U-Th/He Thermochronology Analyses of Samples

The U.S. Geological Survey intends to award a non-competitive purchase order to University of Connecticut, Basin Analysis & Helium Thermochronology Laboratory (UConn), for the U-Th)/He thermochronology analyses of forty zircon and apatite samples to help quantify rock uplift rates in Alaska. This is required for the Alaska Basins and Petroleum Systems project of the Geology, Energy, and Minerals Science Center/Minerals Program, Reston, VA.

Service is for a one-year period beginning September 30, 2026. UConn has unique capabilities and facilities including: the principal investigator has expertise in analytical techniques and modeling/interpretation of data that other labs cannot provide. UConn also has access to and expertise in the three different facilities required for (U-Th)/He Analyses. First, a quadropole mass spectrometer (QMS) with a laser heating cell for Helium extraction and measurement.

Second, a clean lab for grain digestion in nitric acid or hot hydrofluoric acid. And third, an inductivity coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) for Uranium, Thorium, and Samarium measurements. Furthermore, UCONN has performed these analyses as part of an ongoing study collaboration for the past several years and it is imperative to use the same laboratory for consistency of results in our research. The NAICS code is 541380. The size standard is $19 million.

In accordance with FAR 5.207, all responsible sources may submit a bid, proposal or quotation which shall be considered by the agency; however, THIS NOTICE IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS. The proposed action may be awarded on a sole source basis under the authority of Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) 12.102(a). All responses must be emailed to sruggles@usgs.gov.