Project Information

Bid Title

Bureau Of Geological Survey Palynology Analysis

Issuing Agency

State Government of Pennsylvania

Location

Pennsylvania

Published Date

Jun 16, 2026

Closing Date

Jun 30, 2026

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Ref. #

6100066174

Original Source

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Bid Documents

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Project Description

General Information
Department for this solicitation:	Procurement
Date Prepared:	06/16/26	Types:	IFB
Advertisement Type:	Service Materials Service & Materials PW Construction Agency Construction Real Estate
Solicitation/Project#:	6100066174	Solicitation/Project Title:	Bureau of Geological Survey Palynology Analysis
Description:	The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (PA DCNR), Bureau of Geologic Survey (BGS), hereafter designated “the Department,” requires a Contractor to conduct palynological and biostratigraphic analysis for Paleozoic and Mesozoic strata in order to determine specific ages for these materials throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Department Information
Department/Agency:	Department of Conservation and Natural Resources	Delivery Location:	Attn  Chris Oest  Dcnr Pa Geological Survey  3240 Schoolhouse Rd  Middletown  Pa  17057
County:	Statewide	Duration:	Contract will commence upon execution and terminate on June 30, 2027.

Contact Information
First Name:	Michelle	Last Name:	Pritts
Phone Number: (XXX-XXX-XXXX)	717-772-0299	Email:	mpritts@pa.gov

Solicitation Information
Bids must be received by the purchasing agency on the Solicitation Due Date no later than the Solicitation Due Time as set forth in the solicitation. Any conflict between the dates and/or times contained in the solicitation itself or its attachments and this advertisement shall be resolved in favor of the solicitation.
Solicitation Start Date:	06/16/26
Solicitation Due Date:	06/30/26	Solicitation Due Time:	10:00 AM
Solicitation Opening Date:	06/30/26	Solicitation Opening Time:	10:01 AM
Opening Location:
No. of Addendums:	0
Amended Date:	06/16/26

Related Solicitation Files

Original Files Terms & Conditions.pdf SOW-BGS-Palynology Biostratigraphy Services.pdf Worker Protection Form-BOP-2201 .docx DCNR Small Business Procurement Initiative.pdf

Attachment Preview

STATEMENT OF WORK

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Bureau of Geological Survey

Paleozoic and Mesozoic Palynology and Biostratigraphy Services

I.

SCOPE OF WORK

The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (PA DCNR), Bureau of Geologic

Survey (BGS), hereafter designated “the Department,” requires a Contractor to conduct palynological

and biostratigraphic analysis for Paleozoic and Mesozoic strata in order to determine specific ages for

these materials throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Any questions regarding the technical specifications of this Contract should be directed to Chris Oest at

717-702-2053 or coest@pa.gov. Email communication is preferred for questions related to technical

specifications. Any questions concerning the contracting or bidding procedures should be directed to

Michelle Pritts at 717-772-0299 or mpritts@pa.gov .

II. CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS

A. The Contractor must be able to demonstrate a record of work conducting palynological

analysis for Paleozoic and Mesozoic aged strata. Evidence of such qualifications shall include

publications in peer-reviewed journals or documentation of previous contract work in the

form of a curriculum vitae or similar summary of work history.

B. Pursuant to Executive Order 2021-06, Worker Protection and Investment (October 21,

2021), the Commonwealth is responsible for ensuring that every Pennsylvania worker has a

safe and healthy work environment, and the protections afforded them through labor laws.

To that end, contractors and grantees of the Commonwealth must certify compliance with

all applicable Pennsylvania state labor and workforce safety laws. Such certification shall be

made through the Worker Protection and investment Certification Form (BOP-2201) and

submitted with the bid, proposal or quote. Failure to submit a completed Worker

Protection and Investment Certification Form may render your submission as non-

responsive.

III. CONTRACT TASKS

The Department shall submit whole rock samples to the Contractor. Materials will include hand samples

outcrops, well cuttings, or core. Included with each sample shall be a unique sample ID, sample location,

the name of the lithostratigraphic unit from which the sample was collected, and the currently accepted

age of the material based on previously published mapping or stratigraphic correlation charts. A

summary of this information shall be provided to the Contractor by the Department via email upon

sample submission. The Department anticipates submitting up to 45 samples annually. Samples may be

submitted in up to five batches (i.e. requiring up to five separate reports).

