Combined Synopsis Solicitation - FA700026Q0111.pdf

COMBINED SYNOPSIS / SOLICITATION

USAFA Liquid Nitrogen Plant /Generator - Notice ID: FA700026Q0111

Notice ID: FA700026Q0111

Solicitation Type: Request for Quotation (RFQ)

Set-Aside: Unrestricted (Full and Open Competition)

NAICS Code: 333415 Air-Conditioning and Warm Air Heating Equipment and Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing

Product Service Code

(PSC):

4130 Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Components

Issuing Office: 10th Contracting Squadron (10 CONS/PKB), USAFA, CO 80840

Quotes Deadline: Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 08:00 A.M. MDT

Point of Contact: Nathalieb P. Zepeda, Contracting Officer, Email: Nathalieb.Zepeda@us.af.mil

DISCLAIMER (Availability of Funds) Funds are not presently available for this effort. No award will be made under this solicitation until funds are available. The Government reserves the right to cancel this solicitation, either before or after the closing date. In the event the Government cancels this solicitation, the Government has no obligation to reimburse an offeror for any costs incurred in preparing or submitting a quote.

Notice ID: FA700026Q0111 | Liquid Nitrogen Plant x2

Table of Contents Table of Contents

1. General Information

2. Requirement Description

3. Salient Characteristics

3.1 Performance & Capacity

3.2 Physical & Mechanical Specifications

3.3 Controls & Automation

3.4 Support, & Deliverables

4. Contract Structure & Schedule

5. Delivery, Inspection, and Acceptance

6. Instructions to Offerors

6.1 Addendum to RFO 52.212-1

7. Evaluation Factors for Award

7.1 Addendum to RFO 52.212-2 (Evaluation Factors & Tailored Criteria)

8. RFO and R-DFARS Provisions and Clauses

8.1 Clauses Incorporated by Reference

8.2 Provisions and Clauses Incorporated in Full Text

9. Attachments

1. General Information This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products prepared in accordance with the format and procedures in the Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation (RFO FAR) Part 12.201-1, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.

This solicitation is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through the latest applicable RFO FAR Circular.

2. Requirement Description The United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) has a requirement for two (2) Liquid Nitrogen Plants (generators), along with associated shipping/delivery, on-site installation, and training services. The equipment must meet all minimum salient characteristics described herein.

3. Salient Characteristics

3.1 Performance & Capacity

Production Rate: Capability to produce a minimum of 60 liters of liquid nitrogen per day.

Storage: Integrated Dewar with a capacity of at least 210 liters.

Altitude Capability: Designed and fully capable of continuous operation at an elevation of 7,500 feet.

Gas Purity: Integrated filter bank assembly capable of separating nitrogen from ambient air to yield a minimum of 98% pure nitrogen.

3.2 Physical & Mechanical Specifications

Dimensions: Overall equipment footprint not exceeding 6.5 ft. x 6 ft.

Compressor: Air-cooled helium compressor (no chilled water utility required).

Extraction System: Cryogenically insulated extraction line and valve designed to minimize liquid nitrogen loss during transfer.

Mounting: Floor stand for the nitrogen generator assembly.

3.3 Controls & Automation

Monitoring: Automatic liquid nitrogen level indicator.

Efficiency: Automatic standby mode activation when the product Dewar reaches full capacity.

3.4 Support, & Deliverables

Shipping & Delivery: FOB Destination shipping and delivery to the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA).

Installation: On-site installation

Training

Maintainability: Designed to allow the local operator to perform most routine maintenance on-site.

Documentation: All necessary special tools and user manuals required for installation and routine maintenance.

Warranty: Standard commercial warranty on parts and workmanship.

4. Contract Structure & Schedule The contract type will be a Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) commercial purchase order. Payment terms are Net 30 days via Wide Area WorkFlow (WAWF).

