Liquid Helium

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR 12.6 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation, and a separate written solicitation will not be issued. This solicitation number is NICHD22-260 and is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ). The solicitation/contract will include all applicable provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2022-07. The North American Industry Classification (NAICS) Code is 221210 and the business size standard is 1,000 employees. This solicitation is not set aside for small business. This acquisition is being conducted using Simplified Acquisition Procedures in accordance with FAR Part 13. Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) in support of the work of the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Disease (NIDDK), intends to contract on a sole source basis Liquid Helium with Messer, LLC. ITEM DESCRIPTION QTY Helium, Liquid Commercial Grade 60, 100, 250, & 500 liter dewars Messer LLC is currently the only known supplier who can provide a reliable supply of Liquid Helium, in a volume comparable to our needs. Currently, there is a worldwide shortage of Helium Gas and 4 of the 5 major suppliers have declared force majeure, and thus cannot take on any new business. Messer LLC is one of those 4 companies that has declared force majeure, but since we are a current customer, Messer can continue supplying us, under their current allocation conditions. Liquid helium is used to cool NMR superconducting magnets and used for low-temperature experiments in several laboratories within the NIDDK. 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 11,000 liters of liquid helium per year. OBJECTIVE The objective of this requirement is to acquire liquid helium, and have the product delivered in 60-, 100-, and 250-liter vendor-owned dewars. REQUIRED FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS Liquid Helium (60-, 100-, and 250-liter volume dewars) TASK AREAS To support the research goals of the labs in NIDDK, NIDDK needs a reliable supply of clean liquid helium, 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. Task Area 1 - Delivery Timelines - The contract shall provide the delivery of liquid helium 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- & 250-liter sizes shall be available for order. Task Area 2 - Shipping Instructions - The Contractor shall provide shipment to the following addresses based on the request at the time of the specific order. All provided addresses are buildings on the main campus of NIH in Bethesda, MD 20892. Delivery locations will be provided at time of award. Task Area 3 - Purity & Quantity - The Contractor shall provide the liquid helium purity with a minimum of 99.998%. Contractor will be paid for the liquid helium ordered and delivered. The estimated six-month usage is 5,350 liters. Task Area 4 - Dewar Requirements - Dewars shall be of non-magnetic construction and have wheels. - 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, to avoid an unsafe buildup of large pressure. - 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 - 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. - Dewars shall be internally free of ice, - frozen air, or other contamination. - Dewars shall have a maximum helium loss rate per day of the following: 60 L: less than 3 percent per day 100 L: less than 2 percent per day 250 L: less than 2 percent per day - 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 TECHNICAL EVALUATION The Selection of an offeror for contract award will be based on an evaluation of proposals against the requirements listed above. The Government intends to make an award to that vendor/offeror whose quote/proposal provides the best overall value to the Government. Offerors should be aware that the Government shall perform a - best value analysis and the selection for award shall be made to the Offeror whose proposal is most advantageous to the Government. Although technical factors are of paramount consideration in the award of the contract, past performance, and cost/price are also important to the overall contract award decision. As proposals become more equal in terms of technical merit and past performance, the cost or price becomes more important. The Government does not intend to hold discussions during the technical evaluation and will not request revised technical quotations. However, clarifications may be used at the discretion of the CO for proposal revisions. The Government intends to make an award to the vendor/offeror whose quote/proposal provides the best overall value to the Government. The Government reserves the right to make an award without discussions. The offeror must include a completed copy of the provision of FAR Clause 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items with its offer. The provisions of FAR Clause 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors - Commercial Items; FAR Clause 52.212-2, Evaluation - Commercial Items -Evaluation Procedures: Offeror should be aware that the Government shall perform a - best value analysis and the selection for award shall be made to the Offeror whose proposal is most advantageous to the Government, taking into consideration the technical factors listed above and the total proposed price. FAR Clause 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items; and FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders - Commercial Items - Deviation for Simplified Acquisitions applies to this acquisition. The offeror must include their Unique Entity ID: (UEI), the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and the certification of business size. The clauses are available in full text at http://www.arnet.gov/far . Interested vendors capable of furnishing the government with the products/items specified in this synopsis should submit a copy of their quotation/offer to the following email address: contact@example.gov by the due date and time below. Attn: Verne Griffin. Offers must also be accompanied by descriptive literature, warranties and/or other information that demonstrates that the offer meets all the foregoing requirements. Offeror must include the delivery date/timeframe with offer. The contractor shall provide a completed copy of FAR 52.204-24, "Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment" with their quote in response to this solicitation. Quotations will be due five (5) calendar days from the publication date of this synopsis or by August 19, 2022 at 11:00 AM EST. The quotation must reference - Solicitation number NICHD22-260. All responsible sources may submit a quotation, which if timely received, shall be considered by the agency. Any questions must be sent via email contact@example.gov and must include solicitation# NICHD22-260 in the subject line of email. Note: In order to receive an award, contractor must be registered as ALL AWARDS and have valid certification in the System for Award Management (SAM) @ www.Sam.gov. Lack of valid registration in SAM will make an offeror ineligible for award.