80KSC024R0010 Questions and Responses to RFP.pdf

NASA Agency-wide Acquisition of Gaseous and Liquid Helium

Questions and Responses to RFP

Question # RFP Area Requirement/

Paragraph # Page # Question Government Response

1 Attachment 1 - Statement of Work

SOW CLIN 8

(E)(1)

12 Does this mean they require a quantity of 4 liquid connection points to withdraw liquid helium simultaneously? We do not currently have tanks with this configuration;

however, a bayonet adaptor might be able to be configured to meet this requirement.

Yes.

2 Attachment 1 - Statement of Work

SOW CLIN 8

(E)(1)

12 (1) Is the 2”x4” dimension referring to the bayonet diameter and length, or valve stem?

(2) Can they provide a clear description of the cryogenic connection type, a drawing / specification of the connection point for the container and flex hose? Our standard connection uses a 2” diameter x 15” Length.

(3) Can NASA provide drawing of bayonet connections?

(1) No, it’s referring to the diameter. 2” is the inner diameter and 4” is the outer diameter of the VJ line.

(2) (E) (1) outlines the needed connection points.

(3) No drawings or additional specifications are available.

Attachment 1 - Statement of Work

SOW CLIN 8

(E)(1)

12 Liquid isolation valve (V-1) has a CV of 23.5.

See SOW, CLIN 8, (E) (1).

Attachment 1 - Statement of Work

SOW CLIN 8

(E)(1)

This seems to mean (1) liquid withdrawal valve and (1) gas withdrawal valve. (This is our standard configuration).

Correct.

# RFP Area Requirement/

Paragraph # Page # Question Government Response

5 Attachment 1 - Statement of Work

SOW CLIN 8

(E)(4)

12 E-1 already describes the LHe withdrawal connections as 2”x4”. Is this redundant to the description in E-1 or is it intended to describe something else?

No. (E)(1) describes the LHe withdrawal connection (2"x4"). (E)(4) describes the diameter requirement of the outlet line.

6 Attachment 1 - Statement of Work

SOW CLIN 8

(E)(5)

12 E-1 already describes a “manual iso valve CV >=23.5”. Is this redundant to the description in E-1 or is it intended to describe something else?

Yes, the “manual iso valve Cv >=23.5” in (E)(5) is redundant because (E)(1) identifies the requirements of the connections and (E)(5) identifies the Cv requirement of the Manual Outlet Isolation valve.

7 Terms and Conditions

2.1.1 Notes:

All GHe requirements are Grade A per MIL-

PRF-27407E

7 This is not Govt Grade. This is grade

5.5 which is higher than what we currently supply. What are the impurity specifications for Grade A per MIL-PRF-27407E?

See Section 2.6 for weblink to MIL-PRF- 27407E.

8 Terms and Conditions

2.1.1 / 2.1.2 / 3.21

7, 8, 56 Are there specific purity or quality standards required for both Gaseous and Liquid Helium?

See Sections 2.1.1, 2.1.2 and 2.6. See Section 2.6 for weblink to MIL-PRF- 27407E. See Section 3.21 for quality assurance requirements.

9 Terms and Conditions

2.1.1 / 2.1.2 7, 8 Can you confirm if delivery volumes and schedules are fixed, or if they may vary based on operational changes at each site?

No, Section 2.1.1 Schedule of Supplies is the Government’s best estimated quantities (BEQs).

# RFP Area Requirement/

Paragraph # Page # Question Government Response

10 Attachment 1 Statement of Work

SOW CLIN 5

(H)

8, 9 Are there specific requirements or restrictions for transporting helium to unique locations, such as Antarctica?

See each SOW for delivery information.

11 Attachment 1 Statement of Work

SOW CLIN 5

(H)

8, 9 Can you clarify delivery logistics for locations with unique requirements (e.g., Antarctica shipments)?

See each SOW for delivery information.

12 Terms and Conditions

2.9.1 / 3.1 paragraph (m)

20 Are there penalties for delayed deliveries or incentives for exceeding performance standards?

See Section 3.1 paragraph (m).

This is not an incentive contract.

13 Terms and Conditions

6.4.3 96 Should pricing include contingency plans for market fluctuations in helium costs?

See Section 6.4.3.

14 Attachment 2 Capability Form

Distribution Information For Block 11

AVERAGE

NUMBER OF

TRUCKS /

TANKERS /

TRAILERS

FROM:

(06/01/2024 - 11/30/2024 - 6

mo. Period)

N/A (1) What average is NASA asking for, is it Daily average, Weekly average or Monthly average?

(2) How much notice will you give the contractor prior to delivery?

(1) Daily average. See updated Capability Forms 2 and 2.1.

(2) See each SOW.

# RFP Area Requirement/

Paragraph # Page # Question Government Response

15 Attachment 2 Capability Form

Distribution

TRUCK /

TANKER /

TRAILER

CAPACITY

FROM

(06/01/2024 - 11/30/2024 - 6

mo. Period)

N/A (1) What average is NASA asking for, is it Daily average, Weekly average or Monthly average?

(2) How much notice will you give the contractor prior to delivery?

(1) Daily average. See updated Capability Forms 2 and 2.1.

(2) See each SOW.

16 Attachment 2 Capability Form

Distribution

NUMBER OF

DRIVERS

FROM

(06/01/2024 - 11/30/2024 - 6

mo. Period)

N/A (1) What average is NASA asking for, is it Daily average, Weekly average or Monthly average?

(2) How much notice will you give the contractor prior to delivery?

(1) Daily average. See updated Capability Forms 2 and 2.1.

(2) See each SOW.

# RFP Area Requirement/

Paragraph # Page # Question Government Response

17 Terms and Conditions

N/A N/A Request that NASA officially consider a reasonable transition period for potential non-incumbent awardees and NASA locations requiring the contractor to rent and provide assets including tube trailers, tankers, ISO containers, and dewars. Incumbent suppliers likely have the equipment already sourced and committed to the RFP requirements. Non-incumbent contractors would not likely have the equipment capitalized, sourced, and committed for the RFP requirements unless and until they were awarded a contract. The capital cost of the listed equipment is materially significant, suppliers of the equipment are limited, and lead times to source equipment can be estimated 4-6 months from date of order (date of a NASA award). Contractors may not have existing assets idly available to meet RFP requirements. Absent a transition period, NASA incumbent contractors would have an unnecessary and unfair advantage reducing or even restricting fair competition of this procurement.

All proposals are evaluated in accordance with Section 7.2, 7.3 and 7.4.

# RFP Area Requirement/

Paragraph # Page # Question Government Response

18 Attachment 1 Statement of Work

SOW CLIN

10 G(2)(i)

16 (1) What does this delivery support involve?

(2) Does ATF require a contractor driver or technician on site during this time?

(3) How would you propose charging for driver/technician time on site?

(1) See updated SOW, CLIN 9 and 10 (The SOW is replaced in its entirety).

(2) See SOW CLIN 9 and 10, Section 3, Contractor Delivery Requirements.

(3) See SOW CLIN 9 and 10, Section 3, Contractor Delivery Requirements.

19 Attachment 1 Statement of Work

SOW CLIN

17 AND 18

(E) (2)

26 Who makes connection from contractor trailer and who operates trailer during delivery – contractor driver or MSFC personnel?

MSFC personnel. See updated SOW CLIN 17 and 18 (E) (2)