Heavy mineral separation services

The U.S. Geological Survey, within the Department of the Interior, seeks heavy mineral separation services for rock and sediment samples, with proposals due September 18 and questions due September 11. This is a small business set-aside, issued as a Request for Quote (RFQ) under FAR Part 12 (commercial items) and FAR 13.5 (simplified procedures), with award to the lowest-priced, technically acceptable offeror.

Place of performance is the USGS Geology Geophysics Geochemistry Science Center in Lakewood, Colorado. Contractor personnel requiring unsupervised access to the Hammond Bay Biological Station in Millersburg, Michigan, must obtain Federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) credentials. The contract is firm-fixed-price with a period of performance from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027.

The solicitation seeks mineral separation services across four line items using electro pulse disaggregation (EPD) and traditional methods, with sample quantities ranging from 10 to 40 each across zircon and zircon plus apatite types. The contractor must maintain a dedicated mineral separation facility with trained staff experienced in igneous, metamorphic, sedimentary rocks, and unconsolidated sediment samples ranging from kilogram-sized to small drill-core materials. Key performance requirements include receiving and recording submissions within two business days, processing samples within five weeks of receipt, providing separation documentation in spreadsheet format, and returning all mineral fractions and unprocessed materials. NAICS code is 213115. Prevailing wage rates apply per Service Contract Act wage determination 2015-5419, Revision 33 (effective August 22, 2026) for Colorado counties including Denver, Adams, Arapahoe, and others, with rates ranging from approximately $16.17 to $58.48 per hour depending on occupational classification. Quotations must be received by September 18, 2026, at 5:00 P.M. Mountain Daylight Time, submitted via email to stephanie_doutt@ios.doi.gov.