Zircon separation and U-Pb dating of zircons

Background

The contract is issued by the Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry, specifically through the Maine Geological Survey. The goal of this contract is to obtain specialized zircon separation and U-Pb dating services for geological samples as part of the USGS-funded STATEMAP geologic mapping program in Maine. The Maine Geological Survey lacks the necessary facilities to conduct this specialized analysis.

Work Details

GeoSep Services, LLC will perform the following tasks: - Separate zircons from whole rock samples. - Select, mount, grind, and polish the zircons. - Conduct U-Pb laser ablation ICP-MS analysis to determine the ages of zircon samples. This work is essential for igneous and detrital zircon dating in Maine.

Period of Performance

The contract is set to start on July 1, 2026, and will end on May 30, 2027.

Place of Performance

The services will be performed by GeoSep Services, LLC located in Moscow, ID.

Bidder Requirements

GeoSep Services is selected as a single source vendor due to its unique capabilities in providing zircon separation and U-Pb dating services. The Maine Geological Survey has previously relied on Arizona LaserChron for similar services but faced significant delays. GeoSep Services has demonstrated timely delivery and effective communication.