Stable isotope sample analysis

The U.S. Geological Survey Florence Bascom Geoscience Center seeks stable isotope analysis of carbonate microfossils, with quotations due October 26, 2026. This is a Women-Owned Small Business set-aside under RFQ 140GG027Q0001, a full and open competitive procurement.

Place of performance is Reston, Virginia (205 National Center, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive). The period of performance is one year, with no option periods, running through September 30, 2027. The contractor must analyze up to 2,000 samples of carbonate microfossils, predominantly benthic foraminifera and ostracodes from marine sediment cores. Approximately 15–20% of samples will measure 5–9 micrograms, requiring the contractor's mass spectrometer to generate reliable data within this size range while maintaining analytical precision better than 0.060% for δ13C and 0.080 for δ18O. All work must be completed within six months of sample receipt. Deliverables include corrected δ13C and δ18O values in per mil VPDB, corresponding isotope ratios, analytical uncertainties, error correlations, and mass spectrometer signal intensity data.

The NAICS code is 541380, Testing Laboratories, with a small business size standard of $19 million. The PSC code is B529, Special Studies/Analysis—Scientific Data. Questions are due two days before the closing date. Award is anticipated seven days after solicitation closure. Offerors must be registered in SAM before award consideration. Quotations must include the completed SF 1449, pricing with itemized quote, and technical capability responses limited to three pages demonstrating compliance with salient characteristics and detailed capabilities addressing all Statement of Work requirements. The contracting officer is Mindie Dixon (mindie_dixon@ios.doi.gov, 720-954-2784).