A14_Sources_Sought_1.pdf

SOURCES SOUGHT: This is a SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE. The U.S. Geological Survey is conducting a MARKET SURVEY to determine the interest and capability of any firm eligible to compete under NAICS code 541380 with a Small Business Size Standard $19 million for an upcoming requirement to provide passive gas samplers suitable for deployment in sanitary sewers, and analysis of the passive gas samplers for a specific list of volatile organic compounds.

THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION. ALL COST ASSOCIATED WITH PROVIDING

INFORMATION AS REQUESTED BY THIS SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE SHALL BE THE

RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CONTRACTOR. Submission is voluntary.

Background:

The USGS is providing technical support for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The primary contaminant of concern is trichloroethene (TCE) and its degradation products cis- 1,2-dichloroethene (cis-DCE) and vinyl chloride (VC). The EPA has detected TCE in shallow groundwater and in indoor air samples from nearby homes. The EPA was concerned that TCE could be present in the sanitary sewer system because of infiltration of contaminated groundwater into the old tile sanitary sewer lines or from historical direct discharge of TCE into the sanitary sewers.

Anticipated Scope of Work:

Contractors must supply self-contained passive sampler devices configured and suitable for deployment in the high humidity environment found in sanitary sewer systems and can accept and analyze the samplers deployed by USGS for the target VOC compounds and reporting levels listed in table 1 below. The samplers will have a selective absorbent media and membrane that will preferentially uptake the target VOCs of interest (table 1 below) and exclude other common gases in sewers such as hydrogen sulfide (H2S). Temperatures in the sanitary sewers are unknown but assumed to be “typical” and in the 45-70 degrees Fahrenheit range. Samplers should be small (no larger than a 40-mL VOC vial) and have a hanger suitable to attach a small string or wire for suspension in the manhole. Because deployment requires USGS to be opening manholes in streets and interrupting traffic, samplers should be simple to deploy and be shipped to USGS in individually wrapped or sealed containers or gas-resistant bags and require minimal assembly. Some simple assembly in the field, such as switching a sealed cap for semipermeable membrane cap or attaching the Contractor supplied hanger assembly is allowable.

Based on the deployed environment (sanitary sewers) Contractors must provide the required number of passive samplers with the appropriate configuration (e.g. absorbent and membrane) and analyze the passive samplers and report concentrations of six (6) target VOCs to within 10 ng (nanograms) mass and at a calculated laboratory limit of detection (LOD) of 1-1.5 ug/m3 (micrograms per cubic meter) using EPA method TO-17. The specific target VOCs and required LOD are specified in table 1 listed below. Analytical results must be delivered to the USGS within 40 days of receipt of the samplers by the Contractor. The analytical results are to include a tabular summary of the target compounds for each sampler using the USGS field ID, date, and time, and the Contractor sample number tied to USGS field ID from custody sheet and include the complete level IV data package that will be reviewed by the USEPA. Contractors also will provide a simple isopleth (contour) map of TCE concentrations if provided the coordinates by USGS for the samples submitted.

Table 1. Target compounds and target laboratory analytical reporting levels for passive sewer gas sampling.

[ng, nanogram; ug/m3, micrograms per cubic meter] Compound Required laboratory mass limit of detection (ng)

Required laboratory calculated limit of detection (LOD) in ug/m3

Required laboratory calculated limit of quantitation

(LOQ) in ug/m3

Trichloroethene (TCE) 20 1.0 1.5 cis-1,2-dichloroethene (cis-DCE)

20 1.0 1.0

Vinyl chloride (VC) 20 1.0 1.0

Tetrachloroethene

(PCE)

20 1.0 1.5

Benzene 20 1.0 5

Toluene 20 1.5 5

Acceptance Criteria:

a. The required number of properly configured samplers will be received within 14 days of notification by the USGS of each of the two sampling events.

b. The Contractor must provide analysis of each submitted sampler for the compounds and at the required limits provided in table 1.

c. The Contractor must provide a tabular summary of the target compounds for each sampler submitted using the USGS supplied field ID, date, and time.

d. The Contractor must supply a complete level IV data package documenting internal QA/QC. Document laboratory compound recoveries will be within normally acceptable limits and target compounds must be detected in laboratory blanks at levels no greater than ½ the calculated LOD in table 1.

e. Analytical results will be delivered to USGS within 40 days of sample receipt by the Contractor. Analytical results must be provided in digital (pdf) format.

Deliverables:

USGS must receive passive air samplers appropriately configured for deployment in sanitary sewers for the target compounds and reporting levels provided in table 1 listed above within 14 days of notification by USGS. Based on the desired reporting levels for the compounds of interest, the Contractor must provide estimated deployment times to USGS. The Contractor must analyze the samplers consistent with EPA method TO-17 and provide a tabular summary of target compound results and a complete level IV analytical data package to USGS in a pdf readable format within 40 days of receipt of the samples. In addition, Contractor will provide a simple isopleth (contour) map of TCE concentrations using coordinates provided by USGS for the submitted samples.

Responses to this announcement are requested from (1) Indian Small Business Economic Enterprise (2) SBA certified Small Business HubZone firms; (3) Small Business firms certified by a Small Business Administration (SBA) district or regional office for participation in the 8(a) program; (4) Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned small Business firms; (5) Small Businesses.

In response to this announcement, please indicate your firm's socioeconomic status (e.g. ISBEE, small business, service-disabled veteran-owned, women owned, HUBZone, etc.) This information will assist the Government in determining how small businesses can fit into the acquisition strategy.

A firm is considered small under NAICS code 541380 with a Small Business Size Standard $19 million. Any information submitted is voluntary. If sufficient interest and capability is not received from firms in categories (1) through (4) above, any solicitation may be issued as unrestricted without further consideration.

Interested small business firms shall submit (1) NAME, ADDRESS, and PHONE NUMBER OF THE FIRM (including SAM UEI NUMBER); (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 their 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 SAM Unique Identifier number and be registered on-line at the System for Award Management (SAM).

All responses must be submitted NLT December 31st, 2025 at 5:00pm MST via e-mail to:

KKeuma@usgs.gov.

This is NOT a Request for Proposal (RFP) or Invitation for Bid (IFB) and does not constitute any commitment by the Government. Responses to this sources sought notice will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions. All interested sources must respond to future solicitation announcements separately from responses to this market survey. Any solicitation that may be issued will be posted on the Federal Business Opportunities website and no paper copies will be provided.