CLIN Description Qty Unit Unit Price

(USD)

Extended Price (USD)

0001 Liquid Nitrogen Plant (Generator) System in accordance with Salient Characteristics. Must include Shipping/Delivery FOB Destination to USAFA, On-site Installation, Training and Warranty.

2 Each $ $

TOTAL PRICE $

New Equipment Only

The Government will not consider any quotes offering used, reconditioned, refurbished, gray market, or liquidated stock. All items must be brand new from the OEM or authorized distributor.

IUID Marking

The Government will not provide Government-furnished IUID labeling. Offerors must comply with DFARS 252.211-7003 as applicable.

5. Delivery, Inspection, and Acceptance Delivery Terms: F.O.B. Destination to the United States Air Force Academy, CO 80840. F.O.B.

Destination (as defined in RFO 2.101) dictates that the contractor is responsible for all freight, shipping, transit insurance, and risk of loss.

Inspection and Acceptance: Inspection and final acceptance will occur at Destination (USAFA) by the designated Government technical point of contact upon complete installation and operational demonstration.

Tariffs: Any applicable import tariffs must be inclusive in the firm-fixed-price quote, not separately itemized.

6. Instructions to Offerors This solicitation is issued in accordance with (IAW) RFO Part 12 as a Request for Quotation (RFQ). In all instances throughout this solicitation, any reference to "proposal" or "offer" shall be understood as "quote", and "offeror" as "quoter". Quotes submitted in response to this RFQ are non-binding until accepted by the Government via issuance of a formal Purchase Order.

The provision at RFO 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Deviation 2026-O0038) (Feb 2026), applies to this acquisition as tailored below.

6.1 Addendum to RFO 52.212-1

The Addendum to RFO 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Feb 2026) is tailored to include the following:

1. Submission Method & Deadline:

Quotes must be submitted electronically via email to the Contracting Officer: Nathalieb P.

Zepeda (Nathalieb.Zepeda@us.af.mil) no later than Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 08:00

A.M. MDT.

Email Warning: Files over 10MB or compressed .zip files may be blocked by Air Force network security. Quoters are advised to verify receipt.

2. Quote Validity: Quotes must remain valid until 30 September 2026.

3. Required Submission Package:

Part 1 - Price Quote: A formal firm-fixed-price quote on company letterhead detailing pricing for CLIN 0001 clearly displaying company legal name, address, CAGE code, Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), size of business, and POC information.

Part 2 - Technical Capabilities: Detailed specification sheets, technical brochures, and descriptive literature clearly verifying that the proposed equipment meets or exceeds every salient characteristic defined in Section 3 (especially 60 L/day capacity at 7,500 ft elevation, air-cooled compressor, and footprint limits).

Part 3 - Completed Certifications: Completed and signed copy of Attachment 01 Provisions and Clauses (Fill-in) and Attachment 02 - Buy American Certificate

(DFARS 252.225-7035).

4. Buy American Statute: acquire only domestic end products per the Buy American Statute (41 USC Chapter 83), except as provided in RFO 25.103. Foreign offers will be evaluated IAW R-DFARS 225.502 when comparing domestic and foreign offers. This requirement is for commercial items; therefore, the manufacturing country of origin will determine if the quoted product is foreign or domestic.

5. Questions & Clarifications: Technical or contractual questions must be submitted in writing via email Nathalieb.Zepeda@us.af.mil no later than Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 08:00 A.M. MDT. Answers will be compiled and posted publicly to SAM.gov.

Email Submission Warning

Any email over 10MB and/or zip files are not an acceptable format for the Air Force Network and will not go through our email system.

7. Evaluation Factors for Award The Government will award a firm-fixed-price purchase order resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose quote conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. Award will be made on the basis of a Best Value Tradeoff source selection process.

7.1 Addendum to RFO 52.212-2 (Evaluation Factors & Tailored Criteria) A. Evaluation Factors. In accordance with RFO 12.201-1 "Simplified Procedures", the Government is conducting a competitive best value acquisition and will make the award decision based on Price, Technical Capability, and Past Performance. This approach allows the Government to accept other than the lowest priced quote or other than the quote with the highest technical rating to achieve a best-value award decision.

