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The Department of the Interior (DOI) U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Geologic Hazards Science Center (GHSC) in Golden, CO, requires the purchase of an automated Luminescence OSL TL Reader with automatic... The Department of the Interior (DOI) U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Geologic Hazards Science Center (GHSC) in Golden, CO, requires the purchase of an automated Luminescence OSL TL Reader with automatic filter changer and with specific capability to perform IR single grain analysis (hereafter LOTR-AFC-IRSG) for use in the Luminescence Geochronology Laboratory at the Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center (GECSC), located at the Denver Federal Center, Lakewood, CO. The USGS is aware of no other sources that can provide the above. Therefore, it intends to make an award to Freiberg Instruments, unless it is contacted by any vendor who believes they can provide the same equipment. Vendors are invited to contact the Contract Specialist, Camille Metherd (cmetherd@usgs.gov) no later than 2:00 MST, February 27, 2019 with an affirmative answer and documentation of equipment capabilities. This Notice is being published for the purpose of information regarding the availability and capability of all qualified sources to perform a potential requirement. This is not a solicitation. All costs associated with providing information, as requested by this shall be the responsibility of the submitter. Submission is voluntary. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) considers employee signatures to be person protected information, and therefor all employee signatures have been redacted. By posting this document, the Contracting Officer attests all appropriate signatures have been obtained. Sole Source Justification 1. Contracting Agency and Activity. The Department of the Interior, United States Geological Survey, plans to contract on a sole source basis. This document sets forth the justification and approval as required by FAR 13.106-1(b)(1). 2. Nature of Action Being Approved. The Geologic Hazards Science Center requires the purchase of an automated Luminescence OSL TL Reader with automatic filter changer and with specific capability to perform IR single grain analysis (hereafter LOTR-AFC-IRSG). The only vendor that offers equipment that meets the technical specifications is Freiberg Instruments, GmbH (Frieburg, Germany). The instrument will be installed and used in the Luminescence Geochronology Laboratory at the Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center (GECSC), located at the Denver Federal Center, Lakewood, CO. 3. Description of Supplies or Services. The USGS Geologic Hazards Science Center (located in Golden, CO) is charged with providing precise, accurate, and cost-effective means of providing ages on paleoearthquake assessments of three major fault systems in the U.S., including faults in the Basin and Range (e.g., Wasatch fault), California (San Andreas fault), and the Central and Eastern U.S. (e.g., faults in the New Madrid seismic zone). The Geologic Hazards Science Center submits samples to the Luminescence Geochronology Laboratory at the Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center (GECSC). Samples submitted to the USGS Luminescence Geochronology Laboratory for dating are subjected to three independent processes: (1) chemical and mechanical pretreatment, (2) measurement of luminescence properties and, (3) calculation of a luminescence age. The first process is done using standard wet chemistry techniques under a fume hood and mechanical separations including sieving, magnetism, and density floatation to isolate quartz and feldspar sand targeted for dating. The second is done using an LOTR-AFC-IRSG to measure luminescence via a photomultiplier tube during sample stimulation by blue/IR LEDs and/or an blue/IR lasers and exposing the sample to beta irradiation from a 90Sr beta source. The LOTR-AFC-IRSG system is also used to individually resolve and measure infrared stimulated luminescence (IRSL) of single grains of feldspar. The final step involves the use of software to analyze luminescence measurements and perform calculations needed to produce a luminescence age. The USGS Luminescence Geochronology Laboratory needs to purchase a LOTR-AFC-IRSG system to perform the second process (luminescence measurement and irradiation). The system will allow the laboratory to run efficiently, reduce sample throughout time, minimize the number of man-hours required for sample processing, dramatically reduce operational costs, and increase precision, accuracy, and reproducibility of the data. In addition, we need a LOTR-AFC-IRSG system to expand the lab’s capability to measure single grains of feldspar IRSL for various projects related to earthquake hazards. Furthermore, we need an automated filter changing system in order to prevent costly and time-consuming risks associated with changing filters. The reader must also be capable of making multiple single grain measurements at a time to achieve a high-rate of sample throughput. Freiburg Instruments is the only manufacturer able to meet these requirements. 4. Estimated Dollar Value 5. Statutory Authority. The proposed action may be awarded on a sole source basis under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) – only one source reasonably available. 6. Rationale Supporting Use of Citation in No. 5. Market research and knowledge from scientific experts indicate there are only two manufacturers (worldwide) who produce LOTR-AFC-IRSG instruments. However, only Freiberg Instruments manufactures an instrument meeting the Government’s minimum needs. The LOTR-AFC-IRSG instrument made by Freiberg Instruments has an automated filter changing system, which is a technical requirement for this purchase request in order to prevent costly and time-consuming risks associated with changing filters. Other instruments require manual filter change, which requires additional labor and has the potential of time-consuming risks (damage to the instrument) associated with changing filters. Additionally, the Freiburg machine has "Spatially Resolved Single Grain Analysis" where single grain measurements are performed using an electron multiplying charge coupled device (EMCCD) camera. The EMCCD method facilitates the measurement of multiple single grains at once, as opposed to the machine made by competitor (Risoe), which uses a laser to zap individual grains. The EMCCD method is superior to the laser method because it is faster. It also avoids a potential pitfall with the laser method, in which two grains can accidently be measured at once, leading to an erroneous result. 7. Other Information. N/A