Market_Research.docx
DOCX document 39 KB Posted
- Attached to
- Helium Refill Services; New Solicitation
- Solicitation number
- 75N92025Q00011
About this file
This is a market research document from the National Institutes of Health dated October 7, 2024, regarding liquid helium refill services. The document outlines challenges in obtaining competitive quotations for these services, noting that Bruker has been the incumbent contractor for four consecutive years through FY2024. Bruker will not offer option years due to helium supply and pricing concerns, though they maintain strong relationships with helium suppliers.
The requirements demand vendors provide liquid helium and transfill services by trained personnel, considering ceiling height limitations and safety handling of 60L versus 100L shipping containers. Quench recovery service is also required. The document notes limited competition, with Triangle Analytical (the pre-2021 incumbent) failing to submit proposals despite initial interest, and Tecmag (Houston, TX) indicating they do not offer these services. The agency expresses concerns about finding other qualified vendors, particularly for quench recovery services, which Bruker can confidently provide due to existing hardware contract coverage.
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Other files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Sol_75N92025Q00011.pdf | ||
| Statement_of_Work_Helium_refill_V2.docx | DOCX document | |
| IGE_Liquid_Helium_V2.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| Acquisition_Plan_Bruker_V2.pdf |
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Text version
Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health
October 7, 2024
Procurement: Liquid Helium Refill Service Contract
Market Research
I have be unable to obtain competitive quotations.
FY2024 contract was awarded to Bruker for the fourth consecutive year. Bruker will not offer option years due to the supply and price realities of liquid helium. They do have excellent relationships with helium supplies due to their large foot print in the area of cyrogenic magnets for research and medical applications.
Prior to 2021, Triangle Analytical was awarded this contract for our previous system. Due to personnel issue they were unable to bid in 2021. Last year I received a competitive quotation from them, but during the solicitation from the contracting officer they failed to submit a proposal. I contacted them again this year; inspite of positive initial response no proposal was sent to me.
In FY2024, I inquired of another company Tecmag, located in Houston, TX. Their parent company in the UK seemed to offer this service base on their website, but this subsidiary replied to me that they did not offer.
My requirements place high demands on the vendor.
1) Provision of liquid helium
2) Transfill of liquid helium by trained, experienced personnel
a. With consideration for the limited ceiling height
b. Safety of handling liquid helium in 60 L versus 100 L shipping containers
3) Quench recovery service, if resulting from transfill.
I am not confident that there are other qualified vendors for this contract. Bruker is confident of quench recovery service, because we have existing hardware contract that covers the magnet. Other vendors may not be able to provide this coverage.
9000 Rockville Pike, Building 31, Ste. 1C14, Bethesda, MD 20892 301-496-8859 info@nibib.nih.gov www.nibib.nih.gov image1.jpeg
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