66 -- Air Sampling Cylinders

NOAA?s Acquisition & Grants Office, Mountain Region Acquisition Division, intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), with Essex Cryogenics of Missouri for 12 each Department of Transportation (DOT) approved stainless steel gas cylinders for the storage of trace gases related to research on climate change and atmospheric chemistry. The sole source determination is based on the Earth System Research Laboratory (ESRL) Global Monitoring Division?s requirement for cylinders in their research on the global distribution and trends of greenhouse gases and other atmospheric trace species. The cylinder requirements are as follows: 1) Internal Volume: 25-40 liters; 2) Material: 304 stainless-steel; 3) Service Pressure: 900 psia (or greater); 4) DOT Certification: for a period of at least 5 years; 5) Valve: DOT-approved, stainless steel valve with metal seat and stem; 6) Internal Surface: chemically inert (electro-polished or Summa treated to near-mirror finish); and 7) Cleaning: halogen-free cleaning (no chlorinated solvents). The interior finish of the cylinder is most critical to NOAA?s research. DOT approval means that a cylinder can be transported containing approximately 20 times more air than one that is not DOT-approved. Essex Cryogenics is the only company that manufactures a stainless steel sampling cylinder approved and certified by the Department of Transportation (DOT). These cylinders were developed by Essex through the cooperative efforts between Essex engineers and scientists from NOAA and the Scripps Institute of Oceanography. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation package is available. However, firms that believe they can provide cylinders that fully meet the Government?s requirements as indicated above may submit substantiating documentation in writing to the identified point of contact within 15 days after publication of this synopsis. Documentation shall include evidence that their product can meet requirements 1-7 stated above and the DOT number that identifies the category and the service pressure. For example, the Essex Cryogenics cylinders are certified as DOT # 4DS900. Such documentation will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to conduct a competitive procurement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.