B--GEOCHEMICAL SAMPLE ANALYSIS

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 Activation Laboratories, Ltd, Ontario, Canada for geochemical sample analyses as described in the attached Statement of Work.

Award will be made in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.106-1(b) and the procedures at FAR Part 12 entitled, Acquisition of Commercial Items and FAR Part 13 entitled, Simplified Acquisition Procedures. Activation Laboratories, Ltd is, to the USGS' knowledge, the only source who can provide the specific and complete set of geochemical analyses required of rock samples with appropriate quality assurance

The purpose of this notice is to satisfy the requirements of FAR Subpart 5.2. 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 Laboratories & Services.

Responses or inquiries 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 08/29/2025 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 perform this task, we collect physical samples of seabed minerals either through participation in oceanographic research expeditions, collaborations with colleagues who gather samples on our behalf, or utilize archive samples housed in geologic repositories. After detailed description, cataloguing, and appropriate subsampling of each mineral sample, they are crushed into powders for geochemical analysis using one of the ten analytical methods detailed below in Technical Requirements. A wide variety of analytical techniques and instruments are needed to characterize the geochemistry of deep-ocean minerals due to their varied types and formation environments that result in unique mineral matrices and metal enrichments. The instruments and laboratory supplies and equipment are not available to the Global Ocean Seabed Mineral 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: September 8, 2025 ¿ September 7, 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