Sources_Sought_1.pdf

PR0044023691 Zircon LA-MC-ICPMS

Sources Sought (Special Notice) Subject: Laser-Ablation Split-Stream (LASS) Radiogenic Isotope and Trace Element Analysis

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Alaska Science Center, is conducting market research to determine the availability of qualified sources capable of providing in-situ laser-ablation split-stream (LASS) radiogenic isotope and trace element analysis services, as described in the attached Statement of Work (SOW). This Sources Sought announcement is not a request for quote or proposal, and the Government is not committed to award a purchase order or contract pursuant to this announcement. The information resulting from this market research is for planning purposes only, 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.

The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541380 Testing Laboratories, with a size standard of $19.5 million.

Scope of Requirement The USGS requires access to a Laser-Ablation Split-Stream Multi-Collector Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (LASS-MC-ICPMS) laboratory for U-Pb geochronology, Hf isotope, and trace element concentration analysis on zircon samples. The contractor shall:

• Provide 6 total days of instrument time.

• Maintain the LASS-MC-ICPMS and ensure reproducibility of U/Pb and Hf ratios as specified in the SOW.

• Allow 24-hour access to the instrument for USGS scientists during each service day.

• Provide technical support (minimum 8 consecutive hours/day) and data reduction services.

• Assign personnel with a Ph.D. in analytical geochemistry.

The Period of Performance is August 4, 2025, through December 31, 2026.

Instructions for Responding All responsible sources may submit a capability statement detailing:

• Experience with in-situ U-Pb geochronology, 176Hf/177Hf isotope analysis, and trace element concentrations using LASS-MC-ICPMS.

• Availability of instrumentation and staff with relevant geochemical expertise.

• Prior work using the protocols defined in Cottle et al. (2009, 2012, 2013) and Kylander-Clark et al. (2013).

Responses that do not specifically address the technical requirements in the SOW will not be considered.

Submission Details Responses must be submitted via email to Joel Berberena at jberberena@usgs.gov

Include the following in your response:

• DUNS/UEI number

• Business size (small/large) and socioeconomic status (e.g., SDVOSB, WOSB)

• Relevant NAICS codes

• Contact information

Statement of Work

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The USGS requires in-situ laser-ablation split-stream (LASS) radiogenic isotope and trace element analysis.

2.0 BACKGROUND

The USGS conducts research on regional geology and mineral resources. This work involves determining the geochronology of understudied areas of Alaska, contributing to geologic maps and elucidation of the framework geology of the area(s) being investigated to better reconstruct tectonic and metallogenic evolution. This work involves analyzing the age and genetic origins of magmas emplaced in the region being investigated. The physical and chemical properties of the mineral zircon make it a particularly novel and useful tool in the interpretation of petrogenetic history of igneous rocks. The most widespread example is zircon U/Pb geochronology, currently the most robust technique for determining the cooling ages of igneous rocks. This is because zircon is a natural host of uranium during cooling of a melt. However, zircon is also a host for hafnium (Hf), one of the long-lived radiogenic element ratios (e.g., 87Sr/86Sr, 143Nd/144Nd, 176Hf/177Hf) that are uniquely useful geochemical tracers for understanding the sources of melts. Of these, Hf is least susceptible to contamination by fluids associated with late-stage alteration due to its high charge and small ionic radius. Because Hf preferentially partitions into zircon during cooling of igneous rocks, Hf is in high enough concentrations for in-situ analysis, allowing for a high-fidelity record of 176Hf/177Hf ratios in the original melt, and allows additional constraints on the degree of isotopic heterogeneity that cannot be determined by whole-rock analysis. And finally, new research on trace element concentrations in zircon grains demonstrate that zircon composition is a function of important melt parameters during cooling, like water content and alkalinity. UCSB researchers have developed new technological advances using laser-abation techniques coupled with split-stream delivery (LASS; Kylander-Clark et al., 2013) to send ablated material to two different mass-spectrometer instruments (both a single-collector and a multi-collector ICPMS), allowing the simultaneous measurement using of all three of these components (U/Pb geochronology, Hf isotopes, and trace element concentration) on the same spot on a single grain.

