B--GEOCHEMICAL SAMPLE ANALYSIS

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GEOCHEMICAL SAMPLE ANALYSIS
The U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) is conducting market research to determine the availability of qualified businesses capable of providing sample analysis as described in the attached Statement of Work. This sources sought announcement is not a request for quote or proposal and the Government is not committed to award of a purchase order or contract pursuant to this announcement. The information resulting from this market research is simply for planning purposes to assist the Government in determining its acquisition strategy. The Government will not pay for any costs incurred in the preparation of information for responding to this notice.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code ¿ 541380 Testing Laboratories and services, associated revenue standard $19.0M apply to this announcement.

All responsible sources may submit a capabilities statement detailing the ability of their service to meet Statement of Work included in this announcement.

Responses to this announcement shall only be accepted through electronic mail addressed to dallan-loucks@usgs.gov and must be uploaded and received in their entirety no later than 07/09/2025 1500 ED. Responses submitted by hardcopy shall not be accepted or considered.

Statement of Work
Geochemical Analytical Services

I.        GENERAL INFORMATION

A. Introduction
Geochemical analytical services for the geochemical characterization of 250 deep-ocean         ferromanganese crust, manganese nodule, sulfide, phosphorite and sediment samples are         required for the research purposes of the Global Ocean Seabed Mineral Resources team.

B. Background
The U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) contain         both extensions of continental minerals and unique deep-ocean seabed minerals that may         be enriched in trace, rare, and critical minerals. The types of deep-ocean seabed minerals         are phosphorites, ferromanganese crusts, manganese nodules, and seafloor massive         sulfides. The USGS Global Ocean Seabed Mineral Resources project team is tasked with         providing seabed mineral resources data to the U.S. Government and the public. To         Resources team in-house and therefore the samples must be sent to commercials         laboratories for analysis.
The geochemical data generated for these types of seabed minerals and associated                 sediment samples that occur in regions within the OCS and EEZ are needed to inform         U.S. seabed mineral resources. These data will be used to understand the enrichment of         valuable and critical minerals in known seabed mineral occurrences as well to improve         models to determine where seabed minerals with potential economic interest are likely to         occur when combined with other oceanographic and geographic parameters the influence         mineral formation.
C. Definitions

Critical minerals: Critical minerals are necessary for the manufacture of high technology         devices, national defense applications, and green growth-related industries. A critical         commodity is one that is important for these specialized applications yet is at risk for                 supply disruption. A complete list of critical minerals as of February 2022 can be found         here: https://www.usgs.gov/news/national-news-release/us-geological-survey-releases-        2022-list-critical-minerals

D. Scope
Geochemical analysis by ten different analytical techniques of 250 seabed mineral         samples to determine major, trace, rare earth, and critical mineral contents are required to         characterize seabed minerals and inform their resource potential and formation         mechanisms.

II. WORK REQUIREMENTS

A. Technical Requirements.
1.        Specific Work Requirements

The following analytic techniques and instrumentation are required for full geochemical characterization of the seabed mineral samples:
¿        Sample analysis for major elements by x-ray fluorescence (XRF) using lithium borate fused disks
¿        Sample analysis for rare earth and volatile trace elements by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) following lithium metaborate fusion
¿        Sample analysis for trace elements by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) following four-acid digest
¿        Sample analysis for mercury by cold vapor using a flow injection mercury system (FIMS)
¿        Sample analysis for sorbed (H2O-) using the gravimetric technique and structural (H2O+) water content using the Penfield infrared technique
¿        Sample analysis for chlorine by lithium borate fusion with x-ray fluorescence (XRF)
¿        Sample analysis for major and trace elements by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA)
¿        Sample analysis for rare and volatile trace elements by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) following sodium peroxide fusion

2.        Criteria for acceptance of Product or Service

The analytical services will be considered compliant and complete when we receive data reports the contain concentration data for each of the requested anlaytes measured for each submitted sample or a sufficient reason as to why the sample could not be measured. In addition, results from duplicated sample analyses will be provided to determine the quantified precision for the measurements, as well as results for the measurement of at least one certified reference material provided by our team and at least one certified reference material provided by the commercial laboratory for which values are within 5% of the certified published values to determine the quantified accuracy of the measurements.

B. Deliverables.

1.        Geochemical results will be delivered as an electronic data file, which will include values for the concentration of each analyte for each of the 250 submitted samples, as well as quality control data from duplicate analyses and measurement of certified reference materials.
2.        Geochemical results should be delivered within 10 weeks of service initiation and should be delivered via email or any other electronic data transfer.
3.        Any unused sample material will be returned to USGS.

III.        SUPPORTING INFORMATION

A.        Place of Performance: Contractor¿s facility

B.        Period of Performance : August 1, 2025 ¿ August 31, 2026 OR 12 months from award
date.

C.        Government Furnished Property (GFP): None

D.        Special Considerations.

1. Data Rights: Rights to data belong to USGS

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