SSN_SAM.gov posting.pdf

SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE (SSN)

Miscellaneous Bulk Gases & Gas Cylinder Tanks

Agency: NIH/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIIEHS)

Office: Office of Acquisitions (OA)

SSN Document #: 75N96024Q00043

Purpose This announcement constitutes a Sources Sought Notice (SSN) in accordance with FAR Part 15.201(e) – Exchanges with Industry. THIS SSN DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION (e.g., Invitation for Bids (IFB), Request for Proposal (RFP), Request for Quotation (RFQ), etc.) nor is it to be construed as a commitment by the Government. The information requested may be used as market research for planning purposes and to facilitate decision making (i.e., acquisition strategy determinations, availability of capable small business concerns, etc.). The information submitted will not be disclosed outside the Government. Proprietary information submitted shall be appropriately marked (see SSN Section 6 – Other SSN Administrative Information for additional information relating to Contractor proprietary information).

Despite being a Small Business Sources Sought / SSN, NIEHS does encourage responses from capable businesses of all sizes (i.e., small and large business concerns), to include all the socioeconomic categories.

NOTE: The Government will not be responsible for any costs incurred by interested parties in responding to this SSN (or any possible Government follow-up questions / meetings relating to this SSN).

Not responding to this SSN does not preclude participation in any potential future solicitation.

1 DESCRIPTION

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), located in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, is one (1) of 27 research institutes and centers that comprise the National Institutes of Health (NIH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The mission of the NIEHS is to discover how the environment affects people in order to promote healthier lives. The Branches & Laboratories at NIEHS fall under the Intramural Research and the National Toxicology Program (NTP) Divisions. The NIEHS Office of Management (OM) directs and

75N96024Q00043 Page 1 of 15 conducts administrative and facilities management activities for the Institute by providing services in the areas of financial, personnel, acquisition, and supply and property management, as well as other administrative and office services. The OM advises the NIEHS director and staff on developments in administrative management and their implications and effects on program management throughout NIEHS; develops policies on administrative management; and prepares and issues procedures and guidelines for the implementation of administrative policies and requirements.

The basic service objective is to provide NIEHS’s end-users with consistent and reliable services related to the acquisition, handling and storage, and administrative aspects of compressed gases. The contractor shall provide all necessary personnel, labor, equipment, tools, materials, vehicles, travel, supervision, and services necessary to perform the subject services for approximately 900-1050 compressed gas cylinders, liquid nitrogen dewars, and 3 bulk tanks on campus. The contractor shall be responsible for replenishment, delivery, and maintenance of all containerized compressed gas cylinders and Liquid Nitrogen Dewars associated with the operations at NIEHS.

The Statement of Work (SOW ) has been attached for reference purposes and includes additional requirement details.

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

Gas tanks are located at various locations on the NIEHS campus.

ESTIMATED PERIODS OF PERFORMANCE

Period Period Length Period Start Date Period End Date Ordering Period 1 12 months 10/02/2024 10/01/2025 Ordering Period 2 12 months 10/02/2025 10/01/2026 Ordering Period 3 12 months 10/02/2026 10/01/2027 Ordering Period 4 12 months 10/02/2027 10/01/2028 Ordering Period 5 12 months 10/02/2028 10/01/2029

2 BACKGROUND

2.1 PROGRAM INFORMATION

This requirement supports the research laboratory and maintenance operations of the organizations located at NIEHS. Supports in the research laboratories at NIEHS requires the need for commercial supplies and services for industrial compressed gases, gas handling, delivery, hardware, and related supplies and services for the operations at the National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) campus located in Research Triangle Park (RTP), North Carolina.

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The Statement of Work (SOW) will be used to execute delivery of a broad range of orders for bulk gases and gas cylinder tanks under the resultant requirements contract. During the contract period, the Government will identify deliveries required to fulfill each specific need.

Delivery orders with more specific details will be placed as needed by the Inventory Management Specialist. Specific performance dates and quantities will be specified on each individual delivery order. During the life of the contract, there may be additions and/or subtractions in the total number of miscellaneous bulk gases, and cylinder tanks based on the Government’s needs.

