SPECIAL NOTICE
B -- B--Soil & Plant Sample Analyses
- Notice Date
- 8/8/2025 7:59:42 AM
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- NAICS
- 541380
— Testing Laboratories
- Contracting Office
- OFFICE OF ACQUISITON GRANTS SACRAMENTO CA 95819 USA
- ZIP Code
- 95819
- Solicitation Number
- 140G0325Q0218
- Response Due
- 8/22/2025 12:00:00 PM
- Archive Date
- 10/31/2025
- Point of Contact
- Allan-Loucks, Dana, Phone: 916-278-9344
- E-Mail Address
-
dallan-loucks@usgs.gov
(dallan-loucks@usgs.gov)
- Description
- This is a notice of intent to solicit from a single source. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), intends to award a purchase order to Brigham Young University, Provo, UT for soil and plant analyses as described in the included Performance Based Work Statement. Award will be made in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.106-1(b) and the procedures at FAR Part 12 entitled, Acquisition of Commercial Items and FAR Part 13 entitled, Simplified Acquisition Procedures. Brigham Young University is, to the USGS� knowledge, the only source who can perform all necessary analyses required while maintaining the efficacy of sampling results, comparative to data collected from inception of the research program. The purpose of this notice is to satisfy the requirements of FAR Subpart 5.2. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotes. However, all responsible parties may submit a quotation by the closing date of this announcement which shall be considered by the agency. No solicitation will be issued. A determination not to compete this action based upon responses received is in the sole discretion of the Government. The NAICS code for this action is 541380, Testing Laboratories & Services. Responses or inquiries shall only be accepted through electronic mail addressed to dallan-loucks@usgs.gov and must be uploaded and received in their entirety no later than 08/22/2025 1500 ED. Responses submitted by hardcopy shall not be accepted or considered. PERFORMANCE-BASED WORK STATEMENT I. GENERAL INFORMATION A. Uses data from the analysis of soil and plant samples for the determination of their chemical and physical composition as an on-going and integral part of the research being performed. Failure to procure soil and plant testing would be extremely detrimental to the current research programs, and in some cases, it would bring research to a complete stop. The results of our research will help USGS scientists support DOI land management agencies, as well as decision makers across multiple agencies, on the best practices for utilizing and maintaining our public lands. B. The analyses USGS does today are very often compared with results from previous testing that can span a few years to decades of data. There are many factors that control the results of soil analyses, and after extensive consultations with other experts in this field, USGS has verified the following: 1. Laboratories and their results vary substantially. Labs may use different techniques and protocols, they may use different equipment or have varying protocols in the preparation and testing of samples. 2. Quality control measures are the most important and the most variable in attempting to get results that can be used in comparison with other data. These measures may include temperature control, measurement of chemicals used in testing, and equipment calibration. To change analytical labs in the middle of research projects where data is being compared would compromise the integrity of the science being performed. C. The scope of the research conducted by this office encompasses a wide geographic area where multiple ecological and physiology questions are addressed by a suite of experimental studies. Several larger projects that have utilized or will utilize a lab for analysis include an experimental investigation of wildfire impacts, influence of drought on plants and soils, reclamation of closed oil and gas well pads, a monitoring study looking at the impact of off highway vehicle (OHV) travel effects on erosion, a study investigating the long-term effects of grazing on plant composition and soil runoff, and an experimental study looking at the influence of decreased precipitation on the flora of the Upper Colorado River Plateau in Utah. The overall objectives of these studies are to provide land managers with the information needed to manage landscapes affected by wildfire, drought, or land uses such as cattle grazing and energy development. II. WORK REQUIREMENTS A. Technical Requirements. 1. The work needed varies depending upon the scientific questions that we are posing for a particular project. While some experimental designs require a suite of analytical analyses, others require only one or two tests. The general progression of sample analysis begins with the prepping of samples by USGS science technicians at the USGS research station. The samples are then packaged and shipped by FedEx to the lab. One or more of the following tests will be performed by the lab as requested by our researchers: Soil Analysis: Nitrate; Phosphorous; Potassium; Organic Matter; Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu; pH & salinity; pH, EC, SAR; CEC; Texture; Total Nitrogen; Exchangeable ions; Total nitrogen; Particle size analysis; Sand size fractions; Calcium carbonate; ANP; Mineralizable N; Resin capsules with or without incubation; Resin bags; ICP total elements; Moisture Saturation Plant Analysis: Plant Nutrient Analysis %/ppm P1- N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Na, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu, B; P2 ICP Total Elements; Nitrate; Root CEC; Total N; Total C 2. The USGS needs confidence that the analysis of samples will be performed within a reasonable period of time from when the samples are sent to the lab. Any statistical outliers in the data will need to be run again after USGS scientists review the data. 3. A laboratory in close proximity to facilitate timeliness of sample sending and receiving while minimizing shipping costs and potential for samples being lost during transport. B. Deliverables. 1. The number of samples being processed varies from year to year, but during FY2026 we are estimating that approximately 500-700 plant or soil samples will be sent to the lab for analysis. Samples are usually sent in sets of 30-80 samples, depending upon the project. The results of the lab testing are relayed back to the station in the form of emails that indicate and differentiate the specific sample values. 2. Each report shall be delivered within three months of receipt of samples, but sample results are often returned in a quicker time period. III. SUPPORTING INFORMATION A. This work will be done at a contracted lab facility that meets all our quality assurance measures. B. The analyses performed by the lab occur year-round, depending upon how often samples are sent from USGS. C. There will be no Government Furnished Property (GFP) issued to the testing facility. D. This work requires that the lab director have an advanced degree in soil chemistry and plant nutrition and experience in analyzing desert soils in particular.
- Web Link
-
SAM.gov Permalink
(https://sam.gov/opp/63dbc47b33754e9c87858a5585ffdded/view)
- Record
- SN07543121-F 20250810/250808230042 (samdaily.us)
- Source
-
SAM.gov Link to This Notice
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