B. Technical Evaluation: Quotes will be reviewed for completeness and compliance with the minimum salient characteristics. Technical ratings will consider the degree to which the equipment meets or exceeds specifications, delivery timeline, and warranty terms.

C. Past Performance & SPRS: The Government will evaluate contractor performance risk using the Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS) IAW DFARS 252.204-7024 and CPARS/SAM data Offerors do not need to submit past performance lists.

D. Interchanges / Discussions: The Government intends to evaluate quotes and award without interchanges with offerors. However, the Government reserves the right to conduct interchanges with one, some, none, or all quoters at the Contracting Officer's discretion. The Government reserves the right to award no purchase order at all depending upon the quality of quotes received and whether quoted prices are fair and reasonable.

E. Notice of award. A quotation is not an offer and, consequently, cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Therefore, issuance by the Government of an order in response to when the supplier accepts the offer. If the Government issues an order resulting from a quotation, the Government may (by written notice to the supplier, at any time before acceptance occurs) withdraw, amend, or cancel its offer. The Contracting Officer may request that the contractor provide written acceptance of the purchase order.

8. RFO and R-DFARS Provisions and Clauses Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) and assigned rating do not apply to this acquisition.

Note on Conflicting Terms: The vendor acknowledges that should the quote terms and conditions conflict with mandatory provisions of the RFO and/or other Federal law applicable to commercial acquisitions, the conflicting vendor terms and conditions are unenforceable and are not considered incorporated into any resultant contract.

8.1 Clauses Incorporated by Reference

The following provisions and clauses are incorporated by reference with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at:

https://www.acquisition.gov.

CLAUSE NO. ALT / DEV NO. CLAUSE TITLE DATE

(YEAR-

MO)

SECTION

252.203-7000 Requirements Relating to Compensation of Former DoD Officials

2011-09 SEC I

252.203-7002 Requirement to Inform Employees of Whistleblower Rights

2022-12 SEC I

252.203-7005 Representation Relating to Compensation of Former DoD Officials

2022-09 SEC K

252.204-7018 Prohibition on the Acquisition of Covered Defense Telecommunications Equipment or Services

2023-01 SEC I

252.204-7022 Expediting Contract Closeout 2021-05 SEC I

252.204-7024 Notice on the Use of the Supplier Performance Risk System

2023-03 SEC L

252.206-7000 Domestic Source Restriction 2023-08 SEC L

252.211-7008 Use of Government-Assigned Serial Numbers

2010-09 SEC I

252.223-7008 Prohibition of Hexavalent Chromium 2023-01 SEC I

252.225-7012 Preference for Certain Domestic Commodities

2022-04 SEC I

252.225-7055 Representation Regarding Business Operations with the Maduro Regime

2022-05 SEC K

252.225-7056 Prohibition Regarding Business Operations with the Maduro Regime

2023-01 SEC I

252.225-7059 Prohibition on Certain Procurements from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Representation

2023-06 SEC K

252.225-7060 Prohibition on Certain Procurements from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region

2023-06 SEC I

252.225-7036 Buy American Free Trade Agreements Balance of Payments Program

2024-02 SEC I

CLAUSE NO. ALT / DEV NO. CLAUSE TITLE DATE

(YEAR-

MO)

SECTION

252.225-7036 ALT IV Buy American Free Trade Agreements Balance of Payments Program (Alternate IV)

2024-02 SEC I

252.227-7001 Authorization and Consent 2020-06 SEC I

252.232-7003 Electronic Submission of Payment Requests and Receiving Reports

2018-12 SEC G

252.232-7010 Levies on Contract Payments 2006-12 SEC I

252.246-7008 Sources of Electronic Parts 2023-01 SEC I

252.247-7023 Transportation of Supplies by Sea 2024-10 SEC I

52.203-18 Prohibition on Contracting with Entities that Require Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements Representation

