Inactive Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)

This Sources Sought Notice is being published for the purpose of conducting Market Research to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of all qualified sources to perform a potent... This Sources Sought Notice is being published for the purpose of conducting Market Research to obtain 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 Sources Sought Notice, shall be the responsibility of the submitter. Submission is voluntary. SAMPLING, HANDLING, LOGGING, AND TRACKING The chain-of custody requirements for all laboratory operations for each sample (i.e. record keeping associated with sample acquisition, sample labeling, sample tracking to establish chain-of-custody, and shipping and packing) and laboratory analysis (i.e. laboratory coding, storage, check-out, and documentation of sample movement) will be fully documented. Samples will be stored in a refrigerated secure location in the laboratory restricted to authorized personnel. Dated and signed entries by appropriate personnel on all worksheets and logbooks will be required for data validation. All samples are logged into a sample received log book upon arrival and the following information recorded: client name, sample ID, date, time, test to perform. Samples are placed into Ziploc bags, sealed, and placed in refrigerator until analysis can be performed. GEOSMIN/MIB ANALYSES In the laboratory, a surrogate compound (IPMP) is added, and a small volume of sample is removed from the sample container to create headspace. The sample is conditioned by addition of 3 grams of salt that has been baked for gas chromatograph use. The sample is then heated to partition the compounds to be analyzed into the headspace of the sample container. At EPS, samples are loaded into a CombiPal auto sampler. The auto sampler is checked for correct fiber (50/30 DVB/CAR/PDMS) for taste and odor analysis. The chemically coated fiber is exposed to the headspace, and the compounds present in the sample are extracted onto the fiber coating. A new sample file is opened on the gas chromatograph and sample information is recorded on the CombiPal. The method of analysis is selected and the file is saved under the appropriate client name and date. The GC run is started and the sample components are desorbed in the hot injection port of the GC and separated on a high-resolution, fused-silica capillary column of a GS/MS system. The compounds are measured and identified under selected-ion mode. Compounds eluting from the GC column are identified by comparing their measured ions and retention times to reference ions and retention times obtained by the measurement of spiked control samples analyzed under the same conditions used for the water samples. The concentration of each identified compound is measured by relating the MS response of the quantitation ion produced by that compound to the MS response of the quantitation ion produced by the surrogate standard. Interested firms who feel that they can provide the analysis (based upon the criteria specified herein), are invited to submit in writing an affirmative response to this announcement. An affirmative response must include references with contact names, email address, and phone numbers. These references are to be for contracts similar in scope as the contract under consideration. This information will be evaluated and used to determine if competitive opportunities exist. Affirmative responses must also include supporting information showing the firm can meet all requirements set forth in this announcement. All responses must be submitted NLT 2/23/2021 at 2:00pm MST via e-mail to: ysornberger@usgs.gov. This is NOT a Request for Quotation (RFQ), Request for Proposal (RFP), or Invitation for Bid (IFB) and does not constitute any commitment by the Government. Responses to this sources sought notice will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions. All interested sources must respond to future solicitation announcements separately from responses to this market survey. Any solicitation that may be issued will be posted on the Federal Business Opportunities (Fedbizopps.gov) website and no paper copies will be provided.