B08_140G0222Q0149_Attch_1_PWS.docx

Performance-based Work Statement (PWS) USGS/ERP/CERSC/Gulf Coast Project Thin Section Preparation Services Introduction and Background The Department of Interior (DOI) U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Central Energy Resources Science Center (CERSC) requires the preparation of thin sections from mudstone core and outcrop samples of stratigraphic intervals being investigated in assessments and research by the USGS CERSC. Members of CERSC have identified the need for thin section preparation from multiple cores and outcrop samples currently collected, along with several future core and outcrop studies planned over the next 5 years.

Historic requirements of the CERSC for cores from the Gulf Coast only were: FY2018, 6 orders for $8,408.48; FY2019, 4 orders for $4,730.88, FY 2020, 4 orders for $5,293.72, and FY2021, 7 orders for $6,226.76. Historic requirements are not considered guarantee of any future requirements.

Current and future requirements are estimated to possibly exceed 300 thin sections per year, with needs increasing as future research and assessment efforts are initiated. The current and future requirement estimates are not considered guarantee of any future requirements.

Thin sections are an essential product for the evaluation of mudstones. The fine-grained nature of such lithologies (grain size < 62.5 µm) necessitates petrographic techniques that utilize high power magnification to observe the components that they consist of. While historically mudstones have been defined based upon their geochemical characteristics, it is increasingly apparent that to fully demonstrate the heterogeneity of such lithologies observations of both the primary and secondary (diagenetic) sources of the rock composition is necessary. In order to properly differentiate these components and more accurately interpret the properties of mudstones we must increasingly use petrographic methods such as thin sections as a primary basis of our observations.

In order to perform necessary petrographic analyses, it is most important to have high-quality thin sections. For mudstones, the thin section must be no greater than 20 microns, mounted in blue epoxy, polished, unstained, and no cover slip. These criteria have become widely accepted as ideal for mudstone petrography. The ongoing research and assessment efforts of CERSC are becoming increasingly reliant upon having access to thin sections prepared under these guidelines.

Scope Services, non-personal, to provide all plant equipment, labor, travel, supervision, and materials (unless otherwise provided herein) necessary for the preparation of thin sections from mudstone core and outcrop samples.

Technical Requirements Task 1: Upon the Government’s order/call, the contractor shall prepare thin sections. The contractor shall provide thin sections for petrographic analysis of mudstones.

The CERSC will send samples to the contractor via standard U.S. Postal Service (USPS) mail or other means. Samples will be shipped in bags weighing between 5 – 50 lbs and shall be handled with care upon arrival by the contractor.

The contractor shall prepare thin sections from mudstone core and outcrop samples in accordance with the following Quality Standards and Time Standards for acceptable performance:

Task 1 The contractor shall prepare Thin Section slides.

· The contractor shall cut the core into thin sections 20 µm thick, a thickness specific for petrographic evaluation of mudstones

· The contractor shall mount the thin sections with blue epoxy on a standard size glass slide (27 X 46 mm)

· The contractor shall polish the thin section samples by not stained and no cover slip will be applied

· The contractor shall assure that no cracks or scratches appear on the slide

· The contractor shall properly label the top of each thin section.

· The contractor shall send the thin sections with identifying documentation to the USGS.

Task 1 Quality Standards for Acceptable Performance: Thin sections will be 20 µm thick, a thickness specific to and necessary for petrographic evaluation of mudstones, mounted with blue epoxy on a standard size glass slide (27 X 46 mm). Samples will be polished but not stained and no cover slip will be applied. Each thin section will be appropriately labeled, including sample ID and the upwards direction of the sample, on the thin section and in the sample box (sample ID only) they are returned in. Thin sections will be returned in a standard 25 slide thin section slide box.

Task 1 Time Standards. The contractor shall complete Task 1 within 90 days after samples arrive.

Task 2 : Upon the Government’s order/call, the contractor shall package and return the unused portions of the cores / samples.

Task 2 Quality Standards.

Task 2 Time Standard. The contractor shall return the unused portions of the cores/samples within 30 days after preparing the thin sections.

QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN (QASP)

The contractor shall be responsible for Quality Control of the services performed. The contractor shall implement its Quality Control Plan (QCP) before delivering samples and unused rocks/cores to the Government. The contractor shall not include the Government’s QASP in the contractor’s QCP.

The Government is responsible for Quality Assurance. The Government will inspect the contractor’s performance to assure that the Quality Standards and the Time Standards in the Performance-based Work Statement are met or exceeded for acceptable performance.

The USGS Technical Liaison (TL) will visually inspect each thin section provided upon receipt for each of the Quality Standards defined in Section 4.1. The TL will also inspect each returned unused sample core/rock returned by the contractor for proper labeling.