Isotope Interpretation Services

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is seeking isotope interpretation services for high-precision carbon-14 to carbon ratio measurements from atmospheric carbon dioxide and methane air samples collected throughout the United States and globally. These services support NOAA's Global Greenhouse Gas Reference Network in its atmospheric research measurement time series. The procurement requires specialized scientific laboratory capabilities and personnel who can provide continuity for long-term atmospheric research programs. The government intends to award this as a sole-source procurement, justifying this approach by noting that only the University of Colorado possesses the necessary laboratory facilities and qualified personnel to maintain continuity of these critical measurements. Interested parties have until September 15, 2025, to respond and identify their capabilities, though the government retains discretion over whether to conduct a competitive procurement process.

This procurement is designated as set aside for other-than-small business entities, with the Regents of the University of Colorado identified as the intended sole-source recipient through their CU INSTAAR program. The contract will be structured as a firm-fixed price purchase order with a total value of $95,000. The performance period is scheduled to run from September 30, 2025, through September 29, 2026, providing one year of isotope interpretation services. The government plans to negotiate directly with the University of Colorado under Federal Acquisition Regulation 13.501, recognizing their unique position as the owner of the required scientific laboratory infrastructure. This arrangement ensures continuity of the specialized atmospheric research measurements that are critical to NOAA's global greenhouse gas monitoring mission.