2.2 CURRENT CONTRACT

Incumbent Contract Number: 75N96019D00018 Incumbent Contractor: PRAXAIR DISTRIBUTION INC Incumbent Contract Type: Indefinite Quantity Incumbent Award Value: $2,000,000.00 Incumbent Contract Acquisition Strategy: Full and Open Incumbent Contract Period of Performance: 10/02/2019 - 10/01/2024

3 INFORMATION REQUESTED

Interested Parties in assisting NIEHS with this market research are requested to submit the following information in the format of a White Paper outlined below. The response should be concise (no more than 20 pages), 11 pt Calibri font, and address only the information requested below. Bulleted lists and summaries are acceptable. (Note: title pages, cover letters, etc., will not count against the total page limit).

Generic capability statements will not be provided to the requirements team for review.

Interested Parties shall provide the following information:

I. COMPANY INFORMATION

a. Company Name

b. UEI

c. CAGE Code

d. Point of Contact Name, Phone Number, and E-mail Address

e. Company Website

f. ALL government contract vehicles under which the Company holds contracts (e.g., GSA Federal Supply Schedule (FSS), NITAAC, OASIS, etc.)

II. BUSINESS SIZE

a. The anticipated NAICS for this effort is 325120 (Industrial Gas Manufacturing). The

Small Business Administration (SBA) small business size standard for this NAICS code is 1,200 employees.

b. Based on the NAICS 325120, identify your business size as Small or Large.

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c. If a small business concern, identify which, if any, of the below small business socio-economic categories are applicable:

Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB

Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB)

Economically Disadvantaged Woman-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB)

Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB)

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)

HUBZone Small Business (HZ)

d. If your company is an Other Than Small Business (OTSB) concern (i.e., large business), have you partnered or subcontracted with small business concerns to provide the same or similar services as this requirement?

III. CAPABILITIES

a. Generally, describe your company’s capabilities in fulfilling the requirements of the attached draft Statement of Work.

b. Specifically, address the information in subparagraphs i. through iii. below:

i. Concisely describe your company’s ability to perform the work described in the below areas. Include supporting information which demonstrates your company’s knowledge / capability to meet the requirements of the Statement of Work (SOW) tasks. Supporting information shall not reiterate the language of the tasks provided in the SOW; rather it shall provide details regarding your company’s knowledge/capability to execute these tasks. NIEHS is not asking for disclosure of specific or detailed innovative solutions; however, specific examples would assist the Government with this SSN.

If your company does not have direct experience, please explain how you would perform tasks utilizing experienced subcontractors, through a proposed contract teaming arrangement (CTA) or hiring qualified personnel.

The specific areas are the following:

1) Delivery and Transport: The Contractor shall deliver gas tanks with gases to required locations as specified further in delivery orders and/or request.

2) Delivery of Gas Cylinder and Bulk Tanks: The Contractor shall provide and install all cylinders and tanks and valves in good working condition (i.e., 75N96024Q00043 Page 4 of 15 valves shall not be rusted). The Contractor shall provide the correct type of gas and purity without contaminants. The contractor shall provide and install two (2) tanks (one (1) 1500 liters and one (1) at 450 liters) shall have a maximum pre-set operating pressure of 450 psig and be equipped for oxygen service. The remaining 450L tank shall be equipped for liquid nitrogen service. Deliveries shall be scheduled through the Inventory Management Office at intervals dependent on NIEHS research requirements.

3) Quality Control and Telemetry of Specified Tanks: The Contractor shall provide 24 hour telemetry 7 days a week of the bulk liquid nitrogen tank (3000 gallons) located at the MRI building, CO2 bulk tank (6 tons) located at C loading dock and CO2 bulk tank (6 tons) located at F-rear loading dock.

The Contractor shall use telemetry to monitor usage and alarms at predetermined levels to indicate low levels. The Contractor’s quality control plan shall specifically address maintenance and inspection of the telemetry system.

4) Delivery Support Services: The Contractor shall obtain signatures on all delivery receipts from lab personnel for specialty gas tanks; inspect tanks prior to delivery to ensure that pressure gauge and valves are working properly; provide certification of tank safety inspections; provide other supplies such as hoses and needles without additional charges for all containers requiring them; and install existing regulators provided by NIEHS laboratory personnel on new tanks when delivered.

