GA99_Site_Operator_RFI_1.pdf

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY (USGS)

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION/SOURCES SOUGHT FOR

Acid Rain Collection – Site GA99 Operator

General Information

Solicitation Number: DOIGFBO250063

Release of RFI Date: 8/12/2025 Required Responses Due Date: 8/25/2025

Set Aside: TBD

NAICS Code: 334516 – Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing

This is a Request for Information (RFI) (Sources Sought) only and is not a solicitation for a contract or grant award. This RFI notice is for information purposes only, is not a request for proposals, and does not obligate the Government in any way. A request for proposals may or may not result from this request. The Government will not reimburse the respondents for any costs associated with the information submitted in response to this request. The Government will treat each submission in confidence.

SOURCES SOUGHT: Responses from large and small businesses are encouraged, however, in accordance with FAR 19.5, set asides for small business; the government will review the information in this announcement to determine the type of set aside (if any) for this requirement.

Provide the size status and socioeconomic designation (e.g. hubzone, 8(a), WOSB, SDVOSB) of your company based on NAICS 334516. Please identify your socioeconomic business status and if you are on the GSA schedule.

All questions about the RFI shall be directed by email to the point of contact listed below.

Responses shall be sent via electronic mail (email) to:

Brian Baker Contracting Officer bfbaker@usgs.gov

Background

The U.S. Geological Survey may have an opportunity for weekly operation of a National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP) site located near Stanton, TN, and known by NADP Site ID “GA99” in Chula, Georgia. The position involves visiting the GA99 site every Tuesday morning to collect the weekly composite sample of precipitation obtained by a mechanical collector and ensuring that the automated precipitation gage is operating properly. Site access is limited to University of Georgia employees or persons who are granted entry permission by University of Georgia. The site operator deploys a clean, bag-lined bucket on the collector, and then returns to their home/shop/lab to process the sample. The sample is weighed to determine the amount of precipitation collected, and then it is poured into a sample bottle. The operator fills out a Field Observer Report Form (FORF) to document the sample. Then, the sample is shipped with this FORF to the University of Wisconsin, Madison for analysis. The precipitation depth data are transmitted automatically from the site to the internet by cellular modem. In rare instances, the operator may be asked to manually download the gage data using an Android device (supplied by USGS). Manually downloaded data are then emailed into the NADP Program Office (Madison, WI). Occasional maintenance and adjustment of the instruments is also part of the operator’s responsibilities. Complete instruction and technical support are supplied by NADP and USGS.

The whole process takes less than an hour each week every Tuesday, not including driving time to the site. Even if it does not rain or snow, the bucket needs to be changed out and the data downloaded every Tuesday. Therefore, a backup operator is required to cover for life events and vacations. The operator may identify a backup operator.

A temporary USGS observer agreement will be issued to the observer until a formal contract can be issued. Compensation amount will be negotiated between the USGS and the site operator.

Purpose and Objectives

The USGS is seeking information from companies and individual to determine interest and capability to perform the work.

Information Requested

Interested parties should submit a written response which addresses the following topics:

1. Organization information: Organization name and address, point of contact, email address, phone number, size of organization. Affiliation with University of Georgia (faculty, employee, student, contractor…)

2. Capabilities: Familiarity with rain gages or environmental monitoring equipment is a plus but not required. Provide a brief description of your capabilities and prior experience relevant to this RFI to provide the required technical requirements.

3. SAM Registration: SAM.gov registration would be required to receive an award. Indicate if you currently have a SAM account or expected date account will be active.