66--CLUMPED ISOTOPE GEOCHEMICAL SAMPLES BPA 140G0126Q0017
Summary
AI-generated · Dec 10, 2025New clumped isotope geochemical analyses are needed on carbonate minerals (calcite, dolomite; magnesite if possible) to determine formation temperatures and fluid isotopic history for USGS GEMSC projects. A five-year Blanket Purchase Agreement is contemplated, with a total value not to exceed $49,999, to be performed at the awardee’s facility; deliverables include calibrated isotopic data and documentation following InterCarb standards, with results reported on the appropriate scales and calibrated against standard references. The lab should operate high-precision clumped isotope instruments (examples include Nu Perspective, MAT253 Plus or equivalent) and have semi-automated sample digestion/analysis capabilities, be able to handle small samples (<500 g powder replicates), and be capable of analyzing multiple carbonate minerals; if magnesite 47 measurements aren’t available, CO2 gores from sealed ampules prepared by USGS may be acceptable.
Deliverables require measurements replicated on at least three separate analysis sessions per sample, with replicate-level and sample-level data (Excel or CSV) plus quality-control data (standards). Data must meet specified acceptance criteria or be re-analyzed at no cost; any excess material may be returned on request. Subcontracting is not permitted; the principal investigator must have a PhD in geochemistry or 5+ years of clumped isotope experience with a proven publication record, and the primary operator should have at least one year of relevant experience. Respondents should provide a capability statement including recent relevant work, organizational size status, and confirmation of UEI/SAM registration; this is an information-gathering exercise for potential future RFQ/RFPs posted on SAM.gov.
There are symbols that didn't transmit correctly please see attached Microsoft Word document for the correct symbols throughout the document. This is a Request for Information Notice only. This is not a request for proposal, but a survey to locate potential sources. This Request for Information does not constitute an Invitation for Bids, Request for Proposals or Request for Quotations, and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue an order or otherwise pay for the information solicited, nor is it a guarantee of a forthcoming solicitation or contract. It is for market research purposes only. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation. The purpose of this Request for Information Notice is to gain knowledge of interest, capabilities, and qualifications of various members of industry, to include the Small Business Community: Small Business, Section 8(a), Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUB-Zone), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB), and Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB). The Government must ensure there is adequate competition among the potential pool of responsible contractors. Small business, Section 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB, & EDWOSB businesses are highly encouraged to participate. NAICS Code: 541380 Testing Laboratories and Services NAICS Size Standard: $19.0 Million Subject: Request for Information for Clumped isotope geochemical samples Request for Information Closing Response Date: December 12, 2025, at 10:00 AM pacific time Contact Point: Dayna Parkin, dparkin@usgs.gov Objective: To find sources that are qualified to meet the supplies/services as listed below. Not that the specific requirements are subject to change prior to the release of any solicitation. The Geology, Energy, and Minerals Science Center (GEMSC) has a need for clumped isotope geochemical analyses of carbonate mineral samples including but not limited to rocks, sediments, veins, or fossil specimens. These analyses will support GEMSC projects that study energy and minerals resources and the geologic processes that lead to their occurrence. The purpose of this requirement is to establish a five-year contract with a laboratory that can perform clumped isotope analyses with state-of-the-art analytical precision, adhering to community-accepted InterCarb standardization practices. These analyses must be conducted in a timely manner and properly documented. The USGS anticipates awarding a five-year Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) with a total value not to exceed $49,999.00 for the entire BPA. The resulting data will support USGS research and will be disseminated through data releases, USGS publications, and peer-reviewed journal articles. Technical Requirements: 1 - Carbonate mineral samples are expected to be measured for clumped isotopic compositions (47 and 48), stable carbon isotopic compositions (13C) and oxygen isotopic compositions (18O) to determine the temperature and fluid isotopic composition at time of mineral precipitation and/or the thermal history of the sample. Preference will be given to laboratories that can measure small samples (<500g carbonate mineral powder replicates) on instruments optimized for high precision clumped isotope analyses (for example, the Nu Perspective, ThermoFisher MAT253 Plus, or equivalent models) and equipped with peripheral units for semi-automated sample digestion and analysis (for example the Nu Carb or equivalent models). Laboratories must be capable of analyzing different carbonate minerals such as calcite or dolomite, and ideally magnesite samples. If laboratories do not have the analytical