7E--sediment core imaging system

SEDIMENT CORE IMAGING SYSTEM

Sources Sought (Special Notice)

The U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) is conducting market research to determine the availability of qualified small businesses capable of providing a sediment core imaging system as described in the attached Technical Specifications. This sources sought announcement is not a request for quote or proposal and the Government is not committed to award of a purchase order or contract pursuant to this announcement. The information resulting from this market research is simply for planning purposes 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 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code ¿ 334516 Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing and associated size standard of 1000 employees apply to this announcement.

All responsible sources may submit a brochure and/or technical specifications, sufficiently detailing the ability of their product to meet the Technical Specifications included in this announcement.

Responses to this announcement shall only be accepted through electronic mail addressed to dallan-loucks@usgs.gov and must be uploaded and received in their entirety no later than 07/30/2024 1500 ES. Responses submitted by hardcopy shall not be accepted or considered.

Technical Specifications:
1. Sediment core imaging system
¿ Automated core handling system for moving instruments along the surface of a 150-cm-long core sample at <1 cm down-core distances.
¿ Attached instruments should include at a minimum:
o High-resolution RGB linescan camera
¿ Minimum of 5000 pixel CCD detector
¿ Automated aperture and focus
¿ Capable of acquiring both visible and UV light images
¿ Image resolution of at least 200 pixels/cm (50-microns/pixel)
¿ Image output as 16-bit RGB TIFFs
o Point-source magnetic susceptibility probe
¿ Area of measurement: at least 10 mm2
¿ Sensitivity: 1 x 10-6 SI units
o Hyperspectral camera (see details in #2 below)
¿ Imaging system should be able to accommodate both down-core movements and across-core movements to <0.1 cm spatial scales.
¿ Imaging system sensor mount should be able to accommodate a future micro-XRF or LIBS geochemical mapping instrument.
¿ Fully computerized and integrated operating system for controlling both the sensor mount and the instruments.
¿ Includes Windows compatible PC.
¿ Dimensions shall not exceed:
o 13.5 feet long
o 6 feet deep
o 8 feet tall

2. Hyperspectral camera
¿ VNIR/SWIR hyperspectral camera designed for imaging split sediment and rock core sample surfaces.
¿ Specific features should include:
o Spectral wavelength range: 400 to 2500 nm
o Spectral resolution: 2 nm
o Image resolution: 20 pixels/cm
¿ Output integrated with software (see #3 below) to allow for automated mapping of minerals and spectral features in collected output images.

3. Software license
¿ Software designed to convert hyperspectral camera data (see #3 above) into semi-quantitative estimates of specific mineral concentrations, including:
o Clay minerals, including % illite, % kaolinite, and % smectite
o Carbonate minerals, including % calcite and % dolomite
o Sulfate minerals, including % gypsum
o Other mineral classes, including % zircon, % biotite, % gibbsite and other major rock-forming minerals
¿ Customizable database to allow for expansion of library of materials to include wavelengths for chlorophyll (660-670 nm), bacteriopheophytin (845 nm) and other organic compounds.
¿ 3 years of license support.

4. Installation and training
¿ Installation to be performed by certified vendor representatives.
¿ On-site training sessions by certified vendor representatives for USGS personnel.

5. Shipping
¿ Delivery to USGS Building 800 at Moffett Field, CA, duty station