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Apatite fission-track (AFT) and U-Pb analyses   2

ID: 140G0326Q0167 • Type: Special Notice • Match:  90%
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Description

Notice of Intent
This is a notice of intent to solicit from a single source.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), intends to award a purchase order to GeoSep Services for apatite fission track and U-Pb analysis.
Award will be made in accordance with Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 12 entitled, Acquisition of Commercial Products and Commercial Services. GeoSep is, to the USGS' knowledge, the only source who can meet all the required technical requirement, i.e. 252Cf irradiation.
The purpose of this notice is to satisfy the requirements of RFO FAR Subpart 5.101(a). This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotes. However, all responsible parties may submit a quotation by the closing date of this announcement which shall be considered by the agency. No solicitation will be issued. A determination not to compete this action based upon responses received is in the sole discretion of the Government.
The NAICS code for this action is 541380, Testing Laboratory.
Responses or inquiries shall only be accepted through electronic mail addressed to yangzhi_deng@ios.doi.gov and must be uploaded and received in their entirety no later than August 3, 2026 at 0800 PST.
Responses submitted by hardcopy or any web portal shall not be accepted or considered.
Background
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) intends to award a purchase order to GeoSep Services for apatite fission track (AFT) and U-Pb analysis. The USGS conducts regional geologic and metallogenic framework studies that provide insights into the distribution of critical mineral resources in the United States. This contract aims to utilize AFT thermochronometry to elucidate the timing, rates, and magnitude of rock exhumation, which is crucial for refining conceptual models of ore deposit formation.

Work Details
The contractor will perform apatite fission-track (AFT) and U-Pb analyses on geological samples collected from the Kuskokwim mountains region in Alaska during the 2026 field season. The work includes:

1. Access to and expertise in AFT+U-Pb thermochronometry, including sample preparation, counting, and characterizing spontaneous fission-tracks.

2. Measurements of track length following modern best practices using 252Cf irradiation, requiring access to a vacuum chamber and fission fragments from a 252Cf source.

3. Measurement of Uranium and Calcium isotopes for AFT age calculation and Uranium and Lead isotopes for U-Pb age calculation using a Nd: YAG laser linked to an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (LA-ICP-MS).

4. Analysis of 14 samples of sedimentary and igneous bedrock, along with two samples of unconsolidated sediment, with sample volumes not exceeding 5 kg each.

Deliverables include a report in Excel format detailing raw spontaneous fission-track counts, kinetic parameters, standard-corrected measurements of various isotopes by LA-ICP-MS, fission-track lengths, angles to grain c-axis, calibration factors, and final calculated AFT and U-Pb dates.

Period of Performance
Award to December 31, 2027

Place of Performance
Kuskokwim mountains region, Alaska

Bidder Requirements
The contractor must have experience in all aspects of AFT+U-Pb thermochronometry using conventional track counting techniques calibrated against community standards. This includes expertise in 252Cf irradiation and LA-ICP-MS methods.

Overview

Agency
USGS Office of Acquisitions and Grants [DOI - USGS]
Response Deadline
Aug. 3, 2026, 11:00 a.m. EDT Due in 11 Days
Posted
July 22, 2026, 12:55 p.m. EDT
Set Aside
None
NAICS
541380 - Testing Laboratories and Services
PSC
B517 - Special Studies/Analysis- Geological
Place of Performance
Not Provided
Source
Open
Current SBA Size Standard
$19 Million
Pricing
Likely Fixed Price
Est. Level of Competition
Sole Source
Est. Value Range
Experimental
$25,000 - $90,000 (AI estimate)
On 7/22/26 USGS Office of Acquisitions and Grants issued Special Notice 140G0326Q0167 for Apatite fission-track (AFT) and U-Pb analyses due 8/3/26.
Primary Contact
Name
Deng, Yangzhi   Profile
Email
yangzhideng@usgs.gov
Phone
(916) 278-9326

Additional Contacts in Documents

Title Name Email Phone
None Yangzhi Deng Profile yangzhi_deng@ios.doi.gov None

Documents

Posted documents for Special Notice 140G0326Q0167

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Additional Details

Source Agency Hierarchy
INTERIOR, DEPARTMENT OF THE > US GEOLOGICAL SURVEY > OFFICE OF ACQUISITON GRANTS
FPDS Organization Code
1434-00003
Source Organization Code
100179344
Last Updated
July 22, 2026
Last Updated By
fbms_acq@ios.doi.gov
Archive Date
Aug. 31, 2026