Liquid Helium

The Department of Commerce National Institute of Standards and Technology issued solicitation 18-02103 for the supply and delivery of high-purity liquid helium to its facility in Gaithersburg, Maryland. This procurement is critical for maintaining NIST traceability and supporting the Low Background Infrared Facility for the Missile Defense Agency. Due to federal regulations and the critical nature of the supply, the contract was limited to seven authorized federal helium suppliers identified by the Bureau of Land Management. The requirement involves an estimated annual volume of 65,000 to 80,000 liters of liquid helium with a purity level of 99.998 percent, delivered in contractor-owned dewars of 30, 60, 100, and 250 liters. The contract is structured as a firm-fixed-price award consisting of a base period and three option years, with CLINs covering the helium supply, dewar rentals, and emergency delivery fees. Selection was based on the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable process, evaluating vendors on their technical capability for in-kind delivery and total price. The procurement process included several amendments to extend proposal deadlines and clarify the period of performance. Additionally, the government maintains a property list of 50 government-owned dewars and incorporated specific economic price adjustment clauses to manage costs for these semistandard supplies.