UNSPSC 12142112: Liquid argon

Liquid argon is a cryogenic fluid, argon in a liquid state at an extremely low temperature.

UNSPSC 12142112 Liquid argon, a Commodity code, covers bulk and packaged argon gas supply and related delivery services procured by state and local governments for industrial, laboratory, and facility maintenance applications. State and local buyers use this code for liquid argon tank rental, cylinder supply, delivery logistics, equipment maintenance, and inspection services supporting water treatment plants, laboratories, environmental agencies, and specialized industrial operations. Recent solicitations show issuing bodies spanning state environmental protection agencies, city utilities departments, county forensic institutes, and university procurement offices, with competitive bidding (IFB, RFQ, ITB) and non-competitive contract extensions (JPMC change orders) both active in the market.

Activity concentrates in Illinois and Florida, with secondary presence in California and Texas. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has posted multiple five-year laboratory gas contracts covering argon alongside helium and nitrogen, with bids due July 2026 and August 2026 requesting ultra-high-purity argon (99.99%) in T-size cylinders and 200-gallon liquid argon tank fill services to Springfield with two-business-day delivery windows and domestic product preference. The City of Sanford, Florida issued IFB 252611 in September 2026 for bulk liquid oxygen (not argon) to its water treatment plant, but the solicitation structure—term contract, as-needed delivery every three weeks, equipment maintenance and inspection, firm pricing with CPI-U adjustments, up to five-year term—mirrors the argon procurement model. Illinois has extended joint purchase master contracts for oxygen cylinder and tank rental services (JPMC 19-416CMS-BOSS4-P-13265) successively through September 2026 and December 2026, indicating sustained demand across state agencies. The University of Georgia posted an RFQ in August 2026 for helium, nitrogen, and dry ice with quotes due August 19, 2026, FOB Athens, Georgia. Subcontracting prohibitions, insurance minimums ($1 million general commercial liability per occurrence, $2 million annual aggregate), prevailing-wage requirements on public works, and compliance with state certifications (Illinois Standard Certifications, Minority Contractor Initiative fees of $15 for contracts over $1,000) appear consistently across solicitations. Domestic manufacturing preference, 90-day bid firmness periods, and cost-based award (lowest responsive and responsible bidder) are standard. Contract terms typically run five years from signature with renewal or extension options extending total term to ten years maximum, and pricing remains fixed for the initial term with CPI or formula-based annual adjustments thereafter.