Statement_of_Work_-Draft_1.doc

PERFORMANCE-BASED WORK STATEMENT

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

A.

Introduction: USGS, St. Petersburg Science Center requires a laboratory that can perform simultaneous measurement of δ18O, δ13C, and δ15N in samples of powdered CaCO3 from biogenic materials such as coral skeletons, mollusk shells, and crustacean shells. These measurements should be made using an IRMS with dual-inlet and continuous-flow inlets coupled to a Gas-Bench II prep device for headspace analysis of evolved CO2 δ18O, δ13C, or an IRMS w/ continuous-flow inlet coupled to a Thermo Flash EA - ConFlo IV for gas analysis of combusted samples (δ13C, δ15N). The required laboratory must also be within local distance (<30 miles) of SPCMSC to facilitate secure hand-transport of microsamples to the laboratory and training and sample preparation activities.

B.

Background: The simultaneous measurement of stable isotope ratios from biogenic carbonate materials via SIR-MS is well established in scientific literature, and the standard practice in the field. The principal investigator (PI) has obtained prior measurements of δ18O, δ13C, and δ15N from CaCO3 samples via SIR-MS, and needs to measure additional samples using the same method in order to ensure consistency in data quality and standardization.

C.

Definitions:

δ18O – the ratio of Oxygen-18 and Oxygen-16 referenced to a certified oxygen isotope standard and provided in units of per mil (‰).

δ13C – the ratio of Carbon-13 and Carbon-12 referenced to a certified carbon isotope standard and provided in units of per mil (‰).

δ15N – the ratio Nitrogen-15 and Nitrogen-14 to a certified nitrogen isotope standard and provided in units of per mil (‰).

CaCO3 – Calcium carbonate

IRMS – Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer/Spectrometry

PI – Principal Investigator (Madelyn Mette, USGS St. Petersburg, FL)

VPDB - Vienna Pee Dee Belemnite

H3PO4 – Ortho-Phosphoric Acid

QC/QA – Quality controlled, quality assured

D.

Scope: The work will last from date of order until July 31, 2030. From the present until that date of expiry, we need to be able to hand-deliver samples to a laboratory that can process (see below) CaCO3 material and make measurements of δ18O, δ13C, and δ15N using SIR-MS. No fewer than 2000 and no more than 5000 samples are expected to be analyzed during the five-year period. Laboratory must be accessible by USGS staff as agreed (scheduled to best integrate with the schedule of laboratory) for the purpose of assisting with weighing samples and standards, loading into reaction vessels, encapsulating in tin boats, arranging samples into sample trays, and/or operating the IRMS under supervision of laboratory personnel.

II. WORK REQUIREMENTS

A.

Technical Requirements.

1. Specific work requirements and/or work products:

a. Working sample preparation laboratory with adequate bench-top space and facilities to prepare and process CaCO3 samples. Required equipment includes microbalance; appropriate spatulas and brushes for transferring carbonate samples.

b. Working SIR-MS laboratory capable of measuring CaCO3 samples for δ18O, δ13C, and δ15N. Required equipment includes: Thermo Scientific Delta-series SIR-MS with Gas-Bench II prep device for analysis of CO2 gas (δ18O, δ13C) from CaCO3 prepared in 12 mL and 4.5 mL Exetainer analysis vials; Thermo Flash EA - ConFlo IV for gas analysis of combusted samples (δ13C, δ15N); software, peripherals, and interface to operate SIR-MS using a desktop computer; setup required to react CaCO3 samples with 100% H3PO4.

2. Criteria for acceptance of Product or Service:

All sample data must be referenced to standard reference material (VPDB) and a secondary acceptable internal laboratory carbonate standard (e.g. ground coral, sclerosponge, or shell material). At least four replicates of each acceptable standard material as described above must be measured with every sample batch. Data must be calibrated and corrected using these standards, when applicable. At least 5% of all samples must be measured in duplicate, and one triplicate measurement is preferred. The standard deviation of the average of all replicate measurements must be ≤ ±0.08‰ for measurements of δ18O, ≤ ±0.05‰ for measurements of δ13C, and ≤ ±0.08‰ for measurements of δ15N. All data must be QC/QA’d by qualified laboratory operator and/or manager (qualifications described below).

B.

Deliverables:

1. It is expected the vendor will begin processing the samples within two weeks of receiving the samples.

2. Data from all isotope measurements related to this statement of work must be delivered no later than three weeks after the measurement of 50 successive samples.

III.

SUPPORTING INFORMATION

A.

Place of Performance: TBD B.

Period of Performance: Five years from award C.

Government Furnished Property (GFP):

Powdered CaCO3 samples comprised of shell material (no value); exetainer vials (to be returned for re-use) D.

Special Considerations.

1. Key personnel qualifications:

Laboratory must be operated and supervised by a staff member, faculty member (if the analyses are performed at a university), or research scientist who has expertise in stable isotope geochemistry sample preparation and SIR-MS analysis techniques. Prior experience measuring δ18O, δ13C, and δ15N in CaCO3 using SIR-MS is preferred. All laboratory managers and/or technicians involved with sample processing and SIR-MS analysis must possess a B.S., but preferably an M.S. with expertise in geochemistry or a closely related field. Persons with lesser qualifications, such as laboratory assistants, who become involved with processing or handling samples must be directly supervised by qualified laboratory operators or technician. Laboratory assistants with lesser qualifications must also have received prior training by laboratory operator or technician and must be familiar with methods specific to measuring δ18O, δ13C, and δ15N in CaCO3 using SIR-MS.

2. Data Rights, Safety, Environment:

All laboratory work and data analysis must be performed in safe working environment with adequate safety facilities including certified fume hoods, approved chemical storage facilities, emergency eye wash stations, and emergency chemical shower. All data generated as part of this statement of work become property of the U.S. Government.

2. Security/Privacy issues:

Laboratory must be able to accommodate PI for scheduled visits to the SIR-MS laboratory to assist with sample analyses and/or QA/QC data resulting from the analyses. The vendor will approve all visits by the PI and provide PI access to all laboratory facilities described above. Visits by PI will be scheduled to best integrate with the schedule of laboratory and laboratory supervisor.

FISMA and 508 do not apply. No access to USGS IT systems will be required.