Soil Properties Analysis

Notice of Intent


This is a notice of intent to solicit from a single source.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), intends to award a purchase order to Daniel B. Stephens & Associates, Inc, Albuquerque, NM for soil properties analyses as described in the attached Statement of Work.

Award will be made in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.106-1(b) and the procedures at FAR Part 12 entitled, Acquisition of Commercial Items. Daniel B. Stephens & Associates, Inc, is, to the USGS' knowledge, the only source who can provide all the analyses required to meet the government's requirements.

The purpose of this notice is to satisfy the requirements of FAR Subpart 5.2. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotes. However, all responsible parties may submit a quotation by the closing date of this announcement which shall be considered by the agency. No solicitation will be issued. A determination not to compete this action based upon responses received is in the sole discretion of the Government.

The NAICS code for this action is 541380, Testing Laboratories.

Responses or inquiries shall only be accepted through electronic mail addressed to dallan-loucks@usgs.gov and must be uploaded and received in their entirety no later than 08/05/2021 1500 ES. Responses submitted by hardcopy shall not be accepted or considered.

STATEMENT OF WORK

U.S. Geological Survey
Alaska Science Center

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

A. Introduction:

We require soils analyzed for various physical, hydrological, and thermal properties to inform numerical simulations.

B. Background:
Hydrological models are dependent on empirical data in order to ensure that their findings are meaningful and accurate. The most appropriate way to do appropriately populate these models is to collect samples in the field and have them analyzed by a laboratory with the equipment and skills to create accurate, reproducible results.

C. Definitions/Applicable Documents:
Applicable standards for the various analyses can be found at: https://www.astm.org/Standard/standards-and-publications.html

D. Scope:
We need on the scale of 20 samples analyzed, which may have a range of characteristics.

II. WORK REQUIREMENTS

A. Technical Requirements.

Required analyses include saturated and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity (ASTM D5856 and ASTM D6836), bulk density (ASTM D7263), porosity (ASTM D7263), moisture characteristic curves including at least five points (ASTM D6836), particle size analysis (ASTM D6913), percent organic matter from loss on ignition (ASTM D2974), and two-point thermal properties including saturated conductivity, thermal diffusivity, and specific heat (ASTM D5334).

1. Criteria for acceptance of Product or Service.

Acceptance will be based on consistent replicates and values within a reasonable range.

B. Deliverables.

1. Characteristics for work product described in II.A.1., identified by name and quantity.

Expected products include a report including final values for 20 samples for soil properties, loss on ignition, moisture curves, and particle size and 9 samples for 2-point thermal property tests.