SOURCES_SOUGHT_NOTICE_DOIGFBO220064_1.pdf

SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE # DOIGFBO220064

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 325199 for an upcoming requirement for chemical concentration mixes in accordance with the specifications shown below.

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 U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Branch of Quality Systems (BQS), Organic Blind Sample Project (OBSP), within the Water Mission Area (WMA) requires several chemical concentration mixtures. The BQS OBSP is responsible for the external performance assessment of the USGS National Water Quality Laboratory’s (NWQL) organic analyses in water and sediment. OBSP generates water and sediment samples containing known chemical concentrations on weekly, monthly and quarterly timeframes. These samples are designed to be indistinguishable to the chemical analyst from regular environmental samples and thus are known as “blind” samples.

Analytical results of these samples returned from the NWQL are evaluated against the known chemical concentrations to produce statistically-based information and data on analytical performance (quality). These data are valuable to both the NWQL and USGS users of NWQL analytical services. OBSP utilizes multiple private vendors to supply chemical solutions which are then used in-house to construct water and sediment samples with known and targeted chemical concentrations. Chemical concentrations are in the low to very low ranges (micrograms-per-liter, nanograms-per-liter). OBSP covers over 800 chemical compounds currently analyzed at the NWQL. OBSP targets external chemical vendors as the source of chemical mixtures of varied composition and at varied chemical concentrations to use to construct performance assessment samples to better reflect the range of these compounds in environmental samples received by NWQL. In order to quality assure OBSP internal operations and samples, OBSP will typically order from two separate vendors in order to verify vendor-supplied mix contents and concentrations.

DRAFT SPECIFICATIONS

Chemical mixes of varied composition and varied chemical concentrations are needed for this requirement. See Attachment 1 – DRAFT Chemical Mixes (Excel Spreadsheet includes seven separate tabs for various chemical mixes including 2033, 2044, 2447, 4433, 4434, 4437, and 4440) with descriptions of draft required chemical mixes.

Annually, within each custom mix, OBSP develops a specific list of needed components (chemical analytes), at specified concentration levels.

Other requirements include, but are not limited to, significant figures for concentration determination, specified concentration units, solvent grade, packaging and shipping requirements, number of vials for a specified mix, a vendor quote with analyte name and correlated Chemical Abstract Services number.

OBSP usually submits these very specific lists of needs to the vendor community in the first quarter of the Fiscal Year (Oct – Dec) as the actual spiking mixes are required by OBSP by the April – May timeframe of every Fiscal Year.

A response is required for each attached chemical concentration mix and which analytes within each mix that can be supplied.

Responses shall include catalog pricing information. If any analytes in a mix cannot be supplied, please also indicate those details and return spreadsheet with responses to this sources sought notice.

NOTE: Useable and fillable Excel spreadsheet is attached (tabs consist of 2033, 2440, 2447, 4433, 4434, 4437, and 4440) are provided for market research purposes.

(End of DRAFT SPECIFICATIONS)

For market research purposes only, the USGS is investigating interested contractors that can demonstrate capabilities and provide a general estimated cost for the instrument detailed in the referenced specifications shown above. An official scope of work with up to date specifications will be provided with any future solicitation that may be issued for this requirement.

Responses to this announcement are requested from (1) Small Businesses (SB); (2) Small Disadvantaged Businesses (SDB); (3) Section 8(a) Businesses; (4) Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSB); (5) Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Businesses (EDWOSB); (6) Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) Small Businesses; (7) Veteran-Owned Small Businesses; (8) Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB); and (9) Large Businesses.

In response to this announcement, please indicate your firm's socioeconomic status (e.g. 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 325199 if their AVERAGE number of employees for the preceding twelve (12) months were less than or equal to 1,250. Any information submitted is voluntary. If sufficient interest and capability is not received from firms in categories (1) through (8) 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 DUNS 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 DUNs number and be registered on-line at the System for Award Management (SAM) https://www.sam.gov. You will also be required to provide your small business status information either via the RFP or the On-line Representations and Certifications (ORCA) also located at the SAM website before an award to your company can be made. Your on-line ORCA registration will cover any/all of your offers to the Federal Government, and only needs updated annually.

All responses must be submitted no later than August 5, 2022 by 12:00 pm (MT) via e-mail to:

jharris@usgs.gov.

This is NOT a Request for Quote (RFQ), 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.