Argon_Gas_Statement_of_Work_Amendment_2.pdf

Request for Quotation Number: 1333ND18QN640024 Statement of Work Amendment #2

Title: Liquid argon supply and tank maintenance for group 646.01 in Building 227

I. BACKGROUND

The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NISTs) Inorganic Measurement Science Group (646.01) within Material Measurement Laboratory (MML) is responsible for performing researching leading to the development of reference measurement procedures, developing quality assurance protocols, and developing standard reference materials (SRMs) for quality assurance and method validation. The types of equipment and instrumentation used for such work consumes large quantities of argon gas. NIST has built an infrastructure to meet the argon needs, which include a 3000 L liquid argon tank outside Building 227 near the loading dock and the attendant argon gas pipelines that distribute the gaseous argon from the tank to the group located on the third floor of Building 227.

Product will be used throughout the building for several analytical instruments in group 646.01 and various other uses by researchers in the laboratories.

II. SCOPE

The Contractor shall maintain Qty (1) 3000 Liter (3000 L) PERMA-Cyl 3000 VHP microbulk liquid argon tank manufactured by Chart Incorporated and supply up to 19,000 liters of liquid argon to the 3000 L microbulk argon tank per year, located at NIST Gaithersburg Laboratory next to the loading dock of Building 227

The gaseous argon generated from the supplied liquid is used for the continuous operation of inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometers (ICP-MS). The Contractor shall maintain the liquid argon levels to prevent venting of the tank. A telemetry unit is provided for the Contractor to monitor the liquid argon levels in the tank. The Contractor shall inspect and maintain the microbulk argon tank to ensure its safe operation in accordance with Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs). As part of the maintenance operation, the Contractor shall perform annual removal of krypton build up in the microbulk argon tank to ensure the argon gas meets or exceeds the specification described in this

SOW.

III. SPECIFICATIONS

A. Liquid Argon Critical Assay-99.997% Meets ICP-MS Specification Oxygen-< 5 ppm Total Hydrocarbons (as CH4)-< 1 ppm

Nitrogen-< 20 ppm Carbon Dioxide-< 0.5 ppm

Water-< 4 ppm Hydrogen-< 1 ppm

B. Estimated Usage in Liters:

The annual estimated use of liquid argon is as follows:

Base Year - up to 19,000 liters Option Year I – up to 19,000 liters Option Year II - up to 19,000 liters Option Year III - up to 19,000 liters Option Year IV - up to 19,000 liters

IV. TASKS

Task 1 - Tank Inspection and Valve Replacement The Contractor shall be responsible for the safe and normal operation of the 3000 L microbulk argon tank. To ensure safe and normal operation, the Contractor shall provide an annual inspection of the argon tank in accordance with American Petroleum Institute (API) Standard 653, (“Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration, and Reconstruction”).

Inspectors must be:

a) Authorized by the original equipment manufacturer

b) Certified API 653 Inspector qualified to perform the inspection

c) Follow proper inspection protocol(s) in accordance with API 653

The tank inspections shall include replacement of pressure relief safety valves one time every four years. The safety valves shall be replaced in calendar years 2018 and 2022.

An annual inspection and report of findings for the argon tank shall be delivered to the Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) not later than 15 days after the inspections are completed.

To the maximum extent practicable, inspections shall take place during a single visit to NIST Gaithersburg. Inspection visits must be scheduled, at least 14 days in advance, with the TPOC to ensure that all security requirements are met.

Task 2 – Maintenance of Tank The Contractor shall be responsible to maintain the Government-provided liquid argon tank to ensure the tank operates and functions to manufacturer’s specifications. The Contractor shall only employ tools, instruments, test apparatus, methodologies, techniques, and practices approved for use with the instrument by the manufacturer.

Krypton and other impurity build-up in the liquid argon microbulk tank is a natural occurrence. The krypton build-up gradually degrades the purity of argon gas generated from the tank. The maintenance of the tank shall include removal of impurities in the liquid argon to ensure that the purity of argon gas generated from the microbulk argon tank meets or exceeds the liquid argon specification specified below. Maintenance visits must be scheduled, at least 14 days in advance, with the TPOC to ensure that all security requirements are met, proper weather conditions apply and, if necessary, the person performing maintenance can be escorted to tank site.

Task 3 – Telemetry Unit To prevent depletion of the argon product, a Government-provided telemetry unit (Dataonline, model number DPW390-047000-000000) has been installed on the liquid argon tank. The telemetry system communicates with the Contractor and notifies the Contractor that the tank needs to be filled.

The Contractor shall use the telemetry unit to monitor the tank. The Contractor shall be responsible to replace batteries on the telemetry system on an as-needed basis.

The Contractor shall provide all service necessary for the telemetry unit, to ensure that the Contractor, and NIST, have access to the telemetry unit and all tank data available through the telemetry unit.

The most recent telemetry unit reading must be available via a Contractor provided, password protected, web-site for reference and for use by NIST. The Contractor must provide the Government access to read the telememtry unit, by providing a online user name and password so that the Government can access readings, not later than seven days after award of the contract.

Task 4 – Diagnosis of Tank and Telemetry Unit Issues If NIST or the Contractor identifies issues with the tank or the Telemetry Unit, the Contractor shall diagnose the problem. The Contractor shall provide a quotation to repair the equipment inclusive of all required parts, labor and travel. A parts list and the required delivery time for the repair must be included in the quotation. The complete quotation must be provided by the Contractor to the Technical Point of Contact not later than two business days after the diagnosis is completed, however, it is preferred that the quotation is provided prior to departing from the visit. The Government may proceed with a separate procurement action to complete the required repair. The Contractor shall not repair the equipment or incur any cost without written approval from the Contracting Officer.