2017-01 SEC L

52.203-19 Prohibition on Requiring Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements

2017-01 SEC I

52.204-7 Deviation 2026-O0038

System for Award Management Registration

2026-02 SEC L

52.204-10 Deviation 2026- O0038

Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards

2026-02 SEC I

52.204-13 Deviation 2026- O0038

System for Award Management Maintenance

2026-02 SEC I

52.209-6 Deviation 2026- O0038 Subcontracting With Contractors Debarred, Suspended, Proposed for Debarment, or Voluntarily Excluded

2026-02 SEC I

52.209-10 Deviation 2026- O0038

Prohibition on Contracting With Inverted Domestic Corporations

2026-02 SEC I

52.212-1 Deviation 2026- O0038

Instructions to Offerors Commercial Products and Commercial Services

2026-02 SEC L

52.212-2 Deviation 2026- O0038

Evaluation-Commercial Products and Commercial Services.

2026-02 SEC I

CLAUSE NO. ALT / DEV NO. CLAUSE TITLE DATE

(YEAR-

MO)

SECTION

52.212-4 Deviation 2026- O0038

Terms and Conditions Commercial Products and Commercial Services

2026-02 SEC I

52.222-3 Deviation 2026- O0038

Convict Labor 2026-02 SEC I

52.222-19 Deviation 2026- O0038

Child Labor Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies

2026-03 SEC I

52.222-36 Deviation 2026- O0038

Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities

2026-02 SEC I

52.222-50 Deviation 2026- O0038

Combating Trafficking in Persons 2026-02 SEC I

52.222-90 Deviation 2026- O0040, Rev 1

Addressing DEI Discrimination by Federal Contractors

2026-04 SEC I

52.223-23 Deviation 2026- O0038

Sustainable Products 2026-02 SEC I

52.226-8 Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving

2024-05 SEC I

52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer System for Award Management

2018-10 SEC I

52.232-40 Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors

2023-03 SEC I

52.233-3 Deviation 2026- O0038

Protest after Award 2026-02 SEC I

52.233-4 Deviation 2026- O0038

Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim 2026-02 SEC I

52.240-90 Deviation 2026- O0038

Security Prohibitions and Exclusions Representations and Certifications

2026-02 SEC K

52.240-91 Deviation 2026- O0038

Security Prohibitions and Exclusions 2026-02 SEC I

52.244-6 Deviation 2026- O0038

Subcontracts for Commercial Products and Commercial Services

2026-04 SEC I

8.2 Provisions and Clauses Incorporated in Full Text

DFARS 252.211-7003 ITEM UNIQUE IDENTIFICATION AND VALUATION (JAN 2023)

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause means a device, such as a reader or interrogator, used to retrieve data encoded on machine-readable media.

means:

1. For items that are serialized within the enterprise identifier, the linking together of the unique identifier data elements in order of the issuing agency code, enterprise identifier, and unique serial number within the enterprise identifier; or

2. For items that are serialized within the original part, lot, or batch number, the linking together of the unique identifier data elements in order of the issuing agency code; enterprise identifier; original part, lot, or batch number; and serial number within the original part, lot, or batch number.

means a two-dimensional matrix symbology, which is made up of square or, in some cases, round modules arranged within a perimeter finder pattern and uses the Error Checking and Correction 200 (ECC200) specification found within International Standards Organization (ISO)/International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 16022.

means a unique identification method that is in commercial use and has been recognized by DoD. All DoD recognized unique identification equivalents are listed at https://www.acq.osd.mil/asda/dpc/ce/ds/unique-id.html.

means a system of marking items delivered to DoD with unique item identifiers that have machine-readable data elements to distinguish an item from all other like and unlike items.

means:

1. For fixed-price type line, subline, or exhibit line items, the unit price identified in the contract at the time of delivery;

2. For cost-burdened unit cost to the Government at the time of delivery; and

3. For items produced under a time-and-unit cost to the Government at the time of delivery.

(b) The Contractor shall deliver all items under a contract line, subline, or exhibit line item.

