Sources Sought - Geochronology
Closed Pre-Solicitation Posted
- Solicitation number
- 140G0326Q0145
- Agency
-
Office of Acquisitions and Grants
US Geological Survey, Department of the Interior
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 541380 Testing Laboratories and Services
- PSC
- B517 Special Studies/Analysis- Geological
- Points of contact
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The U.S. Geological Survey is conducting market research to determine the availability of qualified vendors capable of providing mineral separation, LA-ICP-MS screening, ID-TIMS, and CA-ID-TIMS geochronological analysis services, with responses due by June 26, 2026. This is a sources-sought notice, not a request for proposal; the Government will not pay for response costs and makes no commitment to award.
Work involves high-resolution geochronological analysis of seven bulk tephra samples collected from Cretaceous marine strata on Alaska's North Slope, dated approximately 130–90 million years ago. Performance occurs at the contractor's laboratory and must be completed within 180 days of sample receipt, with performance estimated to begin in July 2026. The three-step analytical workflow requires mineral separation yielding a minimum of tens of zircons per sample, LA-ICP-MS screening to identify volcanic zircon grains, and high-precision CA-ID-TIMS U-Pb geochronology analyzing at least four to five unknowns using both U-238/Pb-206 and U-235/Pb-207 systems. Reproducibility of reference material ages and analytical uncertainties on unknowns must be on the order of 10,000–100,000 years. The contractor must provide U-Pb isotope ratio data tables, Concordia diagrams, weighted mean age plots, technical reports documenting analytical protocols, and geological interpretation establishing either a depositional age or maximum depositional age for each sample. Isotope tracers must be certified by internationally recognized organizations such as Earth Time.
The analyst must hold a PhD in geology, geochemistry, or a similar field with demonstrated expertise in CA-ID-TIMS and U-Pb zircon geochronology, including peer-reviewed publication track record in mineral separation. NAICS code 541380 (Testing Laboratories and Services) and PSC code B517 (Special Studies/Analysis, Geological) apply. Responses must be submitted by email to elizabeth_adam@ios.doi.gov no later than 5:00 p.m. EST on Friday, June 26, 2026.
Notice text
Sources Sought - Geochronology
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is conducting market research to determine the availability of qualified businesses capable of providing mineral separation, LAICPMS screening, IDTIMS, and CA-ID-TIMS as described in the attached Statement of Work.
This Sources Sought announcement is not a request for quote or proposal and the Government is not committed to award of a purchase order or contract pursuant to this announcement. The information resulting from this market research is simply for planning purposes to assist the Government in determining its acquisition strategy. The Government will not pay for any costs incurred in the preparation of information for responding to this notice. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541380 Testing Laboratories and Services and associated size standard $19.0 million annually apply to this announcement along with PSC code B517 Special Studies/Analysis, Geological.
All responsible sources may submit a capabilities statement detailing the ability of their service to meet the statement of work included with this announcement.
Responses to this announcement shall only be accepted through electronic mail addressed to elizabeth_adam@ios.doi.gov and must be uploaded and received in their entirety no later than Friday, June 26, 2026, at 5:00pm EST. Statement of Work is Attached.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Statement_of_Work_for_RFI_1.pdf |
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| Opportunity | Agency | Set-aside | Responses due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stable isotope sample analysis | — | No set-aside | |
| Sources Sought Notice | — | No set-aside |
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