Opportunity: BULK ROCK SOLUTION MC-ICPMS ANALYSIS

The USGS Alaska Science Center (ASC) has the need for bulk rock radiogenic isotope analyses. The Government intends to award this requirement noncompetitively IAW FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i) and FAR 12 to The Pacific Centre for Isotopic and Geochemical Research (PCIGR) at the Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences (EOAS) at the University of British Columbia (UBC). The USGS conducts research on regional geology and mineral resources. This work involves analyzing the genetic origins of magmas emplaced in the region being investigated. Radiogenic isotopes, including 87Sr/86Sr, 143Nd/144Nd, and 176Hf/177Hf, are among the most important and useful geochemical tracers used in this line of research. The samples submitted for isotope analyses will help us elucidate the geologic context of mineral resources in Alaska as part of the Lake Clark and Neacola Mountains region (NEMO) and Alaska ¿ Yukon (AKYK) projects. The contractor will provide Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry (TIMS) (Sr) and MC-ICP-MS (Nd, Pb, Hf) isotope analyses for samples, plus standards and laboratory procedural blanks, with analytical results to be furnished in an Excel spreadsheet. Composite analysis of the suite of radiogenic isotopes (e.g., 87Sr/86Sr, 143Nd/144Nd, 176Hf/177Hf) on the same sample aliquot with the option to combine these analyses with sample preparation by digestion in high-pressure digestion vessels (¿bombs¿) is required. Traditional digest methods do not effectively break down resistive Hf-bearing minerals like zircon, and may involve co-precipitaion of Hf-bearing insoluble flourides in Ca-rich samples. Sample preparation for Hf isotope analysis of high-zircon fraction rocks, like the granites that make up the majority of WARP-area igneous rocks, requires complete digestion in high-pressure vessels. UBC¿s PCIGR is uniquely equipped to commercially offer these analyses and digest option as a package, and has an unparalleled reputation for high-resolution radiogenic isotope analysis. Accepted canonical radiogenic isotope ratios for commonly used USGS standard reference materials were all determined at UBC by D. Weis, the PCIGR Director (i.e., Weis et al, 2005; 2006; 2007). And workers at the PCIGR labs have developed optimized methods for complete digestion of granites using high-pressure vessels (Pretorius et al., 2006), demonstrated using USGS granitic standard reference materials. Other interested concerns having the ability to furnish these supplies shall submit a capabilities statement to the Contract Specialist no later than the closing date of this announcement. All submissions will be evaluated to determine if competitive opportunities exist. This is NOT an RFQ. This does represent the Government's only written notice of this procurement. All responsible sources may submit a response which, if timely received, must be considered by the agency. The Government anticipates award of a Firm-Fixed Price type contract. All firms must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database at www.sam.gov. This notice and any resulting contract or order conforms to the requirements in place through FAC 2005-100, effective 22 Aug 2018. All questions regarding this procurement shall be in writing, and addressed to Charlan Fejarang at cjfejarang@usgs.gov no later than 12:00PM PT on 09/14/2018.