RFI SAM LN2.pdf

Na onal Aeronau cs and Space Administration

George C. Marshall Space Flight Center Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812

Reply to Attn of:

PS32

Alicia Reynolds Darlene Greene Connor McLean

December 18th, 2025

Subject: Request for Information (RFI)

Project Title: MSFC High Pressure Liquid Nitrogen Pump Replacement

Location: Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Alabama

Cost: Estimated to be between $6,000,000 and $7,000,000

NAICS Code: 236210 Industrial Building Construction

Product Service Code: Z2NZ Repair Or Alteration Of Other Utilities

Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is preparing to release a Design Build Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for an upcoming project to be completed at MSFC. The Government’s intent is to utilize Two-Phase Design-Build Selection Procedures (Phase 1 – Request for Qualifications / Phase 2 – Request for Proposal) with Best Value Trade-off Source Selection technique considering technical factors and price.

This is a request for information and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government, implied or otherwise to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. An award will not be made on offers received in response to this notice. This notice is not a request for proposal; it is a market research tool being utilized to determine the availability of qualified sources and receive comments on the below scope/description prior to issuing the RFQ and RFP. No questions will be taken at this time. The Government will not pay for effort expended in responding to this request.

I. Scope/Description:

A. Background:

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), is seeking information from qualified firms capable of providing Design-Build (D-B) services for the design and construction of equipment and controls upgrades for the High Pressure LN2 Facility (Facility 4659) at Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, Alabama.

The project will modernize 1960’s era technology by replacing liquid nitrogen (LN2) pumps, associated piping, valves, controls, and ancillary systems with a new automated system designed for durability, reliability, and reduced operational costs.

The upgraded system will maintain or improve current capacity while reducing the number of pumps required. The anticipated award date is Q4 FY26 with an estimated period of performance of 18 months.

B. Existing Conditions:

The High Pressure GN2 Facility contains two separate pumping systems capable of providing gaseous nitrogen (GN2) at either 5,000 (5K) or 10,000 (10K) PSIG. The facility is designed to receive liquid nitrogen (LN2) from cryogenic trailers and convert it to high pressure gas to replenish the gaseous nitrogen (GN2) distribution systems at MSFC. This facility also provides for LN2 storage and liquid and gaseous trailer fill.

The gaseous nitrogen generating system is comprised of five active liquid nitrogen storage vessels, one inactive storage vessel, three LN2 unloading stations, nine 5,000 PSIG pumps and three 10,000 PSIG LN2 pumps (pumps are tagged together in packs of three, referred to as pump modules. Three modules for the 5k system and one module for the 10k system), and six Thermax ambient air vaporizers. The 5 KSI pipelines connect the facility to most test facilities at MSFC, both inside and outside of the East Test Area (ETA) and the West Test Area (WTA). The 10 KSI pipeline is connected to the storage bottles at Test Stand (TS) 116 in the East Test Area. Valves allow delivery of the nitrogen to the other storage systems at MSFC.

Currently, liquid nitrogen is unloaded from vendor tankers via three centrifugal unloading pumps. The three pumps are equipped with 25 hp, 480 V (29.5 A) motors operating at 3500 RPM. Each pump features a 2″ suction and 4″ discharge connection, delivering 250 GPM at a total dynamic head of 200 ft with a 7.37″ impeller. The pumps require 5.5 ft NPSH, are rated for 50 PSIG suction pressure (10 PSIG nominal), and have a stamped discharge pressure of 109 PSIG.

The six LN2 storage vessels equal 156,800 gallons of total storage. Approximately 50,000 gallons is dedicated to the 10K system.

The facility 5k system operates nine Kobe Triplex Model 3K pumps, each driven by a 60 hp, 480 V (75 A) motor. Individual pump capacity is 10.54 GPM at a maximum discharge pressure of 6,000 PSIG, yielding a combined facility capability of 94.86 GPM with all nine pumps running. The nine pumps are arranged on “skids” in groups of three called modules. The 5k system also includes three centrifugal pumps as circulator pumps (one per “module”) driven by 10 hp, 480 V (12 A) motors operating at 3500 RPM. Each pump has a 3″ suction and 4″ discharge, delivering 190 GPM at 181 ft of total dynamic head with a 6″ impeller. The pumps require 5 ft NPSH, are rated for 125 PSIG suction pressure (20–40 PSIG actual), and have a stamped discharge pressure of 63 PSIG.

The facility 10K system consists of three Kobe Triplex Model 3F pumps, each powered by 60 hp, 480 V (75 A) motors. Each unit delivers 8.33 GPM at a maximum discharge pressure of 10,000 PSIG (12,600 PSIG for NP200), providing a combined facility capacity of 24.99 GPM with all three pumps running.