capability to measure magnesite samples for 47, then laboratory instruments must be equipped to measure CO2 gas samples from sealed glass ampules that the USGS may prepare from magnesite samples. Samples must be measured alongside InterCarb ETH standards for data calibration. Samples must also be measured alongside "check standards" which could include in-house carbonate standards with established 47, 48, 18O, and 13C values. Data must be corrected for acid fractionation and reported in conformance with accepted InterCarb research community standards and practices. Values for 47 should be reported as standardized to the carbon dioxide equilibrium scale (I-CDES90). Temperature data should be reported based on accepted 47-temperature calibrations, such as Anderson et al. (2021). Older data will be combined with newly acquired data. It is critical that consistent analytical procedures and data formatting be used to ensure that the data are robust and statistically significant, and that we obtain consistent results for overall comparisons with data obtained over the course of the contract. 2 - Criteria for USGS acceptance of the measured data include the following. For each sample, measurements of isotopic composition must be replicated on at least 3 separate analysis sessions on the mass spectrometer to ensure calculation of valid summary statistics. Sample replicate-level and sample summary-level results must be reported along with standard measurement quality data (check standards and calibration standards) to ensure data quality. In addition to mean values of isotopic compositions, sample level data uncertainty must be reported. This is preferred to be reported as the 95% confidence interval of the mean on both internal and external error. If after 3 successful replicate analyses of a given sample the 47 internal standard error (95% confidence interval on the mean) is greater than 0.04, additional replicates are to be run if additional sample powder remains. B - Deliverables: 1 - Measured data, supporting summary reports, and residual unconsumed material are expected to be sent to the USGS. Deliverables will include replicate-level and sample-summary level data tables in excel or .csv file formats. These files will contain sample and standard measurement data. If unexpected complications on the mass spectrometer or peripheral instruments may hinder timely analyses, communication with the USGS point of contact is expected. Data found to be unacceptable according to the above expectations will be analyzed again at no cost to the government. Excess sample materials (powders, rock chips, etc.) will be returned to the requester when indicated on the original submission. If requested with initial delivery, all excess sample material shall be returned and received by the requester to be considered complete for the purposes of payment. Analyses are expected to occur in a specialized isotope geochemical laboratory. No third-party vendors or subcontracting of these analyses are permitted. Analysis needs to be run at place of the awardee's institution. Level of Knowledge or Skills Required: The principal investigator (PI) of the laboratory must hold a doctorate degree in geochemistry or related field or have 5+ years of experience measuring clumped isotope analyses. The PI must have a history of publishing relevant clumped isotope datasets at high precision in peer review journal articles. The PI must not be the sole analyzer of samples in the laboratory. The primary operator/analyzer in the laboratory must have at least one year experience measuring clumped isotope data from geologic samples with a preference for analysis by laboratory technicians/managers with an advanced degree (MS/MA or PhD) in the geosciences, chemistry, or related field. Preference will be given to laboratories staffed by full-time technicians or managers, qualified and capable of analyzing, standardizing, summarizing, and transmitting data to the USGS. Interested small business firms shall submit (1) NAME, ADDRESS, and PHONE NUMBER OF THE FIRM (including UEI (Unique Entity Identifier); (2) a CAPABILITY STATEMENT including (a) RECENT (within the last three fiscal years) RELEVANT (similar projects to this requirement) performance history (identify the name of the owner and there point(s) of contact with telephone and fax numbers, e-mail addresses; and (b) in what capacity (e.g., prime, subcontractor etc.) they performed the work; and (3) their SIZE STATUS. Your company must have a UEI number and be registered on-line at the System for Award Management (SAM). You will also be required to provide your small business status information either via the On-line Representations and Certifications also located at the SAM.gov website before an award to your company can be made. You on-line registration will cover any/all of your offers to the Federal Government and only needs updated annually. All responses must be submitted NLT December 12, 2025, at 10:00 AM pacific time via e-mail to: dparkin@usgs.gov. At this time, the Government is not accepting questions pertaining to the Request for Information notice. Responses to this Request for Information notice will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions. All interested sources must respond to future RFQ announcements separately from responses to this market survey. Any RFQ that may be issued will be posted on SAM.gov. It is the responsibility of the potential responders to monitor the site for additional information pertaining to this announcement.
