MODIFICATION TO INCREASE CONTRACT CEILING HHSN273201500002I NIEHS CYLINDER GASES/DRAYAGE

This is a notice of intent to increase the ceiling on contract HHSN273201500002I with Airgas USA, LLC in support of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), located in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. This modification to increase the contract ceiling is being conducted using the procedures under Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Subpart 13.5, "Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items" in accordance with 41 U.S.C. 1901. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this requirement is 325120, Industrial Gas Manufacturing with a size standard of 1,000 employees. On February 20, 2015, award for requirements contract HHSN273201500002I was made to Airgas USA, LLC. The contract ceiling is $1,263,003.00 and has a base period of 1 year with four 1-year options. The 4th option year under the contract expires on November 14, 2019; however, the contract ceiling will be completely exhausted by mid-August 2019. The contract supports research laboratories and maintenance operations of the organizations located at NIEHS. Support in the research laboratories at NIEHS requires the need for commercial supplies and services for industrial compressed gases, gas handling, delivery, hardware, and related supplies and services for the operations at the NIEHS campus. Due to unanticipated surges during the contract period, NIEHS could not have reasonably estimated the need for the additional effort required under the contract and due to additional upcoming requirements, the modification is required to allow for continued support. Additionally, an increase in the ceiling will allow the contract run through November 14, 2019 while ensuring there is sufficient time during the procurement of the long-term contract for a phase-in and phase-out transition, if needed. The gas cylinders and dewers currently in place at NIEHS are owned by Airgas USA, LLC and can only be maintained and supported by Airgas USA, LLC. Airgas USA, LLC has the resources already in place to prevent any disruption of services and to avoid any unforeseen complications associated with their unique telemetry system. This action entails increasing the contract ceiling increase by approximately $130,000.00. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals or quotes. This synopsis is published for information purposes only. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. There are no commitments by the Government to issue any solicitations, make an award or awards, or to be responsible for any monies expended by any interested parties before award of a contract for the efforts mentioned above. Information provided herein is subject to change and in no way binds the Government to solicit for or award a contract. No telephone responses will be accepted.