68--EXTENSION OF CONTRACT NAS10-99009

NASA's Kennedy Space Center plans to extend the existing contract NAS10-99009 with Air Liquide America Corporation for the supply of gaseous nitrogen via pipeline to both Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. This extension will be executed on a sole source basis, without issuing a new solicitation or accepting offers from other vendors, and is authorized under 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) to allow the government sufficient time to complete the follow-on procurement process. The current contract completion date is June 30, 2002, and the extension permits continuation of services for up to six months, until December 31, 2002. The extension ensures uninterrupted delivery of gaseous nitrogen essential for operations at these critical government facilities. The necessity for sole source extension follows the provisions of FAR 6.302-1, which allows contract actions when only one responsible source is available. This administrative action is focused solely on maintaining continuity of service during the transition period before awarding a new contract. No competitive bidding or evaluation of proposals will take place as part of this extension.