From Sources Sought posted on Dec 09, 2025USGS, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center is seeking to establish a BPA for 5 years, with no options to exercise and with no minimum or maximum amount or order per year or number of orders per year, to request for lab sample analysis service to process clumped isotope geochemical analyses of carbonate minerals samples but not limited to rocks, sediments, veins, or fossil specimens. The laboratory needs to have proven history of measuring, in a timely and properly documented fashion, clumped isotope analyses that meet state-of-the art analytical precision and follow community-accepted InterCarb standardization practices. Calls issued as needed, not to exceed $49,999.00 over the period of five (5) years. Therefore, it is very important for the contractor to bid for unit price per sample, and the total price will be calculated from the total number of samples. The BPA calls will be processed as fixed price. No funding will be obligated for BPA. All charges will be processed through obligations on BPA calls. Work shall be performed IAW attached SOW. This acquisition is a total small business set-aside. The NAICS code is 541380. The size standard is $19.5 million. A vendor must be registered at https://sam.gov/SAM/ to be awarded the contract. All responsible sources may submit a quotation which shall be considered by the agency. Quotes must be emailed to dparkin@usgs.gov
From Solicitation posted on Jan 22, 2026USGS, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center is seeking to establish a BPA for 5 years, with no options to exercise and with no minimum or maximum amount or order per year or number of orders per year, to request for lab sample analysis service to process clumped isotope geochemical analyses of carbonate minerals samples but not limited to rocks, sediments, veins, or fossil specimens. The laboratory needs to have proven history of measuring, in a timely and properly documented fashion, clumped isotope analyses that meet state-of-the art analytical precision and follow community-accepted InterCarb standardization practices. Calls issued as needed, not to exceed $49,999.00 over the period of five (5) years. Therefore, it is very important for the contractor to bid for unit price per sample, and the total price will be calculated from the total number of samples. The BPA calls will be processed as fixed price. No funding will be obligated for BPA. All charges will be processed through obligations on BPA calls. Work shall be performed IAW attached SOW. - Amendment 0001 has been implemented to remove the small business set-aside. This requirement is now full and open. The closing date has been extended from February 04, 2026, 10:00 pacific time to February 27, 2026, 10:00 am pacific time. This acquisition is a total small business set-aside. The NAICS code is 541380. The size standard is $19.5 million. A vendor must be registered at https://sam.gov/SAM/ to be awarded the contract. All responsible sources may submit a quotation which shall be considered by the agency. Quotes must be emailed to dparkin@usgs.gov
From Solicitation posted on Feb 06, 2026USGS, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center is seeking to establish a BPA for 5 years, with no options to exercise and with no minimum or maximum amount or order per year or number of orders per year, to request for lab sample analysis service to process clumped isotope geochemical analyses of carbonate minerals samples but not limited to rocks, sediments, veins, or fossil specimens. The laboratory needs to have proven history of measuring, in a timely and properly documented fashion, clumped isotope analyses that meet state-of-the art analytical precision and follow community-accepted InterCarb standardization practices. Calls issued as needed, not to exceed $49,999.00 over the period of five (5) years. Therefore, it is very important for the contractor to bid for unit price per sample, and the total price will be calculated from the total number of samples. The BPA calls will be processed as fixed price. No funding will be obligated for BPA. All charges will be processed through obligations on BPA calls. Work shall be performed IAW attached