B--NMWSC MICROPLASTICS ANALYSES

THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE ONLY. NO FORMAL SOLICITATION IS
BEING REQUESTED UNDER THIS NOTICE.

This Sources Sought Notice is for market research purposes to identify interested firms for the potential requirement detailed below. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541715 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences) and the size standard is 1,000 employees. The Government will review the information requested in this announcement to determine the type of set-aside (if any) for this requirement, should it come to fruition.

Background:
The USGS New Mexico Water Science Center (NMWSC) is planning to conduct a unique investigation into presence of microplastics in urban storm runoff waters to understand the influence on the Rio Grande. The NMWSC needs an experienced, ISO certified accredited laboratory for microplastics analysis in water, sediment, and air media to allow for consistent, quality-derived, and cutting-edge microplastics results and research.

Bernalillo County needs to understand the microplastics present in the Rio Grande as it flows through the Albuquerque Urban area. Additionally, contributions of microplastics from storm drain outfalls that discharge to the Rio Grande are unknown and one of the sites will be upgraded to slow the water down prior to entering the Rio Grande but the effectiveness of the upgrade needs to be assessed. The NMWSC is collaborating with Bernalillo County to investigate microplastics present in the Rio Grande as well as the contribution from storm drain outfalls.

Samples will be collected using automated samplers paired with direct dip sampling. Sediment samples will also be collected using automated samplers paired with a passive sampler to trap sediment and direct sampling from settled out sediment at the bottom of the waterway.

Scope:
The Contractor shall provide specified laboratory services relating to microplastics analysis in water, sediment, and air media. The Contractor shall provide the required analytical services and conform to specialized micro-particle sample processing and analysis techniques and procedures.

NMWSC will send various samples of water and sediment directly to the laboratory. Samples will be sent in wide-mouth glass mason jars with deionized water. All samples will be labeled with a unique USGS assigned sample identification number. A chain of custody sheet will contain the list of assigned sample identification numbers, sample collection date and time, and media, for each sample submitted to the laboratory.

The Contractor shall use state-of-the-art particle handling and isolation techniques for micro-sized particles for each media sampled in addition to the use of advanced microparticle identification technology required.

The Contractor shall be strictly adherent to all defined tasks in order to maintain scientific integrity and to ensure consistency and data quality throughout the project effort. The microplastics analyses shall be performed by the same laboratory.

Technical Requirements:
The technical requirements list technical details related to small particle isolation and identification, the processing of water and sediment samples for microplastics and quality assurance/quality control.

¿ The laboratory should routinely work with particles ranging from 50 micrometers to 5,000 micrometers in size.
¿ The laboratory shall routinely utilize Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to analyze particle type, size, and morphology following the SWB-MP1 Standard Operating Procedures for Extraction and Measurement by Infrared Spectroscopy of Microplastic Particles in Drinking Water.

Minimum Parameters:
A scope of work will be provided with any solicitation that may be issued.

All business concerns who believe they can responsibly provide this type of Microplastic Analysis shall submit the following information to the Contracting Officer:

1. The firm shall specify the Microplastic Analysis listed above.

2. The firm shall specify that they are either a small business (8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, etc.)
Or other than small business under the NAICS Code listed in the announcement.

3. The firm shall provide a point of contact name and e-mail information, and the firm¿s Cage Code, and SAM.gov UEI.

NOTE: All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary ¿ the Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the Government. Materials submitted to the Government for review will not be returned. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation. This is not a request for quotations. The Government does not intend to award a contract based on responses received under this announcement.

In order to be responsive to this Notice, a firm must provide the appropriate documentation for consideration by 9am Eastern time on September 9, 2024. Responses that do not comply with these procedures will not be considered.

Inquiries will only be accepted by e-mail to Sean M. Jones at smjones@usgs.gov