CLUMPED ISOTOPE GEOCHEMICAL SAMPLES BPA

Request for Information (RFI)

This is a market research RFI, not a solicitation for proposals. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Geology, Energy, and Minerals Science Center (GEMSC) is seeking information on potential sources qualified to perform clumped isotope geochemical analyses of carbonate mineral samples. This research supports GEMSC projects studying energy and minerals resources and related geologic processes.

• Perform clumped isotope analyses (Δ47 and Δ48), stable carbon isotopic compositions (δ13C), and oxygen isotopic compositions (δ18O) on carbonate samples.

• Analyze small samples (<500µg carbonate mineral powder replicates).

• Utilize instruments capable of high precision clumped isotope analyses (e.g., Nu Perspective, ThermoFisher MAT253 Plus, or equivalent) with semi-automated digestion and analysis units.

• Analyze various carbonate minerals (calcite, dolomite, ideally magnesite). If magnesite analysis is not possible, instruments must measure CO2 gas from USGS-prepared samples.

• Use InterCarb ETH standards for data calibration and analyze alongside "check standards".

• Correct data for acid fractionation and report in conformance with accepted InterCarb research community standards and practices.

• Ensure consistent analytical procedures and data formatting for robust and statistically significant results.

• Replicate measurements on at least 3 separate analysis sessions per sample.

• Report replicate-level and sample-summary level data, including standard measurement quality data and sample level data uncertainty (95% confidence interval).

• Deliverables include measured data, supporting summary reports, and residual unconsumed material in Excel or .csv formats.

• Analyses must be conducted at the awardee's institution; no third-party vendors or subcontracting are permitted.

• Anticipated award of a five-year Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA).

• Total BPA value not to exceed $49,999.00.

• This is for market research only; no notification of evaluation results will be provided.

• Interested firms must submit:

  1. Firm's Name, Address, and Phone Number (including UEI).
  2. Capability Statement including recent (within 3 fiscal years) relevant performance history (owner, points of contact, email, fax) and capacity (prime, subcontractor).
  3. Firm's Size Status.

• All responses must be submitted via email to dparkin@usgs.gov.

• No questions are being accepted for this RFI.

• Seeking information from industry, including Small Business, Section 8(a), HUB-Zone, SDVOSB, WOSB, and EDWOSB.

• Small businesses are highly encouraged to participate.

• NAICS Code: 541380 Testing Laboratories and Services

• NAICS Size Standard: $19.0 Million

• Respondents must have a UEI number and be registered in SAM.gov.

• Request for Information Closing Response Date: December 12, 2025, at 10:00 AM Pacific Time.

• Dayna Parkin, dparkin@usgs.gov

• Responses will inform future acquisition decisions. Future RFQ announcements will be posted on SAM.gov.

Request for Information (RFI)

This is a market research RFI, not a solicitation for proposals. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Geology, Energy, and Minerals Science Center (GEMSC) is seeking information on industry capabilities to perform clumped isotope geochemical analyses of carbonate mineral samples. The goal is to identify potential sources and assess market capacity for future procurement.

• Perform clumped isotope analyses (¿47 and ¿48), stable carbon isotopic compositions (¿13C), and oxygen isotopic compositions (¿18O) on carbonate samples (rocks, sediments, veins, fossils).

• Analyze small samples (<500µg carbonate mineral powder replicates) with high precision.

• Capability to analyze calcite, dolomite, and ideally magnesite samples.

• If magnesite analysis is not possible, instruments must measure CO2 gas from USGS-prepared samples.

• Data calibration using InterCarb ETH standards and "check standards".

• Data correction for acid fractionation and reporting in conformance with InterCarb standards.

• Measurements must be replicated at least 3 times per sample.

• Deliverables include replicate-level and sample-summary level data tables (Excel or .csv).

• Analyses must be performed at the awardee's institution; no subcontracting.

• Anticipated award of a five-year Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA).

• Total BPA value not to exceed $49,999.00.

• This is for market research only; no evaluation of responses will be conducted.

• Responses are due by December 12, 2025, at 10:00 AM Pacific Time.

• Submit responses via email to dparkin@usgs.gov.

• No questions will be accepted for this RFI.

• All interested sources are encouraged to respond.

• Special encouragement for Small Business, Section 8(a), HUB-Zone, SDVOSB, WOSB, and EDWOSB firms.

• Respondents must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and be registered in SAM.gov.

• NAICS Code: 541380 Testing Laboratories and Services (Size Standard: $19.0 Million).

• The Principal Investigator (PI) must have a doctorate in geochemistry or 5+ years of experience in clumped isotope analysis and a publication record.

• The primary operator must have at least one year of experience analyzing geologic samples.

• Future RFQ announcements will be posted on SAM.gov.