Rock samples will be prepared and analyzed for palynomorphs by the Contractor. Palynomorphs shall be

identified and a list of taxa, including their abundance, shall be provided to the Department (see Section

IV – Contract Deliverables). Included with this list shall be the biostratigraphic range of identified taxa

reported as first and last appearance datums (FADs and LADs, respectively).

Thermal and burial history of samples shall be provided from palynomorph color and inferred vitrinite

reflectance (%Ro) values. Contractor shall utilize published data from peer-reviewed sources to estimate

geothermal gradients relevant to sample locations in order to provide an approximate maximum burial

depth for each sample.

The awarded Contractor shall receive work orders concurrently with sample submission. Samples shall

be delivered via United States Postal Service or other commercial carriers to the Contractors location.

Results of analysis shall be communicated to the Department electronically via email. Prepared

microscope slides of microfossils and any remaining sample material shall be returned to the

Department at its request (see Section VI – Sample Returns) at the Department’s cost.

The Contractor agrees to furnish all necessary labor, material and equipment to perform all the work

required herein in an expeditious, substantial, professional, and workman-like manner at its own facility.

Details of contract tasks are outlined below.

A. Sample preparation

Samples may be submitted to the Contractor by the Department as trimmed rock samples,

bagged, partially disaggregated rocks chips from outcrop samples or well cuttings, or segments

of intact rock core. Contractor will be responsible for complete sample preparation including,

but not limited to, crushing and pulverizing bulk material, acid digestion of carbonate and

silicate cement and framework grains, separation of palynomorphs from rock material

residuum, and mounting palynomorphs on microscope slides for analysis. Sample preparation

shall follow standard methods established in peer-reviewed publications and these references

shall be cited and included in the report of analysis (see Section IV – Contract Deliverables).

B. Analysis of palynomorphs

Contractor shall analyze prepared samples via microscope to identify taxa present within the

samples. Samples will range in age from Paleozoic (late Silurian through Permian) to Mesozoic

and Contractor must have a documented record of identifying palynomorphs that span this

period of geologic time (see Section II). Palynomorphs include (but are not limited to) the

following:

1. Miospores (including pollen and spores)

2. Algal cysts

3. Dinoflagellates

4. Acritarchs

5. Fungal spores

6. Chitinozoans

Additionally, when encountered, palynodebris (lignin, waxes, kerogen, or other organic debris)

shall be noted and included in interpretations of possible depositional environments for samples

(see Section IV – Contract Deliverables). Palynodebris includes the following:

1. Leaf cuticles

2. Wood or charcoal fragments

3. Other unspecific organic matter

When encountered and possible, the Contractor shall note the presence of other microfossils present

within the sample, including, but not limited to, typical invertebrates fossils, foraminifera, and

conodonts. The condition (intact, abraded, disarticulated, etc.) of these materials shall also be

documented. Biostratigraphic ranges need not be reported for microfossils other than palynomorphs.

C. Reports

A summary report for each batch of samples submitted to the Contractor by the Department

shall be prepared to summarize the Contractor’s findings. In this report, the Contractor shall

summarize the following for each sample:

1. Narrative of sample preparation methods, including citations to published literature, as

appropriate.

2. Notes on deviations from published sample preparation methods and rationale for such

deviations.

3. Type and abundance of palynomorphs, palynodebris, and other materials identified (see

Section III B).

4. The biostratigraphic range of each palynomorph, reported as first and last appearance

datums (FADs and LADs, respectively).

5. The geologic age of the sample in as specific terms as the palynomorphs present within a

sample allow for.

Reported geologic ages shall include the period, epoch, and age. Additionally, the

paly ozone(s), as established in peer-reviewed literature, inferred from the

palynomorph assemblage within a sample, must be communicated within the report of

results. Palynozones must include a source citation when provided by the Contractor.

6. Photomicrographs of palynomorphs, palynodebris, and other identified materials.

7. Thermal history and approximate burial depths based on estimated vitrinite reflectance

(%Ro) values.

8. Interpretation of possible depositional environments based on palynoflora, other

identified materials, and sample lithology. If possible, provide palynofacies and kerogen

typing to further support interpretation of depositional environments.

These contract tasks are the sole billable items associated with this Statement of Work. Cost for sample

preparation and analysis shall be a flat rate charged per sample. Cost to prepare the final report shall be

a flat rate charged per report, with one report submitted by the Contractor to the Department for each

batch of samples submitted.

