MICROMILL2 microsampler

The U.S. Geological Survey - Geology, Energy and Minerals Science Division intends to award a non-competitive purchase order to Ligero Technical Services located in Austin, Texas for Micromill System2 will be used to perform uniform and precise, submillimeter scale milling of rock samples to collect powder material for isotopic and geochemical analyses. The Element Scientific Laster Micromill2, distributed by Ligero Technical Services, is specially designed for geologic sampling. It is the only Micromill with submicron sample motion control in the X, Y and Z directions and a high-resolution camera with optical resolution down to 5.5 microns and digital zoom down to 0.3mm field to view. The Micromill2 is enclosed in a HEPA filtered enclosure, which ensures minimal to no contamination as well as retention of powder sample material. These features are critical to targeting the small sample regions and retaining ample and uncontaminated sample material, all of which are required to achieve publishable accuracy of isotopic ages and geochemical data. The Micromill2 will also allow us to import images from other instrument systems in order to analyze the exact same sample region by multiple techniques, increasing the legitimacy of results for publication such that all requirements of DOI-USGS quality management systems are met.

There are no option periods.

Pursuant to FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) Ligero Technical Services is the only source reasonable available for this requirement because the Micromill System2 is from Ligero Technical Services who has sole proprietary rights to distribute software, hardware, and electronics upgrades for the Micromill System2.

In accordance with FAR 5.207, all responsible sources may submit a quotation which shall be considered by the agency; however, THIS NOTICE IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE QUOTATIONS. The Government intends to award this requirement noncompetitively in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1).

Responses must be emailed to Dayna Parkin at dparkin@usgs.gov.

The NAICS code is 334516. The size standard is 1,000.

The anticipated award date of the contract is 02/06/2023. The anticipated contract will be firm fixed-price. A vendor must be registered at https://sam.gov/content/home to be awarded the purchase order.