5) Maintenance Support: The Contractor shall provide maintenance for the tanks delivered to NIEHS locations.

6) Tank Inventory: The Contractor shall perform annual tank inventories in conjunction with the Inventory Management Office. The inventory shall be performed annually and shall consist of a count of all tanks on the NIEHS campus by location to include offsite facilities as well. The contractor shall use the annual inventory as a final count of actual tanks on the NIEHS campuses. The contractor will prepare the report and will require signed concurrence by the Inventory Management Team.

7) Reporting and Documentation: The Contractor shall provide signed receipts for deliverables at the time of delivery. Signed receipts shall contain the following information: Name of Contractor, contract and delivery order number, building number of delivery, date of delivery, size of tank, type of gas delivered, quantities of cylinders and volume/number of gallons delivered.

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ii. Has your company performed work of the same or similar scope as this requirement within the last three (3) years? Please explain.

For any contracts or projects for the same or similar work performed by your company within the last three (3) years, please provide the following information relating (no more than three (3) examples; government or commercial contracts):

Brief Description of the Contract/Project Contract Number Period of Performance Contract Type(s) (e.g., FFP, T&M, Labor-Hour (LH), etc.)

Commercial or Non-Commercial Requirement?

Was your company a prime or subcontractor?

Contract/Project Dollar Value Scope of the portion of the effort your company supported

iii. Provide additional relevant experience/ information that demonstrate your company’s capabilities.

4 SSN SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

4.1 QUESTIONS

Questions regarding this SSN shall be received no later than 12:00 PM (Noon) Eastern Standard Time (EST) on May 31, 2024. Questions received by the due date/time will be answered and provided to all respondents in the form of an SSN Amendment. Questions received after the due date/time may not be answered.

Questions shall be submitted in writing via e-mail to Odessa McGlown at Odessa.mcglown@nih.gov and shall reference this SSN.

4.2 SSN RESPONSES

Responses to this SSN shall be received no later than 12:00 PM (Noon) EST on June 14, 2024, as identified the SSN’s online SAM.gov posting. (If there is a difference in SSN response date/ time between this document and the online posting, the online posting shall take precedence.)

Responses shall be submitted electronically via e-mail to Odessa McGlown at Odessa.mcglown@nih.gov, and shall reference this SSN.

All SSN responses will be reviewed and utilized for market research.

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4.3 SSN POINTS OF CONTACT

Contract Specialist: Odessa McGlown

Contracting Officer: Odessa McGlown

5 OTHER SSN ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

All information received in response to this notice that is marked “Proprietary” will be handled accordingly. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary information submitted by, or obtained from, a Respondent in any manner NIEHS determines is appropriate including, but not limited to, the creation of a competitive solicitation. Any proprietary data that is included in the response must be marked appropriately at the paragraph level (or at a more granular level as required; page level is acceptable for full page table, graphs, etc.). Any response marked proprietary at the document level will not be considered.

NIEHS personnel may contact any company responding to this SSN to clarify its capabilities/product/ other matters as part of its market research.

Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to Responders with respect to any information submitted. Responses to this notice will not be returned.

6 ATTACHMENT(S)

Attachments I-III: Statement of Work (SOW) with Delivery Schedule and QARS

7 FAR PROVISIONS

The following provision is applicable to this notice and is hereby incorporated by reference:

FAR 52.215-3: Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes (Oct 1997).

The full text of this provision is available at: https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.215-3.

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ATTACHMENT I - STATEMENT OF WORK

MISCELLANEOUS BULK GASES AND GAS CYLINDER TANKS AND DRAYAGE

NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES (NIEHS)

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC

1.0. BACKGROUND: The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), located in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, is one (1) of 27 research institutes and centers that comprise the National Institutes of Health (NIH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The mission of the NIEHS is to discover how the environment affects people in order to promote healthier lives. The Branches & Laboratories at NIEHS fall under the Intramural Research and the National Toxicology Program (NTP) Divisions. The NIEHS Office of Management (OM) directs and conducts administrative and facilities management activities for the Institute by providing services in the areas of financial, personnel, acquisition, and supply and property management, as well as other administrative and office services. The OM advises the NIEHS director and staff on developments in administrative management and their implications and effects on program management throughout NIEHS;

develops policies on administrative management; and prepares and issues procedures and guidelines for the implementation of administrative policies and requirements. This requirement supports the research laboratory and maintenance operations of the organizations located at NIEHS. Supports in the research laboratories at NIEHS requires the need for commercial supplies and services for industrial compressed gases, gas handling, delivery, hardware, and related supplies and services for the operations at the National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) campus located in Research Triangle Park (RTP), North Carolina.