3.0 SCOPE

USGS scientists require access to the Laser-Ablation Split-Stream Multi-Collector Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (LASS-MC-ICPMS) laboratory for each day of instrument time to gather U-Pb geochronology, Hf isotope, and trace element concentration data. During this time, the contractor will maintain the LASS-MC- ICPMS laboratory, such that USGS scientists are able to obtain data following the protocols outlined in Cottle et al.

(2009; 2012; 2013) and Kylander-Clark et al. (2013).

The contractor will provide instrument time for a total of 6 days. Dates will be mutually agreed upon. USGS scientists will be able to access the LA-ICMPS laboratory for 24 hrs/day during this time period. The contractor must provide access to technical support over an 8-hr continuous time period for each of these days. The timing of the 8-hr technical support period will be mutually agreed upon by the USGS scientist and the contractor. The contractor shall provide analytical support from, at minimum, a Ph.D. with expertise in analytical geochemistry.

4.0 TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

The contractor will ensure that the LA-MC-ICPMS instrument is available, maintained, and performing normally for each day of scheduled instrument time for a USGS scientist to operate. These requirements mean that the contractor shall also employ data reduction methods to calculate isotope ratios for unknowns.

The contractor shall be able to demonstrate that the instrument is capable of providing reproducibility of U/Pb ratios for geochronologic reference materials of better than 3%, using the analytical protocols described in Cottle et al., 2009 and Cottle et al., 2012. The contractor shall be able to demonstrate that the instrument is capable of providing reproducibility of 176Hf/177Hf for repeated analyses of contractor-provided standard reference materials of better than 70 ppm (2σ) as reported in Kylander-Clark et al. (2013). The precision and accuracy of geochronologic, isotopic, and concentration measurements will be verified by the USGS scientist by bracketing measurements of unknowns with measurements of geochronologic standards provided by the contractor.

Time during which the LA-MC-ICPMS instrument is not maintained or performing inadequately will be supplanted with additional instrument time. The USGS scientists will accept the work if the LA-MC-ICPMS is maintained and functioning for at least 3 consecutive days of instrument time so that U-Pb geochronologic, Hf isotope, and trace element data can be obtained following the protocols defined by Cottle et al. (2009; 2012) and Kylander-Clark et al.

(2013).

4.0 DELIVERABLES

The contractor shall provide technical support so that the USGS scientists can perform U-Pb geochronologic, isotopic, and trace elemental analysis on trace mineral phases following the criteria outlined in Cottle et al. (2009;

2012; 2013) and Kylander-Clark et al. (2013). The contractor shall employ data reduction methods to calculate ages, isotope ratios, and trace element concentrations for unknowns, as well as for normalizing results for unknown samples based on results obtained for standard reference materials.

5.0 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: August 4, 2025, through December 31, 2026

6.0 REFERENCES CITED

Cottle, J.M., Horstwood, M.S.A., and Parrish, R.R., 2009, A new approach to single shot laser ablation analysis and its application to in situ Pb/U geochronology: Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry, v. 24, p. 1355 – 1363.

Cottle, J.M., Kylander-Clark, A.R., Vrijmoed, J.C., 2012, U-Th/Pb geochronology of detrital zircon and monazite by single shote laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SS-LA-ICPMS).

Cottle, J.M., Burrows, A.J., Kylander-Clark, A., Freedman, P.A., and Cohen, R.S., 2013, Enhanced sensitivity in laser ablation multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry: Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry, v. 28, no. 11, p. 1700, doi: 10.1039/c3ja50216c.

Kylander-Clark, A.R.C., Hacker, B.R., and Cottle, J.M., 2013, Laser-ablation split-stream ICP petrochronology:

Chemical Geology, v. 345, p. 1–14, doi: 10.1016/j.chemgeo.2013.02.019.