C. Scope – Betterments:

The following scope objectives should be considered during the proposal development phase of this planned acquisition. The Government does not expect all items described to be included in the eventual award, and only expects that which is achievable within the estimated cost range described above:

1. Minimum 5,000 PSIG system pumps (minimum of 3 pumps) and minimum 10,000 PSIG system pumps (minimum of 2 pumps to avoid single point of failure), replaced with modernized equipment that can meet or exceed current capacity

2. All new unloading pumps and circulator pumps

3. All piping upgraded/replaced, including valves and other components, with new vacuum jacketed (VJ) lines as needed, replacement of aging cryogenic valves, replacement of failed vacuum jacketed lines, and Remove Operated Valves (ROV)s in each position

4. Controls: all valve actuation and pump operation automated and controllable from central control room, with manual backup; implement facility control system including remote start/stop for pumps, ROV controls for transfer valves, integration with existing vaporizer controls, and enhanced pressure monitoring capabilities

5. Integration with current vaporization towers

6. Instrumentation of various data points (to be defined/listed), including data logging of system parameters

7. General facility upgrades/repairs: concrete foundation under pumps, electrical distribution, catwalk for operator access, foundation repairs, unloading station pavement/concrete repairs, walkway repairs, welding repairs, and painting

8. New storage vessels: options include moving TS400 vessel to 4659; T8 vacuum investigation and repair; T5 and T6 replacement, including updating concrete pedestals to accommodate larger vessels to match current; installation of new cryogenic storage tanks in place of removed vessels T5 and T6

9. Cross over or tie in for T3 into the 10k suction line

10. New Dewar fill station

D. Scope – Minimum:

The following scope objectives shall be considered minimally required for this planned acquisition:

1. Complete set of permittable plans and specifications for replacement and installation of LN2 plant modernization, including all defined Betterments above.

2. DWG’s and service manuals provided upon project completion.

3. Technician training on pump maintenance and operation.

4. All new and replacement components should integrate with current facility systems (vaperizers, valving, plumbing, vacuum monitoring, controls, etc.).

5. Start up and commissioning.

6. Uninterrupted operation of critical systems throughout the project period of performance.

7. Adherence to DBIA Design-Build Done Right Best Practice and performance-based requirements, with collaboration among NASA stakeholders, facility personnel, and the Design-Build team.

II. Requested Information:

Contractors having the capabilities necessary to meet or exceed the stated scope and requirements are invited to submit appropriate documentation outlining their capabilities and qualifications.

Respondents should specifically address the following:

1. General Firm Information

Firm Name

Point of Contact (name, phone number, and email)

Unique Entity ID (UEI)

Cage Code

2. Provide project experience and past performance data for Design-Build projects of similar size and complexity—specifically, facility modernization projects involving high-pressure systems and controls upgrades. Experience must demonstrate the ability to maintain full operational continuity of existing systems throughout construction activities. Only projects completed within the past seven (7) years will be considered. For each relevant example, indicate whether the work was performed under a contract as a prime contractor, as a task order within a larger contract while serving as the prime contractor, or through the management of a specialized subcontractor.

3. NASA is seeking firms with documented knowledge, training, and successful implementation of the Design-Build Institute of America’s (DBIA) Best Practices, as required by NPR 8820.2, which mandates the use of the DBIA Design-Build Manual of Practice when the Design-Build delivery method is used. Firms shall provide evidence of successful implementation of DBIA best practices through both project experience and documented internal procedures. Responses should highlight the use of an integrated team approach, with particular emphasis on early engagement of key subcontractors during the project lifecycle.

4. Describe specific technical skills and key personnel your company possess to perform the Scope described above. Specifically, the Government seeks firms who have personnel experienced in high-pressure system retrofits and automated control upgrades.

Personnel with DBIA Design-Build Professional Certification and teams who demonstrate understanding of integrated design-build best practices are preferred.

5. The Government is seeking industry feedback on the extend of which the full scope

(Betterments and minimums) of this modernization project can be successfully executed within an estimated budget of $6 to $7 million. If this budgeting approach is not feasible, please provide supporting documentation and rationale to help the Government understand which specific elements of the project scope, schedule, or other constraints are increasing costs.

6. Provide any additional feedback as necessary.

III. Response Instructions:

Respondents should electronically submit a maximum of 10 pages to the requests above in Times New Roman 12-point font, excluding diagrams, pictures, or figures, in MS Word document format. All responses shall be sent via email to darlene.greene@nasa.gov, alicia.r.reynolds@nasa.gov, and connor.a.mclean@nasa.gov.

The subject line shall contain ‘RFI Response – MSFC High Pressure LN2 Pump Replacement– [Company Name]’. Submissions must be received no later than 12:00PM CST. January 8th, 2026.