2.0. OBJECTIVES: The basic service objective is to provide NIEHS’s end-users with consistent and reliable services related to the acquisition, handling and storage, and administrative aspects of compressed gases. The contractor shall provide all necessary personnel, labor, equipment, tools, materials, vehicles, travel, supervision, and services necessary to perform the subject services for approximately 900-1050 compressed gas cylinders, liquid nitrogen dewars, and 3 bulk tanks on campus. The contractor shall be responsible for replenishment, delivery, and maintenance of all containerized compressed gas cylinders and Liquid Nitrogen Dewars associated with the operations at NIEHS.

3.0. SCOPE: This Statement of Work (SOW) will be used to execute delivery of a broad range of orders for bulk gases and gas cylinder tanks under the resultant requirements contract. During the contract period, the Government will identify deliveries required to fulfill each specific need. Delivery orders with more specific details will be placed as needed by the Inventory Management Specialist. Specific performance dates and quantities will be specified on each individual delivery order. During the life of the contract, there may be additions and/or subtractions in the total number of miscellaneous bulk gases, and cylinder tanks based on the Government’s needs.

3.1. This is a non-personal services contract. The Government will not exercise any supervision or control over the contract service providers performing the services herein but to ensure that the requirements of the contract are met.

Such contract service providers shall be accountable solely to the contractor who, in turn is responsible to the Government. The Contractor, in turn, shall be accountable to the Government for contractor personnel, subcontractors, or contract service providers. The contractor shall in form the Government of all new hired personnel within 24 hours offer acceptance.

4.0 TASKS: The Contractor shall provide services to execute a broad range of delivery orders awarded under this contract:

4.0. TASKS/DELIVERIES: The miscellaneous compressed bulk gases, cylinder tanks, and equipment utilized for this requirement must be in compliance with all Federal, State, Local Laws and NIH and NIEHS regulations affecting the safe use and transport of these supplies. The Contractor shall provide certification of tank safety inspections. The Contractor shall provide certification that all gases meet purity standards as described. All cylinder tanks must be properly labeled with the following Department of Transportation information (DOT): Type and material of construction, service pressure in pounds per square inch gauge, serial number and identifying symbol registered with DOT. Date of manufacture and original test date, inspector's official mark shall appear on the label.

The Contractor shall provide the following items and perform the following tasks:

75N96024Q00043 Page 8 of 15

4.1. Task 1 – Delivery and Transport: The Contractor shall deliver gas tanks with gases to required locations as specified further in delivery orders and/or request.

4.1.1. The Contractor shall provide regular deliveries of gases twice weekly, Thursday and Friday or as needed (see Emergency Deliveries section).

4.1.2. Delivery shall include bulk gases, liquid nitrogen dewars and gas cylinders. The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer Representative and/or designated alternate of any delay of service(s).

4.1.3. The Contractor shall transport cylinders by appropriate hand truck or cart with cylinders being secured to prevent them from falling or striking each other. The Contractor shall ensure carts have a chain restraint. Cylinders shall not be moved with a regulator attached to them. Cylinders shall not be transported without valve protection caps firmly in place. The Contractor shall have both hands on the cylinder cart or hand truck during transport.

4.1.4. Liquid nitrogen dewars shall be delivered on a weekly or bi-weekly basis as specified in weekly delivery order. New tanks (not having a spare) shall be hooked up to refrigeration units upon delivery, while the refrigeration units with spare tanks will be replaced with the spare. The new tank shall become the spare. The Contractor shall notify the COR when tanks are filled and the level at which the tank is filled. Contractor must contact the COR or assistant upon the arrival of delivery and upon delivery completion.

