Inactive

COMBINED SYNOPSIS / SOLICITATION WORKFORM (1) Action Code: Combined Synopsis/Solicitation (2) Date: 6/7/2021 (3) Year: 2021 (4) Contracting Office Zip Code: 20892 (5) Project Service Code: 6830 - GASE... COMBINED SYNOPSIS / SOLICITATION WORKFORM (1) Action Code: Combined Synopsis/Solicitation (2) Date: 6/7/2021 (3) Year: 2021 (4) Contracting Office Zip Code: 20892 (5) Project Service Code: 6830 - GASES: COMPRESSED AND LIQUEFIED (6) Contracting Office Address: 6710B Rockledge Drive Bethesda, MD 20892 (7) Subject/Title: Procurement of Liquid Helium Supply for NMR Labs (8) Proposed Solicitation Number: NICHD-21-141 (9) Closing Response Date: 6/21/2021 (10) Contact Point: Amber Harris (11) Contract Award and Solicitation Number: TBD (12) Contract Award Dollar Amount: TBD (13) Contract Line Item Number(s): TBD (14) Contractor Award Date: TBD (15) Contractor Name: TBD (16) Description: (Background) (i) “This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.” (ii) The solicitation number is NICHD-21-141 and the solicitation is issued as a request for quote (RFQ). (iii) The solicitation document, the incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2021-05 effective 3-10-2021. (iv) The associated NAICS code is 325120, Industrial Gas Manufacturing, and the small business size standard is 1,000. The acquisition is being conducted in accordance with the procedures of FAR Part 12 and FAR Part 13. (v) The Contractor Requirements are listed below: 1.0 PURCHASE ORDER TITLE Procurement of Liquid Helium Supply for NMR Labs 2.0 BACKGROUND Liquid helium is used to cool NMR superconducting magnets, and also used for low-temperature experiments in several laboratories within the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), at the main campus of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), in Bethesda, MD 20892. Liquid helium has several unique properties, including an extremely low boiling point and non-reactivity, so it cannot be replaced by other liquified gases. These labs purchase approximately 12,000 liters of liquid helium per year. 3.0 OBJECTIVE The purpose of this request is to procure liquid helium deliveries to the laboratories to support their research goals, in 60, 100, & 250-liter vendor-owned dewars. 4.0 SALIENT / REQUIRED FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS The vendor shall deliver liquid helium to the laboratories in 60, 100, and 250-liter vendor-owned dewars. 5.0 TASKS AREAS To support the research goals of these labs in NIDDK, we need a reliable supply of clean liquid helium, in order to keep NMR superconducting magnets cool, and thus operational for NMR research. Task areas 3 & 4 are specified to have liquid helium clean enough to not clog in NMR magnets or transfer lines, dewars that can be safely used around the magnets, and ensure that sufficient helium is delivered in a dewar for successful magnet fills and experiments (dewars are not delivered with insufficient amount or boil off too rapidly). In addition, some of the liquid helium is used for low-temperature NMR & MRI research. For task area 1, delivery at least once a week with a maximum of one week delivery time is necessary to enable efficient scheduling of magnet fills, and experiments along with their sample preparation. Independently, and not as an agent of the Government, the contractor shall perform all of the detailed Task Areas listed below: 5.1 Task Area 1 – Delivery Timelines Delivery of liquid helium should be available on at least one day per week, with a lead time for ordering of a maximum of one week (or 5 business days). Dewars in 60, 100, and 250-liter sizes shall be available for order. 5.2 Task Area 2 - Shipping Instructions The vendor will send an electronic version of all NIDDK Advisory Council meeting(s) minutes to the Project Officer within 10-12 business days. The deliveries shall be made to the following addresses based on the request at the time of the specific order. All of these addresses are buildings on the main campus of NIH in Bethesda, MD 20892. NIH 9000 Rockville Pike Bldg 5, B2 level Dusty Baber NIH 9000 Rockville Pike Bldg 50, Rm B204 Dusty Baber NIH 9000 Rockville Pike Bldg 8, Rm 427 (or 4th floor elevator) Bob O'Connor NIH 9000 Rockville Pike Bldg 6, Rm B1-27 Jinfa Ying NIH 9000 Rockville Pike Bldg 6, Rm B1-27 Dusty Baber NIH 9000 Rockville Pike Bldg 5, 4th floor Kent Thurber 5.3 Task Area 3 – Purity & Quantity The vendor will be paid for the liquid helium actually ordered and delivered. The estimated yearly usage is 12,000 liters. Liquid helium purity shall be a minimum of 99.998%. The vendor should be, or purchase major helium requirements from, a “Federal helium supplier.” “Federal helium suppliers” are listed at the US Bureau of Land Management website at: https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/Federal%20Helium%20Suppliers_0.pdf In the event of a liquid helium shortage, the vendor is required to provide priority service to the US government, in accordance with Bureau of Land Management requirements. 