Transformer Service

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is seeking industry input through a Sources Sought notice for a contract to provide comprehensive transformer maintenance services at its Gaithersburg, Maryland facility. The scope includes visual inspections, oil sampling, and fluid analyses for all liquid-filled transformers to mitigate risks such as arc flash, component failure, structural fire, and electric shock. Work must conform to ASTM standards for oil testing including D1500, D877, D971, D1533, D924, D974, D1524, D1298, and D3612, with PCB analysis conducted per EPA 8082 exclusively for retro-filled transformers. Oil samples must be collected from the main tank only while transformers are energized, and nitrogen blanket pressure of at least 1.0 lbs must be maintained for low-pressure units. The contractor must submit a Job Hazard Analysis and Safety Plan prior to any fieldwork, provide daily reports to the Contracting Officer’s Representative, and obtain written approval from the Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative for utility interruptions, public disclosures, and roof access. All personnel require security screening under NIST protocols, including NACI or SAC investigations depending on contract duration, and must comply with NIST badging policies and physical security requirements for equipment and site access. The contract structure includes a base performance year from 2026–2027 with four optional one-year periods extending through 2030–2031 and one possible six-month extension, with services performed Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET, excluding federal holidays. Pricing must be submitted according to Attachment B, which includes line items for oil testing, mobilization, visual inspections, nitrogen gas adapters, broken gauge replacements, additional sample analyses, and optional leak repairs for specific transformers in Buildings 206 and 233 during the base year. All responses must be emailed to the designated point of contact by June 17, 2026, in Word or PDF format, not exceed ten pages excluding cover and pricing data, and must not contain proprietary, classified, or sensitive information. Contractors must hold an active SAM registration, validate their NAICS code 811310 size status, and if a small business, demonstrate compliance with FAR 52.219-14 limitations on subcontracting.