4.1.5. The contractor will provide and deliver bulk liquid nitrogen and bulk liquid nitrogen tank at the MRI facility as well as monitor directly on a 24 hour, 7 day a week basis and refilled as necessary. The tank for this is located outside the MRI building on the south campus of NIEHS.

4.1.6. The Contractor shall hook up a telemetry system to NIEHS already existing phone line at all bulk tanks for monitoring.

4.1.7. Liquid helium dewars shall be delivered on an as needed basis as specified by individual delivery orders.

4.1.8. The contractor will provide and deliver the bulk CO2 tank and product. The Bulk CO2 shall be delivered to the storage tank just outside building 101 C loading dock, building 101 F rear loading dock, and MRI loading dock as requested, according the minimum level requirement of 2000 pounds. These tanks shall be monitored by the telemetry system.

4.1.9. A variety of other gas cylinders (stocked in building 103 storage rooms) shall be delivered when an order is placed by the Inventory Management Office and delivered to NIEHS Building 103 and stored inside the chain restraint according to acceptable safety practices. Flammable tanks shall be placed in the locked area and nonflammable tanks in the unlocked area. The contractor shall be prepared to deliver to direct locations specified on order request.

4.1.10. Emergency Deliveries and Unscheduled Deliveries:

4.1.10.1. Emergency Deliveries. These orders shall be delivered to the designated location within 24 hours following placement of the order. Individual delivery orders specified as emergency deliveries, shall also be made within 24hrs. The Contractor shall provide a timetable for delivery.

4.1.10.2. Unscheduled Deliveries. The Contractor shall be required at times to make unscheduled deliveries within 24 hours after notification by the Contracting Officer or COR.

4.2. Task 2 - Delivery of Gas Cylinder and Bulk Tanks. The Contractor shall provide and install all cylinders and tanks and valves in good working condition (i.e., valves shall not be rusted). The Contractor shall provide the correct type of gas and purity without contaminants. The contractor shall provide and install two (2) tanks (one (1) 1500 liters and one (1) at 450 liters) shall have a maximum pre-set operating pressure of 450 psig and be equipped for oxygen service. The remaining 450L tank shall be equipped for liquid nitrogen service. Deliveries shall be scheduled through the Inventory Management Office at intervals dependent on NIEHS research requirements.

75N96024Q00043 Page 9 of 15

4.2.1. Other gas cylinders necessary to conduct scientific research shall be delivered, when requested by the Inventory Management Office. Special mixtures of gases may be requested for particular science needs. The contractor should provide an estimated delivery date when the orders are placed.

4.3. Task 3 - Quality Control and Telemetry of Specified Tanks.

4.3.1. The Contractor shall provide 24 hour telemetry 7 days a week of the bulk liquid nitrogen tank (3000 gallons) located at the MRI building, CO2 bulk tank (6 tons) located at C loading dock and CO2 bulk tank (6 tons) located at F-rear loading dock. The Contractor shall use telemetry to monitor usage and alarms at predetermined levels to indicate low levels. The Contractor’s quality control plan shall specifically address maintenance and inspection of the telemetry system.

4.4. Task 4 - Delivery Support Services.

4.4.1. Acceptance and Inspection: The Contractor shall obtain signatures on all delivery receipts from lab personnel for specialty gas tanks at building 101, and MRI building. All standard orders will be signed for by personnel from the Inventory Management Office. Tanks delivered to building 103 will be signed for by Inventory Management personnel.

4.4.2. The Contractor shall inspect tanks prior to delivery to ensure that pressure gauge and valves are working properly.

4.4.3. Cylinder Relocation: The Contractor shall not remove or relocate any gas cylinders without prior approval by the Government. All requests for removal or relocation of gas cylinders shall be submitted in advance to the Contracting Officer and COR for review and approval.

4.4.4. Certification: The Contractor shall provide certification of tank safety inspections. Inspections of the Micro- Bulk tanks should be scheduled in advance with the Inventory Management Office.

4.4.5. Labeling: All cylinders shall be properly labeled with the following Department of Transportation information (DOT): Type and material of construction, service pressure in pounds per square inch gauge, serial number and identifying symbol registered with DOT. Manufacturing data shall appear on the label: Date of manufacture and original test date, inspector’s official mark.