SOW. - Amendment 0001 has been implemented to remove the small business set-aside. This requirement is now full and open. The closing date has been extended from February 04, 2026, 10:00 pacific time to February 27, 2026, 10:00 am pacific time. - Amendment 0002 has been implemented to provide question and answer, please refer to B09 Attachment D Question and Answer Amendment 2 document. The closing date has been extended from February 27, 2026, 10:00 am pacific time to March 18, 2026, 10:00 am pacific time. This acquisition is a total small business set-aside. The NAICS code is 541380. The size standard is $19.5 million. A vendor must be registered at https://sam.gov/SAM/ to be awarded the contract. All responsible sources may submit a quotation which shall be considered by the agency. Quotes must be emailed to dparkin@usgs.gov
From Solicitation posted on Feb 12, 2026USGS, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center is seeking to establish a BPA for 5 years, with no options to exercise and with no minimum or maximum amount or order per year or number of orders per year, to request for lab sample analysis service to process clumped isotope geochemical analyses of carbonate minerals samples but not limited to rocks, sediments, veins, or fossil specimens. The laboratory needs to have proven history of measuring, in a timely and properly documented fashion, clumped isotope analyses that meet state-of-the art analytical precision and follow community-accepted InterCarb standardization practices. Calls issued as needed, not to exceed $49,999.00 over the period of five (5) years. Therefore, it is very important for the contractor to bid for unit price per sample, and the total price will be calculated from the total number of samples. The BPA calls will be processed as fixed price. No funding will be obligated for BPA. All charges will be processed through obligations on BPA calls. Work shall be performed IAW attached SOW. - Amendment 0001 has been implemented to remove the small business set-aside. This requirement is now full and open. The closing date has been extended from February 04, 2026, 10:00 pacific time to February 27, 2026, 10:00 am pacific time. - Amendment 0002 has been implemented to provide question and answer, please refer to B09 Attachment D Question and Answer Amendment 2 document. The closing date has been extended from February 27, 2026, 10:00 am pacific time to March 18, 2026, 10:00 am pacific time. - Amendment 0003 has been implemented to provide an updated Performance Work Statement, Pricing Schedule, and updating FAR Clause 52.212-2 please refer to the updated attachments. The closing date has been extended from March 18, 2026, 10:00 am pacific time to April 1, 2026, 10:00 am pacific time. This acquisition is a total small business set-aside. The NAICS code is 541380. The size standard is $19.5 million. A vendor must be registered at https://sam.gov/SAM/ to be awarded the contract. All responsible sources may submit a quotation which shall be considered by the agency. Quotes must be emailed to dparkin@usgs.gov
From Solicitation posted on Mar 25, 2026Notice history
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Solicitation Posted Jan 22, 2026View changes (5)
- Title: 66--CLUMPED ISOTOPE GEOCHEMICAL SAMPLES BPA → CLUMPED ISOTOPE GEOCHEMICAL SAMPLES BPA
- Description: Description was updated
- Notice Type: Sources Sought → Solicitation
- Response Deadline: Dec 12, 2025 → Feb 04, 2026
- Set-Aside: None → Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)
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Solicitation Posted Feb 06, 2026View changes (3)
- Title: CLUMPED ISOTOPE GEOCHEMICAL SAMPLES BPA → 66--CLUMPED ISOTOPE GEOCHEMICAL SAMPLES BPA
- Description: Description was updated
- Response Deadline: Feb 04, 2026 → Feb 27, 2026
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Solicitation Posted Feb 12, 2026View changes (2)
- Description: Description was updated
- Response Deadline: Feb 27, 2026 → Mar 18, 2026
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Solicitation LATEST Posted Mar 25, 2026View changes (2)
- Description: Description was updated
- Response Deadline: Mar 18, 2026 → Apr 01, 2026
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