Isotope analyses

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
Sources Sought Closing Response Date: August 25, 2025, 10:00a m Mountain Time
Contact Point: Mindie Dixon-mdixon@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, and Minerals Science Center requires garnet geochronology on a suite of newly collected samples of metamorphic rocks from the upper Peninsula, Michigan. The Lu-Hf and Sm-Nd garnet ages of these samples will be helpful for ascertaining the timing of metamorphism and deformation of these rocks. This information is essential for strengthening our understanding of the bedrock geology in the Upper Midwestern United states with new geochronologic constraints.
The following salient characteristics are required:
Provide Lu-Hf and Sm-Nd isotope analyses of geologic materials, isotope dilution, garnet geochronology, and in multi-collector mass spectrometry. For each sample, two whole rock aliquots and two garnet aliquots must be analyzed for Lu-Hf and Sm-Nd isotopes. Additionally for each sample, two garnet aliquots will be analyzed for Sm-Nd isotopes after being subject to H2SO4 treatment, and two aliquots will be measured for Lu-Hf isotopes. The isotope measurements shall be made using a multi-collector ICPMS with demonstrable consistent prior measurement of standard solutions JNdi (For Nd) and JMC (for Hf).
Draft Statement of Work is attached

Responses: All interested parties should notify this office via e-mail within the posted date. Responses shall include:
(I) To what extent each of the specifications can be met.
(II) Include your type of business (i.e. commercial, academia), whether your organization is classified as a large or small business. If a small business, you must also list any small, disadvantaged status you hold [HUBZone, 8(a), Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Women Owned Small Business (WOSB), Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB), etc.].
(III) Experience/ performance through the description of completed projects.