4.4.6. The Contractor shall also provide other supplies such as hoses and needles without additional charges for all containers requiring them. Contractors shall install existing regulators provided by NIEHS laboratory personnel on new tanks when delivered.

4.5. Task 5 – Maintenance Support: The Contractor shall provide maintenance for the tanks delivered to NIEHS locations.

4.5.1. Regular maintenance of the tanks and tank accessories shall include repair and/or maintenance of tanks.

Regular maintenance shall be performed routinely and on a requested basis.

4.5.2. Unscheduled maintenance of tanks shall be required within 24 hours after notification by the Contracting Officer or COR.

4.6. Task 6 – Tank Inventory: The Contractor shall perform annual tank inventories in conjunction with the Inventory Management Office. The inventory shall be performed annually and shall consist of a count of all tanks on the NIEHS campus by location to include offsite facilities as well. The contractor shall use the annual inventory as a final count of actual tanks on the NIEHS campuses. The contractor will prepare the report and will require signed concurrence by the Inventory Management Team.

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4.6.1. The Contractor will establish a Flat Rate Rental Fee for dewars, cylinders, and bulk tanks that will be adjusted once a year after the inventory has been conducted. Prior to inventory all empty tanks must be removed.

4.7. Task 7 - Reporting and Documentation:

4.7.1. The Contractor shall provide signed receipts for deliverables at the time of delivery. Signed receipts shall contain the following information: Name of Contractor, contract and delivery order number, building number of delivery, date of delivery, size of tank, type of gas delivered, quantities of cylinders and volume/number of gallons delivered.

5.0. PERSONNEL. Qualified personnel shall be provided by the Contractor for performance of work listed herein to assure that requests for services and supplies are responded to in a prompt and safe manner; that personnel can recognize, prevent and mitigate potential hazards encountered while working on the NIEHS campus; that the personnel, do not interfere with laboratory equipment/environments, research programs and protects the property of the NIEHS; and, that the personnel protect the public health, safety and environment during all contract operations.

5.1. Key Personnel: The following are considered key personnel by the Government:

5.1.1. Project Manager (PM): The Contractor shall provide a PM who shall be responsible for the performance of the work. The name of this individual and an alternate(s), who shall act for the Contractor, shall be designated and provided in writing to the Contracting Officer prior to commencement of work.

5.1.1.1. The PM shall have working knowledge of gases and gas related fields. The PM shall be available during normal working hours of Monday to Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST). The PM shall be responsible for facilitating resolution of all customer service problems, obtain and provide answers to technical questions/concerns, and capable of suggesting alternative solutions regarding the handling, storage, delivery, distribution, and customer operations.

5.1.1.2. Key Personnel Qualifications: The PM shall have a minimum of 3 years’ experience in providing gas and services to a comparable facility.

5.2. In addition to key personnel, qualified personnel shall be provided by the Contractor for performance of work listed herein to assure that requests for services and supplies are responded to in a prompt and safe manner; that personnel can recognize, prevent and mitigate potential hazards encountered while working on the NIEHS campus;

that the personnel, do not interfere with laboratory equipment/environments, research programs and protects the property of the NIEHS; and, that the personnel protects the public health, safety and environment during all contract operations.

5.3. Contractor personnel shall provide all services, supplies, and work in a professional and courteous manner and abide by applicable regulations, NIEHS rules and procedures, and present a neat appearance when working at NIEHS installations.

5.4. Employees: The Government has the right to restrict employment of any contractor employee, or prospective contractor employee, who is identified as a potential threat to the health, safety, security, general well-being or operational mission of the NIEHS campus and its population.

5.4.1. All personnel employed by the Contractor in the performance of this contract, or any representative of the Contractor entering the Government reservation, shall abide by all the regulations of the NIEHS campus.

5.5. Contractor shall provide the name(s) as well as pertinent information of the truck driver and backup driver for deliveries. The contractor should inform COR/ACOR when a new person is hired so the proper clearances are made and a badge can be issued.