(c) Unique item identifier.

1. The Contractor shall provide a unique item identifier for the following:

the following line items:

Contract Line, Subline, or Exhibit Line Item Number

Item Description are identified in the Schedule.

Contract Line, Subline, or Exhibit Line Item Number

Item Description

(iii) Subassemblies, components, and parts embedded within delivered items, items with warranty requirements, DoD serially managed reparables and DoD serially managed nonreparables as specified in Attachment Number N/A.

(iv) Any item of special tooling or special test equipment as defined in FAR 2.101 that have been designated for preservation and storage for a Major Defense Acquisition Program as specified in Attachment Number N/A.

(v) Any item not included in (i), (ii), (iii), or (iv) for which the contractor creates and marks a unique item identifier for traceability.

1. The unique item identifier assignment and its component data element combination shall not be duplicated on any other item marked or registered in the DoD Item Unique Identification Registry by the contractor.

2. The unique item identifier component data elements shall be marked on an item using two dimensional data matrix symbology that complies with ISO/IEC International Standard 16022, Information technology - International symbology specification - Data matrix; ECC200 data matrix specification.

3. Data syntax and semantics of unique item identifiers shall comply with ISO/IEC International Standard 15434.

(d) Material Inspection and Receiving Report. For each item that requires item unique identification, the Contractor shall report at the time of delivery, as part of the Material Inspection and Receiving Report (WAWF), the unique item identifier, type, issuing agency code, enterprise identifier, part number, serial number, unit cost, unit of measure, and warranty indicator.

*(End of clause)*

DFARS 252.232-7006 WIDE AREA WORKFLOW PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS (JAN 2023)

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause is a six position code that uniquely identifies a unit, activity, or organization.

means the type of payment request or receiving report available for creation in Wide Area WorkFlow (WAWF).

is the office responsible for payment certification when payment certification is done external to the entitlement system.

are defined in the clause at 252.232-7003, Electronic Submission of Payment Requests and Receiving Reports.

(b) Electronic invoicing. The WAWF system provides the method to electronically process vendor payment requests and receiving reports, as authorized by DFARS 252.232-7003.

(c) WAWF access. To access WAWF, the Contractor shall:

2. Have a designated electronic business point of contact in the System for Award Management at https://www.sam.gov;

3. Be registered to use WAWF at https://wawf.eb.mil/ following the step-by-step procedures for self-registration available at this web site.

(d) WAWF training. The Contractor should follow the training instructions of the WAWF Web-Based Training Course and use the Practice Training Site before submitting payment requests through WAWF at https://wawf.eb.mil/.

(e) WAWF methods of document submission. Document submissions may be via web entry, Electronic Data Interchange, or File Transfer Protocol.

(f) WAWF payment instructions. The Contractor shall use the following information when submitting payment requests and receiving reports in WAWF for this contract or order:

4. Document type:

For fixed price line items that require shipment of a deliverable: COMBO (Invoice and Receiving Report)

5. Document routing: The Contractor shall use the information in the Routing Data Table below to fill in applicable fields in WAWF:

FIELD NAME IN WAWF DATA TO BE ENTERED IN WAWF

Pay Official DoDAAC F87700

Issue By DoDAAC FA7000

Admin DoDAAC FA7000

Inspect By DoDAAC F4BWB0

Ship To Code F4BWB0

Ship From Code N/A

FIELD NAME IN WAWF DATA TO BE ENTERED IN WAWF

Mark For Code F4BWB0

Service Approver (DoDAAC) N/A

Service Acceptor (DoDAAC) N/A

Accept at Other DoDAAC N/A

LPO DoDAAC N/A

DCAA Auditor DoDAAC N/A

Other DoDAAC(s) N/A

6. WAWF Point of Contact:

WAWF Helpdesk: 866-618-5988

*(End of clause)*

DFARS 252.225-7035 BUY AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS BALANCE OF

PAYMENTS PROGRAM CERTIFICATE (ALTERNATE IV) (FEB 2024)

(a) Definitions. -the-

-7036, Buy American Free Trade Agreements Balance of Payments Program Alternate IV clause of this solicitation.

