UNSPSC 12142000: Noble gases

UNSPSC 12142000 Noble gases, a Class code, covers the procurement of pure, specialty, and industrial gases—including argon, nitrogen, oxygen, helium, acetylene, and EPA Protocol calibration gas mixtures—that state and local governments buy for laboratory operations, emergency medical services, continuous emissions monitoring, welding and fabrication, and facility maintenance. Recent solicitations show state and local bodies acquiring these gases either as one-time or recurring supply contracts, often bundled with cylinder rental, delivery, and refill services. Issuing bodies include county governments (Collier County in Florida, Palm Beach County, Orange County in California, Jackson County in Missouri), cities (Tampa, Austin), state departments (California DTSC, Washington State DOT, Florida Department of Agriculture), transit authorities (Dallas Area Rapid Transit), correctional facilities (Jacksonville Correctional Center), and community colleges (Collin College, Collin County Community College District).

Recent activity spans Florida, California, Texas, Illinois, Washington, and Missouri. Representative solicitations include Collier County Emergency Medical Services' Quick Quote (QQ2026157, due October 15, 2026) for removal and installation of four oxygen cascade systems across EMS stations; Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners' RFQ (26-0209-RR, due October 20, 2026) for welding gases and accessories under a term contract with Small Business Enterprise preference; Orange County Public Works' competitive bid (0803068001RE) for EPA Protocol calibration and audit gases to support a cogeneration emissions monitoring system, with a five-year firm-pricing contract and cooperative-purchasing extension option to other municipalities; and Dallas Area Rapid Transit Authority's blanket purchase order (REQ2098359, due June 2, 2026) covering acetylene, oxygen, argon, nitrogen, and argon-carbon dioxide mixes for bus and rail maintenance, requiring mandatory site-visit attendance and minimum three years' regional experience. Set-asides and local preferences appear frequently: Orange County applies a 5% small-business preference with a $100,000 cap; Palm Beach County offers Small Business Enterprise preference within 10% of lowest bid and local-business preference; Tampa emphasizes disadvantaged-business set-asides (5% discount for U-WMBEs and SLBEs up to $20,000 and $10,000 respectively, estimated $120,000 contract value). Contract terms vary from one-year supplies to five-year usage agreements with firm fixed pricing and no escalation permitted in year one.