IV. POTENTIAL OF ADDITIONAL LINE ITEM(S)

Upon mutual agreement of the Department and the Contractor, items that are consistent with the

overall scope of work of the Contract may be added, at a unit price mutually agreed to, upon receipt of a

valid written quotation from the Contractor.

The Contract will then be amended to include the additional item(s).

V. ISSUANCE OF PURCHASE ORDERS

The Department will issue Purchase Orders against this contract. These orders constitute the

Contractor’s authority to deliver the services as described in the Purchase Order. All Purchase Orders

received by the Contractor up to and including the expiration date of the contract are acceptable and

must be performed in accordance with the order and the contract. Each Purchase Order will be deemed

to incorporate the terms and conditions set forth in this contract.

VI. CONTRACT TERM & ESCALATION CLAUSE

The contract will commence upon execution and terminate on June 30, 2027.

Further, the parties may agree to renew this contract up to four (4) additional annual terms, with the

final termination date of June 30, 2031, upon the same terms and conditions set forth in the contract.

The Department, based on past contractor performance, may negotiate an increase in the unit price(s)

by a rate not to exceed 3%.

The Department will reach out to the Contractor no later than February 28th prior to the termination

date to begin renewal discussions. Once the renewal terms are mutually decided, the Contractor will

provide notification of the intent to renew, including the requested price increase if desired, to the

Department no later than March 31st prior to the termination date.

VII. INSURANCE

The Contractor is required to have in place during the term of the Contract and any renewals or

extensions thereof, the following types of insurance, issued by companies acceptable to the

Commonwealth and authorized to conduct such business under the laws of the Commonwealth of

Pennsylvania:

A. Workmen’s Compensation Insurance for all of the Contractor’s employees and those of any

subcontractor, engaged in work at the site of the project as required by law.

B. Public Liability and Property Damage Insurance to protect the Commonwealth, the Contractor

and any and all subcontractors from claims for damages for personal injury (including bodily

injury), sickness or disease, accidental death and damage to property including the loss of use

resulting from any property damage. Which may arise from the activities performed under the

Contract, or the failure to perform under the Contract, whether such performance or non-

performance be by the Contractor, by any subcontractor, or by anyone directly or indirectly

employed by either. The minimum amounts of coverage shall be $250,000 per person and

$1,000,000 per occurrence for bodily injury, including death, and $250,000 per person and

$1,000,000 per occurrence for property damage. Such policies shall be occurrence rather than

claims-made policies and shall not contain any endorsements or any other form designated to

limit and restrict any action by the Commonwealth, as an additional insured, against the

insurance coverage in regard to work performed for the Commonwealth.

Prior to commencement of the work under the Contract and at each insurance renewal date during the

term of the Contract, the Contractor shall provide the Commonwealth with current certificates of

insurance. These certificates or policies shall name the Commonwealth as an additional insured and shall

contain a provision that the coverage’s afforded under the policies will not be cancelled or changed until

at least thirty (30) days written notice has been given to the Commonwealth.

The Commonwealth shall be under no obligation to obtain such certificates from the Contractor(s).

Failure by the Commonwealth to obtain the certificates shall not be deemed a waiver of the

Contractor’s obligation to obtain and furnish certificates. The Commonwealth shall have the right to

inspect the original insurance policies.

VIII. SAMPLE RETURNS

Prepared microscope slides must be returned to the Department in a timely fashion. Similarly, if any

sample material remains following sample preparation (i.e. before acid digestion), this material shall

also be returned to the Department. The awarded vendor will return the samples by the most

economical shipping service and invoice the Department separately for this service. The actual shipping

charge for the return of samples will be invoiced separately from the analysis services performed and

will not be part of this contract.

Samples are to be sent to:

Chris Oest

DCNR - PA Geological Survey

3240 Schoolhouse Road

Middletown, PA 17057

IX. PAYMENT TERMS

Payment will be made to the Contractor for actual services performed upon satisfactory completion of

analysis, and delivery of results.

This contract will be paid by Automated Clearing House (ACH), commonly referred to as direct deposit.

Contractor should review Section V.25 CONTRACT-016.2 Automated Clearing House (ACH) Payments of

the Commonwealth’s Terms and Conditions for complete details and contractor’s responsibilities.

X. INVOICES

Invoice format will be in accordance with the IFB – Invitation for Bid.

All invoices for this contract MUST either be:

A. Emailed to the following for a Paperless Email Invoice Option: 69180@pa.gov.

Commodity Codes

• NAICS 541611Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
• NAICS 541990All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

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