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6.0. COMPLIANCE: The contractor shall comply with NIEHS guidelines for websites and other communications materials (see Attachments). See Section 508 accessibility guidelines as defined by the federal government. Please see the following URLs for details:

Section 508 Information: http://www.section508.gov/ Guide to the Section 508 Standards: https://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/communications-and-it/about-the-section-508-standards/guide-to-the-section-508-standards Making Files Accessible: http://www.hhs.gov/web/section-508/making-files-accessible/index.html

NOTE: If the deliverable includes features and functions in addition to those identified as requirements, these features and functions also need to conform to relevant Section 508 technical provisions, functional performance criteria, and information, documentation and support.

7.0. QUALITY CONTROL: The Government is committed to a highly interactive relationship between quality control by the contractor and quality assurance by the government. This relationship shall be achieved through an effective prevention based quality control program dedicated to ensuring the best possible products and services to end users. As part of quality control, the Contractor shall submit a Quality Control Plan (QCP) which at a minimum shall include a self-inspection plan, an internal staffing plan, and an outline of the procedures that the contractor shall use to maintain quality, timeliness, responsiveness, customer satisfaction, and any other requirements set forth in this SOW. The QCP shall be updated five (5) days after contract award. The QCP shall document how the contractor intends on meeting and complying with the quality standards established in this SOW. The contractor’s QCP shall be maintained throughout the life of the contract and shall include the contractor’s procedures to routinely evaluate the effectiveness of the plan to ensure the contractor is meeting the performance standards and requirements of the contract. An updated copy shall be provided to the COR no later than five (5) days after any updates.

8.0. SAFETY AND HEALTH: The Contractor shall comply with all Federal, North Carolina State, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards and local laws and regulations concerning the environmental, occupational safety and health, and hazardous material. The contractor shall ensure employees have all required training and certifications related to OSHA requirements. The documentation shall be readily available for the Contracting Officer to review at any time during the life of the contract.

9.0. SECURITY: The Contractor shall ensure that all personnel providing service on NIEHS campus have an NIEHS contractor badge; they must wear the badge at all times while providing services on the NIEHS campus.

The Contractor shall be responsible for retrieving badge request forms from the COR/Sponsor for processing by NIEHS security. Badges need to be active and renewed prior to expiration. Timely renewal shall be performed so that delivery functions are not interrupted.

10.0. PHASE-IN/PHASE-OUT PERIODS:

10.1. Phase-In: To minimize and/or prevent any possible negative impact on services and supplies, the Contractor shall have all tanks delivered and installed, during the phase-in period. The contractor shall provide a tank transition plan that describes a process for changing out tanks, including bulk tanks, provided by the current contractor to those provided by the new contractor. The plan should be detailed and outline a complete plan on how this task will be completed without interrupting gas services to the NIEHS campus.

10.2. Phase-Out: Prior to the completion of this contract, the outgoing Contractor shall fully cooperate with the succeeding Contractor and the Government, so as not to interfere with their services and delivery of tanks/gases.

10.2.1. The outgoing Contractor shall be prepared to uninstall tanks and cooperate with the newly selected Contractor during the thirty (30) day phase-out period, which will occur at the end of the period of performance of the contractual effort.

10.2.2. Phase-Out Plan. The incoming Contractor shall develop a phase-out plan to affect a smooth and orderly transfer of contract responsibility to a successor. The plan shall fully describe the Contractor’s approach to applicable issues including Removal of Contractor property and any other actions required to ensure continuity of

75N96024Q00043 Page 12 of 15 operations. The Contractor shall provide the COR a draft of the plan no later than forty-five days prior to the commencement of the phase-out period. The final draft must be finalized no later than thirty (30) days before the phase-out period commences. There will be no cost for removal of contractor equipment in the end of the contract.

11.0. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT, AND SERVICES: This section identifies those items such as property, information and/or services that will be provided for the contractor’s use (without cost to the contractor): N/A

12.0. CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The Contractor shall furnish all supplies, equipment, and services required to perform work under this contract that are not listed under section 9 of this SOW.

12.1. The Contractor shall provide storage and trucks necessary to accomplish miscellaneous bulk gases and gas cylinder delivery to all the tanks under this contract.

