RFI/Sources Sought - Economic Analysis USGS EMRI

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Office of Acquisitions and Grants is seeking responses to a Request for Information (RFI) and Sources Sought notice regarding economic analysis services for the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) within the Geology, Energy, and Minerals Mission Area (GEMMA). The USGS intends to conduct a comprehensive economic analysis of the Earth MRI program, which received $320 million in supplemental Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funding for fiscal years 2022 through 2026. Respondents must demonstrate expertise in economic analysis and valuation of public programs, natural resource economics, mineral or energy market analysis, economic impact analysis, and relevant geoscience disciplines. The USGS particularly values organizations that combine economic expertise with knowledge of energy and mineral resource industries, including mineral exploration and development dynamics, as well as capabilities in social science data collection methods. The RFI was posted on March 26, 2026, with responses due by April 14, 2026 at 4:00 PM EDT, and submissions must be limited to 10 pages (excluding cover page and contact information), submitted either via email to christopher_kuhn@ios.doi.gov or through the eBuy system (RFI1802859) for organizations with GSA MAS contracts.

This procurement carries no small business set-aside designation. The scope of anticipated work includes development of analytical frameworks and study design, design of data collection methodologies, preparation of Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) materials for OMB review, implementation of data collection activities such as surveys, interviews, workshops, and focus groups, and economic analysis and reporting. Respondents are required to provide rough order-of-magnitude cost and duration estimates for major work phases to assist the USGS in understanding available organizational capabilities and analytical approaches relevant to evaluating the economic value, return on investment, direct and indirect benefits, and non-market benefits associated with Earth MRI activities, data products, and maps. The analysis will examine how geologic data supports mineral resource assessments, exploration activities, infrastructure planning, and hazard understanding, while also assessing integration of Earth MRI datasets with satellite-based Earth observation systems such as Landsat. No incumbent contractor has been identified in this RFI notice, and the document explicitly states that this market research is for planning purposes only and does not constitute a commitment to contract or obligation to reimburse respondents for submission costs.