B--Apatite fission-track (AFT) and U-Pb 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), under the Department of the Interior, intends to award a sole-source purchase order to GeoSep Services, LLC for Apatite fission-track (AFT) and U-Pb analyses of geological samples. This action is for samples collected from the Kuskokwim mountains region, Alaska. This is a Notice of Intent, not a request for competitive quotes, but other responsible parties may submit a quotation for consideration.
Purpose & Background
The objective of these analyses is to refine conceptual models of ore deposit formation, create regional exhumation maps, evaluate depositional ages, sediment routing, and exhumation to understand fault history related to earthquakes and tsunamis in the Kuskokwim mountains. The sole-source justification states that GeoSep Services, LLC is the only known contractor capable of providing the required combined fission-track age dating and U-Pb age information, specifically including in-situ Uranium and Lead isotope measurements by LA-ICP-MS for U-Pb date determination and 252Cf irradiation. Market research via a previous Sources Sought posting yielded no responses.
Scope of Work
The contractor will perform AFT and U-Pb thermochronometry. This includes:
- Sample preparation, including mineral separation for bulk rock samples.
- Spontaneous fission-track counting and characterization.
- Track length measurements following modern best practices, including 252Cf irradiation.
- Grain-by-grain Uranium and Calcium isotope measurements using LA-ICP-MS for AFT age calculation.
- Uranium and Lead isotope measurements using LA-ICP-MS for U-Pb age calculation. The total work order is for 20 mineral separates and 25 total AFT+U-Pb analyses.
Special Requirements
The contractor must possess expertise in conventional track counting techniques, 252Cf irradiation, and LA-ICP-MS methods. Access to specialized equipment is mandatory, including a precision microscope (at least 2000x magnification), a vacuum chamber, a 252Cf source, and a Nd:YAG (or similar) laser linked to an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (LA-ICP-MS).
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Notice of Intent to award a sole-source purchase order (FAR 13.106-1(b), FAR Part 12, FAR Part 13).
- Agency: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Department of the Interior.
- NAICS: 541380 (Testing Laboratory).
- PSC: B517 (Geological Studies).
- Period of Performance: Award through December 31, 2026.
- Response Due: March 13, 2026, at 1500 PST.
- Published: March 10, 2026.
- Set-Aside: None (Sole Source).
Deliverables
A report in Excel spreadsheet format containing raw spontaneous fission-track counts, kinetic parameters, raw and analytical standard-corrected isotope measurements (40Ca, 147Sm, 204Pb, 206Pb, 207Pb, 232Th, 238U), fission-track lengths, analyst calibration factors, and final calculated AFT and U-Pb dates.
Additional Notes
No solicitation will be issued. A determination not to compete this action based on responses received is at the sole discretion of the Government. Future requirements for similar services will undergo market research and be competed. Responses or inquiries must be submitted via electronic mail to yangzhideng@usgs.gov.