Rock Sample Analysis NOTICE OF INTENT

The US Geological Survey (USGS) Office of Acquisitions and Grants has issued a Special Notice of Intent to award a sole-source contract for rock sample analysis to Hamilton Analytical Lab. The notice pertains to geological sample analyses specifically focused on the Columbia River Basalt Group, leveraging the lab's unique capability to maintain data consistency using established spectrometers, calibration procedures, and sample preparation techniques. Published on December 17, 2024, the notice is being issued under Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) guidelines for commercial item acquisition and simplified acquisition procedures. The contract is categorized under NAICS code 541380 for Testing Laboratories and Services and PSC code B517 for Special Studies/Analysis Geological. While the notice indicates a single-source intent, it technically allows for potential alternative submissions.

The primary objective of this notice is to secure laboratory chemical analyses of rock samples using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) for the USGS Geology, Minerals, Energy and Geophysics Science Center. The contract will involve analyzing 200 rock samples in 2025, with an option for 100 additional samples in 2026, focusing on determining concentrations of 29 major and trace elements. Interested contractors must submit responses exclusively via electronic mail to rlujan@usgs.gov by December 24, 2024, at 0800 hrs central time, with hardcopy or web portal submissions being explicitly rejected. The performance period is set from January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2026, with strict requirements for research-grade precision, use of reference standards, and prevention of cross-contamination. While the notice suggests a predetermined selection of Hamilton Analytical Lab, it technically allows other responsible parties to submit quotations, though the government retains sole discretion in final contractor selection.