5.4 Task Area 4 – Dewar Requirements Dewar Requirements: 1. Dewars shall be of non-magnetic construction and have wheels. 2. All dewar valves shall open and close easily and seal completely. Over-pressure valves and relief valves shall be fitted and operate at the manufacturer-recommended nominal pressures. Dewars shall be delivered with an over-pressure valve in the open position, in order to avoid an unsafe buildup of large pressure. 3. Dewars shall include all seals & fittings. All seals in the dewar and fittings shall be in good condition and create a complete seal, i.e. no cracks in the seals. 60 and 100-liter dewars shall be supplied with ½ inch and 3/8-inch Goddard Compression fitting connectors, or equivalent. 250-liter dewars shall be supplied with all of the fittings specified above plus a 5/8-inch Goddard compression fitting or connector, or equivalent. 4. Dewars shall be internally free of ice, “frozen air”, or other contamination. 5. Dewars shall have a maximum helium loss rate per day of the following: 60 L: less than 3 percent per day 250 less than 2 percent per day 250 L: less than 2 percent per day 6. Dewars shall be delivered with a minimum volume of the following: 60 L: no less than 53 L 100 L: no less than 90 L 250 L: no less than 225 L 6.0 PURCHASE ORDER TYPE This Purchase Order is to be a firm fixed price. 7.0 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE Inspection and acceptance will be performed at the place of installation/upon delivery of service - National Institutes of Health, NIDDK, NIH main campus, in Bethesda, MD 20892. (vi) Period of Performance: The period of performance is August 24, 2021 to August 23, 2022. (viii) The provision at FAR clause 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. (vii) The provision at FAR clause 52.212-2, Evaluation – Commercial Items, is applicable. Award will be made to the contractor providing the most advantageous quote to the Government. Technical factors, past performance, and price considered with technical factors outweighing price. Specifically, the following technical factors will be evaluated: i. The vendor will be evaluated on their quoted services meeting the specifications under section 4.0 SALIENT / REQUIRED FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS (x) FAR clause 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications – Commercial Items, is applicable. An offeror shall complete only paragraphs (b) of this provision if the offeror has completed the annual representations and certificates electronically via http://www.acquisition.gov. If an offeror has not completed the annual representations and certifications electronically at the System for Award Management (SAM) website, the offeror shall complete only paragraphs (c) through (p) of this provision. (xi) FAR clause at 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. (xii) FAR clause at 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders – Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. Including the following clauses and Prohibitions: i. FAR - 52.204-25 - Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment. (AUG 2020). ii. 52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Representation iii. 52.222-3, Convict Labor (June 2003) (E.O. 11755). iv. 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities v. 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity vi. 52.222-36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities vii. 52.222-50 Combating Trafficking in Persons viii. 52.223-18, Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging while Driving ix. 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases Additional Clauses: i. 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer— System for Award Management (Jul 2013) (31 U.S.C. 3332) ii. 52.232-39, Unenforceability of Unauthorized Obligations. iii. 52.222-53, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Certain Services-Requirements (MAY 2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter 67). iv. 52.217-9 Option To Extend the Term of the Contract. (MAR 2000) (xiii) Additional Contract Requirements: None (xiv) The Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) and assigned rating are not applicable. (xv) Offers shall be submitted via email to amber.harris@nih.gov (17) Place of Contract Performance: National Institute of Health, NIDDK 5 Memorial Drive Bethesda, Maryland 20892 (18) Set-aside Status: This requirement is not being set aside for small business. **QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ARE NOW ATTACHED.**