Statement_of_Work_2.pdf

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

A. Introduction Geochemical analytical services for full platinum group element and gold characterization of 300 deep-ocean ferromanganese crust, manganese nodule, sulfide, phosphorite and sediment samples are required for the research purposes of the Global Ocean Marine Mineral Resources team.

B. Background The U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) contain both extensions of continental minerals and unique deep-ocean marine minerals that may be enriched in trace, rare, and critical minerals. The types of deep-ocean marine minerals are phosphorites, ferromanganese crusts, manganese nodules, and seafloor massive sulfides. The USGS Global Ocean Marine Mineral Resources project team is tasked with providing marine mineral resources data to the U.S. Government and the public. To perform this task, we collect physical samples of marine minerals either through participation in oceanographic research expeditions, collaborations with colleagues who gather samples on our behalf, or utilize archive samples housed in geologic repositories. After detailed description, cataloguing, and appropriate subsampling of each mineral sample, they are crushed into powders for geochemical analysis, including all platinum group elements (platinum, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium) and gold using the analytical methods detailed below in Technical Requirements. A highly specific analytical technique and instruments are needed to characterize the platinum group and gold concentrations of deep-ocean minerals due to their varied types and formation environments that result in unique mineral matrices and metal enrichment mechanisms. The instruments and laboratory supplies and equipment are not available to the Global Ocean Marine Mineral Resources team in-house and therefore the samples must be sent to commercials laboratories for analysis.

The geochemical data generated for these types of marine minerals and associated sediment samples that occur in regions within the OCS and EEZ are needed to inform U.S. marine mineral resources. These data will be used to understand the enrichment of valuable and critical minerals in known marine mineral occurrences as well to improve models to determine where marine minerals with potential economic interest are likely to occur when combined with other oceanographic and geographic parameters the influence mineral formation.

C. Definitions

Critical minerals: Critical minerals are necessary for the manufacture of high technology devices, national defense applications, and green growth-related industries. A critical commodity is one that is important for these specialized applications yet is at risk for supply disruption. A complete list of critical minerals as of February 2022 can be found here: <https://www.usgs.gov/news/national-news-release/us-geological-survey-releases-2022-list-critical-minerals>

D. Scope Geochemical analysis to determine the concentration of platinum group elements (platinum, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium) and gold for 300 marine mineral samples are required to characterize marine minerals and inform their resource potential and formation mechanisms.

II. WORK REQUIREMENTS

A. Technical Requirements.

1. Specific Work Requirements

The following sample size, analytical techniques, and instrumentation are required for geochemical determination of all the platinum group elements (platinum, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium) and gold concentrations in marine mineral samples: use of a maximum of 30 grams of pulp material with 25 grams being preferred since sample is often limited; collection of analytes by fire assay of precious metals in a nickel sulfide matte, dissolution to isolate the gold and platinum group elements as a residue, filtering of the residue, and dissolution in aqua regia and analysis by ICP-MS. We require a low detection limit of 1 part per billion.

2. Criteria for acceptance of Product or Service The analytical services will be considered compliant and complete when we receive data reports the contain concentration data for each of the requested analytes measured for each submitted sample or a sufficient reason as to why the sample could not be measured. In addition, results from duplicated sample analyses will be provided to determine the quantified precision for the measurements, as well as results for the measurement of at least one certified reference material provided by our team (NOD-A-1 or NOD-P-1) for which values are within 5% of the certified published values to determine the quantified accuracy of the measurements.

B. Deliverables.

1. Geochemical results will be delivered as an electronic data file, which will include values for the concentration of each analyte for each of the 300 submitted samples, as well as quality control data from duplicate analyses and measurement of certified reference materials.

2. Geochemical results should be delivered within 10 weeks of service initiation and should be delivered via email or any other electronic data transfer.

3. Any unused sample material will be returned to USGS.

III. SUPPORTING INFORMATION

A. Period of Performance : June 1, 2023 – March 31, 2024 OR 9 months from award date

B. Government Furnished Property (GFP): None

C. Special Considerations.

1. Data Rights: Rights to data belong to USGS