68--Helium supplied to NWS Las Vegas, NV

AMENDMENT 0001: Adds Question and Answer section at the bottom of the posting. No other changes have been made; the response deadline remains unchanged.
AMENDMENT 0002: Adds Question and Answer #'s 3, 4, and 5 to the bottom of the posting. No other changes have been made; the response deadline remains unchanged.


COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION
Helium supplied to the National Weather Service office in Las Vegas, NV

This solicitation incorporates language and references from both the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) published in the Federal Register, current through FAC 2026-01 March 13, 2026, and the Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation Overhaul (RFO). When referencing language from the current published FAR, the text will be preceded with FAR. When referencing language from the Overhaul version, the text will be preceded with RFO instead.

The following information is provided in accordance with RFO 12.202(b)(1):

(i) This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products or commercial services prepared in accordance with part 12. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation. Offers are being requested and a separate written solicitation will not be issued.

Solicitation number 1333MH26Q0006 is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ) for compressed helium supplied incrementally to the National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office located in Las Vegas, NV. A fixed price with economic price adjustment purchase order is anticipated to result from this RFQ.

Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) and assigned rating do not apply.

This acquisition is set-aside for small business concerns. This solicitation incorporates provisions and clauses by reference. The full text of provisions and clauses may be accessed electronically at www.acquisition.gov.

The associated NAICS code is 325120. The small business size standard is 1,200 employees. This requirement has a class waiver issued by the SBA for the nonmanufacturer rule. Limitations on subcontracting does not apply to this requirement.

(ii) The line item numbers, items, quantities, and units of measure, including options, are provided below based on an 1,800 CF 6-pack as an example. If the awarded quote uses a different size pack/cradle, the quantities in the awarded line item will be different, calculated from the requirement of 42,000 CF, delivered across roughly equal increments throughout the period.

Line Item: 0001 Quantity: 1 Unit of Measure: LOT
Helium supplied incrementally to the National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office located in Las Vegas, NV, in accordance with the attached statement of need.

1,800 CF per six-pack

HELIUM GAS:
$_________ per six-pack
Up to 24 total six-packs
(Deliver 2 six-packs approximately every three weeks)
Option to increase quantity by up to 12 six-packs

DELIVERIES:
$_________ delivery fee per delivery, if applicable
$_________ hazmat fee per delivery, if applicable
Up to 12 total deliveries
Option to increase quantity by up to 6 deliveries

PACK RENTALS:
$_________ per six-pack per day (or per month, as determined by vendor quote)
3 maximum total packs on site for a maximum 282 days
(there is no option to increase number of days)

The resulting purchase order will include the option to increase the quantity by not more than 50% of the initial quantity of the line item. The option price is no higher than for the initial requirement, however, the Government will accept an offer containing an option price higher than the base price only if the acceptance does not prejudice any other offeror.

(iii) A complete description of the requirements is provided in the attached Statement of Need.

(iv) Deliveries will occur approximately every three weeks, depending on the size of the packs, throughout the period of performance. The period of performance is July 23, 2026 through April 30, 2027, with no option periods.

Delivery and acceptance for all deliveries will be at the National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office at 7851 Dean Martin Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada 89139. The FOB point is destination, at the Upper Air Inflation Building on site.

(v) A list of solicitation provisions that apply to the acquisition is provided in the attached SF 1449..

(vi) A list of contract clauses that apply to the acquisition is provided in the attached SF 1449.

(vii) Quotes are due to the contracting office no later than 10:00 am MDT on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. All quotes must be emailed to the attention of Jen Brown, email address is jen.brown@noaa.gov. The email subject line must include the solicitation # 1333MH26Q0006.

For information regarding this solicitation, contact Jen Brown directly, E-mail address: jen.brown@noaa.gov, Phone: 385-258-1061

The Government does not accept responsibility for non-receipt of quotes. It is the offeror’s responsibility to request and receive a confirmation of the quote receipt from the appropriate Government point of contact.

(viii) Additional information required by RFO 5.101(c):

This is a best-value acquisition. Evaluation criteria are provided in the attached SF 1449. The anticipated award date is July 22, 2026. This acquisition is not subject to Free Trade Agreements. All responsible sources may submit a quotation, which shall be considered by the agency.



QUESTION AND ANSWER
This section records the questions received from interested parties, and answers provided in response to this solicitation.

Q1. The Statement of Need specifies that all helium must be provided in 6-packs, while the pricing sheet allows selection of either six-packs or twelve-packs. Should offerors quote 6-packs only?
A1. 6-pack or 12-pack can be quoted (or both -- we accept and encourage multiple quotes if more than one option is available from a vendor). The Statement of Need (SON) reflects the 6-pack because that's what we currently receive and is the size most often quoted. If a 12-pack is quoted and selected for award, the language in the SON will be updated at time of award to reflect the 12-pack.


Q2. The SF-1449 schedule includes a separate fuel and energy fee per delivery, but the convenience pricing sheet does not include that field. Should this be listed as an “Additional Fee,” or may an offeror state that the fee is included in its quoted pricing?
A2. The quote needs to match the methodology and breakdowns that will be used when we are invoiced. If you invoice the fuel and energy fee separately, then the quote should list it separately. Some vendors don't charge a fuel fee, or include it as part of the delivery fee. If you charge a fuel fee and it will be listed as it's own charge on the invoice, then on the pricing sheet it can go in the Additional Fee area, just describe what it is and how frequently it's charged.


Q3. I'd like to submit a quote, but the start date of July 23, 2026 would be impossible. Should I still submit a quote?
A3. Yes, we'd still accept your quote. The start date of July 23 is set so that an order can be placed immediately, this does not mean that the first delivery needs to occur on July 23. Refer to the Statement of Need, Section 7, Initial Delivery, where it states, "The contractor shall supply 5,400 CF of helium in three six-packs on or shortly after July 23, 2026, with the actual delivery date coordinated with the Weather Forecast Office (WFO); see Points of Contacts in section 4, above." Please just identify when your earliest delivery date could be after receipt of order when you submit your quote.


Q4. Is there any incumbent/recompete or this is a brand-new project? If yes, could you please provide us with their award number or even if the customer bought similar services in the past.
A4. The former contract, # 1333MH25P0021, expired on March 31, 2026. The incumbent was Green Lantern.


Q5. I do not see any mention of purity. What is the desired purity level of the Helium?
A5. The helium must be a minimum of industrial grade 99.99% purity to be sufficient for the balloon to achieve the lift required to reach the upper atmosphere with instrumentation attached. The statement of need will be updated at time of award to include this information.