The Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Alaska Science Center, has a requirement for services to obtain mineral separate, detrital zircon geochronology, and apatite fission tract analysis. The USGS conducts research on energy and mineral resources and on active faults and seismic hazards. Part of this work is in identifying what parts of the Earths crust have had exhumation, and from what depth in the crust. Low-temperature thermochronology is the best way to answer those questions. Thus, we need to procure apatite fission track dates to determine the timing of exhumation. Recently, the practice of obtaining U-Pb analyses on AFT-dated grains has proven to be exceptionally effective at clarifying the exhumation history of regions. The samples for which we are requesting ages will help to determine the timing of exhumation of part of the western Alaska Range. This will help us to determine if there are seismic hazards that need to be further examined, and it supports regional mineral evaluation in the region of the Western Alaska Range Project. Moreover, it will help us to determine the timing of when sediments were deposited into the Susitna and Cook Inlet basins. Knowing this timing will help understand the oil and gas potential of these regions, which is currently under assessment by the Energy Program of the USGS. This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The solicitation replaces solicitation G11PS00689 and is issued under G11PS00838 as a Request for Quotation (RFQ). The solicitation and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in affect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2005-53, effective 04 August 2011. This requirement is subject to the information in the attached Instructions, Requirements, and Clauses. As well, see solicitation RFQ Standard Form 18 with list of the Contract Line Items. All services to be completed and delivered by 30 September 2012. The Government anticipates award of a commercial, Firm-Fixed Price type contract. All firms must be registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database at www.ccr.gov, as well as, the Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA) to be considered for award. Please contact the Contract Specialist, in writing, by email at [email protected], with any questions. Questions are due no later than 5:00pm PST on 13 August 2011. This requirement is unrestricted business size. The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541712, Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology) Size Standard for Small Business is 500 employees.

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