Mineral separation for zircon geochronology and De

Combined Synopsis-Solicitation for mineral separation and detrital zircon U-Pb analysis.

The purpose of this amendment is to answer submitted questions. No additional questions will be accepted. The quotes due date remains the same, 1/20/2023 1500PST.

Contractors are required to sign and return copies to the issuing agency.

Q: The Statement of Work, part 3.0 Scope (page 4) states "the zircons are picked by hand under a microscope," We do not hand pick grains for analysis. We prepare grain mounts with a random proportion of the separated grains (or all of the grains if there was only a small yield), as we believe this provides a more representative set of data.

A: This approach is acceptable. Please indicate the preparation technique in the quote.

Q: On RFQ page 11, GS1440 Wage Determination Applicable, the referenced (linked) appears to be for California Counties of San Francisco, San Mateo. We do not feel that wage rates in the San Francisco area are appropriate for our location.

A: This is a typo. This solicitation is competitive. The wage determination is specific to the place of performance, where the vendor's facility is located. Please refer to https://sam.gov/content/wage-determinations and search your state and county.

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.

The solicitation number is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ) 140G0323Q0038.

The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2023-01 dated 12/30/2022.

NAICS: 541380, Testing Laboratories, 16.5 million.

Place of Performance: Vendor's facility.

Period of Performance are estimates only: March 15, 2023 to September 30, 2025.

Offerors are to sign and return the SF-18, including a technical description of the services being offered in sufficient detail to evaluate compliance with the requirements as seen in the Evaluation Factors on P. 5 and a signed Section 889 Certification on P.12 and P.13. This may include knowledge and understanding of the project, expertise, references, or other documents.

Attached Pages:
Statement of Work, 1 page.
889 Certification Document, require check mark and signature, 2 pages.
Clauses and Provision, 10 pages

Questions are due in writing to yangzhideng@usgs.gov by 1/13/2023, 1500 PST.

Responses are due to the Contracting Officer's email address at yangzhideng@usgs.gov by 1/20/2023, 1500 PST. Quotations submitted by hardcopy shall not be accepted or considered.