# SAM #140GG027Q0015

USGS intended-source notice for detrital zircon geochronology and related analytical services

**Buyer:** USGS CONTRACTING ACTIVITY
**Posted:** October 28, 2026
**Respond By:** November 04, 2026
**Identifier:** 140GG027Q0015
**NAICS:** 541380, 541690

USGS is seeking specialized detrital zircon laboratory analysis for rock and modern sediment samples and identifies the University of Arizona LaserChron Lab as its intended source.
- **Buyer and purpose**
  - The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), including its Geology, Energy, and Minerals Science Center and Florence Bascom Geoscience Center, needs analyses to support scientific projects.
  - The notice states USGS knows of no other source able to meet its needs, but invites capable vendors to demonstrate comparable expertise. This is an intended-source notice, not an award announcement.
- **Services requested**
  - Detrital zircon U-Pb/Pb-Pb geochronology using laser ablation and mass spectrometry; typically 100–300 grains per sample, with 600 or more available upon request. Some requests may call for 600 analyses per hour.
  - Hf isotope and T/REE analyses on selected zircon grains may also be requested.
  - Supporting capabilities include zircon extraction, mounting, polishing, SEM imaging, Raman analysis, and data reduction.
- **Technical and delivery requirements**
  - Analyses must be nondestructive and meet specified accuracy and reproducibility standards; work that fails the standards must be reworked at no additional cost.
  - Deliver grain-level ages, isotope ratios, uncertainties, error correlations, signal-intensity data, uranium and thorium concentrations, and analysis locations in Excel and annotated BSE map or data-file formats.
  - Continuity with prior USGS data is important: the notice cites Arizona LaserChron work from 2021–2026 and calls for same-laboratory and same-instrument processing, measurement of 204Pb for common-Pb correction, and consistent data-reduction protocols.
- **Schedule**
  - Complete analysis of all samples within one year. The sample-work timeframe will be agreed after shipment; the statement of work also calls for agreement within 1–3 months of the order.
  - Typical preparation allowances are about 8 weeks for mineral separation and 2 weeks for mounting and BSE imaging, unless expedited.

### Description

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Geology, Energy, and Minerals Science Center (GEMSC), and Florence Bascom Geoscience Center (FBGC) in Reston, VA requires detrital zircon U/Pb, Hf, and T/REE analyses for rock and modern sediment samples. Samples will support scientific work across multiple projects, including, but not limited to, the Gulf of Mexico Petroleum Systems Project and the Alaska Petroleum Systems Project.<br/><br/>The USGS is aware of no other source that can provide the above. Therefore, it intends to make an award to the University of Arizona LaserChron Lab unless it is contacted by any vendor who believes they have similar technical expertise and can provide the same service(s). Vendors are invited to contact the Contract Specialist, Miranda Blankenship, via email at Miranda_blankenship@ios.doi.gov no later than 1:00 PM EDT, Wednesday, November 4, 2026, with an affirmative answer.  <br/>

[View original listing](https://sam.gov/opp/4e9c775b44d5477ea6b056f8b82cf6c9/view)