12.2. Trucks provided by the Contractor shall be roadworthy (capable of satisfactory operation).

12.3. The Contractor shall provide all cylinders, dewars and bulk tanks necessary to deliver gases to NIEHS. All cylinder and dewars shall be in good working condition.

13.0. HOURS OF OPERATION: Normal NIEHS business hours are Monday-Friday, excluding Federal holidays.

Core hours at NIEHS typically fall between: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. However, scheduled deliveries shall be made to the Government under this contract during the hours of 8:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding Government Holidays.

13.1. On occasion, services may be required outside the normal working hours described above. The Contractor shall have a representative readily available after normal working hours, on weekends and holidays to handle emergency services. The Contractor shall provide the name and phone number of an after-hour emergency point of contact to the Contracting Officer and COR.

13.2. Due to the criticality of gases to the functionality of the Institute, in the event of Inclement Weather the Contractor shall immediately notify COR with a plan of action when there are delays.

13.3. The National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences observes the following holidays:

New Year’s Day Martin Luther King’s Birthday Washington's Birthday Memorial Day Juneteenth

Independence Day Labor Day Columbus Day Veteran’s Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day

14.0. DELIVERY LOCATIONS: Gas tanks are located at various locations on the NIEHS campus See Attachment II - Combined Tank Inventory for tank locations and tank capacity.

15.0. ORDERING PERIOD: The requirement has a five (5) year ordering period. Individual delivery orders issued cannot exceed a 12-month period.

16.0. INVOICING: The Contractor shall provide monthly invoices and itemized spreadsheet to the CO and COR/ACOR. Once invoices are verified, the Contractor shall submit invoices to NIH for payment.

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ATTACHMENT II

DELIVERABLE SCHEDULE

SOW Ref Deliverable Frequency Medium/Format Submit To SOW 4 Miscellaneous Bulk

Gases & Gas Cylinder Tanks

See individual task orders for details Physical delivery of items Locations specified on individual task orders

SOW 4.7.1 Signed Receipts At the time of delivery Hard copy, hand delivered COR SOW 8. Quality Control Plan Initial with quote submission.

Updated Five (5) days after contract award. No later than five (5) days after any updates.

Electronically - Email CO and COR

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ATTACHMENT III

QUALITY ASSURANCE REQUIREMENT SUMMARY

This draft Quality Assurance Requirements Summary (QARS) is provided so that the Contractor can be familiar with the level of service (i.e., timeliness, completion, and compliance) expected Required Service Performance Standard Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) Monitoring Method

SOW 4.1. Task 1 – Delivery and Transport

Deliver gas tanks with gases to required locations as specified further in delivery orders.

98% relative to timeliness, completion, and compliance

100% surveillance/COR oversight and feedback from end users

SOW 4.2. Task 2 - Delivery of Gas Cylinder and Bulk Tanks

Provide and install all cylinders and tanks in good working condition with the correct type of gas and purity without contaminants

100% relative to Timeliness, completion, accuracy, and reliability

100% surveillance/COR oversight and feedback from end users

SOW 4.3. Task 3 - Quality Control and telemetry of Specified Tanks

Provide 24 hour telemetry 7 days a week of the Bulk liquid Nitrogen Tank located at the MRI building and shall use telemetry to monitor usage and alarms at predetermined levels to indicate low levels

100% relative to timeliness, completion, and compliance

100% surveillance/COR oversight and feedback from end users

SOW 4.4. Task 4 - Delivery Support Services

Perform proper acceptance and inspection, cylinder relocation, certification, and labeling

100% relative to timeliness, completion, and accuracy

100% surveillance/COR oversight and feedback from end users

SOW 4.5. Task 5 – Maintenance Support

Provide regular and unscheduled maintenance 98% relative to timeliness, completion, and reliability

100% surveillance/COR oversight and feedback from end users

SOW 4.6. Task 6 – Tank Inventory Perform annual tank inventories in conjunction with the Inventory Management Office

99% relative to timeliness, completion, and accuracy

100% surveillance/COR oversight and feedback from end users

SOW 4.7. Task 7 - Reporting and Documentation

Provide signed receipts as required 100% relative to timeliness, completion, and accuracy

100% surveillance/COR oversight and feedback from end users

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