B--ROCK SAMPLE ANALYSES
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is conducting market research through a Sources Sought notice to identify qualified businesses capable of providing specialized rock sample analyses. This includes high-number, high-throughput U-Th-Pb zircon geochronology and Lu-Hf isotopic analysis. Responses are due April 22, 2026.
Scope of Work
The USGS GMEG- Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center requires specialized analytical services for:
- High-number, high-throughput U-Th-Pb zircon geochronology
- Lu-Hf isotopic analysis for select detrital zircon samples
- Supporting services: Mineral separation, Backscattered Electron (BSE) imaging, Cathodoluminescence (CL) imaging, and determination of zircon ages and isotopic ratios.
The requirement involves analyzing 19 fluvial detrital zircon samples and 9 fine-grained volcanic tephra samples. The volcanic samples contain extremely fine-grained zircons (potentially as small as 10 microns), necessitating highly specialized laser spot size capability and extraction methods, along with high-throughput, high-N analytical capability.
Required Capabilities
Interested sources must demonstrate the capability to:
- Perform high-throughput, high-N zircon U-Th-Pb analysis.
- Conduct simultaneous Lu-Hf isotopic analysis using split-stream techniques.
- Utilize advanced instrumentation (e.g., LA-ICP-MS systems capable of split-stream analysis such as Neptune/Element2 or equivalent).
- Extract and analyze zircon crystals from extremely fine-grained volcanic samples (10 microns).
- Provide integrated imaging (BSE and CL) and analytical workflows.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Sources Sought / Market Research
- Set-Aside: None specified
- Response Due: April 22, 2026, 12:00 PM Eastern time
- Published: April 17, 2026
Additional Notes
This notice is for informational and planning purposes only and does not constitute a request for quotations or proposals. The Government will use information received solely for planning purposes to determine an appropriate acquisition strategy and will not pay for any costs incurred in responding. Responses must be submitted via email only to victor_nuno@ios.doi.gov.