazardous short-lived isotopes so timing is critical. Non-USGS reactors don’t have priority for USGS samples, so we often have to pay rush fees to maintain deadlines.

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

The USGS will send multiple packages for irradiation in sealed quartz glass ampules, at times appropriate for laboratory efficiency. Irradiation will occur according to the reactor facility schedule, but if too long we will need to pay rush fees. The contractor will return the samples in the sealed quartz glass ampule, along with appropriate radioactive materials and irradiation parameter documentation. Ampules will be clearly labelled upon return.

III. SUPPORTING INFORMATION

A. Place of Performance.

The nuclear reactor site for the selected facility.

B. Period of Performance.

IDIQ, base year, plus four years, Actual ordering period dates may be adjusted based on contract award date.

C. Government Furnished Property (GFP).

None

D. Special Considerations.

1. Samples must be irradiated in the core of the reactor

2. Samples must be irradiated with a cadmium liner

3. Facility must have the capability to irradiate samples in a cadmium liner in the core of the reactor.

4. The reactor must have published neutron interference correction values (publication should be available in the scientific literature) for (40Ar/39Ar)K, (38Ar/39Ar)K, (37Ar/39Ar)K, (36Ar/37Ar)Ca, (38Ar/37Ar)Ca, (39Ar/37Ar)Ca, and (36Ar/38Ar)Cl.

IV. Surveillance and Quality Assurance

Each laboratory maintains strict quality assurance protocols and analyzes standards to assess irradiation dosage and production of unwanted isotopes. These include sanidine, biotite or hornblende age standards, kalsilite glass, and fluorite. Additionally, documentation of irradiated materials necessary for our NRC licensing are scrutinized.

V. Consequences of Nonperformance

If samples are not irradiated, USGS laboratories cannot deliver age dates to projects that need them. If samples are not irradiated in a timely fashion, valuable instruments and their technicians sit idle.

VI. Remedies

Nonconforming services are subject to inspection, acceptance, rejection, or re-performance.

VII. Mission Dependency Statement

Mineral Resources, National Cooperative Geologic Mapping, and Volcanic Hazards Programs fund critical mineral, mapping and hazard projects which depend on precise and accurate argon geochronology. Without timely, high-quality irradiation, analyses cannot be completed.