ACID VIALS THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE ONLY FOR MARKET RESEARCH PURPOSES. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP), REQUEST FOR QUOTATIONS (RFQ) OR INVITATION FOR BID (IFB). NO FORMAL SOLICITATION IS BEING REQUESTED UNDER THIS NOTICE. This Sources Sought Notice is for market research purposes to identify parties having an interest in and resources to support this requirement for acid vials for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), National Water Quality Laboratory (NWQL) for use in Water Resource Discipline (WRD) water sampling and testing programs. The result of this market research will contribute to determining the method of procurement. The Government will review the information requested in this announcement based on the responses to sources sought notice/market research, this requirement may be set-aside for small businesses or procured through full and open competition. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 325199 (All Other Basic Organic Chemical Manufacturing) and the size standard is 1,250 employees. A. Introduction: The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), National Water Quality Laboratory (NWQL) has a requirement for acid vials Brand Name or for use in Water Resource Discipline (WRD) water sampling and testing programs. B. Background: The USGS, WRD, and NWQL strive to maintain national consistency in all of the environmental samples collected by their personnel. The scientific analytical data from these samples is available and presented for use by other agencies and the public. It is extremely important that the supplies acquired hereunder be of high quality and will continue to provide consistency with the data that has been obtained, in some cases, for over a decade. Consistency in data is critical for the NWQL and USGS programs across the country for which the Laboratory performs analysis, and only high-quality items will allow for this consistency. Unlike commercial labs, the NWQL, and the USGS programs they support, monitor trends in the data, further cementing the importance of consistency in sampling containers. C. Salient Characteristics (Brand Name or Equal): The following salient characteristics define the minimum essential requirements. 1) 2.0 mL, 7.5-7.7N Ultrex grade nitric acid solution (JT Baker), in a 4.5 mL polypropylene (PP) copolymer screw cap vial (polyvials). a. The screw cap vials shall be 4.5 mL capacity and made of polypropylene (PP) copolymer. Vials are to be filled with 2.0 mL of 7.5-7.7N Ultrex nitric acid solution and then capped. The measurement tolerance shall be 2.0 mL delivery +/- 0.2 mL. The vials shall be bottom filled to prevent defective seals. b. Each polyvial shall be clearly labeled with the mixture contents, lot number and the appropriate volume. The label shall be placed on the union of the cap and vial. A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) or Safety Data Sheet (SDS) shall be provided with each shipment in accordance with OSHA standard 1910.1200. c. The vials shall be packag…