The Government will retain the responsibility to call orders in to the Contractor for the duration of the time that the telemetry unit is down.

Task 5 - Customer Service & Support The Contractor must have customer service operators on duty 24/7 (including holidays). The Contractor must be able to make deliveries 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, including holidays, and have a large enough fleet of trucks to handle this demand. If a truck breaks down that is assigned to this delivery, the company must have other trucks that can cover the scheduled delivery.

Not later than 10 days after award, the Contractor shall identify two designated customer service representatives for NIST to handle questions, issues and problems that may arise either in person, via telephone, or via e-mail. These individuals will be designated as “Key Personnel” in the contract.

Delivery drivers must fill the liquid argon tank in accordance with the specific requirements identified in Task 6 – Delivery Requirements and Minimum Tank Levels. It is required that drivers carefully clear ice build-up that may occur around non-jacketed piping and valving at the appropriate point during the fill process.

Task 6 – Security Registration/Delivery Drivers Not later than 5 days after award, the Contractor shall provide a complete list of delivery drivers who are “authorized to deliver” to NIST Gaithersburg to the TPOC and Contract Specialist (CS). This list must be updated quarterly.

To be authorized to perform under this contract, delivery drivers must meet following requirements:

• Be a citizen of the United States of America, including U.S. territories and/or commonwealths. The TPOC may approve Lawful Permanent Residents who are currently members of U.S. armed services (Reserves or National Guard) or who possess an Honorable Discharge from a U.S. Military component.

• The drivers must possess a CDL class A or B license and must comply with all federal and state laws applicable to the delivery of argon gas.

Only drivers on the list will be allowed access to the NIST site. The Contractor must ensure that only authorized drivers deliver to NIST. Drivers not on the list will be denied access to NIST. NIST shall not be responsible for delays to deliveries due to non-authorized drivers being denied access to facility.

Task 7 – Delivery Requirements and Minimum Tank Levels

The following minimum levels must be maintained, at all times, for the Tank: 20% of the total capacity.

At least 250 PSI must be maintained during each fill for tank (maximum allowable working pressure, MAWP = 350psi) and continuous 150 PSI of pressure shall be available at all times at all terminus on the third floor of building 227.

V. SAFETY

The Contractor shall ensure compliance with all applicable safety or other regulations and all pertinent codes.

VI. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY (GFP)

The tank and telemetry unit (Dataonline, model number DPW390-047000-000000) are provided as

GFP.

VII. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance shall be for a one-year base period with four one-year option periods. The Government anticipates that award will be made not later than September 7, 2018. If so, the period of performance for the base period and each one-year option period shall be as follows:

BASE PERIOD: September 8, 2018 – September 7, 2019 OPTION PERIOD 1: September 8, 2019 – September 7, 2020 OPTION PERIOD 2: September 8, 2020 – September 7, 2021 OPTION PERIOD 3: September 8, 2021 – September 7, 2022 OPTION PERIOD 4: September 8, 2022 – September 7, 2023

The Government reserves the right to amend the dates for the base period and each one-year option period based upon the actual date of award. The period of performance for the base period and each option period shall remain one year.

VIII. DELIVERABLES

Reference SOW, Section IV Description Quantity * Due Date

Task 1 - Tank Inspection

Annual tank inspection 1 per year Annually in accordance with American Petroleum Institute (API) Standard 653, (“Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration, and Reconstruction”)

Task 1 - Tank Inspection Report

Annual Inspection Report 1 per year Delivered to the TPOC not later than 15 days after each inspection is completed

Task 2 - Maintenance of Tank

Maintenance and/or removal of impurities

N/A According to manufacturer’s recommendations

Task 3 – Telemetry Unit

Provide online user name and password to access readings

1 Delivered to TPOC within 7 days after award of contract

Task 4- Diagnosis of Tank & Telemetry Unit

Diagnose issue and provide quotation to repair the equipment inclusive of all required parts, labor and travel

N/A Delivered to TOPC with in 2 business days after the diagnosis is completed

Task 5 – Customer Service & Support

Names and Contact information for customer service representatives

2 Not later than 10 days after award

Task 6 - Security Registration/Delivery Drivers

Complete list of delivery drivers who will be delivering to the NIST Gaithersburg, MD

All Not later than 5 days after award, updated quarterly

Task 7 - Delivery Requirements and Minimum Tank Levels

Liquid Argon Up to 19,000Liters Annually

Tank must be kept at a minimum of 20% capacity.

* Dates must be coordinated with the TPOC.

IX. GENERAL INFORMATION

Payment and Invoicing: The Contractor shall provide a streamlined invoicing solution and shall invoice for volume of gas delivered. Invoices shall include all information identified in clause entitled “NIST LOCAL 04 BILLING INSTRUCTIONS”. Charges shall be itemized based on the line item schedule included in the contract, including sub-line items, if applicable.

Safety: The Contractor employee shall be responsible for knowing and complying with NIST installation safety prevention regulations. Such regulations include, but are not limited to, general safety, fire prevention, and waste disposal.

Security: NIST is a restricted campus. An identification badge is required for access for entry into buildings and is shown to the armed Security Police when entering the campus.

Identification Badges: Contractor shall comply with NIST identification and access requirements.

Each Contractor shall wear a visible identification badge provided by the NIST Security Office. The badge shall show the full name, title, and if required by NIST, the words “Contractor” in front. The Contractor employee shall turn in the NIST identification badge and vehicle pass to the TPOC, COR, or Contracting Officer (CO) upon termination of their services under this contract.