(b) Evaluation. The Government

7. Will evaluate offers in accordance with the policies and procedures of Part 225 of the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; and

8. For line items subject to the Buy American Free Trade Agreements Balance of Payments Program Alternate IV clause of this solicitation, will evaluate offers of qualifying country end products or Free Trade Agreement country end products other than Bahraini end products, Korean end products, Moroccan end products, Panamanian end products, or Peruvian end products without regard to the restrictions of the Buy American or the Balance of Payments Program.

(c) Certifications and identification of country of origin.

9. For all line items subject to the Buy American Free Trade Agreements Balance of Payments Program Alternate IV clause of this solicitation, the Offeror certifies that:

(i) Each end product, except the end products listed in paragraph (c)(2) of this provision, is a domestic end product;

(ii) Each domestic end product listed in paragraph (c)(3) of this provision contains a critical component or a critical item; and

(iii) Components of unknown origin are considered to have been mined, produced, or manufactured outside the United States or a qualifying country.

10. The Offeror shall identify all end products that are not domestic end products:

(i) Qualifying Country (except Australian) End Products:

Line Item Number Country of Origin

(ii) Free Trade Agreement Country End Products (other than Bahraini, Korean, Moroccan, Panamanian, or Peruvian):

Line Item Number Country of Origin

(iii) Other Foreign End Products:

Line Item Number Country of Origin (If known) Exceeds 55% Domestic Content (Yes / No)

11. The Offeror shall list the line item numbers of domestic end products that contain a critical component or a critical item (see section 25.105 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation):

Line Item Number(s): ________________________________________

*(End of provision)*

OMBUDSMAN

(a) An ombudsman has been appointed to hear and facilitate the resolution of concerns from offerors, potential offerors, and others for this acquisition. When requested, the ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. The existence of the ombudsman does not affect the authority of the program manager, contracting officer, or source selection official. Further, the ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals, the source selection process, or the adjudication of protests or formal contract disputes. The ombudsman may refer the interested party to another official who can resolve the concern.

(b) Before consulting with an ombudsman, interested parties must first address their concerns, issues, disagreements, and/or recommendations to the contracting officer for resolution. Consulting an ombudsman does not alter or postpone the timelines for any other processes (e.g., agency level bid protests, GAO bid protests, requests for debriefings, employee-employer actions, contests of OMB Circular A-76 competition performance decisions).

(c) If resolution cannot be made by the contracting officer, the interested party may contact the ombudsman:

Ombudsman: James Anderson

Address: 8110 Industrial Drive, Ste 103, USAFA, CO 80840

Telephone: (719) 333-3829

FAX: (719) 333-9018

Email: james.anderson.72@us.af.mil

Concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations that cannot be resolved at the Center/MAJCOM/FLDCOM/DRU ombudsman level may be brought by the interested party for further consideration to the Department of the Air Force ombudsman, Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary (ADAS) (Contracting), SAF/AQC, 1060 Air Force Pentagon, Washington DC 20330-1060, phone number (571) 256-2395, facsimile number (571) 256-2431.

(d) The ombudsman has no authority to render a decision that binds the agency.

(e) Do not contact the ombudsman to request copies of the solicitation, verify offer due date, or clarify technical requirements. Such inquiries shall be directed to the contracting officer.

9. Attachments Attachment 01- Provisions and Clauses (Fill-in) Attachment 02 - Buy American Certificate