STATEMENT OF NEED

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

NOAA Fisheries Northwest Fisheries Science Center, Environmental and Fisheries Sciences Division

Compressed Gases

PURPOSE: The Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC), Environmental and Fisheries Sciences Division (EFS) requires compressed gases in order to operate analytical chemistry equipment for the measurement of chemical constituents as part of high-priority science and research.

SCOPE OR MISSION: The vendor will provide compressed and cryogenic gases to the NWFSC on an as-needed basis in supplier-provided containers. The scope of services includes deliveries, empty container pickup, annual cylinder audits, hydrostatic testing, and labeling of canisters by sandblast, paint, or stenciling.

BACKGROUND: The NWFSC provides scientific and technical support to NOAA Fisheries for the management and conservation of the Northwest Region’s marine and anadromous fish and their habitats. The NWFSC’s Environmental Chemistry program operates highly sensitive analytical chemistry equipment, including mass spectrometers, to measure chemical concentrations in fish and environmental samples in support of NOAA’s science and research mission. A consistent, reliable, ultra-high-quality supply of compressed gases is critical for the continued use of analytical chemistry equipment.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS: The estimated number of gas cylinders of each type of gas anticipated to be ordered for the year is listed in Attachment 1. These quantities are estimates for bidding purposes only and do not constitute a guarantee of minimum or maximum purchase volumes. The vendor will provide Cryo Tanks (180 liters) for liquid nitrogen and liquid oxygen, and standard size tanks (200 cubic feet) for the remaining types of compressed gas. Syphon Tubes may be needed for Carbon Dioxide grades of gas. Estimated amounts of compressed gas that may be ordered over the course of the contract are listed in Attachment 1.

During each delivery and pickup, the contractor will leave documentation detailing the transaction with the NWFSC Representative. Delivery documentation shall include the following:

1. Purchase Order Number

2. Invoice Number

3. Vendor Name

4. Date

5. Type of gas

6. Quantity

7. Cylinder size

8. Requester’s last name written on the tag of each tank

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: The Contractor shall perform all inspections and maintenance of Contractor-provided tanks/equipment according to federal safety guidelines and standards.

The contractor shall provide a supply of required gases and ensure a continuous delivery of uncontaminated gases to NWFSC. The contractor shall supply all equipment in full operational status upon the date of delivery.

Contractor’s equipment shall remain the property of the Contractor and shall be removed within 60 days after expiration of the contract. After expiration, the incoming contractor shall cooperate with the succeeding contractor so as to avoid interruption of the product supply.

After awarding, the contractor shall provide the point of contact name, email address, address of the business, and telephone number where to order the compressed gas. The preferred method of ordering compressed gas is by email.

DELIVERY SCHEDULE: Orders for compressed gases will be placed on an as-needed basis.

Delivery is expected within three business days of placing an order.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The base period of performance is from the date of award for the Base Year and Four Option Years as follows:

Base year: 07/31/2026 to 07/30/2027 Option year 1: 07/31/2027 to 07/30/2028 Option year 2: 07/31/2028 to 07/30/2029 Option year 3: 07/31/2029 to 07/30/2030 Option year 4: 07/31/2030 to 07/30/2031

DELIVERY LOCATION: All deliveries and removal of empty gas tanks will be made in the NWFSC’s Montlake Facility Room 227E and the Oxygen Room (235E). The Contractor shall deliver all tanks via the NWFSC loading dock and remove all empty cylinders during the same service visit.

Liquid Nitrogen will be delivered next to Room 227E just inside the delivery door. One full liquid nitrogen delivery is required every month, along with the removal of the empty cylinder.

Liquid Oxygen (180L) will be delivered to the Poly Shed/South Side of the Montlake campus.

Orders placed by the Ordering Official shall be delivered within three business days. The liquid oxygen will be requested as needed.

Northwest Fisheries Science Center 2725 Montlake Blvd E Seattle WA, 98112

TECHNICAL PROJECT LEAD:

Jonelle Gates, Jonelle.gates@noaa.gov, 206-302-2445

Invoice Approver:

Linda Kim, linda.kim@noaa.gov, 206-302-1758 mailto:Jonelle.gates@noaa.gov mailto:linda.kim@noaa.gov

EVALUATION CRITERIA: This requirement will be awarded to the offeror with the lowest price technically acceptable (LPTA) quote. Technically acceptable means the items quoted match the specified requirement of the RFQ. Failure to include all required items in the quote will render the quote ineligible for award. The criteria listed are all of equal value and will be evaluated on the basis of pass or fail. Please ensure to include details about what is being offered, as just providing a price does not give enough information to deem it technically acceptable or not.

1. Technical Acceptability/Capability. The quote shall meet the Technical Specifications identified in the Statement of Need. Failure to address the full requirements of the Statement of Need will be considered a fail, and the quote will not be accepted.

2. Firm-Fixed Price to include FOB Destination. Quotes shall include the best and final pricing for the materials to complete the Statement of Need.

CONTRACTORS INVOICE

INVOICES MUST BE SUBMITTED IN ARREARS

Per NAM 1330-52.232-71 ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION OF PAYMENT REQUESTS

(FEB 2023)

The Contractor must submit payment requests electronically through the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Invoice Processing Platform System (IPP). The Contractor must use the IPP website to register, access, and submit payment requests. The IPP website address is https://www.ipp.gov.

"Payment request" means any request for contract financing payment or invoice payment to the Contractor. To be considered proper, invoices must be prepared in accordance with, and contain all elements specified in, the contract payment clause (e.g., FAR 52.212-4(g), FAR 52.232-25(a)(3), FAR 52.232-26(a)(2), FAR 52.232-27(a)(2)). All invoices are to be submitted in arrears per 31 U.S.C. § 3324. Advance payments are prohibited by 31 U.S.C. § 3324, which provides that, except as provided by a specific appropriation or other law, “a payment under a contract to provide a service or deliver an article for the United States Government may not be more than the value of the service already provided or the article already delivered.” The primary purpose of 31 U.S.C. § 3324 is to protect the Government against the risk of nonperformance (or refusal to refund moneys) by the contractor after receipt of payment. See 22 Comp. Gen. 834, 835 (1946). In its simplest terms, the statute prohibits the Government from paying for goods before they have been received or for services before they have been rendered.

The Contractor must include the following documents as attachments to payment requests submitted through the IPP: The vendor’s invoice attached to the ipp.gov invoice payment request. If shipping cost is applicable, evidence of shipment, Bill of Lading (BOL) invoice showing exact charges if freight exceeds $100. The government will only pay exact costs for freight when the charge exceeds $100; this must be supported by an airway bill or BOL invoice.

https://www.ipp.gov http://ipp.gov

If the Contractor is unable to comply with the requirement to submit payment requests through the IPP due to a threat to national security; a matter of unusual or compelling urgency; or because the political, financial, or communications infrastructure of a foreign country does not support access to the IPP, the Contractor must request an exception in writing. Contact the Contracting Officer for more information about requesting an exception. (End of Clause)