GEMSC Lithium & Strontium Isotope Analyses IDIQ

This is a Sources Sought Notice only. This is not a request for proposal, but a survey to locate potential sources. This Sources Sought does not constitute an Invitation for Bids, Request for Proposals or a Request for Quotations, and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue an order or otherwise pay for the information solicited, nor is it a guarantee of a forthcoming solicitation or contract. It is for market research purposes only. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation.

The purpose of this Sources Sought Notice is to gain knowledge of interest, capabilities, and qualifications of various members of industry, to include the Small Business Community: Small Business, Section 8(a), Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUB-Zone), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB), and Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB). The Government must ensure there is adequate competition among the potential pool of responsible contractors. Small business, Section 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB, & EDWOSB businesses are highly encouraged to participate.

NAICS Code: 541380 Testing Laboratories and Services

NAICS Size Standard: $19 Million

Subject: Sources Sought for GEMSC Lithium & Strontium Isotope Analyses IDIQ

Sources Sought Closing Response Date: June 11, 2024 at 5 PM CD

Contact Point: Kimberly Schneider, krschneider@usgs.gov

Objective: To find sources that are qualified to meet the supplies/services as listed below. Note that the specific requirements are subject to change prior to the release of any solicitation.
The USGS Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center (GEMSC) has a requirement lithium and strontium isotope analyses on powdered and homogenized rock and mineral, brine, and solution samples. The data will facilitate the understanding of the sources of lithium in subsurface brines associated with petroleum reservoirs, provide insights into basinal fluid flow, and enhance the understanding of lithium behavior in surface mineral systems and deposits.

These analyses require isotope geochemistry laboratories, including a Radiogenic Isotope Clean Laboratory, and TIMS/MC-ICPMS laboratories. The analyses are complex, with assessment of trace concentrations of elements in high salinity brines and chemical sediments, and require an analyst to have a minimum of a Ph.D. in geochemistry, and a minimum of 3 years of experience operating a TIMS and MC-ICPMS successfully performing these types of analyses (or an M.S. in geochemistry, and a minimum of 5 years of experience operating a TIMS and MC-ICPMS successfully performing these types of analyses).

The contractor shall be capable of conducting stable lithium isotope (¿7Li) analyses on the prepared samples by multi-collector inductively couple plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICPMS) on a routine basis for a five-year period. The contractor shall be capable of conducting radiogenic strontium (87Sr/86Sr) isotope analyses by thermal ionization mass-spectrometry (TIMS) on a routine basis for a five-year period.

Interested firms shall submit (1) NAME, ADDRESS, and PHONE NUMBER OF THE FIRM (including UEI (Unique Entity Identifier); (2) a CAPABILITY STATEMENT including (a) RECENT (within the last three fiscal years) RELEVANT 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. (3) RESUME of Analyst capable of performing work.
Your company must have a UEI number and be registered on-line at the System for Award Management (SAM). You will also be required to provide your small business status information either via the On-line Representations and Certifications also located at the SAM.gov website before an award to your company can be made. Your on-line registration will cover any/all of your offers to the Federal Government, and only needs updated annually.

All responses must be submitted via e-mail to: krschneider@usgs.gov. At this time, the Government is not accepting questions pertaining to the sources sought notice.
Responses to this source 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 SAM.Gov. It is the responsibility of potential responders to monitor the site for additional information pertaining to this announcement.